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Historical and Biographical Annals
OF
Columbia and Montour
Counties
PENNSYLVANIA
r^
Containing
A Concise History of the Two Counties and a
Genealogical and Biographical Record
of Representative Families
IN TWO VOLUMES
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I
CHICAGO
J. H. BEERS & CO.
1915
THE JiEV/ VOf>K
PUBLIC LIBRARY
783455
j ASTOR, LENOX AHD
P »9|7
PREFACE
In the preparation of this history of Cohimbia and Montour counties the
pubHshers have been guided by several factors, the principal one being to record
facts. In this vicinity of quaint legend and marvelous incident it is perhaps quite
natural that writers of the past should have yielded much to the temptation to
romantic narrative. Pains have been taken to revert to the unimpeachable
records of the early times, which are still available to investigators, and for
verification of the statements in the present work we direct attention to files of
newspapers of the period in question, and other records to be found now in the
Bloomsburg and Danville public libraries and the courthouses of the two coun-
ties, as well as in the archives of the Columbia County Historical Society and
in private homes.
An important feature of this work, in which appear items of history which
would be preserved in no other way, is the genealogical record of many of the
families of this section whose ancestry were instrtmiental in the building of the
Commonwealth and this portion of it in the days of settlement and trial. The
utmost care has been exercised in the compilation of these family records, and
in nearly every instance the biographical sketches were submitted to those imme-
diately interested, thus affording ample opportunity for revision and correction.
In compiling data for the history the publishers have had the assistance and
supervision of the following residents of this division of the Keystone State:
In the history of Columbia county proper the matter prepared by a represen-
tative of the publishers has been reviewed by George E. Elwell, of Bloomsburg,
who also supplied the Bench and Bar chapter; the Bloomsburg chapter, includ-
ing the industries, churches, organizations and the first account in permanent book
form of the Bloomsburg Centennial; and much other matter that has been used
in the proper places through the body of the work.
The detailed and authoritative account of the electric trolley and lighting sys-
tems which cover both counties was supplied by A. W. Duy, Esq., of Blooms-
burg. The story of the building of the Catawissa railroad was written by Charles
E. Randall, of the Catawissa Nczi.<s Item. The interesting narration of the
founding and development of the great car works at Berwick was written by the
district manager of the American Car and Foundry Company, William F. Lowry.
The article on the establishment of the tirst Methodist congregation in this sec-
tion of the State, the history of the Berwick Water Company, Berwick Store
Company, and of the Y. M. C. A. of Berwick, are from the pen of F. A.
Witman, of Berwick.
The material for the chapter upon the medical profession of Columbia
county was supplied by Dr. L. B. Kline, of Catawissa. The matter for the
article on the highways and roads of the counties was furnished by Arthur M.
Clay, district superintendent of the State Highway Commission, stationed at
Bloomsburg. Credit should be given to Miss Martha E. Robison for the his-
tory of the origin and work of the Columbia County Sabbath School Associa-
tion, to which organization she has devoted many years of her life.
The entire history of Montour county has been reviewed by Hon. H. M.
Hinckley, of Danville, who has written the greater part, devoting much time to
the history of the religious denominations of the county, and to the correct
description of the founding, development and growth of the town of Danville
and the industries, improvements and historical occurrences brought about or
participated in by the present and past residents of this division of the State of
Pennsylvania.
The publishers also acknowledge their indebtedness to Col. J. G. Freeze's
early history of Columbia county ; gratitude to F. M. Gotwalds, of Danville, and
Percy Brewington, of Benton, for aid in the progress of the work; Boyd Tres-
cott, of Millville, and S. N. Walker, of Bloomsburg, for assistance rendered;
to Daniel N. Dieffenbacher, of Danville, and William W. Evans, of Blooms-
burg, for data for school history; and to Miss Edith Patterson and Miss Jennie
Bird, librarians at Bloomsburg and Danville, respectively, for courtesies ex-
tended.
In behalf of the various writers of this work, cordial thanks are expressed to
the officials of the counties, the members of the press, the clergy, and all others
who have assisted in making this an exhaustive and accurate treatise on the
region which has been its province.
THE PUBLISHERS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COLUMBIA COUNTY HISTORY
CHAPTER I CHAPTER XDC
PAGE PAGE
The Indians 1 Benton Township — Benton Borough 210
CHAPTER II CHAPTER XX
Founding of Pennsylvania 13 Briarcreek Township 218
CHAPTER m CHAPTER XXI
Topography and Geology— Iron— Coal 19 Centre Township 221
CHAPTER IV CHAPTER XXII
Agriculture 28 Locust and Oeveland Townships 224
CHAPTER V CHAPTER XXIII
Transportation Facilities— Lighting— Roads, Turn- Fishingcreek Township— Stillwater Borough 228
^'^^^ ^^ CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER VI Franklin Township 231
Religious Denominations 57 CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER VII Greenwood Township— Millville Borough 232
Bench and Bar 65 CHAPTER XXVI
CHAPTER Vin Hemlock Township 238
The Medical Profession of Columbia County.... 74 _t,_^„_
CHAPTER IX Jackson Township 241
War Records of the Counties 77 CHAPTER XXVIII
CHAPTER X Madison Township 343
County Formation 82 CHAPTER XXDC
CHAPTER XI Main Township 246
Columbia County After 1850 84 CHAPTER XXX
CHAPTER Xn Mifflin Township — Mifflinville 248
Educational Growth 94 CHAPTER XXXI
CHAPTER XTTT Montour Township 252
The Press 99 CHAPTER XXXH
„„ _ Mount Pleasant Township 255
CHAPTER XIV ^
Bloomsburg 104 CHAPTER XXXin
Orange Township — Orangeville Borough 256
CHAPTER XV
Berwick and West Berwick 149 CHAPTER XXXIV
Pine Township 261
r. * ■ ^ CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XXXV
Catawissa Borough^Catawissa Township 188 Roaringcreek Township 262
CHAPTER XVH CHAPTER XXX\T:
Centralia Borough— Conyngham Township 201 gpott Township 264
CHAPTER X\ail CHAPTER XXXVH
Beaver Township 208 Sugarloaf Township 269
V
MONTOUR COUNTY HISTORY
CHAPTER I CHAPTER XI
PAGE PAGE
Early History — County Organization, etc 273 Anthony Township 386
CHAPTER II CHAPTER XII
Some of the Early Families 277 Cooper Township 390
«^^T=^ ™ CHAPTER Xin i
Internal Improvements 293
Derry Township — Washingtonville Borough 391
CHAPTER IV
Military Record 296 CHAPTER XIV j
CHAPTER V ^'^^'^^ Township 394
Schools of Montour County 303 CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER VI Limestone Township 396 ,
Bench and Bar 311 CHAPTER X%T ;
CHAPTER VII Mahoning Township 397 j
Physicians 32 1
CHAPTER XYil '
CHAPTER Mil '.
Officials 325 ^^^J^'"y Township 398 ;
CHAPTER IX CHAPTER XVIH ■
Danville 327 Valley Township ...400
CHAPTER X CHAPTER XIX j
Township Formation 386 West Hemlock Township 402 ,
BIOGRAPHICAL SECTION *^^
■n
HISTORICAL INDEX
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Aborigines - 2
African il. E. Church 146
Aggi-essions, Indian.. 13, 188, 248
Agricultural Associations ... 31
Agriculture 28
Indian 5
Alton (Almcdia) 367
AiKman, Alexander 331, 628
Ahnedia 267
American Car and Foundry
Co.—
Ber\vick 161, 163
Berwick Rolling Mill Co.,
1873 (View) 161
Berwick Store Co. (View) . 165
Bloomsburg 113
Jackson & Woodin First
Store (ViewO 168
Jackson & Woodin JIfg. Co.,
1873 (View) 161
Lower Works (View) 163
Steel Car Department
(View) 165
Upper Works (View) 163
Amusement Houses —
Bloomsburg 147
Anthony, Judge Joseph B. 66, 313
Anthracite 26
Apple Orchards 39
Area of Pennsylvania 12
Aristes ("Montana") 206
Assessment and Valuation.. . 91
Assessors, Township and Bor-
ough 88
Associate Judges 71
Athletic Park 134
Attorneys, District 87
Baldy, Edward H 317, 576
Baldy Guards 81, 398
Baldy, William J 318, 576
Bands —
Benton 218
Berwick 184
Bloomsburg 148
Catawissa 193
Banks 18
Benton 315
Berwick 155
Bloomsburg ■ 121
Catawissa 193
Centralia 303
Millville 334
Baptists
63, 144, 176, 233, 337, 343, 245
Bar, Members of Columbia
County 71
Barkley," Charles G 127
Bear Kun (Mordansville) . . . . 355
Beaver Township 208
Beaver Valley (Sliuman-
town) 308
Bench and Bar 65
Benton Borough 310
Benton Township 210
Berwick Borough 149
Berwick Bridge 53
Site of Steamboat Acci-
dent (View) 56
Berwick Circuit 60, 171
Berwick Guards 184
Berwick Hospital 186
View 186
Berwick Schools 1159
Berwick Store Company 165
Department Store (View) . 165
Billheimer, Michael 17
Bloom Township 108
Bloomsburg 104
Bloomsburg, County Bridge at 54
View 56
Bloomsburg Hospital 119
View 186
Bloomsburg Soldiers' Monu-
ment 193
View 120
Bloomsburg State Normal
School 124
View 124
Agricultural Department... 28
Bloomsburg, Town Fountain. 113
Bloomsburg, Town Hall 113
Boatyards 266
Boone. Samuel 17, 104
Boroughs —
Benton 210
Berwick 149
Catawissa 188
Centralia 301
Millville 332
Orangeville 256
Stillwater 338
West Berwick 158
Bosley, Fort 11
Boundaries. Pennsylvania ... 13
Bowman, Bishop Thomas.... 59
vii
Boy Scouts Troop 181
Boyle's (Brady's) Fort 392
Briar Creek 219
Briarcreek Township 218
Bridges 53-56
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Berwick ( View) 56
County Bridge at Blooms-
burg (View) 56
Bricn. William 150, 151
Brobst, Christian. .. .44, 189, 197
Buck Mountain 19, 209
Buckhorn 239
Buckwheat 28, 34
Business Establishments —
(See Borough and Town-
ship Chapters.)
Byrnesville 207
Campbell (Central) 271
Canal Trade 42, 43
Canalboats 43, 107, 266
Passenger Boat, 1868
(View) 168
Canby 255
Car Works, Berwick 163
Views 163, 165
Carver, Prof. Henry 126
Catawissa Borough 188
Catawissa Bridge 54
Catawissa Guards 81
Cataw-issa Friends Meeting
House 196
View 168
Catawissa Mountain 19, 246
Catawissa Soldiers' Monument 193
View 120
Catawissa Township 188
Catholics —
(See Greek and Roman
Catholics.)
Cattle Epidemic 30
Cemeteries
57, 147, 186, 301, 340, 251, 267
Centennial Celebration,
Bloomsburg 135
Central 271
Centralia Borough 201
Centre Township 231
Centerville (Centralia) ■ 303
Centre ville (Lime Ridge) .... 223
Chapman, Hon. Seth 65, 311
vni
HISTORICAL INDEX
Cherrington Family 263
Christian Denomination. . .63,
14G, 177, 216, 230, 236, 242, 272
Churches 57
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Circuits, M. E 60, 171
Civil War 78
Columbia County in the .... 80
Drafts 79
Clayton, Thomas 104, 105
Cleared Land, Acreage 92
Clerks, County 87
Cleveland Township 224
Qubs, Literary and Social —
Berwick 182
Bloomsburg 132
Catawissa 201
Coal 19, 20
Dredging 27
Mining 26
Coal Mines, 26, gOS, 206, 207, 209
Cole Family 269
Cole's, Billy 271
Cole's Creek 269, 271
Collieries 26
Columbia County, History of 1
Columbia County, Organiza-
tion 82, 273
Columbia County after 1850. 84
Columbia County Agricul-
tural, Horticultural and
Mechanical Association ... 31
Columbia County Bar Asso-
ciation 71
Columbia County Medical So-
ciety 75
Columbia County Courthouse 84
Views 84, 277
Columbia County Historical
Society 134
Columbia County Jail 85
. View 120
Columbia County OflTicials... 87
Columliia Park 222
Columbia County Poorhouses 86
Columbia County Sabbath
School Association 63
Columbia Guards 78, 81, 297
Commissioners' Clerks 88
Common School Law 94
Conestoga Wagons 36
Congressional Districts 89
Congressmen 89
Conner Implement Works... 258
Connecticut Claims 13, 14, 104
Conviigham, Judge John N . .
. ." 66, 312
Conyngham Township 201
Cooper (Bloomsburg Pioneer) 104
Copper Ciaze 27, 270
County Bridge, Bloomsburg. . 53
View 56
County Commissioners 88
County Fairs 31
County Jail 85
View 120
County Seat Contest. 83, 373, 275
County Treasurers 88
Courthouses at Bloomsburg,
Old and Present (Views) . . 84
At Danville (Views) 277
Crawford, Capt. Jack 203
Creasy 350
Creeks 19
Creveling Grape 39, 268
Cumberland Pike 36
Dens 242
District Attorneys 87
Districts —
Congressional 89
Judicial 65, 70
Legislative 89, 90
Doan, John 17, 104
Donnel, Hon. Cliarles G...66, 312
"Durham'' Boats 43
Early Physicians 74
Eaton, Frederick H 163, 513
Educational Growth 94
Jlodern Development 95
Statistics 95, 97, 98
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Election Districts 86
Electric Ligliting 50, 111, 316
Electric Railways 48, 50, 203
Elk Grove 271
Elwell, Judge William
66, 313, 673
Ent Post, G. A. R 133
Episcopal (Protestant) De-
nomination
63, 139, 174, 300, 304, 244, 271
Espy 366
Esther Furnace 23, 235
Evangelical Denomination. . . .
63, 145,
176, 177, 179, 209, 217, 319,
320, 323, 237, 242, 251, 354, 368
Evans, Judge Charles C
70, 314, 433
Evans, William W 135, 577
Evansville 219
Eves, .John 17, 233
Explosion on River Steamboat
(1826) 43, 153
Eyer, Ludwig 105
Eyer's Grove 335
Eyerstaedtel (Bloomsburg) . . 105
Fairs, County 31
Farmers, Prominent 30
Fernville 149
Fire Companies
Ill, 160, 193, 316
First Settlers 15
(See also Borough' and
Township Chapters.)
Fisheries 264, 271
Fishing Creek 229
Fishingcreek Township 228
Floods 53-56
Foot and Mouth Disease .... 30
Forks 230
Formation of County 82, 373
Forts. Frontier. . .9, 104, 221, 393
Fort McClure Chapter, D. A. R.
11. 104, 134
Founding of Pennsylvania... 12
Foundry ville 151, 230
Fowlerville 222
Franklin Township 231
Fraternal Organizations —
Aristes 306
Benton 318
Berwick 185
Bloomsburg 128
Buckhom 240
Catawissa 194
Centralia 304
Centre Township 323
Espy 26T
lola 236
Millville 235
Numidia 225
Orangeville 358
Friends, Society of 57,
58, 150, 170, 188, 196, 326, 236
Friends' Meeting House, Cata-
wissa 196
View 168
Frontier Forts... 9, 104, 231, 393
Fruit Raising 39
l'\iniaces. Anthracite and
Charcoal 23
Columbia County
23, 230, 235, 246, 264
Montour County 24
Abandoned 35
Furry Family . . . .' 188
Galena Ore 30, 27
Gas Lighting 48
Geology and Topography,
Iron, Coal 19
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Germantown 307
Glen City (Scotch Valley) ... 309
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry 30
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Grassmere Park 271
Gravel Picker, for Buckwheat 34
Greek Catholics 63, 179, 206
Greenwood Township 232
Gristmills, Old... 32, 189, 208,
319, 235, 229, 333, 235, 239,
347, 248, 354, 257, 363, 365, 369
Guava 371
Harrison (Sugarloaf) Town-
ship 269
Hemlock Township 338
Herring, .Judge Grant 70, 313
Hinckley, Hon. Henry M. . . .
68. "313, 318, 448
Historical Society, Columbia
County 134
Horse Breeding 30
Homes, Pioneer 15
Hopkins, Rev. Caleb. 62, 139, 244
Hospitals —
Berwick 186
Bloomsburg 119
Views 186
Hughesburg (Catawissa) . . . 189
Hurley Guards 81
Ikeler, Judge Elijah R
69, 313, 420
Indians. The 1
HISTORICAL INDEX
IX
Indian Aggressions 13, 188
Costumes 6
Customs 5
Feasts and Sports 7
Fishing and Hunting 8
Government 7
Names 3, 20, 188
Origin and Local Tribes . . 2, 188
Patlis and Trails 3
Religion 7
Treaties 13
Villages and Settlements . . 4
Wars and Forays 8
Inns, Old... 38, 105, 150, 202,
206 211, 222, 224, 226, 240, 257
lola 336
Iron 19, 20, 230
Industry 23, 238
Mills ^- 24
"Iron Guards" 79, 80
Jackson, Col. Clarence G
161, 184, 464
Jackson Guards 184
Jackson, Mordecai W 161, 416
Jackson Township 241
Jackson & Woodin Mfg. Co.. 101
First Store, 1865 (View).. '168
Works, 1873 (View) 161
Jail, Columbia County 85
View 130
Jamison City 270
Jenkins, Fort 10, 221
Jerseytown 243
John Family 246
Jonestown 229
Judges-
Associate 71
President 71
Biographies 65-70
Judicial Districts. 65, 70, 311, 312
Karkaase 17, 328
Kernsville 325
Kline Family 256
Knob Mountain 19, 256
Lead Ore 20,27
Legislative Districts 89, 90
Lesher, Prof. Albert U 169
Lewis, Judge Ellis 66, 311
Libraries, Public —
Berwick 166, 180
Bloomsburg 119
Life Story of a Great Indus-
try 161
Light Street 265
Lighting, Gas 48
Electric 49
Lime Ridge (Centreville) 222
Limestone 20, 222, 239, 254
Literary and Social Clubs —
Bloomsburg 132
Berwick 182
Little, Judge Robert R
69, 313, 418
Locks, Canal 43, 154
Locust Township 224
Locustdale 207
Lodges, Indian 5
Lutherans 61,
141, 147, 173, 177, 178, 197,
198, 206, 209, 219, 220, 223,
226, 236, 240, 245, 247, 250,
251, 254, 256, 260, 262, 267, 268
Lyon, Robert 104
McAuley, Alexander . . 17, 208, 224
ilcAuley Mountain 19, 209
McClure, Fort 11, 104
McClure, James 11, 17, 104
McHenry, Daniel 17
McHenry, John G 212
McWilliams, Robert 16
Madison Township 243
Magee Carpet Company 114
.JIail Routes, etc 17, 38
Mail Service, Ancient and
Modern 17, 39, 152
Main Township 246
Mainville 247
JIallery, Garrick 162, 461
Martzville 219
Masonic Fraternity, Blooms-
burg 128
(See also Borough and Town-
sliip Chapters.)
Maus Family
17, 274, 282, 400, 407, 445
Medical Profession 74
Medical Societies —
Columbia County 75
Montour County 75
Methodist Church and Acad-
emy, Berwick 168
Me'w. 1840 168
Metliodist Episcopal Denomi-
nation
59, 143, 146, 171, 179, 200,
204, 209, 219, 223, 227, 230,
232, 236, 240, 245, 247, 251,
254, 256, 261, 262, 263, 267, 272
Methodist Episcopal Circuits —
Berwick 60, 171
Bloomsburg 60
Northumberland 60, 171
Methodist Protestant Denomi-
nation 63, 179, 217
Mifflin Bridge 55
Mifflin Crossroads 209
Mifflin Township 248-
Mifflinville 248
Military 77, 132, 184
Mill Grove 263
Millertown (Canby) 255
MiUville Borough 232
Mineral Products 19-27
Mines, Coal. .26, 203. 206, 207, 209
"Mollie Maguires." Trial 72
Montana or Aristes 206
Montgomeiy, William 17
(See also Montour County.)
Montour County Agricultural
Society 32
Montour County Medical So-
ciety 75
Montour. "Madame 4, 373
Montour Township 252
Monuments —
Soldiers', Catawissa 193
Soldiers' and S a i 1 o r s',
Bloomsburg 120
Views , 120
Mordansville 255
Moses Van Campen Chapter,
D. A. R 182
Mount Pleasant Township . . . 255
jM u n i c i p a 1 Improvements,
Bloomsburg 110
National Road 36
Nationality of Early Settlers 14
Newlin 225
New Media (Numidia) 225
Newspapers 99, 218, 235
North Branch Canal
42, 153, 250, 253
North Mountain 19
Northumberland Circuit,
Methodist 60, 171
Northumberland Presbytery. . 59
Numidia 225
Oak Grove 123
Officials—
Benton 216
Berwick 158
Bloomsburg 108
Catawissa 190
Columbia County 87
MiUville 234
Orangeville 258
West Berwick 158
Old Gristmills 32
Old Inns 38, 105, 150, 202,
206, 211, 222, 224, 226, 240, 257
Orange Township 256
Orangeville Academy 259
Orangeville Borough 256
Orchards 29
Organization of County... 82, 273
Orphanage, Mifflinville 251
Ostricli Farm 268
Owen, Evan
..17, 35, 104, 105, 149. 150, 155
Owensville (Berwick) 150
Oyertown (Bloomsburg) .... 105
Paper Mills 191, 265
Paradise 270
Passenger Boat, Pennsylvania
Canal (View) 168
Patrons of Husbandry ....... 30
(See also Borough and
Township Cliapters.)
Peat 266
Peckham, Hon. Aaron K. . . . 66
Penn. William 12
Pennsylvania Canal 43
PassengerBoat. 1868 (View) 168
Pennsylvania, Founding of . . 12
Area 12
Boundaries 12
Pensyl (Willowvale) 232
Pentecostal Denomination .63, 146
Physicians, Early 74
Physicians, Registered 76
Pine Summit 262
Pine Township 261
Pioneers 16
(See also Borough and
Township Cliapters.)
Pioneer Station 270
Polkville (Waller) 241, 242
Pollock, Judge James 66, 312
HISTORICAL INDEX
I'oimlatiou —
(See Borough and Town-
ship Chapters.)
Post Offices 38
List of 40
Postal Rates 17, 39
Postal Service. ..38, 152, 317, 234
Postmasters —
(See Borough and Town-
ship Cliapters.)
Postriders 38, 152, 217
Presbyterians
58, 142, 174, 179,
206, 216, 223, 236, 260, 3G7, 372
Presbytery, Northumberland. 59
President Judges, List 71
Press, The 99
Benton 218
Benvick 102
Bloomsburg 99
Catawissa 102
Centralia 103
Millville 101, 235
Protestant Episcopal Denomi-
nation
. .63. 139, 174, 200, 204, 244, 271
Prothonotaries 87
Purchase Line 334
Quakers 57,
58. 150. 170. 188, 196, 326, 236
Quaker Meeting House, Cata-
wissa 196
View 168
Quarries 20, 222, 239, 267
Railroads 44, 154,
Railway JLul Service
Ratti, Josepli 114,
Raven Creek
Rea, Alexander W...73, 302,
Recorders, County
Reformed Denomination
61, 141, 178, 300, 210, 220.
233. 336, 231. 245, 247, 350,
Registers, County
Religious Denominations
Reminiscences
Rhoadstown
Roads
Catawissa
Cumberland Pike
Indian
State-aided
Roaring Creek
Roaringcreek
Roaringcreek Township
Roberts. Moses
Rohrsburg
Roman Catholics
63, 145, 178, 204, 207,
Rosemont Cemetery
Rupert
Rupert Grove
Rupert, Leonard
Rupert. Old Aqueduct
Rural Free Delivery 39,
Ruthenian Greek Catholic
Church
190
39
119
218
307
87
360
87
57
17
236
35
193
36
3
43
225
225
262
17
335
227
147
252
123
17
43
152
179
Salmon. Joseph 321, 256
Salvation Army 178
Schools 94
Buildings 96
State is'ormal, Bloomsburg 124
State Normal (View) 128
Summer 98
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
School Superintendents 99
Scotch \alley (Glen City) ... 209
Scott Township 364
Secret and Fraternal Socie-
ties—
Aristes 306
Benton 218
Berwick 185
Bloomsburg 128
Buekhorn 240
Catawissa 194
Centralia 304
Centre Township 233
Espv 267
Ligl'it Street 265
Millville 235
Numidia 225
Orangeville 259
Sereno 261
Settlers, Early 15
Homes 15
Nationality 14
(See also Borough and
TowiLship Chapters.)
Settlements, Indian 4
Shawnee Park 322
Sheep 30
Sheriffs 87
Sliuman 208
Shumantown 208
Slabtown 224
Slate 20, 27, 339
Smith, Frederick B 192, 595
Societies, Secret and Fraternal
138, 185, 194, 304, 206. 218.
223, 225, 235. 340, 359, 365, 367
Societies, Literary and So-
cial—
Berwick 183
Bloomsburg 133
Catawissa 301
Society of Fi-iends 57,
58, 150, 170, 188, 196, 336, 336
Old Meeting House at Cata-
wissa (View) 168
Soldiers' Monuments 130, 193
Views 130
Stagecoach Days 35, 37
State-aided Roads 43
State Highway Department . . 40
State Highways in Counties
41, 193
State Representatives. 90
State Senators 89
Statistics —
Agricultural 33
Church 59, 64
Land 92
Military 82
INIinerai 27
Mines 26
Population
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Property Values 91
Roads 41
School 95, 97, 98
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Stock 93
Taxables 93
Taxes 92, 93
Stillwater Borough 228
Stock Raising 29
Sugarloaf (Cole's CYeek).269, 271
Sugarloaf Township 369
Summer Hill 219
Susquehanna River 8, 42
Bridges 53
Floods 53-56
Susquehanna River Fisheries. 264
•'Susquehanna," Steamboat
Explosion 42, 152
Site of Accident (View)... 56
Talmar 261
Tamenund 3
Taurus 218
Taverns, Old.. 38, 105, 150, 203,
306, 211, 233, 334, 336, 340, 357
Taylor, John H 166, 168, 864
Topogi-aphy and Geology,
Iron, Coal 19
( See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Townships, Formation and
List of 86
Beaver 208
Benton 210
Bloom 108
Briarcreek 218
Catawissa 188
Centre 221
Cleveland 224
Conyngham 201
Fishingereek 228
Franklin 231
Greenwood 333
Hemlock 338
Jackson 241
Locust 224
Madison 243
Main 246
Mifflin 248
Montour 252
Mount Pleasant 355
Orange 256
Pine 361
Roaringcreek 262
Scott 264
Sugarloaf 369
Trails, Indian 3
Transportation Facilities.... 35
Treaties 13
Turnpikes 35
United Brethren . 63, 306, 337. 264
United Evangelical Denomi-
nation 63, 145,
176, 177, 179, 209, 217, 319,
220, 223, 237, 342, 251, 354, 268
Van Camp 230
Van Campen, Moses 10, 221
Chapter. D. A. R 182
Villages, Indian 4
HISTORICAL INDEX
XI
Waller 242
Waller, Rev. D. J 59, 135, 175
Waller, Rev. D. J., Jr
137, 143, 566
Walter, Mary Emma 196, 648
War Footing, Columbia Coun-
ty 83
War Records of the Counties 77
Waterworks —
Benton 215
Berwick 158
Bloomsburg 110
Catawissa 193
Centralia 203
Millville 234
Welliver. Daniel 17
Welliversville 255
Welsh, Judson P., Ph. D 137
West Berwick Borough .. 149, 158
Wheeler, Fort 10
Whitmire 223
Wigwams 4
Wilburton 40
Williamsburg (Light Street) . 365
Williams Grove 330
Willow Grove 223, 233
WilloAV Springs 333
Willowvale 233
Wirt, Paul E 116
Woodin, Clemuel R 163, 489
Woodin, William H 161, 488
Woodward, Hon. Warren J. . 66
Wyoming Valley, Geology ... 20
Young Jilen's Cliristian Asso-
ciation 146, 166, 179
Young Women's Christian As-
sociation 146
MONTOUR COUNTY
Academy, Danville 307
View, 1S80 362
African M. E. Church 355
Agricultui'al Societies, Mon-
tour County 33
Amerman, Dr. Alonzo 322
Amerman, Charles V 320
Ammerman, R. Scott 319, 688
Angle, F. C 319, 60g
Anthony, Judge Joseph B. .66, 312
Anthony Township 386
Associate Judges 314, 326
Attorneys 314
Attorneys, District 326
Baldy, Edward H 317, 576
Baldy Guards 81, 298
Baldy, Peter, Sr
287, 328, 329, 347, 576
Baldy, William J 318, 576
Banks, Danville 375
Exchange 388
Baptists 352, 355, 389
Bare, Harry C 320
Beaver, Thomas 364,384,406
Beaver, Thomas, Free Library 362
View 362
Bench and Bar 311
Best, Valentine 276, 325, 336, 373
Biddle, William 291
Billmeyer Family 394, 482
Billmeyer's Park 393
Bitler, Di-. Benjamin E. . .333, 679
B'nai Zion Synagogue 355
Borouglis —
Danville 327
Washingtonville 391
Borough Officials, Danville... 372
Bosley Mill and Fort 11, 393
Boundarv Lines 376
Boyd, John C 286, 423
Boyle's (Brady's) Fort 392
Brickyards 336
Bridges — •
Danville. . .53, 330 (View), 369
Liberty Township 395
Bright, Peter 288, 457
Brower, D. H. B., Recollec-
tions 382
Brown, George B 290, 384, 563
Butler, George D 317
Canal, North Branch
Catholics 356,
Cattle Epidemic
Cemeteries 57, 398, 399,
Centre Turnpike
Oialfant, Charles
Chalfant, Thomas 291,
Chapman, Judge Seth 65,
Churches (See Under Denom-
inations)
Circuits, Methodist Episcopal
60,
Civil War, Montour County
Soldiers 298
Civil War, Roster 298
Clark, Col. Robert
Clark's Tavern 284,
Cleaver Family 398,
Clerks, Countv
Coal .■
Cock Robin Mill, Danville . . .
Columbia Guards 78,
Columbia Seminary
Conily
Comly Family
Comly, Joshua W
Commissioners, County
Company Store, Old, Danville
View
Congregationalists, Welsh . . .
Congressional Districts. . . .89,
Congressmen 89,
Continental Fire Company . . .
Conyngham, Judge John N.
66,
Cooper, John
Cooper Township
Co-operative Iron and Steel
Works
Cornelison, .Joseph 292,
County Buildings, Montour —
Original
Present
County Fairs
County Officials
County Organization 273,
County Seat Contest.. 83, 273,
County Superintendents,
School
Courthouse 274,
294
390
30
403
293
320
326
311
343
-304
■304
386
358
399
337
19
333
297
394
388
315
315
326
384
330
355
325
325
376
312
314
390
332
480
274
377
33
325
276
275
310
277
Courthouses, Old and Present
(Views) —
At Bloomsburg 84
At Danville 277
Creeks 19
Cross Keys Tavern 358
Curry, Dr. Edwin A 323, 452
Curry Family 394, 400
Dam, Roaring Creek 399
Danville Academy 307
View 363
Danville Blues 396
Danville Borough 273, 327
Danville Bridge 53, 369
View 330
Danville Female Seminary. . 307
Danville Fencibles 299
Danville Foundry & Machine
Co 334
Danville High School 310
Danville Institute 307
Danville Light Horse Com-
pany 296
Danville Iron Foundry 334
Danville Iron Works 333
Danville Militia 297
Danville Milling Company. •• 336
Danville Nail & Mfg. Co". ... 334
Danville Post Office 368
Danville Stove & Mfg. Co... 333
Danville Structural Tubing
Co 331
Deen. John, Sr 284, 557
Delaware. Lackawanna &
Western Railroad 294
Derry Church 388
Deri-y Township 391
District Attorneys 326
Districts —
Congressional 89, 325
.Tudicial 70, 311
Legislative 89, 90. 326
Donnel, .Judge Charles J. . .66, 312
Earlv Families, Montour
County 277
Earlv History, Montour
Countv 373
East End Mission 357
Eckman, Col. Charles W.398. 454
HISTORICAL INDEX
Electric Light. Danville. . .50, 371
Electric Railroads 50, 295
Elwell, Judge William
66, 312, 673
Emmet, John 284
Enterprise Foundry & Ma-
chine Works 334
Episcopalians (Protestant)..
346, 389
Evangelical Denomination . .
354, 390
Evans, Judge Charles C
70, 314, 432
Exchange 387
Exchange Hall 390
Fairs, County 32
Famine 392
Farmers, Prominent 30
Finney, Robert 394
Fire Companies, Danville... 376
Floods 53, 369
Foot and Mouth Disease .... 30
Formation of Townships ... . 386
Forts, Pioneer.. ..9. 104. 321, 392
Foundries. Early, Danville. 25, 328
Franklin Court 35S
Frazer, Daniel 282
Frazer, John, Recollections. . . 376
Free Schools 308
Frick, A. J 317
Frick, Arthur W 317
Frick, Dr. Clarence H 321
Frick, George A 314
Friendship Fire Company. . . . 376
Frontier Forts... 9, 104^ 231. 393
Fruitstown (Wiite Hall)... 387
Furnace, Valley 401
Furnaces 19. 24. 395
Galbraith, Thomas J 318
Gas Light. Danville 371
Gaskins, Thomas 284
Gearhart, Charles P 320
Gearhart, Edward S 319
Gearhart Families
398, 449, 455, 517. 638
Geisinger, George F 368, 481
Geisinger, George F., Memo-
rial Hospital 365
Views 365. 366, 368
Geisinger, Mrs. George F.365, 480
Birthplace and Home
(Views) 480
Geology 22
Gibson Family 396
Gibson, Schoolmaster 305
Glendower Iron Works 332
Good Will Hose Company... 376
Goodman, Philip ". . . . 358
Grangers 30
Grier Families 283, 317. 412
Grier. Rev. Isaac 283, 338. 412
Grier, I. X 317, 412
Grier. Hon. Robert C 314
Gristmills, Old 33
View 328
Grovania 390
Grove Furnaces 333
Gulics, John C 282
Harpel, Dr. Francis E...333, 549
Hartman. \\'illiam 282
Ha user. Dr. Raymond J. .324, 938
Hebrew Synagogue 355
Herring, -Judge Grant 70, 313
High School, Danville 374
Hinckley, Judge Henry M . . .
68, 313, 318, 448
Hoax. 1860 383
Hoffa, Dr. Jacob P 322
Hospitals —
For Insane 360
Views 360
George F. Geisinger 365
Views 365, 366, 368
Hotels. Danville 358
Howe & Samuel Steel Plant. 335
Howellville 398
Hughes. Ellis 282, 306
Hutchinsons 392
Ikeler, Judge Elijah R
69, 313, 420
Insane. State Hospital for,
Danville 360
Views 360
Institutes, Teachers' 310
Institutions, Philanthropic,
Danville 360
Internal Improvements —
Countv 293
Danville 295, 369
Internal Improvement Sys-
tem, State 294
Iron 19
Iron Jlills 24
Iron Mines 398
.Tack. Rev. Alexander B 341
.lapanese Embassy Hoax.... 383
.Tolmston, William C 317
.Jordan. .Judge Alexander. . . . 312
Judges —
Associate 314, 326
President 311
Judicial Districts . 65, 70, 311, 312
Karkaase 17, 328
Kase, Simon P 289, 329
Kelso, Prof. .John M 307
Kirk. Rev. James W., D. D.
341, 550
Kirkham. Samuel 282, 306
Kisner. Ralph 320, 880
Knitting Mills, Danville 335
Laundries. Danville 336
Legislative Districts. .80, 90, 326
Leidv. Paul 317
Lewis. .Tudge Ellis 66, 311
Libertv Furnace 395
Liberty Township 394
Librarv, Thomas Beaver Free 362
View 362
Lightner. Rev. Edwin N 347
Limestone Quarries 20, 390
Limestone Township 396
Limestoneville 396
Limestoneville Institute. .307. 397
Little, Judge Robert R
69, 313. 418
Lundy. John 286
Lundv. Rev. .John P 286
Lutherans 344, 353,
354, 391, 393, 395, 399, 401, 402
McClure, Capt. William M.
298, 299
McCormick. James 292
McHenry. B. Frances 320
McHenry, Dr. Montraville , . .
322, 1161
McNeal. Ann 583
McWilliams Familv 394, 583
Magill. Dr. William H
287, 321, 372
Mahoning Presbyterian
Church 338
Mahoning Township 397
Mahoning Township, Old Tax
List 397
Market Square Park. Danville 372
Marr, Alem 314, 325
Martin Family 583
Maus Family
17, 274, 282, 400. 407, 445
Maus, Phillip 281
Mausdale 401
Mausdale Gristmill, Built in
1800 401
View 328
Mayberry Township 398
Mechanicsville 397
Memorial Park. Danville.... 372
Meredith, Dr. Hugh B
322, 362, 544
Metal & Machine Co 328, 335
Metal Engineering Company
328, 335
Methodist Episcopal Denom-
ination. . . .343. 353. 355, 357.
394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399. 403
Circuits 60. 343
Methodists, Primitive 390
Mexican War, Montour County
Soldiers 297
Military Record 296
Montgomery, Gen. Daniel. . . .
". . . .274. 280, 327, 360
Montgomery Family 17, 278
Montgoniei-y. .John C 318
Montgomery. -lohn G 316
Montgomery. Gen. William..
■. 278, 337
Home at Danville (View) . 328
Montgomery. .Judge William. 281
Montgomery. Rev. William B. 284
Montour County, History of. 273
Montour County Agricultural
Society 32
Montour County Medical So-
ciety 75
Montour. Madame 4, 273
ifontour Rifles 298
Monument, Soldiers' 372
View 277
ilooresburg 395
IMourer, L. K 321
Muster Rolls, Chapter IV .. . 296
National Guard 304
National Iron Company. .331, 334
Newbaker. Dr. Philip C. .333, 640
New Columbia 402
Newspapers. Danville 336
HISTORICAL INDEX
Xlll
North Branch Canal 394
Northern Montour Agricul-
tural Society 32
Northumberland M. E. Cir-
cuit 60, 342
Officials, County 335
Officials, Danville 373
Oglesbv, Dr. James 323, 498
Oglesby, William V 330, 499
Old Gristmills 33
View 328
Old Taverns, Danville 358
Oldest House in County
(View) 338
Organization^ Momtour County
273, 276
Ottawa 39G
Pants Factory, Danville 336
Parks. Danville —
Market Square 378
Memorial 373
River Front 372
Patrons of Husbandry 30
Patten, Dr. EoDert S 325, 855
Patterson, Rev. John B
339, 388, 393
Paules, Dr. William R . . 324, 1008
Pennsylvania Railroad. . .294, 295
Petrikin. Dr. David. .321, 325, 328
Philadelphia & Reading Rail-
road 394
Philanthropic Institutions,
Danville 360
Physicians 331
Planing Mills. Danville 330
Pollock, Judge James 66. 312
Poor Farm 397, 401
Postmasters. Danville 368
Postmasters, ^^^lite Hall 387
Postmasters. Exchange 387
Post Office, Danville 368
Post Offices, List of County. 40
Presbyterians
338. 349. 357. 388, 393, 395, 402
Presbyteries 339
President .Tudges 311
Primitive itethodists 390
Prominent Farmers 30
Protestant Episcopal Denom-
ination 346, 389
Prothonotaries 327
Purscl, Dr. Isaac 323
Quarries 390
Railroads 294
Rank, Daniel W 318, 854
Rank, Isaac 288
Reading Iron Company . .329. 334
Recorders. County 327
Red Horse Hotel 387
Reformed Denomination) ....
351, 391, 393, 397, 401, 402
Reminiscences, Danville .... 376
Representatives —
Congressional 89, 325
State 326
Republican Rally 383
Rescue Fire Company 376
Rhodes. B. K 317
Rhodes. -John 293
Ridgeville 391
River Front Park, Danville . . 372
Roads, Turnpike 293
Roaring Creek 398
Roaring Creek Furnace. . .24, 399
Robbins, Dr. James E . . . 324, 547
Rockefeller. Judge William M. 312
Roman Catholics 356, 390
Sandel, Dr. .1. H 333, 694
Scarlet, James 318, 440
Schools 305
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Danville 374
Schools, Free 308
School Superintendents,
County 310
Danville 374
Schultz. Dr. Solomon S
322, 361, 429
Sechler, H. B. D 288
Sechler, .Jacob 285
Seidel, Arren E 393, 859
Senators, State 326
Settlers, Early 274, 277
(See also Borough and
Township Chapters.)
Sharp Ridge 398
Shelhart, Jacob 289
Sheriffs 327
Shoop, Gideon M 289
Shreeve, Capt. .loseph E . . 299, 303
Shultz. Dr. Benjamin F..390, 323
Silk Mill, Danville 335
Simington. Dr. R. S 332
Smack. Daniel 396
Soldiers' Monument, Danville 372
View 277
Spanish-American War, Mon-
tour County Soldiers 304
State Hospital for Insane,
Danville 360
Views 360
State Senators 335
State Representatives 326
Steel Plant. Danville 335
Strawberry Ridge 393
Strawbridge. Dr. .James D... 321
Strawbridgc, Ool. Thomas... 394
Stver's Corners 402
Surveyors 327
Suspender Factories, Danville 336
Susquehanna River.. 293, 369, 398
Swenoda 402
Taverns. Old 387
Danville 358
Taxables. List of, 1798 (Ma-
honing Tp.) 397
Teachers' Institutes 310
Telephones 295
Toll Rates, 1828 370
Topography and Geology .... 19
Township Formation 386
Townships —
Anthony 386
Cooper 390
Derry 391
Liberty 394
Limestone 396
Mahoning 397
Mayberry 398
Valley ." 400
West Hemlock 403
Tradesmen, Early, Danville.. 380
Training School, Geisinger
Hospital 367
View 368
Treasurers, County 326
Turnpikes ". 293
Valley Furnace 401
Valley Township 400
Van Alen, T. 0 390
van Fossen, George W 321
Vastine, Dr. Jacob H 322, 444
Vincent, Henry 318
Voris, James 287, 725
Walker, Robert 392
War of 1812, Montour County
Soldiers 296
Washington Fire Company. . 376
Washingtonville Borough . . . 391
Washingtonville. Fort 393
Waterman & Beaver Store,
Danville 384
View 330
Waterworks. Danville 370
Welsh, Thomas C 320, 683
West, William K 319, 492
West Hemlock Township .... 402
White Hall 387
AVhite Hall Hotel 38, 387
Wilson. Capt. John S 397
Wilson, Nathaniel 282
Yeomans, Rev. Dr. John W.. 340
Yorks Family 292, 683
Young, Dr. Benjamin F 282
Young Men's Cliristian Asso-
ciation 365
View 362
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Abiams, Abiam 1000
Abrams, Isaac B 1000
Achy, Epliraim 1202
Achy, iXabery 1202
Acor Family 897
Acor, Joseph S 897
Adams, Charles 647
Adams, Charles E 633
Adams, Emerson A 851
Adams Families
633, 646, 851, 890, 921, 963, 1192
Adams, Miss Frances M 932
Adams, Jacob W 1192
Adams, John K 647
Adams, Peter J 921
Adams, Samuel W 963
Adams, Ulysses K 890
Ahlers, William 987
Aikman Family 628
Aikman, James E 629
Aikman, John H 628
Albeck Family 935
Albertson, Bartley 1234
Albertson, Edward 1234
Alexander, Miss Harriet J... 582
Alexander. Samuel D 582
Alleger Family 1088
Altmiller, Cliarles F., M. D. . . 612
Altmiller Family 612
Amerman, Dr. Alonzo 322
Amerman, Charles V 320
Amcsbury, Arthur 0 904
Aniesbury Family 904
Amnierman, Bernard 919
Ammerman. .John B 793
Ammerman, K. Scott 319, 688
Andy, John 776
Andy. AVilHam H 776
Angell Family 1312
Angell, Richard B 1312
Angle Family COS
Angle. Frank C 319, 608
Angle. Theodore R 609
Anthony. Judge Joseph B..66, 312
Appleman, Eli 879
Appleman Family 879
Armes, John ..." 871
Armes. William J 871
Armstrong. Alfred H 1130
Arnhold Family 1063
Artley Family" 1227
Artlcy, William H . 1237
Artman, Clark D 123S
Artman Family 1238
Ash Family . .". 745
Ash. Stewart A 745
Aten Family 690
Auten Family 899
Auten, Robert C 899
Averill, Archer 805
Averill, Mrs. Margaret 805
Baker, Charles W 1328
Baker Families. 943, 950, 983, 1228
Baker, Dr. Frank 983
Baker, George G 950
Baker, Samuel W 943
Baldy, Edward H 317, 576
Baldy Family 576
Baldy, Peter, Sr 287, 576
Baldy, William J 318, 576
Bare, Harry G 320
Barger, aiarles C 504
Barger Familj' 504
Barkley Family 523
Barnard Family 1059
Barnard, Orrin'H 1059
Barton Families. . .568, 762, 1069
Barton, Harry S 762
Barton, Henry C 1069
Bates Family' 1190
Bates. Richa'rd 1190
Baueher Family 816
Bauman, Elias F 1065
Bauman Family 1065
Beach Family ' 1218
Beaver Family 406
Beaver, Henry P 758
Beaver, Thomas 364, 384, 406
Beck. Daniel B 660
Beck Family 660
Belles Families 830, 999
Belles, Henderson F 829
Belles. Jonatlian M 999
Berninger, Aaron 818
Bei-ninger, Arias J 818
Berninger Family 706
Beniinger, .Jonas 662
Beyer Family 726
Beyer, Levi "V 726
Bibby, Mrs. Julia W 1077
Bibby, Matthew A 1076
Biddle Families 291, 644
Biddle. Dr. John W 644
Biddle, William 291
Billig, Cliarles 1160
Billig. Martin L 1160
Billmej'er, Alexander 482
Billmeyer Families 394, 483
Billmeyer. Harry 483
Bird Family . . '. 635
Bitlcr. Benjamin E., M. D.323. 679
Bitler Families 679, 907
Bitler, Dr. Sherman E 90S
xiv
Bittner, Archible G 523
Bittner Family 523
Black, Alfred B 478
Black Famih- 479
Blank Famil'y 946
Blee Families 587, 727
Blee, Frank G 587
Blee, Robert E 727
Bloss Family 966
Bloss, Frank E 731
Bloss, John K 731
Bloss, Nelson W 966
Blue Family 715
Blue, Horace C 715
Bogart, Aaron 1124
Bomboy Families 770, 890
Bomboy, Frank 770
Bomboy, Leonard E 770
Boody "Family 572
Boody, Lincoln H 573
Boon'e Family 1113
Boudman Family 835
Boudman, .J. Roland 825
Bower, Bruce H 732
Bower, Clemuel R 1033
Bower, Edward F 1250
Bower Families ....598, 613,
732, 796. 827, 838, 1129, 1250
Bower, George M 598
Bower, Hiram R 613
Bower, Hiram VC 828
Bower, Oscar M . . •. 838
Bower. R. Orval 796
Bower. Solomon 1033
Boyd, Daniel M 422
Boyd Family 423
Boyd, John "C 286, 423
Boyer Families 681, 689
Boyer, .Jacob 895
Boyer. Jacob H 689
Boyer, Reuben 894
Boyer. William E 681
Boyles Family 843
Boyles. Josluia 0 185, 842
Brannen Family 430
Brannen. James L 430
Bredbenner Family 831
Bredbcnner, Mrs. Lydia A... 805
Bredbenner, Miles S 832
Bredbenner, Wm. M 831
Breisch, Ernest E 1177
Breiseh Families ..588, 1110, 1177
Breisch. George 1177
Breisch. Hannon M 588
Breisch. .John E 1110
Brewington, Percy 621
Bright, Hon. Dennis 456
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
XV
Bright Families 288, 456
Brjgiit, Mrs. Lucy M 458
Briglit, Tfter 388, 457
Brink Family 975
Brink, Harry S 975
Britt Family 1033
Brittain Family 951
Brittain, William C 951
Brobst Families 1017, 1060
Brobst, Thomas B 1066
Brock way Family 1088
Brockway, Roland O 1088
Brower Family 476
Brower, William H 476
Brown, Benton B 561
Brown, Edward J 1103
Brown Families
473, 474, 561, 1103, 1164
Brown, George B...390, 384, 563
Brown, James C 473
Brown, John J., M. D 474
Brown, W. Earle 1164
Brown, William G 563
Bruder, Miss Gussie A 1059
Bnuler, John A 1059
Brugler Family 894
Bruner Family 508
Bruner, John W., M. D 508
Brunner Family 825
Brunstetter, George 1343
Bryan Family 693
BrVan. John " G ,693
Bucci Family '778
Bucci, Giovanni (John Bush) 778-
Bucher, Charles E 1113
Bueher Family 1113
Buck Family 798
Buck, Thomas R 798
Buckalew, Hon. Charles R 403
Buckaiew Families 403, 630
Buckalew, Capt. John M 406
Buckalew, Louis W 502
Buckingham Family 743
Buckingham, George A 743
Burhard, Rev. Edward A.... 824
Burket Family 786
Bush Family 981
Bush, Frederick W 981
Bush. John (Giovanni Bucci) 778
Butler, George D 317
Butler. Kent A 1047
Butler, Thomas 1047
Butt Family 517
Butt, William A 517
Cadman, Enoch 1247
Cadman. John 1346
Campbell. Charles H 1142
Campbell Families 665, 1137, 1142
Canouse, David M 1130
Canouse Family 1130
Canouse, Mrs. Parah C 1129
Carrathers Family 802
Carrathers, John A 802
Carsc Family 666
Carse, Robert A 666
Catterall Families 808, 945
Catterall, George H 945
Catterall, .Toseph H 808
Chalfant, Cliarles 320
Chalfant, Thomas 291
Chamberlain Family 735
Chamberlain, Isadora F 735
Chapman, Judge tSeth 65, 311
Childs Family 915
Childs, William F. P 915
Chrisman Family 713
Chrisman, Hon. William 713
Clapp, Henry C 1353
Clapp, Mrs. Mary E 1353
Clark, David 451
Clark Families 769, 1077
Clark, Frank R., M. D 769
Clay, Arthur S 581
Chiy Family 581
Clcwell Families 707, 1019
Clewell, Laurence 1 767
Cloud, Charles G 865
Cloud, William J 865
Cohen, Joseph, M. D 802
Cohen, Lewis 802
Coira Family 1053
Coira, Henry L 1052
Cole, Jacob H 928
Cole, Thomas 928
Coliey Family 730
Colley, Richard F 730
Comly Family 315
Comly, Joshua W 315
Conner, John 974
Conner, Samuel J 974
Conner. Theodore F 737
Conyngham, Judge John N. .
.." 66, 312
Cook, Charles W 1119
-Cook Family 1119 .
Cooper, John 314
Cornelison Families .480, 991, 1231
Cornelison, James 1253
Cornelison, Joseph 392, 480
Cornelison, Robert 1231
Cotner Family 697
Cotner, George P 697
Cotner, Hiram E 697
Crawford, Clinton 1091
Crawford Family 1091
Creasy Families
...614, 620, 652, 676, 982, 1004
Creasy, Francis P 614
Creasy. Dr. George E 620
Cioasy, Harvey Lewis 982
Creasy, Joseph A 052
Creasy, William E 1004
Creasy, Hon. William T 676
Creveiing, Daniel H 773
Creveling Families 774, 984
Creveiing, Herman G 1210
Crispell, Chester F 978
CVispell Family 978
Ci'ispin, Hon. IBenjamin 533
Crispin, Benjamin F., Jr 534
Ci'ispin, Clarence G 536
Ciispin Family 528
Crispin, M. Jackson 535
Croop, Allen B 1064
Croop Family 1176
Croop, George 1063
Croop. Milton H 1176
Crosslev, Daniel F 708
Ci'ossley Families. .708, 1069, 1232
Crosslev, Robert 1069
Culp, Cliarles 819
Gulp, Reuben 819
Cummings Family 713
Cummings, John W 713
Currin Family , 767
Currin, Percival C 767
Curry, Daniel M 453
Curry, Edwin A,, M. D. . .323, 453
Curry Families. .394, 400, 453, 792
Ciury, John R. M 7U3
Daniel, L. H 1080
Daniel, L. L 1080
Davenport Family 734
Davenport, Ray H 734
Davis Families... .583, 1054, 1175
Davis, John J 1054
Davis, William T 1175
Davis, William W 712
Dean Families 701, 991
Dean, Joseph 991
Dean, Mrs. ilargaret B 991
Deen Familj' 557
Deen. John, Sr 284. 557
Deily Family 1219
Deil'y, John 1319
Deitrick, Elmer F 815
Deitrick, William 815
Delanty Family 853
Delay, Emmanuel 1115
Delay Family 1115
Delay, Mrs. Mary 1115
DeLong Families. . .592, 668, 1233
DeLong, Frank E 592
DeLong, .lerome B 668
DeLong, Perry 668
"De Mott. Cyrus 740
De Mott Family 740
Dengler Family 848
Dentler Family 955
Dentler, Frank D 955
Depew, Jonathan 1244
Derr, Cliarles F 1098
Derr Families. .554, 753, 863, 1098
Derr, F. C 554
Derr, J. Miles 753
Derr, Mont 863
Deutsch Family 920
Deutsch, AVilliam L 919
Dewald, John B 787
DeWitt Families 641, 1003
DeWitt. William 0 641
Dice Family 1144
Dice, .Joseph C 1144
Dickson, Clark L 845
Dickson, Conway W 579
Dickson, David C 580
Dickson Families 580, 845
Dickson, Sterling W 579
Dieffenbach Family 833
Dieffenbach. Hervey E 833
Diefl'enbacher, Benjamin S...1116
Dieffenbacher, Daniel N 545
Diefl'enbacher Families. .545. 1116
Diehh Charles H 1058
Diehl Family 1058
Dietrich Families 866, 1185
Dietrich, Karl L 1185
Dietrich, Peter M 866
Dietterick, Bruce C 1074
Dictterick Family 1074
Dietz Family . ." 733
Dietz, John'H 732
Dildinc, Charles H 1053
Dildine Families 1005, 1053
XVI
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Dildine, John A
Dillon. Jolni L
Dirk, iliss Clara Belle
Dirk, William J
Divel Family
Divel, Judge Henry
Dixon Family
Doan Family
Dodson, Boyd H
Dodson Familj'
Dodson, John
Donnel, Judge Charles G. . .G6,
Doster, Jacob
Doster, John
Doster, .John, .Jr
Doster, Theodore
Dreibelbis, Amos W
Dreibelbis Families 81S,
Dreisbach, Benjamin F
Dreisbach Families 749,
Drinker, Edward R
Drinker Family
Drinker, Jliss Lydia W
Duggan, .John J
Dutt Family . . .
Dutt, Nelson S.
Duy, Albert W.
Duy Family . . .
East Family
East, Harry R
Eaton, Clark D
Eaton Family
Eaton. Frederick H 162.
Eck. Miss Anna E .'
Eck Family
Eck, Reese M
Eckman, Col. Charles W. .298,
Eckman, ilrs. Sophia G
Eckroth Family
Edgar Family
Edgar, Thomas
Edmondson Family
Edmondson. George D
Edwards Families ...
654, 821, 1182,
Edwards, Henry J
Edwards. .James S
Edwards, Jesse 0
Edwards. Thomas E
Eisenhauer Family
Eisenhauer. John H
Elliott. .Tohii F
Elliott. Samuel
Ellis, Mrs. Annie E
Ellis Families 565, 591,
Ellis, James F
Ellis, .James .J
Ellis. John D
Elmes Family
Elmes, William E
Elwell Family
Elwell. George Edward
Elwell, George Edward. .Jr. . .
Elwell. .Judge William
66, 312
Emmet. .John
Emmett, Andrew .1
Emmett Family
Ent, Charles B
Ent. Edwin H
1005
728
1065
1064
548
548
748
626
462
462
1134
313
1185
1184
1184
1185
818
1239
1060
1060
596
596
597
1218
1218
1058
1058
760
760
1198
1198
680
512
, 512
812
811
812
, 454
455
1021
1085
1085
490
490
1187
821
654
1187
1182
797
797
HOG
1106
886
, 886
591
885
565
816
816
673
675
676
, 673
284
1095
1095
536
1073
Ent Families 536, 1073, 1254
Ent, Gen. Wellington H 426
Enterline Family 898
Enterline, W. G 898
Ervin, Barton E 1090
Ervin, Stephen 1090
Eshleman, Benjamin L 948
Eshleman Families 948, 1096
Eshleman, Harold 949
Evans, Andrew J 742
Evans, Judge Charles C
70, 314, 432
Evans, David 875
Evans Families 432,
574, 578, 742, 983, 1151, 1155
Evans, James L 574
Evans, John D 875
Evans, John W 1151
Evans, Oliver E 983
Evans, Mrs. Sarah E 743
Evans, William W 135, 577
Everett, Edward, M. D 587
Everett Family 587
Evert Family ' 1099
Evert, George H 1099
Eves, C. Scott 553
Eves, E. Tmman 758
Eves Families. .553, 733, 759, 1047
Eves, Joseph C 733
Eves, John Emery 1047
Eyer, Luther 594
Ever, Rev. William J 594, 619
Fahringer Family
Fahringer, Harry
Fairchild Family
Fail-child. Wesley B
Fallon, Ed. F
Fallon Family
Fallon, William
Farley Family
Farley, Robert M
Faiver Family
Farver. George
Faus Family
Faus, Frank
Faust Families 937,
Fedorco Family
Fedorco, .John
Fegley, Daniel E
Fegley Family
Fensteniaker Family
Fenstemaker. George C
Fensterraacher Family
Fenstermacher, Grant
Fenstermacher, Michael W. . .
Fenstermacher. Scott E
Fergerson Family
Ferris, Courtney E
Ferris Families. . .736, 1034,
Ferris, Olaf F
Fettorman, David F
Fetterman Family
Field Family
Field. Henry P
Field. Mrs. Katharine J
Fielding Family
Fielding. Wilfred G
Fiester Family
Fiester, Henry A
Fitield, Benjamin P
Fifield Family
1189
1189
847
847
688
687
688
906
906
1077
1077
849
849
1087
1256
1256
1213
1213
1158
1158
993
1234
993
992
1115
1034
1241
736
1043
1043
579
579
.579
1108
1108
1114
1114
1112
1112
Finnigan, .James C 877
Finnigan, William 877
Fisher, Charles J 495
Fisher Families
: . ..464, 495, 756, 1083
Fisher, George A 465
Fisher, Horace M 465
Fisher, John L 466
Fisher, William C 466
Fisher, William H 756
Fisher, William S 464
Fister Family 1135
Fister, Ranslo 1125
Fleckenstine Family 616
Flick Families 709, 727, 931
Forney Family 907
Fornwald, Cliarles S 964
Foinwald Family 964
Foniwald, George A 965
Fortner Family 1251
Foster Family 695
Foster, John G 695
Foulk, Benjamin F 889
Foulk, Charles L 868
Foulk Family 889
Foust Family 915
Foust, Philip H 915
Fowler Families
569, 1104, 1159, 1208
Fowler, Jeremiah R 569
Fowler, Lillian D 569
Fowler, Theodore B 1104
Fowler. Willard G 1208
Fox, Charles S. W 499
Fox Families 428, 499
Fox, Dr. James T 428
Fox. Dr. .John C 429
Frank, John 1047
Frazer, Daniel 282
Frazier, Daniel H 718
Frazier Family 718
Freas, Barton D 503
Freas Families 503, 1074
Freas, Rush T 1074
Freeze, Col. John G 424
Freeze Family 425
Frey Families 788, 1196, 1212
Frey, Freeman W 788
Frey. Henry 0 1196
Frick, A. J 317
Flick, Arthur W 317
Frick, Dr. Clarence H 321
Frick. George A 314
Fritz. Hon. Andrew L 513
Fritz Families 513, 822
Fritz, Rush M 823
Fritz. Verner E 822
Fry Family 1200
Fry. George A 1300
Funk, Rev. Henry 466
Funk, Nevin U 467
Furman. Chester S 521
Furman Family 521
Furman, Miss Julia H 522
Gaertner, Emil 942
Galbraith, Thomas J 318
Gallagher, Michael 1128
Gallagher, Miss Rose A 1128
Garrett. William H 851
Garrison, Aaron 810
Garrison, Calvin D 959
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
xvu
Garrison Families
539, 752, 810, 1087, 1251
Garrison, Mrs. Lydia S 959
Garrison, William 0 752
Gaskins, Thomas 284
Gearhart, Bonliam R., Jr.... 519
Gearhart, Cliarles P 320
Gearhart, Mrs. Cordelia E. . . . 451
Gearhart, Edward S 319
Gearhart Families
449, 455, 517, 638
Gearhart, George M 449
Gearhart, M. Grier 638
Gearhart, Robert Y 517
Geisinger, Mrs. Abigail A. . . 480
Geisinger, Mrs. Abigail A.,
Birthplace and Home
(Views) 480
Geisinger, David 1211
Geisinger, George F 481
Geisinger, Mrs. Margaret R..1210
George Family 1029
George, William J 1029
Gernert, John H 925
Gibson Families ...396,544,901
Giger Family 775
Giger, Josiah H 775
Gilbert Family 468
Gilbert, Rev. Richard H 583
Gilds, Charles J 747
Gilmore Family 989
Gilmore, W'illi'am H 989
Girton Families 599, 667
Girton, Prof. Maurice J 667
Girvan Family 1023
Girvan, John A 1022
Glenn, Edwin A., M. D 1072
Glenn Family 1072
Gordner, Jonathan R 1217
Gotshall Family 1101
Gotshall, Heniy 1101
Gotwalds. Francis M 692
Graham Families 611, 1229
Graham. Marks 611
Gresh Family 1236
Gresh, Joseph D 1236
Grier Family 412
Grier, Rev. Isaac ...383, 338, 412
Grier, Isaac X 317, 412
Grier, Rev. John B 413
Grier. Hon. Robert C 314
Grotz Family 664
Grotz, John K 664
Grove Family 540
Grove, Herbert S 540
Grozier Family 764
Grozier, Prof. "Harry .... 184, 764
Gruber, David L 1081
Gniber Family 1081
Guest, David" L 918
Guest Family 919
Guie, Edwin B 1097
Guie. James 1097
Gulics, John C 283
Gulliver Family 994
Gulliver, James H 994
Hagenbuch. Charles W 1188
Hagenbuch. Emory D 1190
Hagenbuch Families
749, 1036, 1150. 1188, 1190
Hagenbuch, Frank W 1087
Hagenbuch, Franklin W 1150
Hagenbuch, Frederick 749
Hagenbuch, Mrs. Sarah K...1189
Hagenbuch, Miss Sarah M... 752
Hagenbuch, William A 1026
Hager Family 656
Hager, William M 656
Hagerman Family 935
Hagerman, Joshua 935
Hall, Horace A 575
Hancock, Charles P 410
Hancock Family 410
Harder, Charles M 765
Harder, Clark F 581
Harder Families
581, 589, 765, 1230
Harder, Mrs. Sarah B 582
Harder, Thomas E 589
Harder, Thomas R 1320
Harding Family 737
Haring, David E 564
Haring Family 564
Harman Families 435, 514
Harman, James Lee 435
Harman, Samuel H 514
Harmon Family 794
Harpel, Francis E., M. D.322, 549
Harris Families 961, 1209
Harris, Levi 888
Harris, William J 888
Harter Family 976
Harter, Theodore C, M. D... 976
Hartjine, Prof. Daniel S 872
Hartline Family 872
Hartman, Charles L 772
Hartman Families
771, 995. 1030, 1035, 1072, 1123
Hartman. Frank S 1123
Hartman, Frederick B 772
Hartman, George A 1020
Hartman, John F 1035
Hartman, Nelson C 995
Hartman, William 283
Hartman, William E 1020
Hartzell, John B 853
Hassert Family 471
Hassert. George E 471
Hauck, Charles E 461
Hauck Families 461, 1259
Hauck, William H 1259
Haupt, Clarence E 516
Hauser, Dr. Raymond J.. 334, 938
Hayden Family 916
Hayden, .James 918
Hayden, Nicholas 916
Hayman Families 1038, 1094
Hayman, James P 1038
Hayman. William H 1094
Heacock Family 1243
Heacock, Jeremiah R 1243
Heim, Joseph 719
Helm. .Julius 719
Heller Family 1174
Heller, Samuel K 1174
Helwig Family 781
Helwig, Noah" 781
Hendershott. Mrs. Mary M. . . 664
Hendershott. Norman J 663
Hendricks Family 1311
Hendricks. George M 1211
Hendrickson Family 881
Hendrickson, John F 881
Henkel, Rev. David M 618
Henkel Family 618
Henkel, Mrs. Susan E 619
Henkelman Family 1005
Henkelman, George 1005
Heurie Family 635
Henrie, William H 635
Henry Family 986
Herr Family 543
Herr, John N 543
Herring, Alexander B 584
Herring Families 506, 584
Herring, George A 506
Herring, Judge Grant 70, 313
Herrington Family 690
Herrington, Frank M 691
Hertz Family 836
Hertz, William J 836
Hess, Bruce A 1174
Hess, Charles M 1243
Hess Families . . . 437, 600, 803,
957, 971, 975, 1173, 1193, 1243
Hess, Hany F 971
Hess, Harvey W 438
Hess, Isaiah J 1173
Hess, .John 1 920
Hess, Leslie E 930
Hess, Dr. Milton J 436
Hess, Orion M 1193
Hess, Reuben H 1244
Hess, William H 600
Hetler Family 1024
Hetler, Mahlon C 1024
Hicks Families
636, 648, 812; 1257
Hicks, Joseph S 636
Hicks, Millard W 1357
Hidlay Families 751, 1153
Hidlav. William J 1153
Hildebrand. Camden W 1049
Hildebrand Family 1049
Hile Family ". 1136
Hile, William H 1136
Hill Family 750
Hinckley, .judge Henry M...
■ 68, 313, 318, 448
Hine, Daniel E .' . . .1133
Hine Family 1123
Hixson, John F 870
Hock Family 1304
Hock, Michael B 1304
Hockman Family 1172
Hoffa Family 892
Hoffman Family 747
Hoffman, Lewis 700
Hoffman, Simon K 747
Holdren Family 876
Holdren, Phineas 876
Hollingshead, William 546
Holly, Daniel W 822
Holly Family 822
Hoppes. Clarence .J 1216
Hoppes, Elias 967
Hoppes Families 1157, 1217
Hoppes, George T 1157
Hortman Family 1199
Hosier Family '. 1138
Hosier. Georg'e B. W 1139
Houck Family 1143
Housenick Family 953
Houtz F.amily . . ". 839
Houtz, 0. V 839
XVlll
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Hove Family 923
Howe, Fred \V 923
Hower, Charles E 52-t
Hower Families. . .534, 1045, 1106
Hower, Hiester V., M. D HOG
Hower, Dr. Hiram C 1090
Hughe.*, Chester K 630
Hughes, Ellis 282
Hughes Families
768, 910, 1169, 11T6
Hughes, George M 768
Hughes, Mrs. Harriet 630
Hughes, Walter A 1169
Hull, Charles E 823
Hull Family 823
Hunsinger Family 103T
Hunsiuger, .Josiah F 1037
Hunt, George W 873
Hunt, John H 873
Hyde Family 896
Hyde, Thomas E 896
Hyssong, Austin L 973
Hyssong, Elisha B 973
Ikeler, Judge Elijah R.69, 313, 420
Ikeler Families 421, 958, 990
Ikeler, Frank A 422
Ikeler, Fred T 419
Ikeler, Mrs. Helena 422
Ikeler, Roland R 958
Ikeler, Samuel W 990
lies Family 852
lies, William 853
Irland, James M 459
Ivey, Edward W 590
Ivey Families 590, 1185
Ivey, George A 1185
Ivey, Ricliard 590
Jackson, Col. Clarence G
161, 184, 464
Jackson Families 416, 1168
Jackson, Frank R 456
Jackson. Mordecai W....161, 416
Jackson, Jlorrison E 624
Jacobs Families 541, 1152
Jacobs, George B 1152
Jacobs, John R 1153
Jacobs, William F 541
Jacoby Family 643
Jacoby, Guy 643
Jaeoby, John G 819
Jacoby, Legrand S 819
James, B. J 916
James Family 916
Jarrard, Clemuel L 1021
Jarrard Families 1021, 1147
Jan-ard, Merton L 824
Jarrard, William E 1147
Jayne, Samuel C 696
John Families
346, 632, 833, 1040, 1354
John, J. Stacey, M. D 1040
John, Ralph R 632
Johnson, Bartlett H 527
Johnson Families
527, 744, 807, 936
Johnson, George W 807
.Johnson, James 1123
Johnson, .Joseph R 744
Johnson, Dr. Ralph E 324
Johnson, Reagan B 999
.Johnson, Samuel B
Johnson, Stephen C
•Johnson, William S
.Johnston, Charles M
.Johnston Family
.Johnston, William C
Jones, Mrs. Catherine (Maus)
.lones, Evan
.Jones, Horatio C
.Jones, John L
Jordan, Judge Alexander. . . .
.Jordan, Francis
Jordan, Mrs. Jennie B
998
998
936
860
860
317
447
939
448
939
312
903
903
Karchner, Charles Franklin. . 1016
Karchner Families ....1016, 1018
Karchner, George E 1018
Kase. Simon P 289
Kaufman, Mrs. Anna M 905
Kaufman, Oliver 1 905
Keck Families 1027, 1213
Keck, Henry S 1313
Keifeit Family 1118
Keifer, Henry H 1118
Keiner, .Jolm F 997
Keiner, William 997
Kelchner Family 1113
Kelchner. John 1113
Keller Family 1126
Keller, William 1126
Kellev. Bruce C 559
Kelley Families 559, 1062
Kelley, James 1062
Kellogg Family 1034
Kepner, Bruce A 974
Kepner Families
974, 997, 1203, 1355
Kepner, John A 1255
Kepner, Samuel F 1303
Kerswell Family 733
Kerswell. Thomas F 731
Kester, Benjamin F 663
Kester, E. Ross 1113
Kester Families 663, 1113
Ivile Family 1333
Kile. George B 1223
Kimble Family 1124
Kimble, Frank 1124
Kindig Family 1181
Kindig, Michael E 1181
Kingsbury, Adelbert R 996
King.sbury Family 996
Kirk Family 550
Kirk, Rev. James W 341, 550
Kirkendall Family 1026
Kirkham, Samuel 383, 306
Kisner Families. . .880, 1199, 1303
Kisner, Ralph 330, 880
Kisner, Samuel 703
Kistler, Benjamin 1080
Kitchen Family 775
Kitchen, Frank R 775
Klase Family 699
Klase, Jesse 699
Kline, Abraham 813
Kline, Cliarles B 1235
Kline, Cliarles S 467
Kline, Edgar E 1107
Kline Families. .415, 438, 467.
631, 705, 813, 962, 1107, 1225
Kline, Harry H 962
Kline, Isaac 813
Kline, Jacob L 705
Kline, John J 1064
Kline, John L. C 622
Kline, Luther B., M. D 415
Kline, Riley L 438
Klinetoh, Dr. Dalbys B 652
Klinetob, David G 1186
Klinetob Families 651, 1186
Klinetob, Harvey L 651
Kling Family 1086
Klinger, Elmer 1209
Klinger, Gideon 1309
Knapp, Christian F 741
Knecht, Jacob 817
Kiieeht, Mrs. Martlia E 817
Knepper Family 1147
Knittle, Daniel F 665
Knittle, Miss Ella 645
Knittle Families 645, 665
Knittle, .Joseph B 645
Knorr Families 786, 793, 985
Knorr, Harvey E 785
Knorr, Henry T 793
Knorr, Samuel M 985
Knouse, Ehvood 1107
Knouse F.amily 1107
ICoeher, Edwin M ] 001
Kocher Families
867, 1001, 1038, 1057
Kocher, Thomas C 1038
Koons Family 779
Koons, Julius C 779
Kostenbauder Families
1011, 1100
Kostenbauder, Jesse J 1011
Kostenbauder, Oscar P 1100
Kramni Family 905
Krebs Family 413
Kreischer Family 1204
Kreischer, William H 1204
Kreisher, Clarence E 660
Kreisher Family 660
Kressler Family 1014
Kressler, Samuel P 1014
Krumm Family 1206
Kuhn, Isaac S 848
Kuhn, Mrs. Susan 848
Kunkel, Charles 1163
Kunkel Family 1163
Kurtz Family 720
Kurtz, Hon. .Jennings U..121, 720
Landis, David E 571
Landis, John B 571
Laiib Families 757, 1117
Laub. George A 757
Laub, Jacob A 1117
Daubach Fam.ilies 552, 1031
Lazarus, Charles E 940
Lazarus Families 940, 958
Lazarus, Henry 959
Learn, Alexander J 844
Learn Family 844
Lechleitner Family 804
Lechner, .Joseph F 868
Le Due, Emile J 870
I^e Due Family 870
Lee Families 911, 1101, 1177
Lee, George S 1101
Lee, Isaac C 911
Lee. James 1177
Lee, Thomas M 1224
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
XIX
Lefller, Mrs. Carrie (Russell) .1259
Legien Family 1214
Legien, Herman R 1214
Lehmau Family 942
Lehman, Frank 942
Leiby Family 1114
Leiby, Simon 1114
Leidy Family 933
Leidy, John H 933
Leidy, Paul 317
Lemon, Michael 842
Lemon, William M 842
Lenhart, C. Fred 526
Lenliart Family 526
Lenhart, George W 988
Letteer Family 1255
Letteer, Oscar E 1255
Levan, CD 878
Levan (Le Van) Families. 501, 878
Levan, Joseph 1078
Levan, Wilson 1078
Lewis, Judge Ellis 66, 311
Litchard Family 655
Litcliard, James H 655
Little, Mrs. Deborah T 419
Little Family 418
Little, Judge Robert R
69, 313, 418
Livziey, Harvey C 930
Livziey, William 930
Lockard Family 1030
Lockard, James S 1030
Lockhart, Charles C 1143
Lockhart Family 1143
Long, Charles C 846
Long Families 707, 952
Long, Jolin F 952
Longenberger Family 1260
Loreman Family 962
Loreman. .Jonathan 962
Lormer Familv 1128
Lormer. Scth C 1128
Lovett, William 997
Lovett, William T 997
Lowry, William F. ._ 162, 744
Lundy, John 286
Lundy, Rev. John P 286
Lutz, Charles B 754
Lutz Family 754
Lyman Family 486
McAnall, Charles K 1031
McAnall, John 1030
McAnall, John R 1030
McBride. Charles G 1080
McBride Family 1089
McBride, Hugh' D 1080
McBride, .James D 717
McBride, Miss L. Rachel 1090
McBride, Oscar E 10S9
McCollum, Alfred F 1096
McConnell Family 593
McConnell. George 593
McCormick, James 292
McHenry, Abram L 1148
McHenry, B. Frances 320
McHenry Families
657, 814, 1148, 1160, 1194, 1235
McHenry, Ira R 1160
McHenry, James B 1235
McHenry, John G 212, 657
JIcHenry, Dr. Montraville ....
322, 1161
JXcHeniy, Oliver S 814
iloKiUip, Harvey A 573
Mcilahan I'amily 1225
JlcMahan, Capt. James 1161
McJlichael, James 1149
McMichael, William F 1149
McNeal, Ann 583
McVicker F'amily 655
McWilliams Families ...583, 864
MaoCrea, Alexander B., M. D. 516
MacCrea Family 516
ilacdonald Families. 609, 668, 1156
lAlacdonald, John T., M. D...1156
Jlacdonald, John L 609
Maclntyre Family 668
Madden Family 693
Madden, William T 692
Magill, Dr. William H
287, 321, 372
Magreevy Family 1241
aUllery, Garrick 162, 461
Maloney Family 1241
Jlanning Family 1039
Manning, William H 1039
Mansfield Family 1131
Mansfield, William J 1131
Jlarkle, Daniel R 1169
Markle Families . 1043, 1140, 1170
Marks Family 634
Marks, Robert L 634
Marr. Alem 314, 325
Martin Family 583
Martin, James 941
Martin, Patrick 941
Martz, Ambrose 925
Martz. Charles N 1062
Martz, David B. F 1042
Martz, Edward S 1154
Martz Families 810,
908. 924, 1042, 1050, 1002, 1154
Martz, Henrv 924
Martz, Jacob 90S
Martz, Jacob W 929
Martz. Jolm 924
Masteller Families 478, 1097
Masteller, William 1097
Masters Family 619
ilasters, Francis P 619
Masters, Mrs. Orpha L 620
Maus Families
17, 274, 282, 400, 407, 445
Maus, Philip E 407
Mauser, Alonzo A 1191
JIauser, David 1305
Mauser Families. .938, 1191, 1305
JIauser, Jlrs. Sarah J 1306
Jlelick, Henrv W 1082
Jlelick Families 1055, 1082
Mensch Families
586, 630, 781, 1224
Menseh, Frank 1324
Mensch. John S 586
Mensch, Lewis C 630
Mensch, William 781
Jleredith Familv 544
Meredith, Hugh'B., M. D
323, 363, 544
IMericle. Theodore 815
Merkel Familv 1071
Mcrkel. William A 1071
Messersmith Family 787
Messersmith, Jesse B.... ... 787
Michael Families. .511, 1139, 1215
Micliael, Obediah 1140
Milheim Family 1179
milliard Family 521
Millard, William H 520
Miller, Daniel H 801
Miller, David M 1125
Miller Families
801, 1084, 1125, 1163
Miller, George W 1084
Miller, Harry D 801
Miller, James N 776
Miller, Reuben J 1163
Mills Family 684
Mills, .Samuel A 684
Milnes F-amily loiQ
Molyueaux Family iiys
Molyneaux, Walter R 1195
Monroe, William R 491
Montgomery, Ditniel 280
Montgomery, Gen. Daniel
274, 280, 337, 360
Montgomery Families 17, 278
Montgomery, John C 318
Montgomery, John G 310
Montgomery, Gen. William . .
378, 327
Montgomery, Judge William. 281
Montgomery, Rev. William B. 284
Moomey Familj- 849
Moomey. George iS 849
Moore, Evan B 1141
Moore Families
525, 631, 1141, 1194
Moore, John E 631
Moore, William H 1194
ilordan Family 1166
Mordan, Harman L 1166
Morgan Family 989
Morgan. John L 989
Jloser Family 682
ilourcr, L. K 321
Mowery Family 1105
Mowery, George 1105
Mowrei-, Mrs. Annie S 867
Mowrer, .John 867
Mowrer, William K 867
Jlowrey, Mrs. Eleanora 1216
Mowrey Family 1216
Mowrey, George Y 1316
Mowrey, Isaac 1216
Munson, David 1122
Munson Family 1123
Munson, ilrs. Louisa 1132
Murray, David E . 658
Murry Family 1307
Muriy, Miles 1207
Musselman, Beverly W., Sr.. 855
Musselman, Beverly W., .Jr.. 719
Musselman, Mis.-B Elizabeth L. 850
Musselman. Miss Sarah C. . . 856
Myerley. George W 850
Myerlcy, Mrs. Harriet S 851
Myers Families 976, 1025
Newbaker Family 640
Newbaker. Dr. Philip C..332, 640
Xewman Family 777
Newman. -lohn H 777
Xevhard Familv 840
XX
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Neyhard, Samuel 110, 840
Noss Family 1037
Nuss Family 1032(
Nuss, Jeremiah B 1032
Oglesby Family 498
Oglesby, George 498
Oglesby, Dr. James 333, 498
Oglesby, William V 330, 499
Ohl, Boyd T 1007
Ohl Families 1007, 1111
Ohl, Michael T 1111
Oliver Family 1166
Oliver, William 0 1166
Oman Family 1110
Oman, Thomas C 1110
Orth, William H 869
Oswald, Mrs. Anne 6 634
Oswald Family 636
Owen, Hudson 955
Oxley Family 1332
Oxley, Lewis 1322
Oyster Family 887
Oyster, George N 887
Paden, Claud C 994
Paden, David F 995
Parker Family 1244
Parker, Theodore 1344
Patrick Family 1347
Patrick, Gus 1247
Patten, Robert S., M. D. .325, 855
Paules Family 1008
Paules, William R., M. D . . .
324, 1008
Peckham, Aaron K 66
Pentz, E. D 1259
Peters, Edward W 542
Petrovits Family 603
Petrovits, Rev. Joseph J. C. . 602
Petty Family 945
Pfahler Family 600
Pfahler, James F 599
Pfahler, John E 1059
Pliillips Families 788, 1353
Phillips, Lewis S 788
Phillips, Ralph G 1353
Ploch. Frederick 831
Poe Family 615
Pohe Family 1120
Pohe, Stephen C 1120
Polk Family 414
Polk, Rufus K 414
Pollock Family 700
Pollock, Judge James 66, 312
Pollock, James B 700
Price Families 496, 947
Price, Thomas J 496
Price, William R 947
Purpur, Edward 459
Purpur Family ■ 459
Pursel Families 433,
505, 555, 560, 820, 1079, 1109
Pursel, Frank P 432
Pursel, Henry J 1079
Pursel, Jasper N 555
Pursel, Jonathan 1109
Pursel, Norman S 505
Pursel, William G 560
Pursell Family 738
Quick Family 783
Quick, John G 783
Quick, William G 783
Quigg, Thomas 678
Quigg, William 678
Randall, Charles E 585
Randall Family 585
Rank, Daniel VV 318, 854
Rank Family 854
Rank, Isaac 288
Raseley, Charles A 573
Raseley Family 573
Raup, Abraliam L 1061
Raup Family 1061-
Rcagan, George L., M. D 597
Reagan, Mrs. Tillie E 598
Rebman, Samuel C 871
Reed Families 691, 1083
Reed, Guy A 1083
Reed, J. Orville 941
Reed}', Daniel 791
Reedy Family 791
Reese, Charles R 809
Reese Family 809
Reifsnyder Family 789
Reifsnydcr, Karl P 789
Reiter, Augustus 1183
Reiter Family 1183
Remley, David 1036
Renilcy Family 1180
Reynolds Family 927
Reynolds, Theodore 926
Rhawn Family 481
Rhawn, William H 481
Rhinard Family 1226
Rlioads Family 834
Rhodes, B. K 317
Rhodes, .John 393
Riciiard. Frederick J 493
Richard, Jacob F 494
Richardson Family 483
Richardson, John L 483
Richie, C. W 1127
Rieketts, Edward 930
Ricketts, George E 930
Rider, Lloyd T 537
Rinard, Abraham L 608
Rinard Family 607
Rinard, Joseph H 607
Ringrose. Aaron 971
Ringrose, William R 971
Rishel, Dorance R 434
Rishel Family 434
Rishel, James P 863
Rishel, John R 862
Rittenhouse Family 1171
Rittenhouse, MarkE 1171
Ritter Family 1337
Ritter, FoiTcst N 1237
Robbins Family 547
Robbins, James E., M. D. .334, 547
Robinson, Edwin H 1132
Robinson Family 1132
Robinson, .John M 1133
Robinson, .Joseph J 1134
Robinson, Thomas C 902
Robinson, William M 1132
Robinson. William R 902
Robison Family 566
Robison, .James B 566
Robison. Miss Martha E 568
Rockefeller, .Judge William M. 313
Rodenhoffer Family 943
Rodenhoffer, George 943
Roderick, David M 883
Roderick Family 883
Rogers, David J 1230
Rogers, Thomas J 694
Rogers, William J 694
Roiirbach Family 1315
Rohrbach, Lorenzo D 1215
Rook Family 1028
Rote Family 551
Rote, George L 551
Roup Family 1144
Roup, William 1144
Rowe Family 869
Rowe, George L S69
Rowe, John 790
Rowe, Riciiard W 790
Rowe, Mrs. Sarah 790
Ruch Families 843, 1090
Ruch. Henry 574
Ruch. William F 574
Ruhl, Robert J 602
Runyan, Mrs. Ann Maria 1189
Runyan, Elmer W 1189
Rupert Family 506
Russell Family 1258
Russell, William M. C 1258
Rutter Family 441
Rutter, John C, Jr 441
Ryan Family 871
Ryan, James 871
Sandel, ,John H., M. D. . .323, 694
Sands Family 1122
Sands. William E 1121
Savage Family 1045
Savage, George N 1045
Savidge Family 1221
Savidge, Ralph A 1331
Scarlet Family 440
Scarlet. James 318, 440
Schlee, Frederick 1063
Schlee, Peter 1063
Schott Family 1237
Schott, Thomas A 1336,
Schram Family 784
Schram, Martin H 784
Schultz Family 439
Schultz, Dr. Solomon S. . .333, 429
Schweppenheiser, Abram.806, 817
Sehweppenheiser Families . . .
805, 817, 1337
Schweppenheiser, William C. .1237
Sechler Families .... 717, 867, 870
Sechler, H. B. D 288
Sechler, Jacob 385
Sechler, Mrs. Mary C 582
Sechler, M. De La'fayette 717
Sechler, Mrs. Rosanna 716
Sechler, Samuel 582
Sechler, William A 718
Seely, Col. Andrew D 856
Seely Families 739, 856
Seely, S. Britt 739
Seidel, Alfred F 858
Seidel. Arren E 393, 859
Seidel, Clarence W 859
Seidel Families 714, S5S
Seidel, Joseph B 714
Seidel, Mrs. I^ucy C 859
Seiple Family 1085
Seiple, Stephen C 1085
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
XXI
Seybert Family 1189
Shaffer, Alfred C 1186
Shaffer, Hon. Charles A 704
Shaffer, Edward 1210
Shaffer Families
704, 1186, 1210, 1246
Shaffer, Rev. Theodore B 1246
Shalter, Edmond H 893
Shalter Family 891
Shalter, John 891
Shambach, Jesse Y 643
Shannon, Qark W 1093
Shannon Families 760, 1093
Shannon, Hun. William W.. . 760
Sharpk'ss, Arthur W 835
Sharpless, Benjamin F 970
Sharpless Families 835, 969
Sharpless, George H 970
Shelhart, Jacob 289
Sheriff, John W 858
Sheriff, Mrs. Matilda A 858
Sherman, Nathan 1167
Shew Family 791
Shew, John'W. E 791
Shires, Charles E 874
Shires Family 874
Shive Family 842
Shoemaker, David C 1100
Shoemaker Families
834, 888, 1075, 1100
Shoemaker, William 1258
Shoop, Gideon M 289
Shugars Family 1135
Shugars, Jolm H 1135
Shnltz, B. F., M. D 290, 333
Shultz, Charles W 724
Shultz Families 662,
734, 830, 903, 936, 1065, 1093
Shultz, Glen L 1065
Shultz, Philip G 663
Shultz, R. M 1092
Shuman, Ambrose, M. D 512
Shuman, Mrs. Angeline 511
Shuman, Cliarles S 541
Shuman Families
509, 541, 1077, 1245
Shuman, Franklin L 510
Shuman, John T 512
Shuman, .John W 1345
Shuman, Paris H 511
Sidler, Emanuel 548
Sidlcr Families 548, 686, 875
Sidlor, William L 686
Sidler, William S 875
Simington, Dr. R. S 333
Sitler, aiarles E 1016
Sitler Families 648, 796.
972, 1016, 1032, 1161, 1175, 1182
Sitler, .James W 1161
Sitler, Reuben H 796
Smethers, Miss Amy B 957
Smethers, Edward H 985
Smethers Families
957, 961, 985, 1243
Smethers, Hurley K 1242
Smethers, Jacob C 957
Smethers, John A 1343
Smethers, John H 1301
Smethers, Miss Katlierine. . .1242
Smethers, Philip McClellan.. 961
Smith, Adam 1103
Smith, Allen E 1104
Smith, Charles H 790
Smith, David 933
Smith Families
520, 804, 932, 934,
944, 1081, 1103, 1118, 1165, 1249
Smith, Fred K 1248
Smith, Frederick B 193, 595
Smith, George W 790
Smitli, H. Montgomery 520
Smith, James E 944
Smith, John B 936
Smith, Joseph 925
Smith, Lloyd E 1081
Smith, Miles W 934
Smith, Robert M 1165
Smith, Stephen 926
Smith. Theodore L 804
Smithers, Benjamin F 932
Smithers Family 922
Snyder, Allen L 1052
Snyder, Charles W 1096
Snyder Families . . . .614, 687,
761, S85, 909, 1052, 1096, 1322
Snyder, H. Alfred 885
Snyder, Prof. Harlan R 761
Snyder, John 755
Snyder, Joseph H 909
Snyder, Mrs. Sarah M 615
Snyder, Stephen E 687
Snyder, William H 614
Snyder, W. L 755
Sober Family 711
Sober, Dr. Harry M 711
Sones Family 1146
Sponenberg, Edward J 807
Sponenberg Families . 646, 807, 987
Sponenberg, James E 987
Sponenberg, Philip 646
Stackhouse Family 637
Stackhouse, Milton E 637
Startzel Family 560
Startzel, William B 559
Stees, Harry R 748
Steinman, Andrew J 681
Steinman Family 683
Sterner Families 463, 832
Sterner, Harry 463
Sterner, Prof. Lloyd P 833
Stifnagle, Philip 784
Stifnagle, William 784
Stiles, .John J 1188
Still. Adoniram J 556
Still Family 556
Stine Family 1111
Stine, Michael E 1111
Stock, George A., M. D 684
Stone Family 610
Stout, Mrs. Elleretta 1086
Stout Families 761, 1025
Stout, Sheridan W 1087
Stout. William T 1025
Strawbridge, Dr. James D... 331
Stuart Family 1205
Stver, Cyrus F 893
Stver Family 893
Suit, Alonzo ■ J 1010
Suit Families 1010, 1094, 1197
Suit, Headley 1094
Siilt, .Jacob N 1197
Suplee (Supplee) Families...
740, 1033
Sutliff Family 850
Swank Families
504, 685, 853, 1208
Swank, Joseph G 504
Swank, Thomas J 853
Sweutek, Mrs. Amelia 939
Swentek, Paul P 940
Sweppenheiser, Dr. Claude E. 949
Sweppenheiser Family 949
Taylor Families 864, 927, 950
Taylor, Frank M 950
Taylor, John H 166, 168, S64
Taylor, William H 937
Teple Family 477
Teplc, James E 477
Tewksbury, Eugene D 632
Tewksbury Family 622
Thomas Families. 1040, 1164, 1250
Thomas, Martin L 1164
Thomas, Miss Mary il 1153
Thomas, Samuel R 1151
Thompson Family 960
Thompson, Hugh 960
Tliornton Family 913
Tilley, Rodman E 1061
Tilloy, William 1061
Tooey, James 933
Tooey, John 933
Tooley, John 683
Tooley, John F 683
Townsend, Mrs, Elizabeth. . .1057
Town.scnd Families 1056, 1102
Townsend, John R 468
Townsend, Jonah H 1103
Townsend, Louis J 1056
Traugh Family 773
Traugh, Henry F 773
Trego Family 839
Trego, William H 829
Trescott, Boyd 508
Trescott Family 508
Trowbridge, Harry M 1046
Trumbower, Mrs. Mary S . . . . 870
Trumbower. Samuel M 870
Tubbs Family 1027
Tubbs, William E 1027
Turner, William 938
Turner, William G 938
Umstead, David M 1133
Um.stead Family 790
Umstead, Mrs. Harriet E 1133
Unangst Family 826
Unangst, George B 836
Updegraff Family 1149
Utt Family 1093
Utt, William S 1092
Van Alen, T. 0
390
Vanderslice, Charles T
497
Vanderslice Family . .
498
van Fossen. George W.
321
Van Horn Families . . . .
.780,
1082
Van Horn. Robert W. .
1082
Vannan Family
453
Vannan, Forbes H....
453
Vannan. Irvin, Sr
1348
Van Natta Family ....
741
Van Natta, Sade
741
Vastine Families
..443
, 603
Vastine, George H., M.
D.. .
444
Vastine, Dr. Jacob H.
. .322
. 444
XXll
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Vastino, Jacob M, M. D 445
Vastine. William 60C
Vastine, William M 445
Vincent Familiesi 659, 9G8
Vincent, Henry 31S
Vincent, Thomas G 9GS
Vincent, Walter J 659
Voris, Charles E 725
Voris Family 725
Voris, James 2S7, 725
Vought Families 594, 1029
Vought, Peter H 594
Vought, William C 1029
W^agenseller Family 1067
Wagenseller, George 1067
Wagner Family 938
Wagner, Harvey G 938
W^alker, Silas N 731
Waller, Eev. David J., Jr . . . .
127, 143, 560
Walp, Charles 1' 826
Walp Family 826
W'alter Family 895
Walter, Mary Emma 196, 648
Walton Fami'lies 539, 837
W'alton, Harry E 837
Walton, Rev. Morris 539
Waters, Dennis 858
Waters Family 1206
Waters, George W 1206
Watson Family 879
Watson, John F 949
Watters Family 984
Watters. William A 984
Watts Family 698
Watts, James S 698
Weikert Family 903
Weller, John " 910
Welliver. Charles E 538
Welliver Families
539, 1001, 1015, 1057, 1078
Welliver, George W 1001
Welliver, John E 1078
Welliver, Samuel J 458
Welliver, Warren W 459
Welliver, Wilbur C 1057
Wells, Mrs. Lemuel E 407
Welsh, Abner 954
^V'elsh, Isaac 954
Welsh, James 682
^^'elsh, Jayne G 955
Welsh, Robert G 1041
Welsh, Thomas C 320, 682
Weniier Familv 1002
Weiiner, Frank E 1002
Wertnian Familv 923
Wertmaii. Felix P 923
W'ertman, Henry D 929
West Family . .■" 492
West, Isaac "D 493
West, William Kase 319, 492
W'halen, Daniel J 1240
Whalen Family 1240
Wheeler, Edward 1041
Wheeler, H. C 1041
White, Alem B 967
White, Bruce M 795
White, Jbs. Esther E 967
White Families 469,
795, 967, 1009, 1068, 1192, 1229
White. Frank B 1229
White, Harry E 1009
White, Hiest'er V 409
W'hite, John P 1068
White. Leslie H 1192
Whitmire Families ....1162, 1179
Whitmire, Morris J 1179
\Vigfall Family 423
Wigfall, Samuel 423
Williams, David C 545
Williams Families
666, 912, 982, 988, 995
Williams, George C 546
Williams, Guy 988
Williams, J. J 1128
Williams. William E 912
W"illits Familv 623
Wnilits, Isaiah W^, M. D 623
W^ilson Family 1108
W'ilson, Nathaniel 382
Wilson, W. P 1108
Wintersteen, Andrew J 900
Wintersteen Families
702, 882, 900
Wintersteen, Henry 702
\Vintersteen, Joseph H 1232
Witman, Rev. Edwin H 460
Witman, Franklin A 768
Wolf Families 617, 1127
Wuodin, Clemuel R 162, 489
Woodin Family 488
Wuodin, William H. (de-
ceased) 161, 488
Woodin, William H 489
Woodward, \Varren J 66
Wyatt Family 913
Yagel, Charles J 1053
Yagel Family 1053
Yerrick, John 863
Yorrick, Rush 863
Yetter, Clyde C 753
Yocum Family 623, 1137
Yorks Family 292, 683
Yorks, Miss "M. Ida 684
Yorks, William 683
Y'ost Family 1201
Yost, Isaac'E 1201
Young, A. Philip 570
Young, Dr. Benjamin F 282
Young Families
570, 935, 1051, 1168
Young, Herman T 1051
Young, Jeremiah W 1168
Young, Dr. Jesse B 417
Young, Mrs. Mary B 1168
Young, Omer F 935
Youngman, Maj. John C. . . . 449
Y"oungman, M. Grier 448
Zarr Family 956
Zarr, Frank P 956
Zarr, Robert R 956
Zehnder. Cliarles H 162, 460
Zehner Family 800
Zehner. William P 800
Zerbe Family 799
HISTORY OF
COLUMBIA COUNTY
CHAPTER I
THE INDIANS
Civilization struck the native savages of this
continent hke a bhght. The great and pop-
ulous tribes and their strong bands of war-
riors and hunters, fiercer than any wild beast
and as untamable as the eagle of the crags,
have faded away, and the remnants of the once
powerful and warlike nations are now huddled
upon reservations, and in stupid squalor are
the paupers of our nation, begging a pitiful
crust of bread, or in cold and hunger awaiting
the allowances doled out by the government
for their support. The swiftness with which
they are approaching ultimate extinction, the
stoicism with which they see and feel the in-
evitable darkness and destiny closing upon
them and their fate, forms one of the most
tragic epics in history. Soon their memory
will be only a fading tradition. To real history
they will give no completed chapter, because
they did nothing and were nothing as factors
in the grand march of civilizing forces. They
gave the world no thought, no invention, no
idea that will live or that deserves to be classed
with the few things born of the human brain
that live and go on forever. As a race they
had no inherent powers of self -development
or advancement. Like the wild animal they
had reached the limits of their capacity, and
had they been left here undisturbed by the
white race they would have gone on indefi-
nitely in the same circle — savages breeding
savages.
Such are nature's resistless laws that the
march of beneficent civilization is over a great
highway paved with the bodies and broken
bones of laggard nations, nations who pause
within the boundary line separating the ig-
norant savage from intelligent progress.
Nature tolerates none of this sentimental stuff
of "Lo, the poor Indian." It wastes no time
in futile tears over the suft'erings of ignorance
and filth, but "removes" them and lets the
fittest survive, and to them belong the earth
and the good things thereof. And yet even
the poor Indian had rights that civilization
should have been bound to respect; and civili-
zation had it within her power to help rather
than rob the red men of the forest.
The one characteristic that will ever redeem
the memory of the Indian race from contempt
is his intense love for his wild liberty and his
unconquerable resolution never to be enslaved
— a menial, drawing the wood and water and
receiving the blows of the lash from a mas-
ter's hand. He would sing his death song and
die like the greatest of stoics, but he would not
be yoked. When penned up as a criminal, he
beat against the iron bars like the caged eagle
and slowly perished, but died like an Indian
brave, and rejoicing that thus he could escape
the further tortures that to him were far be-
yond death itself.
The treatment of the red men by the govern-
ment has not been wise and often unjust. Not
only were they cruelly robbed of their lands at
times, but government traders swindled them
of their pelts, furs and game, and gave them
the worst evils of our civilization — whiskey,
powder, lying, deceit and hypocrisy. Govern-
ment agent.= and missionaries preached and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
enjoined upon them our splendid Cliristian
code of morals, but the busy traffickers robbed,
swindled and debauched and murdered them
without hindrance or rebuke.
William Penn and Lord Baltimore were
more than a century ahead of their age. Their
treatment of the Indians is the fairest page in
the history of American settlement. In their
dealings with the savages they leaned to the
side of charity and paid them their own price
for the lands purchased, respecting their rights
and keeping the compacts made with them. In
this respect they earned the unfaltering regard
and trust of the natives, the only injuries ever
done to the members of the Society of Friends
being perpetrated by the renegade allies of the
French.
ORIGIN OF THE INDIANS
It is probable that the aboriginal inhabitants
of the territory within the limits of this county
belonged mainly to the Lenni Lenape, who
held that they were the original people and of
Western origin. The Delawares claimed that
their ancestors lived, many hundred years ago,
in the far distant wilds of the West, and were
the progenitors of forty other tribes ; that after
many years of emigration towards the rising
sun, they reached the Mississippi river, where
they met the Mengwe, who came from a very
distant region and had reached that river high-
er up towards its source; that they found a
powerful nation east of the Mississippi, who
were called Alligewi, and from whom origi-
nated the name of the Allegheny mountains;
that the Lenape wished to settle near the Alli-
gewi, which the latter refused, but allowed
them to cross the river and proceed farther to
the East; that when the Alligewi discovered
how multitudinous the Lenape were, they
feared their numerical strength and slew the
portion that had crossed the river, and threat-
ened to destroy the rest if they should attempt
to cross ; that the Lenape and Mengwe united
their forces against the Allegewi, and con-
quered and drove them out of that part of
the country ; that the Lenape and Mengwe lived
together in peace and harmony for many years.
Their tradition relates further that some of
the Lenape hunters crossed the Allegheny
mountains, the Susquehanna and Delaware
rivers, and advanced to the Hudson, which
they called the Mohicannituck river; that on
their return to their people they represented
the country which they had discovered so far
towards the rising sun to be without people,
but abounding in hsh, game, fowls and fruits ;
that thus the Lenape were induced to emigrate
eastward along the Lenape-zvhittuck, the river
of the Lenapes, also called Mack-er-isk-iskan,
which the English named the Delaware, in hon-
or of Lord de la Ware, who entered Delaware
bay in 1610 and was governor of the Colony of
Virginia from about that time until 1618. The
Dutch and Swedes called it the South river
to distinguish it from the North river, which
bears the name of Hudson.
That such was the tradition preserved by the
Delawares is truthfully stated by Rev. John
Heckewelder, a Moravian missionary, in his
"Account of the History, Manners and Cus-
toms of the Indian Nations who once Inhab-
ited Pennsylvania and the Neighboring States,"
published, in 1819, under the auspices of the
historical and literary committee of the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society. The passing re-
mark may here be made that Indian laws and
historical events were not preserved on parch-
ment, paper or in books, but were handed
down by tradition from one generation to an-
other.
DIFFERENT TRIBES
The Iroquois have a tradition that the val-
ley of the Susquehanna was first inhabited by
the Andastes, a branch of the Lenni Lenape,
whose local tribal name was Susquehannocks.
These the Iroquois drove out and possessed
themselves of the lands.
The Shawnees were driven out of Georgia
and South Carolina, and came to the mouth of
the Conestoga, within the present limits of Lan-
caster county, Pa., about 1677, and spread
thence over what was afterwards Cumberland
county, along the west branch of the Susque-
hanna, in the Wyoming valley, and thence
to the Ohio. As early as (if not earlier than)
1719 Delaware and Shawnee Indians were
settled on the Allegheny. About 1724, says
Bancroft, the Delaware Indians, for the con-
venience of game, emigrated from the Dela-
ware and Susquehanna rivers to the branches
of the Ohio; in 1728 the Shawnees gradually
followed them, and they were soon met by
Canadian traders, and loncaire, an adopted
citizen of the Seneca tribe, used his eloquence
to win them to the side of the French.
Over the whole country watered by the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Susquehanna the Six Nations, composed of
the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondagas
and Senecas, and later the Tuscarora Indians,
claimed the right of conquerors and reigned
supreme, and with them all of the treaties
between the whites and red men were nego-
tiated. To these savages we owe the musical
and romantic names borne by the diiTerent
streams and sections of these two counties.
Here was the home of the famous chief,
Tamenund, whose name is perpetuated in the
Society of Tammany in New York and by a
county in the State of Louisiana.
The names of Indian origin in Columbia
and Montour counties are Susquehanna, mean-
ing river of the winding shore ; Chillisquaque,
derived from "Chilisuagi," an Indian word
meaning a place frequented by snowbirds
(Conrad Weiser crossed it March 8, 1737;
he called it "Zilly Squache" in his diary) ;
Muncy, from the Monsey tribe; Wyoming,
Maughwauwama — large plains ; Catawese,
pure water; Loyalsock, middle fork; Mahon-
ing. The Indian name for Briar creek was
Kawanishoning, for Pine creek, Tiadaghton
and for Roaring creek, Popemetung. William
Penn was called Miquon by the Indians with
whom he had dealings.
INDIAN P.^THS OR TR.MLS
The valley of the Susquehanna was at one
time thickly populated by the Indians and the
remains of many villages and burying grounds
have been uncovered in the last centurj-. The
most important legacy from these savage
predecessors is the foundation they laid for
subsequent exploration and development by
means of the numerous trails or paths they
made through an otherwise trackless wilder-
ness. Through the dense forest, over the hills
and amidst the morasses ran these trails,
scarcely fifteen inches wide, but worn to the
depth of a foot by their constant use from
the feet of generations of savages and savage
beasts, and patted to the density of rock by
this soft yet resistless pressure.
The Shamokin path began at Sunbury and
continued up the West Branch to the mouth
of Warrior run, where an Indian town was
located, and thence through the gap to the
town of Muncy, the home of the Monseys.
The Wyoming path left Muncy on the West
Branch, ran up Glade run, thence through a
gap in the hills to Fishing creek and across
the creek, passing into Luzerne county through
the Nescopeck gap, and up the North Branch
to Wyoming.
The Wyalusing path was traced up Muncy
creek to near where the Berwick road crosses,
then to Dushore, thence to the Wyalusing
flats.
The Sheshequin path ran up Bowser's run,
thence to Lycoming creek, near the mouth of
Mill creek, thence up the Lycoming to the
Beaver dams, thence down Towanda creek
to the Susquehanna river, thence up the river
to the Sheshequin flats.
The Fishing Creek path started on the flats
near Bloomsburg, ran up Fishing creek through
Rosemont cemetery to Orangeville, on to or
near Long pond, thence across to Tunkhan-
nock creek. It was on this path that Moses
\'anCampen was captured.
One of the most frequently traveled trails
passing through the county was that leading
from Wyoming to Aluncy. It followed the
river from Wilkes-Barre to Shickshinny;
thence through the notch at the eastern end
of Knob mountain and along the northern
base of that ridge, entering Columbia county
near Jonestown, in Fishingcreek township,
following thence down Huntington creek to
the Forks and down Fishing creek to near the
mouth of Green creek ; thence up that creek
to a point below Rohrsburg; thence along
the northern base of the Mt. Pleasant hills to
Little Fishing creek at a point between Mill-
ville and Eyer's Grove ; thence over the divide
between the waters of Fishing creek and the
Chillisquaque, and thence northwestward un-
til it joined the path up Glade nm from
Muncy. It must have been a prominent path
or trail, as frequent mention is made of it in
the old surveys of 1769 which cover the west-
ern part of Columbia and the northern part
of Montour county. It made a short and
direct route from the North Branch to the
West Branch and was -free from any steep
hills, in fact, the grades were so easy that
when the time came to locate the Wilkes-
Barre & Western railroad, from near Wash-
ingtonville to Shickshinny, there was no place
in a distance of nearly twenty-five miles
where this railroad was more than a half mile
from this old trail over which the Indian
traveled ages before. Near the mouth of
Green creek above Orangeville this trail joined
the trail from Nescopeck to the Great Island,
which was at what is now Jersey Shore, in
Lycoming county.
All these trails found their outlet towards
the settlements by way of Shamokin and the
river, and when first seen by the whites bore
evidence of constant use. There was only one
important trail to the southeastern settlements
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
—the one from Wyoming to the forks of the
Delaware, at Easton. To all other pomts the
trail along the Susquehanna was not only the
great Indian thoroughfare for the natives of
the valley, but for the whole Iroquois con-
federacy.
MADAME MONTOUR
From authentic sources the story of Madame
Montour is as follows : She was the daughter
of a French gentleman named Montour and
an Indian woman of the tribe at that time
inhabiting Canada. Her first marriage was
to an Indian of the Seneca tribe. She was
at Albany in 171 1 and acted as interpreter.
In 1744 she again acted as interpreter m a
treaty held at Lancaster, Pa. Her second hus-
band was Carondawana, a chief of the Unei-
das and she had altogether four sons and two
daughters, but by which union they were born
is not positively known. She seems to have
been a friend of the proprietaries, for large
erants were given to her sons, Andrew, Henry,
Robert and Lewis, on the Chillisquaque, near
Montoursville and at Shade Gap, in Hunting-
don county. In 1745 she resided at Shamokin,
where she died, but the date is not known.
Madame Montour's daughter Margaret had
several children, three of them daughters. She
it was who was termed "French Margaret
One of her daughters, Esther, married Ech-
eohund, a chief of the Mousey clan. She was
accused of complicity in the Wyoming mas-
sacre although no direct evidence could be
cxathered to prove the fact. Tradition ascribes
to another daughter of Margaret the founding
of the famous Catherinestown, the home and
temple of the sorcerers of the Cat Clan ot
the Senecas, who were the enemies alike of
the whites and the other tribes of Indians.
INDIAN VILLAGES AND SETTLEMENTS
Any attempt to locate the sites of Indian
villages in this part of Pennsylvania must de-
pend entirelv upon tradition. It is accepted
as fact that the sites of Bloomsburg, Berwick,
Catawissa and Danville were at one time oc-
cupied bv large Indian settlements, as the
remains and relics continually found at these
points indicate the presence in the remote past
of large and thriving communities. Most ot
the first settlers encountered these natives on
their arrival and were for some time after-
wards frequently terrorized by the return of
occasional bands of Indians who camped on
the sites which had from time immemorial
bee;i their favorite stopping places.
The nearest large village of which accurate
record has been left us, in this portion of the
State, is that of Shamokin, now the site of Sun-
bury, Northumberland county. In 1728 Shi-
kellamy, a prominent Cayuga chieftain, was
governor of the village, which was populated
principally by the Delawares. He governed in
a wise and judicial manner until his death in
1749. The natives after that date were gradu-
ally forced out by the whites, who in 1756 built
the fort called Augusta at this point. From
this nucleus grew up the present town of Sun-
bury.
More than a century and a half has passed
since the withdrawal of the Indians from the
territory of Columbia and Montour counties,
and the history of the Indian customs and
habits would soon be lost if not revived by the
historian of each decade. It is well, therefore,
to review in brief the manner of life of our
aboriginal predecessors as a reminder of the
contrasts between those days and the present
age of wonders and achievement.
The towns and villages of the Indians in-
habiting the valley of the Susquehanna and its
tributaries were located immediately upon the
banks of the streams, on ground high enough
to be out of reach of floods. But little atten-
tion was paid to location for defensive pur-
poses, except that a spot free of timber and
usually on a point jutting out into the stream
was selected, in order that canoes could be
easily landed and the squaws have ready access
to the water.
Wigwams were constructed in a substantial
manner to resist wind and storm, and to keep
the inmates comfortable during the winter.
Some were nearly twenty feet in diameter,
large and roomv, while others were smaller;
mott of them either oval or round in shape;
of bark or matting laid over a framework of
poles stuck in the ground, bunched together
at the top and tied with thongs. _ The winter
wigwams were covered with skins, with an
opening at the top to allow the escape of smoke,
and flaps at different points arranged to be
used for entrance, according to the direction
of the wind. Even in 'these modern days it
is quite an art to erect a "tepee" that will be
weatherproof and at the same time not suf-
focate the occupants with the smoke of the
fire. In winter these wigwams were lined with
matting, woven of rushes, grasses and reeds ;
bunks were built of poles, with skins and furs
for bedding. The clay cooking pots were hung
from the center over the ever-burning fire.
In the larger settlements the Indians built
loo- cabins, roofed with bark and sod, a hole
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
being left in the center to let out the smoke.
These were often fitted up in a very comfort-
able manner, and formed the model after which
the white settlers built their first habitations.
The whites, however, far exceeded the savages
in craftsmanship and design, and their homes
were fitted with that highest evidence of
superior civilization — the chimney.
Many persons have read of the Indian
"lodge," yet few are familiar with its construc-
tion. Lodges were not used for permanent
habitation, but mostly for camping and war
purposes. Saplings were stuck in the ground
in the form of a bow, something like a series
of croquet hoops set in a row, only about five
feet in height. A "lodge-pole" was lashed
along the tops of the hoops and over all were
thrown skins or matting, thus forming a long
hut, in which the sleepers lay. Cooking was
done outside at the camp fire.
The agricultural operations of the savages
were crude and their tools still more primitive.
Hoes were made from sharpened sticks and
the earth was simply scratched to receive the
seed. Corn, beans, pumpkins and tobacco
were the crops, and the tilled spots remained
unfenced, the horses being pastured at a dis-
tance to prevent depredations. After the
coming of the whites seeds were purchased
from the traders and the -variety of crops was
more extensive, some fruit trees being also
set out and tended. The rude implements
were replaced by others better fitted for the
cultivation of the soil, and better tools were
introduced into the wigwams. Steel traps
took the place of "deadfalls" and pits ; muskets
replaced the bow and arrow ; awls and needles
made from the bones of birds and animals
were no longer used in sewing the skin cloth-
ing and fitting together the matting coverings
of the wigwam; and the iron hoe made culti-
vation easier for the overburdened squaw.
Before the introduction of the pots and pans
of civilization food was prepared by roasting
on twigs stuck over the fire or, in the absence
of clay pots, boiled in skin kettles, heated by
dropping hot stones in them.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS
The squaws bore the burden and toil of life
in an Indian camp. There was no "sufifragette"
propaganda then. While the male members of
the village hunted, fished, went on foraging
and warlike expeditions, or slumbered before
the fire, the females did the heaviest and most
degrading labor. They cut poles and built the
wigwams and cabins, performed all the vil-
lage drudgery and cooking, cared for the
ponies, gathered fuel, cultivated the soil,
planted the seed and harvested the crops, cut
up and preserved the meat brought in by the
hunters, tanned the skins and made the cloth-
ing for the entire family, bore and nursed the
children, and when on a journey carried great
bundles of camp equipage. They were un-
demonstrative and patient, bearing up under
their eternal burdens with much fortitude,
and when in the pain of childbirth uttered not
a sound. The squaw who cried or groaned
was forever disgraced. It was believed that
her sons would grow up to be cowards. Not-
withstanding all these hardships the squaws
were loyal and divorces were unknow-n, while
the custom was for a warrior to have but one
wife, except in rare cases.
The warrior was the head of the wigwam;
his wishes were obeyed without question and
his word was law. The papooses were taught
from infancy to be quiet and scarcely ever
cried. The only occasion in which the writer
ever heard an Indian baby cry was when he
as a child wandered down to the river and
found half a dozen papooses suspended on
boards from the branches of a tree. They
were facing each other and making a queer
cooing sound, but as soon as they caught sight
of the strange white face they set up a chorus
of howls that quickly brought the squaws to
the spot. They set upon the trespasser with
canes and chased him crying from the vicinity.
In the winter the babies were allowed to
roll around over the dirt floor of the wigwam,
and in summer along the lanes between the
tepees. When carried they were lashed to a
forked stick or rough hewn board, with ample
wrappings of skins and blankets. When a halt
was made they were sometimes suspended
from a tree if the parents were likely to be
absent, thus protecting them from animals :
but if the stop was short the tightly bound
infant was simply stood against a convenient
tree, and not always in the shade; yet the little
one would blink in the glaring sun without a
whimper.
As they grew older the children were given
all the training that would fit them for their
savage life. The boys were early turned over
to the men, who gave them instructions in
fishing, hunting and woodcraft, while the girls
were soon forced into the dreary routine of
the squaw's life of drudgery. The young of
both sexes developed early; at the age of
fifteen the boys were free to come and go
without restraint ; two years before that the
girls had budded into womanhood, and it was
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
a rare thing for a maiden to reach the age of
fifteen without being appropriated by some
buck.
Courtship and marriage were not attended
with much ceremony or delay. When a buck
cast his eye on a maiden he went to the father
and offered a price for her, usually in ponies.
The main ceremony consisted in the settlement
of her value between the contracting parties,
the after-ceremonies of the medicine man
being brief and simple. Yet these unions were
seldom broken except by death.
In moving from place to place the squaws,
as usual, had all the work to do. The wig-
wams and household goods were made into
large bundles and packed on the backs of the
ponies, or on "sweeps" made of poles lashed
to each side of the animal and connected be-
hind with crosspieces. The squaws also car-
ried some of the burdens, while the bucks
stalked ahead smoking their pipes. When a
halt was made for meals the ponies were not
unloaded, except at night. Sometimes there
were spare ponies enough to permit the squaws
to ride, but only after the bucks had been pro-
vided with a mount. Riding or walking, the
squaws carried the papooses on their backs.
All rode astride, with but a blanket beneath,
and no bridle was used, the animals being
guided by slaps on the side of the head or by
words.
On arrival at a suitable location it was the
duty of the squaws to unload, erect the wig-
wams, cut the firewood and perform all the
heavy work without assistance. When their
work was over they retired to the depths of
their skin robes, simply removing their clothing,
with the exception of the skirt, while the war-
riors retained only the breechclout.
COSTUMES
Indian dress in the earlier times was ex-
clusively made of skins. Great taste was
shown in the manufacture of these costumes,
which were trimmed with fur, and ornaments
made of fish scales, shells, beads, colored
grasses and feathers. The designs were beau-
tiful and artistic, and the material thoroughly
finished. Indian tanned skins have always,
even to the present day, commanded high
prices.
After the coming of the whites cloth began
to be used by the squaws in the manufacture
of clothing; the brighter the colors the more
popular the pattern — red being a favorite. The
squaws dressed in the gayest costumes their
tastes could devise ; beautifully worked and
beaded moccasins, soft deerskin leggings, rich-
ly decorated and fringed with the brightest
colored beads, ornaments and pendants ; and
their plump busts and arms were almost
covered with the many strings of ornaments,
shells, beads and stone pendants. In winter
an e.xtra skirt was worn, and furs wrapped
around the'neck and head.
Warriors, old and young, were most particu-
lar as to their appearance. Their hair was
pulled out by the roots after the age of pu-
berty had been reached, and but a "scalplock"
was allowed to grow. To this was fastened
a plume of feathers or horsehair. Nose and
ears were pierced for rings ; the bodies were
left bare to the waist, with many handsome
belts of wampum thrown across the shoulder.
The face and body were profusely painted with
colors made from clays and simple woodland
flowers, and a belt around the waist bore the
knife, warbag of charms, and other tools of
the chase or warfare, and served to hold the
leggings up. Through this belt was passed
the ends of the breechclout, made of linen or
other cloth, in early times of skin. It was
eight or nine inches wide and nearly a yard
long, and the manner of wrapping it around
the body denoted the clan or tribe to which
the wearer belonged.
Moccasins of many kinds were worn, and
in all cases the ankles were covered to protect
the feet from snakebites and thorns. On long
expeditions a fringed skirt was worn to protect
the body from bushes and briars, the leggings
being then exceptionally heavy. The differ-
ence between the hunters and the warriors on
the warpath consisted in the lack of paint on
the faces of the former and the lack of cloth-
ing of the latter. On marauding expeditions
the warrior greased himself all over to make
the hold of his adversary insecure.
There was general pride in the skill of the
hunters and the achievements of the warriors.
The taking of the first scalp by a young war-
rior was an occasion of special excitement and
rejoicing. The return of a party from the
warpath or a hunting expedition was always
attended with a public reception in the village ;
but after the expedition ended the lazy life of
the heroes began, and when winter set in they
had nothing to do but lie around until the
spring should come, smoke their pipes and
relate their deeds of prowess. On bright days
they sometimes got up a little excitement over
a game of football or a footrace ; occasionally
there was a dance or a feast, but as a rule the
winters were passed in idleness. Smoking was
their chief comfort under all conditions,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
whether half asleep in the wigwams, or loll-
ing in the sunshine outside. Their pipes were
made of corncobs, clay, stone or wood, and
upon them were expended all their taste and
capacity for decoration.
GOVERNMENT
The Indian government was distinctly social-
istic in character. In the wigwams and vil-
lages, with the warriors and hunters, between
the young and old, in all situations of life,
there was perfect equality; in their character
and conduct were seen a strong sense of inde-
pendence, a great aversion to anything that
savored of caste or subjugation. They gloried
in their native liberty, and for one to show a
feeling of superiority was an effective barrier
to all further success. A chief being asked if
his tribe were free, replied: "Why not, since
I myself am free, although their chief?" The
chief of a tribe was not a ruler but a coun-
selor; he could neither make peace nor war,
and except as others were guided by his ex-
ample he had no control of tribal affairs.
A brave was chosen war chief upon his own
merit as a warrior, after having demonstrated
exceptional bravery or skill ; the village chief
was selected as one possessing administrative
ability, commanding address and great elo-
quence, and well versed in the traditions of
the tribe and their relations to neighboring
tribes. Possessing these distinguishing traits
of character and influence enough to be chosen
leader, it was equally necessary for each to
maintain his standing as a hunter and warrior.
For purposes of consultation, and as a place
to assemble the chiefs and braves, a council
house was usually built near the center of the
village. There all met on an equal footing to
determine questions of common interest ; the
calumets or pipes of peace and war were placed
side Ijy side, the choice of each to be made by
the signal taps of the war club. There the
Indian warriors gave vent to bursts of native
eloquence, for which they were so justly fa-
mous. Although an Indian seldom spoke
under ordinary circumstances, when he did
break the silence he said something of import.
It was at these councils that opportunity was
afforded to acquire that popularity and influ-
ence which would promote the speaker to posi-
tion and authority.
RELIGION
Personal pride was the controlling influence
in the Indian's religion. He believed that the
Great Spirit was ruler over all, and that spirit
was an Indian. Manitou was the name most
generally given the Great Spirit. The Indians
believed that they were the first of the human
race created; that they sprang from the brain
of the Great Spirit; that they possessed all
knowledge, and were under the special care of
their creator. Their traditions were vague, but
their religious sentiments were clear. They
had no fixed days or manner of worship.
They believed in a future state of reward and
punishment in the "happy hunting grounds"
beyond the grave; that all who did well would
be happy, but all who did ill would be mis-
erable; they justified their barbarous outrages
and savage warfare, their cruel torture of men,
women and children, upon the precept of
"blood for blood," and among themselves, as
one of their famous chieftains said, they let
each individual "paddle his own canoe."
What principles of religion they had they
followed closely. They believed in a good
spirit and an evil one, and a number of lesser
deities that were active in managing the affairs
of the universe. To these they made sacrifices
to avert calamity, to secure blessings and suc-
cess, and in the way of thanksgiving for bene-
fits received. They also believed firmly in pun-
ishment and reward in this life.
Their medicine men, who had the care of
the sick and were in charge of all religious
feasts and observances, were held in great re-
spect as possessors of supernatural powers.
By the practice of their magical arts they
were supposed to have close relations with
the Great Spirit. Their medicines, made from
roots and herbs, were in their use surrounded
with all mystery possible, and all the arts of
the conjurer were solemnly practiced.
Indian burials were conducted with as much
form as any of their ceremonies. In the grave
with the corpse were buried the rifle and trap-
pings of the warrior or hunter, his pipe and
tobacco, and sufficient provisions and parched
corn to last him on his journey to the happy
hunting grounds of the future life. There was
no common place of burial, each grave being
located in the forest or on the hills, to suit
tlie wishes of the surviving friends. When
an Indian or his squaw died the survivors
would remain in mourning for a year, being
afterwards at liberty to marry again.
FE.\STS AND SPORTS
The regular times for feasts were when the
green corn could be first used, when the first
game of the season was killed, and when a vie-
8
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
tory was celebrated. Notices of these feasts
were sent to the wigwams and to the friendly
tribes by means of a runner, who bore small
pieces of painted wood. He would give the
date and program verbally. When the feast
occurred the bucks, squaws and young Indians
would sit around the fires, on which were boil-
ing the kettles of green corn, juicy venison,
bear meat, fat coon and hominy. Warriors
and squaws dressed in their best, and the occa-
sion was one of vast ceremonial. Each was
provided with a wooden bowl and a spoon of
bone or metal, and they helped themselves
whenever the food had been cooked to their
notion.
None but the warriors participated in the
wild excitement of the war dance, but the
youths were allowed to look on in order to
prepare for their later initiation, which was
severe and nerve-testing. There were other
dances in which the young and old joined with
loud shoutings, the clangor of tomtoms and
other rude instruments ; winding dances with
intricate figures ; wild square dances, in which
the maiden might show her preference for the
favorite hunter ; and these dances often were
continued all night by the light of the blazing
camp fires.
The sports and pastimes of the savages were
in character more in the way of preparation
for and incentive to the objects and pursuits
of their life, and consisted of running and
canoe races, jumping, wrestling, shooting,
throwing the tomahawk, and, in the days be-
fore the introduction of firearms, of practice
with the bow and arrow. Football was a very"
popular game, the excitement lasting some-
times for days and involving the entire village
in the sport.
FISHING .^ND HUNTINn
The Susquehanna and the streams flowing
into it were the favorite spawning and feeding
waters for the choice varieties of the different
fishes native to this section, and during the
cool months the Indians speared them and
trapped them in wicker baskets and nets. The
younger people had great sport in following
the larger fish in the shoals and rapids and
killing them with spears and arrows; and in
winter they cut holes in the ice and through
them speared the finny denizens of the stream.
Trapping of animals was the most profitable
pursuit followed. It was a good school for
the youths, furnished employment for the old
or disabled men, and gave the braves the means
wherewith to supply themselves with neces-
saries and finery from the traders. It some-
times happened, when the season was favorable
and game was plenty, that the whole tribe
would devote the winter to the traps, which
were located at all favorable points along the
trails and streams, sometimes occupying a ter-
ritory of thirty miles in circumference. Bea-
ver, otter and bear skins were the most val-
uable, but the skins of muskrats, mink, weasels
and other small game also were not rejected.
The great abundance of game in the woods,
the rich soil of the valleys in which were
located the villages, provided an unfailing
source of supply to the savages. Knowledge
of woodcraft and of the habits of the birds
and beasts of the forest was the first requi-
site for existence in savage life, and in this
the Indians excelled. They had expedients
for every emergency. One great accomplish-
ment was the ability to imitate the notes and
calls of the birds and the cries of the beasts
of the forest. Warriors used these calls in
their forays, and the first white settlers soon
learned to suspect the cry of a bird if sounded
at an unusual time.
WARS AND FORAYS
The war party was the most carefully organ-
ized band that left a village, the numbers of
which it was composed depending upon the
character of the expedition. One or two
braves might start on a bushwhacking or
scalping expedition of their own, or a band
of five or six might start out to destroy some
isolated cabins and massacre the inmates.
Larger parties were made up to attack the
settlements. When starting out all the braves
donned the warpaint and oiled their bodies,
then formed into a single line and marched
through the village singing war songs. Just
before leaving the limits of the village a salute
would be fired, but from that time until the
attack was made not a sound broke the still-
ness of the forest. A war party of Indians
could pass within a few feet of the camp of
the whites or the cabins of the settlers and
make not a sound or leave a single trace of
their passage.
The Indians' method of fighting, which has
survived even to the present day, vvas a sys-
tem of rapid attacks and retreats. They would
lie in wait for the enemy and after a sudden
attack would fall back to some other ad-
vantageous point. In the fight the whole force
was formed in an irregular line, covered by
anything that the topography of the country
afforded. Thev seldom met the enemv in a
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
stand-up fight, but would strike suddenly and
retreat, yet there was not a drop of cowardly
blood in an Indian. When parties were sent
out on a raid it was customary to send as sup-
port in case of reverses a band of hunters, with
squaws and camp equipage, to locate an ad-
vanced supply camp not far from the scene
of battle. From this center the hunters would
go out after game and act as a rear guard,
awaiting the retreat of the war party.
The return of the successful warriors was
the occasion of much rejoicing and excitement.
They came in with shouts of victory, waving
the bloody scalps and driving before them the
captured victims that had been preserved for
the sacrifice, their hands tied behind them and
their faces blackened as a sign that they were
to be burned at the stake. First the victims
were made to run the gauntlet. Indians of
all ages, squaws and children, stood in a long
double line, between which the prisoner was
compelled to run, sometimes blindfolded and
bound. The savages were armed with any
weapons that came to hand, sticks, clubs,
switches, whips, knives and tomahawks, with
which the unfortunate was struck and slashed,
often to death. Sometimes sand was thrown
in the eyes to impede progress. In most in-
stances the captive was allowed to live long
enough to be lashed to the stake and burned.
The hardy pioneers of this country became
inured to these acts of rapine and reprisal
and in many instances returned the debt with
interest. It would be impossible to overdraw
the horrible pictures of death and torture that
were the experiences of many of the pioneer
settlers of this country. An Indian would not
hesitate to dash out the brains of a family of
children in the presence of the father and
mother, and then scalp the parents and burn
the home. In return, there was no quarter
given the savages when captured. No prison-
ers were taken by either side in the latter days
of the warfare between the whites and In-
dians. A good Indian was usually a dead
one. Chapter after chapter could be filled
with the stories of the hardships and cruelties
suffered by our forefathers, but space will not
permit their repetition.
It sometimes happened that prisoners were
spared by the Indians through superstition or
intent, and in these cases the captive was care-
fully guarded against escape while being in-
itiated into the life of the savage. Some of
the captives married squaws, became satisfied
with the mode of life and remained with the
Indians. Children sometimes were preserved
from death and adopted into the tribe, in later
years becoming as much attached to their
foster parents as if they had been born into the
life. These seldom were reclaimed to a life of
civilization. Interpreters for the tribes were
usually selected from these captives, and it
was often found they had grown to like the
savage existence and attained positions of trust
and responsibility. However, some of the
white men who voluntarily entered the Indian
tribes became more fiendish and inhuman than
the natives themselves. With the names of
Butler and Brandt are associated all that the
human mind can conceive that was cruel and
devilish. They seemed to revel in carnage
and blood.
As a contrast to this, instances are to be
found where the native sense of honor of the
Indian caused him to withhold his hand from
the destruction of those who had befriended
him and to warn them of the attacks of other
tribes. In this respect the Quakers were
singularly exempt from attack and murder,
through their fixed policy of dealing in a just
manner with the Indians. Few instances are
recorded where a member of the Society of
Friends suiifered from the depredations of the
savages, who had learned of their high sense
of humanity and justice.
FRONTIER FORTS, COLUMBI.\ .XND MONTOUR
COUNTIES
The treaty and purchase of 1754 between the
Penns and the representatives of the Six
Nations caused great dissatisfaction among
the Shawanese, Delawares and Monseys, who
considered that they had been defrauded of
their lands, which had been guaranteed to
them by the Iroquois. They therefore pro-
ceeded to go on the warpath, and the settle-
ments were raided, the settlers scalped and
their homes destroyed.
This being brought to the attention of the
proprietaries, preparations were made for the
protection of the settlers, and Benjamin
Franklin ordered the construction of Fort
Augusta, at what is now the site of Sunbury.
This was followed by the erection of many
other forts along the valleys of the North and
West Branches of the Susquehanna, viz. :
Fort Jenkins, in Briarcreek township, Colum-
bia county; Fort Wheeler, on Fishing creek,
about three miles above its mouth; Fort Mc-
Clure, on the Susquehanna within the limits
of the present town of Bloomsburg; Fort
Rice, on the headwaters of Chillisquaque
creek, thirteen miles from Sunbury; Mont-
gomery's Fort, twelve miles below Muncy on
10
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the West Branch; Bosley's Mills, on the
Chillisquaque, now the site of VVashington-
ville, Montour county; Fort Freeland, on
Warrior run, four miles above its mouth ; Fort
Meninger, at the mouth of Warrior run;
Boone's Mill, seven miles from Fort Freeland,
at the mouth of Muddy run; and Fort Swartz,
about one mile above Milton.
These old forts were mainly designed to
afford temporary shelter to the settlers from
the raids of the Indians. In time of war they
were regularly garrisoned by rangers. One
of the methods of defense, which had been
brought to America by natives of Europe, and
formerly one of the weapons of the Romans,
was the use of the "caltrop" or "crowsfoot,"
an iron instrument having four barbed points,
which projected in all directions, so that when
thrown on the ground at least one point stood
upright. These implements were a great
deterrent to the barefooted or moccasin-clad
savage, and the unfortunate who stepped on
one of them soon gave evidence of his pres-
ence. After the cessation of hostilities the
settlers frequently complained of the presence
of these barbs in their pastures, where cattle
would get them fastened in their feet, the rusty
iron often causing inflammation and death.
It is unnecessary to describe the forts out-
side of Columbia and Montour counties, as
they have little bearing on local history, so
we will simply detail the origin, history and
ultimate fate of the forts which were erected
within the present limits of the two counties.
In relating the history of these forts the nar-
rative would be incomplete without a brief
sketch of Moses Van Campen, the builder of
two of them. He grew to manhood and first
came into prominence as a member of Col.
John Kelly's command on Big Isle, on the
West Branch of the Susquehanna, in 1777. In
177S he had been promoted from orderly' ser-
geant to lieutenant, and in that year built Fort
Wheeler. In 1779 he did scouting duty for
Sullivan's army near Tioga. In 1780 he was
captured by Indians, his father, brother and
uncle killed, and he, Peter Pence and Abram
Pike carried into captivity. One night they
rose, and after killing nine of their captors
and wounding the remaining one made their
escape. In 1781 Van Campen spent the sum-
mer in scouting and the winter in guarding
British prisoners. In 1782 he marched with
Robinson's rangers, of which he was a lieu-
tenant, back to Northumberland, and after a
few days' rest was ordered to build Fort
Muncy. Later he was sent to Big Isle, where
he was attacked by a large body of Indians
and captured. He was sold to the English
and remained in captivity for some time, but
at last exchanged, returned home to recuper-
ate, and then was sent to Wilkes-Barre, where
he remained until the close of the war. He
removed to New York State in 1795, and
there, after an active life as surveyor and
engineer, he died at the advanced age of ninety-
two.
FORT JENKINS
This fort was erected in the fall of 1777, or
during the winter and the early spring of 1778,
and was simply a stockade around the home of
a Mr. Jenkins, one of the first settlers. Its
size was 60 by 80 feet and it stood on the
North Branch of the Susquehanna in Centre
township, midway between Berwick and
Bloomsburg. The old canal passes between
its site and the river. A heavily wooded island
stood in the river directly opposite, but re-
peated floods have long ago destroyed it.
Soon after the building of the stockade the
fort was garrisoned by thirty men, under
Colonel Hartley. Col. Adam Hubley, who
succeeded him, marched the garrison away,
and County Lieutenant Colonel Hunter fur-
nished sufficient men to hold the fort until the
arrival of Col. Ludwig Weltner and the Ger-
man battalion. The latter held the post until
1780, when they departed to assist in the de-
fense of Forts Rice and Augusta. Soon after-
wards a party of Tories and Indians came by
way of Knob mountain, and finding the fort
deserted set fire to it and the surrounding
buildings.
After peace had been declared Mr. Jenkins
sold the land on which the fort had stood to
James Wilson, one of the signers of the Decla-
ration of Independence, who sold it to Capt.
Frederick Hill. The latter moved onto it,
built a dwelling on the site of the fort and
kept a tavern there, calling it the "Fort
Jenkins Inn." His son Jacob succeeded him
and conducted the tavern for a time, but was
converted at a Methodist revival and aban-
doned the sale of liquor to take up farming.
Charles F. Hill, the son, followed as owner.
Charles S. Yorks is the owner of Fort Jenkins
in 1914.
FORT WHEELER
In April, 1778, Lieut. Moses Van Campen
began the building of Fort Wheeler, on the
farm of Isaiah Wheeler, on the banks of Fish-
ing creek, about three miles above the present
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
11
town of Bloomsburg, on the Bloomsburg &
Sullivan railroad, in Scott township, near the
site of the Paper Mill. It was built of logs
and surrounded by a stockade sufficiently large
to accommodate the families of the neighbor-
hood. They had hardly completed the fort
before the Indians arrived and attacked it,
but the defenders soon put them to flight.
Van Campen made this fort his headquarters
when not engaged in scouting. One of the
attractions to him was the daughter of Wheeler,
for whose hand Van Campen and Col. Joseph
Salmon, another scout, were rivals. Salmon
finally married the girl. Van Campen's father
also for a time lived near the fort.
Fort Wheeler was the only one of the long
line of defenses in this section of the State
that was never abandoned or destroyed by
hostile hands. Time alone did the work of
disintegration. Peter Melick, one of the com-
mittee of safety for Wyoming township, lived
near here. The old graveyard where the
soldiers were buried is still recognizable,
and the spring that supplied the fort with
water is still running. The land is now owned
by the Creveling family. John Crawford,
grandfather of Joseph Crawford, an old citi-
zen of Orangeville, was the second child born
in this section, his birth taking place inside
the stockade of the fort soon after its com-
pletion, in 1778. No vestiges of the fort are
now to be seen, but the site is known to most
of the residents of that section.
FORT MCCLURE
At the time of the destruction of Fort Jen-
kins there was a line of forts reaching from
the West Branch to the North Branch of the
Susquehanna, comprising Forts Muncy, Free-
land, Montgomery, Bosley's Mills, Wheeler
and Jenkins. The loss of the latter fort left
the right flank exposed to the marauders, so
on Van Campen's return from captivity he
stockaded the home of Mrs. James McClure,
on the bank of the Susquehanna, one mile
above the mouth of Fishing creek, and on the
later site of the house of Douglas Hughes, be-
low Bloomsburg. This fortihcation took the
name of Fort McClure, and became the head-
quarters for stores and expeditions as long as
the defense of the frontier was necessary.
This fort was never seriously attacked, though
the near residents often fled to it for security.
It was never more than a stockade and further
fortifications were not built. A residence now
stands on the site. A marker has been placed
here by the Fort McClure Chapter, Daughters
of the American Revolution, Bloomsburg.
FORT BOSLEY
This only fortified work in Montour county
was really the stockaded stone mill of a Mr.
Bosley, in the forks of the Chillisquaque, at
Washingtonville, Derry township. The mill
was built in 1773, and stockaded in 1777. When
the Indians became troublesome it was gar-
risoned by about twenty men and became a
place of importance in the lines of defense.
Captain Kemplon was in command here in
1780, and assisted in repelling many attacks of
the savages.
The site of the old mill is easily recogniza-
ble by the race and dam at the lower end of the
town of to-day. The headrace has been con-
tinued across the road, and the old dam site
has been used as a location for the more mod-
ern mill of Snyder Brothers.
The land on which the fort or mill stood was
the property in past years of Jacob Hartman
and Jesse Umstead.
CHAPTER II
FOUNDING OF PENNSYLVANIA
Two hundred and seventy years ago was
born in the city of London the subsequent
founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. He
was the son of WiUiam Penn, of the County of
Wilts, a vice admiral in the time of Cromwell,
whom Charles II knighted for his successful
naval services against the Dutch. The son,
William, was a studious youth, and receiving
religious impressions in his twelfth year was
converted to the tenets of the Society of
Friends by the preaching of Thomas Lowe, a
Quaker leader. While in Oxford College he
continued his religious practices, which the
authorities condemned and for which they
finally expelled him.
Young Penn's father vainly endeavored to
turn him from his views on religion, hoping to
persuade him to follow the profession of arms,
but finding him obdurate gave him a severe
beating and turned him from his home. His
mother prevailed on the father to reinstate him
and he later took up the study of law, gradu-
ated, and under the Duke of Ormond served as
military aide in Ireland. There occurred the
turning point of his life. He again came under
the influence of Thomas Lowe, joined the
Quakers, and was imprisoned for attending
their meetings.
Again he disagreed with his father, the
cause being his refusal to remain uncovered
in the presence of the king and others. This
rupture was permanent until just before the
father's death, when they became completely
reconciled. The entire estate being left to the
son he was now in position to devote his life
to the cause of the persecuted sect, and such
was his influence with the king that he obtained
the patent for the Province of Pennsylvania,
in consideration of his father's services and a
debt of f 16,000 due the estate from the crown.
After a long and searching course of proceed-
ings, lasting from June 14, 1680, till March 4,
1681, the charter was granted, in which the
boundaries of the Province are thus prescribed :
"Bounded on the east by Delaware River, from
twelve miles distance northward of New Castle
town (Del.) unto the three and fortieth degree
of northern latitude, if the said river doth ex-
tend so far northward, but if the said river
shall not extend so far northward, then by the
said river so far as it doth extend ; and from
the head of said river the eastern bounds are to
be determined by a meridian line, to be drawn
from the head of said river unto the said forty-
third degree. The said land to extend west-
ward five degrees in longitude, to be computed
from the said eastern bounds, and the said
lands to be bounded on the north by the begin-
ning of the three and fortieth degree of north-
em latitude, and on the south by a circle drawn
at twelve miles distance from New Castle,
northward and westward, unto the beginning
of the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and
then by a straight line westward to the limits
of longitude above mentioned."
By a calculation of the contents of those
charter boundaries the Province contained
35-361,600 acres. The present area of the
State of Pennsylvania, according to the census
of 1910, is 45,126 square miles, or 28,880,640
acres. The area was diminished by the sub-
sequent adjustment of the boundaries between
this and the States of Maryland, Virginia and
New York. The impossible southern line, men-
tioned in the charter, caused much dispute be-
tween Penn and Lord Baltimore, which was at
length permanently fixed by Mason and Dixon,
who were eminent mathematicians and astrono-
mers, between 1763 and 1766.
In December, 1774, the boundary line be-
tween Pennsylvania and New York was ascer-
tained and fixed by David Rittenhouse on the
part of the former, and Samuel Holland on the
part of the latter, to be north latitude
42°, with a variation of 4° 20'. (This was the
declination in 1790. It is now about 10°. ) The
forty-third parallel of north latitude, men-
tioned in the charter, extends through central
New York. Messrs. Rittenhouse and Holland
placed a stone on a small island in the western
12
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
13
branch of the Delaware river as a monument
on the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, vkfith
the words and figures New York, 1774, and
the above-mentioned latitude and variation
cut upon the top. They also placed another
stone, four perches due west from the former,
cutting on the top thereof the word Pennsyl-
vania and the same latitude and variation as
on the other. The extension of that line
farther west was postponed until 1786-87, when
it was completed by Andrew EUicott, on the
part of Pennsylvania, and James Clinton and
Simeon Dewitt on the part of New York.
By act of March 27, 1790, ^300 were granted
to Reading Howell for delineating on his map
all the lines of this State, as established by
law or otherwise ascertained.
Penn sailed in the ship "Welcome" Aug. 30,
1682, for his newly acquired province. He
arrived after a long passage at New Castle,
Del., where the colonists, English, Dutch and
Swedes, assembled to welcome him as their
beloved proprietor. He wished the province
to be called New Wales, but the king persisted
in naming it "Pensilvania." In reference
thereto Penn wrote to his friend, Robert Tur-
ner, on the 5th of January : 'T proposed, when
the secretary, a Welshman, refused to have it
called New Wales, Sylvaiiia, and they added
Penn to it, and though I much opposed it, and
went to the king to have it struck out and al-
tered, he said it was past and would take it
upon him ; nor could twenty guineas move the
under-secretaries to vary the name ; for I
feared lest it should be looked on as a vanity
in me, and not as a respect in the king, as it
truly was, to my father, whom he often men-
tions with praise."
Notwithstanding his rights under that char-
ter, Penn, with his characteristic sense of jus-
tice, purchased the territory from the Indians
at a fair price. It is sad to relate that later
owners of land in the State did not follow in
his footsteps in their dealings with the natives
and settlers.
Before leaving England Penn drafted what
he called the "Fundamental Law and Frame of
Government of Pennsylvania," from which we
cite the thirty-fifth section : "All persons liv-
ing in this province who confess and acknowl-
edge the one Almightv and Eternal God to be
the Creator, L^pholder and Ruler of the world,
and that hold themselves obliged in conscience
to live peaceably and justly in civil society,
shall in noways be molested or prejudiced for
their religious persuasion or practice in mat-
ters of faith and worship, place or ministry
whatever." Herein was granted a greater de-
gree of religious liberty than had been allowed
elsewhere in the colonies.
INUI.AN TREATIES AND AGGRESSIONS
More than a hundred and fifty years elapsed
from the date of the settlement of Jamestown,
Va., ere the more venturesome of the pioneers
came to the portion of the Commonwealth in-
cluded in the boundaries of Columbia and Mon-
tour counties, and eighty-six years had elapsed
since William Penn made his first bargain with
the Indians. Before detailing the settlement
of this section we will review the diflierent in-
cidents which occurred previous to that time
which had tlieir effect upon the history of the
counties of Columbia and Montour.
The first treaty between Penn and the In-
dians took place in July, 1682, at Shackamaxon,
and was negotiated by William Markham, the
former's representative. In the following
November Penn arrived with a party of col-
onists and cemented the former treaty, proba-
blv also making another one. Various other
purchases were made by the Penns in the years
1696, 1700, 1718, 1732 and 1736. The pur-
chase of 1749 came to within a few miles of the
territory now included in the counties of
Columbia and Montour.
At that time few of the white leaders had
any idea of the vast extent of the country, and
the Indians could eive them no definite descrip-
tion of the boundaries or extent of the tracts
that they had disposed of. Connecticut at this
time was seeking to enlarge its boundaries, and
cast envious eyes on the rich Wyoming valley,
part of which is located in the northern end of
Columbia county. In a conference held with
the Indians at Albany in 1754, the Connecticut
delegates made a large purchase of land in this
valley and formed the Susquehanna Company,
to promote the settlement of the lands. The
proprietaries of the State of Pennsylvania had
also made a purchase of these identical lands
at an earlier date, the savages having little re-
gard for the letter of their obligations and be-
ing actuallv ignorant in many instances of the
real location of the several tracts sold. The
Connecticut company at once began to sell the
lands thus purchased, and a few venturesome
settlers came to the portion now included in
Fishingcreek township.
The success of the French in 1754 and Brad-
dock's defeat in the following year brought the
Indian war into this section and it resulted in
the depopulation of the country in 1763. It
was not until the purchase of 1768 that the
country was finally permanently opened to set-
14
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
tlement. As soon as the Connecticut authori-
ties heard of the Penn purchase they sent a
small party of settlers to reoccupy the lands
abandoned in 1763. This brought on a bitter
controversy between the two parties who
claimed the land. Forts and blockhouses were
erected bv both sides, and some blood was shed.
The dispute was taken to the London Coun-
cil, which decided against the Penns. In 1775
the matter was brought before the Continental
Congress, who also decided in favor of Con-
necticut. This decision was rejected by the
Pennsylvania Assembly, and it was not till
1802 that Congress finally gave the titles to the
Penns.
Settlers from Connecticut had come to
what is now the eastern part of Columbia
county and entered upon the land under the
Connecticut claim, and the grantees from the
Penns came to the same region and made claim
to the lands under surveys made in 1769 and
1772. This led to much friction between the
settlers and it was finally settled by the Decree
of Trenton, which awarded all the lands in
the "Seventeen townships of Luzerne county"
to the Connecticut claimants and all outside
of Luzerne county to the Penns, with a pro-
viso that any lands in the seventeen townships
which had been sold by the Penns to settlers
should be ceded to the State and the purchase
money refunded. From that time on the rival
claimants lived in peace with their neighbors.
The Penn treaty made with the savages in
1768, at Fort Stanwix, was the primal incen-
tive to the settlement of the land of which this
history is written. The whites, secure in a
clear title to the country, took peaceable pos-
session of their purchases and the Indians re-
treated to the fastnesses of the hills, but few
remaining in their old villages of Nescopeck,
Catawissa, and the one on the Mahoning creek,
the site of Danville.
The Revolutionary war brought with it a
renewed fear of the savages, and after many
forays and minor attacks the terrible massacre
of Wyoming occurred, July 3, 1778. This
caused a general flight of all the settlers in this
section, most of them taking refuge at Sunbury
and Northumberland.
The authorities took prompt measures to pro-
tect the settlers. Colonel Hartley and a regi-
ment of the line were at once sent to the scene,
built a fort at the home of a settler named Jen-
kins, six miles below Nescopeck falls, pursued
the Indians and drove them from that sec-
tion. That winter the savages were not active,
owing to the extreme cold. The following
April they attacked the fort, but were repulsed.
the whites losing three and having four
wounded. Again in May the Indians attacked
a party of settlers at Mittlinville, killing and
scalping four of a family. These ravages con-
tinued through the entire year, the troops being
too few to make adequate return. In 1779 the
campaign of the whites was begun in earnest,
and by the end of the year the country was in
a more tranquil state. This resulted in the
withdrawal of some of the soldiers, and in 1780
most of the defense of the frontiers devolved
on the poorly equipped and hard-worked
militia. In that year the savages made a con-
certed attack on Fort Jenkins and destroyed
it, carrying off the stock and burning the stores
of grain. The garrison had got wind of the
attack and retreated.
The following June a company of rangers
was organized, with Thomas Robinson as cap-
tain and Moses Van Campen as ensign. Later
Van Campen was made lieutenant, the com-
mand devolving on him, as Robinson was not
experienced in scouting. In the spring of 1781
this company built a fort on the plantation of
the Widow McClure, the farm now included
in the limits of Bloomsburg, and there stored
their supplies.
The close of the Revolution brought about
a cessation of hostilities, and the treaty of
1784 removed the last barrier to settlement.
NATIONALITY OF THE IMMIGRANTS ,
The first settlement in Columbia county was
made by an Irish Quaker. Next came the
Diitch, from the Minisinks; the Welsh, from
Uwchland; the Germans, from Berks county;
and the Scotch-Irish, from New Jersey. The
available lines of travel had much to do in
determining the location of the pioneers, who
followed the line of the Susquehanna and its
tributaries.
The Quakers settled at Catawissa and Green-
wood, but the poor character of the soil at the
former place caused these thrifty farmers to
pass on to Ohio and Canada. Those at Green-
wood, finding the soil satisfactory', remained,
and their descendants are scattered through-
out the county.
The German immigration set in about 1788,
these people coming mostly from Berks county,
although many were from the Fatherland.
They were more persistent and plodding than
the Quakers, and most of them remained in
their adopted homes. This nationality forms
the greater part of the present population.
The New Jersey immigrants were mostly
English dissenters. They occupied the coun-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
15
try north of the river and their posterity com-
prises the bulk of the population in the northern
townships. There are also a large number of
the descendants of the Connecticut settlers to
be found in that locality.
In Locust township a considerable portion
of the population is of Welsh descent, and they
are among the best of the farmers of the
county. In Conyngham township there is a
large population of foreigners of many nation-
alities, the predominating race being Slavonic.
These are employed principally in the coal
mines.
FIRST SETTLERS OF THE COUNTY
The evolution of the present prosperous com-
munity from the raw material of the past is a
story of romantic and enthralling interest. The
casualties in the founding of an empire by war
are not more numerous than those endured by
the founders of a community in the wilderness,
peopled by savages and wild beasts.
The different members of Columbia county's
piSneer society came from widely separated
localities ; they were led to emigrate by a vari-
ety of motives, and they differed as much in
social prejudices, habits and conditions as in
nationality. The common object of all was
the planting of a new home, where patient,
persevering toil would gain a moderate compe-
tence for old age and provide greater advan-
tages for the growing families. There was no
established rule for success in this venture,
and the unbroken forest contained enough dif-
ficulties to develop the individuality of the pio-
neer to the fullest.
The selection of a home site was determined
largely by accident. The chance acquaintance
with a speculator, or the story of a friend or
relative who had emigrated to the new pur-
chase, led to the removal of the listener to the
same section. Very often, as is the case in
present days, the purchase was made before
examination ; in some cases a careful tour of
inspection was made ; while in other instances
the fever of immigration to new territory
seized the head of the family, and without ade-
quate preparation the household was broken
up, property sold at a loss, the few portable
household goods placed on the backs of horses,
and the trip begun without definite aim or des-
tination.
With the difficulties of travel, the amount of
goods brought narrowed down to only the nec-
essaries that were easily carried. Carts and
wagons were taken only as far as Sunbury.
Beyond there, and in other routes into the
county, the packhorse was the only means of
transporting goods. Sometimes oxen and
cows were taken, and their ownership was an
evidence of wealth. One man was offered all
the land he could see from a considerable emi-
nence for one cow, but refused to make the
deal.
The locations were determined by the con-
dition of the ground and the class of trees upon
it, and its nearness to water. Many grievous
mistakes were thus made, as the forest growth
in this vast empire of the west bears little rela-
tion to the character of the soil. Some of the
best land in the county was left to the wild
denizens of the forest, while poorer soil in
apparently better locations was eagerly seized
upon. The location once settled upon the fam-
ily was to be provided with shelter, and for
this the abundant timber supplied the materi-
als ready to hand. But the hewing and shap-
ing of the trees into the form of a home was
the work of men, and few of the present gen-
eration would voluntarily take up the labor of
constructing a log house with the crude and
simple implements of their pioneer ancestors.
Each family was a company of architects in
itself, and but little aid was needed to erect the
first rude home. When more pretentious struc-
tures came into being they were the result of
the united labors of the entire neighborhood,
expended during one of the famous old "log
rollings." With willing hands to assist the
house was built one day and occupied the ne.xt.
"Setting to rights" was not a laborious process.
A few wooden pegs driven into the logs suf-
ficed to hang a scanty wardrobe, and two larger
ones over the fireplace supported the rifle and
powder horn. A puncheon floor — a later lux-
ury— and a loft were deemed unnecessary until
the long winter evenings and stormy days pre-
vented outdoor labor.
The most important part of the home was
the ample chimney of stone, which in this cli-
mate was placed at the end of the house, with
a broad mouth surmounted by a wide mantel,
upon which accumulated most of the visible
treasures of the household. This great wide
fireplace was found in every home, some of the
more pretentious having one at each end of
the house. In it were hung the pot-hooks and
hangers, and the "spit" of the old country
would sometimes be found there also. Upon
the massive and ofttimes artistic "firedogs"
rested the heavy logs that threw out a glorious
blaze and served for both warmth and light.
Here stood the "tin oven" and the older "Dutch
oven," within which were baked the corn pone
and johnnycake. In the ashes were put the
16
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
potatoes and roasting ears, and while the meat
was trying in tlie skillet the cottee pot sim-
mered among tne coals, is there a picture of
comfort more alluring in these days of restau-
rants and fiats ?
Cooking stoves did not make their appear-
ance until 1835, the old "ten-plate ' stove serv-
ing as a lieater, if such a luxury could be af-
forded.
The careful housewife had brought with her
from their former home the homespun bed-
ticks, as well as bedclothing, and until the hrst
crop of corn supplied the "shucks" the forest
was resorted to for dried leaves for the bed-
ding. The simple methods of transit precluded
the carrying of furniture, so this lack was sup-
plied from the forest also. The ax and the
drawing-knife were all the tools at hand, but
with these the pioneer fashioned the needed
articles. Rough benches with sapling legs sup-
plied the seats and tables, but the bedstead
literally had but one leg to stand on. The head
and one side were the walls of the cabin,
while the poles forming the other sides were
supported by a post set into the ground at the
proper distance. Cords or deerskin thongs
were laced across from the walls to the side
pieces, supporting the shuck-filled tick.
It was not an uncommon thing to find a fam-
ily consisting of father, mother and six or more
children living in a house about twenty-two
feet square, with two rooms, and a loft reached
by a ladder. In the bedroom were two beds
(not counting the "trundle-bed," which slid
under the larger one), a "chest of drawers," a
table and a chair or two. In the kitchen were
the beds of the older children, surrounded with
boxes, barrels and the many bins of grain and
sacks of necessaries. Yet limited as the space
was, there was room for all.
But little support could be expected from the
land at first, so dependence was had upon the
surplus stores of the neighbors who had come
previously, and in instances where the family
were the pioneers there was much suft'ering
until the fields had yielded their harvests. For-
tunately the wild game and fish were abundant,
and there was never recorded a case of actual
starvation.
There was no opportunity for the pioneers,
even had they the knowledge, to carry on "in-
tensive" farming. The land had to be cleared,
and the newcomer devoted all of his energies
to this end. The more industrious families
worked far into the night burning the logs and
brush heaps. The soil was filled with unde-
cayed roots of the herbage, so that the rude
plows simply tickled the land ; and it laughed
forth abundantl)- in response. Except for a
lew simple vegetables, corn alone was culti-
vated, and supplied all the wants of man and
beast. Every part served some useful purpose.
As the resources of the land were gradually
developed the support of the family became
a less serious problem. The stock found sup-
port in the forest and scarcely needed the fod-
der stored in the log barns. Hogs fattened in
the forests upon the abundant mast. With
milk, pork, meal, game, fish and wild berries
there was small chance of famine in the house-
holds. A patch of flax was sown after a time,
spinning wheels and looms fashioned, and each
home soon became a factory which turned out
clothing for the whole family. Buckskin formed
the wear of the men, but the women's chief de-
pendence was upon "linsey-woolsey," a combi-
nation of flax and wool, in the manufacture of
which much skill and taste were employed. In
those days there was no thought of the "high
cost of living," neither was there any struggle
for the cost of high living. Most of the wants
of the household could be supplied from ma-
terials at hand, and the outside world was
almost a sealed book to them.
In those days amusements were few and
were allied closely to some useful occupation,
the result of a night's frolic being an addition
to the store of clothing or food. The women
organized woolpickings, quilting and spinning
bees, while the men reveled in log-rollings,
house raisings and husking bees. The lack of
quick communication caused these affairs to
be strictly local, and the isolated settlements
of the past were really farther apart than com-
munities now separated by thousands of miles.
The religious sects of the time formed their
own communities and developed customs of
their homes in the "old country" into many of
the habits that are now ingrained in their de-
scendants. The influence of these customs was
on the whole beneficial, and the religious en-
thusiasm of the immigrants was slowly modi-
fied by contact with others of dififerent views
than those of the communities in which they
had been born. This mixture of nationalities
is one of the wonderful causes of the develop-
ment of the present great American nation —
a nation without racial or religious prejudice.
ADVENTUROUS PIONEERS OF THE PAST
As far as can be ascertained the first actual
white settler in the territory comprised within
Columbia and Montour counties was Robert
McWilliams, who with three sons, Hugh, John,
and Robert, and a daughter, Jane, wife of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
17
Robert Curry, came from Ireland in 1771 and
settled in that part of this section now known
as Liberty township, Montour county. His
complete history, as well as that of the other
pioneers mentioned further on in this chap-
ter, will be given in the separate sketches of
the diiTerent divisions.
James McClure, a Scotch-Irishman from
Lancaster county, Pa., settled in 1772 near
where the town of Bloomsburg is now located.
About the same time Evan Owen (founder of
Berwick) and John Doan bought land and
located near him. Another later settler here
was Samuel Boone, a Quaker, in 1775.
Moses Roberts, the builder of the first house
at Catawissa, is next in order of coming. He
was a Quaker, from Maiden-creek, Berks
county.
John Eves, the famous Quaker ancestor of
all the members of that name in this section,
locateil permanently at Millville in 1774. The
same year Alexander AIcAuley, whose mysteri-
ous disappearance later on aroused the entire
community, settled temporarily in Beaver town-
ship, on Scotch run.
In the year 1775 Michael Billheimer and
Daniel Welliver, both from New Jersey, lo-
cated amid the headwaters of Chillisquaque
creek, now in Madison township, Columbia
county.
On Nov. 26, 1774, William Montgomery pur-
chased from J. Simpson 180 acres of land on
Mahoning creek, on the north bank of the east
branch of the Susquehanna, called "Karkaase,"
and on which the town of Danville was laid out
in 1792 by his son Daniel Montgomery. In the
fall of 1776, or early in the spring of 1777,
William Montgomery moved his family to this
section and occupied their recently built stone
house. There, Oct. 8, 1777, was born his
youngest son, Alexander. This house still
stands in the town of Danville and is occupied
by the descendants of William Montgomery in
1914. It is still in a good state of repair.
The year after the settlement of the Mont-
gomerys was not one of general exodus to this
section, owing to Indian depredations, but in
1779 an unfortunate family, whose name is un-
known, were exterminated by the savages soon
after they arrived at the site of Mifflinville.
Valley township, Montour county, was the
next scene of new arrivals, in the persons of
Philip Maus and family, who came in 1782.
The year following was the date of the settle-
ment of the county above Orangeville, the
leader of the party being Daniel McHenry.
Abraham Kline, whose name is a household
word in that section, came from Germany in
1785 to establish himself and his large family
on Fishing creek, around Orangeville. Three
years later Leonard Rupert established his
home at the mouth of Fishing creek and fixed
upon that point a name which will forever cling
to it.
These were the leaders of the immigration
to this county and their names will stand forth
upon the pages of history beside those of others
of this great nation who have made smooth the
way of the present generation by conquering
the wilderness and the savages who shared its
sovereignty with the wild beasts.
REMINISCENCES
The conditions of society, the modes of liv-
ing and the methods of business in Columbia
county a hundred years ago and for twenty-
five years thereafter were quite different
from those of this brisk and prosperous
age. Mr. I. W. Hartman, a former mer-
chant of Bloomsburg, living in 1914, re-
called many interesting things by which
comparison may be made of the past with
the present. Mr. Hartman said that if the
average merchant of today was obliged to do
business handicapped as they were in those
days he would consider it almost an impossibil-
ity. When the everpresent commercial drum-
mer was an unknown quantity, the only means
the merchant had of replenishing his stock was
by personally going to Philadelphia, which he
did semi-annually, spring and fall. And as
there was no railroad nearer than Pottsville
the trip was not only costly but consumed a
great deal of time. In those days there was
only little cash business, all goods being sold on
six months' time. Prior to his going to Phila-
delphia to purchase the stock the merchant
would call upon his customers, collect from
them what was coming, and taking the money
with him would pay for the goods he had pur-
chased six months previously. This was re-
peated twice a year, yet notwithstanding this
crude financiering many of them amassed what
in those days was considered an ample fortune.
Of course a few goods were purchased in the
interim, but owing to the cost of transporta-
tion and the time consumed in their delivery
this was the exception.
The mailing facilities were as crude as
others. There was a mail route from Williams-
port to this place passing through Jerseytown.
The mail was usually carried by a man on
horseback, but in inclement weather he used a
covered wagon. The postage at that time was
five cents and subsequently reduced to three
18
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
cents, at which sum it remained for many
years, until within the recollection of many
it was reduced to two cents.
The only bank in this section of the State was
at Northumberland, and William McKelvy, a
resident of Bloomsburg, who was one of
the directors, drove down every Monday morn-
ing to attend a meeting of the board. Mr. Hart-
man remembers going down on horseback one
time and making a deposit of $500 for his em-
ployers, Eyer & Heffley, returning the same
day. The merchants did but little bank busi-
ness— scarcely any at all. The principal busi-
ness was the making of deposits for safe
keeping.
In the "good old days of the past" few of
the present conveniences were even dreamed
of. As a rebuttal to the claims of the surviv-
ors of those times that the old days were the
best, let us review some of the details of life
in those times.
In the good old times of the early years of
the eighteenth century every gentleman wore
a queue and powdered his hair. His clothes
were more elaborate than now, more unsan-
itary, and of brilliant colors which often faded
badly. There was only one hat factory in
America, and that made "cocked" hats. Dry
goods consisted of "men's stuff" and "women's
stuff," and was limited in character and
quality.
Stoves were unknown and all cooking was
done before open fireplaces. China plates were
a great luxury, and were generally objected
to because they dulled the knives. It seems
that the only habit left us from the past is the
one prevalent in some classes of society of
eating with the knife. A girl was not permitted
to marry till she could bake a loaf of bread and
cut it while warm into even slices. When a
person had enough tea the spoon was placed
across the cup. Pewter spoons and steel knives
were highly prized and were handed down
from one generation to the other. Wooden
bowls, platters and trenchers were the usual
table utensils.
Books were very expensive, many small vol-
umes costing $15 each. There was not a pub-
lic library in America, and most of the books
in private libraries came from Europe.
Virginia contained one fifth of the popula-
tion of the United States, and the Mississippi
valley was not as well known as the heart of
Africa is now. Two stagecoaches bore all of
the travel between New York and Boston, and
the trip required six days. Two days were
occupied in the trip from New York to Phila-
delphia, while the journey from New York to
Charleston by land occupied twenty days.
In those good old days there was no regu-
lar post office department, all letters being car-
ried by private post, the cost of the letter vary-
ing from one to three shillings. There was not
a mile of railroad in the country, no steamboats,
no street cars, no telephones, no telegraph lines,
and the news in the papers was usually about
ninety days old when it was printed.
There were then no kerosene lamps, no elec-
tric lights, and the chief method of illumination
was by tallow candles. Matches had not come
into general use, so flint and steel were car-
ried by all who went on a journey, while the
housekeeper kept a coal of fire lit all the time.
Sometimes when the fire went out it would be
necessary to mount a horse and go to the near-
est neighbor for a light, the coals being carried
in a wooden bucket filled with ashes.
The church collections were taken by means
of a bag on the end of a pole, with a bell at-
tached to awaken the sleepers whom the par-
son's prosy and long-drawn-out sermons had
lulled into slumber. If the sermon did not
suit the hearer he dare not criticise it lest he
be heavily fined.
Imprisonment for debt was a common prac-
tice, and the whipping post and pillory were
means of punishment. An old copper mine in
Connecticut was then used as a prison, and
many of the inmates died from the effects of
their incarceration in it. Yes, these were the
"good old days" we sometimes hear about.
Another important event in those days was
court week. The county seat was at Danville,
subsequently removed to Bloomsburg, and peo-
ple from ail over the county attended. The
hotels for days were busy making preparations
for the entertainment of the crowd, and as
newspapers were scarce it was a time when
information was exchanged as well as the busi-
ness which brought them transacted. Mr. I. W.
Hartman frequently saw men walking from
the upper end of the county at the present loca-
tion of Jamison City, to Danville to attend
court. The first day they would walk as far as
Orangeville, stay over night, and finish their
walk the next day. This was necessary, as
there was no other way of getting there except
by driving down and many did not keep a horse.
There were no bridges to cross the river and
the only one along Fishing creek was at the
site of the present double bridge at the Lazarus
farm below town. At that time it was a single
track affair and very primitive in its construc-
tion. There was a foot bridge over the creek
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
19
at the red rock on which people crossed in going
to and from the Foulk mill.
Going to Catawissa in those days was not an
easy matter by any means. The only way of
getting there was by going around by what is
now the Aqueduct mill and fording the river
at the site of the Rupert railroad bridge, or
being pushed in a flat, there being no rope
ferries at that time. Or one could go down the
valley to the Deimer farm, then over the hill
and cross the river at Catawissa in the same
CHAPTER III
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY— IRON— COAL
Separated from the earlier settled portion
of Pennsylvania by the Kittatinny range of
hills, and defended from the storms of the
northwest by the AUeghenies, the portion of
the State in which lie the counties of Columbia
and Montour is particularly blessed in the
possession of both natural beauty and mineral
wealth. Few of the elevations reach the dig-
nity of mountains, although they rise in grace-
ful curves to the height of over 1,500 feet in
some instances. From their summits may be
obtained a view of the beautiful and fertile
valleys, clear streams and gently rolling hills
of as fair a land as that written of by the Irish
poet, who said :
Bounteous nature loves all lands, beauty wanders
everywhere.
Footprints leaves on many sands, but her home is
surely there.
The community in general is distinctly agri-
cultural. On every hand are to be seen the re-
sults of men's efforts to gain a support from
the willing soil. Upon the basis of the pro-
ductiveness of the land is built the success of
the two counties, and almost every man of
affairs can trace back to three generations of
agricultural progenitors.
Montour county bears in her center the pro-
ductive Limestone ridge, from which much of
the ore and stone of the past have been taken.
On her southern boundary is the famous Mon-
tour ridge, like a wall between it and North-
umberland county. In the eastern end is the
first rise of Catawissa mountain, which passes
down through Columbia county, forming the
division between Main and Locust town-
ships. At Catawissa the Susquehanna has
forced a passage through the range, showing
all the strata of the rocks of this section in all
their odd and interesting forms. Dividing
Locust and Conyngham townships is Little
mountain, with a parallel ridge south of it,
separating the fertile regions from the anthra-
cite coal fields, the only evidence of whose
existence is the black waters of Catawissa
creek.
Between Mifflin and Beaver townships lies
Nescopeck mountain, which extends from the
Luzerne county line to Mainville. McAuley
and Buck mountains, with their small deposits
of hard coal now almost worked out, complete
the list of elevations in the southern part.
North of the Susquehanna the most impor-
tant elevation is Knob mountain, at the site of
C)rangeville, a clear cut, green-clad elevation
of great scenic beauty. Eastwardly this ridge
is called Huntington and Lee mountains, after
a division at the edge of the county. The most
picturesque portion of the county lies in the
extreme northern part, where a spur of the
AUeghenies forms the lofty North mountain,
the source of Fishing creek and its branches.
This is the home of the trout and the paradise
of the summer boarder.
Elsewhere in the counties the surface is
constantly broken by a succession of hills of
varying height, the fertile slopes of which are
cultivated entirely to the top. Around these
hills meander the numerous streams of this
well watered country.
Fishing creek and its tributaries afford the
sole drainage of that section of Columbia
county north of the river, with the exception of
a small portion in the extreme east drained by
Briar creek. On the south of the river the
country is drained by Catawissa creek. Roar-
ing creek and Ten-Mile run.
Montour county is drained almost entirely
by Chillisquaque creek and its many branches.
This stream flows through Northumberland
county and empties into the West Branch of
the Susquehanna. The portion of the county
around Danville is drained by Mahoning creek.
20
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
GEOLOGY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY
Columbia and Montour counties lie wholly
within the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton basins
of the anthracite region, known as the Wyo-
ming Valley. This section was part of the ter-
ritory claimed by Connecticut and afterwards
awarded to Pennsylvania. It gains the name of
Wyoming from the Indian title of Maughwau-
wama, a Delaware word, meaning large plains.
Although broken by lofty hills, the term applies
very appropriately to this section of the State,
owing to the broad and comparatively level
valleys that lie between the hills. Few of these
hills attain the dignity of mountains, the high-
est being but i ,600 feet, but they afford charm-
ingly varied views of a prosperous and pictur-
esque country from their different summits.
The general geological structure of the rocks
of these counties includes the Pocono or Potts-
ville Conglomerates in the higher elevations,
the Catskill and Chemung rocks in the lower
hills, and in the valleys the outcrops of the
Hamilton, Lower Helderberg and Salina for-
mations. These rocks are only included in the
Older Secondary system and comprise the vari-
ous strata Nos. \' to XI, inclusive, classihed by
the second geological survey of the State.
Columbia and Montour counties are just
outside of the mining region of the anthracite
fields, although many mines have been opened
and operated continuously for years in the ex-
treme southeastern part of Columbia county.
The anthracite veins are usually above the high-
est layers of rock on the summits of the hills of
these counties, therefore "out of sight" in this
immediate section, but to the east and south of
the borders of Columbia the coal veins sink to
points where they can be profitably mined. The
soft coal strata of the western part of the State,
which have made the fortunes of thousands,
are here completelv eroded away and are the-
oretically at .IvOOO feet in the air above us.
The rocks of this section are not only com-
pressed and twisted into strange forms, but thev
are forced up into steep ridges and basins, but
for which the operations of the miner would
be more difficult and hazardous. This uplift
has forced many of the strata into the light and
greatly assisted in the work of mineral research
and exploitation, besides adding to the pictur-
esnue beauty of the cliffs and valleys.
In addition to the action of the subterranean
forces of past ages the more recent (compara-
tively) erosion of the glaciers has further di-
versified the surface of these regions. The end
of the sreat glaciers or sea of ice that covered
all of New York State and extended to the
Susquehanna was marked by a terminal
moraine, or ridge, of boulders and debris left
by the melting of the ice. This moraine was
l^ter torn apart and scattered in places over
the land by the immense streams of water that
arose from the rapidly melting ice fields, so
causing the deep beds of sand and gravel all
over this section. The glacial rivers also cut
the deep clefts in the strata to be seen where
the rivers and creeks force their way through
Montour ridge and other elevations.
The mineral products of these counties are
few, agriculture leading as a source of wealth.
However, in the past the iron ores were of great
industrial importance, atid supplied the raw
material for furnaces at Bloomsburg and Dan-
\ille. These veins of ore have been worked
out in the last twenty years, or have been found
to descend to such depths as to make exploi-
tation unprofitable. The iron ores of the Lake
Superior region can be mined and shipped to
this point for less than it takes to produce the
native ores, and the old methods of smelting
being replaced by the more simple modern ones
caused the abandonment of the furnaces in this
region.
The quarrying of slate for mantels and roof-
ing purposes was prosecuted in Hemlock town-
ship, Columbia county, but through lack of
knowledge of the business and deficiency of
funds the enterprise was abandoned some years
ago. The raw material is still there and, with
modern machines and a cultivated market,
would probably make it well worth while to
revive the industry.
The mining of limestone for Ijurning pur-
poses was at one time the leafling industry of
both counties, but at present the plants in use
are found only in the vicinity of Lime Ridge,
in Columbia county, along the line of Montour
ridge, south of Frostv Valley and as far west
as Limestoneville, in Montour county. At
Lime Ridge and west of there two firms are
quarrying the limestones for ballast and burn-
ing purposes, producing a fine grade of
hydrated lime and some small quantities of
building stone. Near Espy, Rhone Trescott
has a quarry in the Bossardville limestones
which contains a thin vein of galena, from
which he obtains several carloads of ore per
year, yielding a high percentage of lead. This
is jirobably the source of the lead brought to
the Fishing creek neighborhood by the Indians
during their occupation of the section of
country near Orangeville. At that time the
owners of the land believed that the lead was
obtained at a nearer point.
The onlv mines of anthracite coal in this sec-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
21
tioii are to be found in Beaver and Conyngham
townships, Columbia county, although it was
formerly thought that coal could be developed
in Briarcreek township, while in 19 1 4 discover-
ies of coal have been made in the vicinity of
Exchange, Ivlontour county. The mines are
treated m the separate sketches of these town-
ships.
GEOLOGY OF THE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS
Following are short reviews of the charac-
teristic formation and elevations of the town-
ships and boroughs of Columbia and Montour
counties, Columbia being the tirst in order of
description.
Columbia County
Scott — Most of the strata of the Clinton and
Helderberg formations are exposed in this
township along Montour ridge. Fossil iron
ore was formerly extensively mined at several
points, but is now exhausted. Several quar-
ries were at one time operated along the ridge
for lime burning, but are now abandoned. The
highest elevation of Montour ridge in this
township is 900 feet.
Centre — Most of the formations character-
istic of this part of the State are shown in this
township, along Montour ridge and Hunting-
ton mountain. The Bossardville and Lower
Helderberg limestones are extensively mined
for lime burning and cement purposes, while
the Bastard limestone between, which caused so
much trouble in the past to quarrymen by rea-
son of its hardness and awkward location, is
now broken into a fine quality of road material.
Lead and zinc were found in granular state in
small pockets in the Upper Salina limestone
beds, and were supposed to warrant exploita-
tion, but although thousands of dollars were
spent in investigation there were no tangible
results. The entire valley of this township
south of Lime Ridge is covered with boulders
and gravel, deposited in the past by glacial
and alluvial action. The highest point of the
Huntington mountain in the township is about
1,500 feet.
Briarcreek — Here the Montour axis passes
under the tow-n of Berwick, while Hamilton
and Knob mountains pass almost entirely across
the area of the township. Both elevations are
about 1,500 feet above the sea. Glacial action
cut the valley between these mountains and re-
mains of ice deposits of boulders and trash are
to be abundantly found. These were the ac-
cumulations from the great terminal moraine
of the glacier that at one time covered the State
of New York and extended as far south as
Berwick.
Mifflin — The rocks of this township extend
from the Pocono beds in the summit of Nesco-
peck mountain to the Lower Helderberg lime-
stone in the bed of the Susquehanna opposite
Mifflinville. The glacier that came as far south
as Berwick did not cross the river to this town-
ship, but poured its melting ice streams into the
Susquehanna. Later stream action caused the
deposits of rounded boulders and gravel to
cover the surface of this section. The crest
of Nescopeck mountain, which forms the
southern border of the township, is 1,625 feet
above sea level.
Sugarloaf — The rocks of this township be-
long to the Catskill formation, with the excep-
tion of a narrow belt of Pocono which forms
the summit of North mountain. Drift heaps
and gravel beds cover most of the area. The
highest elevation in this township is 1,275 f^^t^-
Benton — The Catskill and Chemung rocks
predominate here. Drift and gravel beds pre-
dominate. The greatest altitude in this town-
ship is 850 feet.
Jackson — Catskill and Chemung red sand-
stones are found here, with many boulder beds.
Glacial remains abound. The greatest altitude
is 1,280 feet.
Pine — Chemung, Catskill and Hamilton for-
mations predominate in this section. Genesee
shales and Tully limestones are also found. The
greatest elevation is 1,315 feet.
Greemvood — Chemung and Hamilton rocks
here predominate. There are also found areas
of Genesee black shale. In the Chemung sand-
stones a quarry was once operated near the
Mount Pleasant township line, furnishing
rough building stone. This township is prac-
tically free from boulders. The land is gener-
ally free from stones, and the rocks are of the
black shale. The highest elevation is near
Millville— 825 feet.
Fishingcreek — Pocono, Catskill, Chemung,
Genesee and Hamilton rocks are here exposed.
Glacial deposits form the great plain along
Huntington creek. The highest point is Hunt-
ington mountain, 1,500 feet above sea level.
Orange — The rocks in this township run
from the Pocono to the base of the Chemung
formation. Great heaps of rounded boulders
are scattered over the hill summits and give
evidence of the sea having covered this section
of the State in past ages. From the summit of
Knob mountain an extensive view is had of the
counties of Montour and Columbia. This alti-
tude is 1,430 feet.
22
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mount Pleasant — The Chemung, Lower Hel-
derberg and Salina formations predominate
here. The limestones are shghtly magnesian
and would make good Portland cement. Others
can be burned for lime. At the forks of the
road near Little Fishing creek the highest point
above the sea, just above Mordansville, is 535
feet.
Hemlock — Almost a complete section from
the Catskill formation down to the basal beds
of the Clinton is found in this township along
the banks of Fishing creek. A large quarry
was formerly operated in the Hamilton shales,
from which a hne grade of slate for mantels
and tables was sawn, by the Thomas Slate Com-
pany. At this quarry the Marcellus slates were
also mined for roofing and school slates. The
Lower Helderberg limestone was mined at
this place for the Bloomsburg furnaces, also
about a mile east of Buckhorn. The Blooms-
burg Iron Company and William Neal & Sons
quarried the fossil iron ore in the Montour
ridge. The highest elevation in this township
is 975 feet.
Montour — Catskill, Chemung and Genesee
shales are the range of rocks in this township,
covering a section of 4,784 feet. Between
Catawissa bridge and Rupert the exposures
along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
railroad, at the end of Montour ridge, are the
most complete in the county. A student of
geology will find much of value to observe here,
and the lover of the picturesque will be gratified
by the varied scenery to be found at this spot.
Indications are found here that the Susque-
hanna once flowed in a channel directly west-
ward to Danville through the valley north of
Montour ridge. The Bossardville limestone
has been quarried for agricultural uses by sev-
eral persons in this vicinity, but was found too
impure for building uses. The fossil iron ore
was also at one time mined about a mile and a
half west of Fishing creek. The highest point
of Montour ridge in this township is 755 feet.
Bloornsbnrg — The Clinton, Salina, Lower
Helderberg and Hamilton formations are ex-
posed along the banks of Fishing creek beside
the Bloomsburg & Sullivan railroad tracks. At
many places outcroppings of fossil iron ore are
found and have been almost completely mined
out in the past. The town of Bloomsburg is
located on three terraces composed of deposits
from streams in the past. The highest terrace
in Bloomsburg is on Second street, where the
altitude is 571; feet.
Main — Cutting through Nescopeck moun-
tain, Catawissa creek here exposes all of the
Pocono and Catskill formations. The Catskill
sandstones here were at one time quarried for
building purposes. About 1,500 feet is the
height of the mountain at this point.
Catawissa — All of the diflferent formations
characteristic of this county are shown along
the Susquehanna from Catawissa to the
Bloomsburg bridge, along the bluffs of Cata-
wissa (or Nescopeck) mountain. None of the
limestones here have been commercially
worked. The height of Catawissa mountain is
estimated at 1,600 feet.
Franklin — Only a few of the characteristic
formations of this county are exposed in this
township. A dividing ridge, part of Catawissa
mountain, separates the Susquehanna from
Roaring creek in the central part of the town-
ship. Elevations range from 900 to 1,400 feet
above sea level.
Locust — Little mountain, along the southern
border of this township, has an elevation of
1,040 feet, and exposes the Pocono formation
to some extent. Other strata are shown at
various gaps in the hills and mountain, made
by the branches of Roaring creek.
Montour County
Cooper — In the tunnel cut to drain the old
quarry of Grove Brothers, at Grovania, the ex-
posures of Catskill and Chemung rocks are
very complete. The Lower Helderberg lime-
stone is the one quarried here now for lime, as
it was for furnace uses in the past. Some fos-
siliferous iron ore was also mined in the past,
but is now exhausted. The ancient valley of
the Susquehanna, through vvhich that river
once flowed before it carved its way through
the Montour axis, is shown in the center of
this township, and forms the basis of the best
farms in this vicinity. The elevation of the
ridge here is about 760 feet.
Mahoning — The formations characteristic of
Montour ridge are to be found in this township.
A number of limestone quarries were formerly
operated in this township to supply the fur-
naces at Danville, but are now idle. Iron ore
was also extensively mined, but has long since
been exhausted. About 700 feet is the height
of the ridge here.
Liberty — The lowest beds of the Clinton
slates form Montour ridge here, while the
Oriskany chert and the Lower Helderberg lime-
stone make Lime Ridge in the northern border
of the township. The Hamilton and Bossard-
ville limestones have here been extensively
quarried. Montour ridge stands 900 feet above
sea level, while Lime Ridge is about 100 feet
lower.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
23
Valley — Most of the rocks in this township
are of the Chemung-Catskill formations. The
Clinton iron ore has been extensively mined
along the sides of Montour ridge, being fol-
lowed to great depths by means of drifts, the
dip being about 30 degrees. Limestone quar-
ries were numerous in the days of iron work-
ing, but now have passed into disuse. About
800 feet is the greatest elevation in this town-
ship, on Montour ridge.
PVest Hemlock — As is the case in the adjoin-
ing townships, the Chemung-Catskill forma-
tions here predominate. The Hamilton beds
are too deeply buried to make profitable work-
ing here. The greatest elevation in this town-
ship is almost 1,000 feet above the sea.
berry — The Hamilton, Helderberg and Che-
mung rocks are here to be seen. A large quarry
was formerly operated near Washingtonville,
the product being lime and building stone. The
greatest elevation in this township is 900 feet
above the sea.
Limestone — Limestone ridge, the southern
boundary, is composed of the Oriskany sand-
stones and the Helderberg limestones. Many
limestone quarries were operated in this sec-
tion, getting their product from the Bossard-
ville and Stormville beds.. The greatest eleva-
tion is 780 feet, on Limestone ridge.
Anthony — This township was once a vast
valley filled with a mighty stream, remains of
whose action are shown in the boulder heaps
that strew the surface. The only rocks that
here appear above the horizon are the Hamil-
ton and Chemung. In the highlands of the
north the greatest elevation is 1,200 feet.
Mayberry — The formations in this township
are of similar character to those in Franklin
township, Columbia county, adjoining. No
quarries have been opened here, although the
rocks have been used for building purposes
locally. Sharp ridge, running through the
center of the township, is about 300 feet above
sea level.
THE IRON INDUSTRY
The mineral productions of Columbia county
are of considerable value and form one of the
sources of wealth for the people, but the yearly
output is only a fraction of that of the past.
During the operation of the iron furnaces at
Bloomsburg and other points the production of
this metal was the most important business in
the county. All of the ore came from the sides
of Montour ridge and was of a fossiliferous
character. Near the surface the ore was like
loose soil, but below the layers became harder
and filled with limestone and many fossils.
Below the fossiliferous horizon the ore is poor
and the cost of working it prohibitive. For this
reason the mines of the county were gradually
abandoned as fast as the upper layers of ore
became exhausted.
The discovery of iron ore in Columbia county
was made in 1822 by Robert Green, a farm
laborer employed by Henry Young of Hem-
lock township, while plowing a field near the
end of Montour ridge, on the bank of Fishing
creek. He opened a drift and demonstrated
the value of the vein. For twenty years this
ore was mined and transported to the Esther
and Penn furnaces, across the Susquehanna.
Columbia County Furnaces
Before the discovery of ore in the northern
part of the county the Catawissa furnace was
built in Main township on Furnace run, near
Catawissa creek, by John Hauck, in 181 5. He
had the advantage of proximity to the road to
Reading and abundant wood for charcoal. The
ore was at first procured from the neighbor-
hood of Bloomsburg, but after the discovery
of the deposits in Hemlock township most of
the raw material came from the latter source.
For several years this was the only furnace
in the county. The product was sent to Read-
ing to be forged and the finished iron returned
for home consumption. This was changed by
the construction in 1824 of a forge near the fur-
nace by Harley & Evans and the double han-
dling done away with. Both furnace and forge
were operated until 1883, when the distance
from the mines and the cost of fuel caused
their abandonment. The introduction of the
anthracite process of smelting also made the
furnace obsolete, as it was of the old charcoal,
hot-blast design. A crumbling wall, overgrown
with bushes, now marks the site of this once
famous iron works.
The grading of the stage road to Reading
through Locust township in 181 7 caused the
construction of the Esther furnace by Michael
and Samuel Bittler. It was located on land
originally patented to Samuel Shakespeare in
1773, on Roaring creek, nineteen miles from
Fort Augusta (now Sunbury). David Shake-
speare inherited the land and his executors
deeded it to Jacob Yocum, from whom it passed
to the Bittler family.
There was neither iron nor limestone near,
but an abundance of wood. Most of the ore
came from the Fishing creek region after the
opening of the mines there. After various en-
largements the furnace was leased successively
24
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
to John and Samuel Trego, and Fincher &
Thomas. In 1845 Samuel Uiemer became les-
see. Later owners were John Richards, John
Thomas, D. J. Waller, Sr., Casper Thomas,
Jacob Schuyler and J. B. Robison. The open-
ing of the canal along the Susquehanna in 1832
made Catawissa the main shipping point of the
county and the furnace was abandoned.
The Irondale furnaces were built by the
Bloomsburg Railroad & Iron Company in 1844
and were lined-up and blown-in in 1845 by
James Ralston, a native of Glasgow, Scotland.
A railroad was built around the hill along Fish-
ing creek to connect the furnaces with the
canal. At that time iron ore was found in
great quantities in the hills all around the
town and the canal offered a cheap means of
transporting the coal and finished product.
During the Civil war there was a mint of
money in the iron business and the furnaces
were kept running constantly, turning out
about thirty tons of pig iron a day, the price
going at one time to $40 a ton.
The plant in 1886 consisted of two furnaces,
a waterpower house and a steampower house,
a large store, a mansion house, twenty-three
tenement houses comprising the settlement
known as Morgantown, and a narrow-gauge
railroad from the furnaces to the Lackawanna
& Bloomsburg railroad. The company also
had leases on many thousands of acres of ore
lands in the county.
C. R. Paxton was president of the company
and resided in the mansion near the furnaces.
On his removal to Virginia, about 1874, E. R.
Drinker became superintendent. But the iron
trade had declined, and the ore beds in this
section were worked out, necessitating the
transportation of most of the ore used from
Snyder county (Pa.) and Maryland, thus in-
creasing the cost of production.
In 1889 the stock of the Bloomsburg Iron
Company was purchased by Col. S. Knorr and
L. S. Wintersteen, and the management
changed. But iron continued to decline in
price, and Colonel Knorr's death occurring soon
after, the furnaces were shut down. In 1893
the Bloomsburg Iron Company, through its
president, L. S. Wintersteen, sold the property
to H. C. Pease, who tore down the furnaces
and began the erection of a stone building in-
tended for manufacturing purposes. This
operation was stayed by injunction, and the
executrix of Colonel Knorr's estate, desiring
an accounting, petitioned the court for the ap-
pointment of a receiver, which was granted,
H. A. McKillip being the appointee. After
proceedings in court. Pease reconveyed the
property to H. A. McKillip, receiver, and the
property was sold by him at public sale to the
Bloomsburg Water Company, the title pass-
ing on June 11, 1896. So passed out of exist-
ence what had for many years been the leading
industry of Bloomsburg. The store building
has been unoccupied for years, the Paxton
mansion, whose occupants were so long among
the social leaders of the town, is now a tene-
ment house, and every vestige of the furnaces
has disappeared. The waterpower house has
passed into the ownership of the Irondale Elec-
tric Light Company, and been rebuilt, and is
a well kept property.
In 1852 an agreement was entered into by
William McKelvey, William Neal and Jacob
Melick to erect and operate an anthracite iron
furnace, taking the ore from the farm of the
latter, east of Fishing creek. In 1853 seventeen
acres were purchased from Daniel Snyder and
Joseph W. Hendershott on the canal, east of
the town of Bloomsburg, and in April, 1854,
the "Bloom" furnace was blown-in. In 1873
the firm name was changed from McKelvey,
Neal & Co. to William Neal & Sons. Up to
1875 the gross product of this furnace was
17,968 tons, but later the yearly product was
greatly increased. By 18S3 the ore deposits
near Bloomsburg were exhausted and the fur-
naces in the vicinity were supplied from mines
in New Jersey.
All of these furnaces were abandoned in
1892, the property sold and the furnaces torn
down. The site is now occupied by the power-
house and car barn of the North Branch Tran-
sit Company, the only visible remains of the
furnace being the brick water reservoir and the
slag heaps along the abandoned bed of the
canal. The slag is now broken up and used
to ballast the streets of Bloomsburg.
Two other furnaces were built at Light
Street between 1844 and 1850 by Gen. Matthew
McDowell and Samuel Bettle. Both were
shortlived, their greater rivals at Bloomsburg
getting the advantage in shipping and receiv-
ing facilities. One of these furnaces was oper-
ated by Peter Ent and stood just above the
upper mill. The B. & S. railroad runs through
the center of the slag heap. The other fur-
nace stood at the lower end of the town. Both
are completely gone.
Montour County Furnaces and Mills
The first charcoal furnace was built by Eli
Trego in 1837, near the crossing of the Read-
ing railroad at Mill street, Danville.
The first anthracite iron furnace in
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
25
Montour county was built by Burd Pat-
terson near the mouth of Roaring creek,
in Mayberry township, in 1839. After
passing through successive hands it came
into the possession of Simon P. Kase, of
Danville, in 1857, who ran it for a short
time and then abandoned it. The ore was ob-
tained from Montour ridge and carried across
the river on flats.
In 1838 Patterson built a charcoal furnace
at the site of the present Lackawanna railroad
crossing in the eastern part of Danville. This
he operated for a short time, but the intro-
duction of anthracite coal soon made the fur-
nace obsolete, and it was therefore abandoned.
Later Patterson built a nail factory near it,
but this also was a failure.
Michael and John Grove were the first suc-
cessful furnacenien, after anthracite coal was
adopted. They built two furnaces, one in 1840
and the other in 1859, on Mahoning street, Dan-
ville. A 400-horsepowcr engine ran the blast
and about seventy-five men were employed.
They closed down in 1880.
Chambers & Biddle built two furnaces in
1840, and another in 1845. A rolling mill was
added in 1844, and the plant took the name of
Montour Iron Works. Here the first T rails
in the East were made, U rails having been
previously the chief product. A foundry and
machine shop were added in 1852, and in 1857
a new rail mill was added. This foundry dur-
ing the Civil war cast many of the cannon and
mortars used by the Union forces. It had cast
in 1842 the first cannon in the United States
made of anthracite iron.
In 1880 the works came into the hands of the
Philadelphia & Reading Iron Company, which
now operates them.
The last furnace built in Montour county
was the Chulasky furnace, on the line of North-
umberland county, in 1846. Its capacity was
6,500 tons of soft gray forge pig iron per an-
num. It was idle after 1893.
Besides the plants mentioned, Danville has
had numerous other iron foundries and mills,
among them being these old ones : Enterprise
Foundry. Danville Iron Foundry, National
Iron Foundry, Co-operative Iron & Steel
Works, Glendower Iron Works, National Iron
Company's Works and the Danville Stove
Works. The present plants are the Readmg
Iron Works, the Danville Stove Works, the
Danville Steel Works, the Tube Mill and the
Danville Foundry & Machine Works.
At present Danville is the only strictly iron-
making town in the two counties. The Ameri-
can Car & Foundry Company, at Berwick, have
a pipe works and a rolling mill, but only for
their own use. There are two large foundries
at the car plants, a general machine shop, and
a small foundry for the manufacture of sash
weights, at Bloomsburg. This completes the
list for the two counties in 19 14.
Furnaces Abandoned
At present there are no furnaces in operation
in either Columbia or Montour counties, most
of the iron works consisting of foundries and
rolling mills, which obtain their raw material
from the furnaces around Pittsburg. Those
who have no knowledge of the old charcoal
furnaces and their operation will find a descrip-
tion of the methods then used interesting.
The early furnaces averaged twenty-five feet
in height by seven feet across the "bosch," or
widest part of the interior. The fuel was
strictly charcoal and the blast was cold, being
driven by leather bellows through a "tuyere"
into the mass of charcoal and ore. Later on
wooden "tubs" were used to create the blast,
somewhat like short cylinders, with a piston
working horizontally, the power coming from
a water wheel in the nearest stream. These
"tubs" were used as late as 1878, even after the
introduction of anthracite coal as fuel.
The product of these charcoal furnaces was
from ten to twenty-five tons of pig iron per
week, which sold at the furnace at fifteen dol-
lars a ton. Some of the furnaces in later years
produced stoves, pots and plows.
After the charcoal furnaces were abandoned
and the process of smelting by anthracite in-
troduced the highest period of development in
the iron industry ensued. It was the most im-
portant source of wealth to the people and
gave employment to thousands. Owing to
its success the growth of Danville and Blooms-
burg from 1844 to 1890 was due, but the clos-
ing of the mines and the abandonment of the
furnaces did not seriously affect the prosperity
of these places, for the wealth gathered from
the earth was not of an evanescent character
and the people had made use of their opportun-
ity to establish the towns on a permanent foun-
dation.
In filling the old anthracite furnaces, alter-
nate layers of ore, coal and limestone were
used, about three tons of ore making a ton of
pig iron. The furnaces were run continuously,
being filled from the top as fast as the iron
was drawn from the bottom. Casting was
done twice a day. Not only did the local foun-
dries use the product, but" it was in great de-
mand by the foundries all over the eastern
half of the State.
During the years when the iron mines of the
26
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
two counties were in operation the annual
production was an average of 20,000 tons. For
each ton of pig iron were required 3.25 tons
of ore, 2.05 tons of coal and 1.59 tons of lime-
stone.
COAL MINING
Practically all the anthracite coal produced
in the world comes from an area of 484 square
miles in northeastern Pennsylvania. In this
region 87 per cent of the total acreage of coal
lands is owned by eleven railroad corporations.
The Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com-
pany controls 63 per cent of all the anthracite
coal in the United States, and more than half
of the mines in Columbia county. These rail-
roads own the mines, the rails and rolling stock,
the yards and pockets in the cities, operate the
wholesaling companies and control the retail-
ers. Thus they fix the price of coal to the
consumer.
The cost of mining a ton of coal in the
Schuylkill region is Si. 80. The roads owning
the mines charge $1.50 a ton freight for house-
hold sizes of coal transported to tidewater.
This is 30 per cent more than the rate for gen-
eral merchandise. Coal at the mine mouth is
$3.75 per ton. The freight charge is $1.50;
the railroad's wholesaling branch charges
twenty-five cents for handling, and the retailer
adds $1.25 more, making the cost of a ton of
coal to the householder $6.75 in New York.
The United States government owns and
operates a coal mine at Williston, N. Dak.,
where the cost of mining a tori is $1.78. This
includes all charges except transportation.
Although within the coal region of the east-
em part of Pennsylvania, Columbia county has
few mines of that precious mineral. These are
located in Beaver and Conyngham townships,
the latter being the only ones profitably
worked.
There is a great difference in the soft and
hard coal mining regions. In the former the
beds lie low down in the strata and are regu-
lar in character and easily mined. But anthra-
cite coal beds are contorted, turned over and
jammed into strange and irregular forms.
Squeezed by enormous pressure in past ages,
they disappear in one spot only to expand
Name Location Operator — 1882 Tons
Bast Big Mine run P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 90,161
Potts Locustdale P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 83,941
Hazel Dell Centralia L. A. Riley & Co 7,638
Continental Centralia Lehigh Valley Coal Co 16,542
into thick layers in another. They plunge to
a depth of two thousand feet in one place
below water level, and in a short distance
rise more than a thousand feet above the sea.
In the Pottsville region, of which Columbia
beds are a part, the coal lies in long, narrow
basins under the valleys of the streams, the
edges of which rise to the tops of the moun-
tains and the centers sink several hundred
feet below the surface.
Most of the mining is done by "stripping"
off the upper layers of conglomerate rock
which are characteristic of the hard coal re-
gions, and as the stratum of coal sinks slopes
are run in the same direction until the bottom
of the basin is reached. The coal is hauled
to the "breakers" and there broken, sorted and
freed from slate. Vast piles of refuse or
"culm" have accumulated in years around
these breakers and render the scene gloomy
and desolate.
Coal was discovered in Beaver township in
1826, but not till 1854 was any attempt made
to mine it. The Columbia Coal & Iron Com-
pany was formed in 1864 by Simon P. Kase,
of Danville, and a railroad built to McCauley
mountain. In 1867 shipments of the coal be-
gan and in 1869 the mines were exhausted and
the railroad removed. The mines are now
operated by the Beaver Valley Coal Company,
and produced 4,000 tons in 1913. None of the
companies here have ever made more than
bare operating expenses, as the coal is on the
extreme tops of McCauley and Buck moun-
tains, in shallow strata and difficult of access.
The mines in Conyngham were opened be-
tween 1854 and 1867. Most of them are lo-
cated on the lands of the Girard estate and
leased by the Reading and Lehigh \'alley Rail-
road Companies. The principal mines now
open are the Continental and Repellier col-
lieries at Centralia ; the Midvalley collieries
at Aristes ; and the Morris Ridge and North
Ashland collieries, below Centralia.
According to the figures published by the
State Geological Commission in 1882 the total
production of the mines then in operation in
Columbia county was 722,114 tons. Follow-
ing are the names of the mines, location and
operators :
Monroe Montana
Logan Centralia
Centralia Centralia
A. H. Church 35,8S4
L. A. Riley & Co 231,169
L. A. Riley & Co 88,283
Bear City Centralia John Q. Williams 2,000
Morris Ridge Centralia May & Co SS.490
North Ashland Centralia P. & R. Coal & Iron Co 111,036
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
27
The Bast, Monroe and Bear City collieries
have been abandoned. With the exception of
the colliery at Locustdale, all the mines are
now under the control of the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company. Three mines have been
opened since the above table was published, the
Repellier and the Midvalley Nos. i and 2.
From the mines in Conyngham and Beaver
townships during 1913 there were produced
1,078,481 tons of anthracite coal. Based on
the average wholesale selling price of $2.38
per ton, tiie value of this coal was $2,566,-
784.78, or almost one and three tenths per
cent of the total production of hard coal in
the State. The average cost of mining was
$2.07 per ton.
Although the early ironmasters of Danville
often prospected for coal in various parts of
Montour county their efforts were never re-
warded by success. It remained for the
drouth of 1914 to reveal the hidden veins of
anthracite to two farmers of the vicinity of
Exchange, who were seeking deeper veins
of water for their stock.
For many years Judge J. L. Brannen of
Exchange had noticed in the bed of the Chil-
lisquaque rounded fragments of coal, but he
did not seek to ascertain their source. In
October of 1914 P. C. Dennen and William
Houghton, farmers of the neighborhood of
Exchange, about the same date dug new wells,
both going to a depth of over seventy feet.
At that depth they simultaneously struck a
stratum of anthracite coal, measuring from
three to four feet in thickness, which on test-
ing proved to be of similar character to the
best product of the hard coal regions. The
coal lies in the usual basin-shaped form so
characteristic of this grade of fuel, and will
be worked by "stripping" and shafts. The
quantity and extent of the deposit have not yet
been demonstrated.
Along the Susquehanna river are a number
of dredges, which operate in low stages of
water, bringing up from the river bed the coal
which has "drifted down in flood time. This
coal, unlike the soft variety, will not disinte-
grate. During 19 13 these dredges washed
out 133,986 tons of salable coal.
The coal is washed into the river from
the culm banks, where the slate sinks into the
crevices, while the coal floats down slowly
and steadily, year by year, until it is lifted
to the surface by the dredges. Most of the
coal taken out has been in the water at least
thirty years, as its rounded shape would indi-
cate. The dredges are simple and their cost
is low, about $200 covering engine and boat.
OTHER MINERALS
No estimate can be had regarding the pro-
duction of lime and limestone, or cement.
There are a number of large and small plants
in both counties, most of which cater to the
local trade.
At one time the slate mines near Buckhorn
were a source of profit to their owners, but
they have been abandoned for many years.
The production of galena or lead ore is so
small as to be of little interest to the reader,
the greatest quantity being insufficient to war-
rant exploitation. It is obtained in connec-
tion with the limestone at mines near Lime
Ridge and Espy.
In this connection reference may be made
to the copper deposits of Sugarloaf township,
which are of no real value, but were consid-
ered valuable by the promoters of the company
who built the smelter near Central and sank
a large sum of money in the vain endeavor
to reduce the ore commercially.
STATE REPORTS
According to the reports received by the
State Geological Survey the mineral produc-
tion of Columbia and Montour counties
showed a decline in 1913 of over $125,000,
as compared with 1912. This is in marked
contrast with most of the counties of the
State and to the State as a whole, which
showed a very distinct increase in value.
The products reported were brick and tile,
anthracite coal, sand and gravel, pottery, lime-
stone and lime. It is impossible to give the
details of production, without itemizing the
individual output.
CHAPTER IV
AGRICULTURE
Owing to the lack of complete reports from
the agricultural department of the State, no
reliable statistics are to be had regarding the
agricultural productions and stock raising
possibilities of Columbia and Montour coun-
ties at present. The principal products of
these counties now, as in the past, are wheat,
buckwheat, oats, corn, rye, potatoes, and other
farm products of lesser importance. Probably
most of the available land in both counties is
now under cultivation, and the crops will bear
comparison in quality and quantity with those
of the other States of the Union.
Among the grain producing States Pennsyl-
vania ranks first in buckwheat, fourth in rye,
eleventh in wheat, twelfth in oats, and four-
teenth in corn. In the production of wheat
this section of the State stands second, but in
buckwheat it is at the top. One of the famous
products of Columbia county at one time was
an Amber wheat, developed and introduced
throughout the United States by William J.
Martin, of Catawissa. The numerous grist-
mills of the two counties, described at length
in another chapter, are an evidence of the im-
portance of the growing of grain in this sec-
tion. Among them is the Millville mill, which
ranks among the largest buckwheat mills of
the Union.
In early times buckwheat was the chief crop
of this section, as it will grow on new and
partially reclaimed land, so the pioneer farm-
ers depended on it principally. This estab-
lished the fame of the region for buckwheat,
and the years have seen but little diminution
of the product. Most of the buckwheat of
these years is grown around Millville, Benton,
Orangeville and Washingtonville, although
quantities are also grown in other parts of
both counties. The rapid growth of this grain
is one of the reasons for its continued popu-
larity, only ninety days being required for
planting, growth and harvesting, in compari-
son with the 270 days needed for a crop of
wheat.
The flour from buckwheat is used chiefly
for griddle cakes, one of the prominent hotels
of New York City making a specialty of serv-
ing cakes made from Fishingcreek buckwheat.
A small amount of the flour is used to make
"scrapple" by butchers, while in Holland it
is extensively used in the manufacture of gin.
In 1904, when wet weather damaged the crop,
quantities of buckwheat were exported to Hol-
land from Columbia and Montour counties.
In the matter of wheat but little can be
ascertained, although there are many mills
equipped with the modern roller process,
which grind the grain for the local markets.
Little wheat is exported from this section,
the crop being about sufficient to supply all
demands of the mills, with a small surplus.
A comparison of the agricultural methods of
the past and present is unnecessary. It can
be said, however, that our farmers are sup-
plied with all the implements that modern sci-
ence can devise for the harvesting and working
of farm crops. In addition the Bloomsburg
State Normal School has a department of agri-
culture, under the charge of Professor Hart-
line, which devotes considerable time to lab-
oratory and field work of a practical character.
A comparison of values in early times with
those of the present will be of interest to the
reader. From an old copy of the Danville
Observer we learn that in 1824 wheat sold in
the open market at 65 cents a bushel, rye at 28
cents, corn at 25 cents, oats at 15 cents, flax-
seed at 55 cents, buckwheat at 20 cents, bees-
wax at 28 cents a pound, pork at 4 cents, but-
ter at 10 cents, and lard at 6 cents.
In 1914 wheat sold at 90 cents a bushel,
rye was not in the market, corn sold at 85
cents, oats at 40 cents, flaxseed was not in the
market, buckwheat was 65 cents a bushel, bees-
wax 25 cents a pound, pork 13 cents, butter
30 cents, and lard 12 cents.
It is interesting to note that the price of
beeswax has scarcely changed over three cents
on the pound for more than one hundred
28
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
29
years. It is a natural product that man has
never been able to imitate successfully.
■ Among the famous products of this section
was the Creveling grape, propagated by Mrs.
Charity Creveling. wife of John Creveling, a
member of the Society of Friends, residing
near Espy. The first vine, from which cuttings
were sent all over the Union, ran over a large
pear tree beside the residence of Mr. Crevel-
ing.
Catawissa, which gave a variety of wheat to
the world, was also the home of two fruits of
national fame, which has not been dimmed
even in this modern and rapid age. The
Catawissa monthlv raspberry was propagated
from a single plant discovered in the Friends'
burial ground there and is noted from the fact
that blossoms and berries appear at the same
time from July to October. The Sharpless
seedling strawberry was originated in 1872
by J. K. Sharpless, of Catawissa, and extens-
ively exploited by J. L. Dillon, of Blooms-
burg.
One of the industries of these counties
wiiich has lapsed into the realm of memory is
the production of maple sugar. In early days
maple syrup and sugar were staple commo-
dities, one townshiji — Sugarloaf — being named
from the chief of its products. The sugar sea-
son was as anxiously anticipated as the wheat
harvest, and was more sure and lucrative. In
the present time the loss of the noble maples,
devastated by the woodman's axe, has caused
an almost entire abandonment of this once
famous industry.
APPLE ORCHARDS
Pennsylvania is third in the list of apple
producing States, and has practically driven
the western apple from the home market, be-
cause a better apple can be produced here at
a lower cost. This is true also of Columbia
and Montour counties, where several varieties
of apples have originated, among them being
the Fornwald. Priestlv and Pennock varieties.
Some of the best apples exhibited at recent
State fairs have been from these counties and
have received honorable mention.
The pioneer commercial orchardist in Col-
umbia countv is "Farmer" Creasy, master of
the State Grange, who has developed to per-
fection several varieties of apples on his farm,
east of Catawissa. J. L. John, of Millville. in
an old orchard that had been declared unpro-
ductive, produced hundreds of bushels of
marketable apples. .\. G. Everett of Pine
township took Inold of an old orchard that had
never given him a profitable crop, and in the
tirst year sold over three hundred bushels of
good apples. The next year he sold almost
six hundred bushels of a better quality, and
in the fourth year he harvested nearly twelve
hundred bushels.
Another instance is the experience of Ira
Cherrington, of Roaringcreek township,
Columbia county. He put brains, hard work
and attention into an old orchard, and the
first year after he began experimenting harv-
ested a larger crop than ever before in its
history. The following year he picked from
the old trees a crop of 1,800 bushels of mar-
ketable apples.
Instances of this kind are occurring all over
the two counties, and will be multiplied in the
coming years, after the intelligent care now
being bestowed on the orchards brings forth
fruit. Some of these farmers have received
over a dollar a bushel for their fruit in the
local markets, but at less prices the industry
is still very remunerative. If the counties
continue to progress in this way during the
coming vears Adams county, now the foremost
fruit raising county in the State, will have
to put forth renewed efforts to retain the prize
medal.
Aside from the big apple crops that are
raised in Columbia and Montour counties there
are a multitude of smaller fruits that, while
singly insignificant, together form an aggre-
gate of no mean volume, and are a source of
considerable revenue to the farmer and his
family. Each farm has a number of cherry,
peach, quince, pear and other fruit trees, bear-
ing a more or less valuable burden each year.
There are one or two large peach orchards, but
most of the farmers content themselves with
raising only enough for local trade. Nor are
the cultivated fruits the onlv profitable prod-
ucts. The crabapple. huckleberry, elderberry,
chestnut, walnut and hickorynut are plentiful
and afford a source of spending money for
the younger generation that is not of inconsid-
erable importance. When taken altogether
the financial value of these fruits and nuts
assumes proportions that makes them count
in the statistics of the counties.
SWINE RAISING
It is taken for granted that the average
farmer will raise enoueh pork for his own use,
and that is true of Columbia and Montour
counties, but in addition enough hogs are
raised to make the industry quite a lucrative
one to the shippers supplying outside markets.
30
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The most popular breeds are the Berkshire,
Chester- White, Duroc-Jersey and Poland-
China, all of the fat or lard type of swine. It
is not possible to designate the particular
breed that is in the lead, neither can we state
the number of animals shipped. Sufficient to
say that the industry is a thriving one and in
the future will be of considerable importance
in this section of the State.
SHEEP
Only enough sheep are raised in Columbia
and Montour counties to supply the local
butchers, the wool being a side issue, and of
little importance in a monetary way. There
are many reasons for the decline of this in-
dustry here. First come the many useless
dogs, which soon develop a fondness for
sheep killing. Then the fences are rapidly
being taken down on the farms, and sheep are
death to crops. Third, the farmers of the
West are in a better position to raise sheep at
lower prices than in the East. Lastly, the con-
stant care required by this most defenceless
animal makes the industry an unprofitable one
to the farmer, who can utilize his energies in
more lucrative employment.
HORSE BREEDING
Before the Civil war the breeding of horses
was one of the chief of the side lines of the
farmer in these counties, but in later years the
Western horses came into the market at prices
that made home-raised stock unprofitable.
There was a time when a good Western team
could be bought for $300, but the prices are
slowly increasing as the Western ranches are
cut up into farms, and the local horse breeding
industry is regaining some of its lost prestige.
A number of farsighted farmers are enter-
ing this field, but still the local market cannot
be supplied by local breeders, and from six to
ten carloads of Western horses are each year
brought in by dealers, who hold frequent sales
at prominent points in both of the counties.
CATTLE EPIDEMIC IN MONTOUR COUNTY
Montour county has been unfortunate in
having been the point in central Pennsylvania
from which the aphthous fever, or foot and
mouth disease of cattle, originated. The first
discovery of this disease was made on Nov.
9, 1908, on the farm of Jacob Shultz, of
Cooper township. Almost at the same time
it broke out among the cattle of Edward
Shultz, of Boyd's Station, on the south side
of the Susquehanna river, opposite Danville.
It also infected the herds of the town. The
first germs came from cattle shipped here from
Buft'alo, N. Y., in that year.
About the first of November, 1914, there
was an outbreak of the aphthous fever, or
foot and mouth disease, among the cattle of
Columbia and Montour counties. It was
brought to this section in shipments of cattle
from Buft'alo and Lancaster. Several fine
herds were found to be infected and prompt
measures were taken by the State Livestock
Sanitary Board to stamp out the disease. At
the farm of Henry Cooper in Limestone
township, Montour county, over thirty head
of cattle and several hogs were killed by the
State ; at the farm of Calvin Cooper in Madi-
son township, Columbia county, about the
same number \vere killed ; and on the fann of
Charles Umstead, near Washingtonville, ten
cows and a lot of hogs were killed. The in-
fection of all of these came from one ship-
ment from Buffalo. At Danville two herds
were found to be diseased and promptly killed.
They were in the stock-yards of William
Mourey and at the farm connected with the
Danville Hospital for the Insane. At the
latter place over one hundred head of cattle
and sixty hogs were killed. The infection
here came from a shipment from Lancaster
PROMINENT F.'^RMERS
Among the prominent farmers of Montour
county are Dr. W. R. Paules, whose large
farm is near Washingtonville ; D. R. Roth-
rock, owner of Pleasant Hill farm; Alexander
Billmeyer, who owns fifteen farms, aggregat-
ing a thousand acres, near Washingtonville ;
George W. Watson, owner of Buttonwood
Spring farm; and William L. Satteson, who
operates Wilmshurst farm, near Exchange.
T. E. Hyde, a stock raiser and extensive
fanner, has a farm called Edgemont, on the
edge of the two counties, near Grovania, that
is a model in its methods of operation. An-
other enterprise is the Guernseydale Stock
Farms, near Rupert, owned by a corporation
of considerable size, with still another farm
near Catawissa.
GRANGERS, OR PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
One of the strongest orders in Columbia
and Montour counties is that of the Patrons
of Husbandry, or Grangers, as they are gen-
erally called. They have existed in Pennsyl-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
31
vania for forty-two years and nearly every
township in these two counties has an organ-
ization in thriving condition, the members in
many cases owning their hall and conducting
a cooperative insurance association. Colum-
bia county has fifteen granges, and Montour
county, six. Every county in the State has
a number, the total being 820, with a member-
ship of 75,000. Columbia county has the most
prosperous insurance association, the Briar
Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company, car-
rying $14,000,000 of insurance.
The Master of the State Grange and editor-
in-chief of the "Pennsylvania Grange News,"
Hon. William T. Creasy, is a resident of Cata-
wissa township, directly opposite Bloomsburg,
where he has one of the finest farms in the
county.
The platform of the Grange calls for equal-
ization of taxation, the initiative, referendum
and recall in State matters, and on national
issues the organization has favored a grad-
uated income tax, the parcel post, election of
senators by direct vote, conservation of
natural resources and waterpower, and opposed
a ship subsidy, a centralized bank, and the
sale of American goods at lower prices abroad
than at home. All of these but the last have
been accomplished, partly through the efforts
of the Grange.
In matters of legislation the Grange counts
many victories. Through its efforts the agri-
cultural colleges of the country now teach
agriculture. Before the Grange turned its
attention to them they were agricultural only
in name. It was a Grange demand that de-
feated the bill to reissue the patents on sewing
machines and almost immediately machines
that could not be bought for less than $100 sold
for less than $25. The Grange secured the
important and far-reaching decision from the
courts that the creature is not greater than the
creator, and that as railroads must come to the
people for their charters or rights to be, they
are amenable to the will of the people. The
Grange made possible the Hatch act for the
establishment of experiment stations. The
agricultural departments at Washington and
Harrisburg owe their existence to the Grange.
The Inter-State Commerce Commission came
into being as a result of the interest taken by
the Grange in the transportation question. It
was a persistent Grange demand that started
the rural free mail carrier on his daily rounds
over country roads. National and State oleo-
margarine and pure food laws have saved the
dairy business and have done much to preserve
the public health. They are on our statute
books only because of the persistent demands
of the Grange. Recently the Grange took a
leading part in securing from Congress the
denatured alcohol bill.
COUNTY FAIRS
The first steps for the exhibition to the pub-
lic of the products of the ground in Columbia
county were made by Dr. John Ramsay, B. F.
Hartman, Caleb Barton, William Neal and
I. W. Hartman, under the suggestion of Dr.
John Taggart, who had visited a successful
county fair in the northern part of the State
in 1855. The exhibition was held in Mr. Bar-
ton's field, at the foot of Second street,
Bloomsburg, the grounds being inclosed by a
rail fence and almost the entire gate receipts
at ten cents a person being expended in police
protection. There was enough left to pay
two dollars to B. F. Hartman as premium on
a driving horse, the only one entered. A few
specimens of grain and vegetables and a
second-hand grain drill completed the "ex-
hibits."
The following year a fair was held in the
Sloan field, on the south side of Si.xth and
west side of Market streets, which was char-
acterized by a marked improvement in the
number and character of the exhibits. The
third fair was held in grounds situated on
Fifth, between Market and East streets, and
the fourth on the grounds now in use by the
present organization.
During the first three years of this move-
ment each person worked upon his own plan.
Lumber dealers in the town loaned the ma-
terial for the sheds, etc., which were torn down
after each exhibition, but after the organiza-
tion in 1858 some discipline was introduced
into the methods. In that year a charter was
granted to the "Columbia County Agricultural,
Horticultural and Mechanical Association" on
the application of B. F. Hartman, James
Masters, \Villiam G. Shoemaker, Caleb Bar-
ton, Matthias Hartman, Jacob Harris, J. H.
Ikeler, A. J. Sloan, Palemon John, E. R.
Ikeler, C. G. Barkley, Joshua Fetterman,
Thomas Creveling, Joseph P. Conner and John
Taggart. After a number of annual meet-
ings the charter was amended in 1885 to pro-
vide for perpetual membership and remove
restrictions against the holding of real estate.
Before completing the history of this asso-
ciation we will refer briefly to other societies
which were at one time or other in existence
in the county. The "Northern Columbia and
Southern Luzerne Agricultural Association"
32
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was chartered Feb. i6, 1884, and held its first
fair near Berwick in September of that year.
After five annual exhibitions the association
dissolved and the grounds were sold, being
now a part of West Berwick.
The "Benton Agricultural Association" re-
ceived its charter on Oct. 3, 1885, held five
annual fairs, and then closed for lack of finan-
cial support.
Since 1886 the Columbia County Agricultural
Association has added more land to its hold-
ings, doubled the capacity of the grand stand,
and developed its fair into one of the largest
in the State. The association is conducted
on strictly business principles. It neither pays
dividends nor levies assessments, the surplus
going to make improvements to the grounds
and buildings, and to increase the premiums.
The officers in 1886 were: Samuel Camp,
president; William Shaffer, J. M. DeWitt,
Baltis Sterling, Jere Kostenbauder, vice presi-
dents; J. C. Brown, treasurer; H. V. White,
secretary ; Thomas Webb, librarian ; James P.
Freas, John Appleman, Dr. A. P. Heller, ex-
ecutive committee ; K. C. Ent, J. P. Sands,
George Conner, auditors; Capt. U. H. Ent,
chief marshal.
The present officers are : E. D. Hagen-
buch, president; A. N. Yost, secretary;
Jacob H. Maust. treasurer; Harry S. Barton,
librarian ; Ellis Ringrose, A. R. Henrie, A. V.
Kressler, H. J. Pursel, vice presidents; E. W.
Hagenbuch, H. B. Correll, Elliott Adams, ex-
ecutive committee; Austin Ohl, J. C. Cryder,
Guy Mensch, auditors.
Montour's f.mrs
The Montour County Agricultural Society
was organized Feb. 18, 1856, with the follow-
ing officers : Thomas R. Hull, president ;
Philip F. Maus, C. Garrettson, Robert Patter-
son, P. Wagner, D. Wilson, E. E. Haas, J.
Sheep, G. Shick, William McNinch, Jacob
Sechler, vice presidents ; James McCormick,
secretary; Dr. C. H. Frick, corresponding
secretary; B. K. Rhodes, librarian; and D. M.
Boyd, treasurer. The board of managers
were : John Best, George Smith, James G.
McKee, James McMahan, Jr., A. B. Cum-
mings, Jacob Sheeo. A. F. Russell, Stephen
Roberts. William McHenry. William Yorks,
Jacob Cornelison, Edward Morrison, J. M.
Best, Mavberrv Gearhart, Joseph Fevers, John
Hibler, .Samuel D. Alexander, Robert Blee,
William Snyder. E. Wilson.
The fair of that year was held at the mouth
of Mahoning creek, and the annual fair was
later held at Washingtonville. In the course
of time a difference arose between the repre-
sentatives from the town and country and the
society divided, the Northern Montour Agri-
cultural Society being organized. The head-
quarters of the latter are at Washingtonville,
where the annual fairs were held. The Mon-
tour County Agricultural Society held annual
fairs in Danville. At present there are no
fairs held in Montour county, most of the
people attending the Bloomsburg fair.
ST.XTISTICS
Working out the averages of the State, to
Columbia county, it is ascertained that farm
laborers in this section work nine hours and
forty-five minutes each day. There are 148,-
000 farm laborers in the State and their
average monthly compensation is $20.60 with
board and $32 if the laborer boards himself.
Forty-two out of every one thousand hogs
die in this county, a decrease of one from the
figures of 1913. There are 1,130,000 head of
hogs in the State, and they are valued at
$15,594,000, or at the rate of $13.80 a head.
The Columbia county horse has an average
value of $139. There are 584,000 horses doing
work on the farms of the State, which are
valued at over $81,000,000. Last year they
were only worth an average of $133.
THE OLD GRISTMILLS
Grain feeds the world and in the history of
any nation the grinding of it into flour is
found to be the first industry to be established.
Handmills were known to the Chinese, the
Egyptians, the lesser civilized nomads of
Asia, and to the barbarians of Europe. The
development of the handmill into the mill
driven by animal power, and the subsequent
application of waterpower to this work, is a
matter that has been treated by many writers
of the past. We will describe only the advent
of the pioneer millers into the valley of the
North Branch of the Susquehanna.
When the Quakers and their immediate
successors, the Germans, came id this section
of the State they at once noted the ample
waterpower of the streams, and set to work
to harness it to the millstone. The early
settlers in Columbia county had to ride to
.Sunburv to get their grist ground until the
first mill in the county was built in 1774 on
Catawissa creek. It was a crude affair, run
by the only undershot wheel ever used in the
county, and was so often out of repair that
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
33
the settlers gave it little work to do. This
mill was later rebuilt by Christian Brobst.
Jonathan Shoemaker built another mill on the
creek here in 1789, which was afterwards
converted into a paper mill.
The next oldest mill was the Brown mill,
on Ten-mile run, in Mifflin township, operated
for years by successive Browns, ancestors of
former Postmaster Brown of Bloomsburg,
and now in the hands of P. A. Fetterolf. it
is unique in having a wooden flume entering
its second story, which operated a 22-foot
wooden overshot wheel. Other mills on this
stream where the Yohe and Nungesser mills,
both long since gone.
In point of age the next is the Jacob Cleaver
mill, built in 1785 on Roaring creek, near its
mouth, in Mayberry township. This mill had
a fine fall of water and a dam bolted to the
solid ledge of rock above the rock cut forebay.
It now has a concrete dam and forebay.
The mill at Slabtown, on Roaring creek,
in Locust township, was one of the best of
the efforts of that old-time millwright, Samuel
Cherrington. This mill had a good fall of
water and was only once frozen up in winter.
That freeze caused its destruction, for the
proprietor sought to thaw it out with straw
and set it on fire. On this creek were also
built the Mendenhall, Snyder, Hughes and
Mourey mills, some of which are still in
operation.
Other mills on Catawissa creek were built
at Mainville and Shumantown. Some are
modern in fittings, while others are operated
by the old methods.
The oldest mill on the north side of the
river was the Pepper mill on Hemlock creek,
in Hemlock township. It is now abandoned.
The old McKelvey mill below Eyer's Grove
was last operated by John Betz in 1878. The
Beagle mill in Hemlock township was aban-
doned in 1903.
The first flouring mill was built in Millville
by John Eves, and has undergone so many
changes that the former owner would not
recognize the present structure as the suc-
cessor of the first. This mill is one of the
largest buckwheat mills in America and
produces more flour of that kind than any
other mill in Pennsylvania.
The Ever's Grove mill, in Greenwood town-
ship, is the only brick one in the two counties,
and bears a strong resemblance to a church.
It was built in i860 by Jacob Ever, son of the
founder of PSloomsburg. The lola mill in the
same township, was built in 1828, and those at
Sereno, Pine township, and Mordansville,
Mt. Pleasant township, a little later.
The Cole mill and the Swartwout mill, on
Fishing creek, in Sugarloaf township, were
both old-timers and famous for buckwheat
flour. There are also the Edson and Thomas
mills on this creek, the former destroyed by
fire some years ago. Both are now running
and have modern ecjuipment.
The Red and the White mills, on Hemlock
creek, near Bloomsburg, were both built by
members of the Barton family, and are still
in good condition, both having modern equip-
ment. The Aqueduct mill, at the mouth of
Fishing creek, has a flume running under the
old North Branch canal bed, and has the dis-
tinction of never being out of water. It is a
finely fitted up mill, grinding a high grade of
wheat flour.
The Mather mill at Benton was at first a
planing mill. It now has a fine concrete dam
and is modern in every respect. The site of
the Stillwater mill is now occupied by a paper
mill, as is also that of the Trench mill, just
above Bloomsburg.
The mill at Jonestown, built by the family
of that name who founded the town, is now
operated by H. C. Gruver. The Herring mill
at Orangeville has been superseded by an
electric light plant.
The McDowefl and Bettle mills at Light
Street are both still running, as are Ikeler's
and Shuitz's mills, near Rohrsburg.
On Briar creek only one mill remains of the
several of former years — the Ash mill, near
the mouth of the stream. The others were
the Rittenhouse, Hughes, Traugh and Hoff-
man mills, all in Briarcreek township.
Bowman's mill, west of Orangeville, has
remained in the family for several generations,
and still turns out a high grade of buckwheat
and excellent wheat flour also. It has modern
machinery.
The mills of the White Milling Company
and R. R. Ikeler at Bloomsburg, the mill at
Jerseytown owned by Mrs. R. G. Greenly and
operated by Rohm Brothers, and the mill of
J. C. Chrisman at Berwick, are steam mills
with modern equipment and all do a thriving
business.
The oldest mill in Montour county is the
Bosley mill, built in 1788, at Washingtonville,
on the site of the fortified one of early times,
called Boyle's or Brady's Fort, on the banks
of the Chillisriuaque. The present mill is a
modern one and built of stone.
The first mill built in the county was that
of William Montgomery, the founder of the
34
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
settlement at the mouth of Mahoning creek,
which later became the site of Danville.
Montgomer\-'s mill was probably built about
1778. It stood until 1S63 and then was razed
to make way for modern establishments.
The Crownover mill at Exchange has been
replaced by a more modern structure, operated
by Charles J. Yagel. The mill in Liberty
township, built in 1814 by John Auten, has
long since passed away, as has also the Simp-
son mill in \'alley township.
The mill built by Philip ]Maus at the site
of Mausdale, in 1793, was quite a pretentious
structure. The millrace was dug by Irish
laborers, part of them Protestants and part
Catholics. Eleven barrels of whiskey were
consumed in the course of the work, and Mr.
Maus had frequently to jump in and disarm
the two factions when a division occurred on
religious lines.
There were many other small mills in dif-
ferent parts of Montour county, along the
Chillisquaque and its branches, but they have
long passed away or relapsed into ruin, their
memories not even being preserved by the old-
est inhabitants. The comparatively level
topography of Montour and the absence of
many streams of sufficient size to aflford
power deterred the old settlers from building
mills, and not until the advent of steam did
the gristmills begin to appear outside of the
larger towns.
At present the principal mills of the county
are located at Danville, Washingtonville,
Mausdale, Mooresburg and in Limestone town-
ship. All of them are operated either par-
tially or entirely by steampower, and most of
them are fitted with the modern roller process.
The great majority of these mills began with
a primitive equipment consisting of a pair
of grinding stones, many of which were shaped
from boulders found near at hand and a round
reel covered with silk cloth. The "system"
was very short, comprising but two processes,
namely, crushing or grinding the grain between
the upper and nether millstones, and separat-
ing or bolting the mass from the stone on the
long reel, thus obtaining the good old-fashioned
flour and the equally good old-fashioned
"shorts" and bran.
With the advent of competition came the
demand for white flour — and more of it from
a bushel of wheat. Many of the mills put in
additional "runs" of buhrs and more bolting
reels, and thus, by first breaking the wheat, and
scalping off the bran, they were in a position
to handle the flour-yielding portion to much
better advantage. The Fowler mill at Espy
reached the highest state of perfection, hav-
ing had several runs of large French buhrs
and a long line of scalping and finishing reels.
The modern roller mill with its intricate
system and machinery brought the milling
business to a scientific basis and the mill own-
er who did not bring his mill up to date in
equipment soon found himself with only
neighborhood custom trade, that yielded little
or no profit.
To think of a kernel of wheat traveling over
a mile and a quarter from the time it entered
the stock bin until the finished product reached
the flour sack and feed bag, was beyond the
ability of the average miller. The man who
studied the system until he could follow the
twenty or more reductions and separations,
and knew when each one was right, and
changed his mill until all were producing the
best results, became the successful miller.
Such men were not plentiful in Columbia
county, with the result that only a very few
mills are in position to turn out a "fancy
patent" flour that will compete successfully
in the market.
Quite fittingly, the "gravel picker," which
has revolutionized the milling of buckwheat
all over the United States, is the invention of
a Columbia county man, Charles FoUmer, of
Benton. Through the inventor's failure to
patent his machine, which is used today every-
where buckwheat is milled, it has brought him
no financial return.
When the buckwheat heads are harvested,
it is almost impossible to keep gravel from
mixing with them. Then, when the seeds are
ground into flour, the tiny bits of rocks are
ground with them, and produce gritty flour.
For years this difficulty could not be over-
come. Plnally Follmer devised a system of
three pipes through which air currents were
drawn. Beneath them the buckwheat was
passed, the seeds being drawn up, while the
gravel was left.
Manufacturers quickly seized upon the in-
genious device, which Follmer thought too
simple to be worth patenting. So successful
was it that on one occasion a car of buck-
wheat flour sent from the White Mills to the
South soon after the "picker" had been pro-
duced was refused. The Southern purchaser
insisted that the buckwheat flour was too white
to be pure buckwheat, and could not be con-
vinced that no wheat flour had been mixed
with it. Buckwheat under the old system had
been of dark color on account of the ground
stone which it contained.
CHAPTER V
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES— LIGHTING— ROADS, TURNPIKES
During the period of early settlement this
portion of Pennsylvania was a country of
"magnificent distances." The means of com-
munication with distant points was slow, te-
dious and inadequate. As the population in-
creased and the people gained in wealth the
urgent necessity for easier means of com-
munication with the more densely settled por-
tions of the Commonwealth became apparent.
The Lancaster turnpike, the first of that class
of roads in the State, was built in 1795, at a
cost of $7,516 a mile, and this aroused the
people of this section to the possibilities of
road building.
In 1787 Evan Owen, the founder of Ber-
wick, was commissioned to superintend the
construction of a road by the State from Easton
to the Nescopeck falls, and two years later
the Indian trail which was part of the route
was improved sufficiently to permit the passage
of wheeled vehicles. On March 19, 1804, the
Susquehanna & Lehigh Turnpike & Road
Company was incorporated, and in the fol-
lowing year graded and completed the road
at an enormous expense for those times.
In 1806 the Susquehanna & Tioga Turnpike
Road Company was chartered, and by 18 18
the road was completed from Berwick to
Newtown on the Tioga river, in New York
State. After the completion of the bridge at
Berwick in 1814 a connecting line of roads
extended from Towanda to Easton. John M.
Buckalew, one of the prominent citizens of
Columbia county, was a stockholder in the
company and graded a mile of the turnpike for
the sum of $350. This company has never
forfeited its charter, and in the annual state-
ments of the treasurer of the State an item
of some thousands of dollars appears as an
asset, consisting of shares in the Susque-
hanna & Tioga Turnpike Company.
"Centre" turnpike, so called from being al-
most in the center of the State, was begun in
1808, and ran from Reading to Northumber-
land, passing tlirough the township of Conyng-
ham, Columbia county. The chief promoter of
this road was Gen. William Montgomery, of
Danville. In 1814 a branch turnpike was
built from Danville to connect with this main
road, and formed one of the important routes
from Montour county. In 1788 the Reading
road was laid out from Catawissa to Ashland,
Schuylkill county, where it connected with the
"Centre" turnpike. In 1810 it was made a
State road and partially rebuilt. About 1817
a sum of money was appropriated to regrade
it, and in 1825 a line of stagecoaches was
established by Joseph Weaver. In 1839 Ben-
jamin Potts started an opposition line, both
changing horses at the famous Yeager tavern
at Slabtown. It was the most important road
on the south side of the river and bore an
immense amount of traffic. Great covered
Conestoga wagons slowly wound their way
over the tortuous route across the mountains,
their limit of loading being twenty bushels of
grain for two horses. The journey to Read-
ing required eight or ten days then. Now
an automobile can make it in three hours to
Ashland, and about the same time to Reading
from the latter place. This road is now route
No. 183 of the State highways.
The second Reading road was opened in
1812 through Roaringcreek township, Colum-
bia county, and for a time bore a part of the
stagecoach traffic, but the superior attractions
of the older road caused a decline after a short
time. This road is now the chief route for the
farmers to the mining towns of Schuylkill
county.
The turnpike from Bloomsburg to Muncy,
by way of Jerseytown, Whitehall and Ex-
change, was established in 1817, and for many
vears was a prominent road for travelers to
that section, until abandoned in favor of the
railroads. The road from Berwick to Milton
also passed through Jerseytown, making that
town a prominent point in the days of the
stagecoach.
The road from Benton to Unityville, Ly-
35
36
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
coming county, was built in 1S28, and made
a mail route at the same time. It bore its
share of the traffic of the coaching era.
In 1856 the State Legislature made an ap-
propriation for the construction of a road
through the valley of Little I-'ishing creek from
Bloomsburg to Laporte, Sullivan county.
THE NATIONAL ROAD
This article would be incomplete without a
description of the great National Road, or
Cumberland Pike, as it was sometimes called.
Passing as it does through a considerable por-
tion of Pennsylvania, and built at the time of
the commencement of the coaching era, it is
of vast historical importance in the present
age, when good roads are being demanded by
all the parties and the people.
This road was proposed in Congress in 1797,
an act for its construction was passed nine
years later, and the first coach carrying the
United States mail passed over it in August,
1818. It was a splendid road, sixty feet wide,
built of broken stone over bedstones of enor-
mous size, with a covering of gravel, rolled
by an iron roller. Mordecai Cochran was the
contractor for the section from Cumberland,
Md., to Wheeling, W. Va., through the south-
ern part of Pennsylvania, and he employed
over a thousand Irishmen to build that route
of 130 miles.
The intention was to build the road clear
through to Alton, 111., but it was completed
only as far as Vandalia, 111., although the route
was laid out the rest of the way. Over this
road passed most of the prominent persons of
the days before the railroads, and for years
there was a constant stream of vehicles of all
kinds traveling along this fine route towards
the West. Since the Highway Commission
has been established in this State the Nation-
al Road has been improved greatly. So well
was the work of the original contractor done
that in many places the old foundations are
still in place.
Not only was this road macadamized, but
stone bridges were built over the rivers and
creeks, the distances indexed by iron mileposts,
and the tollhouses supplied with strong iron
gates.
THE "cONESTOGa" WAGON
The first appearance of this wagon in his-
tory was at the time of Braddock's expedi-
tion in I7S,S> when Benjamin Franklin issued
an advertisement for 150 four-horse wagons
and 1,500 saddle or pack horses for the army's
use. He agreed to pay fifteen shillings for
the use of the wagons each day, and to com-
pensate the owners if the wagons were lost or
damaged. This oft'er later on was almost the
cause of Franklin's bankruptcy, as the battle
resulted in the capture by the English of almost
all the wagons and stock.
At the time of Braddock's expedition the
pack horse was the most common means of
transporting goods, but after that date the
roads were widened and the wagons entered
the field, much to the disgust of the pack driv-
ers, who fiercely resisted the invasion.
Pennsylvania may rightly be proud of the
Dutchman who designed the Conestoga wagon,
for even in this day it is the ideal wagon for
the transportation of goods over the roads. It
gained its name from the township in Lan-
caster county where the first vehicle of the
kind was made. These wagons had a boat-
shaped body with a curved canoe-shaped bot-
tom which fitted them especially for mountain
use ; for in them freight remained firmly in
place at whatever angle the body might be.
The body of the wagon was arched over with
six or eight hickory bows, of which the center
ones were the lowest, covered with a strong
white hempen cloth, corded strongly down at
the sides and ends. Underneath hung the
tar-lodel or greasepot, and the water pail. At
the rear was the great feed box, with a wood-
en cover, slanted to shed the rain. On the
sides were the long tool box and storage box.
The wheels had broad tires, often a foot wide,
many of the turnpike companies giving re-
bates to the teamsters who had wide tires on
their wagons.
Sleek, powerful horses to the number of six
to ten drew these heavy wagons, which could
be loaded to the top of the cover with a mis-
cellaneous freight of from four to si.x tons.
The horses were clad in handsome harness of
fine leather, bore bells, and were driven mostly
by word of mouth. The drivers rode some-
times on the "near wheeler," who bore a sad-
dle, or on the "lazy board," a seat inserted on
the left side, but it was more often the case
that the driver walked alongside his team.
The number of these wagons on the main
roads was vast. At one time over 3,000 ran
constantly out of Philadelphia to the surround-
ing towns. Most of the teamsters made
freighting their regular vocation, and lived on
the road with their teams. They carried their
own "grub" as well as feed for the horses, and
also a long mattress for their use in the tav-
erns or on the road, sleeping usually on the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
37
lap-ioom floor, paying a small fee for the privi-
lege. JJefore rcLiring many potations were in-
dulged in, and from the resulting battles the
old "wagon inns" gained their hard names.
These wagons after the development of rail-
roads in this State became the "prairie schoon-
ers" of the West, and bore many an emigrant
and his household to the far distant home-
steads of that portion of our country.
STAGECOACH DAYS
The first coach was made in England in
1555 by Walter Rippen for the Earl of Rut-
land. Eight years later he made one for
Queen Elizabeth. The early English stage-
coaches were clumsy things, without windows
or seats, but necessity soon developed them
into the hne vehicles of later years. These
vehicles were imported into the Colonies in
1737, but the colonists were compelled from
the nature of the country to develop their own
conveyances.
In 1795 a stage line ran from Philadelphia
to New York, the fare being four dollars. The
vehicle had four benches, without backs or
cushions, placed across the interior, the pas-
sengers being compelled to climb over each
other to get to the back seat, the coveted one,
owing to the opportunity to rest the back
against the rear of the coach. Leather cur-
tains covered the top, and the passengers had
to stow their baggage under the seats, where
it shifted at every move of the lumbering
coach. Having no springs, this vehicle was
one to create terror in the heart of the unfor-
tunate traveler who had a long journey before
him.
The coaches of 18 18 had "thoroughbraces"
fitted to them, which made the motion much
easier. These were leather straps, by which
the body of the coach was suspended from
hickory bows. At this date the coach also had
a seat for the driver, with a footboard, and
had a trunk-rack bolted to the rear. Many
other modifications were from time to time
made in the coaches, all of which were super-
seded by the famous Concord coach, first built
in Concord, N. H., in 1827. This famous
coach is still the model for vehicles of its
class at the present time.
The word "stagecoach" strictly applies to
a vehicle for the transportation of passengers
over a route at different stages of which the
horses are changed, and the word "omnibus"
indicates a coach used for short distances. The
first stages from Philadelphia to New York
made the trip in three days, but later the trip
was made in much shorter time. The National
Road was a famous coaching route, at one time
four lines of coaches being run upon it.
The coaches in this section of the State
were of similar character to those elsewhere,
l)ut the roads were not as good and the hills
more steep. The rivalry between the different
lines was great and in many instances the war-
ring drivers cut the rates to almost nothing
in order to drive their rivals out of business.
Upon the patronage of these stage lines and
their passengers depended the prosperity of
many of the towns of Columbia and Montour
counties. The village of New Columbus
(just over the line in Luzerne county) was
founded especially to cater to the coaching
traffic, but failed almost in birth, owing to
the advent of the railroads.
The journey by stagecoach was a mixture
of pleasure and pain. The autumn was prob-
ably the best time to travel, for then the roads
had settled to their best condition. In summer
the dust so covered the passengers that some-
times one could not tell the color of their gar-
ments. In winter and spring the coaches sank
to the hubs in the soft soil of the poor roads,
or bumped over the loose stones of the turn-
pikes. It seemed to be adding insult to injury
to demand toll from the passengers for a
journey over such highways. And the toll-
gates seemed to appear at remarkably frequent
intervals.
There was one curious and most depressing
condition of stage travel. It seemed no mat-
ter how little or how long the journey was,
nor where the destination, the coach always
started at daybreak, or before. The traveler
had to rise in the dark, dress by the feeble
illumination of a tallow dip, and start out in
the cold, depressing gloom of the early dawn,
without breakfast. As most deaths occur in
the early hours before dawn, it is surprising
that the poor travelers of those days did not
gladly shuffle off this mortal coil to evade the
terrors of the journey before them. Some-
time later in the morning the breakfast post
would be reached, and something warm taken
within, just as the victim had almost de-
spaired of keeping alive the vital spark. It
was no unusual thing for the coach to make
ten miles ere the travelers were given their
breakfast. From three to five in the morning
were the starting hours of the coaches, and
the journey often lasted until eight at night.
In such a journey many miles could be aovered
in a day.
38
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
OLD INNS
The history of Pennsylvania shows that the
taverns of this State were many and good,
especially after the Revolution. These taverns
or inns were generally kept by the most prom-
inent citizen of the town and were not simply
drinking places, but the center of social life
for the inhabitants. The better class of
taverns usually had a parlor for the women,
with an open fireplace, from which the roaring
fire cast grateful warmth and cheerful illumi-
nation. Most of these parlors were well fur-
nished and served as a place of resort for the
family of the innkeeper as well as the traveler's
wife or daughter.
The taproom was usually the largest room
of the inn, had a bar, a great fireplace, and was
furnished with wooden benches and tables.
Often there was a rude writing desk for the
accommodation of the early traveling sales-
man or lawyer. One of the furnishings of
the fireplace was a pair of smoking tongs, to
pull a coal of fire from the embers for the
pipes of the habitues. Of the drinks that were
served here and the meals partaken much has
been written by others, so we will pass over
that part and give a brief list of the prominent
taverns or inns of Columbia and Montour
counties.
One of the first inns was that of Frederick
Hill, who built on the site of Fort Jenkins,
east of Bloomsburg on the road to Berwick.
He and his son ran it for many years. When
the stagecoaches came into constant use in
1/99 Abram Miller built the "Half-Way
House," where horses were changed on the
journey between -the two towns.
Probably the oldest tavern on the south side
of the Susquehanna was the Red Tavern, built
in 1804 by John Rhodenberger on the crest of
Locust mountain. For almost a decade he
catered to the immense traffic along the old
Reading road. An inn still stands on the site
in 1914, more than a hundred years later.
Another inn was built about the same time at
the foot of Buck mountain on the other Read-
ing road, by Adam Michael.
^^^^en this Reading road was in its high
tide of prosperity there were two inns located
on it that were famous all over this section.
One was the hostelry of John Yeager, at Slab-
town, and the other Casper Rhoads' tavern, at
Rhoadstown.
An inn stood on the road from Bloomsburg
to Danville at the spot now called Grovania
(then bearing the title of Ridgeville), but the
name of the proprietor has passed away with
the building. In 1838, when the coaches ran
to every point out of Danville, there were
four inns at Washingtonville, all of which did
a rushing business.
Probably the most interesting of the old inns
now remaining in this part of the State is
the one from which the village of White Hall
gained its name. The first inn here was the Red
Horse Inn, built in 1810 by Andrew Schooley,
but it was razed some years later to make way
for a storeroom. White Hall Inn was built
in 1818 by Capt. John F. Derr, and rebuilt
in 1849 by Ferdinand Ritter, who had the
ambition to make it a famous resort for
travelers. It is probably the most elaborately
carved building in this section of Pennsyl-
vania, the work being done by Samuel Brugler
of Jerseytown. Over the wide porch is a
panel of some length, depicting an eagle hold-
ing two American flags and standing upon two
cannon. Above the door is a large piece of
scrollwork, while on each side are fantastic
animal heads. The panels of the door are
also hand-carved, as are also the capitals of
the fine Corinthian columns. When in its
prime, and with a coat of pure white paint
upon it, this inn must have presented an im-
posing appearance to the arriving traveler.
Even in its last days of decay and neglect it
has an impressive dignity that makes it over-
shadow the more modem structures around
it. The well from which many a traveler
watered his weary horse is still in use by the
side of the road in front of the old hotel,
which is now owned and occupied by John
O. McWilliams.
In the larger towns there were many inns
of more or less repute, chief among them being
the Cross Keys and Golden Lamb, at Berwick ;
the Forks Inn and Chamberlain's Hotel, at
Bloomsburg; the Susquehanna House, still
standing at Catawissa ; and the Ferry Tavern,
the Jackson Tavern, the Cross Keys Inn, and
the Rising Sun Inn, at Danville.
POSTRIDERS POST OFFICES
Before the establishment of post offices and
mail routes the public had to depend on the
casual traveler to communicate in writing with
friends and relatives in other parts of the
State. The first postriders were men who
embarked in the carrying of mail for their
own gain, and many different rates were
charged, according to distance and condition
of the roads. In 1773 Hugh Finlay was made
postal surveyor by the English government
over the territorv from Canada to Florida,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
39
the penny post having been established in
1753. He found many abuses in force, but
failed to correct them.
In 181 1 the United States government
ordered a topographical survey of the post
road from Passamaquoddy to St. Mary's, in
Massachusetts, and in 1815 published a list
of the post towns of the country, their dis-
tances apart and the charges for letters de-
livered. To make this information more avail-
able to the people the report was printed on
linen handkerchiefs and sold at a low rate.
Some of these unique records are still in a
good state of preservation.
According to this table a single letter was
conveyed for a distance of 10 miles or less
for 6 cents ; up to 60 miles, 8 cents ; 100 miles,
10 cents; up to 250 miles, 17 cents; and for
450 miles a fee of 25 cents was charged.
The first post office route was established in
Pennsylvania in 1683 by William Penn, be-
tween Philadelphia and New Castle, Del. The
first postmaster of Philadelphia was Benjamin
Franklin, in 1737. In 1753 he was made post-
master for the Colonies, and in 1775 was ap-
pointed postmaster general by the Continental
Congress.
The rates on letters in this State remained
the same as in the above table until 1842. All
letters had to be prepaid, postage averaging
12 cents each, and the postmaster was obliged
to give the sender a receipt and then forward
a description of the letter, the amount of post-
age paid, the date of sending and other neces-
sary information to the department at Wash-
ington. Fortunately for the old postmasters
there were few letters transmitted in those
days.
The high rates, the poor service and other
causes broug'ht into existence many private
expresses, which carried letters in defiance of
the law for much less than that charged by
the government.
Berwick first appears as a post village in
1797. Three years later Jonathan Hancock
carried the mail over the route from Wilkes-
Barre.
A pony mail was established in 1806 from
Danville to Sunbury, the round trip being
made in a week. It took two weeks for an
answer to be received from Philadelphia. The
route from Sunbury to Painted Post was
awarded in 181 1 to Conrad Teter, who sublet
the route from Wilkes-Barre to Miller Hor-
ton. The route from Shickshinny to Jersey-
town, through the Fishing Creek post office,
was established in 1815.
A mail route from Fairmount Springs,
Luzerne county, to Taneyville, Lycoming
county, by way of Cole's Creek, Campbell and
Division, was operated on contract by James
N. Park, his son Orrin being the carrier. All
mail was carried on foot over the rough and
almost pathless country, and it was not till
1848 that the amount of mail matter war-
ranted the use of a horse.
in 1856 Capt. John Derr ran the tri-weekly
mail coach from the Exchange Hotel at
Bloomsburg to the White Hall Hotel at White-
hall. In 1857 the route was extended to
Turbotville.
The post office department reduced the rates
in 1845 to 5 cents for a half ounce, over a
radius of 300 miles ; a greater distance cost-
ing 10 cents. As usual, the letters had to be
prepaid. In 1847 stamps were first introduced,
but did not come into general use until 1855.
Rates were reduced to 3 cents in 1863, and
again in 1883 to 2 cents for each half ounce.
Free delivery of letters over a restricted
route in large cities took effect in 1863. In
1865 it was extended to cover small cities, and
in 1873, and then in 1887, the delivery system
was made applicable to small towns and vil-
lages.
In 1896 the rural free delivery, which has
caused the abolition of so many small post
offices, was tested in different sections with
such success that it was greatly extended in
1904 and later years. At present the rural
routes are being extended as fast as condi-
tions warrant into every part of the Union.
Two of the latest additions to the conven-
iences of the post office, which have in a short
time become absolute necessities, are the postal
savings banks and the parcel post. The latter
was declared but a few years ago by inter-
ested parties to be impossible of establishment,
yet in the two years of its existence it has
demonstrated its great value and almost put
the great express companies out of business.
R.XILWAY M.\IL SERVICE
The first railway mail car was given an offi-
cial test in 1864. Two mice were responsible
for the introduction of the traveling post
office. Before that date the mail was dis-
tributed according to the addresses at certain
designated post offices, which usually were
the distributing points of whole States. It
was slow and laborious work. At one of these
distributing points. Green Bay, Wis., a pair
40
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of mice made their home in a pouch that had
lain in the post office for several days. When
Jhe pouch finally reached its destination, near
the upper shores of Lake Superior, the receiv-
ing postmaster found not only the rodent
homeseekers, but also a larger family of little
mice. They had made beds of chewed-up let-
ters. The postmaster reported the matter to
the Chicago office and sent along the mice as
an exhibit, which was received by George B.
Armstrong, the assistant postmaster. To pre-
vent the repetition of such an occurrence Arm-
strong sought to speed up the mail service, and
finally evolved the idea of having the mail dis-
tributed on the trains while in transit. The
plan was ridiculed. One man declared : "The
government will have to employ a regiment of
men to follow the trains to pick up the letters
that would be blown out of the cars."
However, the first postal car, an ordinary
baggage car equipped with racks and pigeon-
holes, made its initial run from Chicago to
Clinton, Iowa, over fifty years ago, and today
every nation in the civilized world is dis-
tributing a large part of its mail matter in
railway mail cars. In the United States over
eighteen thousand railway mail clerks are
separating over ninety per cent of all the mail
originating in this country and a large volume
coming from foreign lands. They have sepa-
rated in a single year nearly twenty-three bil-
lion pieces of mail matter, not including reg-
istered mail. They travel an aggregate dis-
tance of five hundred million miles every year
on the twenty-seven thousand domestic trans-
portation routes having a combined mileage of
four hundred and fifty thousand miles.
The service has been raised to the highest
point of efficiency to-day and the present ratio
of errors in distribution has been reduced to
one in ten thousand pieces of mail. The clerks
are expected to distribute the mail so that there
will be no rehandling in the post offices of large
cities, and to separate it into packages corres-
ponding with each mail carrier's route in the
cities. In the case of the largest cities they
must separate it according to sections or sub-
stations. Considering the speed at which the
clerks sort the mail, the swaying of the train
plunging along at fifty miles an hour, and the
thousands of railway connecting points, the
locations of over sixty thousand post offices
in the United States and the frequent illegi-
bility of the hand written addresses, it becomes
a marvel how the railway mail clerk can work
without a greater proportion of errors.
Post Offices in Columbia County, ipi4
Almedia
Aristes
Beaver Valley-
Benton — 6
Berwick — 3
Bloomsburg — 5
Briar Creek
Buckhorn
Catawissa — 5
Central
Centralia
Elk Grove
Espy
Eyer's Grove
l<"ishing Creek
Forks — I
lola (discontinued July ist)
Jamison City — i
Jerseytown — 2
Light Street — i
Lime Ridge
Mainville — i
Mifflinville
Millville — 3
Numidia
Orangeville — 2
Pine Summit
Roaring Creek — i
Rolirsburg — i
Rupert
Stillwater — i
Wilburton
Post Offices ill Montour County, 1(^14
Ottawa
Strawberry Ridge
Washingtonville
White Hall
Danville — 7
Exchange
Grovania
Mausdale
Mooresburg
* The Hgure after the name of the office indicates
the number of rural routes emanating therefrom.
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
For many years Pennsylvania has stood
almost at the bottom of the list of States in
the matter of good roads. Except in a few
isolated instances, very little aid has been given
in the past to the builders of roads here by
the State. The first act for the establishment
of a Highway Department was that of 1903,
which was supplemented by the acts of 1905
and 1907. The act under which the present
State Highway Department is operated is
commonly known as the "Sproul Road Act,"
enacted by the 191 1 session of the Legislature,
and approved in May of that year by Gov.
John K. Tener.
This act called for a reorganization of the
existing State Highway Department, and pro-
vided for the taking over as State highways
the roads comprising 296 specified routes,
forming connecting links between county seats
and the principal cities and towns, and in ad-
dition forming trunk lines extending from one
end of the State to the other. The act pro-
vided that the new department should have
full charge of maintaining and constructing
these routes after June i, 1912; carry on ex-
isting State-aid contracts; and further pro-
vided for the iiuprovement of township roads
to the extent of two million dollars, fifty per
cent of which was to be supplied by the State,
and the other fifty per cent by the county or
township applying for aid.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
41
The department was organized in July,
191 1, and the State divided into fourteen dis-
tricts, District No. 3 consisting of Columbia,
Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder
and Union counties, with headquarters at
Bloomsburg. The State Highway head-
quarters is at Harrisburg, the officers consist-
ing of Edward M. Bigelow, State highway
commissioner ; Joseph W. Hunter, first dep-
uty State highway commissioner; E. A. Jones,
second deputy State highway commissioner ;
Samuel D. Foster, chief engineer; Howard W.
Fry, chief clerk ; and W. R. D. Hall, statisti-
cian. The field work is under the direction of
a bridge engineer, fifteen assistant engineers,
and fifty superintendents. The auditing de-
partment is under the charge of a certified ac-
countant, and the maintenance department is
under the direction of a competent engineer.
In addition to the work done in the counties
of Columbia and Montour, considerable work
was done upon the historic highway in the
southern part of the State, known as the "Na-
tional Road" or "Cumberland Turnpike."
This road was built by the United States gov-
ernment in the years 1804 to 1814, and con-
nected Baltimore, Md., with Alton, 111. The
highway department has improved almost the
entire length of this road through Pennsyl-
vania, and intends to make it a model road of
modern construction. The great width of this
road is a standing rebuke to the "skimpy"
methods of the road builders of the past in
this State.
The funds expended by the highway depart-
ment in the years 1912-13 were derived from
the following sources :
State highway fund appropriation $3,000,000
Automobile tax receipts appropriated 1,800,000
State-aid appropriation 1,000,000
Balance State-aid appropriation, 1907-1909. 660,642
State-aid funds returned by counties and
townships 410,950
National Road appropriation 300,000
Experiments and tests fund appropriation. . 50,000
Traveling fund appropriation 88,000
Contingent fund appropriation 79.000
Expense fund, automobile division 100.000
The roads placed under the care of the State
highway commission aggregated 8,827 miles,
and the different classes of construction are
as follows : Brick, asphaltic-concrete, asphalt-
ic-macadam, waterbound-macadam, and con-
crete. There were 296 main State highway
routes and 306 alternate lines, the averaa:e cost
of surveying per mile being $47.87, plotting
$11.36 per mile, and checking and tracing
$7.96 per mile. In addition to surveying the
State highways, 35,512 miles of country roads
were surveyed and maps prepared showing
the roads, towns, villages and other important
places in the districts.
The average expense for maintenance of
approximately 6,000 miles of roads in 1912-13
was $169 per mile. The following 'numbered
routes of the State highways are those passing
through Columbia and Montour counties:
Route No. 2, Sunbury to Danville; No. 3, Dan-
ville to Bloomsburg; No. 4, Bloomsburg to
Wilkes-Barre via Berwick; No. 16, Blooms-
burg to Laporte via Benton; No. 161, Potts-
ville to Sunbury via Centralia; No. 183,
Bloomsburg to Pottsville via Catawissa and
Centralia; No. 185, Laporte to Wilkes-Barre
via Benton ; No. 239, Bloomsburg to Williams-
port via Millville and Sereno; No. 240, Wil-
liamsport to Danville via Washingtonville ;
No. 249, Bloomsburg to Lock Haven via Still-
water, Rohrsburg, Millville, Jerseytown,
White Hall and Exchange ; No. 259, Danville
to Lewisburg via Mooresbtirg; No. 283,
Bloomsburg to Sunbury via Catawissa and
Pensyl's Mill ; No. 303, lola to Muncy via
Pine Summit; No. 321, Laporte to Benton,
and over route No. 16 to Bloomsburg ; No.
327, Bloomsburg to Berwick via Almedia,
Espy, Lime Ridge and Briar Creek.
Under the provisions of the act of 1909 the
revenues derived from the registration of
motor vehicles and operators' licenses were
set aside for the improvement of the State
roads. From Jan. i, 1910, to June i, 1913, the
receipts from this source were $2,031,921. It
is estimated that the annual receipts from this
source will be over a million dollars a year
hereafter.
During the period above referred to the
length of routes in' the two counties under
discussion was 127.24 miles, and the total
expended for maintenance upon them was
$13,659. The work of surveying tlie town-
ship roads was in progress, but the completed
maps had not been placed in the hands of the
printer.
The commission is given power to divert or
rebuild any State roads, when necessary, to
purchase and free of charges all toll roads, re-
build all bridges where necessary, take over all
roads running through towns or boroughs
where it is necessary to comolete the improve-
ment of a route, to aid to the extent of fifty
per cent of the cost of the construction of a
road through a borough when petitioned, and
to make regulations regarding the laying of
railroad tracks and pines or conduits upon
and under the said roads.
42
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The State-aid roads are built by the higli-
way department and maintained by them, one
half of the cost of building and maintenance
being borne by the State and the other half
by the county and township. These roads are
built to conform with the State standards and
are under the supervision of the highway de-
partment.
. In 1914 a section of State-aided roadway
8,555 fsst in length was built in the boroughs
of Berwick and West Berwick, under the
supervision of the State highway department.
The base w^as concrete and the road was sur-
faced with Watsontown brick, laid in. tar.
The contract price of the work was $31,265.33.
A strip on each side of the street, including
the gutter and curbing, was added by the two
boroughs and laid under the supen-ision of the
State engineers ; this additional strip was paid
for by the boroughs alone. Its length was
3,200 feet, and extended as far as the settled
portion of the town of West Berwick.
The present completed State-aid roads are
located in Catawissa, Berwick, Danville and
a stretch north and south of Benton. The
road from Bloomsburg to Danville and
through ^Montour county to Northumberland
is macadamized and kept in a fine state of
repair, while in other parts of both counties
work is proceeding on the roads as rapidly
as the amount of funds on hand held by the
highway department will justify.
NORTH BR.\NCH CANAL
The Susquehanna was declared a navigable
highway by the Provincial Assembly of 1771
and a sum set aside to improve it. "Durham"
boats, so named from a town below Easton,
where they were built, were the first to navi-
gate the river. They were sixty feet long,
eight feet wide and two feet deep, and drew
twenty inches of water when loaded with
fifteen tons of merchandise. Four men, with
setting poles, moved them against the current
at the rate of two miles an hour.
Many attempts were made to increase their
speed mechanically before the invention of
steam. Isaac A. Chapman, in 1824, built a
boat at Nescopeck designed to be operated by
horsepower, but it failed after repeated trials.
It was fittingly named the "Experiment."
Farmers and merchants of these counties re-
sorted to the use of "arks," rafts and flats for
the transportation of their merchandise, but
they often lost the results of months of labor
in a few moments in the rapids and eddies of
the treacherous stream. According to the
Danville Watchman of that year the trade on
the Susquehanna in 1824, by means of "arks"
and rafts, from Columbia county, was 100,000
bushels of wheat, 3,000 bushels of clover seed,
3,000 barrels of whiskey, 250 tons of pork, and
a small amount of lumber. It seems that the
forests were then beginning to be completely
exhausted along the watercourses.
In April, 1826, the "Codorus," a steamer
built at Vork Haven and commanded by Cap-
tain Elger, passed Berwick on its way to
Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton. The follow-
ing month Captain Collins, in the "Susque-
hanna," a larger boat, attempted to pass the
falls of Nescopeck, opposite Berwick, and in
the attempt the boiler exploded, killing four
and wounding a large number of the passen-
gers. This settled the fate of navigation in
the river, and steps were at once taken for
the construction of a canal.
Propositions had been made to build a series
of dams across the river, but never went beyond
the discussion stage. The North Branch
canal, which was an extension of the Penn-
sylvania State canal system, was begun in
1826, the first excavation being celebrated at
Berwick by a military parade and salutes from
the cannon. Alexander Jameson drove the
oxen and Nathan Beach held the plow handles
as the first furrows were turned.
The North Branch canal began at North-
umberland and extended to the New York
State line, there connecting with a canal to
Elmira ; thence boats were towed down Seneca
lake to the branch of the Erie canal, through
which either the Atlantic or the Great Lakes
could be easily reached. The canal was opened
as far as Nanticoke falls in September, 1831 ;
the W'yoming extension to Pittston, seventeen
miles, was completed in 1834; the Tioga
branch, to connect w-ith the New York canal
system, was begun in 1836; also the line from
Pittston to Athens ; the Tunkhannock line was
begun in 1838.
The North Branch Canal Company was in-
corporated in 1843 and took over the unfin-
ished portion between the Lackawanna river
and the New York State line, but did not
carry out the contract, and in 1848 the State
regained control of that part. The entire
canal and its branches was finally completed
in 1853, but not fully opened until 1856, when
the "Tonawanda" passed up from Pittston to
Elmira with a cargo of coal. The total cost
of the North Branch canal and its branches
was $1,598,379.35.
The length of the canal through the counties
of Columbia and Montour was about twenty-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
43
four miles. In this section there were five
locks, located at Berwick, Bloomsburg, Rupert
and Lime Ridge and one near Danville. These
locks were twenty feet wide, twenty feet deep,
with three sets of gates at distances of ninety
feet. They were very substantially built of
earth, lined with stone, covered with a wooden
sheathing fastened to the stones by iron rods
and wedges. The capstones along the walls
were of Pottsville conglomerate, fastened to-
gether with iron staples sunk in holes previ-
ously filled with melted lead. Some of these
locks could easily be used at present, while
others have been destroyed by fire and flood.
The most important monument in Columbia
county to the ability of the old canal builders
is the aqueduct at Rupert, which is now used
by the electric railroad as a bridge. The stone
piers are in excellent shape and the timbers
are still in fair condition after eighty-three
years of use.
In 1830 the first canalboat — the '"Wyom-
ing"^-built at Northumberland passed Ber-
wick in the river, the canal being still un-
completed. The following year the "Luzerne"
came up the canal. In 1835 the first boats
built exclusively for passenger trade, the
"Denison" and the "Gertrude," constructed
by Miller Horton and A. H. Cahoon, were
launched at Northumberland for the trade
between that town and Wilkes-Barre. They
were drawn by six horses. For a period of
some years before the advent of the railroads
the canal was a favorite route for passenger
traffic, as the stagecoaches were barely com-
fortable and more expensive. Although the
progress on the canal was slow — about six
miles an hour — the scenery was beautiful, the
accommodations excellent, and the food could
be eaten in peace and at leisure. Many picnic
and excursion parties were made up and the
practice continued even down to the last years
of the life of the canal system, when small
light-draft steamers were used for the pur-
pose.
Boatyards were established at Northumber-
land, Espy and Wilkes-Barre, where the boats
were built and repaired. The canal company
in later years operated its own boats, but any
person could carry on a freight business by
paying the regular tolls and complying with the
rules. In winter the canal was emptied of
water and all the necessary repairs were then
made. In the spring it was necessary to mow
the long grass in the canal bed before the
water was let in, as it greatly interfered with
rapid transit.
For some years the business done by the
canal was immense. It was the main avenue to
the seaboard and coal could be profitably sent
through it to Philadelphia for one dollar a ton
from Wilkes-Barre. The railroad rate is now
nearly double that. Canalboats were on an
average eighty-five feet long and drew two
feet when loaded. The average depth of the
canal was five feet. The largest cargo ever
shipped in one boat was a mixed one of 285
tons.
The entire canal system in this section of
the State was sold in 1858 to the Sunbury &
Erie Railroad Company and by them to the
North Branch Canal Company. In 1869 it
was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, who formed the subsidiary company
which for some years operated it under the
name of the Pennsylvania Canal Company.
In 1880 the traffic on the canal began to de-
cline and in ten years after that it became
apparent that the canal would have to be
abandoned. The unprecedented freshets of
1889 had destroyed the Juniata division, from
Newton Hamilton to Rope Ferry, a distance of
fifty-six miles, and the West Branch canal was
also damaged, all that portion west of the
Loyalsock being almost totally obliterated.
Having no connection below Northumberland,
the canal became almost useless and was finally
abandoned in 1891. The Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company sold it to the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna &• Western Railroad Company, the pres-
ent owners, later on.
The Pennsylvania Canal Company operated
the section of the canal from Northumberland
to Wilkes-Barre, a distance of sixty-five miles,
but owned altogether about 338 miles of canals.
Their capital stock was fixed at $5,000,000 and
the officers were all Philadelphians, stockhold-
ers of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
The locaP superintendents in this section were
Hugh D. Quick of Rupert and Hudson Owen
of Berwick. The chief engineer was Thomas
H. Wierman of Harrisburg.
In this year of 1914 there is little evidence
in sight of the past glory of the canal, although
but a few years have elapsed since its abandon-
ment. Nature has done her best to obliterate
the work of the past and man has assisted her
by tearing down the embankments and de-
stroying the stone work. The authorities at
Danville have almost entirely filled up the bed
of the canal, but in Bloomsburg and Berwick
and along most of the intervening space it re-
mains open, filled in places with stagnant water,
a menace to the health of the public. The locks
at Rupert and Bloomsburg are still visible,
44
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
but those at Dainille and Berwick are covered
up under tons of earth.
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail-
road Company has placed metal signs along the
line of the canal, warning the public against
trespassing. Many persons object to this pro-
hibition, but in a way it is a blessing to the peo-
ple. It prevents adjacent landowners from
shutting off the river from the public use and
has permitted the growth of trees to continue
unrestricted, thus converting many parts of
the canal towpath into a veritable "lovers' lane,"
embowered with foliage and affording a shady
walk for miles along the beautiful Susque-
hanna. The canal could be easily converted
into a level and permanent highway at but
moderate expense, if the railroad could be in-
duced to turn it over to the State Highway
Commission.
RAILROADS
The honor of being the first to promote and
construct a railroad in this section of Pennsyl-
vania belongs to citizens of Catawissa, the
head of the project, and for a time the only
advocate of the plan, being Christian Brobst.
The story of the building of this road is an
interesting and romantic one, and has been
compiled in the follovving accurate narrative
by Charles E. Randall, editor of the Catawissa
News Item and vice president of the Columbia
County Historical Society.
In the issue of Jan. 20, 1825, Danville
Watchman, appeared a letter from Christian
Brobst, Catawissa, dated Jan. 15th. At that
time water transportation was considered the
solution of the problem of communication be-
tween the great manufacturing centers, the
State canal being partially completed. A route
for water communication was sought between
the Schuylkill river and the North Branch of
the Susquehanna.
In his letter to the Watchman Mr. Brobst,
who was one of Catawissa's "live wires," a
merchant miller, owning the upper mil! at that
place, the farm now owned by Harman Breisch,
and a number of other properties in this sec-
tion, advocated a route between the two rivers
by way of the Little Schuylkill river and Cata-
wissa creek. He claimed the route was prac-
tical and that he was acquainted with every
foot of the way. His plan was to come up the
Schuylkill river, then up the Little Schuylkill
to its headwaters ; cross over to the headwaters
of Catawissa creek, "a distance of three miles,
part of the way through a small mountain" ;
then down Catawissa creek to the North Branch
of the Susquehanna; "the levels showing that
every foot of the waterways could be made
navigable."
"This could be made a part of a route from
Philadelphia to the lakes," he stated, "by going
down the North Branch and up the West
Branch to Sinnemahoning creek, 100 miles; up
the Sinnemahoning to Toby's (or Sandy) creek,
40 miles ; down Toby's creek to Allegheny river,
Oo miles ; up the Allegheny to French creek,
25 miles; up French creek to Waterford, 28
miles; then by canal 14 miles across country
to Erie." This route, he claimed, would neces-
sitate the construction of but thirty miles of
canals. Flis idea was that the streams could
all be made navigable by a series of dams.
Nothing ever came of this project, and it
was not until 1829 that the transportation
question came up again. This time it was the
railroad project. Mr. Brobst had been elected
to the Legislature from Columbia county, and
kept hammering at the State authorities for
transportation between the Schuylkill and the
North Branch. Fortified by the survey he had
made on the waterway project, he succeeded
in getting the Legislature, in 1828, to pass an
act authorizing the Pennsylvania Canal Com-
mission to "employ a competent engineer to
make surveys and examinations between a
point on the Schuylkill canal near Pottsville,
and a point on the Susquehanna river between
the towns of Catawissa and Sunbury," as to
the feasibility of building a railroad between
those points.
The waterway levels taken by Mr. Brobst
were by means of a "Jacob's staff" and a home-
made water level, made by himself, and they
were so accurate that in surveys in later years
by professional engineers the levels varied only
about six feet in the entire distance between
Catawissa and what is now Lofty. An engi-
neer named Robinson was employed by the
canal board to make the surveys, three terminal
points on the North Branch of the Susque-
hanna river being considered — Catawissa,
Danville and Sunbury. The engineer elimi-
nated Danville on account of "insurmountable
natural obstacles," and after a lengthy survey
reported to the commissioners in favor of a
route through the Ouakake and Catawissa val-
levs with Catawissa as the terminal, saving
that this route was "adapted to locomotive en-
gines." while the route with Sunburv as a
terminus was "adapted to horse nower only
for the greater part of the route." Besides,
"the Catawissa route would p^ive three distribu-
tive points — Pottsville. Little Schuvlkill and
the Lehigh."
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
45
In spite of the engineer's report the canal
commissioners favored the Sunbury terminus,
one of their number, Gen. Daniel Montgomery,
being particularly active in Sunbury's support.
On February 7, 1829, a meeting was held at
the home of Christian A. Brobst (a son of
Christian Brobst), Catawissa, to "protest
against the activity of said Gen. Daniel Mont-
gomery, he being a canal commissioner, in
furthering Sunbury's claims as a terminal
against the report of the engineer in favor of
Catawissa." Mr. Brobst was chosen presi-
dent of the meeting and Joseph Paxton and
Dr. Isaac Pickering, secretaries. A committee
was appointed to see that the Catawissa route
got a fair show, the committee to attend the
meeting of the canal commission at Harris-
burg. The committee was as follows : Col.
Joseph Paxton, William McKelvy, Joseph
liroljst (a son of Christian), Dr. Harnian Gear-
hart and Dr. Isaac Pickering.
The project of the State building the rail-
road fell through, but the Catawissians did not
give up the idea, but turned to Philadelphia
capitalists and business men with whom they
had business connections. Two years later
they succeeded in interesting Philadelphia capi-
tal and the Little Schuylkill & Susquehanna
Railroad Company was formed.
In the charter granted by the Legislature
on March 21, 1831, Charles Sidney Coxe,
George Troutman, Thomas Reeves, Jr., Rob-
ert Earp, Nathan Smith and George W. Tryon,
of Philadelphia ; George DeB. Keim and
Mathias S. Richards, of Reading, Berks
county; William Audenreid, Burd Patterson,
of Pottsville, Schuylkill county ; Christian
Brobst and Joseph Paxton, of Catawissa,
Columbia county; and Wm. McElwy (Mc-
Kelvy) and Ebenezer Daniel, of Bloomsburg,
Columbia county, were appointed commission-
ers to open books for stock subscriptions.
By 1S35 sufficient money had been raised by
stock subscriptions and the financial support
of a Philadelphia bank (either the Bank of
North America or the Bank of the United
States) to start the work.
One provision of the charter was "that the
said road shall not be more than four rods
wide, and shall not pass through any burying-
ground, or place of public worship, or any
dwelling-house, without the consent of the
owner thereof, or any outbuildings of the value
of three hundred dollars, without such con-
sent."
Edward Miller was appointed chief engineer
and he came to Catawissa early in 1835 and
started the survey. The first right of way
secured was of John Fortner, whose farm
(i'ranklin township), now owned and tenanted
by his granddaughter, Miss Alvaretta Fortner,
extended down to Catawissa creek. The sur-
vey began at the west line of the Fortner prop-
erty.
Chief Engineer Miller built the house known
as the "Monroe house" at the corner of Sec-
ond and South streets, and the office of the
company was located there. The property is
now owned by Oliver Miller, of Aristes.
The work continued during 1835-36-37-38,
the right of way being secured, the grading
completed and the bridges erected, the line
enduig at what was later known as the Lehigh
Valley switchback, below Ryan's tunnel, at the
foot of an inclined plane starting midway be-
tween Lofty and Ryan's tunnel and ending half
a mile below in the Quakake valley, where the
Wilkes-Barre turnpike crosses the Little
Schuylkill river. It was the intention to con-
tinue the line through the Quakake valley to
Philadelphia. The grade of the plane was 10
feet 9 inches, to the one hundred feet.
The bridges were wooden lattice-work, the
timber being sawed by sawmills set up on the
ground. Not a bolt or spike was used in any
of the bridges, the framework being put to-
gether with wooden pins.
Not a rail was laid on the right of way, how-
ever, though a quantity had been prepared and
stored at the foot of the inclined plane. The
stringers were sawed out of logs to a suitable
size and a strap rail of iron nailed on the top.
The old plane, graded in 1838, is plainly tracea-
ble today from the trains passing that point
on the Reading.
A locomotive was built in England for the
Little Schuylkill & Susquehanna Railroad Com-
pany, but was never used as no track had been
laid. It was stored at Philadelphia until the
Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie Railroad was
built. It weighed about fifteen tons and was
called the "Catawissa," and was about the
size of one of the little "dinkeys" used in later
years by superintendents. It was never run
practically, except on the C. W. & E. Railroad,
where it was used for a short time to haul the
officials over the road, having been first over-
hauled by Harry Clayton, of Tamaqua, master
mechanic of the Little Schuylkill railroad.
In 1838 the bank that had financed the road
failed and the work stopped, not to be re-
sumed until 1853, when it was taken up by a
new corporation, the Catawissa, Williamsport
& Erie Railroad Company, chartered in 1850,
which took over the property of the Little
Schuvlkill & Susquehanna Railroad Company,
46
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and was authorized to extend the road to
WiUiamsport. This company surveyed a new
route from the head of the old inchned plane,
abandoning that route, going to Tamanend,
where it connected with the Little Schuylkill
Navigation & Railroad Company, which was
built irom Port Clinton to meet them.
The contractors from Catawissa to Taman-
end were Alexander Christy and a man named
Malcom, both Scotchmen. They tore down
the old lattice-work bridges and erected trestles,
except at Alainville, Fisher's, Aline Gap and
Long Hollow, where Burr arch bridges were
erected. The old bed graded by the original
company was repaired and used. The road
was completed to Rupert in 1854.
Beyond Rupert to Milton, where it joined
the P. & E. railroad, Thomas Emmet was chief
engineer and contractor, and he was permitted
to make out his own estimates. He must have
been an honest man, as no charges of graft
were ever made against him. The road was
completed to Milton in the fall of 1854.
The first locomotive used on the line, the
one used in track-laying and ballasting, was
the "Massachusetts." It was built in that State
by Hinkly & Drury, and was delivered at
Columbia, Pa., from where it was brought to
Catawissa on a canal flat in 1853. It was un-
loaded at a point opposite the head of the
"cove" below town, run over a cribbed-up track
to the river bank, where it was loaded upon a
large flat and ferried across the river to a
point near the dwelling house that used to stand
just below the Pennsylvania junction. From
that point it was hauled up a temporary track
to an engine house that had been erected near
the old Nick Fisher home, the end of the grad-
ing then. The rails used were made at Dan-
ville, weighed 56 pounds to the yard, and were
delivered across the river and hauled over the
bridge by teams, being stored at the engine
house and at the paper mill crossing.
The "Massachusetts," afterwards known as
No. 2, weighed about twenty-five tons, was a
wood-burner, and had Samuel Carpenter as
engineer and Frank Wright as fireman, both
from Columbia. Joseph Shuman, of Beaver
Valley, was night watchman at the enginehouse
and engine wiper.
In 1853 a line was run from the old grading
at the Fortner line down the river to Danville,
crossing the river at Boyd's. Colonel Paxton,
one of the promoters of the company, owned
the farm at the mouth of Fishing creek (now
the Boody farm) and wanted the railroad to
go to Danville by way of his farm. He suc-
ceeded in getting passed a supplement to the
act of the Legislature incorporating the Cata-
wissa, WiUiamsport & Erie Railroad Co., ex-
tending the line to WiUiamsport, "Provided,
That any road located under authority of this
section shall not diverge more than one mile
distant from the mouth of Fishing creek." The
road was built by way of Fishing creek and
the town of Rupert resulted.
Another line was run from Rupert through
Millville and Aluncy to WiUiamsport, but noth-
ing was ever done with this route.
The Catawissa-Tamanend end of the road
was completed first and mixed trains were run
between Port Clinton and Catawissa, the first
one on the i6th or 17th of July, 1854, the C. W.
& E. having trackage rights over the Little
Schuylkill to Port Clinton, where they con-
nected with the Reading main line. The creek
bridge had been completed and the Catawissa
station was located on the present site. The
yard comprised the home of Isaac S. Monroe,
who sold to the company and purchased the
home built by Chief Engineer Miller at the
corner of Second and South streets. The old
Monroe homestead was moved down opposite
the station and was for many years used as
offices, being torn down a few years ago.
The first through train from Port Clinton to
Milton (with connections through from Phil-
adelphia) was run in September or October,
1854. The first scheduled train started from
Catawissa to Port Clinton on Monday in July.
It came up from Tamaqua on Sunday, the i6th
or 17th, to be here ready for Monday's start.
There were two trains running from opposite
ends of the line. The engineer of the first reg-
ular train out of Catawissa was John Johnson,
afterwards a machinist in the shops here, and
the fireman was his brother-in-law, a man
named Coe. The conductor's name was Du-
Bois. That Sunday was a gala day in Cata-
wissa, thousands of people coming from all
over this section to see the train come in. W.
G. Yetter, then sixteen years of age, saw the
train arrive that afternoon. The first station
agent at Catawissa was George Hughes, father
of Mrs. Sarah Vastine. The first at Rupert
was George S. Gilbert, a member of the en-
gineer corps.
The locomotive was turned at this place by
means of a Y, that extended out to the river
bank from the old station and back to Roberts'
run (now Corn run).
The C. W. & E. was built at a uniform grade
of 33 feet to the mile from Catawissa to Lofty.
The maximum curvature was 12 degrees, ex-
cept at "Nigger Hollow," where it was I2>4.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
47
From Lofty to Tamanend the descending grade
was 66 feet to the mile.
The Catawissa railroad had seven wooden
trestle bridges (the largest being that at Dark
Run, which was 546 feet high and 574 feet
long) and about as many tunnels. The bridge
at Mainville was 115 feet high and 727 feet
long. It was the only one in Columbia county.
A fine steel bridge now occupies its place, the
old piers of the first one still remaining. All
the others have been replaced by steel.
The Catawissa' shops were built in 1864, the
repair work before that time being done at
Tamaqua. The first master mechanic was
George H. Prescott, and his brother, "Andy"
Prescott, was foreman.
The Catawissa railroad was extended from
Milton to Williamsport in 1871, under George
Webb, superintendent and chief engineer, with
W. G. Yetter as assistant engineer. In 1882
W. G. Yetter, resident engineer, laid out and
built the extension from Williamsport to New-
berry. The extension from Milton to Wil-
liamsport cost $1,200,000, the estimate hav-
ing been $1,000,000.
The Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie had a
strenuous time and in i860 gave up the ghost.
The property was purchased at public sale by
the Catawissa Railroad Company, a corpora-
tion formed for that purpose. In 1872 the
road was taken over by the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company under a lease,
under which the latter company still holds con-
trol and operates the road.
The officers of the road have been: Presi-
dents—William D. Lewis, T. H. Dupey, M. P.
Hutchinson and Franklin B. Gowen (after the
Reading took charge in 1872) ; superintendents
— Thomas M. McKissock; Henry Fondy ;
Stanley H. Goodwin, who resigned in May,
1863 ; followed by George Webb, who resigned
in 1872 ; succeeded by Daniel Reinhard until
March 17, 1887, when W. G. Yetter was ap-
pointed until June, 1893, when the Catawissa
railroad was consolidated with the Shamokin
Branch of the P. & R. under Mr. Bertolet as
superintendent, until he was succeeded by A.
T. Dice, who was followed by J. E. Turk, the
present superintendent.
The second railroad built through this sec-
tion of the county was the Lackawanna &
Bloomsburg road, projected by citizens of
Wilkes-Barre, who had no means of reaching
Philadelphia but the circuitous route through
Scranton and New York City. This road was
completed in 1857 to Rupert, connecting there
with the Catawissa road, and the first train
passed Bloomsburg on Jan. i, 1858. Two years
later the road was extended to Northumber-
land. At first but two trains, one passenger
and one freight, were in service, but addi-
tions of two trains were made every ten years
until 1881, when it came into the control of
the famous Lackawanna, "The Road of An-
thracite," which now operates the line. At
present four passenger trains are run daily
each way, and an equal number of freights.
The line is equipped with automatic block sig-
nals and is one of the finest in the State.
The North & West Branch railroad was con-
ceived in the mind of Rev. D. J. Waller, of
Bloomsburg, who reasoned that the logical
route for a railroad was along the southern
bank of the Susquehanna. This route had
previously been the one selected by Simon P.
Kase as the one for his telegraph line, but
was abandoned in favor of the Hazleton route.
Mr. Waller wrote the charter for the new road,
and Hon. C. R. Buckalew had it passed by the
Legislature in 1871. It was ten years, how-
ever, before the road was completed to Wilkes-
Barre from Catawissa. J. C. Brown was chief
engineer, and Samuel Neyhard, assistant. The
charter of the company provided that a bridge
be built over the Susquehanna, with a wagon
way beside the tracks, the county to pay two-
fifths of the cost. That bridge was never built,
but the road was constructed under the name
of North & West Branch Railroad Company,
with almost unlimited powers to construct
branches, etc. It came into the control of
the Pennsylvania system in 1886. At the pres-
ent time the road is in a prosperous condition.
Six passenger trains and numerous freights
are run daily through Catawissa.
In 1870 the Danville, Hazleton & Wilkes-
Barre road was built by the efforts of Simon
P. Kase, of Danville. It, also, is now in the
control of the Pennsylvania. It follows the
east bank of the Catawissa creek, passing
through Main and Beaver townships, connect-
ing Catawissa with Hazleton and the hard coal
region.
The Bloomsburg & Sullivan Railroad Com-
pany received its original charter from the
State in 1883, and was completed in 1888. The
first ground was broken at the bridge a short
distance north of Orangeville, in August, 1886,
the road was completed and operated to Benton
the following year, and to Jamison City in 1888.
The promoters of the road were: Hon. C. R.
Buckalew and Col. John Jamison, of Blooms-
burg, and the constructing engineer was John
A. Wilson, of Philadelphia. James C. Brown,
a former postmaster of Bloomsburg, was
the surveyor of the line. The entire right of
48
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
way was secured through the efforts of Capt.
H. J. Conner and Silas McHenry. John Bush
(Giovanni Bucci), of Bloomsburg, was the
contractor. The road is twenty-nine miles
long, its route being through the beautiful and
historic Fishingcreek valley, where at many
points are located the camps and cottages of
the summer residents from Bloomsburg, Cata-
wissa, Berwick and the adjoining towns in the
county. There are many highly productive
farms along the line, which passes through
Light Street, Orangeville, Forks, Stillwater,
Benton, Coles Creek, Central and Jamison City.
Connection is made at Bloomsburg with the
Lackawanna and the Reading, and at Paper
Mill with the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg &
Berwick roads. The road operates six pas-
senger trains each day, and several freights,
although the trade has fallen off since the re-
moval of the sawmills at Jamison City. An
extension was projected northward to connect
with the Lehigh Valley road, and a route was
once surveyed, but nothing further has cul-
minated.
The present officers of the road are : Samuel
Wigfall, president; H. T. Dechert, vice presi-
dent ; \V. C. Snyder, superintendent and treas-
urer ; George A. Ritter, secretary and auditor ;
W. C. Fortune, supervisor. About fifty men
are employed by the company.
The Wilkes-Barre & Western railroad was
commenced in 1885, ran the first train from
Watsontown to Millville in 1887, and in 1891
was completed to Orangeville. Subsequently
the management changed hands, the name was
changed to the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg &
Berwick Railroad Company, the line to Orange-
ville abandoned, the route made through Light
Street and the line completed to Berwick in
1903. Over this road most of the cars manu-
factured by the American Car & Foundry Com-
pany, of Berwick, are forwarded to their
owners.
The line traverses a picturesque region of
hills and deep valleys, passing through Light
Street, Paper Mill, Jerseytown, Eyer's Grove
and Mordansville, with a branch to Millville.
The terminus of the road is at Watsontown, on
the west branch of the Susquehanna. Samuel
B. Haupt, president of the road, died in Sep-
tember, 1913, from injuries received when his
private car was struck by a switch engine in
the Berwick yards. Since his death the road
has come into the control of the Pennsylvania
system.
ELECTRIC R.'MLWAYS — LIGHTING
For the following concise and correct his-
tory of the development of gas and electricity
in the counties of Columbia and Montour we
are indebted to A. W. Duy, a prominent attor-
ney of Bloomsburg, who is personally associ-
ated with these companies.
Gas Lighting
The first gas company to be incorporated and
begin operations in Bloomsburg was the Blooms-
burg Gas Company, which corporation received
its charter from the court of Common Pleas
of Columbia county on May 9, 1874. The au-
thorized capitalization was $30,000 (Deed
Book 27, page 433), and the promoters of this
enterprise were as follows : H. J. Clark, John
La Wall, Freas Brown, D. A. Beckley, Samuel
Knorr, H. H. Grotz, E. R. Ikeler, Enos Jacoby,
A. L. Turner, J. C. Brown, J. K. Grotz, A. C.
Smith, C. Bittenbender, C. F. Knapp, J. H.
Maize, Ed. M. Warden, Jacob Schuyler, C. G.
Barkley, D. J. Waller, William Peacock, J. J.
Brower, I. W. Hartman, Robert F. Clark,
John A. Funston, C. W. Neal, Joshua Fetter-
man, W. M. Reber, D. Lowenberg, M. C.
Woodward, J. S. Sterner, E. H. Little, Louis
Bernhard, Wm. B. Koons, Isaiah Hagenbuch,
W. F. Sloan, H. L. Dieffenbach, C. W. Miller.
These gentlemen after receiving their char-
ter purchased the tract of land at the intersec-
tion of Seventh and Market streets in the town
of Bloomsburg, there constructed a gas plant
and laid mains throughout the main portion
of the town, and conducted a very prosperous
business until Sept. 2, 1899, when the company
leased its property, rights and franchises for
a period of nine hundred and ninety-nine years
(Misc. Book 6, page 454) to the American Gas
Light Company of Bloomsburg, a corporation
formed under the act of 1874, for the purpose
of taking over the property, rights and fran-
chises of the old Bloomsburg Gas Company.
The American Gas Light Company of
Bloomsburg received its charter Aug. 25, 1899
(Misc. Book 8, page 665), its authorized capi-
talization being $40,000, together with an issue
of bonds of equal amount, and the incorpora-
tors of the company were: William D. Boyer,
John B. Russel, Grant Pelton, George W. Rey-
nolds, P. R. Bevan, all of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
It continued in business until Nov. 16, 1906,
when by virtue of an agreement of merger and
consolidation between it and the American
Electric Light Company, the property, rights
and franchises of the company became vested
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
49
in the United Gas and Electric Company of
Bloomsburg, the incorporators of the last
named company being E. li. Tustin, John B.
Russel, P. R. Bevan, Harry S. Barton, A. W.
Duy. The gas business in Bloomsburg was
conducted under the management of this com-
pany until Feb. 7, 191 1, when by another agree-
ment of merger and consolidation it was
merged with twenty-two other gas and electric
companies, covering the territory between the
borough of Nescopeck in Luzerne county, and
the borough of Riverside in Northumberland
county, both inclusive, forming the Columbia
Gas and Electric Company, the details of whose
consolidation are referred to later on.
The Columbia Gas and Electric Company
sold and conveyed all of its property, rights
and franchises to the Columbia and Montour
Electric Company in March, 1913, and the gas
business is now being conducted under the
management of that company and is keeping
pace with the rapid strides in the general in-
dustrial development of Bloomsburg.
The Danville Gas Company was created by
special act of Assembly, approved the 8th day
of May, 1854 (P. L. 1855, page 710). This
company purchased the lot of land where the
present gas and electric plant is located and
erected a gas plant, constructed mains through-
out the borough of Danville and proceeded to
engage in the business of furnishing gas to the
citizens of that borough. The property of the
Danville Gas Company was next acquired by
the Consumers Gas Company, a corporation
which was created under the act of 1874, on
Nov. 8, 1882, and this company conveyed by
lease for the term of nine hundred and ninety-
nine years, its property, rights and franchises
to the Standard Gas Company (Deed Book 19,
page 606).
Electric Lighting
The pioneers in the electric lighting business
in Columbia county were the following gentle-
men and firms : W. R. Tubbs, Harman & Has-
sert, Robbins & Peacock, W. H. Brower, C. M.
Creveling, L. S. Wintersteen, B. F. Sharpless,
T. L. Gunton, Isaac S. Kuhn, J. R. Schuyler,
J. C. Brown, I. W. Willits, Frank P. Billmeyer,
C. W. Miller, N. U. Funk, E. V. Hartman, H.
V. White, L. T. Sharpless, C. A. Kleim, A. G.
Briggs, J. E. Wilson, J. M. Robbins. Mathias
Geist, R. W. Oswald, James McCloskey, H. P.
Chamberlain, L. N. Moyer, D. W. Kitchen,
W. R. Kocher, H. J. Clark & Son, Freas
Brown, Charles G. Barkley, Paul E. Wirt,
George Rosenstock, David Hensinger, Frank
P. Drinker, M. G. Hughes, John Appleman,
James Magee, J. H. Mercer, William Chris-
man, L. E. Waller, John A. Funston, B. F.
Gardner, William Krickbaum, H. W. McRey-
nolds, L. Gross, John L. Moyer, C. W. Neal,
John B. Casey, J. H. Maize.
On Dec. 11, 1889, the above gentlemen, all
of whom were prominent in the affairs of the
county, received a charter from the governor,
effected an organization under the name of
Bloomsburg Electric Light and Power Com-
pany (Misc. Book 3, page 440), purchased a
lot at the northeast corner of tlie intersection
of Eighth and Catharine streets, Bloomsburg,
and there erected an electric light plant, the
original equipment consisting of two small
Keeler boilers ; two fifty horsepower Taylor-
Beck engines; two fifty kilowatt Thompson-
Houston alternating generators, one fifty light
direct current Thompson-Houston arc gener-
ator, and a wooden panel switchboard.
A contract for lighting the streets of Blooms-
burg was secured from the town council, pole
lines and wires were erected throughout the
built up portion of the town, arc lights placed
at the intersection of the principal thorough-
fares and electric light turned on about the
1st of April, 1 89 1, a truly historic event in the
advancement of Bloomsburg.
This company on Sept. 2, 1899 (Misc. Book
6, page 451), leased its property, rights and
franchises to the American Electric Light Com-
pany, a corporation which was formed for the
purpose of taking over the old company, hav-
ing received its charter Aug. 21, 1899 (Misc.
Book 8, page 664), of which company the in-
corporators were William D. Beyer, Grant Pel-
ton, G. W. Reynolds, P. R. Bevan, all of
Wilkes-Barre. This company conducted the
plant until the i6th of November, 1906, when
it entered into an agreement of merger and
consolidation with the American Gas Light
Company of Bloomsburg, forming the United
Gas and Electric Company of Bloomsburg
(Misc. Book 9, page 17).
The Irondale Electric Light, Heat & Power
Company was incorporated on April 7, 1902
(Misc. i3ook 7, page 503), the incorporators
being C. M. Creveling, W. S. Moyer, Dr. W.
M. Reber, Charles W. Runyon, N. U. Funk,
Grant Herring, H. A. M'Killip, J. N. Thomp-
son, C. A. Kleim, J. C. Brown, Dr. J. J. Brown.
The Irondale Electric Light, Heat and Power
Company acquired by purchase the dam, mill
race, wheel house, and water rights of the
Bloomsburg Iron Company, and in the year
1902 erected and equipped at Irondale a hydro-
electric plant, receiving its waterpower from
50
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Fishing creek, the water being conveyed from
the old Irondale dam by way of the headrace
and developing about two hundred horsepower.
For a number of years the Irondale Electric
Light, Heat and Power Company and the
Bloomsburg Electric Light and Power Com-
pany were both engaged in the furnishing of
electricity to the community, developing a spir-
ited competition, resulting in a rate which while
beneficial to the citizens produced disastrous
results to those having investment in the enter-
prise.
The Berwick Electric Light Company was
incorporated on Aug. 4, 1892 (Misc. Book 4,
page 70), the following gentlemen being in-
terested in the enterprise at that time: F. H.
Eaton, C. D. Eaton, W. F. Lowry, C. C. Evans,
F. W. Brockway, W. E. Elmes. They subse-
quently incorporated the West Berwick Elec-
tric Light Company, which was a company
subsidiary to the Berwick Electric Light Com-
pany, furnishing electric current in the borough
of West Berwick. These two companies later
joined the merger and consolidation forming
the Columbia Gas and Electric Company.
The first electric light company to be incor-
porated in the borough of Danville, Montour
county, was the Standard Electric Light Com-
pany, which received its letters patent from
the Commonwealth on Oct. 6, 1899 (Deed Book
21, page 435), the incorporators being John
B. Russel, W. D. Boyer, G. W. Reynolds, Grant
Pelton, P. R. Bevan, and this company took
over by purchase the electric light business in
Danville which had formerly been conducted
by John R. Bennett, as an individual.
ELECTRIC RAILWAYS
The first electric railway company organized
in Columbia county was the Bloomsburg Elec-
tric Street Railway Company, which was in-
corporated on June i, 1892, under the act of
1889 (Misc. Book 4, page 41), by J. L. Dillon,
L. E. Waller, C. C. Peacock, I. W. Willits, W.
R. Tubbs, C. W. Miller, for the purpose of
constructing two miles of road in the town of
Bloomsburg. This enterprise was subse-
quently abandoned, as the traffic was not
deemed sufficient to support it.
The Bloomsburg and Berwick Electric Rail-
way Company was incorporated Feb. 9, 1899
(Misc. Book 6. page 265), by R. Steen Martin,
Franklin Ingraham, J. M. Emery, L. E. Waller,
F. E. Miller, C. W. "Miller, with its route from
Bloomsburg to Berwick. This road was com-
pletely financed through the efforts of Mr. C.
W. Miller, but owing to the inability of the
company to procure all of the rights of way
from abutting property owners, the subscribers
temporarily abandoned the construction of the
road.
The North Susquehanna Transit Company
was incorporated Aug. i, 1895 (Misc. Book
7, page 449), by the following named gentle-
men : E. S. Whitney, Robert E. Wright, Allen-
town, Pa. ; Wilson M. Gearhart, James Scar-
let, R. S. Ammerman, John K. Geisinger, Dan-
ville, Pa. ; E. R. Sponsler, J. M. Fitzgerald,
Harrisburg, Pa. ; all of whom constituted the
first board of directors. The charter route of
this company extended from the borough of
Danville in Montour county through the town
of Bloomsburg to the village of Espy in Colum-
bia county.
On Oct. 31, 1899, the Bloomsburg and Ber-
wick Electric Railway Company and the North
Susquehanna Transit Company entered into
an agreement of merger and consolidation,
forming the Columbia and Montour Electric
Railway Company, with an authorized capital-
ization of $375,000; bonds were issued in the
sum of $375,000 secured by a first lien mort-
gage to the Commonwealth Trust Company of
Harrisburg, as trustee, the company secured a
tract of land, the site of the old Neal furnace,
where they erected a powerhouse and car barn,
and the first electric railway in the history of
Columbia county was constructed and com-
pleted between the borough of Berwick and
the town of Bloomsburg, with a branch four
miles extending from the town of Bloomsburg
to the borough of Catawissa. The road was
opened for traffic in October, 1901.
The Danville and Bloomsburg Street Rail-
way Company was incorporated on Sept. i,
1903 (Alisc. Book 8, page 259), with an
authorized capitalization of $250,000. The in-
corporators were R. H. Koch, W. C. Billman,
Frank C. Angle, Charles P. Hancock, W. F.
Pascoe. Bonds in the sum of $250,000 were
issued secured by a first lien mortgage to the
Easton Trust Company, of Easton, Pa. They
secured a site at the village of Grovania, half
way between Danville and Bloomsburg, and
there erected a powerhouse and car barn, and
constructed the road between Danville and
Bloomsburg.
A number of charters for other electric
railways to be constructed with terminus at
Bloomsburg have been granted, but up to 1914
none of them went further than the projected
stage. The exception was the Bloomsburg &
Millville Railway Company, incorporated in
1901. A route from Millville to Bloomsburg
was partially graded and about two miles of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
51
track laid. The cgmpany was then reorgan-
ized as the Bloomsburg, Millville & Northern
Railway Company and preparations were made
to equip the line with storage battery cars, but
nothing detinite was accomplished. The offi-
cials and promoters of this road in 1913 were:
D. O. Coughlin, president, Wilkes-Barre ;
Walter Hughes, treasurer, West Berwick; W.
P. Zehner, secretary, Bloomsburg; directors,
William Masters and Ellis Eves, Millville;
Walter Hughes, C. W. Miller, J. C. Brown,
James Magee, W. P. Zehner, Bloomsburg; J.
B. Kester, Mainville; L. E. Waller, Wilkes-
Barre.
In passing it seems well to observe that in all
of the foregoing enterprises, which have con-
tributed so much to the development of Colum-
bia county, Mr. C. W. Miller, a member of
the Columbia county bar, was the pioneer, and
to his indefatigable energy and farsightedness
the community is largely indebted for the prog-
ress which it has made, not only in the de-
velopment of public service corporations, but
many manufacturing industries as well.
In the fall of 1908, at a time when the de-
velopment of the electrical industry in the
nation was beginning to assume that position
in the economic scheme which it is one day
destined to attain ; and when science had dem-
onstrated the fact that electrical energy might
be profitably transmitted for long distances,
certain gentlemen affiliated with the Pardee
coal interests, at Hazleton, conceived the idea
of establishing a gigantic electric power plant
adjacent to the vast culm banks at the Har-
wood Mines, and a corporation w'as formed
known as the Harwood Electric Company,
who there erected a modern electric plant at
a cost of over a million dollars, with capacity
to furnish electric energy and distribute it for
hundreds of miles.
Recognizing the possibilities which this en-
terprise offered, Mr. A. W. Duy, of Blooms-
burg, at that time counsel for the electric rail-
way company and the gas and electric com-
panies, together with Mr. E. R. Sponsler, of
Harrisburg, Pa., the president of the Colum-
bia and Montour Electric Railway Company,
conceived the idea of amalgamating all of the
electric light, gas and electric railway com-
panies in Columbia and Montour counties, and
a corporation was formed by them under the
laws of Delaware, known as the Columbia
Power, Light and Railways Company, with an
authorized capitalization of $850,000, and an
authorized bond issue of like amount. The
incorporators of this company were E. R.
Sponsler, Harrisburg; A. W. Duy, Blooms-
burg; W. F. Lowry, Berwick; Myron I. Low,
Lime Ridge; C. M. Creveling, Almedia; R. H.
Koch, Pottsville; W. C. Billman, Reading; P.
R. Bevan, Wilkes-Barre; M. F. D. Scanlon,
St. Davids; B. F. Meyers, Harrisburg; W. M.
Pyle, Wilmington, Del. ; R. Scott Ammerman,
Danville, Pennsylvania.
This company acquired by purchase a con-
trolling interest and in some instances all of
the capital stock, a majority of the bonds, and
in some cases all of the bonds, of the follow-
ing companies : Berwick Electric Light Com-
pany of Berwick; West Berwick Electric
Light, Heat and Power Company, of West
Berwick ; United Gas and Electric Company
of Bloomsburg; Irondale Electric Light, Heat
and Power Company of Bloomsburg; Standard
Gas Light Company of Danville ; Danville
Electric Light Company of Danville; Nesco-
peck Light, Heat and Power Company of
Nescopeck ; Columbia and Montour Electric
Railway, and Danville and Bloomsburg Street
Railway Companies.
In order that the territory of operation of
the company might be legally organized and
the light, heat and power furnished by any one
of the subsidiary or operated companies man-
aged by the company and as required by the
statutes of the Commonwealth, the company
procured to be organized and purchased all of
tlie capital stock of the following named light,
heat and power companies : Briar Creek Elec-
tric Company, Catawissa Electric Company,
Centre Township Electric Company, Cooper
Electric Company, Gearhart Electric Company,
Hemlock Electric Company, Mahoning Elec-
tric Company, Miftlin Township Electric Com-
pany, Montour Electric Company, Riverside
Electric Company, Salem Electric Company,
Scott Township Electric Company, Shickshin-
ny Electric Company, Valley Township Elec-
tric Company. West Hemlock Electric Com-
pany— $5,000 each, the total being $75,000.
It was the ultimate purpose of the company,
as the sole or principal stockholder of the re-
spective subsidiary or operated companies, to
cause the merger of the railway companies
into one company and all of the light, heat and
power companies into one company, so that
the subsidiary or operated companies should
consist of one transportation company and one
light, heat and power company. This was
accomplished bv agreements of merger and
consolidation dated Feb. 7, 191 1, forming the
Columbia and Montour Electric Railway Com-
pany and the Columbia Gas and Electric Com-
pany, and all the territory operated by the
company through its subsidiary companies in
52
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the counties of Luzerne, Columbia and Mon-
tour brought under the requirements of the
statutes of the State relative to tlie supply
of light, heat and power within the territory
of the franchise and to persons and companies
in the territory contiguous thereto.
In undertaking the work of the operation
of the various subsidiary companies, the neces-
sity of a change in the power for operation
was early felt. Each of the respective operated
companies was producing its own motive
power, with a multiplicity of engines, gen-
erators and machinery, and each with its force
of employees. Indeed it was one of the pri-
mary conceptions in the economic operation of
these companies to secure either a common
center of power within the territory, or a
power from a distance outside of the terri-
tory from which all the subsidiary companies
might be operated from a common source or
by the manipulation of a single unit. In con-
summation of this design the company, through
the Nescopeck Light, Heat and Power Com-
pany, on the 5th day of June, 1909, caused the
execution of a contract for the supply of
power with the Harwood Electric Company,
by which the latter named company agreed
to furnish by the ist of January, 1910, suffi-
cient common power to operate the transporta-
tion companies and all of the light, heat and
power companies, to the maximum amount of
five thousand kilowatts.
The plant of the Harwood Electric Company
is located at Harwood Mines, in Luzerne coun-
ty. Pa., distant some sixteen miles southeast
of Berwick. The steampower for the genera-
tion of electricity is produced by the consum])-
tion of the refuse of the mining operations of
the Pardee Estate extending over a period of
some forty years, which, having been produced
in mining operations when only the choicest
coal was sent into commerce, contains vast de-
posits of washable and commercial coal as
used in modern economics, amounting to mil-
lions of tons, which under the present rate of
consumption will not be consumed in half a
century. In addition to this, vast deposits of
virgin coal owned by the estate may be con-
sidered supplementary or additional to the
capacity of this vast concern.
The plant proper constitutes one of the
finest, if not the finest, plants for the produc-
tion of electricitv known to modern engineer-
ing. It has been recently constructed, with
the most approved and latest appliances, at an
expenditure of several millions of dollars, and
has a present contemplated maximum capacity
of some twenty-five thousand kilowatts, now
operating 9,000 kilowatts and supplying an ex-
tensive territory in the immediate location of
the plant, besides the power furnisned to our
local companies. The current is transmitted
by a douDie line of triple wires or cables, con-
stituting two units of transmission, so that
an accident to one line may be overcome by
the use of its alternate.
Under the contract, the power is delivered
at a point in Nescopeck township, Luzerne
county, on the south bank of the Susquehanna
river and is carried thence over the river by
cables suspended upon steel abutments or
towers, clearing the entire water space by one
span, the length of which is 2,300 feet. Tlience
it is carried to Berwick, where it is measured
by a system of meters and reduced and divided
to the uses of the respective operated com-
panies. This is accomplished by a line of
cables extending from Berwick to Danville,
erected proportionately by each of the respec-
tive power companies the territory of which is
invaded by the line, each company using such
part of the current as its necessities may re-
quire. The transportation companies use the
current after a transmutation from alternat-
ing current to direct current, by efficient gen-
erators employed by these companies.
As an auxiliary and additional power, the
plant of the Irondale Light, Heat and Power
Company has been equipped to develop its
waterpower to a potentiality of eight hundred
horsepower, with an equal alternate or auxil-
iary steampower, which under the Harwood
contract may be used singly or doubly, at the
pleasure of that company. The powerhouse
at Irondale has consequently been remodeled
and new and effective machinery installed for
this general purpose. The primary purpose of
the Irondale equipment is to act as a governor
and reduce the peak of the load, and in opera-
tion not only does this, but reduces the general
consumption of the Harwood current. This
effects the most approved engineering scheme
for the reduction of the cost of power under
the contract with the Harwood Electric Com-
pany and in effect produces in the operation of
both plants a constant, unfluctuating and effi-
cient current, which is surpassed at no plant
in the United States.
All of the various subsidiary companies were
operated by the Columbia Power, Light and
Railways Company as a holding company un-
til May 26, 191 1, when the gentlemen inter-
ested in the company, believing that its securi-
ties would find a more ready market if each
company were operated direct, rather than
through the medium of a holding company.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
53
caused to be incorporated the Columhia and
Montour Electric Company.
The incorporators ot this company were E.
R. Sponsler, \V. F. Lowry, Myron I. Low,
C. M. Crevehng, A. W. L)uy, the company
having an authorized capital of $525,000 and
an authorized bond issue of $525,000. This
company subsequently purchased outright
from the holding company and from the
various subsidiary companies all the right,
property and franchises of the gas, electric
light and power companies, and they are now
being operated by the Columbia and Montour
Electric Company, which company also ac-
quired ninety-hve per cent of the capital stock
of the Columbia and Montour Electric Railway
Company, and controls the management and
operation of that corporation.
In 1913, the name of the Columbia and
Montour Electric Railway Company, because
of its similarity to the name of the power
company, was changed by appropriate action
and is now the North Branch Transit Com-
pany. Since June i, 1913, both the power
company and the transit company have been
under the management of H. D. Walbridge &
Company, No. 14 Wall street. New York.
Nearly all of the original local incorporators
retained an interest in the two companies.
Through the firm of H. D. Walbridge &
Company the local companies are affiliated with
the Northern Central Company and the North-
umberland County Gas and Electric Company,
and supply w^ith gas and electricity the follow-
ing territory : Nescopeck, in Luzerne county ;
Berwick, West Berwick, Bloomsburg, Cata-
wissa and intermediate villages, in Columbia
county; Danville, in Montour county; Selins-
grove and Lewisburg, in Union county; Sun-
bury, Northumlierland, Milton, Watsontown
and Turbotville, in Northumberland county.
BRIDGES
BERWICK
The first bridge across the Susquehanna at
Berwick was authorized by the Legislature in
1807, and an organization was made five years
later, with Abraham Miller as president; John
Brown, treasurer, and Silas Engle, Thomas
Bowman and Elisha Barton as managers. This
bridge was completed in 1814 by Theodore
Burr at a cost of $=^2,000. Its length was 1,260
feet and it rested on timber piers, boxed in
with heavy planks. In the winter of 1835-36
it was carried away by the ice. The follow-
ing year Jesse Bowman, Josiah T. Black,
Samuel F. Headley, A. B. Wilson and Robert
McCurdy secured an appropriation of $10,000
from the Legislature and erected the second
bridge. This was a covered wooden arch
bridge, and was operated for some years as a
toll bridge by the company. It was made a
free county bridge by proceedings in court in-
stituted by a petition of citizens of Berwick
and Nescopeck filed May I, 1899. A. J. Derr,
J. C. Brown and G. W. Keiter were appointed
viewers, and on Sept. 25, 1899, they reported
in favor of a free bridge, and assessed the
damages to be paid to the bridge company at
$25,349, which action was approved by the
grand jury. After some delay caused by a
motion for time to file an appeal by the bridge
company, the court made an order on Feb. 5,
1900, declaring this bridge a free county
bridge. This being a bridge between Colum-
bia and Luzerne counties similar action had
been taken in the Luzerne County court, and
a similar order made. The Luzerne county
viewers were George J. Llewellyn, W. H.
Sturdevant and C. A. Shea, who with the
Columbia county viewers had met and con-
sidered the matter, and had made their joint
report in favor of the bridge and assessing
the damages on July 21, 1899. This bridge
was destroyed by the flood of March, 1904.
Proceedings were at once started to have it
replaced by the State in April, 1904. The
report being favorable, the contract was let
on June 13, 1905, to the York Bridge Company
for $209,500, and an iron and steel bridge
was erected and completed in 1906. It is
one of the finest structures that crosses the
river anywhere. A free ferrv was maintained
by the two counties during its construction.
DANVILLE
The Danville Bridge Company was chartered
Jan. 2, 1S28, the officers of the company being:
Daniel Monts'oinerv, president ; James Long-
head, treasurer; John Cooper, secretary; John
C. Boyd, William Colt, Peter Baldy, Sr., Wil-
lifim Boyd, Andrew McReynolds, Robert C.
Grier, managers. On the 3d of March of that
year a contract was made with John P. Schuy-
ler and James Fletcher for the construction of
the first bridge. The work on the foundations
began in that month, and in January, 1829,
the bridge was completed, the company accept-
ing it the following month. The State held a
small amount of stock in this bridge. Daniel
HofTman was appointed the first toll collector,
at a salary of $65 a year.
On Alarch 14, 1846, the bridge was swept
54
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
away by a flood, Daniel Blizzard being carried
down with it and rescued with great difficulty
near the old stone house. The company until
then had declared eleven dividends, but it was
not till 1863 that another was declared. After
the destruction of the bridge the company
made a contract with Chester Evans and David
N. Kownover to rebuild it. Evans disposed
of his share in the contract, and his partner
completed it.
The second bridge stood the storms and
floods for many seasons, until 1S75, when it
too was swept away by the terrific impact of
the Catawissa bridge, which was borne down
upon it by a tremendous flood on St. Patrick's
day of that year. The following year the
bridge was rebuilt, H. F. Hawke & Co. doing
the stone work, and the Smith Iron Bridge
Company, of Ohio, the framework and super-
structure. This was also a toll bridge and
the toil keepers at different dates were : Daniel
Hoffman, Rudolph Sechler, E. Mellon, Isaiah
S. Thornton and Joseph Hunter. The bridge
was a fourth of a mile in length, with a
covered footway on each side, shut entirely off
from the central roadway.
The officers of the company in 1886 were :
A. J. Frick, president; J. C. Grove, secretary
and treasurer; W. H. Magill, A. J. Frick, Isaac
X. Grier, Wilson Metter, G. M. Shoop, B. R.
Gearhart, Amos Vastine, managers.
This bridge was replaced in 1904 by a steel
structure of truss construction, by the State
and county authorities of Montour and North-
umberland, and was made a free bridge by
order of court. Henry R. Leonard was the
engineer for the State, and the contractors
were the King Bridge Company, of Cleveland,
Ohio.
CATAV/ISSA
The necessity for a bridge across the river at
Catawissa induced citizens of that town to pe-
tition the Legislature as early as 1816 to
authorize the opening of subscription books
for that purpose. Although some stock was
subscribed for, the project languished for
twelve years. Then the near completion of
the North Branch canal caused renewed inter-
est and an appropriation of $5,000 was obtained
from the State. Subscriptions were obtained
with more ease and a committee, consisting of
George Taylor, Jacob Alter, Philip Rebsome,
George Keim, John Rebsome, George Getz,
Henry Foster. John C. Appelman. Samuel
Brooke, Benjamin Beaver, Peter Schmick,
George H. Willets, Stacy Margerum, John
Barton, William McKelvey, reorganized the
company on a firm financial basis and erected
a bridge at a cost of $26,000. It was opened
for travel Jan. 15, 1833.
The location was changed from that first
selected, at the mouth of Fishing creek, to the
site of the present bridge. This bridge suf-
fered several times from freshets and ice. In
1846 five spans were destroyed, but were re-
built the following year. In 1875 the entire
superstructure was swept away, and a truss
bridge was built to replace it the same year.
All of these bridges were operated on the toll
plan.
When proceedings were started for a free
county bridge at Bloomsburg, the stockholders
of the Catawissa toll bridge became fearful
that their property would be depreciated there-
by, and so they and other citizens filed a peti-
tion in court in December, 1892, asking the
appointment of viewers to report on the ex-
pediency of making the Catawissa bridge a free
county bridge. H. H. Hulme, J. W. Hoffman,
White Snyder, Joseph Sponenberg, A. K.
Smith and P. Hippensteel were appointed
viewers, and filed their report in September,
1893, in favor of the proposition, fixing the
price to be paid by the county at $34,000. On
the same day the grand jury approved the re-
port. Exceptions were filed, and after a hear-
ing and numerous delays the court ordered the
bridge made free of tolls on Nov. 9, 1893. The
same day the commissioners approved of this
action, and tolls ceased at 2 :30 p. m. on Friday,
Nov. II, 1893.
In September, 1896, the bridge was lifted off
the piers from end to end and thrown over into
the river by a windstorm. The commission-
ers, acting under the law of 1895, providing
that the State shall rebuild county bridges that
are destroyed by stonn or fire, took the prop-
er legal steps to have the State replace the
bridge. The contract for an iron and steel
bridge was let to the Penn Bridge Company,
for $124,900. It was completed and accepted,
and used until March 9, 1904, when the ice
flood carried away two spans. Again the State
rebuilt it, putting up an entirely new struc-
ture, much better than the first one. This
was opened for travel in May, 1908. During
the intervals when these bridges were build-
ing the county maintained a free ferry at this
point.
BLOOMSBURG
On Aug. 23, 1S92, a petition was presented
to the court by citizens asking for a free county
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
55
bridge across the Susquehanna river at Blooms-
burg, and on the same day the court appointed
C. H. Moore, M. C. Vance and Simon Hons
viewers to report on the same. On Sept. 21st
a petition was presented by citizens of Cata-
wissa to stay the proceedings. An answer was
filed and depositions taken, and Judge Savidge
of Sunbury was called in by Judge Ikeler to
hear and decide the case. The latter petition
was dismissed by Judge Savidge, and to this
action exceptions were filed, and also a peti-
tion for reviewers, the first viewers having re-
ported in favor of a bridge. After some
skirmishing between the parties, C. W. Eves,
W. S. Fisher and G. B. Hendershott were ap-
pointed, and on May i, 1893, they reported in
favor of a bridge; this report was laid before
the grand jury on May 3d and approved by
them with the recommendation that the bridge
be erected at the expense of the county.
On May 4th more exceptions were filed by
opponents of the bridge, and the matter
dragged along from time to time until Nov.
9th, when the court made the following order:
"And now, November 9, 1893, all excep-
tions having been withdrawn in open court and
all adverse proceedings abandoned, the report
of the reviewers and Grand Jury is approved,
and it is adjudged that the said bridge is neces-
sary as a county bridge, and that the same is
too expensive for the township of Catawissa
and tile Town of Bloomsburg to bear, and upon
the concurrent approval of the same by the
county commissioners the said bridge is ordered
to be entered of record as a county bridge."
The commissioners concurred, and on Nov.
25th they had a letting, and after due consid-
eration awarded the contract for the super-
structure to the King Bridge Company, and
for the masonry and other work to Joseph
Hendler. J. C. Brown was employed by the
commissioners to prepare the plans and speci-
fications, and to make an estimate of cost, and
also to be the supervising engineer of the work.
The estimated cost was $69,256. Jesse Rit-
tenhouse, B. F. Edgar and C. L. Sands were
the county commissioners at the time. The
bridge is iron and steel, and is 1,150 feet long,
with six spans. The cost of the superstruc-
ture was $35,500; of the substructure $35,-
415.46, and the riprapping and filling $2,384.21,
making the total cost $73,299.67.
MIFFLIN
Feeling the necessity for a bridge across the
river at Mifflinville, citizens of Mifflin and
Centre township presented a petition to the
court on January 7, 1901, asking for the ap-
pointment of viewers. T. H. B. Davis, J. P.
Fry and J. C. Brown were appointed. On
Feb. 4th the viewers reported in favor of a
bridge, and on the same day the grand jury ap-
proved it. Then came exceptions and a peti-
tion for reviewers, but this finally resulted in
an order of the court in favor of the bridge
on July 7, 1902, and the same day the commis-
sioners approved the same. On July 26th the
commissioners adopted plans, specifications
and estimates submitted by J. C. Brown at their
request, he having been selected as supervis-
ing engineer. The estimated cost was $96,547.
The contract was awarded to C. H. Reimard
for $93,985, who sublet the superstructure to
the King Bridge Company for $56,600. The
work was well under way, and three spans
were completed when the flood of 1904 de-
stroyed the bridge. It looked then as if the
bridge would never be rebuilt by the county.
In 1905 a bill passed the Legislature which
authorized the State to build uncompleted
bridges exceeding 1,000 feet in length over any
river, whenever any portions of said bridge
already erected have been destroyed by floods
before final completion thereof, and where it
appears that over half of the contract price has
already been paid before such destruction.
The bill was drawn by Hon. Fred Ikeler while
a member, and was passed largely through
his influence. Proceeding under this law, a
petition was filed in the Dauphin County court
asking for the appointment of viewers in the
matter of rebuilding the bridge across the Sus-
quehanna river at Mifflinville. W. H. Eyer,
C. A. Small and E. C. Hummer were appointed,
and filed their report on June 25, 1905, in favor
of the bridge. The report was approved by
the court, and the bridge ordered to be built
by the State. Exceptions were filed and after
some delay by litigation the contract was
awarded to the York Bridge Company for the
superstructure.
The work was progressing and the second
span was just completed when, Dec. 10, 1907,
as the workmen were fastening it to the pier,
the false work underneath was carried away
by the flood in the river at the time, and the
entire span went down, carrying with it forty
men, all but seven of whom were rescued.
The bodies of the latter excepting two were
recovered down the river at various points,
some a long distance away. The loss to the
builders was about $10,000. The bridge was
completed and opened for travel in 1908. A
long delay was caused by litigation with the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the latter
56
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
objecting to a grade crossing. The litigation
ended by a decision of the Supreme court that
an overhead crossing must be provided, and
this was accordingly done. This bridge is
1,226 feet long, with six spans, and is a fine
structure of iron and steel.
Prior to the building of the Mifflin and
Bloom bridges ferries were operated at Mifflin-
ville. Lime Ridge, Espy and Bloomsburg.
In 1914 Columbia county has over two hun-
dred bridges to keep in repair. Most of the
smaller bridges are being replaced by con-
crete structures, which will last for ages with
no repairs. The one at Slabtown, over Roar-
ing creek, built in 1913, is as fine an example
of this class of bridge as can be found in the
State.
BRIDGES AND THE FLOOD OF I9O4
The Susquehanna valley was visited by a
flood in January, 1904, which surpassed in ex-
tent any previous flood in this section. The
river was gorged with ice, and the rapid rise
of the water turned it from the channel out
on the low lands all along the course of the
river. The lower portions of Bloomsburg,
Catawissa, Rupert, Espy, and all along the line,
were submerged, and the trolley and railroads
were unable to operate for three days. Great
damage was done to property, but no lives
were lost. The flood subsided without carry-
ing away any of the river bridges, but the ice
gorge still remained.
Only two weeks later the waters rose again,
causing the greatest flood in the history of the
valley. The first movement in the ice gorge
was observed at Berwick on Tuesday, Feb.
9th, and the Berwick bridge was soon torn
from the piers and toppled over into the rag-
ing flood. One span was carried down stream
on the ice to Mifflinville, where it jammed into
the uncompleted iron bridge, and carried of? a
span. The remaining spans soon followed.
Of the other spans of the Berwick bridge, one
lodged near the Berwick falls and the others
were carried downstream to a point near
Briar Creek. The commissioners of Luzerne
and Columbia counties at once decided to burn
these spans to prevent their being carried down
stream to do damage to the bridges below, and
this was accordingly done.
For two weeks the flood conditions im-
proved. There were warm rains which gave
rise to the hope that this would rot the ice, so
that it would break up and pass off without
gorging. And then came a third flood, more
disastrous than the first two, the water ris-
ing more than forty-one feet above the low
water mark. When it is stated that in some
places icebergs weighing many tons were left
in fields a half mile away from the regular
channel of the river, the extent of the flood
may be more fully realized. All the railroads
except the Bloomsburg & Sullivan were again
out of commission, and great damage was
done from one end of the valley to the other.
The Bloomsburg bridge seemed doomed, as
the ice was up to the floor, but it escaped with
only the west end being sprung out of place
about three feet, and when the ice passed
away it settled back into place.
The Catawissa bridge did not fare so well.
Two of the spans were carried ofT, and lay
bent and twisted about one hundred yards be-
low. The covered wooden bridge at the paper
mill over Catawissa creek was swept away
and lodged up against the Pennsylvania rail-
road bridge. By an agreement with the com-
missioners the railroad company was permitted
to destroy it to save its own. Many other
county bridges were also destroyed by this
flood.
As previously stated, the Catawissa bridge
was again erected by the State, and completed
in 1908.
County Bridge at Bloomsdl'kg, Pa.
Berwick Bridge — Where Steamboat Accident Occurred
CHAPTER VI
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS
The earliest influence tending to bind to-
gether the colonists in Columbia and Montour
counties was a religious one. Most of the
pioneers had strongly cherished religious
affiliations, and were thus brought togetlier
in the practice of their individual form of
worship of the Creator. These bonds of
sympatuy compacted the community and
eventually led to some more permanent form
of organization in a religious way. By this
means the various denominations in early
times established the foundations of their
churches which have since been most faith-
fully preserved and deepened, until in 1914
the strength of religious convictions has be-
come so firmly fixed in the two counties as
to be a part of the life and well-being of the
entire community.
Fifty years ago it was no uncommon thing
for a country minister to travel twenty miles
on a Sunday to serve three congregations.
Now, in 19 14, the automobile has made travel
so much easier that even the little country
parsonage has a garage attached to it and the
parson may often be seen speeding along the
highways to visit a parishioner or hold Sab-
bath services. The auto has also proved an
important factor in the reduction of the coun-
try church attendance. Farmers can now at-
tend the larger churches in the towns and
mingle with the urban worshipers there, often
causing such a dwindling of attendance at the
little village church that it is finally forced to
close. Many of the wayside temples are now
abandoned, while others are opened only at
irregular and infrequent periods. The final
abandonment of many of them has been de-
layed by the associations of the old burying
grounds beside them, where fathers and grand-
fathers, mothers and grandmothers are laid at
rest. Manv of these cemeteries are over a hun-
dred years old — for example, Hidlay in Scott
township, the Quaker burying grounds at
Catawipsa. Millville, Roaringcreek and Green-
wood, Columbia county, and the old cemeteries
at New Columbia (Swenoda), Derry, VVash-
ingtonville and Danville, Montour county.
These ancient places of sepulture will always
be tenderly cared for, and the old churches
near will be preserved as monuments to the
piety of the past.
In this year of 1914 the work of country
ministers is difticult and poorly paid. Most
of them serve several charges, which means
holding service in one church in the morning,
another in the afternoon, and a final service
in the evening. The salary of the pastor is
seldom large enough to warrant the purchase
of an auto, but many of the ministers of
Columbia and Montour counties have been
compelled to draw upon their meager stipend
for this purpose. Still, as in the past, these
faithful pastors jog along the country roads,
chatting with the farmers, cheering the down-
hearted, comforting the disconsolate, settling
petty quarrels, praying with their parishioners,
marrying them, baptizing the little ones, mak-
ing their wills, and finally burying them and
giving consolation to the mourning family.
Rev. A. Houtz, of Orangeville, is one of
these old-time pastors carried on into the mod-
ern days, and now retired from active work.
He says that the labors of the country pastor
are as hard as in the early days of the churches,
but the compensation is still the same. How-
ever, he says the congregations in the country
churches are more appreciative — they seem
almost to hunger for the services.
The growth of the churches here has been
steadily upward, as may be seen from the de-
tailed descriptions which follow. The oldest
sect, the Societv of Friends, which was at one
time the most important in the State, has
dwindled in numbers greatly during the years
that have elapsed since the first monthly meet-
ing was established, but though the tendency
of the present day for more worldly methods
of worship has diminished the numbers of the
Quakers, their deeds and records of the past,
all of a beneficial and substantial character,
57
58
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
religious and material, will always remain
'interwoven in the fibre of the history of Penn-
sylvania, and brighten its pages for all time.
Were it not for the custom of the Quakers
to care for the education of the children, but
few of the settlers of other sects could have
gained a knowledge of the necessary rudiments
of the English language. And still more cred-
itable to the admirable system of the Quakers
was the fact that any could attend these schools
without attempts being made to influence their
religious belief.
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS
In the absence of regular ministers the
Society of Friends was best equipped for
establishing public worship, and the presence
of a considerable number of this sect at Cata-
wissa led to the founding of a meeting there
in 1787. For twenty years it continued to be
the rallying point for the denomination in this
region. A monthly meeting was established
here in 1796, but in 1808 this was removed to
Muncy on account of extensive emigration of
the sect from Catawissa.
In 1795 a meeting was established in Green-
wood township, and a year later another was
established in Locust. In 1S14 a monthly
meeting was established at the latter place
and is still continued. A monthly meeting was
also established at Berwick in 1800, which con-
tinued with gradually diminishing strength un-
til about 1865, when it ceased to e.xist.
The society was more firmly established in
Greenwood township, where many members
of the sect have resided continuously since the
first settlement. In 1834 the different meet-
ings of the sect were associated in a half-yearly
meeting here, and in 1856 the Muncy meeting
was transferred here also. Although the
name is retained and occasional meetings held
in Locust and Catawissa, the chief activity of
this denomination is confined to Greenwood,
where there are two well supported meetings.
PRESBYTERIAN
The Scotch-Irish were an important element
in the pioneer life of this State and gave early
prominence to the Presbyterian denomination,
to which they generally belonged. James Mc-
Clure, who came to the region of Bloomsburg
in 1772, was probably the first representative
of this sect in Columbia county, but it was
some years later before any organized effort
was made to propagate its tenets here.
In 1789 this region is mentioned under the
name ot ' Fishingcreek, in connection with
Mahoning, Chilhsquaque and neighboring
localities, as in the Presbytery of Carlisle. This
Presbytery had been formed three years be-
fore, but this region probably remained un-
occupied until 1792, when Rev. Mr. Wilson,
a licentiate of the Synod of New York, and a
Mr. Henry were appointed to cultivate the
field. Two years later Rev. John Bryson was
sent to this region and became pastor at War-
rior's Run and Chilhsquaque, where he con-
tinued to serve for nearly half a century. In
the following year Rev. John Porter was com-
missioned to start from Fishing creek and
missionize up the river to Wyoming and Tioga
Point. The names of Rev. Benjamin Judd,
Ira Condit and William Spear, the latter a
licentiate, appear also as appointed to mission-
ize at this period along the east branch of the
Susquehanna. Revs. Andrews and Gray also
did more or less missionary labor in this field.
The first church of this denomination, known
then as "Briarcreek" and at present as "Hid-
lay" Church, was organized about 1796 in
Centre township, the house of worship being
built in that year. In 181 7 a second church
was organized in Bloomsburg with three mem-
bers, who immediately set about erecting a
commodious building. A third organization
was eft'ected at Berwick in 1827; another in
Orange township in 1842 ; in Greenwood the
following year; in Scott in 1853; in Sugarloaf
in 1858; and in Centralia in 1867. The Sugar-
loaf church was later removed to Benton.
The first pastor to reside permanently in this
section was Rev. Asa Dunham, whose home
was near Buckhorn. He was a soldier of the
Revolution, having served directly under
Washington. In 1799 he was appointed to
serve in the counties of Luzerne and North-
umberland, the latter then including Columbia
county, and for many years served the churches
at Briar Creek and Fishing Creek, traveling
through the entire region and preaching
wherever a class could be assembled.
After 1817 Rev. John B. Patterson and Rev.
Samtiel Henderson were engaged in the work
in these counties, the former at Bloomsburg
and the latter at Briar Creek. From 1824 to
1830 the pastors who labored in this field were
Revs. John Niblock, James Levs'ers, Crosby,
Matthew B. Patterson, Robert Bryson, Robert
Dunlap and Ezra S. Ely.
In 1832 Rev. John P. Hudson, a Virginian,
was appointed stated supply for the churches
at Bloomsburg, Briar Creek and New Colum-
bia. He always rode a blooded horse, famous
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
59
for speed, which served him well in the many
and lengthy trips around the circuit.
The succeeding pastor to this charge was
Rev. M. Tobey, who remained but a short time.
Rev. Daniel M. Barber, who had established a
school for young ladies near Washingtonville,
ne.xt took the New Columbia charge. At the
same date Rev. D. M. Halliday was pastor at
Danville.
Next in 1838 came Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr.,
whose life work in both the religious and
material field has left a permanent impress on
the history of Columbia county. His charge
embraced all the country from the mouth of
Roaring creek to Little mountain, and along
the Susquehanna to Nanticoke, with North
mountain for the upper boundary, a territory
nearly forty miles square. One sermon a fort-
night was all that could be allotted to Blooms-
burg and Berwick, while other points were
restricted to services once a month.
At first the residence of the pastor was at
Espy, as the most central point, but later, when
Berwick was set ofif as a separate charge, Cata-
wissa offered better inducements for a time.
Among the early pastors in this section may
be mentioned Revs. Daniel M. Barber, A. H.
Hand, S. S. Shedden, George W. Thompson,
Charles Williamson and James J. Hamilton,
in Columbia county ; and Revs. John Bryson,
Halliday, Yeomans, John B. Patterson, Dun-
ham, William Smith, Nicholas Patterson,
Isaac Grier, Hood and Ijams, in Montour
county.
Detailed histories of the different churches
of both counties will be found in the chapters
devoted to the separate divisions. The list of
pastors, location of churches, and other statis-
tics for 1914 are here presented :
Sunday
Pastor Members School
William Gemmill, Millville
J. Horner Kerr, Orangeville 70 72
John B. Grier, Danville
James W. Kirk, Mahoning 337 27s
William R. Mather, Raven Creek
Spencer C. Dickson, Bloomsburg 443 440
Edward A. Lou.x, Berwick 499 361
Robert P. Howie, Mooresburg 92 132
Arturo D'Albergo, West Berwick
G. A. Lenkel, Centralia 48 60
All of the above churches are in the Presby-
tery of Northumberland. The following
churches are vacant, the pulpits being occa-
sionally filled by request : Briar Creek, New
Columbia, Washingtonville, Benton, Derry and
Rohrsburg.
METHODIST
The introduction of Methodism into Colum-
bia county was made probably through the in-
strumentality of Bishop Asbury, the founder
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ameri-
ca. It was under his preaching in Northamp-
ton county that the Bowmans were converted.
They subsequently removed to Berwick, and
it was probably through their representations
that the Bishop was led to come here. At that
time he ordained these men who subsequently
became such a power for good. Other itin-
erants who came here on missionary tours were
Revs. William Colbert, James Paynter, Morris
Howe and Robert Burch, but they did not seem
to etfect any permanent organization.
In the valley of Briar creek, four miles dis-
tant from Berwick, near the present village of
that name, resided the Bowmans, Thomas and
Christopher, both ministers of the Methodist
Church. In order that the neighborhood could
have regular religious services, Thomas Bow-
man fitted up the third story of his rather
pretentious stone house as a place of worship,
and invited the Methodists to hold services
therein. This house was used for religious
purposes for many years and stood in a fair
state of repair until 1912. It is now only a'
ruin. Rev. Thomas Bowman later became
the celebrated and eloquent Bishop Bowman,
whose death occurred in 191 4.
In the year 1805, under the joint ministry
of Revs. James Paynter and Joseph Carson, a
great revival was held, the country for forty
miles around feeling the impulse. As a direct
result a class was formed at Berwick, and this
point was made a regular appointment of the
Wyoming circuit, which extended from North-
umberland to Tioga Point. In 1806 it was
attached to the Northumberland circuit, with
which it. was associated until 1831, when the
church work had so increased that the Ber-
wick circuit was formed, embracing twenty-
eight preaching places, of which the following
were in Columbia county : Benton, Berwick,
Bloomsburg, Buckhorn, Espy, Jerseytown,
Light Street, Mififlinville and Orangeville.
In 1886 there were forty-two churches in
Columbia county of the Methodist denomina-
tion, and in Montour county there were eight.
Since that date the denomination has grown
steadily in strength and numbers and in the
year 19 14 is the strongest religious denomina-
tion in both of these counties.
The first regular conference appointments
for the different stations in Columbia county
were made in 1791, when it was in the North-
60
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
uniberland circuit, which extended from that
town up the North Branch to the Wyoming
valley, and up the West Branch to Great Island.
The distance traveled by the circuit rider
in making his rounds was three hundred miles,
which was accomplished in six weeks. When
the nature of the country and roads, and the
pittance allowed the ministers of those times,
are taken into consideration it may well be
admitted that their labors were distinctly un-
selfish, and the results of their efforts re-
markable.
This territory was for many years supplied
by only two ministers and included the pres-
ent circuits and stations of W'illiamsport,
Newbury, Muncy, Milton, Northumberland,
Mifflinburg, Lewisburg, Catawissa, Blooms-
burg, Berwick. Bloomingdale, Orangeville,
Sunbury and Bellefonte. Previous to 1804
Danville circuit belonged to the Philadelphia
conference, but in that year was transferred to
the Baltimore conference. In 1807 it was re-
turned to the Philadelphia conference, in 1810
it was included in the Genesee conference, and
in 1S20 it was reassigned to the Baltimore con-
ference.
The preachers who labored in the old North-
umberland circuit were :
1791 — Richard Parrott. Lewis Browning.
1792 — James Campbell. William Colbert.
1793 — James Campbell, James Paynter.
1794 — Robert Manley. Jolm Broadhead.
1795 — James Ward. Stephen Timmons.
1796 — John Seward, Richard Sneath.
1797 — John Lackey, Jolm Higby.
179S — John Lackey, John Lead.
1799 — James Moore, Benjamin Bidlack, David
Stephens.
1800 — Ephraim Chambers, Edward Larkin, Asa
Smith.
1801 — Johnston Dimham, Gilbert Carpenter.
1802 — .^nning Owen, James .'\ikins.
1803 — Daniel Ryan, James Ridgeway.
1804 — Thomas .\dams. Gideon Draper.
1805 — Christopher Prey. James Saunders.
1806 — Robert Burch. John Swartzwelder.
1807 — Nicholas Willis. Joel Smith.
1808 — Thomas Curren, John Rhodes,
1809 — Timothy Lee, Loring Grant.
1810 — .Abraham Dawson, Isaac Puffer,
l8n— B. G. Paddock, J. H. Baker. R. Lanning.
1812 — George Thomas, Ebenezer Doolittle,
1813 — Joseph Kincaid, Joseph Chambcrlayne.
1814 — John Haggard. Abraham Dawson.
1815— Reynolds M. Everts, I, B. Cook.
1816 — John Thomas. Alpheus Davis.
1817 — Benjamin Bidlack, Peter Baker.
1818 — Gideon Lanning, Abraham Dawson.
1819 — John Rhodes. Darius Williams.
1820 — John Rhodes. Israel B. Cook.
1821 — Marmaduke Pearce, John Thomas.
1822 — John Thomas, Mordecai Barry.
1823 — Jacob B. Shephard, Mordecai Barry.
1824 — Robert Cadden. F. McCartney.
1825 — Robert Cadden, Richard Bond.
1826 — John Thomas, George Hildt.
1827 — John Thomas, David Shaver.
1828 — Charles Kalbfus, William James.
1829 — James W. Donahay, Josiah Forrest.
1830 — James W. Etonahay, A, A, Eskridge.
Berwick circuit was formed in 183 1, Dan-
ville remaining in the old Northumberland cir-
cuit until 1836. The pastors of the Danville
circuit were :
1831 — David Shaw.
1832 — Marmaduke Pearce. James Forrest.
1833 — Josiah Forrest, James Reed.
1S34 — Henry Tarring, Oliver Ege.
1835 — Henry Tarring. Jolm Guyer, R. Beers, Thomas
Meyers.
1836— Joseph S. Lee, R. W. H. Brent.
1837 — Samuel Ellis. Stephen Hildebrand.
183S— Robert T. Nixon, William Hirst.
1839 — Robert T. Nixon. J. W. Houghewent.
1840 — George Bergstresser, Joseph A. Ross.
1841 — George Bergstresser, George Guyer.
1842 — Tohn Ball, Tames Guyer.
1843— John Ball, S. G. Hare.
1844 — James Ewing, George A. Coffey.
1845 — James Ewing, B. ¥. Brooks.
Pastors of the Berwick circuit were :
1831 — William Prettyman, Wesley Howe.
1832 — William Prettyman, Oliver Ege.
1833 — Marmaduke Pearce. Alem Brittain.
1834-35 — John Rhodes, J. H. Young.
1836— J. Sanks, J. Hall.
1837 — J. Sanks, George Guyer.
1838— Charles Kalbfus, J. Hall.
1S39 — Charles Kalbfus. Penfield Doll.
1840 — James Ewing. William R. Mills.
1841 — James Ewing, W. F. D. Clemm.
1842 — Thomas Taneyhill, Joseph A. Ross.
1843 — Thomas Taneyhill, Thomas Bowman.
1844 — Francis N. Mills, W, L. Spottswood.
1845 — John Bowen, W. F. Pentz.
1846— John Bowen, J. W. Bull.
The Bloomsburg circuit was formed in 1847,
and the pastors in charge were :
1847 — S. L. M. Couser. J. Turner.
184S— G. H. Dav, J. W. Elliott.
1849— John W. Gere. G. H. Dav.
1850— J. S. Lee, E, H. Waring.
1851— J. S. Lee, T. M. Goodfellow.
1852 — Thomas Taneyhill, W, E, Buckingham.
1853 — Thomas Taneyhill. J. A. DeMoyer.
1854— J. A. Ross, A. W. Guyer.
1855 — J. Moorhead, F. M. Slusser.
1856 — George Warren, S. Barnes.
1857 — George Warren. N. W. Colburn.
1858-59 — J. Guyer, T. Sherlock.
i860— F. Gearhart, A. R. Riley.
After 1862 the Bloomsburg circuit was di-
vided and Bloomsburg was made a station.
The following are the circuits and stations
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Colum-
bia and Montour counties, together with the
number of members, value of church property
and the names of the pastors in charge in 1914 :
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
61
Station or Circuit Members I'aluation Pastor
Benton circuit 335 $21,000 H. W. Newman
Berwick station •. 1,094 68,000 J. H. Ake
West Berwick station 148 10,200 J. E. Beard
Buckhorn circuit 136 6,000 George Martin
Catawissa station 304 21,500 R. H. Stine
Centralia station 185 8,000 Charles W. Bryner
Conyngham circuit 230 17,000 H. E. Crow
Danville station— St. Paul's 384 33.5oo C. H. Witman
Danville station— Trinity 312 27,500 Alexander Scott
Elysburg circuit 313 19.050 T. F. Ripple
Espy — Lime Ridge circuit 306 3.000 Edmund J . Symons
Jamison City circuit 251 9,ooo J. N. Diehl
Jonestown circuit 177 8,000 Philip Thomas
Mifflinville circuit 240 6,500 J. W. McAlarney
Millville circuit 332 IS.7S0 William Faus
Orangeville circuit 268 12,800 Ariel R. Turner
Roaring Creek circuit 179 8,600 John H. Greenwalt
Rohrsburg circuit 106 7,000 William Shannon
Washingtonville circuit 80 3.900 L. A. Remley
REFORMED AND LUTHERAN creek, Miftlin and occasionally Fishingcreek
townships. His missionary labors extended
Most of the German immigrants to this all over both Columbia and Montour counties,
section were members of either the Lutheran and througii him the church was placed on a
or Reformed Churches, and they brought their firm basis. In 1822 lie removed to Espy and
religious books with them. These they read continued there to preach until his death in
and discussed constantly, in the effort to pre- 1824. He devoted himself so completely to
serve their religious convictions, hoping when the work of the church that he acquired con-
the time was propitious to be able to have the sumption and brought to an untimely close a
benefits of the ministration of leaders of their career whose importance to the community
sects. They were not long without the service was just beginning to get appreciable results,
of their pastors. Among the first of the Luth- He was a fine singer, and he preached ex-
eran missionaries who came to this section clusively in the German language,
were Revs. Seeley, Sharretts, Plitt, Pauls, Kra- In 1829 Rev. Daniel S. Tobias took charge
mer and Baughey, who organized churches — of the Bloomsburg congregation, and in 1844
in 1795 at Catawissa ; 1805 in Briarcreek ; 1808 he was assisted by Rev. Henry Funk, who held
in Locust; 1809 in Mifflin; 1810 in Hemlock; services in the English language. In 1854
and 1812 in Orange townships. In 1886 the Rev. W. Goodrich succeeded them, serving
Lutherans had eighteen churches in Columbia his people for half a century. At the close of
county and ten in Montour county. his ininistry the charge consisted of six con-
The denominational lines between the Luth- gregations, and by his advice the Orangeville
erans and the adherents of the Reformed charge was formed, consisting of the Orange-
Church were not very strictly regarded in ville, Zion and St. James congregations, while
pioneer times, the first churches built by the the remainder included the Bloomsburg, Heller
German settlers being used by both denomina- and Catawissa churches. In 1886 there were
tions, alternately, all the people usually attend- twelve Reformed churches in Columbia county
ing both services. This custom of having and three in Montour county. In most in-
union churches has continued until the present stances the congregations were cooperating
time in almost every instance, the occasional with the Lutherans in the use of a single
exceptions being due to local disagreements, church building. This is also the case in some
The schism in the Lutheran Church has about instances at the present time, although in the
equally divided. the denomination in these two ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ denominations are separated,
counties but there is a lack of the rancor be- j^ ^,^^ Susquehanna is the dividing line
tween the members sometimes met with m , ^ ^ i, ^ . „, . , „ />„
other parts of the State. ^^^^V^^" the Wyoming Classis and East Sus-
The first minister of the Reformed Church quehanna Classis, both of which take in parts
in this section was Rev. Jacob Dieffenbach. of the counties of Columbia and Montour.
He came to Bloomsburg "in 1815, when he There are sixteen churches of the Reformed
was in the prime of life, "and preached in that denomination in the two coiinties, details of
town as well as in Mahoning, Catawissa, Briar- which are given in the following table:
62
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
No. of
Church Members
Mainville — Emmanuel 138
Mifflinville— St. Matthew 36
Numidia — St. Paul 300
Bear Gap — Grace 164
Briarcreek — St. Peter 32
St. James 164
Zion 69
Orangeville 75
Hidlay 49
Bloomsburg 249
Danville — Shiloh 432
Danville— St. John 114
St. James 114
Strawberry Ridge — Trinity 225
Emanuel 93
Berwick — Salem 10
Rev. W. S. Gerhard was succeeded in October, 1914, by Rev. J
Sunday
School
Pastor
45
R. Ira Gass
R. Ira Gass
234
John F. Bair
John F. Bair
64
J. K. Adams
175
W. S. Gerhard
124
W. S. Gerhard
126
W. S. Gerhard
140
W. S. Gerhard
330
P. H. Hoover
325
J. N. Bauman
126
F. W. Brown
152
F. W. Brown
17s
A. F. Dreisbach
85
A. F. Dreisbach
25
J. K. Adams
M. Shaffner
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL
Among the New Jersey immigrants to this
section were many who adhered to the Estab-
lished Church of England, the American
branch of which was the Protestant Episcopal
denomination. Rev. Caleb Hopkins was chief-
ly instrumental in establishing the church at
Bloomsburg in 1793, and in 1812 at Sugarloaf.
A third organization was effected at Jersey-
town at an early date, but no records what-
ever are available regarding it. In i860 Rev.
E. A. Lightner began services in Catawissa
which resulted in the founding of a church
there, and in 1866 Rev. M. Washburn did a
similar work in Centralia. These were the
only churches in Columbia county in 1868, and
in 1914 the number has been increased to five,
the church at Berwick having been founded in
1903.
The Episcopal Church in Montour county
came into being at Danville in 1828, under the
ministrations of Rev. James Depew, of Blooms-
burg. St. James' Church at Exchange was
erected in 1848. Services had been held there
by Rev. Edwin Lightner from 1843, how-
ever. In 1914 the number of Episcopal
churches in Montour county was two.
BAPTISTS
This denomination was chiefly recruited
from the English settlers of the county. The
first church in Columbia county was organ-
ized in Madison township, through the efforts
of Revs. Wolverton, Smiley and Coombs. Two
years later Revs. Joel Rogers and Elias Dod-
son organized another one in Jackson town-
ship, and about 1841 other churches were
founded in Berwick and Bloomsburg. In 1851
an organization of thirtv members was inade
in Centre township, and in 1886 another of
twelve members was effected in Centralia.
The first Baptist services in Montour county
were held in the courthouse at Danville in
1841, Rev. J. S. Miller being the leader at
that period. Services were also held at that
date in the schoolhouse at Exchange. The
Danville church was built in 1844. Rev. An-
drew F. Shanafelt assisted in the organiza-
tion of the church at Whitehall in 1858, and
the same year the first building there was
erected.
At present there are five Baptist churches in
Columljia county, and three in Montour
county.
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Although one of the latest of the religious
denominations to establish themselves in this
section, the Roman Catholics have within re-
cent years attained considerable prominence
and are possessed of valuable property in
various parts of the two counties, while the
congregations have shown a steady and
healthy growth.
The sacrament of the Mass was celebrated
in Bloomsburg as early as 1829, by Father
Fitzpatrick of Milton, but there is no record
of other services liere until 1844, when Father
Fitzsimmons held services on several occa-
sions in a private house. The first regular
services in a building of their own were held
by the members of this denomination in 1874.
The organization of the church at Centralia
was made in 1869 by Father D. J. McDermott,
and the cornerstone of the church there was
laid in the same year. The church at Berwick
was established in 1899, under the ministra-
tions of Father J. R. Murphy, of Bloomsburg.
The mission of Father J. P. Hannigan, in
1847, resulted in the establishment of St.
Joseph's Church at Danville. The first church
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
63
there was built the same year, while the pres-
ent one was built in 1869. St. Hubert's church
was built at Danville in 1862. St. James' Ro-
man Catholic Church at Exchange was estab-
lished many years ago, and in 1910 the old
church on the hill was abandoned and a splen-
did new one built in the village. These repre-
sent the number in Montour county in 1914.
In Columbia county there are two churches in
Berwick, one in Bloomsburg, one in Centralia,
one in the edge of the county at Mount Car-
mel, and one in Locust township, just com-
pleted in 1914.
EVANGELICAL
This denomination came to Columbia county
in 1848, and to Montour county in 1858. In
1886 it had three churches in Scott township,
one at Mifflinville, two in Jackson township,
two in Centre township, two in Briarcreek
township, one in Beaver township, and one in
Bloomsburg. In the same year there was one
church in Danville, and two in other parts of
Montour county. The present number of
churches in Columbia coiinty is thirteen. In
Montour county there are now three churches.
OTHER DENOMINATIONS
The Methodist Protestant, United Brethren,
Christian, Pentecostal and Greek Catholic de-
nominations are represented in the two counties
by organizations which are mentioned in the
sketches of the different sections in which
they are located.
The following table will convey some idea
of the relative standing of the different de-
nominations in both counties. It might be in-
ferred that the Methodists have lost in num-
bers in both counties, but such is not the case,
the only loss being in the number of the
churches, caused by the removal of the mem-
bers to the cities and towns. In fact, the
majority of the denominations have gained in
numbers steadily, the exceptions being the
Quakers and the Methodist Protestant sects.
Columbia Montour
Co. Co.
. Denomination 1886 1914 1S86 1914
Methodist 42 36 10 9
Lutheran 18 21 10 10
Evangelical 13 13 I 3
Reformed 12 12 3 5
Presbyterian 8 10 5 5
Baptist 6 5 3 3
. Episcopal 4 5 2 2
Roman Catholic 2 S 2 3
Christian 6 5
United Brethren S 3
Greek Catholic 2 4
Pentecostal I
Society of Friends (Quakers) 3 3
Methodist Protestant 2
COLUMBIA COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL
ASSOCIATION
was organized at Bloomsburg in 1868, and in-
cludes all Protestant evangelical Sunday
schools in the county. It is an auxiliary of
State and national organizations of similar
names, and has held many annual conventions
since its formation. Rev. Alfred Taylor, of
New York, was the conductor of the first meet-
ing and was probably the organizer.
The second convention was held in 1870 at
Bloomsburg, but no records are to be had re-
garding it. In 187 1 the third convention was
held at Espy, and here J. B. Robison was
elected president. He was succeeded after
one year's service by a series of presidents, all
ministers, well known in the county, among
them being Revs. Stuart Mitchell, A. Houtz,
N. Spear, F. P. Manhart and U. Myers. This
continued until 1889, conventions having been
held each year to the present since 1873. ex-
cept in the year 1879, when the records merely
state that the secretary had died.
In 1889 H. R. Bower, of Berwick, was
elected president and served three years, when
he was succeeded by Myron I. Low, who has
served ever since, making a record for con-
tinuous and efficient service unequaled in the
State.
At the first convention of which we have a
record there were eighteen delegates from the
local schools and twenty-five from outside the
county, representing in all sixteen schools.
This does not convey, however, an idea of the
number of Sabbath schools in the organization
at the time, since every Protestant evangelical
school in the county became automatically a
part of the association.
In 1880 the executive committee was di-
rected to effect the township organization, and
at the 1882 convention district or township vice
presidents were appointed, within a few years
every township or borough in the county
being represented by an organization. This
system prevailed until a redistricting along less
cumbersome lines was authorized by the con-
vention of 191 1, and before the 1912 conven-
tion was held the county had been subdivided
into thirteen districts, all of which are actively
at work.
About 1900 departmental organization was
begun, and at present there are at work in the
county superintendents of elementary, second-
ary, adult, teacher training, home, temperance,
mission and rural departments, with a com-
plete corresponding organization extending
throughout the districts.
In 1907 the State Association erected a
64
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
high standard of organization for its counties,
and Columbia was one of the first two coun-
ties to attain this standard, maintaining and
passing beyond it year by year until 1913, when
a still higher standard was set by the State,
and again Columbia was one of the first to
attain it.
Some idea of the growth of the work in the
county may be had by the statement that for
some years less than forty dollars was the
amount of annual receipts, and this was not
all used at first. In 1913 the county expenses
were over four hundred dollars, the amount
being contributed by the schools and indi-
viduals interested in the work.
Besides what is accomplished by volunteer
helpers, the county organization during the
years 1906-1907 maintained its own field secre-
tary, Miss Martha Robison, who gave her en-
tire time to the work, relinquishing the posi-
tion in 1908 to take a similar one with the
State Association. Since that time the work
has been carried on by the corps of county
officers, now nvmibering almost twenty.
At present there are in the county, and there-
fore a part of the association, 135 Protestant
evangelical Sundav schools, with a total en-
rollment of over 22,000, and reporting in
19 1 3 over 2,000 accessions. Twenty-five per
cent of these schools reported a complete or-
ganization, almost all had "Cradle Rolls," and
the other departments of the work were main-
tained in the same proportion. One of the
sources of strength of the association was the
continuous service of manv of the officers, who
were familiar with the county and therefore
able to do the most efficient work. In 1877
A. W. Spear became treasurer of the organiza-
tion, and served until i88s, when he was made
corresponding secretary, which office he still
holds. Mrs. Anna McHenry has served as
treasurer since 1800. while other officers also
have rendered valuable and extended service.
The present officers are: Myron I. Low,
president : H. R. Bower, Thomas Ash, C. A.
Shaflfer, L. C. Mensch, M. E. Stackhouse.
Peter Wills, vice presidents ; Miss Martha
Robison. field and statistical secretary ; Miss
Ethel Creasy, assistant secretary ; Mrs. C. E.
Kesty, recording secretary ; A. W. Spear, cor-
responding secretary ; Fred Holmes, financial
secretary ; Mrs. Anna McHenry, treasurer.
The department superintendents are : Miss
Mabel Moyer, elementary ; O. H. Bakeless,
teacher training; Mrs. C. E. Trescott, home;
Rev. C. E. Miller, O. A. B. C; R. L. KHne,
temperance; Rev. W. J. Dice, missions; Rev.
P. H. Hoover, secondary ; N. Beishline, rural.
A summary of the statistical report for 1913
is as follows: District No. i, Berwick and
vicinity, total enrollment, 4,870; church acces-
sions, 745 ; increase in enrollment, 768. Dis-
trict No. 2, West Berwick and vicinity, enroll-
ment, 1,971; church accessions, 107; increase
in enrollment, 226. District No. 3, Centre
and part of Briarcreek townships, enrollment,
1,137; increase in enrollment, 190; church ac-
cessions, 180. District No. 4, Bloomsburg,
Catawissa, Montour townships. Espy and Al-
media, enrollment, 6,250; increase in enroll-
ment, 317; church accessions, 456. District
No. 5, Orangeville and Light Street and vicin-
ity, enrollment, 977 ; increase in enrollment,
17; church accessions, 6. "District No. 7, Ben-
ton and vicinity, enrollment, 1,002; increase,
75 ; church accessions, 55. District No. 8,
Sugarloaf township, enrollment, 492; decrease
in attendance, 78. District No. 6, Benton and
Fishingcreek townships, enrollment, 760; de-
crease, 75 ; accessions, 43. District No. 9, Mill-
ville and vicinity, enrollment, 840 ; increase, 76 ;
accessions, 11. District No. 10, Hemlock and
Madison townships, enrollment, 671 ; increase,
43; accessions, 33. District No. 11, Cleveland,
Locust, Roaringcreek, Franklin and Cata.wissa
townships, enrollment, 1.002; increase, 75;
accessions, q8. District No. 12 (last year's
figures, partly), Conyngham and Centralia,
enrollment, 835 ; accessions. 140. District No.
13, enrollment, 446; increase, 69; accessions,
18. Totals, enrollment for county, 21,770;
church accessions for county, 1,923.
CHAPTER VII
BENCH AND BAR
In entering into the history of the Bench
and Bar of this district it may not be out of
place to compare the present with the past.
The lawyers of eighty years ago in the rural
districts found all their surroundings, as well
as the legal procedure, very different from
those of to-day. The country was compara-
tively new, the facilities for travel by public
conveyance most meager. Carriages with el-
liptic springs had not yet been invented. The
judges and members of the bar usually trav-
eled on horseback, sometimes riding fifty miles
in a day to reach a distant county seat. The
districts were then much larger than now. The
courthouses were not of the present style of
architecture, the accommodations often being
of the most primitive character. A wood
stove furnished heat for the usually small
room, and the work at evening was done by
the light of tallow candles. Court was con-
vened by the sound of a dinner horn blown
by the crier at the door. Trials were long-
drawn-out owing to the necessity of writing
down all the testimony of witnesses and other
proceedings, by the judge and counsel. Ste-
nographers were then unknown, their intro-
duction in the courts not having become gen-
eral until within the last forty years, and the
innovation has enabled the courts to transact
in one day what formerly required three or
four.
Splendid courthouses, some of them palaces,
with all the conveniences of modern inven-
tion, have taken the place of the old-time seats
of justice, and with these changes have come
changes in legal procedure intended to facili-
tate the dispatch of public business, though
in regard to the latter there lingers in the
minds of the laity a belief that there is still
room for improvement. While the transac-
tion of business has thus been expedited, there
still remains the delay and uncertainty in the
administration of justice, by reason of the
fact that able lawyers, inspired by a large re-
tainer on either side, differ in their interpreta-
^ 65
tion of the law where the facts are not dis-
puted. The court below may differ with both,
and the higher courts may differ with the
court below — frequently bringing on a new
trial, with a repetition of the costs and worry.
While it is generally agreed that a remedy
for this condition is desirable, no one has ever
been able to suggest an acceptable one, and
probably no one will ever be able to do so
until the time shall come when all men are of
one mind, a situation that is not likely to oc-
cur before the millennium.
During his administration it was no un-
common experience for Judge Elwell to see
practicing before him in Columbia county
many of the ablest lawyers of the State, some
of whom — previously or subsequently — held
prominent public positions. Among them may
be mentioned Judge Jeremiah S. Black, Chief
Justice George W. Woodward, Judge John W.
Maynard, Hon. F. B. Gowen, Judge James
Ryan, Gov. Henry M. Hoyt, Judge Edward
O. Parry, Judge F. Carroll Brewster, Attorney
General Henry W. Palmer, Judge W. A. Marr,
Hon. George F. Baer, Hon. John B. Packer,
Hon. Francis W. Hughes, Hon. S. P. Wolver-
ton, as well as many other gifted men.
From 1814 to 185 1 Columbia and North-
umberland counties formed the Eighth judicial
district with Lycoming and Union counties.
Hon. Seth Chapman, the first judge of
this district, held court in January at Dan-
ville, which was then the county seat of Co-
lumbia county, court convening in the sec-
ond story of a log house on the river bank,
a few doors east of Mill street. Gen. Wil-
liam Montgomery and Hon. Leonard Rupert
were his associates. Henry Alward, of Mil-
ton, was the first sheriff. The first prothono-
tary was George A. Frick, who later became a
prominent attorney of Danville.
Of those who came to the court at Dan-
ville to practice law were Charles Hall,
Charles Maus of Berlin, Hugh Bellas of Sun-
bury, Samuel Hepburn of Rlilton, Bradford
66
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and George Porter of Center county, James
Carson of Philadelphia, and Ebenezer Green-
ough of Sunbury. Judge Thomas Duncan
and Judge Charles Huston came here from
Center county to attend court. They were
both afterwards members of the Supreme
court. William G. Hurley, of Bloomsburg,
James Pleasants of Catawissa, Alexander
Jordan and Charles G. Donnel, of Sunbury,
attended court in Danville regularly.
Judge Ellis Lewis, who succeeded to the
bench in 1833, was a native of Lewisburg,
Pa. He began life as a printer, subsequently
occupied the editorial chair, studied law, and
was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-
five. Two years later he was appointed dep-
uty attorney general for Lycoming county ;
in 1832 was elected to the Legislature; in
1833 was appointed attorney general for the
Commonwealth, and the same year appointed
as successor to Judge Chapman. After ten
years of service here he was transferred to
the Second district^ later elevated to the Su-
preme court, in 1851, and became chief justice
in 1855. Subsequently he was appointed one
of a committee of three to revise the criminal
code. He died March 19, 1871.
Charles G. Donnel, of Northumber-
land county, was appointed to the vacancy on
the bench of the Eighth district Jan. 14, 1843,
and held his first term in April of that year.
He died the following year, before he could
accomplish his work, but held high in the
respect and esteem of those who had known
him and admired his attainments.
Judge Joseph B. Anthony, who suc-
ceeded to the bench in 1844, was the first to
hold court at Bloomsburg after the removal
of the county seat from Danville. His first
session there was held in January, 1848. Judge
Anthony was a native of Williamsport. In
1830 he was elected to the State Senate, and
in 1834 to Congress, and reelected two years
later. In 1843 he was appointed judge of
the court for the adjustment of the Nichol-
son claims, and in March, 1844, to the bench
of the Eighth judicial circuit. He died in
185 1, nine months before the expiration of
his term.
Judge James Pollock was born in Milton
and studied law under Judge Anthony. He
graduated from Princeton and was admitted
to the bar in 1833. Two years later he was
appointed district attorney, and in 1844 was
elected to Congress from the Thirteenth dis-
trict. In 1851 he was appointed to the bench
to succeed Judge Anthony, and held the place
until the judges were made elective, in 1851,
when he refused to be a candidate. In 1854
he was elected governor; in i860 appointed a
delegate to the peace congress at Washington ;
in 1861 appointed director of the mint at
Philadelphia; resigning the otSce under the
administration of Johnson, he was reappointed
by Grant in 1869, held the position until 1882,
and was then made collector of internal rev-
enue. He is the originator of the motto on
American coins, "In God We Trust." He
died April 19, 1890.
John Nesbit Conyngham succeeded Judge
Pollock on the bench in 1851.- He went
upon the bench of the Luzerne district
in 1839 by appointment of the governor, and
when Columbia was put in that district Judge
Conyngham became the president judge here,
and so continued until the formation of the
Twenty-sixth district, in 1856, composed of
Columbia, Sullivan and Wyoming counties,
which took Columbia out of his jurisdiction.
He was one of Pennsylvania's most eminent
jurists, and presided in the Luzerne district
for thirty years, until 1870, when he resigned.
In 1871 he met with a railroad accident which
resulted in his death. He was beloved and
respected by all who knew him.
Warren J. Woodward was appointed judge
in May, 1856, and in October following was
elected for a term of ten years. He served
until December, 1861, when he resigned to
accept election as president judge of Berks
county, and moved to Reading. At the expira-
tion of this term he was reelected for a second,
and served until 1874, when he was elected a
justice of the Supreme court, which position
he occupied until his death, in 1879. Judge
Woodward was born in Bethany, Wayne
county, and received an academic education
in Wilkes-Barre. He taught school, learned
the printer's trade, and later studied law at
Wilkes-Barre, where he became the leader of
the bar. He was a hard student, a conscien-
tious and upright judge, and a man of intel-
lectual power. He was considered one of the
ablest Supreme justices of his time.
Aaron K. Peckham was appointed to fill
the unexpired term of Judge Woodward, De-
cember. 1861, after which he declined to be
a candidate for election to the position, and
resumed his practice at Tunkhannock, where
he remained until his death.
William Elwell was elected president
judge of the Twenty-sixth district in 1862, ac-
cepting the nomination at the request of a com-
mittee of the bar. He had no opposition at
the first election, and none at the time of his
reelection in 1872. In May, 1874, Wyoming
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
67
and Sulli\an counties were placed in the
Forty-fourth district, and Columbia and
Montour made the Twenty-sixth, which is the
condition in 1914. On the expiration of Judge
Elwell's second term the bar of the district
unanimously requested him to accept a third
term, to which he consented, was later nomi-
nated on the tickets of both leading parties,
and at the following election was unanimously
given the office. Afterwards, at different
times, he was urged to become a candidate
for the Supreme bench, but declined. He
also refused to have his name used in the
canvass for the office of governor, although
warmly urged.
In 1871 Judge Elwell was chosen to um-
pire the difficulties between the miners and
the operators in the coal regions, which he
did to the satisfaction of both sides. Later
the Mollie JMaguires case, a description of
which is given at the end of this chapter, was
tried before him. His decision in this case
was affirmed by the Supreme court.
It is believed that Judge Elwell tried more
cases than any other judge upon the bench
of the State, as many important cases were
certified to Columbia county from other dis-
tricts and tried before him. It is worthy of
mention that of all the cases tried in the courts
of Oyer and Terminer, Quarter Sessions and
the (Drphans' court, not a single one from this
county was reversed during the more than
twenty-six years he was upon the bench, and
very few in the Common Pleas court.
It may not be out of place here to record
the fact that a tribute was publicly paid to
Judge Elwell during his lifetime that does not
often fall to the lot even of distinguished citi-
zens. It is almost the universal custom to
wait until after the cold clods have rattled
upon the casket before public appreciation of
a man's life and character is expressed. When
such action is taken during a man's life-
time it is a matter of great gratifica-
tion to him who receives the recognition, and
it is also highly creditable to those who are
responsible for its expression. As the inci-
dent here referred to has appeared in print
only in the newspapers, the files of which are
accessible to but few people, and as the mat-
ter is a part of the history of the court of
Columbia county, it is deemed proper for it
to be here recorded in full, so that it may be
preserved in permanent form.
On Monday morning, Sept. 2.^, 1889, when
court opened, the room was filled with an
audience including many ladies, who had been
drawn there by the report that proceedings of
an unusual character would transpire at that
time. The president judge, Hon. E. R. Ikeler,
and Hons. C. B. McHenry and C. G. Murphy
were upon the bench. Court Crier D. R. Coft-
man opened the session by the usual proclama-
tion, and then B. F. Zarr, Esq., soHcitor to
the county commissioners, W. G. Girton,
Jesse Rittenhouse and Ezra Stephens, ad-
dressed the Bench in the following words :
"If Your Honors please, before the court
proceeds with its regular business, I wish to
bring to your attention a matter in which we
all feel a lively interest.
"There presided in these courts for a period
of more than twenty-five years a jurist dis-
tinguished for his legal knowledge, high moral
character, courteous treatment of the bar, uni-
form kindness and impartiality to all — the
Honorable William Elwell. The best years
of his life were spent here, and he is to-day
a venerable citizen of the county, one whom
the people delight to honor.
"Appreciation of the qualities that endear
a man to his countrymen is testified not more
by the rearing of imposing monuments than
by giving fitting expression to the sentiment
in their hearts. There may be in all the
walks of life great men, but great only when
by their acts they have signally benefited man-
kind. The preacher becomes great only when,
by his power and p>ersuasiveness, he causes
men to reverence and to obey the laws of God.
The soldier becomes great when, by his con-
quests over the enemies of liberty, he gives to
the people liberty and a home ; the statesman,
when by his wise economy he secures to them
prosperity ; the philanthropist, when he has
alleviated human suffering; the judge, when
he has faithfully administered the laws. True
greatness is always recognized and honored
by the people, and the man who makes it his
life work to labor for the good of the race is
entitled to such recognition and honor .
"The citizens of Columbia county hold in
the highest estimation the ability and integrity
of Judge Elwell. His reputation as an able
and conscientious administrator of the law
is not confined to the limits of the county, but
extends throughout the length and breadth of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and even
beyond her borders. His opinions and rulings
are cited with confidence by the pleader in
the courts, and are received by the highest
tribunals as authority of weight.
"The countv commissioners, joining with
other citizens in their just estimate of the
distinguished services rendered to the Com-
monwealth by Judge Elwell, have deemed it
68
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
eminently proper to cause to be prepared this
portrait" (here Prothonotary W. H. Snyder
withdrew a green cloth hanging on the wall
behind the Judges, disclosing a lifesize bust
portrait in handsome gilt frame) "of the Hon-
orable William Elwell, and to place it in this
temple of justice, not so much as a monument
to the past as a testimonial to the future, and
as an offering by which he himself may learn
the kindly feeling of our hearts. ... It
is my privilege, and I assure you my pleasure,
on behalf of the commissioners of the county,
to present to the court, to the bar, and to the
citizens, this portrait of His Honor, Judge
Elwell."
Judge Ikeler made the following response :
"In behalf of the bench, the bar, and the
citizens of the county, we accept this portrait
of Judge Elwell, as an appropriate memento
of him and of his honorable judicial career.
It cannot fail to be a constant reminder to us
who have been intimately associated with him,
to follow so far as possible in his footsteps.
Of the present commissioners of Columbia
county, a majority reside at a distance from
the county seat. Their act is undoubtedly
prompted and sustained by the public senti-
ment of respect, admiration and love for Judge
Elwell, which permeates the county _ to its
remotest bounds, but which, great as it is, is
only an index of our appreciation of his merits.
We, the members of the bar, who have been
closely associated with him in the administra-
tion of justice, though ours has been the fo-
rensic strife about a question of property, of
liberty, or of life, while it has been his office
well fulfilled to hold the seat of Justice with
her* sword and scales, conducting before him
unawed, unruffled and unswayed our legal
struggles, we have been taught by his rulings,
led by his learning, instructed as to manhood
by his dignified bearing. The perpetual pres-
ence here of this portrait, reminding us of
him and of his character, will be to us a con-
tinued incentive to diligence in our calling, and
to the cultivation of all manly graces. It will
stimulate the young men in training for the
bar ; they will learn the history of the eminent
jurist whom this portrait represents, and they
will be stirred with emulation of his great at-
tainments in legal lore, and of his surpassing
virtues as judge, and they will be infused with
new energy in working for the highest ideal
of achievement, and to usefulness in their
day and generation.
"If any of us should be so fortunate as to
arrive at the advanced age that Judge Elwell
has already reached, he will be happy if he
is able to look back upon a life's work as well
done as his — upon every duty as scrupulously
and zealously performed as it was by him
whose likeness hangs upon this wall."
In this connection it should be noted that
after the death of Judge Ikeler his portrait
was presented to the county. Of all the judges
who have presided over the courts of Co-
lumbia county, the likenesses of these two
jurists are the only ones that hang upon the
walls of the court room.
In November, 1887, Judge Elwell con-
tracted a cold which resulted in chronic
catarrh, and so affected his hearing and his
general health that he tendered his resigna-
tion to the governor, to take effect on July 31,
1888. From that time he led a retired life
until his death, which occurred on Oct. 15,
1895, when he was aged eighty-seven years.
A more complete story of the life of this great
judge appears among the biographies.
Judge Elwell's resignation left a vacancy to
be filled at the November election, with an ap-
pointment by the governor of a president
judge to serve until January, 1889. Henry M.
Hinckley of Danville received the appoint-
ment.
Judge Henry M. Hinckley was born June
2, 1850, in Harrisburg, Pa., where he received
his early education, and was graduated at
Princeton College in 1874. Having pursued
the study of law during his college course, he
was admitted to the bar of Montour county in
1875, and to the Supreme court in 1878. He
has long been recognized as one of the ablest
attorneys in this section of the State. He was
nominated for president judge by the Repub-
lican party in the district to succeed himself,
but the district being strongly Democratic he
was not elected. During the brief period of
his incumbency he discharged all his duties
with fidelity and marked ability. Since his
retirement from the bench he has devoted him-
self to his profession, and has a large prac-
tice, not only in Montour and Columbia coun-
ties, but in other counties outside of the dis-
trict. Before his appointment to the bench
he was for some years associated with I. X.
Grier, Esq., of Danville, in law business.
For the first time in the history of this ju-
dicial district, after Judge Elwell resigned
there were opposing aspirants for the nomina-
tion for president judge on the Democratic
ticket, Elijah R. Ikeler and Charles G. Bark-
ley, both of Bloomsburg, being the candidates.
An active and energetic canvass was made,
resulting in the nomination of Mr. Ikeler in
both counties, and he was elected in Novem-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
69
ber, 1888, entering upon his duties in January,
1889, and serving until Aug. i, 1898, when the
hand of death was laid upon him. He con-
tracted a cold which resulted in pneumonia,
and after only a week's illness passed away.
Elijah R. Ikeler was a self-made man.
His studious and industrious habits enabled
him to obtain sufficient education at Green-
wood Seminary to enter upon the study of
law, which he took up after being engaged in
the milling business for a number of years.
He moved from Millville to Bloomsburg and
registered as a law student with Colonel
Freeze in 1864, and was admitted to the bar
in May, 1867. He soon forged ahead, and be-
came one of the leading practitioners of the
county. As a judge he was patient and care-
ful, always evincing a desire to do right ac-
cording to his best judgment.
At the time of his death Judge Ikeler was
a candidate for renomination, his opponent
being Robert R. Little — both Democrats. The
county conventions of both counties had been
held, Montour county instructing its conferees
for Ikeler, and Columbia county for Little.
The death of Judge Ikeler brought about a
complication in the judicial situation, such as
had probably never before occurred in the his-
tory of the State. On Aug. 10, 1898, Gov-
ernor Hastings appointed Grant Herring as
president judge to serve until January, 1899.
Robert R. Little was the Democratic candidate
in Columbia county for election for the full
term. What the situation was in Montour
county no one seemed to know, as Judge Ike-
ler had named his conferees in that county,
but they had not yet accepted. It was also
doubted whether their appointment would
stand after his death. There were also com-
plications in the Republican party on the
judgeship, Montour county having instructed
for James Scarlet and the Columbia conferees
favoring Charles C. Evans, Scarlet being
afterwards made the nominee.
•Appreciating the necessity of taking some
action in the matter, a call was issued for a
meeting of the Columbia bar on Aug. 17, 1898,
which was signed by thirty-eight members.
The call stated that "impressed by the convic-
tion that the selection of a president judge is
of transcendent importance to the public, and
observing that the ordinary agencies for the
nomination of a candidate do not in this in-
stance promise to succeed in giving to the
people harmonious and desirable results, we
do agree to confer together upon the selection
of a judge who shall be competent, inde-
pendent, and impartial, who shall be free from
faction, without friends to reward or enemies
to punish, and, if possible, wholly unconnected
in position or interest with past or present con-
troversy or dispute upon the question of the
judgeship, and take such action as the major-
ity of those present shall judge to be advisable,
prudent, wise, and necessary, to secure or aid
in securing, the selection of a president judge."
But eighteen of the signers were present at
the meeting. Hon. C. R. Buckalew was
chosen chairman, and a resolution was adopted
for the appointment of a committee, "to act
for and represent us in the conference which
must take place and enable us to present for
endorsement by the people of this district a
man competent and eminently fitted to serve
as president judge." Nothing ever came of
this action, however, mainly for the reason
that no lawyer from outside the district could
be found who was willing to enter the con-
test as a candidate, where there were so many
local aspirants, and where he would be a com-
parative stranger.
Meanwhile the fencing for advantage went
on. On Aug. 10 Mr. Little and conferees went
to Exchange, Montour county, and there met
the conferees appointed by Judge Ikeler, and
a judicial conference was organized, resulting
after several ballots in Mr. Little's nomina-
tion. The next day the Democratic standing
committee met at Danville. Judge Herring
claimed that the conference at Exchange was
void, for the reason that the conferees named
by Judge Ikeler had no authority to act, as it
ceased when Judge Ikeler died. The com-
mittee took this view of it and proceeded to
name a new candidate for Montour county,
Judge Herring being their choice. Judge Her-
ring then carried the matter to the Dauphin
county court to settle the question as to whose
name should be printed on the ballots as the
regular nominee. After hearing, the court
decided that the Exchange conference was a
nullity, as the evidence showed that the Ikeler
conferees had not been appointed in fact.
Judge Herring then appointed conferees for
"Montour, and after several meetings Herring
withdrew and Little was unanimously nomi-
nated, and was elected in November, 1898, de-
feating James Scarlet, the Republican nomi-
nee. He served until Feb. 26, 1906, when his
death occurred, after a protracted illness.
Judge Robert R. Little was born in Ber-
wick in May, 1852, and was the son of E. H.
Little, who was for many years a prominent
attorney of Columbia county. He graduated
at the Normal School in 1871, and subse-
quently attended the University of Rochester,
70
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and Hamilton College, New York, after which
he read law with his father, and was admitted
to the bar on Sept. 4, 1874. He was elected
district attorney in 1878 and again in 1881,
filling the office with much ability. He was
possessed of an even temperament and quick
perception, and was considered a safe and
careful counsellor.
The death of Judge Little again made a
vacancy on the bench of the district to be
filled by an appointment by the governor.
There were a number of aspirants among the
Republican members of the bar, and strong
influences were brought to bear. On March
30th Governor Pennypacker appointed Charles
C. Evans, Esq., of Berwick, as president
judge, to serve until January, 1907. He was
nominated by the Republican conventions of
both counties to serve for a full term. In the
Democratic party the candidates for the nomi-
nation were John G. Harman and Grant
Herring, both of Bloomsburg. The Montour
county primaries were held first, resulting in
a vote of 1,030 for Herring and 528 for
Harman, giving the former twenty-three dele-
gates in the convention, and the latter five.
The following week the Columbia county pri-
maries were held, when Harman received
2,484 votes and Herring 1,912, thus giving
the conferees to Harman. This resulted in
a deadlock, and in September the case was
carried to the Democratic State executive
committee by Mr. Harman, after every effort
to secure an agreement by the conferees had
failed. The committee after several hear-
ings decided that they had jurisdiction, and
nominated Mr. Harman, to which Mr. Her-
ring filed exceptions in the Dauphin county
court, and after hearing the court decided that
Harman's nomination was invalid, thus leav-
ing the Democrats without a nominee. Both
candidates filed nomination papers. This
made a three-cornered fight, which resulted
in the election of Judge Evans, the Repub-
lican and Prohibition candidate, by a plural-
ity of 241 votes in the district, Evans receiv-
ing 4,474 votes, 3,325 in Columbia county and
1,149 in Montour; Harman, 4,233, 3,578 in
Columbia and 655 in Montour; Herring,
2,936, 1,964 in Columbia and 972 in Montour.
Thus for the first time in its history has
the district had a Republican president judge
elected for a full term. Judge Evans's term
will expire in January, 1917.
Judge Grant Herring, who served from
August, 1898, to January, 1899, was a son of
George A. Herring, and was born in Centre
township, Columbia county. He graduated
at the Bloomsburg Normal School in 1879,
and at Lafayette College in 1883. He read
law with E. R. Ikeler, Esq., and was admitted
to the bar in February, 1885, entering into
partnership with his preceptor at once, and
so continuing until Mr. Ikeler's elevation to
the bench. He served four years as collector
of internal revenue of this district during
President Cleveland's administration, and as
State senator from 1890 to 1894. A man of
strong personality, a brilliant speaker, and an
able lawyer, he acquired a large clientele. In
1907 he moved from Bloomsburg to Sunbury,
and entered into a law partnership with Hon.
S. P. Wolverton which continued for several
years, when it was dissolved, and Judge Her-
ring engaged in practice by himself. In 191 1
his health began to fail, and in 1912 he went
to Europe to visit his daughter, who was
studying music in Berlin, and to seek medical
assistance. While in Germany an attack of
his old complaint resulted fatally, and at his
own request he was buried there. His death
occurred on Aug. 4, 1912, in Berchtesgaden,
Bavaria.
Judge Charles C. Evans was bom in
Briarcreek township, Columbia county, Jan.
10, 1858. He graduated at the State Normal
School at Bloomsburg in 1877, ^"d ^t Lafay-
ette College in 1881. He immediately entered
the law office of Hon. Simon P. Wolverton,
at Sunbury, and July 14, 1883, was admitted
to the bar of Northumberland county. In
August. 1883, he commenced the practice of
law at Berwick, where he continued to prac-
tice until his appointment to the bench.
Judge Evans has made a good record on
the bench. He is careful and conscientious,
of even temperament, and his opinions show
that he makes exhaustive research in arriving
at legal conclusions. Like all judges, he has
had some of his decisions reversed by the
higher courts, but in this respect his record
will compare favorably with most of the judges
of the State. He has been called a number of
times to hold court in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton,
Philadelphia, and other places.
JUDICIAL DISTRICT
The territory now embraced in Columbia
county was formerly a part of Northumber-
land county, and was included in the Eighth
judicial district, composed of Northumber-
land, Union and Luzerne. Later on it was
placed in the Eleventh judicial district with
Montour, Luzerne and Wyoming, and again
with Sullivan and Wyoming in the Twenty-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
71
sixth. In 1872 Columbia and Montour be-
came the Twenty-sixth district, and have so
remained until the present (1914).
Herewith we give a list of the president
judges who have presided over the courts in
this territory since 1813, with the dates of
their appointment or election. The first court
held in Bloomsburg, after the change of the
county seat from Danville, was in January,
1848, Judge Joseph B. Anthony presiding.
Col. John G. Freeze, at the time of his death,
July 8, 1913, the oldest member of the Co-
lumbia county bar, personally knew all of
these judges from Judge Anthony to the pres-
ent incumbent.
President Judges
Seth Chapman, appointed July 11, 181 1, re-
signed Oct. 10, 1833 ; Ellis Lewis, appointed
Oct. 14, 1833, served until Jan. 14, 1843;
Charles G. Donnel, appointed Jan. 14, 1843,
died March 18, 1844; Joseph B. Anthony, ap-
pointed in March, 1844, died Jan. 10, 1851 ;
James Pollock, appointed Jan. 16, 1851, com-
mission expired Nov. 5, 1851; John N.
Conyngham, appointed Nov. 15, 1851, district
changed; Warren J. Woodward, appointed
May 19, 1856, resigned Dec. 10, 1861 ; Aaron
K. Peckham, appointed Dec. 10, 1861, com-
mission expired Nov. 3, 1862 ; William Elwell,
elected Nov. 3, 1862, commission expired in
January, 1873; re-elected Nov. 6, 1872, com-
mission expired in January, 1883; re-elected
Nov. 7, 1882, resigned July 31, 1888; Henry
M. Hinckley, appointed Aug. i, 1888, com-
mission expired ]an. i, 1889; E. R. Ikeler,
elected Nov. 6, 1888, died Aug. i, 1898; Grant
Herring, appointed Aug. 10, 1898, commission
expired Jan. i, 1899; R. R. Little, elected Nov.
8, 1898, died Feb. 26, 1906; Charles C. Evans,
appointed March 30, 1906, commission ex-
pired in January, 1907; elected Nov. 6, 1906,
commission expires in January, 191 7.
Associate Judges
John Murray, appointed Oct. 11, 1813;
William Montgomery, appointed Aug. 5, 1815;
Leonard Rupert, appointed June 27, 1816;
William Donaldson, appointed March 26,
1840; George Mack, appointed March 27,
1840; Samuel Oakes, appointed March 6,
1845; Stephen Baldy, appointed March 11,
1845; George H. Willits, appointed March 12,
1850; John Covanhoven, appointed March
12, 1850; Leonard B. Rupert, elected Nov. 10,
185 1 ; George H. Willits, elected Nov. 10,
1 851; Peter Kline, elected Nov. 12, 1856;
Jacob Evans, elected Nov. 12, 1856; Stephen
Baldy, appointed Jan. 12, 1861, elected Nov.
23, 1861 ; John McReynolds, elected Nov. 23,
1861 ; Peter K. Herbein, elected Nov. 8, 1866,
died in office April i, 1869; Iram Derr, elected
Nov. 8, 1866; James Kester, appointed April
23, 1869 ; Charles F. Mann, elected Nov. 26,
1869, died in office Jan. 24, 1870; Isaac S.
Monroe, appointed Feb. i, 1870; Iram Derr,
elected Nov. 17, 1871 ; George Scott, elected
in November, 1875, died in office April 10,
1876; Mayberry G. Hughes, appointed April
26, 1876; Franklin L. Shuman, elected in
November, 1876; Isaac K. Krickbaum, elected
in November, 1876; Franklin L. Shuman,
elected in November, 1S81 ; James Lake,
elected in November, 1881 ; Charles G. Mur-
phy, elected Nov. 2, 1886 ; James Lake, elected
Nov. 2, 1886, died in office Jan. 4, 1887; Cyrus
B. McHenry, appointed Jan. 8, 1887; elected
in November, 1887, died in office Jan. 8, 1890
Mordecai W. Jackson, appointed Feb. 3, 1890
Charles G. Murphy, elected Nov. 3, 1891
Mordecai Millard, elected Nov. 4, 1890, and
Nov. 5, 1895; James T. Fox, elected Nov. 3,
1896, and Nov. 5, 1901 ; J. U. Kurtz, elected
Nov. 3, 1896; William Krickbaum, elected
Nov. 4, 1902, and Nov. 5, 1907; E. C. Yeager,
elected Nov. 6, 1906; Charles E. Houck,
elected in November, 191 1; M. H. Rhoads,
appointed in January, 1913, elected in Novem-
ber, 1913.
The Columbia County Bar Association was
organized Dec. 3, 1878. Morrison E. Jackson,
of Berwick, was the first president ; Col. J. G.
Freeze, vice president ; George E. Elwell, sec-
retary; and C. G. Barkley, treasurer. Mr.
Jackson died in July, 1879, and Colonel Freeze
was elected president, which position he held
up to the time of his death in July, 1913, Mr.
Elwell continuing as secretary up to that time.
The present officers (1914) are: A. W. Duy,
president ; C. C. Yetter, vice president ; H.
Mont. Smith, secretary; H. R. Stees, treas-
urer.
Members of the Bar *
Robert C. Grier,
William G. Hurley,
James Pleasants,
Samuel F. Headley,
Morrison E. Jackson,
LeGrand Bancroft,
B. K. Rhodes,
Charles R. Buckalew,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Catawissa.
Berwick,
Berwick,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
deceased,
deceased,
deceased,
deceased,
deceased,
deceased,
deceased,
deceased.
* Names listed in order of admission.
72
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Robert F. Clark,
Reuben W. Weaver,
John G. Freeze,
Robert S. Howell,
Elisha C. Thompson,
Franklin Stewart,
Ephraim H. Little,
Alexander J. Frick,
Oliver C. Kahler,
Wesley Wirt,
Agib Ricketts,
W. A. Peck,
Charles G. Barkley,
Samuel Knorr,
Hervey H. Grotz,
William H. Abbott,
Chas. B. Brockway,
Wellington H. Ent,
M. M. Traugh,
James K. Brugler,
Peter S. Rishel,
Michael Whitmoyer,
M. M. LaVelle,
Russel R. Pealer,
Elijah R. Ikeler,
Charles W. Miller,
George S. Coleman,
James B. Robison,
J. H. James,
M. E. Walker,
O. B. Mellick,
James Bryson,
Milton Stiles,
LeRoy Thompson,
John M. Clark,
B. Frank Zarr,
A. C. Smith,
Hervey E. Smith,
John A. Opp,
Warren J. Buckalew,
George E. Elwell,
Robert R. Little,
Nevin U. Funk,
William L. Eyerly,
Charles B. Jackson,
Frank P. Billmeyer,
Levi E. Waller,
T. J. Vanderslice,
H. C. Bittenbender,
W. H. Rhawn,
William Brvson,
Paul E. Wirt.
Robert Buckingham,
L. S. Wintersteen,
Andrew L. Fritz.
Andrew K. Oswald,
Jacob H. Maize.
C. C. Peacock,
Hiester V. White.
A. E. Chapin,
John C. Yocum.
David Leche,
Guy Jacoby.
William Chrisman.
W. H. Snyder.
William E. Smith,
Grant Herring,
A. N. Yost,
C. E. Geyer,
S. P. Hanley,
Sterling W. Dickson,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Espy,
Bloomsburg,
Berwick,
Bloomsburg,
Danville,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Wilkes-Barre,
Berwick,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Catawissa,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Berwick,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg.
Centralia.
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg,
Centralia,
Shickshinny,
Bloomsburg,
Centralia.
Berwick.
Berwick.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Plymouth.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg,
Berwick,
Montclair, N.J.
Wilkes-Barre.
Bloomsburg.
Lincoln. Nebr.
Catawissa.
Centralia.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
New York,
Bloomsburg.
Berwick.
Bloomsburg.
Wilkes-Barre.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Catawissa.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg.
Orangeville.
Berwick.
Sunbury.
Bloomsburg.
Catawissa,
Berwick,
Berwick,
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
not practicing.
deceased.
deceased.
practicing.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
left the county.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
left the county.
left the county.
left the county.
deceased.
left the county.
deceased.
practicing.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased,
deceased.
deceased.
not practicing.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
practicing.
deceased.
not practicing.
deceased.
practicing.
deceased.
deceased.
practicing,
practicing.
practicing.
deceased.
not practicing.
deceased.
deceased,
deceased,
practicing.
not practicing.
left the county.
deceased.
deceased.
practicing.
practicing.
deceased.
deceased.
deceased.
practicing.
practicing.
deceased.
practicing.
James M. Fritz,
William Leverett,
A. M. Freas.
James A. Rohrbach,
William D. Beckley,
E. H. Guie,
J. Simpson Kline,
H. A. McKillip,
Fred Ikeler,
Thomas B. Hanley,
James L. Evans,
Charles H. Weaver,
John R. Sharpless,
R. Rush Zarr,
Wilson A. Everet,
John G. Harman,
George M. Tustin,
Charles H. Bates,
Christian A. Small,
Frank Ikeler,
Edward J. Flynn,
Ralph R. John,
G. M. Quick,
H. J. Patterson,
B. F. McHenry,
D. Sylvester Pensyl,
Albert W. Duy,
Clemuel R. Weiss,
Harry M. Hamlin,
C. J. Fisher.
Wm. C. Johnston,
Clyde C. Yetter.
Clinton Herring,
J. Alexis Guie,
Harry R. Stees,
Harry M. Persing.
C. H. Marks,
C. E. Kreisher.
R. O. Brockway,
J. G. Jayne,
L. C. Mensch,
Boyd F. Maize,
H. Mont Smith.
William E. Elmes.
Alex. C. Jackson,
Charles S. Kline,
A. J. Robbins,
Warren S. Sharpless,
Neil Chrisman,
John A. Moran,
Conway W. Dickson.
Clark Dickson.
G. W. Moon,
Wilkes-Barre,
Philadelphia,
Wilkes-Barre.
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Seattle, Wash.,
Sunbury,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
New Y'k City.
Berwick,
Hazleton,
Kingston,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Centralia,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Williamsport,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Catawissa,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Seattle, Wash.,
Bloomsburg,
Shickshinny,
Catawissa,
Berwick.
Berwick.
Catawissa,
Bloomsburg,
Bloomsburg,
Berwick,
Berwick.
Catawissa,
Wilkes-Barre.
Berwick,
Wilkes-Barre,
Centralia.
Berwick.
Berwick,
Bloomsburg,
practicmg.
not practicing.
left the county.
not practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
left the county.
practicing.
not practicing.
left the county.
practicing.
practicing.
left the county.
practicing.
not practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
left the county.
practicing.
left the .county.
left the county.
practicing.
left the county.
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
not practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
not practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing.
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
practicing,
practicing.
TRIAL OF THE "mOLLIE MAGUIRES"
The most important criminal case which
ever came up before the courts of Cohtmbia
county was the trial of the "MolHe Maguires"
in 1869. This case was the beginning of a
series of incidents which became of almost
national fame, and finally resulted in a second
trial, in 1877, which closed the matter for all
time.
On Sunday, Oct. 18. 1868, the body of Alex-
ander W. Rea, agent for the Locust Mountain
Coal & Iron Company, of Centralia, was
found in the bushes on the road from Cen-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
73
tralia to Mount Carmel, riddled with bullets.
On Nov. 17, 1868, John Duffy, Michael Prior
and Thomas Donohue were arrested for the
murder, and lodged in the Pottsville jail.
Later they were sent to Bloomsburg to await
trial. Suspicion also fastened upon Patrick
Hester, who had hastily decamped to Illinois,
and he later on returned to Bloomsburg and
surrendered. At the December session of
court a bill was found against Donohue, Duffy
and Prior, and at the February session, 1869,
a similar bill was returned against Hester.
The case was called by the district attorney
on Feb. 2, 1869, Judge Elwell presiding, and
separate trials granted the prisoners. The
Commonwealth was represented by District
Attorney E. R. Ikeler, Linn Bartholomew,
Robert F. Clark, Edward H. Baldy and M. M.
LaVelle. The prisoners were defended by
John W. Ryon, John G. Freeze, Myer Strouse,
S. P. Wolverton and W. A. Marr.
The theory of the prosecution was that,
Saturday being a general pay day in the coal
regions, a party of assassins concealed them-
selves at the point where the body was found
in the hope of securing the large sum of
money which Rea would carry. It was his
custom, however, to pay off the men on Fri-
day, a practice well known to all residents of
the vicinity. This caused the prosecution to
infer that the murder was committed by
some persons unfamiliar with the locality.
Donohue was tried and acquitted on Feb.
II, 1869; on the nth of May the case against
Hester was dismissed from lack of evidence,
and on the same date Duffy was tried and
acquitted. Prior also was tried and acquitted.
Seven years then passed and no further clews
to the murder were discovered.
Made bold by the release of the accused
miners, some laborers fn the hard coal regions
developed an organization for purposes of in-
timidation which soon absolutely controlled
the community and caused a complete reign
of terror over all of the southern part of
Columbia county and a great part of Schuyl-
kill and Carbon counties.
A common method of intimidating the
better class of coal miners was for a gang of
ten or more toughs to sweep through the min-
ing camps, forcing every man to join them,
the gradually increasing numbers overawing
any inclined to resist. On June 3, 1875, 0"^
thousand men stopped work at several mines
near Mahanoy City, and a similar band did
the same at Shenandoah. The same night a
breaker at Mount Carmel was burned, and a
few days later two contractors at the Oakdale
mine were shot.
Depredations became so common that every
passenger train passing through the affected
section had to be preceded by a locomotive
carrying an armed posse. Watchmen and
station agents were beaten, loaded cars put
upon the main line, switches misplaced, ware-
houses plundered, and bosses particularly
hated by the malcontents were served with
notices to leave, under pain of death. Such
threats were almost invariably executed.
The chief source of these atrocities was an
organization formed by the lawless element
and christened the "Mollie Maguires." They
terrorized the entire coal region from 1865 to
1875, had signs and passwords, and developed
such strength that not a man could be hired
unless he was approved by the society.
In exposing and suppressing this society the
president of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal
& Iron Company, Franklin B. Gowen, em-
ployed James McParlan, of the Pinkerton De-
tective Agency. McParlan posed as a miner,
joined the order, became one of the leaders,
and finally brought most of them to justice.
Nine of the "Mollies" were sentenced to death
in Schuylkill county, two in Carbon, and some
others were imprisoned for long terms.
At this time there was a man named Daniel
Kelly, an abandoned criminal, confined in the
Schuylkill county jail on the charge of larceny.
Suspicion having been directed against him as
having some knowledge of the murder of
Alexander W. Rea, he became frightened and
offered to turn State's evidence if allowed to
go free. Accordingly, on his testimony, Peter
McHugh and Patrick Tully were arrested in
the fall of 1876 as participants in the murder,
and Patrick Hester was again arrested as ac-
cessory before the fact. They were first
lodged in the Pottsville jail, but later brought
to Bloomsburg for trial.
On Feb. 7, 1877, the trial began, Messrs.
Hughes, Buckalew and District Attorney John
M. Clark appearing for the Commonwealth,
while Messrs. Ryon, Wolverton, Freeze,
Brockway, Mahan and George E. Elwell ap-
peared for the defense. All the accused
pleaded "not guilty" and were arraigned to-
gether. Daniel Kelly, pardoned by the gov-
ernor, was made the chief witness against
them. The trial lasted three weeks, when the
jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and the
prisoners were sentenced to hang. New trials
were refused them and the governor and
board of pardons would not interfere, so on
Aug. 9, 1877, Tully, McHugh and Hester
74
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
were executed upon a gallows at Bloomsburg,
borrowed from the authorities of Carbon
county. Two weeks before the execution
Tully confessed to Attorney Elwell that he
was guilty and corroborated the evidence of
Kelly. Hester and McHugh did not confess
their guilt in a public manner, although they
had the ministrations of a priest on the morn-
ing of their death. What they told the father
confessor is not known, as the secrets of the
confessional are kept inviolate by the Roman
Catholic Church, but the priest saw Tully's
confession and approved of its publication.
The informer, Kelly, was subsequently
made a witness in a similar trial at Wilkes-
Barre, where he confessed to an appaUing
series of crimes. His evidence was there
given without stipulated immunity, but as his
punishment would have prevented the bring-
ing of others to justice through similar con-
fessions of witnesses, he was allowed to go
free. He left this section, and what subse-
quently became of him is not known.
CHAPTER VIII
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF COLUMBIA COUNTY
(By Luther B. Kline, M. D., Catawissa, Pa.)
The noble profession of medicine has had
many representatives in the past who have left
their impress upon the history of Columbia
county. Doctors have always been the inti-
mate counselors and true friends of the peo-
ple, and in this county there are many who
have a warm spot in their hearts when the
family physician is discussed. To the pioneers
of this section of Pennsylvania the old-time
country doctor was one of the welcome visitors
at their isolated homes. In those days the
practice of medicine required good horseman-
ship, rugged health and all the courage and
endurance that the physician could command,
for the roads were often mere muddy trails,
the homes far apart, and the dangers of the
forests and morasses were added to by the
terrors of wild beasts and still more ferocious
savages.
All of the earlier physicians were obliged to
keep at least three good horses on hand at all
times, for often when the doctor had ridden
home from a twenty-mile trip he would have to
retrace his tracks without sufficient time to
make a change of garments. And besides the
hardships of the constant and long rides, the
old physicians were expected to wait for their
pay for an indefinite time. In the days of lack
of currency and trading there was some excuse
for this, but at the present time the physician
is still a waiter, and usually a good one. Most
everyone gets his money before the doctor is
paid, yet there is seldom a complaint from the
long-sufifering medico.
The first doctor who came to Columbia
county is supposed to have been Dr. E. B.
Bacon, who hailed from Connecticut, by way
of Kingston. At that time his practice ex-
tended from Catawissa to the headwaters of
Fishing creek. He removed to Wellsboro in
1817 and engaged in farming.
Drs. Townsend and Krider were the next
arrivals, and they located in Bloomsburg. The
former remained but a short time, but the lat-
ter practiced in the town until his death.
About 1818 Dr. Roe came, and divided his time
between healing and teaching school. He then
removed up Fishing creek and went to farming.
Dr. Ebenezer Daniels came to Catawissa
about 1822, and was followed the next year
by Dr. Harmon Gearhart, whom he highly
recommended to the people of the town. Dr.
Daniels sold his practice in 1834 to Dr. John
Ramsay, and removed to Indianapolis. Dr.
Gearhart died in 1833.
Dr. Ramsay removed to Bloomsburg and
took a leading part in the affairs of the town.
He was especially active in the paths of educa-
tion. He died suddenly in 1863.
Dr. William Petrikin came to Bloomsburg in
1834. He was a son of the famous Dr. David
Petrikin, of Danville, and had all of his fa-
ther's energy and brilliancy, but death carried
him off in 1842.
Dr. David N. Scott came to Bloomsburg in
1842 and resided in the part of town nick-
named "Scottown" from the fact that the
Doctor laid it out into lots, and built the first
house there. He removed to Kansas some
years later.
Dr. Thomas Vastine came to Bloomsburg in
1833, but soon left for Williamsport. Later
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
75
he located permanently in St. Louis. Dr. Ed-
ward Hawkins also came to the town for a
short time and then went to Michigan, after
1848. Drs. George Hill and Thomas Butler
were residents of Bloomsburg for a few years
after 1846, the former going to Muncy.
Dr. J. B. McKelvey came to Bloomsburg in
1851. He had previously located at Mifflin-
ville, in 1849, from there going to Graysville,
Ky., and Arkadelphia, Ark. He continued to
reside in Bloomsburg until his death. During
1914, while some workmen were excavating in
the alley beside his house on Main street, they
uncovered some human bones, which had prob-
ably been buried there after use in demonstra-
tion work. For a few hours all sorts of rumors
were current, until the true explanation was
found. The Doctor had a wide circle of
friends, and his death was a matter of regret
to all.
Mifflinville had few doctors at any period of
its history. One of the first was Dr. F. C.
Harrison, who located there in 1855. He
afterwards went to Lewisburg and became a
banker, a much more profitable occupation.
After his departure Dr. Wells, of Wilkes-
Barre, located there for a short time.
In 1855 Dr. William H. Bradley came to
Bloomsburg to practice, but soon after began to
edit a weekly paper. In 1868 Dr. William M.
Reber arrived in Bloomsburg. He had been a
surgeon in the navy and was a man of much
ability.
In 1874 Dr. Benjamin F. Gardner came to
Bloomsburg from Tennessee. He had been a
surgeon of high rank in the Confederate serv-
ice, and his change of location proved a wise
one. He found more opportunities and
speedier payment for his services in the North
than in the impoverished South. He is still
living, and is much respected by all the towns-
people.
Dr. Hugh McReynolds, another of the older
physicians, came to Bloomsburg from Buck-
horn, where he had practiced for some years
previous to 1872.
COLUMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
This society had its origin in 1858. On
July 31st of that year a number of physicians
of Columbia and Montour counties formed an
organization for mutual protection and inter-
change of experiences. Dr. John Ramsay pre-
sided. In the following month it was decided
to become auxiliary to the State society, and
to invite the members of the profession in
Northumberland county to unite with them.
The name was changed to Susquehanna Union
Medical Society in 1859, but in 1864 it was
changed to Columbia and Montour Medical
Society. Still later the name was restored
to its first form.
By the act of June 18, 1881, all members of
the profession were required to register with
the State authorities. All who had been in
practice from 187 1 were permitted to continue,
even if not graduates of a medical school.
Others must produce certificates of graduation
to continue in the profession.
The years following organization were in-
teresting ones for the members of the society.
Many papers were read at the meetings and
much done to elevate the standards of the pro-
fession. So pleasant were the relations be-
tween the members from the two counties that
no thought of separation was held until June
16, 1874. Then the members from Montour
county, having quietly nominated only Co-
lumbia county men for all the offices and suc-
ceeded in getting them elected, stated their
intention of organizing the Montour County
Medical Society. The separation took place
without a particle of friction, and the two
societies still interchange ideas and visits.
At present the Columbia county society
meets in rotation at Berwick, Bloomsburg and
Catawissa the second Thursday of every
month, except in July, when the meeting is
held at Benton. A paper called "The Roster"
is issued monthly, edited by Dr. Luther B.
Kline, of Catawissa, and contains reviews of
the past work, programs of the future, and
articles of special interest to the members. It
has a circulation of 125 copies. The meetings
are well attended and are taken up with dis-
cussions of matters of value to the medical
profession. The society has forty-four active
members and one honorary member. Dr. John
C. Rutter.
The officers and committees for 1914 are:
President, Dr. Joseph Cohen, Berwick; first
vice president, Dr. Benjamin F. Gardner,
Bloomsburg; second vice president, Dr. John
M. Gemmell, Millville ; secretary and treasurer,
Dr. Luther B. Kline, Catawissa; librarians —
Dr. John W. Bruner and Dr. James R. Mont-
gomery, Bloomsburg. Censors — Dr. J. Elmer
Shuman, Bloomsburg; Dr. John H. Bowman,
Berwick ; Dr. Charles K. Albertson, Fairmount
Springs. Committee on Public Policy and
Legislation — Dr. B. Frank Sharpless, Cata-
wissa; Dr. John W. Bruner, Bloomsburg; Dr.
Charles T. Steck, Berwick. Scientific Pro-
gram— Dr. J. Brooks Follmer, Berwick; Dr.
William C. Hensyl, Berwick; Dr. Edwin A.
Glenn, Berwick.
76
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
REGISTERED PHYSICIANS PRACTICING IN COLUMBIA COUNTY SINCE ACT OF 1881 BECAME A LAW
Institution
Jefferson Medical College
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Medical College
Homeopathic Medical
Jefferson Medical College
Medical College of Virginia
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Bellevue Hospital Medical College
Long Island Hospital
University of Vermont
Jefferson Medical College
Hahnemann Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia College
Philadelphia University
University of Pennsylvania
Jefferson Medical College
Eclectic Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
University of Pennsylvania
Eclectic Medical College
University of Pennsylvania
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Pennsylvania Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
Hahnemann Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
University of Pennsylvania
Jefferson Medical College
Castleton Medical, Vermont
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Medico-Chirurgical
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore
Medico-Chirurgical
Medico-Chirurgical
Medico-Chirurgical
Jefferson Medical College
Hahnemann Medical College
Jefferson Medical College
University of Baltimore
Medico-Chirurgical
Jefferson Medical College
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore
University of Pennsylvania
Jefferson Medical College
Name
Residence
Diploma
♦John K. Robbins
Catawissa
March lo,
1842
*J. B. McKelvey
Bloomsburg
April 8,
1848
*H. W. McReynolds
Bloomsburg
April 8,
1848
♦Jacob Schuyler
Bloomsburg
March 7,
1843
John C. Rutter
Bloomsburg
March 3,
1855
♦William M. Reber
Bloomsburg
March 10,
1863
B. F. Gardner
Bloomsburg
March 11,
1861
Isaiah W. Willits
Bloomsburg
March 11,
1875
Luther B. Kline
Catawissa
March 9,
1867
♦Thomas J. Swisher
Jerseytown
March 10,
1862
Alexander B. McCrea
Berwick
June I,
i86s
♦George L. Reagan
Berwick
June,
1865
tF. W. Redeker
Espy
March 12,
1878
Alfred P. Stoddard
Orangeville
March 12,
1850
J. Jordan Brown
Bloomsburg
March 12,
1870
♦Thomas C. McHenry
Benton
March 30,
1870
tRalph M. Lashell
Centralia
♦D. H. Montgomery
Mifflinville
March 10,
1852
♦John B. Patton
MiUville
Feb. 23,
1869
♦Josiah Smith
Berwick
April I,
I8S4
J. R. Montgomery
Bloomsburg
March 13,
1880
♦Abia P. Heller
MillviUe
Feb. 22,
1854
♦Pius Zimmerman
Numidia
April 2,
1883
♦J. H. Vastine
Catawissa
March,
1858
♦Charles C. Willits
Catawissa
March 30,
1882
tjohn W. Carothers
Berwick
April 13,
1883
♦L. A. Shattuck
Bloomsburg
May 6,
1869
Charles T. Steck
Berwick
March 28,
1878
♦John G. Schaller
Rohrsburg
♦Samuel A. Gibson
Berwick
George L. Jolly
Orangeville
March i,
1883
J. C. Wintersteen
Numidia
April 2,
1886
N. J. Hendershott
Bloomsburg
Isaac L. Edwards
Benton
March 11,
1870
Isaac E. Patterson
Benton
March 12,
1869
♦William B. Robbins
Catawissa
March 12,
1873
David E. Krebs
Light Street
March 3,
i8S7
♦Frank P. Hill
Berwick
March 14,
1876
tEverett W. Rutter
Berwick
March 6,
1874
J. R. Gordner
Berwick
B. F. Sharpless
Catawissa
March 23,
1880
tChristian Leuker
Buckhorn
March 12,
1877
♦J.'R. M. Evans
Bloomsburg
March 5,
1859
♦0. A. Megargell
Orangeville
June 15,
1859
♦Louis J. Adams
Evansville
March 10,
1877
♦John C. Fruit
Jerseytown
March 7,
i8S7
Honora A. Robbins
Bloomsburg
Ambrose Shuman
Catawissa
June 7,
1894
John H. Bowman
Berwick
May I,
1888
Ralph E. Miller
Bloomsburg
June 15,
1904
C. F. Altmiller
Bloomsburg
May 25,
1901
Delbert M. Hess
Rohrsburg
April 29,
1902
J. B. Follmer
Berwick
March 4,
1884
John S. Hoffa
Benton
May 23,
1903
Allen V. Carl
Numidia
June 8,
1909
E. A. Alleman
Berwick
May,
1890
J. S. Lazarus
Bloomsburg
March,
1868
Frank R. Clark
Berwick
April 7,
1891
Jesse W. Gordner
Jerseytown
June,
1909
George F. Drum
Mifflinville
April 14,
1900
♦Irving C. Breece
Bloomsburg
Samuel B. Arment
Bloomsburg
March 10,
1877
Howard S. Christian
Millville
March 15,
1887
J. F. Pfahler
Berwick
J. Stacy John
Bloomsburg
June,
1896
L R. Wolfe
Espy
♦ Deceased.
t Removed.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
77
REGISTERED PHYSICIANS PRACTICING
Name
tAndrew Graydon
tGeorge A. Poust
tRuth Tustin
Clifton Z. Robbins
tjohn Rhodes
tThomas C. Kutter
tj. K. Levan
tReuben O. Davis
*Montraville McHenry
tCarl H. Senn
tDavid A. Hart
■(■Frederick E. Ward
tjames C. Davis
tWalter C. Shew
*George H. Vastine
John T. MacDonald
Edward L. Davis
John M. Gemmell
Theodore C. iriarter
Edwin A. Glenn
Henry Bierman
tjacob A. Baer
Joseph Cohen
George E. Follmer
John VV. Bruner
Wilham T. Vanee
tH. V. Hower
J. E. Shuman
William C. Hensyl
tJ. F. Gardner
J. M. Vastine
Residence
Bloomsburg
Millville
Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg
Numidia
Berwick
Berwick
Berwick
Benton
Millville
Mainville
Berwick
Berwick
Jamison City
Catawissa
Bloomsburg
Berwick
Millville
Bloomsburg
Berwick
Bloomsburg
Berwick
Berwick
Orangeville
Bloomsburg
Orangeville
Mifflinville
Bloomsburg
Berwick
Millville
Catawissa
The following physicians are residents of
Columbia county, but are not members of the
local society, being either retired or connected
Lewis R. Davis Centralia
Howard C. Fortner Centralia
J. Bruce Hess Benton
Charles B. Yost Bloomsburg
IN COLUMBIA COUNTY SINCE ACT OF 1881 BECAME A LAW — Cotlt.
Diploma Institution
1902 Jefferson Medical College
1900 University of Pennsylvania
1906 University of New York
1890 Jefferson Medical College
1868 University of Vermont
1901 Medico-Chirurgical
igi3 Baltimore Medical College
1906 Medico-Chirurgical
1909 Jefferson Medical College
1906 Jefferson Medical College
1891 University of Pennsylvania
1910 Medico-Chirurgical
1899 University of Pennsylvania
1906 Maryland Medical College
1881 College of Physicians and Surgeons
1904 Hahnemann Medical College
1888 Hahnemann Medical College
1901 College of Physicians and Surgeons
1906 University of Pennsylvania
1907 Jefferson Medical College
1890 Jefferson Medical College
1881 University of Maryland
1887 College of Physicians and Surgeons
1891 University of Pennsylvania
1904 Jefferson Medical College
1900 Medico-Chirurgical
with other societies (Dr. Everett is a member
of the Lycoming county society) :
Edward Everett Millville
Honora C. Grimes Bloomsburg
George L. Jolly Orangeville
Thomas Kealy Centralia
May
29,
June
15,
June,
May,
March
May
28,
May
12,
June
I,
June
7.
June
I,
June,
June
6.
June,
June,
May,
April
6,
April
29.
June,
June
4.
April,
March
4.
March
1'=;,
May
I,
May
27,
June,
CHAPTER IX
WAR RECORDS OF THE COUNTIES
The border troubles kept the military spirit
of the pioneers of Columbia and Montour
counties alive until the second war with Eng-
land. Then followed the Black Hawk war,
the Seminole war, the Mexican war, and lastly
the Civil war. In these conflicts the two coun-
ties took part to the extent of furnishing men
and munitions of war, principally during the
Civil war. During the period between that
memorable conflict and the Indian times sev-
eral companies were organized in Danville,
Bloomsburg and Berwick, mention of which
is made in the chapters devoted to those
towns.
During the war of 1812 the scene of hos-
tilities was too far away to affect this sec-
tion directly. When the British threatened to
attack Baltimore, Governor Snyder ordered
the militia of Northumberland, Luzerne and
Columbia counties to rendezvous at Danville,
under Major Post. For a few weeks they re-
mained in camp, but the battle of New Orleans
and the termination of the war caused the
camp to be abandoned.
The requirements of the militia system were
at this time so simple that the military spirit
of the county became quiescent until the out-
break of the Mexican war caused its sudden
revival.
78
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
COLUMBIA GUARDS
This military company, belonging especially
to Danville, but famous all over Columbia
county by its service in two wars, was organ-
ized at Danville in 1817. At the breaking out
of the Mexican war it was under the com-
mand of Capt. John S. Wilson, and its offer
of assistance being accepted was mustered
into the United States service Dec. 28, 1846.
A number of citizens of the county escorted
the Guards as far as Pittsburgh, on their way
to the seat of war, and all along the journey
they met with a continuous ovation. They
were placed in the 2d Regiment, Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers, then commanded by Colo-
nel Wyncoop, and later under Colonel Geary,
afterwards governor of Pennsylvania.
Captain Wilson died at Vera Cruz on April
10, 1847, and the command devolved upon
Dr. C. H. Frick, who gallantly led the Guards
during the campaign. Their first engagement
was at the storming of \ era Cruz, and the
second at Cerro Gordo, where they lost one
man, John Smith. At the battle of Chapul-
tepec they lost two men, William Dietrich
and John Snyder. On approaching the City
of Mexico, the defense of San Angelo, with
all of the militarj' stores, was committed to
the Guards, and on the 13th of September,
1847, they were among the first to enter the
City of Mexico in triumph.
The Guards returned to Danville on July
28, 1849, and the whole town turned out to
welcome them. Hundreds of persons from
all over the county thronged the streets, and
such a demonstration as was then made has
never been seen in Danville before or since.
The Guards kept their organization until
the opening of the Civil war, when they
entered the service under Capt. Oscar Ephlin.
On the expiration of their term they were
honorably discharged, and the company then
disbanded.
The following is the muster roll of the
Guards soon after their organization (see
Chapter IV, IMontour county, for list of those
in Mexican war).
John S. Wilson, captain ; Clarence H. Frick,
first lieutenant: Edward E. LaClerc, second
lieutenant; William Brindle, second heuten-
ant; George S. Kline, first sergeant; James D.
Slater, second sergeant; Robert Clark, third
sergeant; Charles Evans, fourth sergeant;
John Adams, first corporal ; James Oliver, sec-
ond corporal; John Smith, third corporal;
Arthur Gearhart, fourth corporal ; Thomas
Clark, drummer; Jesse G. Clark, fifer.
The private soldiers were : Charles W.
Adams, Alvin M. Allen, Jacob App, George
W. Armstrong, Frederick Brandt, Samuel
Bums, Flam B. Bonham, William Banghart,
John Birkenbine, Samuel D. Baker, Francis
Bower, Francis B. Best, William Brunner,
William H. Birchfield, Randolph Ball, Peter
Brobst, Abram B. Carley, Michael Corrigan,
Wm. Dieterich (Dietrich), Wm. Erie, Daniel
S. Follmer, Charles W. Fortner, Robert H.
Forster, Sewell Gibbs, Edward Grove, George
Garner, Thomas Graham, Shepherd W. Girton,
Samuel Huntingdon, Adam Heisler, Henry
Hemcastle, Oliver Helme, William S. Kertz,
William King, Jerome Konkle, Charles Lytle,
Ira Lownsberry, Robert Lyon, John A. Low-
ery, Benjamin Laform, Benjamin J. Martin,
Jasper Musselman, Edward McGonnel, George
?^Iiller, William Moser, Archibald Mooney,
Mahlon K. Manly, John G. Mellon, Alex.
McDonald, Daniel Martial, Richard H. Mc-
Kean, Charles Moynthan, Robert McAlmont,
Hugh AIcFadden, James AlcClelland, Nor-
man B. Mack, William McDonald, Casper
Oatenwelder, Daniel Poorman, Peter S. Reed,
Philip Rake, James A. Stewart, Peter M.
Space, Jona R. Sanders, Oliver C. Stevens,
Daniel Snyder, Edward Seler, Peter Seig-
fried, John C. Snyder, John N. Scofield. Wil-
liam Swartz, Joseph Stratton, William W.
Sawaney, John A. Sarvey, Benjamin Tumble-
ton, Adam Wray, William White, George
Wagner, Jacob Willet, Jerome Walker, George
Wingar, Peter W. Yamell.
CIVIL WAR
Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated Presi-
dent of the United States Alarch 4, 1861. Fort
Sumter was fired on April 12th, and on the
15th of that month the President called on
the loyal States for 75,000 men. Calls and
orders were subsequently issued, under dates
of May 3d, July 22d and July 25th, for an
aggregate of 500,000 men. On the 2d of
July, 1862, there was another call for 500,-
000 men. and on the 4th of August one for
300,000.
On Sept. 5, 1862, the Confederates invaded
Maryland, and a levy en masse was called in
Pennsylvania. On Sept. 15th a large number
of "emergency men" left Bloomsburg, and on
the 17th the battle of Antietam was fought.
On the 1 8th the Confederates evacuated
Sharpsburg and recrossed the Potomac, and
on the 22d more "emergency men" left
Bloomsburg.
On June 15, 1863, a proclamation was made
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
79
for the militia. On Oct. 15th there was a
call for 300,000 men, and on Feb. i, 1864, the
President ordered a draft for 500,000 to be
made on the loth of March. On the 14th
there was a call for 200,000 more, on the
1 8th of July one for 500,000, and on the igth
of December one for 300,000. Besides these
there were a lot of "ninety-day militia" and
other irregular musters. These various calls
were filled by enlistments, volunteering and
drafts.
There were four drafts made in Columbia
and Montour counties — one by the State
authorities for the militia; one Sept. 17, 1863,
to fill previous calls; one on June 3, 1864; and
one on April 14, 1865. Lee having surrendered
April 9th, the men liable for service under the
last were released. The last battle of the war
was fought May 12, 1865, and the surrender
of the last of the Confederates, under Kirby
Smith, occurred on May 26th of the same
year.
During the war there were for Pennsyl-
vania two great emergencies, the first in Sep-
tember, 1862, relieved by McClellan's victory
at Antietam. At that time Governor Curtin
called for 50,000 men, and Columbia county
responded by sending four companies, and
Montour sent two. The second emergency
was in June, 1863, when the President called
for 100,000 men. Of the number required,
Columbia county sent five companies, and
Montour two.
The first company in Columbia county to en-
list for the Civil war was the "Iron Guards,"
under Col. W. W. Ricketts, from Orangeville,
and the first man to enlist from the county
was C. B. Brockway. Ricketts was a West
Point cadet, and he soon had his company
completed. He ofl:'ered it to the government,
but was rejected. Not daunted, the members
chartered canalboats and went to Harrisburg,
where they were finally accepted.
THE DRAFTS
At the beginning of the Civil war the mi-
litia of Pennsylvania existed practically only
on paper. There was a form of military
organization, and a tax was levied on each
voter liable to duty save those in volunteer
companies, but there were few companies in
a complete state of organization.
In 1862 an enrollment was ordered, and
the number subject to military duty in Colum-
bia county was found to be 4,587 ; the quota,
under all calls, was 1,447 ; the number in serv-
ice, 626; leaving a balance of 821 men to be
supplied by draft or otherwise. The draft
was ordered by the State to fill the ranks.
The townships of Catawissa and Pine, and
the borough of Berwick, filled their quota
with volunteers, but in the other divisions of
the county a total of 696 men were drawn.
Bloom supplied 45; Briarcreek, 49; Beaver,
40; Benton, 27; Conyngham, 60; Centre, 54;
Fishingcreek, 50 ; Franklin, 5 ; Greenwood, 45 ;
Hemlock, 25; Jackson, 19; Locust, 40; Mon-
tour, 24; Main, 18; Mount Pleasant, 27; Mif-
flin, 46; Madison, 48; Orange, 9; Scott, 36;
Sugarloaf, 29.
No opposition was manifested to this draft,
in fact it had the effect of stimulating enlist-
ments in the national service. The later drafts
on the part of the national government, how-
ever, were not received with equal unconcern.
The first was drawn at Troy, Pa., Sept. 17,
1863, and called for 634 men from Columbia
county. There was considerable opposition,
particularly in Fishingcreek, Benton, Sugar-
loaf, Jackson and Pine townships, and the
neighboring portions of Luzerne and Sullivan
counties. A series of semi-public meetings
was held in the disafifected sections for the
purpose of discussing the situation, at which
the usual windy oratory prevailed, but no
definite plans were made to meet the ques-
tion at hand. Some advocated resistance to
the draft, others suggested the hiring of sub-
stitutes, but all finally acted on their own sug-
gestions, individually. There were a number
who refused to report for duty, and, as is cus-
tomary in wartime, they were declared to be
deserters by the military authorities. This
angered the people greatly and many wild
threats were made by individuals, who after-
wards regretted their sudden ebullition of tem-
per. The culmination of the trouble came
when, in August, 1864, Lieutenant Robinson
of Luzerne county was shot and fatally
wounded by a party of citizens whom he had
challenged on the road near Raven Creek
post office. It has since been established that
Robinson had no official authority to appre-
hend deserters.
In the same month a detachment of United
States troops arrived in Bloomsburg and
camped at the Fair Grounds, ostensibly for
the purpose of enforcing the draft. This
force was increased later until it included
almost a thousand men, a company under Colo-
nel Lambert, part of the Keystone Battery
from Philadelphia, under Lieutenant Roberts,
a battalion of infantry under Lieutenant Colo-
nel Stewart, and a battalion of the Veteran
Reser^-e Corps. On Aug. i6th Major Gen-
80
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
eral Couch, commanding the Department of
the Susquehanna, arrived and conferred with
leading citizens. He was assured of the non-
resistant character of the inhabitants of the
affected townships, so he offered to remit the
charge of desertion if the drafted men would
report themselves before noon of the follow-
ing Saturday. He returned to Harrisburg be-
fore the time set, and the recalcitrants not hav-
ing reported Colonel Stewart proceeded with
a body of troops to Benton on Aug. iSth. On
the 28th Major General Cadwallader arrived
in Bloomsburg from Philadelphia, assumed
command, and followed the first troop to Ben-
ton. On the 31st about a hundred arrests
were made and the prisoners brought to Ben-
ton, where a preliminary examination was
made. Of the number, forty-four were dis-
patched under guard to Harrisburg. The sur-
rounding country was explored for alleged
"forts" and other evidences of resistance, but
none was found. General Cadwallader re-
turned to Philadelphia and the larger number
of the troops were withdrawn, but some re-
mained and arrests were made from time to
time. The aggrieved parties and their friends
took legal steps to release the prisoners and
to test the legality of the arrests. On Oct. 17,
1864, twenty-one of the prisoners were granted
conditional release. Of these five had been
previously discharged owing to illness and one
had died in prison. On the same date the
trials of the remaining twenty-three were be-
gun before a military commission at Harris-
burg. Seven were convicted and sentenced
to terms ranging from six months to two
years. One prisoner paid a fine of $500, one
was pardoned by President Lincoln and five
by President Johnson, several were acquitted,
and the charge against the rest was later with-
drawn.
Among the citizens of Columbia county even
at this late day there are conflicting opinions
regarding these troubles, their origin and the
results of the trials. One side claims that
there was an organized and armed opposition
to the drafts, that threats were made against
the authorities, that peaceable citizens were
threatened by violent sympathizers, and that
the military occupation was necessary to re-
store order and safety. The other side claims
that dishonest enrollment was made, that there
was no organized resistance, that no threats
were made, military interference was unnec-
essary, that the soldiers were guilty of many
outrages, that many innocent men were im-
prisoned without warrant of law, and that the
main object was to intimidate Democratic
voters in the presidential election of 1864.
These are matters that will in time work
out to a definite series of facts of history, and
the trouble will be looked upon with the same
lenience with which the old veterans of the
Civil war now view the deplorable conflict in
which they participated.
COMPANIES AND REGIMENTS
Notwithstanding the draft troubles, Colum-
bia county was well represented at the front
of battle in the war. One of the first com-
panies to see service was the "Iron Guards,"
mentioned previously. As members of the
35th Regiment, 6th Reserves, they were mus-
tered in July 27, 1861, participated in many
battles and skirmishes all through the war,
and were finally mustered out June 11, 1864,
at Harrisburg.
The 178th Regiment, drafted militia, was re-
cruited in Columbia, Montour, Lancaster and
Luzerne counties. Companies A, H and I
were from Columbia county, and F and G
mostly from Montour county. They were
mustered in Oct. 30, 1862, and mustered out
July 27, 1863, at Harrisburg. They were in
several skirmishes, but no important actions.
Company H, i ith Regiment, was from Mon-
tour county and served for three months, be-
ing in the engagement at Falling Waters, Md.,
against the redoubtable "Stonewall" Jack-
son.
Company C, 14th Regiment, was also from
Montour county, but did not see much service,
being on guard duty near Washington. On
the termination of the three months' service
many reenlisted in other regiments.
Company C, i6th Regiment, from Berwick,
was mustered in April 30, 1861, for three
months' service, and saw much fighting in
Virginia. Many of the company re-enlisted
after their first term ended.
Company C, 193d Regiment, was from Mon-
tour county, was mustered in July 17, 1864,
and mustered out Nov. 5, 1864. They served
as guards along the Baltimore & Ohio railroad
and on scout duty, but were never in any bat-
tles or skirmishes.
Company A, I32d Regiment, from Montour
county, was mustered in Aug. 15, 1862. It
had a first-class war record, being in the bat-
tles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks-
burg and Chancellorsville, and was mustered
out May 24, 1863. Clinton W. Neal, of
Bloomsburg, was quartermaster of the regi-
ment. Company E of this regiment was com-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
81
posed of the "Columbia Guards," recruited in
Bloomsburg. Company H, mustered in at
the same date, was the "Catawissa Guards,"
recruited entirely from that town.
Company I, 136th Regiment, was from Co-
lumbia county and first formed part of the
defense of Washington. Later it went through
a number of engagements, the regiment at the
battle of Fredericksburg losing 140 men. It
was mustered out May 29, 1863, at Harris-
burg.
Company A, 74th Regiment, was recruited
mostly in Columbia county, for one year's
service, in March, 1865, did guard duty along
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and was mus-
tered out at Clarksburg, Va., Aug. 29, 1865.
Company B, 103d Regiment, coming mostly
from Bloomsburg, was mustered into service
in the early part of 1865, and mustered out at
Newbem, N. C, June 25, 1865, after a few
skirmishes and lots of guard duty.
Company E, 209th Regiment, was recruited
in Columbia county in 1864 and sent to the
front at once, but saw little fighting except at
Forts Steadman and Sedgwick, which latter
they captured. After railroad work and scout-
ing they were mustered out May 31, 1865, at
Alexandria, Virginia.
Company E, 35th Regiment, 6th Reserves,
was recruited in Montour county. May 14,
1861, and saw service at South Mountain,
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Spottsylvania
Court House. They were mustered out June
II, 1864, with an unstained military record.
Battery F, ist Artillery, 43d Regiment, was
recruited in Columbia and Montour counties
in 1 86 1 and participated in the engagements
at Winchester, Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg,
Bristoe Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spott-
sylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. It
remained in service till the close of the war.
Company G, 52d Regiment, was recruited
in Columbia county in 1861, being among the
first in the field and the last out. They saw
service in the advance on Richmond, in the
battles of Fair Oaks and Mechanicsville, the
assault on Port Royal, S. C, the attacks on
Forts Johnson and Sumter, and were at Ral-
eigh when Johnston surrendered. They were
mustered out at Harrisburg July 12, 1865.
Company D, 84th Regiment, also known as
the "Hurley Guards," was recruited in Co-
lumbia and Montour counties, a few men be-
ing later received from other points. They
reached Hancock, Md., Jan. 2, 1862, and were
in the battles of Winchester and Port Re-
public. They were also in the battles of Fred-
ericksburg and Chancellorsville, and the cam-
paign in the Wilderness, down to Petersburg.
In 1862 they were mustered out, but many of
them entered the 57th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteers, serving until June 29, 1865. Sam-
uel M. Bowman of Columbia county was colo-
nel of the 84th Regiment.
Company H, 93d Regiment, was composed
of the "Baldy Guards," recruited in Dan-
ville and named from one of the town's prom-
inent citizens. It saw much and arduous serv-
ice, many of its members being killed and
wounded. They were in the following en-
gagements : Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair
Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Marye's
Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Wilder-
ness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. On
Jan. 25, 1865, they were mustered out. Col.
Charles W. Eckman, of Montour county, rose
to the command of the regiment.
Company B, 184th Regiment, was recruited
in Montour county and joined the Army of the
Potomac as it crossed the Pamunky river. May
28, 1864. The next day they were in the bat-
tle of Tolopotomy creek. At the battle of
Cold Harbor they lost heavily, and in constant
service in the assaults lost 350 men in twenty-
six days. They were continuously in battles
and skirmishes until the surrender at Appo-
mattox Court House, and then participated in
the grand review at Washington.
Company C, 187th Regiment, was formerly
Company D, 1st Battalion, organized for six
months' service and mustered out Jan. 9, 1864.
Upon reenlistment they went to Cold Harbor,
arriving there during the battle. Later they
were in all the heavy fighting before Peters-
burg. They headed the procession^ at the
burial of Lincoln, and were mustered out Aug.
2, 1865, at Harrisburg.
Battery F, 2d Artillery, 112th Regiment,
was recruited in Columbia and Montour coun-
ties. They garrisoned Washington for some
time and" then participated in the battles of
the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg,
losing heavily at the famous mine explosion.
At Fort Harrison they lost 200 killed and
wounded. They remained in Virginia after
the evacuation of Petersburg until the end of
the war, being discharged at Philadelphia.
Company A, 52d Regiment, Pennsylvania
Volunteers, contained many Columbia county
men. It was in the Peninsular campaign, the
movement against Richmond, the taking of
Charleston, and its flag was the first that
floated over recaptured Fort Sumter. A num-
82
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ber of Columbia county men were also in Com-
pany H of this regiment.
The 7th Cavalry, 80th Regiment, contained
a number of men from both of these counties,
to be found on the rolls of Companies D and
H. They saw long and severe service under
Buell in Kentucky and Tennessee, being dis-
charged Aug. 23, 1865.
COLUMBIA county's WAR FOOTING
With the world at war in 1914, it is inter-
esting to read the report of the assessors of
that year to the adjutant general at Harris-
burg, showing the number of men in this
county, between the ages of twenty-one and
forty-five, subject to military duty. The total
is 4,572, and in addition there are many who
would volunteer in case of war, thus making
a very respectable showing. The number by
districts is as follows :
Beaver 81
Benton Borough 82
Benton Township 82
Berwick 525
Bloomsburg, East 375
Bloomsburg, West 354
Briarcreek 1 56
Catawissa Township 56
Catawissa Borough 225
Centraha, ist 167
Centralia, 2d 180
Centre 143
Cleveland 73
Conyngham 210
Fishingcreek 60
Franklin 62
Greenwood 136
Hemlock 144
Jackson 53
Locust 90
Madison 123
Main 80
Mifflin 120
Millville 59
Montour 79
Mount Pleasant 26
Orange Township 52
OrangeviUe Borough 23
Pine 74
Roaringcreek 57
Scott 45
Sugarloaf 102
Stillwater Borough 8
West Berwick, ist 146
West Berwick, 2d 325
CHAPTER X
COUNTY FORMATION
The three original counties laid out by the
immortal founder of Pennsylvania were Bucks,
Philadelphia and Chester. Though the Prov-
ince was divided in 1682 into the three men-
tioned counties, their boundaries were not
distinctly ascertained until several years there-
after.
In 1729 the extension of the settlements and
the purchases from the Indians led to the estab-
lishment of Lancaster county. At that time
the Susquehanna marked the western limit of
the Province, but the purchase of 1736 opened
a triangular area west of the river, which was
attached to Lancaster county until the increase
of settlements demanded the erection in 1749
of York county, and in the following year of
Cumberland. The Indian boundary line of
the Kittatinny range marked the northern lim-
it of these counties. In 1752 the counties of
Berks and Northampton further divided this
section.
In 1771 Bedford county was erected, and
in 1772 the county of Northumberland, from
the territory of which Columbia and Montour
counties have since been formed, came into
being. It included an area now covered by
twenty-six counties and originally extended to
the border line of New York. It was organ-
ized March 27, 1772, and took in all the valley
of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and,
with a small exception, the whole of the north-
ern part of the State. It contained 28,922
square miles, a territory larger than Connecti-
cut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey
combined.
At the first court held in that county, on
April 9, 1772, the county was divided into the
townships of Penn, Augusta, Turbut, Buffalo,
Bald Eagle, Muncy and Wyoming. Columbia
and several other counties were included with-
in the three townships of Augusta, Turbut and
Wyoming, the other four townships being cut
off from Northumberland in 1786 and included
in Luzerne county.
The territory of Northumberland was again
curtailed in 1789 by the formation of Mifflin
county; by Lycoming in 1795 ; Center in 1800;
Union and Columbia in 1813 ; and Montour in
1850. The townships also were gradually cut
up. Turbut township was bereft of territory
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
83
in 1775 to form Mahoning, and in 1786 another
portion was removed to torm Derry township.
The same year Chillisquaque was formed from
Mahoning. In 1785 "Catawassa" was formed
from Augusta, the name of that township grad-
ually being changed in spelling to "Catawese,"
"Catawessa," and finally remaining as "Cata-
wissa." This latter township was again re-
duced by the erection of Ralpho or Shamokin
township in 1788, and by Mifiiin township in
1797-
In 1786 the county of Luzerne took away
part of Wyoming township and the remainder
was named Fishingcreek. In 1797 this area
was again abbreviated by the formation of
Green Briarcreek township, and the following
year the township of Bloom was erected. In
1799 Greenwood was formed from Fishing-
creek, and in 1812 Harrison or Sugarloaf was
formed from the latter.
Columbia county was taken from North-
umberland and separately organized in 1813,
by an act of Assembly of March 226, and in-
cluded the townships of Chillisquaque and
Turbut. Danville was named in the report of
the commissioners appointed by the governor
to lay out the county and select a county seat.
In 181 5 the two townships of Chillisquaque
and Turbott (or Turbut, as it is now spelled)
were returned to Northumberland. This
prompt return of the townships after the loca-
tion of the county seat was construed by many
to be a trick to give Danville preference over
Bloomsburg, and for years thereafter a con-
tinual controversy raged between the rival
towns as to the location of the courthouse.
In 1816 the Assembly restored a portion of
the two townships to Columbia county, the
parts annexed being now Liberty and Lime-
stone townships in Montour county. Again
in 1818 another legislative act cut off a large
part of the eastern side of Columbia and gave
it to Schuylkill county. This dismemberment
of the county did not satisfy any of the rival
claimants for the county seat. Repeated ap-
plications were made to the Legislature to re-
move the seat of government to Bloomsburg,
and finally in 1845 the act was passed to author-
ize a vote on the question. The result was a
decisive one, the majority for removal being
1,334 out of a total of 4,492 votes. The
county buildings being completed, the records
were removed from Danville in November,
1847. 'ind the first session of court was held
in Bloomsburg in January, 1848.
But the location of the county seat at
Bloomsburg created another complaint from
those who now had to travel a great distance
to reach the courts and officials, and the case
was as bad as before, except that now Danville
was the sufferer. So by an act approved May
3, 1850, the county of Montour was created,
including the townships of Franklin, Mahon-
ing, Valley, Liberty, Limestone, Derry, An-
thony, and the borough of Danville.
The wrangling was not over, however, and
complaints were made that too much territory
had been taken from Columbia, so finally in
1853 the division line between the two counties
was established as it is at present. By the
same act, what was Madison township in
Columbia county was renamed Pine, and the
parts of Madison township which had been
set off to Mount Pleasant and Hemlock were
reannexed to the old territory in Columbia
county.
The division line as named in the act was as
follows : Beginning at the Northumberland
county line, at or near the house of Samuel
Reader, thence a direct course to the center
of Roaring creek in Franklin township, twenty
rods above a point in said creek opposite the
house of John Vought, thence from the middle
of said creek to the Susquehanna river, thence
up the center of the same to a point opposite
where the present county line of Columbia and
Montour strikes the north bank of the river,
thence to the said north bank, thence to the
schoolhouse near the residence of David Smith,
thence to a point near the residence of Daniel
Smith, thence to the bridge over Deerlick run
on the line between Derry and Madison town-
ships, thence by the line between said town-
ship of Madison and the townships of Derry
and Anthonv to the line of Lycoming county.
The township of Roaringcreek and parts of
the townships of Franklin, Madison and West
Hemlock were also taken from Montour and
reannexed to Columbia. As at present consti-
tuted, Columbia countv contains an area of a
little over 400 square miles, and a population of
48,467 persons.
The division line of 1850 so dismembered
the townships of Madison, Hemlock and Mon-
tour that some readjustment of the lines be-
came necessarv, so in 1852 what remained of
Madison south of Millville was attached in
part to Mount Pleasant and part to Hemlock,
the old name adhering to that portion which
extended alonsf the coimty line northwest of
Greenwood. By the act of 1853 the latter was
renamed Pine, and the restored portion, with
those attached to Hemlock and Mount Pleas-
ant, formed into a township under the old
name.
The division effected in the township of
84
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Roaringcreek by the act of 1850 was subse-
quently made permanent, the restored portion
being named Scott. This was found to con-
flict with a township north of the river, then
under the advisement of the court, and a
month later the name of the southern township
was changed to Locust. Scott township was
formed the same year at the same session of
court, from the township of Bloom, which
had become too unwieldy for the election
commissioners.
A petition was laid before the court in 1855
stating that the township of Locust was from
twelve to fourteen miles long and from eight
to ten miles wide, and that the southern end
was chiefly a mining district, while the north-
ern end was devoted to farming, and asking
for the formation of a new township from
part of it. The commissioners reported
favorably, the court confirmed the report, and
the new township was named Conyngham,
after the judge of that date.
Finally, to complete the division of Colum-
bia county, the township of Cleveland was
formed from Locust in 1893, and named after
the president who had just been elected on
the Democratic ticket.
CHAPTER XI
COLUMBIA COUNTY AFTER 1850
The year 1850 fixed the date of the new
dispensation for Columbia county and the
birth of Montour county. At that date the
population of Columbia was 17,700. From
then until the present year of 1914 Columbia
county has steadily gained in population and
prosperity. Although the townships and some
of the smaller towns have lost somewhat, this
is only due to the modern tendency to concen-
trate in the places of greatest size and attrac-
tions. However, it is believed that the coming
years will show another exodus to the land
and give to this county the agricultural stimu-
lus which is all that is needed to make it an
earthly Eden.
The population of Columbia in i860, accord-
ing to government census figures, was 25,065 ;
in 1870 it was 28.766; 1880, 32,439; 1890,
36,832 ; 1900, 39.896 : 1910, 48,467. The total
area of the county is a little over four hundred
square miles.
COLUMBIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The first courthouse, which was used dur-
ing the time that this county also included
the territory of Montour county, is described
in the annals of the latter county in another
part of this volume, as its history has always
been a part of the history of Danville and it
was later again used for the business of the
new county of Montour.
One of the arguments of the opponents of
the removal of the county seat from Danville
to Bloomsburg was that the cost of the erec-
tion of the necessary public buildings would be
a severe burden upon the Bloomsburg people.
The act removing the county seat provided
that within three years thereafter the citizens
of Bloomsburg should erect at their own ex-
pense suitable buildings of brick or stone of
the most approved plans, and that the old pub-
lic grounds and buildings at Danville should
be disposed of, to pay the original subscribers
thereto, the surplus, if any, to revert to the
county treasury.
The Bloomsburg people met all these argu-
ments with the offer to donate the ground and
erect the buildings at their own expense, and
in carrying out these engagements they acted
in no niggardly spirit. William McKelvey
and Daniel Snyder were the prime movers in
this matter, and as soon as the question of re-
moval was settled entered actively upon the
work of erecting the courthouse and jail.
Elisha H. Biggs, who had made a liberal sub-
scription to the fund for erection, bought the
lot opposite the "Exchange Hotel," which he
at that time owned, and offered this as the site
of the courthouse. William Robison, who
owned the lot on the upper side, also donated
sufficient land, so that after the alleys on each
side were laid out the building site contained
about ninety feet front. Mr. Snyder con-
tributed two lots fronting on Center street, and
extending back to the upper line of the court-
house lot, for a jail site, which was accepted.
At this time the Presbyterian Church was plan-
ning for a new house of worship, and Rev.
D. J. Waller, Sr., went to Philadelphia to
secure approved plans for the two structures.
These plans were drawn by Napoleon Le Brun,
Old Courthouse, Bloomsburg, Pa.
Columbia County Courthouse, Bloomsburg, Pa.
i
A
!
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
85
and were scrupulously followed by the con-
tractors.
The new courthouse was constructed of
brick, burned by Daniel Snyder himself, and
was of the pure Ionic order of architecture.
It was 40 by 60 feet in size, with the county
offices below and the court and jury rooms
above. The cupola was fitted with a bell and
clock, the former put up in 1848, at a cost of
$400, and the latter provided by private sub-
scription. In 1868 the courthouse was ex-
tended by the addition of a 25-foot building,
the upper story for the law library and the
use of the judges and juries, and the lower
for the court records. The roof was also
raised at this time, which destroyed the true
architectural proportions. In 1882 a new clock
was installed in the cupola, and a year later
steam heating was introduced into the build-
ing.
At the September session of court, 1890, a
petition, signed by a large number of taxpayers,
was presented, asking for some changes and
improvements to the courthouse. This was
referred to the grand jury, who recommended
that an addition be built to the front of the
old building. In accordance with this the
county commissioners inspected plans sub-
mitted by architects, adopting those of A. S.
Wagner, of Williamsport. Bids were invited,
and the contract awarded on Nov. 19, 1890,
to Matthias Shaffer, for $21,600, that being
the lowest responsible bid. There was some
opposition to the expenditure of this money,
as there always is to public improvements, and
a move was made to procure an injunction to
prevent Shaffer from beginning the job, but
before this could be done he was at work with
his men early in the morning, and had the stone
steps and part of the porch at the front of the
building torn away. There was no injunction
asked for. While the work was in progress
Mr. Shaffer died, and the contract was com-
pleted by his son. Barton Shaffer, as adpiin-
istrator. The work was finished, and ac-
cepted by the county commissioners on Feb.
29, 1892.
The board of commissioners at the time the
contract was made was composed of William
G. Girton, Jesse Rittenhouse, and Ezra
Stephens, with J. D. Bodine as clerk. In
January, 1892, a new board went in office,
consisting of Jesse Rittenhouse, B. F. Edgar
and C. L. Sands. C. M. Terwilliger was
elected clerk.
This addition to the courthouse is 70 feet
on Main street and 40 feet deep to where it
joins on the old building, and is three stories
high, with a large square tower and a portico.
In the new part are the offices of the prothono-
tary and commissioners, on the first floor. On
the second floor are the judge's office, county
superintendent's office, jury rooms, and a re-
tirnig and rest room for women. A second
courtroom, 26 by 44 feet, is located on the third
floor, where is also a room occupied by the
Historical Society. The other county offices
remain as before. The building is heated by
steam and well supplied with all modern con-
veniences. The material in the addition is
brick, with brownstone trimmings. It pre-
sents an imposing appearance.
COUNTY JAIL
The first jail was constructed of brick and
stone, and combined the usual features of
jailer's residence and prison. It served the
county well for thirty years, although its in-
security in later years caused considerable
complaint. For a number of years successive
grand juries recommended the erection of a
new jail, but the opposition of the people pre-
vented any action. Finally the county com-
missioners made it known that if another jury
recommended action it would be taken. The
fourth grand jury sanctioned the report of its
predecessors, and in 1877 the county commis-
sioners began measures for the construction of
a new jail. For various reasons it was decided
to abandon the old site, and the Pursel lot, on
Market street, below Third, was conditionally
purchased for $4,000. These moves gave rise
to severe criticism of the commissioners'
plans.
The plans for the new prison were drawn
by a Mr. Wetzel, and on April 21, 1877, the
contract was awarded to Charles Krug. This
action intensified the dissatisfaction of the
critics, who rapidly included a large propor-
tion of the population in their ranks. It ap-
pears that there had been ten proposals, rang-
ing from $41,075 to $119,025, and that the
award was made to the second lowest bidder,
at a price $5,900 higher than the lowest one.
It was at once charged that these were grave
reasons for suspecting jobbery on the part of
the architect. The commissioners were urged
to dismiss him, abandon the new, expensive,
"mud-bottom" location, and either order a new
letting or promptly accept the lowest bid. The
commissioners refused, and on April 27th an
injunction was applied for to restrain the
authorities from building on the Pursel lot
and from entering into a contract with Krug.
The hearing developed that the lot was too
86
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
narrow, and would require changes in the plans
that were radical, therefore the court granted
a temporary injunction.
In the meantime Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., had
offered a lot on Iron street, between Seventh
and Eighth, and in July the commissioners
abandoned the former location and accepted
Mr. Waller's donation. The new site was
open to some of the objections of the first one,
but the commissioners adhered to their final
decision. In the construction of the building
they evaded the order of the court by grantmg
contracts for the different parts of the struc-
ture to various contractors, some of whom
were smiply hirelings of Krug. Another com-
plaint was made that the cost had been in-
creased from the contract price of $56,975, to
$70,000.
The prison is a picturesque stone structure,
surrounded by bearing fruit trees and well
kept lawns. It has a high basement, and two
stories above, with a square tower on the
middle front. An oblong extension in the
rear contains the cells, which are arranged in
two tiers on either side of a corridor, lighted
by skylights in the arched roof. In the base-
ment are the workshops, steam heating plant
and the dungeons. Baths, closets, ventilation,
lighting and heating are all well provided for,
and the cells are reasonably secure, being lined
with metal and having two doors, of steel and
wood.
POORHOUSES
The only other public buildings in the county
are the several district poorhouses. In early
years the poor were "farmed out" to outsiders,
a most unsatisfactory method. In 1866 an act
was passed authorizing a county poorhouse,
but when the question was submitted to a vote
it was found that only Bloom, Greenwood and
Hemlock townships supported the project. In
1869 an act was passed authorizing the erec-
tion of a poorhouse in Bloom township and
providing that the application of ten taxables
in any other township should cause an election
to be held to decide whether that township
should unite with Bloom to form a poor dis-
trict. Under this act the townships of Scott,
Greenwood and Sugarloaf united with Bloom.
A farm of 100 acres on Fishingcreek was
purchased, in Mount Pleasant township, hav-
ing thereon a brick and a frame house, the
inmates being housed in the former. Other
additions and imnrovements have since been
made. In later years the borough of Millville
has united with the Bloom poor district.
In 1869 the township of Conyngham and
the borough of Centraha organized a district,
and a farm of seventy-five acres was pur-
chased, together with suitable buildings, all
of which were exempted from taxation. In
1872 Madison township also formed a poor
district and bought a farm of 100 acres, upon
which its poor are comfortably provided for.
The county itself has never had a poor farm,
and apparently it is not greatly needed, for
paupers are scarce in this thrifty section of the
State.
TOWNSHIPS
The several townships of Columbia county
and the dates of their erection are as follows:
Catawissa 1785
Fishingcreek 1789
Briarcreek 1797
Bloom 1798
Greenwood 1799
Mifflin 1799
Hemlock 1801
Sugarloaf 1812
Madison 1817
Mount Pleasant 1818
Roaringcreek 1832
Montour 1837
Jackson 1838
Orange 1839
Franklin 1843
Centre 1844
Main 1844
Beaver 1845
Benton 1850
Locust 1853
Pine 1853
Scott 1853
Conyngham 1856
Cleveland 1893
Scott, Pine, Locust, Conyngham and Cleve-
land townships were formed after the erection
of Montour county.
There are fifty-five election districts in
Columbia county in 19 14, their names being as
follows:
Beaver, Benton borough, Benton township,
Berwick northeast, Berwick southeast, Ber-
wick northwest, Berwick southwest, Bloom
first. Bloom second, Bloom third, Bloom
fourth, Briarcreek east, Briarcreek south,
Briarcreek west, Catawissa township, Cata-
wissa borough, Centralia first, Centralia
second, Centre north, Centre south, Cleveland,
Conyngham east-north, Conyngham west-
north, Conyngham west No. i, Conyngham
west No. 2, Convngham southwest, Conyng-
ham southeast, Fishinecreek east, Fishing-
creek west, Franklin, Greenwood east, Green-
wood west. Hemlock north, Hemlock south.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
87
Jackson, Locust north, Locust south, Madison,
Main, Mifflin, Millville, Montour, Mount
Pleasant, Orange township, Orangeville bor-
ough. Pine north. Pine south, Roaringcreek,
Scott east, Scott west, Sugarloaf north,
Sugarloaf south, Stillwater borough. West
Berwick No. i, West Berwick No. 2.
COUNTY OFFICIALS
In the smaller counties the offices of protho-
notary and clerk, and register and recorder,
are consolidated. Under the constitution of
1790 the county officers, with the exception of
the sheriff and coroner, were appointed by the
governor, but in 1838 it was provided that they
be elected. The old constitution provided that
the people elect two candidates each for the
offices of sheriff and coroner, and that the gov-
ernor appoint one of them. By the amend-
ment of 1838 the people were permitted to
select these officers themselves, the governor to
commission them. The various offices have
been filled as follows :
Prothonotaries and Clerks
George A. Frick, appointed 1813; David
Petrikin, appointed March 15, 1821 ; John Rus-
sell, appointed Jan. 14, 1824; Jacob Eyerly,
appointed Jan. ly, 1830; James Donaldson, ap-
pointed Jan. 8, 1836, May i, 1838, and Jan. 10,
1839; Valentine Best, appointed Jan. 18, 1839;
Jacob Eyerly, elected in 1839; Jesse Coleman,
elected 1863; Wellington H. Ent, elected
1869, died Nov. 5, 1871 ; R. H. Ringler, ap-
pointed 1871; B. F. Zarr, elected 1872, and
1875; William Krickbaum, elected 1878, and
1881 ; William H. Snyder, elected 1884, and
Nov. 8, 1887; G. M. Quick, elected Nov. 4,
1890, and Nov., 1893 ; W. H. Henrie, elected
Nov. 3, 1896, and Nov. 3, 1899; C. M. Terwil-
Hger, elected Nov. 4, 1902, and Nov., 1905 ;
Freeze Quick, elected in November, 1908, and
again in 191 1.
Registers and Recorders
Josiah McClure, appointed in 1814; Ellis
Hughes, appointed 1821 ; Rudolph Sechler, ap-
pointed 1824; John Cooper, appointed 1830;
Alexander Best, appointed 1836; Philip Bill-
meyer, appointed Jan. 18, 1839, and elected in
the fall of 1839; Charles Conner, elected in
1842 and 1S45 ; Jesse G. Clark, elected in 1848
and 185 1 ; Daniel Lee, elected 1854, and re-
elected twice ; John G. Freeze, elected 1863
and 1866; Williamson H. Jacoby, elected 1869,
and reelected three times; George W. Sterner,
elected 1881 and 1884; Charles H. Campbell,
elected 1S87 and 1890; Charles B. Ent, elected
1893 and 1896; John C. Rutter, Jr., elected
1899 and 1902; Frank W. Miller, elected 1905
and 1908; James H. Mercer, elected 1911.
District Attorneys
District attorneys were first elected in 1854.
Up to that time the duties were performed by
a deputy attorney general appointed for each
county. The following persons have held the
office of district attorney since it became elec'
tive :
Robert F. Clark, 1854 to 1857; E. H. Little,
1857 to 1868; E. R. Ikeler, 1868 to 1871 ; James
Bryson, elected in 1871, resigned 1874; John
M. Clark, appointed Dec. 7, 1874 (to fill Bry-
son's unexpired term, his own term com-
mencing in January) ; John M. Clark,
elected in 1874; Robert R. Little, 1877
to 1883; Robert Buckingham, elected in 1883,
resigned 1885 ; F. P. Billmeyer, appointed in
1885; F. P. Billmeyer, elected in November,
1885, and in 1888, resigned in 1890; William
Ciirisman, appointed in April, 1890, elected in
November, 1890; Thomas B. Hanley, elected
in November, 1893, resigned June 27, 1896;
John G. Harman, appointed July 11, 1896;
John G. Harman, elected in November, 1896,
and in November, 1899; A. W. Duy, elected in
November, 1902 ; C. A. Small, elected in 1905,
reelected in 1908 and 191 1.
Sheriffs
The constitution of 1790 provided that sher-
iffs and coroners shall be chosen by the people
at the regular election ; two persons were
chosen for each office, one of whom respec-
tively was appointed by the governor. They
held office for three years or during good be-
havior, and until a successor was qualified,
but the sheriff could hold office only one term
in any period of six years. This was amended
by the constitution of 1838, so that only one
person could be chosen for each office. The
following persons have filled the office of
sheriff since the organization of the county :
Henry Alward, commissioned Jan. 13, 1814;
Joseph Prutzman, commissioned Oct. 10, 1816;
John Underwood, commissioned Oct. 8, 1819,
died in office; William Robison, appointed to
fill vacancy, Sept. 16, 1822 ; Andrew McRey-
nolds, commissioned Oct. 14, 1822 ; John
Rhoads, commissioned Oct. 22, 1821; ; William
Kitchen, commissioned Oct. 22, 1828; Isaiah
88
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Reed, commissioned Oct. 24, 1831 ; Isaiah Sal-
mon, commissioned Oct. 25, 1834; William
Kitchen, commissioned Oct. 18, 1837; John
Fruit, commissioned Oct. 30, 1840; Iram Derr,
commissioned 1843; Benjamin Hay man, com-
missioned Nov. 5, 1846; Peter Billmeyer, com-
missioned Oct. 24, 1849; John Snyder, com-
missioned 1852; Stephen H. Miller, commis-
sioned 1855 ; John Snyder, commissioned 1S58;
Josiah H. Furman, commissioned 1861 ; Sam-
uel Snyder, commissioned 1864; Mordecai Mil-
lard, commissioned 1867; Aaron Smith, com-
missioned 1870; Michael Gruver, commis-
sioned 1873, <i'^d in office; Charles G. Murphy,
coroner, was sworn in April 5, 1876, and served
until May 5, 1876; Charles S. Fornwald, ap-
pointed by the governor May 5, 1876, served
until January, 1877 ; John W. Hoffman, elected
fall of 1876; Uzal H. Ent, elected fall of 1879;
John Mourey, elected fall of 1882 ; Samuel
Smith, elected fall of 1885 ; John B. Casey,
elected fall of 1888; John Mourey, elected fall
of 1891; J. B. McHenry, elected fall of 1894;
W. W. Black, elected fall of 1897; Daniel
Knorr, elected fall of 1900; W. W. Black,
elected fall of 1903 ; Charles B. Ent, elected
fall of 1906; W. P. Zehner, elected fall of
1909; B. F. Rice, elected fall of 1913.
County Commissioners
The following persons have served as county
commissioners in the years mentioned, since
1866. From that date until 1875 °^^ person
was elected each year for a term of two years.
After that three commissioners were elected
every three years.
1866 — Montgomery Cole, Allen Mann, John
F. Fowler. 1867 — David Yeager, John F.
Fowler, Montgomery Cole. 1868— W. Grier
Quick, Montgomery Cole, David Yeager. 1869
— David Yeager, W. G. Quick, Cyrus Robbins.
1870 — W. G. Quick, Cyrus Robbins, H. J.
Reeder. 1871 — William Shaffer, Cyrus Rob-
bins, H. J. Reeder. 1872 — William Lawton,
H. J. Reeder, William Shaffer. 1873— Wil-
liam Shaffer, William Lawton, John Herner.
1874 — William Lawton, John Herner, John
Ent. 1875 — Silas W. McHenry, John Herner,
Joseph E. Sands. 1878 — Stephen Pohe,
Charles Reichert, A. B. Herring. 1881 —
Charles Reichert, B. F. Edgar, Joshua Fetter-
man. 1884 — Stephen Pohe, Washington Parr,
Theodore Mendenhall. 1887— W. G. Girton,
Jesse Rittenhouse, Ezra Stephens. 1890 —
Jesse Rittenhouse, B. F. Edgar. C. L. Sands.
1893— G. M. Ikeler. J. G. Swank. W. H. Utt.
1896 — John N. Gordon, William Krickbaum,
N. Kitchen. 1899— W. H. Fisher, William
Krickbaum, N. Kitchen. 1902 — W. H. Fisher,
William Bogart, G. W. Sterner. 1905 — C. L.
Pohe, J. A. Hess, Elisha Ringrose. 1908 — C.
L. Pohe, J. A. Hess, C. F. Lenhart. 191 1 —
G. S. Fleckenstine, C. E. Welliver, C. F. Len-
hart.
Commissioners' Clerks
Since 1866 the clerks to the county commis-
sioners have been : Robert C. Fruit, William
Krickbaum, John B. Casey, J. D. Bodine, C.
M. Terwilliger, D. Z. Mensch, R. F. Vander-
slice, J. W. Hidlay, A. B. Black, Charles E.
Smith.
County Treasurers
This list shows the incumbents of this office
during the terms in the years before their
names, prior to 1870; from and after that time
the dates show when they began their terms :
1816, James Langhead; 1818, Josiah Mc-
Clure; 1820, 1822, William Wilson; 1826, 1828,
Andrew McReynolds; ' 1830, Hugh McWil-
Hams; 1832, 1834, John Fruit; 1836, 1838,
Hugh McWilliams; 1842, Leonard B. Rupert;
1844, David Clark; 1846, Charles F. Mann;
1S48, Emanuel Lazarus; 1850, Amandus Lev-
ers; 1852, Samuel Creasy; 1854, John Doak;
1856, Jacob Harris ; 1858, James S. McNinch ;
i860, John A. Funston ; 1862, James S. Mc-
Ninch; 1864, Daniel McHenry; 1866, John J.
Stiles; 1868, Jacob Yohe ; 1870, David Lowen-
berg; 1873, John Snyder; 1876, H. W. McRey-
nolds ; 1879, H. A. Sweppenheiser ; 1882, A. M.
Johnson; 1885, P. A. Evans; 1888, George A.
Herring; 1891, John L. Kline ; 1894, J. R. Fow-
ler; 1897, G. S. Fleckenstine; 1900, Jeremiah
Snyder ; 1903, A. B. Croop ; 1906, M. H.
Rhodes; 1909, John Mourey; 1912, I. L. Rabb.
Toivnship and Borough Assessors
The township and borough assessors for
1914 are as follows : Beaver — Emanuel Har-
ger ; Benton borough — O. E. Sutton ; Benton
Tp. — John Ipher ; Berwick — Cyrus Smith ;
Blooni, W.— W. C. Sloan; Bloom, E,— P. B.
Heddens ; Briarcreek — William Ash ; Cata-
wissa Tp. — James Bibby ; Catawissa borough —
O. D. L. Kostenbauder ; Centralia, ist — M. W.
Brennan ; Centralia, 2d — A. T. Conway ; Cen-
tre— Frank Harris ; Cleveland — F. P. Small ;
Conyngham — Peter J. McHale ; Fishingcreek
— H. W. Hess; Franklin— D. M. Reeder;
Greenwood — W. L. Kelchner; Hemlock — •
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
89
Chas. L. Hartman; Jackson — M. O. Everhart;
Locust — D. C. Yocum; Madison — John J.
Kreamer; Main — Jerry Kelchner; Mifflin — P.
C. Glodfelter; Millville— Tillman Stadler;
Montour — Albert Newman ; Mt. Pleasant —
R. M. Creasy; Orange Tp. — Elmer Kline;
Orangeville borough — VV. W. Allabach ; Pine
— B. F. Karshner; Roaringcreek — C. M.
Yocum ; Scott — Harry Deiterick ; Sugarloaf —
Jesse Fritz; Stillwater borough — George
Dresher; W. Berwick, ist — William Croft;
W. Berwick, 2d— L. M. Pettit.
Representatives in Congress
Columbia county has been joined with a
number of other counties at dili'erent times in
the formation of a Congressional district. It
was originally placed in the Tenth district,
which included the counties of Northumber-
land, Union, Lycoming, Luzerne, Bradford,
Potter, Susquehanna and Tioga, with two Con-
gressmen, and was represented by the follow-
ing persons : William Wilson and Jared Irwin,
elected 1814; William Wilson and David
Scott, elected 1816. In 1817 Mr. Scott was
elected a judge and resigned, and John Murray
was elected to fill the vacancy. John Murray
and George Dennison were elected in 1818;
George Dennison and W. C. Ellis in 1820. In
1 82 1 Ellis resigned, and Thomas Murray, Jr.,
was elected to fill the vacancy.
In 1822 Columbia was put in the Ninth dis-
trict, with Union, Northumberland, Luzerne,
Susquehanna, Bradford, Lycoming, Potter,
Tioga and McKean, having three members, as
follows : W. C. Ellis, Samuel McKean, George
Kreamer, elected 1822 ; Samuel McKean,
George Kreamer, Espy Van Horn, elected
1824 and 1826 ; Philander Stevens, James Ford,
Allen Marr, elected 1828; Lewis Dewart, Phi-
lander Stevens, James Ford, elected 1830.
In 1832 Columbia was placed with Luzerne
as the Fifteenth district, with one member.
Andrew Beaumont was elected in 1832 and
1834; David Petrikin in 1836 and 1838; B. A.
Bidlock in 1840 and 1842.
In 1843 Wyoming was joined to Columbia
and Luzerne, forming the Eleventh district.
Owen D. Leib was elected in 1844 and 1846;
Chester Butler in 1848; Hendrick B. Wright
in 1850.
In 1852 Columbia was in the Twelfth dis-
trict with Luzerne. Montour and Wyoming.
Hendrick B. Wright was elected in 1852;
Henry M. Fuller in 1854 ; John G. Montgomery
in 1856 (he died before taking his seat, and
in 1857 Paul Leidy was elected) ; George W.
Scranton in 1858 and i860 (he died in March,
1861, and at a special election in June, H. B.
Wright was elected).
In 1861 Columbia was joined with Bradford,
Montour, Sullivan, Wyoming and all of North-
umberland, except Lower Mahoning township,
in the Twelfth district. Northumberland was
transferred to another district in 1862, and the
remaining counties elected Henry W. Tracy in
1862; Ulysses Mercur in 1864, 1866, 1868 and
1870; Dr. J. D. Strawbridge in 1872. Mercur
resigned in 1872, having been elected to the
Supreme bench, and at a special election, in
December, Frank Bunnell was chosen for the
short term.
In 1S73 Columbia was put in the Eleventh
district with Montour, Carbon, Monroe and
Pike counties ; the townships of Nescopeck,
Blackcreek, Sugarloaf, Butler, Hazel, Foster,
Bearcreek, Buck, Salem, Hollenback, Hunting-
ton, in Luzerne county; Fairmount, Roaring
Brook, Spring Brook, and that part of Scran-
ton south of Roaring Brook creek and east of
the Lackawanna river, in Lackawanna county ;
and the boroughs of Dunmore, New Columbus,
Gouldsboro, White Haven, Jeddo, and Hazle-
ton, in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. It
was known as the "Shoestring" district. F. P.
Collins was elected in 1874 and 1876; Robert
Klotz in 1878 and 1880; John B. Storm in
1882 and 1884; C. R. Buckalew in 1886 and
1888.
In 1890 the Sixteenth Congressional district
was made up of Columbia, Montour, Northum-
berland and Sullivan counties, and so remains
in 1914. S. P. Wolverton was elected in 1890
and 1892; M. H. Kulp, 1894 and 1896; Rufus
K. Polk, 1898 and 1900 (died in office, and
Alexander Billmeyer was elected to fill the un-
expired term) ; Charles H. Dickerman, 1902;
E. W. Samuels, 1904; John G. McHenry, 1906,
1908 and 1910 (died shortly before the expi-
ration of his third term, and the vacancy was
not filled) ; John V. Lesher, 1912 and 1914.
State Senators
Columbia county was first placed in a Sena-
torial district with Luzerne, Susquehanna and
Union, Columbia and Union being added upon
the formation of the counties. This district
elected two senators, Thomas Murray, Jr., and
William Ross, Murray being reelected in 1814,
the first election for senator in which Columbia
participated.
In 181 5 the Ninth Senatorial district was
formed, and included Northumberland, Colum-
bia, Union, Luzerne and Susquehanna, with
90
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
two senators, chosen alternately, the term being
four years. Charles Frazier was elected in
1816; Simon Snyder, 1818; a special election
was lield in i8iy to till the vacancy caused by
the death of Simon Snyder, and Kobert Wil-
lett was elected. In 1820 Redmond Conyng-
ham was elected.
In 1822 the Tenth Senatorial district was
formed of Luzerne and Columbia, with one
member. In 1824 Robert Moore was elected.
The term was then changed to three years.
In 1827 Moore was reelected; Jacob Urum-
heller, 1830; Uzal Hopkins, 1833.
Another change of district took place in 1830,
when Columbia and Schuylkill were made the
Ninth district, with one senator. Charles
Fraley was elected in 1837; Samuel F. Head-
ley, 1840.
In 1843 Columbia and Luzerne were again
put together, as the Thirteenth district. Wil-
liam S. Ross was elected in 1844; Valentine
Best, 1847.
In 1850 Montour was added to these two
counties, and the district became the Sixteenth.
Charles R. Buckalew was elected in 1850 and
reelected in 1853; George P. Steele, 1856.
In 1857 Columbia, Montour, Northumber-
land and Snyder formed the Thirteenth dis-
trict, and C. R. Buckalew was elected senator,
but resigned at the end of one session. Reuben
Keller was elected in 1858 to fill the vacancy,
and reelected in i860. D. B. Montgomery was
elected in 1863.
In 1864 Sullivan was substituted for Snyder,
and the district was changed to the Fifteenth.
George D. Jackson was elected in 1866, and
C. R. Buckalew in 1869.
In 1871 Lycoming was substituted for North-
umberland, and Thomas Chalfant was elected
in 1872.
In 1874 the State was redistricted, no change
occurring in this district except the change of
the number to the Twenty-fourth. In 1874
and again in 1876 Robert P. Allen was elected ;
George D. Jackson, 1878, died in office, and
E. J. McHenry was elected in 1880 to fill the
vacancy; W. W. Hart, 1882; Verus H. Metz-
ger, 1886; Grant Herring, 1890; J. Henry
Cochran, 1894. 1898, 1902 and 1906; Charles
W. Sones. 1910 and 1914. No change has
been made in the formation of the district
from 1871 to the present (1914).
Members of General Assembly
By the Eighth section of the act creating
Columbia county in 1813 it was provided "that
the inhabitants of the counties of Northum-
berland, Union and Columbia shall jointly elect
four representatives" to the General Assembly.
Samuel Bound, Leonard Rupert, Thomas
Murray, Jr., and George Kreamer were elected
in 1813; David E. Owen, Robert Willett,
Joseph Hutchison and Henry Shaffer in 1814.
In 1815 Columbia was made a separate dis-
trict, with one member, and James McClure
was elected in that year; Samuel Bond, in
1816, 1817 and 1818; James McClure, 1819;
John Snyder, 1820; John Clark, 1821.
In 1822 the county was given two members,
and William McBride and Alexander Colley
were elected, and reelected in 1823; John Mc-
Reynolds and Eli Thornton, 1824; John
McReynolds and William McBride, 1826; John
McReynolds and Christian Bropst, 1827; John
McReynolds and John Robinson, 1828.
The representation was reduced to one mem-
ber in 1829, and John Robinson was elected;
Uzal Hopkins, 1830 and 1831 ; Isaac Kline,
1832 and 1833; John F. Derr, 1834 and 1835;
Evan O. Jackson, 1836; John Bowman, 1837;
William Colt, 1838 and 1839; Daniel Snyder,
1840, 1841, 1842, 1843; Thomas A. Funston,
1844 and 1845 ; Stewart Pierce, 1846, 1847,
1848; Benjamin P. Fortner, 1849.
In 1850 Columbia and Montour were joined
in a district, and John McReynolds was elected ;
M. E. Jackson in 1851; George Scott, 1852
and 1853; James G. Maxwell, 1854; John G.
Montgomery, 1855; Peter Ent, 1856.
In 1857 Columbia, Montour, Sullivan and
Wyoming were put together, with two mem-
bers, and Peter Ent and John V. Smith were
elected ; George A. Jackson and — ■ —
Oakes, 1858 and 1859 ; H. R. Kline and
Osterhaut, i860; Levi L. Tate and
Tutton, 1861 ; G. D. Jackson and J. C. Ellis,
1862 and 1863.
In 1864 Columbia and Montour were made
a district, and W. H. Jacoby was elected that
year and 1865; Thomas Chalfant, 1866 and
1867: George Scott, 1868 and 1869; Thomas
Chalfant, 1870.
In 1871 Columbia was placed alone, and C.
B. Brockway was elected, and reelected in 1872
and 1873.
In 1874, in accordance with the provisions
of the new constitution, Columbia was made a
separate district, and g^iven two members, and
the term of office was fixed at two years, E. J.
McHenrv and S. P. Rvan being first elected;
E. J. McHenrv and David S. Brown, 1876;
T. T. Vander^lire and Joseph B. Knittle, 1878
and 1880: William Brvson and T. J. Vander-
slice, 1882: A. L. Fritz and William Brvson
1884; A. L. Fritz and James T. Fox, 1886
James T. Fox and William Krickbaum, 1888
William Krickbaum and E. M. Tewksbury,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
91
1890; E. M. Tewksbury and A. L. Fritz, 1892;
A. L. Fritz and William T. Creasy, 1894 ; W. T.
Creasy and William Chrisman, 1896 and i8g8;
W. T. Creasy and Fred Ikeler, 1900 and 1902 ;
W. T. Creasy and John G. Harman, 1904. The
representation was then reduced to one mem-
ber, and W. T. Creasy was elected in 1906;
Charles A. Shaffer, 1908, 1910, 1912 and 1914.
ASSESSMENT AND VALUATION, COLUMBIA
COUNTY
The total valuation of property in this county
in 1914, according to the report of the county
commissioners, was $13,987,354. This was
probably less than half the real value of prop-
erty, when the immense coal deposits in
Conyngham township and the materials and
finished products of the many factories and
industrial establishments are taken into con-
sideration.
Bloomsburg west of Center street alone had
a valuation of $1,586,830, which is remarkable,
considering the large amount of unoccupied
space. Bloomsburg east of Center street fol-
lows with a valuation of $1,538,095, and Ber-
wick is third in position, with a valuation of
$1,321,375. Following is the complete list:
Beaver township $ 222,425
Benton township 212,375
Benton borough 172,010
Berwick borough 1,321,375
Bloomsburg— east 1,538.095
Bloomsburg— west 1,586,830
Briarcreek township 494,750
Catawissa township 142,305
Catawissa borough 527,635
Centralia borough — 1st ward 186,520
Centralia borough — 2d ward 98,400
Centre township 518,700
Cleveland township 223,672
Conyngham township 1,356,327
Fishingcreek township 31S.71S
Franklin township 186,730
Greenwood township 351,180
Hemlock township 338,960
Jackson township 109,075
Locust township 319,003
Madison township 393,240
Main township 203,810
Mifflin township 375,585
Millville borough 158,305
Montour township 270,185
Mount Pleasant township 218,615
Orange township 176,430
Orangeville borough in ,555
Pine township 129,099
Roaringcreek township 146,378
Scott township 413.535
Sugarloaf township 153,935
Stillwater borough 65,345
West Berwick — ist ward 604,010
West Berwick — 2d ward 345,245
Total $13,987,354
The amount of money out at interest in
Columbia county in the year 1914 was as
follows :
Beaver township $ 24,733
Benton borough 74,143
Benton township 24,733
Berwick borough 238,200
Bloomsburg — east 209,303
Bloomsburg — west 241,442
Briarcreek township 33,790
Catawissa township 10,705
Catawissa borough 145,560
Centralia borough — 1st ward 7,i47
Centralia borough — 2d ward 48,925
Centre township 55,241
Cleveland township 40,897
Conyngham township 3,498
Fishingcreek township 26,700
Frankhn township 14,065
Greenwood township 33,287
Hemlock township 37,4l6
Jackson township 6,751
Locust township 1 13,665
Madison township 25,025
Main township 42,402
Mifflin township 54,II3
Millville borough 66,389
Montour township 10,191
Mount Pleasant township 7.594
Orange township 6,819
Orangeville borough 75, 136
Pine township 10,963
Roaringcreek township 44,175
Scott township 102,682
Sugarloaf township 34,593
Stillwater borough 15,188
West Berwick — 1st ward 29,960
West Berwick — 2d ward 61,745
Total $1,968,402
Even though the fact is acknowledged that
Columbia county has been almost denuded of
timber, there still remained in 1914 a total of
75,356 acres of timberland. Of this Conyng-
ham is credited with 11,135 acres, but most of
it is mountain scrub, unfit for any purpose but
mine props. The timber areas in acres are as
follows :
Beaver township 4,565
Benton borough 413
Benton township 8,895
Briarcreek township 1,741
Catawissa township 1,310
Catawissa borough 9
Centre township 1,303
Clevelnnd township 2,913
Conyngham township 1 1, 135
Fishingcreek township 3,113
Franklin township 1,499
Greenwood township 3.709
Hemlock township 1.720
Jackson township 4,188
Locust township 2,319
Madison township 5,185
Main township :,.... 1,283
Mifflin township 1,998
92
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Millville borough 29
Montour township l.i/i
Mount Pleasant township 1,879
Orange township 1,98c)
Orangeville borough 54
Pine township 7,220
Roaringcreek township 4,277
Scott township 273
Sugarloaf township 7,264
Stillwater borough 441
Total 75,356
In addition to numerous lots in various bor-
oughs, Columbia county has 164,880 acres of
cleared land, according to the returns of the
assessors in 1914. Madison township leads the
county with 12,806 acres, with Fishingcreek
and Centre close seconds.
The acreage by districts is as follows :
Beaver township 6,658
Benton borough 413
Benton township 8,895
Bloomsburg — east 861
Bloomsburg — west 436
Briarcreek township 6,899
Catawissa township 4,574
Catawissa borough 182
Centralia borough — ist ward 150
Centre township 11,358
Cleveland township 7,5o8
Conyngham townsliip 5
Fishingcreek township II,SI2
Franklin township 6,152
Greenwood township 10,941
Hemlock township 7.640
Jackson township 6,003
Locust township 8,370
Madison township 12,806
Main township 5,558
Mifflin township 8,346
Millville borough 439
Montour township 3,885
Mount Pleasant township. . . . ; 7.292
Orange township 5.478
Orangeville borough 225
Pine township 7.102
Roaringcreek township 5,39i
Scott township 3.317
Sugarloaf township 4.949
Stillwater borough 1,092
West Berwick — ist ward 22
West Berwick — 2d ward 421
Total 164,880
In addition to the above the following num-
ber of lots have also been returned : Benton
borough, 237; Berwick, 1,178; Bloomsburg
— east, 1,246; Bloomsburg — west, 902; Briar-
creek, 959 ; Centralia — 1st ward, 328 ; Centralia
— 2d ward, 138; Conyngham, 411; Fishing-
creek, 55; Millville, 200; Orangeville borough,
123; West Berwick — 1st ward, 1,177; West
Berwick — 2d ward, 2,241.
The number of taxables in Columbia county
in 1914 showed an increase of 8,582 over the
statement for 1882, the date of the publication
of these figures in Colonel Freeze's history of
the county. For purposes of comparison the
following table is compiled :
1882 J914
Beaver township 257 171
Benton borough zgi
Benton township 292 258
Berwick borough 660 3,202
Bloomsburg — east 9S6 1.780
Bloomsburg — west 1,348
Briarcreek township 284 876
Catawissa township 646 150
Catawissa borough 802
Centralia — 1st ward 385 521
Centralia — 2d ward 444
Centre township 296 325
Conyngham township 512 898
Fishingcreek township 366 322
Franklin township 117 132
Greenwood township 431 383
Hemlock township 227 310
Jackson township 157 146
Locust township 456 349
Madison township 271 285
Main township 153 162
Mifflin township 272 377
Millville borough 246
Montour township 154 195
Mount Pleasant township 171 163
Orange township 253 108
Orangeville borough 154
Pine township 218 232
Roaringcreek township 129 152
Scott township 412 469
Sugarloaf township 215 381
Stillwater borough 50
West Berwick — ist ward 1,030
West Berwick — 2d ward 954
Total 8,320 16,908
The occupational tax of Columbia county
for 1914 was as follows:
Beaver township $ 14,690
Benton township 6,170
Benton borough 25,515
Berwick borough 169,440
Bloomsburg — east 146,320
Bloomsburg — west 1 18,600
Briarcreek township 54.575
Catawissa township 6,630
Catawissa borough 70,110
Centralia — ist ward 4i,970
Centralia — 2d ward 37.440
Centre township 16,610
Cleveland township 8,480
Conyngham township 83,890
Fishingcreek township 12,280
Franklin township 5.295
Greenwood township 13.620
Hemlock township 12,930
Jackson township 3,200
Locust township 14,205
Madison township 9,400
Main township 8,470
Mifflin township 23,095
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
93
Millville borough I9.4IS
Montour township 13,060
Mount Pleasant township 5.080
Orange township 2,300
Orangeville borough 13.010
Pine township 5.285
Roaringcreck township 3.600
Scott township 34.915
Sugarloaf township 11,930
Stillwater borough 3.520
W. Berwick— 1st ward 99,i5S
W. Berwick— 2d ward 48,360
Total $1,162,565
In 1914 Columbia county had 6,558 horses,
mares, geldings and mules, over the age of
four years, with an aggregate valuation of
$330,160. Madison township led, with Green-
wood a close second, but the average assessed
value varied greatly, according to the views
of the different assessors. The figures are as
follows :
Animals Value
Beaver township 200 $10,820
Benton township 299 15,645
Benton borough S8 2,170
Berwick borough 148 8,915
Bloomsburg— east 148 6,905
Bloomsburg — west 92 5.695
Briarcreek township 303 17.870
Catawissa township 149 7.455
Catawissa borough 69 2,450
Centralia — ist ward 37 520
Centralia — 2d ward 19 760
Centre township 374 '5.945
Cleveland township 307 13,820
Conyngham township 229 9,l6o
Fishingcreek township 286 12,260
Franklin township 179 9.010
Greenwood township 414 28,375
Hemlock township 274 14,500
Jackson township I7S 8,060
Locust township 385 16,185
Madison township 430 25,040
Main township 197 11,360
Mifflin township 269 11,870
Millville borough 66 2.710
Montour township 167 11,245
Mount Pleasant township 266 13,060
Orange township 178 7,560
Orangeville borough 36 1,27s
Pine township 217 10,425
Roaringcreek township 178 9,370
Scott township 170 7,685
Sugarloaf township 137 5,SI0
Stillwater borough 24 2,570
W.Berwick — 1st ward 33 1,905
W. Berwick — 2d ward 45 2,055
Totals 6,558 $330,160
For a number of years Madison, Centre and
Greenwood townships have striven for the
honor of having the largest number of cattle
within their borders in comparison with the
other townships of this county. More than one-
fifth of all the cattle in the county can be found
within these three townships. All of the town-
ships and districts except the 2d ward of Cen-
tralia have at least one cow, but that spot has
not one; and in spite of its large size, Conyng-
ham township has but five cattle in its confines.
The names of the divisions, number of cattle
and valuation, according to the assessors'
figures, are as follows :
No. Value
Beaver township 141 $ 2,820
Benton township 273 5,455
Benton borough 24 480
Berwick borough 8 200
Bloomsburg— east 44 1.080
Bloomsburg — west 58 2,430
Briarcreek township 300 9,040
Catawissa township 122 3,635
Catawissa borough 10 310
Centralia — ist ward 5 no
Centre township i77 9,375
Cleveland township 205 3.89S
Conyngham township 5 'OO
Fishingcreek township 311 6,390
Franklin township 109 2,495
Greenwood township 374 10,750
Hemlock township 251 5,240
Jackson township 152 2,205
Locust township 216 4,330
Madison township 385 9.6l5
Main township 169 3,380
Mifflin township 260 5,450
Millville borough 42 455
Montour township 181 4,390
Mount Pleasant township 250 5,035
Orange township 170 4,165
Orangeville borough 15 300
Pine township I93 3,295
Roaringcreek township 120 2,400
Scott township 145 3,210
Sugarloaf township 144 2,780
Stillwater borough 21 915
W. Berwick — ist ward 10 280
W. Berwick — 2d ward 20 515
Total 5.1 10 $116,604
The amounts paid for liquor licenses by the
various townships and boroughs for the year
1914 were as follows:
Beaver township $ lOO
Benton borough 200
Benton township lOO
Berwick borough 1,850
Bloomsburg 4.500
Briarcreek township 200
Catawissa township 200
Catawissa borough 1,250
Centralia borough 4,100
Conyngham township 975
Fishingcreek township 100
Greenwood township 200
Locust township 300
Madison township 100
Main township lOO
Mifflin township. 100
Montour township 200
94
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mount Pleasant township loo
Orangeville borough 400
Pine township 100
Sugarloaf township 300
West Berwick borough 3,400
Total $18,925
The tabulated statement of the mercantile
license fees paid in 1914 was as follows:
Beaver township $ 41.23
Benton borough 196.89
Benton township 6.30
Berwick borough 1,844.46
Bloomsburg borough 1,718.30
Briarcreek township 66.25
Catawissa township 5.65
Catawissa borough 418.66
Centralia borough 426.78
Centre township 72.66
Cleveland township 14.86
Conyngham township 18843
Fishingcreek township 43.15
Franklin township 20.58
Greenwood township S9.91
Hemlock township 14.24
Jackson township 10.80
Locust township 87.68
Madison township 21.79
Main township 35-99
Mifflin township 97.04
Millville borough 166.95
Montour township 23.21
Mount Pleasant township 14.50
Orange township 6.50
Orangeville borough 93.90
Pine township 10.51
Roaringcreek township 20.24
Scott township 1 14.38
Sugarloaf township 55-01
Stillwater borough 10.63
West Berwick borough 221.30
Total $6,128.78
CHAPTER XII
EDUCATIONAL GROWTH
As in most of the counties of Pennsylvania,
the growth of education in Columbia was con-
temporary with that of religion. As soon as
the pioneer had established his home in the
wilderness and begun to accumulate a little of
this world's goods he took note of the educa-
tional needs of his growing family. The first
one to turn to was the pastor of the sect to
which his religious allegiance was given. The
primitive pastor was often the schoolmaster
as well, and well did he perform that duty. To
these olden-time preachers we owe the deep
religious sentiment and honesty of the genera-
tion of which the present members of the com-
munity are sons.
Then came the era of "subscription schools."
These were inadequately supported by the con-
tributions of the parents and were at first held
in private homes. Later, voluntary subscrip-
tions were taken to build special habitations
for the schools, and they were of the same
primitive character as those of the household-
ers. The furnishings of these temples of
knowledge were also primitive in character.
The seats were puncheons, with peg legs ; the
desks lined the walls under the small windows,
the scholars stood up to use them ; and the
heat in wintertime came from an open and
wide-mouthed fireplace, the door of the hut
being made sjiecially wide to allow the scholars
at noon to roll in the great logs to replenish the
fire. A tin cup and a wooden pail completed
the furnishings.
In one respect Columbia county fared better
than her western neighbors in the counties near
to the Allegheny river — she did not have to
submit her little ones to the tender mercies of
the "Irish schoolmaster," that "knight of the
rod and bottle" so common in the western coun-
ties. Her teachers usually were drawn from
the families of the neighborhood, and though
sometimes of limited capacity were sober, earn-
est and religious instructors. Many of the
first schools were held in the homes of the
teachers and the children were given more care
and attention than at a later date, when the
common school laws came into effect.
THE COMMON SCHOOL LAW
In 1833, the year before the common school
system was inaugurated, it was estimated that
less than 24,000 children were educated at pub-
lic expense, and most of these by very incom-
petent teachers. These schools were called
"pauper schools," and were despised by the
rich and shunned by the poor. The children
were classified as pay and pauper scholars, and
thus the law practically separated the rich from
the poor, causing the development of the
"caste" idea in a democratic republic.
The svstem inaugurated bv the school law
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
95
of 1834 provided that each township could
accept or reject the plan, but this was iQund to
be unwise, and in 1849 the act was made com-
pulsory on every township. In 1857 the gen-
eral supervision was taken out of the hands of
the secretary of the Commonwealth and the
same year the normal school law was passed.
The school laws found some opposition in
Columbia county from the Germans, who were
greatly attached to their native tongue and
feared the teaching of English would cause
its abandonment by the younger generation.
Their forebodings were afterwards realized,
the stronger tongue gradually forcing out the
weaker, and English now prevails over all
other languages.
The equipment of the scholar of the olden
days was simple. A Webster speller, an Eng-
lish reader or a Testament, DaboU's arithme-
tic, a slate, a goose quill and a few sheets of
coarse writing paper covered the entire range
of known material winter after winter, so long
as he attended school. Later on Maltebrun's
geography and Smith's grammar were added,
and perhaps a Colton atlas. Contrasted with
the vast array of books laid before the present
scholar these first essentials were few and
simple.
SMALL BEGINNINGS
The first organized educational movement
made in the county was that of the Society of
Friends at Millville, who partitioned off one
end of their meetinghouse for use as a school-
room by Miss Elizabeth Eves. This school was
not sectarian in character, the children of all
denominations being welcomed. Other
schools were established — by the residents of
Fishingcreek in 1794, Benton in 1799, Berwick
in 1800, and other townships in rapid succes-
sion thereafter. These local schools are treated
in chapters devoted to the various townships.
The ambition for higher education was early
developed in this county, Berwick taking the
lead with her academy in 1839. It served its
purpose, and finally the building was torn down
in 1872. Millville high school was established
in 1851, became Greenwood Seminary in 1861
and is still running, although with but few
scholars. Orangeville Male and Female Aca-
demy was incorporated in 1858, opened the
following year, continued as an orphans' school
during 1864-66, and in 1894 was sold to the
township for common school uses. Catawissa
Seminary was chartered in 1866, having been
operated since 1839 as an academy, and finally
suspended in 1872. The history of these insti-
tutions, as well as that of the State Normal
School, will be found in the chapters devoted
to the local history of their home towns.
STATISTICS
Complete reports of the schools for different
years since the beginning of State supervision
would take up too much room in this work.
Reports may be had from the proper author-
ities at any time. We will, however, give a
few isolated figures for comparison, in addi-
tion to the latest reports available from the
county superintendent.
A writer of 1847 states that general educa-
tion had been neglected in many of the town-
ships, although but two — Miftlin and Valley-
had failed to adopt the common school system.
The compensation of the teachers — $16 for
the men and $9 for the women — was not such
as to induce competent persons to take up the
profession of teaching. At that date there
were in the county 104 schools, in operation
seven months in the year, employing 98 men
and 31 women teachers.
In 1885 there were 196 schools, in operation
for a little over six months ; 97 male teachers
and 124 female teachers, the men receiving an
average of $35 and the women $28 per month ;
and the number of scholars in attendance was
4,602 males and 4,187 females. The resources
of the schools in that year were $2,300 and the
liabilities $26,445, while the total expenditures
were $66,469.
MODERN DEVELOPMENTS
Possibly in no other particular is there
clearer evidence of the growth of Columbia
county in the last quarter of a century than
that shown by the advancement of education.
Perhaps the most fundamental improvement
has been the establishment of a uniform course
of studies. The boroughs were the first to see
the wisdom of this nlan and the countn,' dis-
tricts soon followed their example. The coun-
try children are now graded just as carefully
as those in the towns, promotions are made in
the same manner, and, in fact, there is little to
choose between the city and country school.
One of the best results of systematic study
and work in the county has been the stimulus
it has given to the establishment of township
high schools. Under the old methods the pupils
never advanced by grades, never graduated,
and there was no means of determining where
the common school should leave of? and the
high school begin. As soon as the present sys-
96
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
tern was adopted the pupils began to look for-
ward to something higher and school work
seemed to be worth while.
Within the last fifteen years there has been
a steady increase in the number of high schools
in the county, scarcely equaled in the rest of
the State. Fishingcreek, Mifflin, Scott, Sugar-
loaf, Hemlock, Madison, Briarcreek, Centre,
Beaver, Roaringcreek, Main, Locust, Green-
wood and Mount Pleasant by 1912 all had good
high schools, thoroughly established and en-
thusiastically patronized. The special appro-
priation for these high ^schools for the year
1912 was over $5,000. Besides the above there
have been high schools established at Benton,
Orangeville, Stillwater and Millville, and in
every township except Pine, Montour and
Jackson. The attendance at these schools is
remarkable, over ninety per cent of those who
begin the course remaining to graduate, a rec-
ord which some of the more wealthy and popu-
lous counties cannot equal. Wherever a high
school has been in operation for a few years
there will be found a social center composed of
intellectually bright young men and women who
will assist in the future development of the
mental and moral character of their section.
Each month the teachers in the different dis-
tricts meet to discuss ways and means of im-
proving their work, and each month the lead-
ing teachers of the county spend a day at the
county seat, where they listen to talks by some
of the greatest educators of the State.
In every district a local educational mass
meeting is held thrice yearly, and is largely at-
tended by the people. County institutes are
growing steadily in popularity ; graduation
exercises and commencements are held yearly ;
school frolics for the improvement of the
school buildings are often held ; an eight weeks'
summer review school is held each year at Ben-
ton and attended by 150 students ; an excursion
of progressive farmers, teachers and pupils
is made each year to the State College, to get
acquainted with the progress of scientific agri-
culture ; and a series of debating leagues are in
operation to develop the latent oratory of the
pupils. An exhibit of the schools of this county
at the National Educational Association in
Philadelphia in 1913 was pronounced to be the
best of any country schools in the State.
BUILDINGS
The character and equipment of the school-
houses have kept pace with and often out-
stripped that of the educational end. The old
rural schoolhouse of twenty-five years ago was
a frame structure, with an entrance directly into
the schoolroom, and no arrangements were
made for ventilation, the windows being closed
for the winter and seldom opened until the
warm breath of spring compelled it. As an old
resident said about the pioneer schoolhouses
and churches, "the atmosphere was carefully
preserved from one season to the other, and
one could tell he was in a schoolhouse or
church, even when his eyes were closed, by the
smell."
There were then no decorations or embellish-
ment of the walls or exterior, and often a sad
lack of repairs. The furniture consisted of
plain wooden benches and desks, the seats
sometimes having a close capacity for three or
four children together. The outbuildings were
small, dilapidated and unsanitary to the fullest
degree.
But these conditions do not prevail now.
The contrast is remarkable between the old-
time school and the one of these days. Even
the country schoolhouse now is often built of
enduring brick, and where wood is used the
style of architecture and furnishings are in
consonance with all that modern science can
show, while the efforts of the directors, teach-
ers and pupils are constantly directed to the
end of housing the scholar in a building where
he can gain an education without losing his
health and cheerfulness.
The location and character of the high
schools of the county are given below, and even
where there is no comment on the school it is
to be understood that the building is in as good
a state of repairs as its age will allow. The
grammar schools of the different townships
are described in the chapters devoted to the
general history of those divisions.
Superintendent Evans was elected to the of-
fice which he holds in 1901 and has been re-
peatedly reelected up to 1914. Most of the
recent educational growth of the county is due
to his efforts. His unflagging energy and
abundant resources of mind and body, coupled
with a genial personality, have endeared him
to all with whom he has been associated. He
has a fine and artistic sense, and through his
efforts the schools have had their lack of deco-
rative appearance filled by the placing upon
their walls of hundreds of finely framed pic-
tures from the old masters and modern artists.
Within the last year Superintendent Evans
had the honor given him of the presidency of
the Columbia County Historical Society, and
he intends to enlist the teachers and scholars
in the work of gathering material and relics
for the rooms of the society in the county court-
house. This will be a method of teaching his-
tory in a practical and effective manner.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
97
HIGH SCHOOLS AND PRINCIPALS
Location Building
Beaver— Beaver Valley New ..
Benton— Benton Remodeled
Berwick OJd
Bloomsburg Old
Briarcreek- N. Berwick New
Centre— Grange Hall New
Catawissa 01° ' ,' ',■ ',■
Centralia ■' • • Kemodeled
Conyngham— AVistes New, 8 rooms J. A. Shovlin
Fishingcreek— Jonestown New bamuel J. Seesholtz
Greenwood New Hazel Kester
Hemlock— Buckhorn New Maurice Girton
Locust— Newlin New Charles W. Keeler
Principal
Myrtle Rice
L. Ray Appleman
J. Y. SliaiTibach
W. C. Mauser
R. C. Cole
Frank Adams
Frank A. Frear
R. A. Fetterman
Main — Mainville
. New John E. Klingerman
Madison— Jerseytown New
Mifflin— Mifflinville Remodeled
MillviUe New
Mount Pleasant— Canby New . . . .
Orangeville— Academy Remodeled
Roaringcrcek— Gulp New
Scott— Espy Old
Stillwater New
Sugarloaf — Grassmere New
West Berwick , New Harlan R. Snyder
In looi tliere were 246 teachers in the ability of County Superintendent Evans. Fol-
county ; now there are 325. Much of the re- lowing is the statement of the number of
cent educational growth is owing to the wide- schools, teachers, and financial standing of the
spread influence of the Normal School, and to county for the year 1912, taken from the re-
the unflagging energy and the fine organizing port of Superintendent Evans :
Kimber Hartman
Chas. W. Potter
Jjeo. M. Leehman
Amos Gruber
M. D. Mordan
Florence Hauck
Ernest Merrill
Ida Dreibelbis
A. S. Fritz
Districts
Schools
> B
Teachers
raj:
o
" s
2 ^
<
Scholars
B-t;
Tax and Rate Per Cent Receipts
> u
— ' c
Is
Beaver township 8
Benton horougli 6
Benton township 7
Berwick borough 2i
Bloomsburg 25
Briarcreek township 14
Catawissa borough 12
Catawissa township 3
Centralia borough 8
Centre township. 10
Cleveland township 7
Conyngham township 17
Fishingcreek township.... 9
Franklin township 4
Greenwood township 11
Hemlock township 8
Jack'^on township 4
T.orust township 11
Madison township 10
MTtn township 6
MifRin township 10
MillviUe borough 4
Montour townsliip 4
Mount Pleasant township. 8
Orange township 4
Orangeville borough 3
Pine township 8
Roarinccreek township. ... 5
Scott township 8
Stillwater borouch 3
Sugarloaf township 12
West Berwick borough. . . 20
7
4
4
$45-00
$45.00
89
94
131
83 $2.08
7
2
$2,700-00
$1,490.22
8
1
1
66.66
50-00
78
99
156
93
2.38
12
2,112.28
1.678-84
7
7
47-00
98
89
145
90
3-II
8
1,998.98
1,624.74
9
6
23
79-65
52-95
528
562
923
96
2.20
15
20,409.13
5.714-41
9
H
26
103.40
51-34
702
715
1,225
97
2-03
10
27.805.75
8,043.63
7
4
1 1
SO. 00
44.55
248
230
460
87
I 99
8
2
5,810.22
3,080.92
9
2
10
82.50
51-75
210
206
367
97
3-50
9-5
4
7,248.13
3,154-03
7
2
I
50.00
40.00
52
48
85
85
2.62
8
1,265.48
705.32
9
2
«
60.00
48.50
141
170
221
86
2-13
13
4.396-91
2,959.87
7
=;
■;
48.00
46.00
132
120
215
86
2.25
4
2.252.17
2,125.0s
7
I
6
SO. 00
50.00
123
124
190
77
.-87
8
1,828.03
1.436-13
9
7
1 1
85-24
57-23
336
308
530
85
3-35
13
11,493-78
2.984.99
7
^
h
55-00
43-33
109
91
173
81
2.60
6
2,328.93
1,820.76
7
2
2
50.00
45.00
59
65
88
87
1-97
6
1.382-03
976.89
7
4
7
53-75
44.28
145
126
229
92
2.25
7
2.912.42
2,261.29
7
I
7
65.00
41-43
80
86
156
8?
3-52
5
I
2,281.95
1-757-97
7
2
2
50.00
4S-00
66
47
83
88
2-52
10
1. 141. 52
1,083-03
7.09
I
11
65.00
44.00
142
140
22-7
88
2-35
9
3.163-06
2.327-79
7
•i
7
53-33
44.28
83
90
'53
43
3-28
6
2
4.164.54
2,049.65
7
2
4
57-50
47-50
51
63
103
94
3-07
6
2
1.732-00
1.096.84
7=;
?.
7
55-00
47.14
145
119
201
88
2.90
7
2.848.16
2.120.60
s
I
4
85.00
54.00
71
66
115
95
2.92
10
3
1.957-38
1.132. 51
8
2
2
45-00
40.00
60
62
92
88
1. 71
4
1.255-69
1. 197-53
7
2
6
45-00
48.33
73
93
145
gi
3-40
9
2,152.86
1,607.32
7
4
45-00
39
37
50
83
2.98
6
1.217-37
697.01
g
I
2
75.00
45-00
41
38
63
86
2.25
6
736-18
692.07
7
4
4
45.00
47-50
105
I 10
ISO
85
2.00
13
3
2,457-75
1.592.32
7
?.
2
40.00
55-00
88
61
108
84
1.85
7
1,200.00
1.053-95
7.12
4
4
50.00
50-00
129
108
188
93
^■ifl
4-5
I
2,642-57
1.651-58
7
^
46.66
21
35
54
94
2.85
7
508.55
766.13
7.16
6
6
48.60
46.97
175
193
321
86
1.96
13
5
3.305-25
2.423-50
9
4
17
71-25
50.00
477
46b
777
94
1-55
10
7
■5.327-12
6,013-21
290 7.8 92 222 $59.68 $47-33 4.896 4.861 8,124 87 $2.49 8.34 I $144.036.19 $69,320.09
98
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Districts
Receipts
rt X o
to rt
X to ^
^^ u p
C D D.
5 O =1-
P m rt
Expenditures
^^ c !>
o w -
rt to
C-C o
£c£
>.
ra
»<-.
ul
e^
o
i_
M
*«
4<
o
~
n
o
«
<
3-
4-
5-
6.
7-
8.
9-
10.
II.
12.
13.
14-
15-
16.
17-
IS.
19-
22.
23-
24-
25-
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
Beaver twp $3,878.97
Benton bor 3,626.19
Benton twp 1.998.98
Berwick bor 56,835.61
Bloomsburg 44.745.66
Briarcreek twp 5.527.22
Catawissa bor 8,750.90
Catawissa twp 1,267.91
Centralia bor 10,001.94
Centre twp 2,950.11
Cleveland twp 2,397.77
Conyngham twp 16,750.30
Fishingcreek twp...l. 2,764.68
Franklin twp 1,366.78
Greenwood twp 3.164.96
Hemlock twp 2,334.23
Jackson twp 1,200.19
Locust twp 3,876.87
Madison twp 4,687.41
Main twp 2.959.23
Mifflin twp 3.633.87
Millville bor 3,079.53
Montour twp 1,951.84
Mount Pleasant twp., 2,352.30
Orange twp 1,339-48
Orangeville bor 1,281.22
Pine twp 6.942.75
Roaringcreek twp 1,391.67
Scott twp 2,907.96
Stillwater bor 93187
Sugarloaf twp 4.421.99
West Berwick bor. . . . 16,426.54
$5. 369-19
5.30503
3,623.72
62,550.02
52,789.29
8,608.14
11,904.93
1.973-23
12,961.81
5,075.16
3,833-90
19.735-29
4,585-44
2,343-67
5,426-25
4.092.20
2,283.22
6,204.66
6,73706
4,056.07
5.754.47
4.212.04
3.149.37
3.959-62
2,036.49
1,973-29
8. 535-07
2,445.62
4.559-54
1,697.99
6,845.49
22,439-75
$921.98
$2,651.00
60.75
2,890.00
92.70
2.415.00
29,410.26
16,364.06
1,771-50
20,002.20
214.27
5,043-00
1,251.86
6,492-50
29-35
1,025.00
372.64
4,857-50
296.41
3,434-05
134-53
2,545-00
2,575.03
11,048.50
296.92
3,205.00
204.51
1,390.00
161.06
3.837-00
353-80
2,605.00
85-94
1,772.53
80J.45
4,220.00
75-31
3.440.00
661.23
2,155-00
1,13502
3,740-00
290-Sl
2,434-25
98-47
1,420.00
112.50
2,765.00
32.73
1,320.00
66.01
1,365.00
1.50
2,430.00
9-38
t.685.00
31-18
2,990.00
11.25
1,025.00
170.61
4.280.00
918.13
11,058.9s
$128.16
152.79
126.17
1,101.71
2,191.13
324-22
58S.98
57-37
344-21
29.04
35-40
775-34
54-66
95-70
34-03
59-91
152.39
61.94
137.87
234.07
82.76
24-85
67.12
181.02
25.60
5-75
57-18
19.46
121.13
498-31
$238-23
193-47
142.07
1,820.87
1,230.47
824.51
477-93
50-00
488.60
270.83
85-93
1,627.81
195-85
43-63
72.45
204.22
43-99
256.97
109.68
130.00
26398
297.70
64.01
88.40
54.16
36.00
98.80
109.14
100.73
47-86
254.00
818.17
$78.75
25.00
40.00
150.00
300.00
43-33
200-00
50.00
130.00
s6.oo
50.00
300.00
105.00
18.00
51.86
50.00
23.75
35-00
25.00
50.00
60.00
35-00
40.00
50.00
35.00
3588
38.40
32.50
92.51
16.00
66.95
108.33
$121.58
76.03
75.00
682.38
43-33
222.72
3S.28
206.10
65-05
63.18
394.62
88.45
16.00
50.00
50.00
21.91
113-58
50.00
50.00
38.92
40.88
50.00
36-37
83-78
42. oS
44-73
7952
108.;
$1,113.92
1,203.78
737-15
13,594.59
25.384.75
1,567.78
2,538.50
690.00
6,406.12
274.10
S15.08
3,009.59
579-74
352-62
646.93
23409
213.02
454-22
2,597-21
893-42
355-06
57360
366.70
711-47
309-31
62.28
5,283.17
388.88
740.60
53302
1,834.35
8,164.72
$5,253-6j
4,525-79
3.623.7s
62,516.49
51.562.43
8,060.44
11,772.49
1,940.00
12,805.17
4,425.48
3.729-lJ
19,730.89
4,470.96
2,079,42
4,915.00
3-497-II
2,195-17
5,941-13
6,399-59
4,001.59
5.741-93
3.904-35
2,112.82
3,802.2a
1,854.69
1,829.97
7,919-55
2,275.38
4.091.72
1.652.59
6.727.04
21,674-94
$227,746.93 $297.067.02 $42,649.09 $137,905.54 $7,768.27 $10.740.46 $2.392.26 $2,947.42 $82,629.77 $287,032.81
THE SUMMER SCHOOL
The eleventh annual session of the Benton
Summer School was held in 19 14, the term
being from May i8th to July 3d. During the
ten previous years over fifteen hundred stu-
dents had attended the sessions, many of them
coming from distant points.
Not only is the school designed for teachers,
but it is also of immense value to students who
desire to advance themselves rapidly and cut
down the time of high school work. The re-
markable success of this school is due to the
interest the teachers take in the work and the
lack of "frills and fads" in the work. Several
prominent speakers address the classes during
the term each year.
The faculty for 1914 were : William Evans,
county superintendent ; L. Ray Appleman,
principal Benton high school ; Mary Shambach,
Berwick high school ; M. D. Mordan. Orange-
ville: Gordon Baker, Medico-Chirurgical Col-
lege, Philadelphia; George M. Lehman. Mill-
'ville high school; Charles W. Potter, IMifflin
high school; Ida Walter, Catawissa primary
school ; Blanche Shultz, State College ; T. R.
Griffith, supervisor of music. West Berwick
schools ; Daisy Olive Buterbaugh, drawing, of
State Normal College, Indiana, Pennsylvania.
The enrolled students for 1914 were: Hazel
L. Krapp, Hester Beach, Cora Kline, Beaver
Valley; Pansy Brink, Frank Brink, Rupert
Belles, Maude Cole, Myrtle Conner, Larue
Hess, Bessie Hess, Florence Hess, E. E. Haney,
\\'arren Kile, Susan Kile, Flossie Siegfried,
Edna Snyder, Arthur Wood, Griffith Yocum,
Fannie Harris, Benton ; Edward F. Bower,
Clara Cole, Charles Cole, Jesse Eves, Helen
Ferster, Earl Hartman, Helen Spaide, Letha
M. Smith, Berwick; Charles Butler, Anna
Bogart, Bloomsburg ; Mary E. Achy, Effie
Bittner, Austin Cherrington, Newton Rider,
Gruver Rhoads. Edward C. Rhoads, Harry
Berninger, John Goodman, Hester Barndt,
Ross Creasv. Hazel Bucher, Catawissa : Anna
Kealy, Ella Rooney. Anthony McDonald, Char-
lotte Price, Ethel Fennessy, Pearl Singleton,
Loretto Conroy, Annie Gallagher, Martha Bod-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
99
man, Hannah McHale, Margaret Kostenbau-
der, Griffith Yocum, Mary Maguire, Mary
Steelfox, Irene Mohan, Centraha; G. R. Hart-
man, Espy ; Stanley R. Davis, Frank Hartman,
Leota Hess, Mamie L. Wenner, Harland
Thomas, Forks ; Lulu Sutliff, Central ; Pearl
Eves. Zelpha Hendershott, Rosa D. Hill, Helen
Sees, Myrtle Mordan, Marian Turner, Jersey-
town ; Belma Colder, Jamison City ; Lulu
Giberson, Eva Hess, Lulu Hess, Fred Stout,
Leona Harrington, Marie Fritz, Jamison City ;
Harold Sutliff, Laquin; Helen Cole, Henry
Fought, Clara Shoemaker, Grace Thomas,
Margaret A. Welsh, Jay Watts, Mamie Kess-
ler, Frank Fought, Millville; Harry Hauck,
Fannie Gearhart, Mainville ; Florence A.
Gruver, Emory Seely, Calvin E. Dice, Nesco-
peck ; Chloe Trivelpiece, Fairmount Springs ;
Freda Brown, Harold Campbell, Helen Creasy,
Edith Oman, Elva Hayhurst, Myrtle Hartman,
Mae Kline, Phyllis Turner, Orangeville; Car-
roll Appleman, Roy Girard, Ora Miller, Emer-
son Reece, RohrslDurg; Effie Hehvig, Lester
Yeager, Roaringcreek ; Angie Beishline, Sallie
Beishline, Her\-ey Reinard, Edna Pealer, Still-
water; Anna Heydenreich, Strawberry Ridge;
Bertelle Hayman, New Columbus ; Walter
Stackhouse, Forrest Peterman, Unityville ;
Anna Kasnitz, Francis Peters, Ruth McCleery,
West Berwick ; Edith Lindermuth, Zion.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS
The act of 1854 provided for the election of
county superintendents of public schools. In
some of the old histories of Columbia county a
partial list of the different incumbents of this
office has been printed, but below will be found
the first correct list of names, together with the
dates of election or appointment. The names
of the county superintendents from the first
year to the present date (1914) are as follows:
Joel E. Bradley, elected June 5, 1854; Reu-
ben W. Weaver, appointed Jan. i, 1855; Wil-
liam Burgess, elected May 4, 1857; Lewis
.Appleman, elected May 7, i860 ; William Bur-
gess, appointed Oct. 23, 1861 ; John B. Patton,
appointed March 31, 1863; Charles G. Bark-
ley, elected Mav 4, 1863, reelected May i,
1866, and May 4, 1869; William H. Snyder,
elected May 7, 1872, reelected May 4, 1875, ^"d
May 7, 1878 ; J. S. Grimes, elected May 3, 1881,
reelected May 6, 1884. and May, 1887; Wil-
liam C. Johnston, elected May, 1890, and re-
elected May, 1893; J. K. Miller, elected May,
1896, and reelected May, 1899; William W.
Evans, elected May, 1902, and reelected 1905,
1908, 191 1 and 1914.
Under the school code of 191 1, the term
of office was extended to four years.
CHAPTER XIII
THE PRESS
Probably the most potent force in shaping
the actions of a community is the newspaper
published by the leading men and read by the
majority of the people. Columbia county has
had a number of these mouthpieces and most
of them have left an impress upon the history
of the county. This review of the rise and fall
of the different organs of the parties and
leaders of the past and present is gathered
from many sources, and is considered correct.
BLOOM SBURG
The Bloomsburg Register, published by
James Delevan, was begun about the first of
October, 1826, as appears by the oldest copy
which was in the possession of Hon. Leonard
B. Rupert, in 1883, bearing date May 10, 1827,
and being Vol. I, No. 32. It was a sheet io><
by 17 inches.
In April, 1828, Thomas Painter purchased
the paper from the owners and changed the
name to the Columbia County Register. He
continued the publication until April, 1844,
when it was discontinued. The Register was
devoted to the party opposed to the Democ-
racy, and was vigorously edited by Mr. Painter.
The Columbia Democrat was established by
John S. Ingram, and the first number issued
April 29, 1837. Then, or shortly after, he was
joined by Franklin S. Mills. They conducted
the paper for one year, and in 1838 sold it to
Capt. Henry Webb. He gave it permanence,
and in March, 1847, sold it to Col. Levi L.
Tate, who continued it until 1866, and in Feb-
ruary of that year sold it to Elijah R. Ikeler.
He consolidated it with the Star of The North,
and called the combination the Democrat and
Star, the name changing subsequently to the
Bloomsburg Democrat. It was continued
100
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
under that name until January, 1869, when it
was bought by Capt. Charles B. Brockway,
and merged into the Columbian. The paper
was, under all its names and varying fortunes,
consistently Democratic in its politics, and was
always deservedly influential. Of its editors,
Ingram went from here to Pottsville, Mills to
New Jersey, Tate to Williamsport.
The Star of the North was established by
Reuben W. Weaver and Benjamin S. Gilmore,
Feb. I, 1849. Gilmore retired Aug. i, 1850,
and the paper was continued by Mr. Weaver
until his death, Dec. 2, 1857. It was subse-
quently sold by his administrator and bought
by Williamson H. Jacoby in January, 1858.
He published it until Oct. 16, 1862, when he
went into the army, and the paper was sus-
pended until August, 1863, when he returne'd
and resumed the publication. It was carried
on under the old name until February, 1866,
when it was consolidated with the Columbia
Democrat, then owned by Elijah R. Ikeler, as
the Democrat and Star. At the end of about
seven months Mr. Ikeler sold his interest in
the establishment to Josiah P. Shuman, and
Jacoby and Shuman ran the paper until Jan-
uary, 1867, when Mr. Shuman retired, Jacoby
continuing the paper as the Bloomsburg Demo-
crat until January, 1869, when he sold it to
Capt. Charles B. Brockway, who merged it into
the Columbian.
The Columbia County Republican was estab-
lished in Bloomsburg March i, 1857, by Dr.
Palemon John. In 1869 he sold the paper to a
stock company, and Dr. WilHam H. Bradley
was editor. Dr. Bradley and Lewis Gordon
subsequently purchased the paper, and in 187 1
sold it to Daniel A. Beckley and John S.
Phillips, who became the publishers, the edi-
torial department being managed by Mr. Beck-
ley. In 1873 E. M. Wardin bought the interest
of John S. Phillips, and not long after that of
Daniel A. Beckley and became the sole pro-
prietor. On the first of August, 1875, James
C. Brown purchased the paper from E. M.
Wardin, and for a number of years conducted
it with D. A. Beckley as associate editor. Mr.
Beckley retired, and Mr. Brown continued as
sole proprietor until 1908, when he sold the
paper to O. B. Ammerman, and subsequently
the ownership was changed into a stock com-
pany, with Mr. Ammerman as president. It
was published and managed by C. W.
Matthews as a semi-weekly, for the company,
for a short time, when Mr. Matthews retired
and John S. Woods succeeded him. The pres-
ent owner is the Bloomsburg Publishing Com-
pany, and Charles E. Kesty is the editor.
The Columbian was established in Blooms-
burg May 5, 1866, as the organ of the Johnson
Republicans, under the management of George
H. Moore, who published thirty-five numbers.
The good will, subscription list and material
were then purchased by a number of Demo-
crats of the county, and placed under the
charge of John G. Freeze, Jan. 4, 1867, as a
Democratic newspaper, beginning Vol. I, No. i.
He continued until Feb. 15. 1867, when Capt.
Charles B. Brockway became associated with
him, and eventually bought up the stock and
took entire charge and ownership of the paper.
It was enlarged July 12, 1867, and began to
be printed on a steampower press. On the
1st of January, 1869, by the purchase of the
Bloomsburg Democrat from Mr. Jacoby, the
Columbian became the sole Democratic paper
in the county. On the ist of January, 1871,
Henry L. DiefTenbach bought the paper and
published it one year, when Captain Brockway
resumed the control. In July, 1873. Mr. Dief-
fenbach again took the paper, and continued
until Oct. I, 1875, when Charles B. Brockway
and George E. Elwell purchased it. They con-
tinued it to Oct. I, 1879, when Captain Brock-
way retired, and on that day John K. Bitten-
bender purchased Brockway's interest in the
paper, and the publishing firm became Elwell
& Bittenbender. It continued under this man-
agement until Feb. 20, 1893, when Mr. Bitten-
bender sold his interest to George E. Elwell,
who became the sole proprietor.
In September, 1909, Mr. Elwell associated
with him his son, G. Edward Elwell. Jr., and
on April i, 1910, the son became a partner, the
firm name changing to George E. Elwell &
Son. On April 7, 1910, the publication of the
Columbian ceased, for the reason that the job
printing part of the business had so increased
as to demand all the time of the proprietors,
and the further reason that the financial re-
turns from a weekly newspaper were no longer
commensurate with the labor required. Prop-
ositions to sell the paper, and to consolidate
with another, were both declined, and the
establishment retains the name of the "Colum-
bian Printing House," by which it has been
known for the last forty-six years.
From January, 1867, the Columbian was
Democratic in politics, and devoted to the gen-
eral policy of that party. In October, 1881,
the office was moved into its own three-story
brick building, 25 by 75 feet, erected especially
for it, on Main street. The presses are run
by electric power, and in all its appointments
the office is one of the finest printing establish-
ments in the interior of the State.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
101
The Christian Messenger was started by
Edward E. Orvis, at Benton, in January, 1870.
It was a monthly of twenty-four pages. In
1872 the name was changed to the Messenger
and Laborer, and D. Oliphant, of London,
Canada, became co-editor, with Mr. Orvis as
pubHsher. The paper was enlarged to thirty-
two pages. In January, 1875, it was changed
to a four-page weekly. The office was moved
to Orangeville Oct. i, 1875, and the paper sus-
pended on Dec. 26th of that year for lack of
support.
The Democratic Sentinel was established in
Bloomsburg in 1871, by Charles M. Vander-
slice, who conducted it in a building which
stood at the rear of the lot now occupied by the
Townsend building. On April 12, 1885, the
paper was purchased by William Krickbaum,
and the office was subsequently moved to its
present location, east of the courthouse. In
1888, J. C. Rutter, Jr., was made manager of
the plant, and continued in that position for
eighteen years. In 1892 a daily edition was
started in the Sentinel office under the title of
the Bloomsburg Daily, the first daily paper
published in the county, except the short-lived
Sun. J. C. Rutter, Jr., was the editor and
manager. On January I, 1904, Mr. Rutter
purchased the plant and made the Sentinel a
semi-weekly, continuing the publication of the
Bloomsburg Daily. He held the office under
his control until June, 1906, when he sold to
John G. McHenry. Percy Brewington, the
present editor of the Benton Argus, was made
editor and held that office for a year. The
business was incorporated as a stock company
and in 1908 the daily was .called the Daily
Mail, the corporation the Sentinel Printery,
and George D. Herbert was made president
and manager. In July, 1909, J. C. Rutter, Jr.,
succeeded him, remaining until March, 1914.
The Dailv Sentinel came into being in Febru-
ary, 1892, and is at present published by Dr.
C. F. Altmiller, who is also editor-in-chief.
J. P. Ziegler is business manager; C. A. Har-
rington, city editor; and C. R. Smith, foreman
of the mechanical department.
The Independent JVeekly was started by
William H. Smith and E. E. Orvis in Benton
on April i, 1874, as a Democratic newspaper.
On Oct. I, 1875, they removed it to Orange-
ville with the Messenger and Laborer, and
Smith & Orvis dissolved partnership. Smith
continuing to publish the Independent.
On April I, 1876, the Independent JVeekly
was moved back to Benton, where it was pub-
lished until September, 1877, when the plant
was removed to Milton by Mr. Smith, who
started a paper there called the Argus. His
office was totally destroyed in the great Milton
fire in 1884, but he started it again and con-
tinued it until 1892, when he went back to
Benton and reestablished the Argus, which he
conducted until August, 1892, when he died.
Its publication was continued by his widow
until Aug. 30, 1901, with Percy Brewington
as manager. On the latter date it was pur-
chased by Brewington and Alfred Edgar, who
owned it until May, 1906, when Mr. Brewing-
ton purchased his partner's interest and became
sole owner. In 1913 the ownership changed
to C. L. Hirleman, Mr. Brewington remaining
as manager, and he is now again the owner.
It has a large circulation in the upper end of
the county.
The Bloomsburg Journal was begim in 1876,
by G. A. Potter, as a temperance and family
newspaper. It was a five-column, four-page
paper. In October, 1881, the form was
changed to a quarto of twelve pages, and then
of sixteen pages. In September, 1882, Dr.
Jacob Schuyler purchased a half interest in
the paper, and the new firm changed the form
to the old folio style. Mr. Potter again became
owner in 1887 and moved the plant to Mill-
ville, where he started the Weekly Tablet.
Since the death of Mr. Potter the paper has
been published by his son-in-law, Boyd Tres-
cott, who is also a surveyor and justice of the
peace.
The Sun. a daily paper, was started in April,
1S81, by Alem B. Tate and H. W. Kahler, and
about eighty numbers were issued. Dissen-
sions in the management and difficulties grow-
ing out of a want of support put an eclipse upon
the Sun. at the end of about three months.
The Herald of Freedom was published by a
gentleman named Case, between the years 1850
and i860. It was a sort of workingman's free-
soil advocate. After an unsuccessful struggle
the establishment was transported from
Bloomsburg to McEwensville ; and the paper
ceased to be published there after a few
months.
The Morning Press was established in
Bloomsburg on March i. 1902, by Paul R.
Eyerly and Charles Thomas Vanderslice, as
a morning daily. From the first issue it sprang
into favor. Beginning as a four-page, six-
column sheet, the demands upon its space grew
so rapidly that in the fall of the same year it
was enlarged to six pages, and the next spring
to eight pages, which it has since maintained.
The handsome and commodious home which
the Press now occupies is in striking compari-
son with the quarters in which it first was
102
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
printed. When the paper was bom in 1902
two small rooms in the Dentler building on
Main street were all that were required, and
into these were crowded both the editorial and
composing rooms, while a small corner of the
basement was given over to the pressroom.
There on the night before the first paper was
issued the proprietors battled all night with
a flood, wading knee-deep in the water until by
daylight they had reduced its level sufficiently
to enable them to print the first edition. Thus
the birth of the Press is associated with the
memorable flood of 1902, for the second day
of its existence brought the news of the terri-
ble destruction wrought. The Press was the
only paper that managed to circulate through
this section that day, and the enterprise of the
proprietors in getting and publishing the news
then set a standard which has never been sur-
passed, and which they have lived up to in
every period of the paper's subsequent history.
The new home of the Press, erected in 1908,
on Main near Market street, is unquestionably
one of the most artistic and substantially con-
structed buildings in central Pennsylvania.
Classical in design, it is essentially different in
appearance from any other buildings in this
section, and commands the admiration and
attention of the beholder. The front of the
building is perhaps the finest example of ar-
chitecture in the county, and is the work of
Verus T. Ritter, an architect of more than
local fame. The entire front is designed in
the form of an arch, the stonework of which
is distinctive and extremely decorative. Into
the design have been worked a number of orna-
ments surrounding the doors and windows,
and the whole is surmounted by a globe repre-
senting the two Americas, encircled by a
wreath. This front is in part stone, grey
pressed brick and metal, the delicate shades
and contrasts forming a harmonious whole.
The construction of the entire building is most
substantial, double floors being used exclus-
ively, while vibration has been completely elim-
inated by the use of heavy steel beams and
wall anchors for the joists. With an outside
measurement of 23 by 64 feet, the building
has four floors, the pressroom being in the
basement. Here are the large Duplex press,
the folders and the mailing department. The
equipment of the composing room is the most
complete that experience and foresight could
provide. Here are located the typesetting ma-
chines and the necessary equipment for the
production of a modem daily paper. The job
department is fitted up in the most scientific
and convenient manner, and is provided with
sufficient material and machines to produce the
higher class of commercial printed stationery.
At the head of the mechanical and business
department is C. T. Vanderslice, a member of
the firm and a printer of many years' experi-
ence, and he has surrounded himself with as-
sistants of ability in the various departments.
Paul R. Eyerly, another of the proprietors, is
in charge of the outside news gathering and
other business. Charles Kline is the circula-
tion manager.
With a circulation at the outset of 500 the
paper grew to 2,400 at the end of the first year,
and in 1914 is above the 5,000 mark, and this is
claimed to be the largest of any inland paper
in similar territory in the State.
CAT.\\VISS.\
The first newspaper published in Catawissa
was the Catazvissa Advertiser, which was
started in 1876 by Henry John and Joseph
Rhinard. It did not survive to the end of its
first volume.
The Nezvs Item was established in Catawissa
by G. E. Myers on May 16, 1878, as a five-
column folio. In 1879 it was increased to
twenty-four columns, and in 1881 to twenty-
eight columns. Mr. Myers conducted it until
1884, when Charles E. Randall and J. C. Yo-
cum became the owners, continuing until 1887,
when Mr. Randall became sole owner, and has
so continued to the present time. The Nezvs
Item has a large circulation on the south side
of the river. Mr. Randall is a fearless and
pungent writer and enjoys merited prosperity.
BERWICK
In the following the facts concerning the
newspapers which existed in Berwick up to
1883 are gleaned from an article written by
Col. John M. Snyder, a veteran editor, now
deceased, which appeared in Freeze's History
of Columbia County (1883).
The Independent American was established
in the spring of 1812 or 1813, by WilHam
Carothers, who continued it until 1818, when
it came into the possession of David Owen, son
of Evan Owen, the founder of Berwick. In a
short time he was succeeded by Orlando Por-
ter, under whose management it remained until
1827. He was followed by Daniel Bowen, who
conducted it until 1832, when' George Mack
became the owner, and changed the name to
the Berzvick Gazette; he made it a Democratic
journal. After several years the office came
into the possession of Evan O. Jackson, who
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
103
continued it as a Democratic paper until 1839,
when he disposed of it to Col. Levi L. Tate,
who changed the name to the Democratic Sen-
tinel. In 1840 Colonel Tate took A. M.
Gangewere in as partner, Mr. Gangewere re-
tiring in 1883. Colonel Tate then established
the Enquirer, and in 1845 B. S. Gilmore pur-
chased a half interest in the paper and took
charge of the office, Colonel Tate going to
Wilkes-Barre, where he started the Lucerne
Democrat. In 1847 ^'^^- Gilmore bought
Colonel Tate's interest in the Enquirer, and
Colonel Tate about the same time purchased
the Columbia Democrat from Capt. Henry
Webb, and removed to Bloomsburg. The pub-
lication of the Enquirer was continued by Mr.
Gilmore until the spring of 1849, when he
moved the office to Bloomsburg and formed a
partnership with Reuben W. Weaver, estab-
lishing the Star of the North, an account of
which will be found among the Bloomsburg
papers.
The Sentinel, a Whig paper, was started in
1834 by John T. Davis, and continued until
about 1838, when it was bought by Wilbur &
Joslin and the name changed to the Independ-
ent Ledger. It was made an eight-page liter-
ary paper, and conducted for about one year,
when it was bought by several gentlemen, and
the name again changed.
The Conservator was issued by them with
John T. Davis as editor. It continued through
the "Hard Cider" campaign of 1840, and is
supposed to have been discontinued after the
election.
The Star of the North was started by A. M.
Gangewere in 1843, and published by him
about one year. He sold it to N. J. Jones and
John H. Winter, who continued it until 1848,
when they sold it to Dewitt C. Kitchen, who
changed the name to the Standard, and made
it politically opposed to the Democrats. He
issued it from 1848 to 1850, when it again
changed hands and name. Col. John M. Snyder
being the purchaser.
The Telegraph was the new title, and the
policy returned to the Democracy. From
April, 1850, until the spring of 1851 it was thus
published, when Colonel Snyder sold it to
James McClintock Laird, who published it
until the spring of 1853, when it was sold,
but to whom does not appear.
The Investigator was established in 1853 by
Stewart Pearce and John M. Snyder, the
former retiring at the end of a month. Colonel
Snyder continued it until the spring of 1855,
when it was purchased by Col. Levi L. Tate,
and the name changed to the Berwick Gazette.
The Berzi'ick Gazette was conducted by Tate
& Irvin until 1856, when they were succeeded
by Walter H. Hibbs. He was followed by
Alem B. Tate, who continued it until i860,
when it was purchased by Jeremiah S. San-
ders and issued by him here until 1869, when
he moved the outfit to Hazleton. This left
Berwick without a local paper for the first
time in fifty years.
The Independent was started by Charles B.
Snyder on June i, 1871, with a new outfit.
Frank L. Snyder was assistant editor, and
Col. John M. Snyder the local editor. For
about nine years the Snyders published an
excellent paper, until Sept. i, 1879, when they
sold it to Robert S. Bowman, who changed the
title to the Berwick Independent. Mr. Bow-
man conducted it ably until July, 1904, when
he sold it to C. A. Rasely, who consolidated it
with the Berivick Weekly Enterprise.
The Berwick Gazette, the third of that name,
was started on March 25, 1882, by J. H. Diet-
erick. On Jan. i, 1884, he sold it to M. B.
Margerum, who in September, 1885, associ-
ated H. R. Reedy with him as a partner. This
paper ceased publication after a brief exist-
ence.
The Berwick Weekly Enterprise was estab-
lished by C. A. Rasefy on Feb. 3, 1900. In
July, 1904, he purchased the Independent and
consolidated the two under the name of the
Berznck Independent. He continued this pub-
lication until Jan. 31, 1907, when it passed out
of existence.
The Berzvick Daily Enterprise, the first daily
paper published in Berwick, was launched by
C. A. Rasely April 6, 1903. It was a sprightly
paper and filled a long-felt want. He con-
ducted it until Jan. 31, 1907, when he sold
the newspaper to C. T. Vanderslice and Paul
R. Eyerly, owners and publishers of the
Bloomsburg Morning Press. Mr. Rasely re-
tained the job printing department of the office,
and still conducts it. He has a well equipped
modern printing office.
Vanderslice & Eyerly moved the Enterprise
to another building, where they soon installed
a new press, enlarged the paper, and are giving
Berwick and vicinity an up-to-date journal.
CENTR.-\LIA
The Centralia Journal was started by Her-
skovits & Co. in Centralia in December, 1893.
It was a small weekly paper and expired after
a short life.
CHAPTER XIV
BLOOMSBURG
Bloomsburg is essentially a city of homes.
Its abundant resources make it an ideal place
in which to live and raise a family, and as the
biographical portion of this history will show
the people have not been neglectful of these
advantages. In the heart of a rich and pro-
gressive agricultural district, supplied with the
finest of soil, provided with an abundance of
pure water, elevated to a height above the sea
which gives purity of air, and with a popula-
tion noted for culture, refinement and intellec-
tual attainments, there is nothing to prevent
the continued growth of this beautiful town.
And beautiful she is, in truth. Most of the
streets are shaded by closely set maple trees,
the roadways are kept in smooth and dustless
condition, the residents vie with each other in
the cultivation of flowers, and a spirit of civic
pride induces everyone to exert his best efforts
to keep the town at the front in every endeavor
that will make for her growth and advance-
ment.
FOUNDING THE TOWN
In 1772 the site of the present town of
Bloomsburg was not only located in the town-
ship of Fishingcreek, county of Northumber-
land, of the State of Pennsylvania, but at the
same time designated by the State of Connec-
ticut as part of the township of Wyoming, of
their county of Westmoreland, claimed by
them at the time. Under the Connecticut
claim James McClure came here in May, 1769,
and located a home site, while on his way to
Wyoming, but he seems to have believed in
the right of Pennsylvania to dispose of the
land, for he obtained a patent from Francis
Stewart in 1772. Stewart had never at-
tempted to improve the land, which he had
surveyed in 1769 under the title of "Beau-
champ." McClure, after his purchase of the
tract, built a log house, and within that humble
domicile James McClure, Jr., the first white
child born within the forks of the Susque-
hanna, saw the light.
The McClures were not long alone. During
the year of their arrival Evan Owen (the
founder of Berwick ) and John Doan came
from Chester county with the intention of
founding a settlement of Quakers. Owen lo-
cated south of Kinney's run, while Doan set-
tled near its mouth. Samuel Boone, also a
Quaker, emigrated from Exeter township,
Northumberland county, in 1775, and secured
title to four hundred acres at the "Point," be-
tween the river and Fishing creek, extending
along the banks of both. From all the evi-
dence so far unearthed it seems that the only
other families living on the site of Bloomsburg
before the Revolutionary war were the Clay-
tons, Coopers and Kinneys. Thomas Clayton
was a Quaker from Chester county, Kinney
was from New Jersey, while nothing is known
of the nativity of Cooper.
Just before the commencement of the Revo-
lutionary war James McClure died, but his
widow cultivated the plantation until the Wy-
oming massacre, in 1778, when she placed all
her portable possessions on a raft and floated
down the Susquehanna to Lancaster, remain-
ing there until all danger was over. With her
went the widow of Capt. Lazarus Stewart,
who had been killed at Wyoming. Maj. Moses
\^an Campen, who had married the daughter
of Widow McClure, built the second fort in
the county on her farm, one mile above the
mouth of Fishing creek, calling it after his
respected mother-in-law. The site of this fort
is now marked by a tablet placed there by Fort
McClure Chapter, D. A. R., of Bloomsburg.
The fate of the last of the pioneers of
Bloomsburg — Cooper — was most unfortunate.
Robert Lyon, a soldier of Fort Augusta (Sun-
bury), was sent to Wyoming with a boatload
of stores. He landed at the mouth of Fishing
creek and left his canoe and gun in the care of
his dog, intending to visit the daughter of
Cooper. He was captured a short distance
away by Shenap, an Indian chief, and taken to
Niagara, where he was finally released by his
104
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
105
brother, an officer in the British army. Cooper
had been somewhat antagonistic to the suit of
Lyon, so that the latter's sudden disappear-
ance caused his arrest. While on his way to
the jail at Sunbury a rifle belonging to one of
the posse was dropped into the river, and in
the altercation Cooper, who was accused of
throwing it overboard, was struck by the
owner with a tomahawk. He lived for twenty
days, and then expired in prison. Later on
Lyon returned and the dead man's innocence
was established.
After the peace of 1783 immigration once
more turned toward this section, but Blooms-
burg, owing to its supposed swampy location,
was not the gainer. Thomas Clayton had
meanwhile removed to Catawissa, while Evan
Owen had gone to found Berwick. In 1783
Elisha Barton came to this spot. He built the
"Red" mill on Hemlock creek, owned a large
farm there and became justice of the peace,
the first one in this section of the county.
Upon Owen's departure his land came into the
possession of Joseph B. Long, of New Jersey,
who later sold it to Ludwig Eyer, the founder
of Bloomsburg. In 1801 Joseph Hendershott
and Andrew Schooley arrived, as also did
Jacob Wanich.
Ludwig Eyer at this time decided to give
impetus to the settlement of the locality and in
1802 laid out the town of Bloomsburg. At the
time the town was laid out there were three
buildings on the site, the Episcopal church,
John Chamberlain's tavern and a deserted log
house. But these were soon increased by the
building operations of the incoming settlers.
Soon after the founding of the town George
Vance, a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian from New
Jersey, built a cabin on the south side of Main
street, at the junction of East. Abraham
Grotz came from Easton in 1806 and built the
first frame house in the new town, at what is
now the corner of Second and Iron streets.
Christopher Kahler and John Coleman also
came from New Jersey in that year, the latter
occupying the first mentioned deserted log
house until he could build on what is now the
corner of Center and Third streets. He
planted there the first orchard in the town.
In 1S09 Philip Alehrling, a native Hessian,
opened the first store, near where the "Central
Hotel" now stands. Daniel Snyder came in
1810 and bought land next to the town plat
from John Vance. At this time the town bore
the name of Oyertown or Eycrstaedtel.
BLOOMSBURG IN l8l2
From reminiscences of an old resident of
the town a mental picture of the appearance
of Bloomsburg in 1812 can be made. At that
time a log house stood on First street at the
site of the Tustin home ; the frame home of
Daniel Fry stood at the corner of First and
West ; at the forks on the east end of Second
street was a one-story log house, owned and
occupied by Daniel Snyder, who later opened
a hotel there ; .\hraham Grotz, the hatter, was
at the southwest corner of Second and Iron
streets ; Christopher Kahler's home was on a
lot east of the "Central Hotel": John Cham-
berlain, the hotelkeeper, lived in a frame
house on the site of Moyer's drug store ; oppo-
site Kahler's house was the home of John
Hagenbuch, and on the northwest corner was
the one-story frame store of Philip Mehrling,
who was later succeeded by William McKel-
vy, Cyrus Barton and E. H. Biggs; a two-
story frame hotel occupied the site of the
present "Exchange Hotel" ; a one-story frame
was at the comer of Jefferson alley and Second
street, occupied by Mrs. Mooney ; a log house
on the corner of Center and Second, owned by
Mr. Fisher ; the two-story frame hotel of John
Chamberlain on the northv^'est corner of
Second and Center ; and on the opposite corner
the Episcopal church, where the Townsend
building now stands. On the north side of
Second street there was no house nearer than
the log home of John Hess, at the site of the
residence of J. C. Rutter, Jr. The original
town laid out by Eyer was from Iron to West
streets. All of the section on East street, be-
low Third, was called "Hopkinsville," after
Rev. Caleb Hopkins, the Episcopal minister
who laid out an addition to the town at that
point. At that date a subscription school,
taught by a Mr. Ferguson, stood at the north-
east corner of Second and Iron streets.
OLD TAVERNS .■\ND THEIR SUCCESSORS
At the time John Chamberlain kept his tav-
ern each guest was expected to spend at least
sixpence at the bar for the privilege of sleep-
ing on the bare floor of the public room that
night. His establishment was a pretentious
frame structure on the corner of Second and
Center.
Casper Chrisman was the host of a smaller
tavern on the site of the present "Exchange
Hotel." This house was burned Feb. 24, 1870,
when Henry J. Clark was the proprietor. The
second building on the site was erected soon
106
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
after, by John S. Sterner, and sold to W. B.
Koons. The property was again damaged by
fire in 1877. Soon after this it was bought by
I. W. McKelvy, who leased it to George H.
Brown, W. R. Tubbs, and James McClosky,
successively, until 1894, when Gehrad Snyder
bought it, and conducted it until 191 1. Then
James Magee became the owner. Since then
Robert J. Huntzinger has been the landlord.
Conrad Hess ran a hotel on Main street,
below Jefferson, on the site of the former I.
W. Hartman property, for a number of years.
The predecessor of the "Central Hotel" was
a log structure erected in 1818 by Philip Mehr-
ling, who was accidentally killed during its
construction. Subsequently a brick building
was erected on the site and conducted and
owned by John Laycock from 1853 until his
death, in 1879. Other owners were I. S, Kuhn,
C. B. Ent, and J. Kline. Among the other
former landlords were George H. Brown,
George Aurand, Bernard Stohner, C. B. Ent
and James Kline. It is now owned by Mrs.
James Kline and is leased by George Wagen-
seller, who has given the house a high reputa-
tion. The hotel has in late years been much
enlarged and improved.
The "Forks Hotel," which stood at the head
of Main street, at East street, was built in 1825
by Daniel Snyder, and for many years the
older settlers resorted there to pass the evening
in interchange of stories and reminiscences.
It was torn down in 1875. Among the various
landlords of the "Forks" were G. W. Mauger
and T. Bent Taylor. The pump at the corner
furnished the hotel water supply.
The "St. Elmo Hotel" was first opened by
J. L. Girton in the property of James Cadman.
It has since had a number of tenants, among
them H. F. Deitterich, and George Wagen-
seller. It is now conducted by H. S. Kelchner.
The "City Hotel" was first opened by G. W.
Sterner, who bought the land of I. W. Hart-
man in 1875 and erected the building. He sold
to the present proprietor, W. A. Hartzell, in
1896.
Back in the early seventies there was a pub-
lic house in the building now owned by Moyer
Brothers, called the "City Hotel." It was
built by Bernard Stohner, and he and George
H. Brown and J. L. Girton were the successive
landlords vmtil 1881, when it was purchased
by Moyer Brothers, rebuilt and enlarged, and
since then used by them in their extensive
drug business.
"East End Hotel" was operated for many
years by William Giger. Since then it has had
several tenants, a few years ago coming into
the hands of J. L. Fisher, the present landlord.
"Hotel Stauffer" was first opened some
years ago by Mrs. B. Stohner. It had several
tenants and several changes of name until P.
B. Heddens became the owner and changed
the name to "Hotel Heddens." A few years
ago he leased it to the present landlord, E.
Staufifer.
"Hotel Irvin" is leased by Irvin A. Snyder,
who for many years was connected with the
"Exchange Hotel." It is a modern structure
at Main and Railroad streets, and was first
called "Hotel Lee" after the landlord. The
next tenant, T. B. Brittain, changed it to
"Hotel Brittain," and Mr. Snyder christened
it with its present name.
"Hotel Hidlay" when first licensed was
managed by W. F. Stohner. At the end of a
year Bruce Hidlay leased it, and later trans-
ferred it to his father, A. C. Hidlay, who con-
tinued it until 19 1 4, when he sold to O. E.
Myers, the present occupant.
The "Colonial Hotel," Metheral and Guin-
ard, proprietors, is a new and commodious inn
at Fifth and East streets. It was opened in
1914.
MERCANTILE ESTABLISHMENTS
Philip Mehrling, the first of the Bloomsburg
merchants, appears to have been a man of
wealth for those times. He assisted in the de-
velopment of the town and built many of the
houses as well as a hotel. In 1810 a Mr.
Bishop opened a store at the northwest corner
of Second and Center streets, and John Barton
also opened a store about this date. The larg-
est store in the town was opened by William
McKelvy in 1816, on Market Square, and
conducted by him and McKelvy & Neal for
sixty years. They were succeeded by I. W.
McKelvy, until 1894, when the store passed
into the ownership of F. P. Pursel, the present
occupant.
The wholesale drug business of Moyer
Brothers was founded in 1835 by John R.
Moyer, with a capital of but $100. Another
well known store was that of Eyer & Hefley,
which was carried on from 1835 to 1845. In
1843 I. W. Hartman began business in the old
Arcade building, which stood on the site of
the present Townsend building, comer of
Market and Second streets.
FIRST INDUSTRIES
Many small shops were established at differ-
ent early periods in Bloomsburg, catering to
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
107
the wants of the few people, and the town was
amply supplied with blacksmiths, carpenters,
weavers, etc. The first industry of importance
was the tannery of Daniel Snyder, at Main
street and Light Street road, started in 1812
after many obstacles of a financial nature.
Another tannery was opened by Philip Christ-
man, who sold out afterwards to William
Robison.
The first wagon shop was started under
peculiar circumstances. In the year 1816 a
stranger came to Bloomsburg and stopped at
one of the taverns overnight. Inquiries of the
landlord elicited the fact that he was a wagon-
maker, his name was James Wells, and he was
from Connecticut. The landlord needed a
waeon, as did also others, this useful vehicle
being conspicuous by its absence at the time in
the town. Wells endeavor^ to obtain the use
of tools from the carpenters of the town, but
the prejudice against "Yankees" was so great
that he was repeatedly refused. Finally Wil-
liam Sloan agreed to let him have a bench and
the use of tools in his shop, then located on
Market street on the site of the present Lu-
theran church. They went to the farm of Sloan
near Bloomsburg and procured from the
fences sufficient seasoned wood to build the
first one-horse wagon ever seen in the town.
Sloan at once began the manufacture of wag-
ons, the product being of the "Dearborn"
class. He sent salesmen around and soon had
a thriving business. In 1832 John K. Grotz
became his partner and decided to add the
making of plows to the factory. He went to
Lewistown, Mifflin county, to buy a plow, and
started for home with it in his wagon, but on
the way sold the latter, and fastening a sapling
to the plow point hauled it sled-fashion more
than half the way. The making of plows was
not very successful, but the wagon business
prospered under the original founders and
their successors, M. C. Sloan & Brother, until
1890, when it was discontinued.
In 1832 a number of canalboats of the "ark"
variety were built in Bloomsburg by John
Whitenight, John Barton, Isaac Green, Samuel
Ludwig and George Frey. These boats were
loaded with grain and other products and
shipped to southern ports, where both the
boats and their contents were sold.
Other smaller plants of the past were the
foundry of S. M. Hess, which produced car
wheels and fencing, and the establishment of
the Bloomsburg Planing & Cabinet Company.
In 1864 Peter S. Harman and Benjamin F.
Sharpless opened a foundry and machine shop,
running it for four years, after which Mr.
I
Harman severed his connection and Mr.
Sharpless continued the establishment for
some years as the Eagle Iron Works. It stood
on Third street, next to the Colonel Freeze
property, and was removed when Center street
was opened through it.
One of the local industries between 1838
and 1841 was the culture of the silkworm by
Robert Cathcart and William G. Hurley, their
mulberry grove being on the north side of
First street. But it was mainly a "fad" and
soon languished, the promoters hardly making
expenses.
PROSPERITY AND GROWTH
The growth of the town was gradual and of
a substantial character, and never savored of
the "boom" method which so often wrecks a
town as well as the promoters. In 1838 the
population was a little over three hundred and
the log and frame houses had for the most part
been superseded by brick structures. The dis-
covery of iron in the hills near had resulted
in an increase of population, but it was not un-
til the building of the furnaces in the early
fifties that the town took its first spurt of
growth.
After the establishment of the iron business
the advent of the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg
railroad in 1858 gave a fresh impulse to the
population. This road had a station originally
outside of the town limits, but before many
years the depot was well within the built-up
portion. In 1881 the North & West Branch
railroad was built and helped somewhat to de-
velop the river side of the town, l)ut for some
years the only means of reaching the depot
across the river was by ferry.
In 1888 the bridge question was agitated
and the Bloomsburg Bridge Company was or-
ganized. The Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany proposed the erection of a bridge to cost
$100,000, they to take $55,000 of the stock,
and the Bridge Company $45,000. After sev-
eral interviews the project was abandoned,
and the Bridge Company dissolved in 1890.
An account of the subsequent building of this
bridge is given elsewhere.
These lines of railroad seemed to presage
the development of Bloomsburg into a railroad
center, but so far the prediction has not been
fulfilled, although there is little to complain
of in the way of shipping or passenger facil-
ities. The only thing needed to complete the
chain of railroads is a through line north and
south connecting the Reading with the roads
108
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in Sullivan county by way of the Bloomsburg
& Sullivan.
Until 1889 the nearest point to reach the
Philadelphia & Reading railroad from Blooms-
burg was at Rupert, two miles distant, where
an omnibus line met all passenger trains.
Travelers of those days will remember the
dusty ride to town in the rumbling coach. A
branch of the Reading was constructed into
Bloomsburg in 1889, with its terminal at Fifth
and Railroad streets, where a building was
erected by courtesy called a station. It was
something better than a "shack" but not much
more than a respectable "shanty." At one
time an effort was made to locate the station
on Market street diagonally across from the
Lackawanna depot, which would necessitate
crossing the tracks of the latter company be-
low the town. This was resisted by the Lack-
awanna Company, but after several years'
litigation the Reading procured a favorable
decision from the Supreme court. The project
was abandoned, however, owing to the finan-
cial stringency of the Reading at that time, and
also to the fact that heavy damages were de-
manded by property owners in case their lands
were confiscated by the railroad. The old lo-
cation was retained, and in 1912 a handsome
new depot was erected, the grounds neatly
laid out, and every convenience provided for
both passenger and freight traffic. Mr. F. R.
Carpenter was the agent of the Reading Com-
pany at Rupert before the building of the an-
nex, from 1883, and since 1889 has had charge
of the Bloomsburg station. His services at
the two places cover a period of thirty-one
years, and he has always been and is a most
efficient and obliging official.
The Lackawanna Railroad Company also
has been fortunate in having as its agent at
Bloomsburg a man whose efficiency and popu-
larity have caused his retention in that posi-
tion from 1882 up to the present time. Mr.
W. R. Kocher, while thoroughly attentive to
his official duties, is also engaged in the coal
trade. He is an active and useful citizen, in
both business and religious relations, being an
officer of the Methodist Church and also of
the Business Men's Association. He was
president of the town council in 1897.
The Lackawanna freight station was de-
stroyed by fire on May 2, 1914, and a new brick
structure has taken its place. It is of rough
pressed brick made by the Bloomsburg Brick
Company, and is far more commodious and
attractive than the former one.
The returns of the mercantile appraiser for
1886 showed an aggregate of seventy-one
dealers in various commodities. Hardly one-
third of that number existed in 1858. In 1914
the appraiser's figures for Bloomsburg are
165 dealers, wholesale and retail.
As the town grew in size the plat was added
to by many lots and additions, under various
names, most of which are now forgotten. Be-
sides "Hopkinsville," before mentioned, there
were the suburbs of "Port Noble," on the
banks of the canal ; "Snyder's addition," made
in 1837; "Welsh Hill," formed by Rev. D. J.
Waller in 1845 ; "Ramsay's addition," from its
owner, Dr. John Ramsay; "Hurley's addition"
of 1848; "Scottown," from Dr. David N.
Scott, on the southwest ; the "Rupert & Barton
addition," bounded by Fourth, Iron and East
streets and the canal; "Morgantown," at the
Irondale furnaces ; and "Rabbtown," at the
Bloom furnaces.
INCORPORATION — POPULATION
Bloom township was one of the original
twelve with which the county was organized in
1813. From it at various periods were taken
portions to be added to Mount Pleasant,
Orange, Centre and Scott. The final remains
were organized in 1870 as the Town of
Bloomsburg, and include all the land between
the two great bends of Fishing creek, the
Susquehanna and the township of Scott.
After the last slice had been taken from
Bloom township and the town incorporated
the population in i860 was 2,668; in 1870,
3,340; in 1880, 3,702; in 1890, 4.635; in 1900,
6,170; in 1910, 7,413.
The town council consists of a president and
si.x memljers, who are elected annually. Since
the organization of the town the officials have
been as follows :
1870 — President, Elias Mendenhall ; mem-
bers, Joseph Sharpless, Stephen Knorr, W. B.
Koons, F. C. Eyer, Caleb Barton, C. G.
Barkley.
1871 — President, Elias Mendenhall; mem-
bers, Joseph Sharpless, C. G. Barkley, Stephen
Knorr. W. B. Koons, F. C. Eyer, John Rinker.
1872 — President, Elias Mendenhall; mem-
bers, Freas Brown, Stephen Knorr, Caleb
Barton, John S. Sterner, James Dennis, J. H.
Maize vice W. B. Koons, resigned.
1873 — President, Stephen Knorr ; mem-
bers, Louis Bernhard, Charles Thomas, C. W.
Miller, Samuel Knorr, J. S. Evans, John S.
Sterner.
1874 — President, David Lowenberg; mem-
bers, Joseph Hendershott, P. S. Harman, J. K.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
109
Eyer. Louis Bernhard, Stephen Knorr, W.
Peacock.
1875 — President, David Lowenberg; mem-
bers, E. R. Drinker, G. W. Sterner, Eli Jones,
Isaiah Hagenbuch, W. O. Holmes, Welling-
ton Hartman vice John Cadman, resigned.
1876 — President, David Lowenberg; mem-
bers, Peter Jones, Isaiah Hagenbuch. E. R.
Drinker, George E. Elwell, W. O. Holmes, E.
M. Knorr.
1877 — President, David Lowenberg; mem-
bers, E. R. Drinker, W. Rabb, W. O. Holmes,
Peter Jones, G. W. Correll, G. E. Elwell.
1878 — President, G. A. Herring; members,
J. S. Evans, E. R. Drinker, W. Rabb, G. E.
Elwell, B. F. Sharpless, W. O. Holmes.
1879^ — President, I. S. Kuhn ; members, T-
S. Evans, W. O. Holmes, G. M. Lockard, B.
F. Sharpless, E. R. Drinker, W. Rabb.
1880 — President, G. A. Herring; members,
W. Rabb, J. S. Evans, B. F. Sharpless, Charles
Thomas. George Hassert, W. O. Holmes.
t88i — President, G. A. Herring; members,
W. Rabli, George Hassert, J. K. Lockard, I.
W. Hartman, G. W. Correll, C._W. Neal.
1882 — President, G. A. Herring; members,
C. B. Sterling, W. Rabb, George Hassert, W.
S. Moyer. L. E. Waller, I. W. Hartman.
1883 — President, G. A. Herring; members,
C. B. Sterling. W. Rabb, George Hassert, I.
W. Hartman, L. E. Waller, W. S. Moyer.
1884 — President, L. B. Rupert; members,
C. B. Sterling, W. Rabb, Eli Jones, C. A.
Moyer, Isaiah Hagenbuch, L. T. Sharpless.
1885 — President, L. B. Rupert; members,
C. B. Sterling, J. C. Sterner, Henry Rosen-
stock, C. A. Moyer, Isaiah Hagenbuch, L. T.
Sharpless.
1886 — President, B. F. Zarr; members, C.
B. Sterling, T. C. Sterner, Henry Rosenstock,
E. B. Clark, "L. T. Sharpless, W. J. Correll.
1887 — President, P. S. Harman ; members,
Chnton Sterling, F. D. Dentler, E. B. Clark,
L. S. Wintersteen, R. H. Ringler, James
Cadow.
1888 — President, P. S. Harman; members,
Clinton Sterling, John Wolf, Charles Hassert,
James Cadow, E. C. Wells, R. H. Ringler.
i88g — President. P. S. Harman; members,
R. H. Ringler, E. C. Wells, Louis Gross,
Joshua Fetterman, Fred Schwinn, I. E. Yost.
1890 — President, G. A. Herring; members,
William Rabb, S. W. Shntt, E. C. Wells, Louis
Gross, J. Fetterman, F. Schwinn.
1891 — President, P. S. Harman ; members,
Thomas Gorrey, W. B. Allen, J. S. White, I.
W. Willits, E. R. Furman, Harry Rhodes.
1892 — President, F. P. Drinker; members.
C. C. Peacock, W. O. Holmes, W. H. Gilmore,
William Kreamer, Harry Rhodes, Thomas
Gorrey.
1893 — President, F. P. Drinker; members,
Stephen Knorr, Thomas Gorrey, C. C.
Peacock, W. O. Holmes, W. H. House, W. H.
Swentzel.
1894 — President, F. P. Drinker; members,
B. F. Hicks, S. C. Creasy, J. E. Wilson,
Stephen Knorr, Clinton Sterling, Isaac Yost.
1895 — President, S. C. Creasy; members,
W. F. Hartman, J. E. Wilson, Stephen Knorr,
G. M. Lockard, E. M. Kester, Thomas Gorrey.
1896 — President, W. O. Holmes; members,
F. J. Richard, E. A. Rawlings, W. D. Brobst,
Thomas Gorrey, Charles Kunkle, W. R.
Kocher.
1897 — President, W. R. Kocher; members,
F. J. Richard, Thomas Gorrey, John Kelly, H.
G. Supplee, W. S. Rishton, Henry Hower.
1898— President, W. O. Holmes; members,
W. S. Rishton, J. S. Blue, W. L. Demaree, D.
Butler, G. M. Lockard, F. B. Hartman.
1899 — President, W. O. Holmes ; members,
F. B. Hartman, W. L. Demaree, T. L. Smith,
J. R. Cox, Con Cronin, J. S. Blue.
1900 — President, Frank Ikeler ; members,
Con Cronin, H. F. Dieffenbach, John R. Cox,
Theo. Smith, F. B. Hartman, J. S. John.
1901 — President, Frank Ikeler; members,
Thomas Webb, Con Cronin, W. Kashner, H.
F. Dieffenbach, F. B. Hartman, C. F. Rabb.
1902 — President, John R. Townsend ; mem-
bers, G. M. Hughes,"W. Kashner, C. H. Reim-
ard, J. L. Wolverton, Josiah Giger, John A.
Cox.
1903 — President, John R. Townsend; mem-
bers, C. H. Reimard, J. H. Giger, Samuel
Pursel, G. M. Hughes, J. A. Cox, Charles
Gulp.
1904 — President, John R. Townsend; mem-
bers, C. H. Reimard, Josiah Giger, Samuel
Pursel, Charles Gulp, M. H. Rhodes, G. M.
Hughes.
1905 — President, C. C. Yetter; members,
M. H. Rhodes, James Magee, C. W. Runyon,
J. W. Mifflin. Josiah Giger. John Deily.
1906 — President, C. C. Yetter; members,
J. E. Fidler, R. R. Hartman, James Magee, W.
Kashner, C. W. Runyon, John Deily.
1907 — President, J. H. Coleman ; members,
C. W. Runyon, James Magee, J. W. Zeigler,
John Deily, William Kashner, H. C. Rulon.
1908 — President, J. H. Coleman; members,
James Magee, H. C. Rulon, A. B. Naylor,
Jacob Stiner, C. A. Pursel, C. W. Runyon.
1909 — President, F. J. Richard; members.
110
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
James Magee, I. L. Rabb, W. Kashner, C. W.
Runyon, C. A. Pursel, H. C. Rulon.
1910 — President, Joseph L. Townsend;
members, I. L. Rabb, C. A. Pursel, C. W.
Runyon, Thomas Gunter, H. C. Pollock, H.
C. Rulon.
191 1 — President, James Magee; members,
G. H. Welliver, C. A. Pursel, R. R. Hartman,
Oscar Lowenberg, J. W. Bruner, Isaiah Ohl.
191 2 — Under amendments to the State con-
stitution last year's council held over.
1913 — President, Oscar Lowenberg; mem-
bers. Karl F. Wirt, C. A. Pursel, A. C Hidlay,
J. H. Coleman, H. C. Rulon, Dr. G. H.
Welliver.
George Nathan Wagner, chief of police of
Bloomsburg, elected in 191 2, is a native of
Conyngham, Luzerne county. Previous to his
assuming his present office he served one en-
listment in Battery E, 4th Coast Artillery, and
two enlistments in Troop D of the State Con-
stabulary.
MUNICIP.\L IMPROVEMENTS
The election of the first town couhcil was
the beginning of municipal improvements.
Most of the repairs to the streets and town
bridges had previously been made by the town-
ship supervisors, or by benevolent and enter-
prising citizens who paid for them out of their
own pockets. In 1874 Market street was
finally opened clear through by the removal of
the house of Martha Wells, below Third street.
In the following year the brick "Forks Hotel"
was removed and Second street extended to
the Normal grounds. Center street was also
opened and extended from Second to First.
Samuel Neyhard drew the plans in 1872 for
the grading of East street. He afterwards
drew the plans for the regrading of almost
every street in the town. [Mr. Neyhard died
Oct. 27, 1914.]
Contemporary with the street improvements
the problem of water supply w^as solved by the
organization of the Bloomsburg Water Com-
pany in 1874 for the purpose of procuring a
supply of water from Stony brook, and a prop-
osition made to the town council. However,
an act of the Legislature was passed prohibit-
ing an increase of the bonded indebtedness of
the town, and the company dissolved. In 1877
a second company was organized, the directors
being D. T- Waller, L. N. Mover. M. S. Apple-
man, E. H. Little, R. C. Neal, C. G. Barkley,
J. A. Funston, George E. Elwell and H. J.
Clark.
As no springs of sufficient height above the
level of the town could be found, a reservoir
was dug on the hill immediately north of town,
the water taken from Fishing creek to a brick
well and from there pumped to the reservoir,
whence it was distributed over the town by
means of iron pipes.
The waterworks have been greatly improved
and enlarged since 1886, notably by the build-
ing of a second reservoir, enlarging the power-
house and adding new machinery, and in
March, 1913, a filtering plant was completed
at a cost of $50,000. Paul E. Wirt is president
of the company, Frank P. Zarr, secretary, and
the directors are Paul E. Wirt, A. Z. Schoch,
B. F. Sharpless, L. N. Mover, W. H. Hidlay,
A. B. Grotz, L. E. Waller, Ellis Eves. Dr. J. J.
Brown.
In May, 1874, the Bloomsburg Gas Com-
pany was formed, and in October of that year
the streets were first illuminated by this
method. Col. S. Knorr was the first presi-
dent, and C. W. Miller the first secretary, of
the company.
The first public sewers were introduced in
1884 and since then a complete system of
drainage has been installed.
The first paving done in Bloomsburg was
on Main street, from Market Square to Iron
street, in 1906, J. R. Fowler being the con-
tractor. In 1914 the paving was extended from
Iron street to East street, and also from
Market Square to West street, under the
supervision of the council.
An interesting and novel plant is that of the
Bloomsburg Heating Company, which pro-
vides heat for many of the public buildings,
business houses and residences of Bloomsburg.
This comparatively modern method of heat-
ing was introduced in the town as early as
1885 by the incorporation of the Bloomsburg
Steam & Electric Light Company. In con-
nection with their electric light plant they in-
tended to use the waste steam for heating pur-
poses, but the heating department was devel-
oped first. Pipes are laid to the homes and
stores, and steam at a good pressure is sup-
plied even in the coldest weather. In 1908
the plant was purchased by J. T. Tracy and
A. W. Sharpless, who soon made it an im-
portant business investment. Since the death
of Air. Tracy the sole ownership has been
vested in Mr. Sharpless. Having a number
of coal dredges in operation in the summer, he
is assured of an abundant and cheaply obtained
supply of fuel, taken from the bed of the
Susquehanna river.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
111
ELECTRIC LIGHTING
The original electric light company in the
county was the Bloomsburg Electric Light
Company, organized in November, 1890, with
the following officers: President. W. R.
Tubbs ; secretary, L. E. Waller ; treasurer, Dr.
I. W. Willits; directors, C. W. Miller, J. H.
Mercer, P. S. Harman, C. C. Peacock, F. P.
Drinker. The light was turned on for the
first time March 10, 1891. The company con-
tinued to operate until 1899, when it passed
into the hands of the American Electric Light
& Gas Co., which at the same time purchased
the Bloomsburg Gas Co., and consolidated
the two under one management. The name
was subsequently changed to the United Gas
& Electric Company, and this a few years
ago passed into the control of the Columbia
Power, Light & Railways Company. The
Bloomsburg Electric Light Company had its
plant at Eighth and Catherine streets ; it is now
abandoned.
The Irondale Electric Light, Heat & Power
Company was organized in April, 1902. Those
actively interested in it at its inception were
W. S. Moyer, Dr. J. J. Brown, Dr. W. M.
Reber, C. W. Runyon, J. C. Brown, N. U.
Funk, C. A. Kleim, Grant Herring, C. M.
Creveling, H. A. McKillip. The old power-
house formerly used by the Bloomsburg Iron
Company at Irondale was purchased from the
Bloomsburg Water Company, including the
dam at Arbutus Park and the race. The
building was remodeled and powerful turbines
instead of the old overshot water wheel, and
the latest machinery for both steam and water
power was procured. A complete modern
equipment for the manufacture of commercial
electric current was erected, and the company
began business in August, 1903. In 19 13 the
timber dam was torn out with great difficulty,
owing to the many cribs and piling in the
creek bed, and a new timber dam, 12 feet
high and 760 feet long, placed in position. A
concrete dam could not be built owing to the
fact that bed rock was over ten feet below the
creek bed. The old dams had been subject
to frequent damage by freshets.
For a time there was sharp competition be-
tween the Irondale Company and the Blooms-
burg Electric Light Company, until a few
years ago, when both companies passed into
the control of the Columbia Power, Light &
Railways Company. The officers at the time
of the consolidation were : C. M. Creveling,
president; N. U. Funk, secretary: M. Mill-
eisen, treasurer; directors, C. M. Creveling,
M. Milleisen, Dr. J. J. Brown, N. U. Funk,
Robert Runyon, C. A. Kleim, J. C. Brown, Dr.
C. S. Altmiller, J. L. Moyer.
FIRE DEP.\RTMENT
Until 1868 Bloomsburg had no protection
against fires but the "bucket brigade." When
a fire occurred two lines of people were formed
at a well or cistern, and full buckets were
passed along one line to the fire, the empty
buckets being returned by the other line. If the
water supply became exhausted, the fire con-
tinued as long as there was anything left to
burn. In February, 1868, the Bloomsburg Fire
Company was organized. A subscription fund
of $450 was raised, and with it a hand engine
was purchased from the Friendship Fire Com-
pany of Philadelphia by William H. Gilmore.
It was a double decker, made for city use,
with water supplied from a plug. It arrived
in Bloomsburg on April 2, 1S68. Having no
suction pipe it was still necessary to supply it
with water by the lines of bucket passers, but
it was an improvement on the brigade because
a stream could be thrown farther. Much
good work was done with it, and it saved
property worth many times its cost.
After the erection of waterworks the old
hand engine made its appearance only in fire-
men's parades. It was sold in November, 1886,
to the Volunteer Firemen's Association of
Philadelphia, and was kept by them as a relic
of the early days of the city fire fighters until
1892, when it was destroyed in a fire.
In 1880 the Bloomsburg Fire Company was
changed to Friendship Fire Company, No. i.
The town purchased a steam fire engine in
1890, and put it in the charge of this com-
pany, where it has remained ever since. Of the
charter members but few are living, among
these being W. H. Gilmore, J. H. Long, J. L.
Walter, W. J. Correll, F. M. Gilmore, Jacob
Av\\, Edward Searles, John Roadarmel, Charles
Decker, William Thomas and T. L. Gunton.
This company has quarters in the town hall*,
having well appointed rooms for the appa-
ratus and for meetings. For more than forty
years this company has held an annual ball
which is always largely attended.
The Friendship Fire Company is contem-
plating the purchase of an automobile chem-
ical fire engine.
Rescue Fire Company was incorporated
Feb. II, 1869. The petition for the charter
was signed by J. I. Stees, F. M. Everett, P. E.
Wirt, A. T. Drake, Cain Mauser, W. Marr, W.
J. Buckalew, S. W. Shutt, E. S. Shutt, J. Gir-
112
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ton, G. Warr, T. W'arr, W. Wirt, W. Roan.
There were many more charter members. The
name was changed to Rescue Hook and Lad-
der Company on May 12, 1900. This com-
pany's location is on East Fifth street, above
East street, where by its own efforts a fine
brick building has been erected, up-to-date for
the purposes, with pool table, kitchen, quar-
ters for apparatus, and with rpeeting rooms on
the second floor.
Winona Fire Company, No. 3, was organ-
ized in July, 1880, and chartered Aug. 20, 1880.
The charter members were : Robert Buck-
ingham, S. F. Peacock, Arthur A. Clark, E. B.
Clark, C. B. Robbins, W. Clark Sloan, Geo. E.
Elwell, J. F. Peacock, Less Alexander, C. F.
Woodhouse, E. E. Moyer, T. K. Bittenbender,
F. P. Pursel, R. F. Snyder", H. W. McKelvy,
F. S. Kinports, L. S. Wintersteen, F. D. Dent-
ler, W. D. Beckley, R. R. Little, Paul E. Wirt,
W. B. Allen, Frank Maloy, J. W^ Gibbs, W. C.
McKinney, H. M. Rupert, Harry Billmeyer,
John Palmer. The company occupied the third
floor over what is now the Bloomsburg Na-
tional Bank in handsomely furnished rooms,
and for six or eight years kept up an active
organization. Each year during the holidays
it gave a ball which was the leading social
event of the year. But for various reasons
the interest died out, and the organization was
abandoned. Later on, however, it was renewed
by younger men, and still exists with a goodly
number of brave fire fighters. The company
has very comfortable rooms over the J. L.
Sharpless store.
Liberty Fire Company, No. 4, was incor-
porated Feb. 10, 1906, with a large number
of charter members. They own their own
house through their own eff^orts. It is located
on Leonard street near Main street, and ad-
mirably adapted to their uses, containing ap-
paratus and meeting rooms, pool tables, kitch-
ens, etc.
Another company known as the Good Will
Fire Company organized about the same
time, and provided themselves with a chemical
outfit, but disbanded after a few years' ex-
istence.
With three fire companies in town there was
no arrangement for concert of action in case
of a fire, as there was no recognized head, and
so the companies each appointed a committee
to confer with the others, and to draft a con-
stitution and by-laws for the organization of a
fire department. The committees performed
their duty and on Jan. 25, 1881, the result of
their work was presented to the town council,
and approved by that body, and stands to-day
with few if any changes. Among other things
it provided that a chief engineer and three as-
sistants shall be elected annually in December
by the several fire companies, and that the
officers shall rotate among the companies, be-
ginning with Friendship No. i, and so on, the
assistants coming from the companies not hav-
ing the chief.
A fire alarm system was installed in 1900
connected with the courthouse bell, with alarm
boxes in various parts of the town. H. P.
Chamberlin was the contractor.
THE TOWN FOUNTAIN
David Stroup died in August, 1884, and in
his will made a bequest "to the Town of
Bloomsburg to assist in supplying the same
with water, two thousand dollars, to' be in-
vested and kept at interest, the latter to be
applied to that object, or to be expended upon
water works erected or maintained by the
Town, or to be invested in stocks or bonds of
any water company organized to supply the
town with water, on such terms as the Town
Council may prescribe."
The Bloomsburg Water Company proposed
that if the town council would cause the money
so devised to be expended in the erection of a
fountain at or near the public square the com-
pany would furnish water for it free of ex-
pense. This proposition was accepted by the
council, and a petition setting forth these facts
was presented to the court on Aug. 18, 1892.
After the necessary legal proceedings Judge
Ikeler made a decree granting the petition.
The town council appointed President F. P.
Drinker and Councilmen W. O. Holmes and
W. H. Gilmore a committee to select a foun-
tain and also the drinking fountain which now
stands at the post office corner. The fountains
were selected, and their erection completed in
October, 1892. An inscription on the large
fountain reads: "Erected by David Stroup,
1892."
TOWN H.JiLL
The town hall was erected at East and Main
streets, and dedicated on Sept. 14, 1890. The
occasion was observed by a parade in which
numerous organizations took part. A pro-
gram consisting of music, and speeches by a
number of citizens, was followed, and a large
crowd was present. The town is justly proud
of the hall. It is a three-story brick building
of pleasing architecture. On the first floor is
the council room. Friendship Fire Company
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
113
room, and lock-up. On the second and third
floors are two large rooms, and several smaller
rooms, for public meetings, the fire companies,
etc. The building is supplied with all modern
conveniences. David Hensinger was the con-
tractor and builder, and the cost was $15,000.
Up to the time of the erection of this building
the town had occupied rented quarters for a
council room.
INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESS HOUSES
One of the oldest industrial establishments
in Bloomsburg is the extensive foundry and
machine shops of Harman & Hassert. This
business was founded by Peter S. Harman and
George Hassert in 1875. Mr. Harman had
had many years' experience in the foundry
business, and Mr. Hassert was a machinist of
unusual skill. They began on a small scale in
a building 60 by 50 feet, making plows and
stoves, but the business grew rapidly, demand-
ing additional buildings and machinery. Start-
ing modestly, they soon did a business of
over $2,000 a year, but by 1879 the trade had
increased until they were employing thirty per-
sons, and had entered the manufacture of min-
ing cars. By 1886 they were doing a business
of $55,000 per annum and were preparing to
enlarge when in 1888 the entire works were
destroyed by fire. They immediately replaced
the burned frame buildings by ones of brick,
and added others, making the plant the largest
in the town at that time. At present the plant
turns out mining cars, hand cars, casts col-
umns, and does general custom machine work.
The famous old founders of the company
passed to their final reward some years ago,
and the business has been continued by mem-
bers of their families. It is now an incor-
porated concern under the name of Harman
& Hassert, with the following officers : Presi-
dent, general manager and treasurer, J. Lee
Harman ; vice president, George E. Hassert ;
secretary, John G. Harman.
Carriage Works
One of the oldest concerns in this section
is the establishment of J. B. Brobst, known as
the Bloomsburg Carriage Works. The busi-
ness was established by David Brobst in 1849,
and conducted by him for thirty-five years.
In 1884 it came into the hands of J. B. Brobst
and his brother. This partnership continued
until 1907, when J. B. Brobst assumed entire
control and management of the plant. The
premises occupied consist of a repair and
blacksmith shop and carriage factory. In a
separate building across the street are the paint
shops, a large new brick building and a
frame building. In the conduct of this busi-
ness Mr. Brobst is ably assisted by his son
Paul.
American Car & Foundry Company
The Bloomsburg branch of the American
Car & Foundry Company had its origin in
the machine shop and foundry of Semple &
Taylor, started in 1863. In 1S71 more capital
was enlisted, the facilities increased and the
manufacture of mine cars commenced, under
the firm name of the Columbia County Iron
Manufacturing Company. The company be-
coming involved during the panic of 1873, the
plant was sold to M. \V. Jackson, of Berwick,
who sold an interest to G. M. & J. K. Lock-
ard, who had been foremen in the old shop.
In 1879 they became sole owners and that year
fire destroyed the entire works, with a loss of
$40,000 and only $18,000 insurance. How-
ever, in three months they rebuilt and entered
upon a career of prosperity, during the follow-
ing four years producing over four thousand
cars, and doing a business of more than one
million dollars annually, having two to three
hundred men on their payroll, with a wage
list of $10,000 a month. Subsequently the
plant became the property of the Bloomsburg
Car Company and was incorporated on the
consolidation of the American Car & Foundry
Company in 1900. The plant consists of a
group of frame buildings which cover the
larger part of a city block, and which are fit-
ted with the latest improved machinery and
labor-saving devices, and employment is given
to over three hundred skilled workmen. The
capacity is two thousand freight cars and
three thousand mine cars annually, which find
a market throughout the coal regions and in
several of the South American countries. In
1914 an addition to the export building, of
65 by 112 feet, was made, and the company
started on an order of four hundred cars for
the Lehigh Valley railroad.
The Bloomsburg Woolen Mills
were established in 1882 by S. A. Caswell, M.
E. Caswell, E. C. Caswell and H. C. Half-
penny. They are located at Sixth and West
streets. After the death of the first two part-
ners named above, and the withdrawal of Mr.
Halfpenny, the firm name was changed to
E. C. Caswell & Co., the other member of the
114
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
firm being Carlton A. Caswell. This plant
has twice met with misfortune, once by fire,
and again in 1896 by a cyclone which destroyed
the upper part, leaving only the first story
standing. In spite of this it recovered from
the loss and has prospered, being one of the
leading industrial establishments of Blooms-
burg. It has seldom been shut down for lack
of orders since its founding. From 1887 to
1901 J. M. Staver had an interest in the busi-
ness of the factory. In the latter year his
interest was purchased by Carlton A. Caswell,
who was already a half owner of the plant.
Mr. Staver died in 191 2, E. C. Caswell died
in February, 1914, and C. A. Caswell is now
sole owner.
The Bloomsburg School Furnishing Company
was an important industry for some years. It
was incorporated July 17, 1885, "for the pur-
pose of manufacturing school and church fur-
niture, and doing general planing mill, foundry
and machine work." The officers were: C. W.
Miller, president; W. S. Moyer, Dr. D. J.
Waller, Jr., A. Z. Schoch, W. M. Reber,
J. C. Brown, directors. It was successfully
operated until February, 1899, when it was
sold to the American School Desk Company.
The plant was operated by them for several
years, when, largely by reason of troublesome
strikes, it was shut down, and the machinery
removed to other factories of the corporation.
Bloomsburg thus lost an industry that em-
ployed many skilled mechanics. On Aug. 30,
1888, the factory was destroyed by fire, the
loss on buildings and finished product being
about $60,000, with insurance of less than half
that amount. It was rebuilt. About 1909 the
American School Desk Company sold the plant
to the Fred Fear Match Company.
The Bloomsburg Silk Mill
was founded in 1888 by Joseph Ratti, and in
1890 was incorporated as a company. At the
branch factory in Lock Haven the company
manufactures dress silks, linings and tie silks.
The Bloomsburg plant is of commodious size,
having 45,000 square feet of floor space, which
in all its appointments is most modernly fitted
for convenience, and over three hundred looms
are installed. The company gives employment
to three hundred and fifty skilled operators.
During Mr. Ratti's lifetime he was ably as-
sisted in the management of the mill by Mr. F.
G. Yorks, a gentleman of wide experience in
silk manufacture. In 1906 Mr. Ratti went to
his home in Italy in the spring, as was his
custom, and became ill while there. In the
fall news of his serious condition reached here,
and Mr. Yorks, already a large stockholder,
made a flying trip to Italy, where he secured
a majority of the stock by an agreement with
Mr. Ratti. The death of the latter occurred
on Oct. 25, 1906, at Rogeno, Italy. Under
Mr. Yorks's guiding hand the mills continued
to prosper, and are now among the largest
employers of labor in this section. The dress
silks made at the Bloomsburg mills have at-
tained a high standing wherever they have been
introduced, and that means over a large por-
tion of the United States. On the morning
of Sept. 12, 1913, Mr. Yorks died suddenly
after but a few hours' illness. Thereafter the
management of the mills passed to his son,
Milton K, Yorks, who had been an able assist-
ant to his father for several years. At present
he is the general manager.
Pottery
The Hyssong Pottery was started by Rabb
& Rehm about 1874. They were succeeded by
A. L. Hyssong, who carried on the business
until 1913, when he was succeeded by his son,
C. A. Hyssong. This is the only pottery in this
section of the State and has been located at
the same spot in the west end of Bloomsburg
ever since the beginning. The clay is procured
from New Jersey and the product is stone-
ware, jugs, poultry fountains, water coolers,
glazed flower pots, jardinieres, dipping cups
for the dye works, drain tile and sewer pipe.
The Magee Carpet Company
is the outgrowth of a small plant of twenty-
five looms which were run in Philadelphia by
James Magee & Co. at Tulip and Palmer
streets. Mr. James Magee comes from a fam-
ily of carpet manufacturers, his father having
started in Philadelphia at the close of the Civil
war with four hand looms. In those days the
modern mill was unknown. A manufacturer
used the lower rooms of his home or else an
outside shed in which to carry on his work.
James Magee started in his father's mill,
sweeping the floors. From this he passed
through the various departments, spooling,
winding, weaving, fixing, until he became the
superintendent of the mills in Philadelphia,
moving the machinery from a crowded, ill
adapted mill to one of the best appointed in
that city. In 1885, on his return from a year's
experience in the West, feeling that there
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
115
would be no opportunity of rising in his
father's mill, he founded a partnership with
a yarn spinner and commenced the manufac-
ture of ingrain carpets.
After running the plant in Philadelphia sev-
eral years, believing that it would be more ad-
vantageous to manufacture in a country town,
he visited Bloomsburg, as well as a number of
other places, and decided to remove his plant
there, which he did in 1891. He brought with
him his cousin, James Magee (ist), and W. H.
Vanderherchen, both practical men, and with
thirty-five looms the company was started,
making nothing but ingrain carpets. Foresee-
ing the gradual disuse of this class of carpet
in 1896, the tapestry mill and spinning mill
were built and the manufacture of tapestry
carpets was started. The company partnership
meanwhile had sold out to the Bloomsburg
Carpet Works and the latter merged a few
years later into the Magee Carpet Works.
The company's brand of "Bar None Tapestry"
was favorably known throughout the country.
A short time afterwards velvet carpets were
made, to be followed later by the manufacture
of seamed rugs. In this work the company
brought out a grade of velvets which had
never been produced before. In fact, it was
freely asserted that the grade could not be
done. But it was, and "Blue Ribbon Velvets"
were sold in every city of the Union. Again
the caprice of fashion compelled a complete
readjustment of plant. The demand was for a
seamless velvet rug. To supply their trade
with this the company made the biggest effort
of its business life, erecting in 1913 one of the
finest mills of the country, with 500,000 feet
of floor space, and enough looms to produce
three hundred rugs every day.
The Magee Carpet Company is one of the
largest producers of velvet carpet and rugs
in the country, its plant covering ten acres of
floor space, and being a model of its kind. All
of the equipment is up-to-date, and the product
goes into every State of the Union, also to
Porto Rico, Chile, and Hawaii. All processes
of the business are done at the mills. The raw
wool is imported from Russia, China, Turkey
and other foreign countries. Both worsted
warp and woolen yarns are spun in the com-
pany's own plant. A large dyehouse and tap-
estry printing department color the yarns by
the use of the latest machinery. After being
steamed, washed and dried, the printed yarns
are spooled, and then go to the setting depart-
ment, where skilled operatives "set" the pat-
tern, straightening out the crooked lines and
beaming the yarns ready for the weaver. The
weaving department is on the top floor of the
new mill, where abundance of light and ven-
tilation may be obtained. To save vibration,
the floor was made 7 inches thick, resting on
heavy steel girders. The contract called for
a carrying load of 300 pounds to the square
foot. On this floor are narrow looms which
weave the carpets, the small rugs and the car-
pets for carriages and automobiles. It may
not be generally known that the Magee Carpet
company produces three fourths of the car-
pets used in carriages and automobiles, having
made a specialty of such carpets for many
years. The weaving department also con-
tains broad looms which weave a 9 by 12 rug
without a seam. They are marvels of con-
struction, handling a wire 10 feet long, put-
ting them in and cutting the loops and with-
drawing them, all automatically. Some idea of
the size of these looms can be obtained when
the reader is told that they weigh 22,000
pounds each. From the weaving room the
rugs are taken to the finishing rooms, where
they are cleaned, steamed, stretched, worked
and rolled up with a pole in the middle to
keep them from breaking in transportation.
The older portions of the building are re-
served for storage purposes, where many thou-
sands of rugs are kept ready for prompt ship-
ment on receipt of orders. The company has
a private siding for shipping in carload lots
and for taking in wool and coal in bulk. The
plant burns 6,000 tons of coal a year, uses
500,000 gallons of water per day, works up
6,000,000 pounds of wools and yarns every
year, employs over seven hundred people and
pays out in wages every day over $1,200. The
management is in the hands of men who are
practically conversant with the business, and
who give their full time and attention to the
work.
Mr. Magee also conducts the I-eader Depart-
ment Store, one of the largest of Bloomsburg's
mercantile establishments.
The Monroe-Hall Furniture Company
is among the leading progressive industries of
the town. The plant is thoroughly equipped
with modern woodworking machinery for the
production of high-grade furniture of all
kinds. It was originally built in 1891 by W. H.
-Schuyler, Theodore Redeker and Jacol) Keifer,
who conducted it about one year, when the
Bloomsburg Furniture Company took over the
plant and conducted it for a time. This com-
pany was reorganized under the name of the
North Branch Furniture Company, who ran
116
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the plant until 1898. It was then leased to
Robert Hawley and William H. Slate, they
conducting it until 1906, when the present
company was formed and incorporated. The
officers are : W. R. Monroe, president, treas-
urer and general manager; H. A. Hall, secre-
tary. This company has built up a magnifi-
cent trade, extending throughout the United
States, as a result of its up-to-the-minute busi-
ness methods.
"The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword"
Among the products of Bloomsburg which
have gained world-wide fame there is none
more favorably known than the Paul E. Wirt
Fountain Pen, one of the first of these famous
writing instruments which have become a ne-
cessity to Americans and by them have been
carried to the ends of the earth. The factory
in Bloomsburg was started in 1885 by Paul
E. Wirt, one of the leading attorneys of the
town, and has been carried on ever since with
continued and increasing success. Millions of
these pens have been sold, the sales in the
United States exceeding five hundred thou-
sand in a single year. So widely known has
this pen become that there is scarcely a coun-
try on earth which is not supplied with it
through retail merchants. The pen is a "loop-
feeder" and has stood the test of time, having
many imitators, but none equal to it. Although
there are many other firms marketing foimtain
pens, the sales of the Wirt pen have never
fallen ofl^, but have increased yearly.
The factory where the pens are made is a
two-story building, 25 by 75 feet in dimen-
sions, with an addition 40 by 75, recently
erected. Forty employees are engaged in the
manufacture, divided between the gold pen,
rubber case, assembling and shipping depart-
ments. Most of the employees have been with
the firm for years and have become unusually
skillful. Every part is made in the factory,
the gold for the pens being received from the
mint, the rubber from South America, and the
iridium from which the pen points are made
from Russia. This metal has a value of $125
an ounce.
Mr. Wirt and his son, Karl, have become
substantially identified with the life of the
town and are connected with many of the other
important industries, as well as holding posi-
tions in the local government and the board of
trustees of the State Normal School. C. W.
Funston has been associated with this industr\-
almost from its inception.
Paragon Plaster & Siipph Company
The Bloomsburg plant of this company was
established in 1895, but the company has been
incorporated for 24 years. The business is
housed in a brick and concrete building 70 by
200 feet in size, which is supplied with the best
facilities for the manufacture of "Paragon"
plaster. The company also manufactures
"Paragon" high-grade lime in the new plant,
built five years ago at the lime works of Low
Bros. & Co., at Lime Ridge, and also deals
wholesale and retail in lime, plaster, cement,
hair, marble dust, flue linings, etc. The head
offices of the company are located at Scranton,
the local branch being under the efficient man-
agement of W. L. White.
The Artificial Ice & Cold Storage Company
was established in 1892 by the Bloomsburg
Cold Storage and Artificial Ice Company, and
later was operated by T. J. Pugsley. Finan-
cial difficulties closed it down in August, 1914,
when it was purchased by C. R. Dickerman, of
Milton, at sheriff^'s sale.
The Bloomsburg Brick Company
has an extensive shale brick plant at Blooms-
burg. The officers are : George L. Low, presi-
dent; Dr. J. E. Shuman, vice president ; W. R.
Kocher, treasurer; H. R. Mears, secretary;
W. W. Swengel, general manager. The com-
pany has an authorized capital of $30,000, and
has acquired control of a valuable deposit of
particularly fine red shale suitable for the man-
ufacture of high-grade pressed brick, paving
brick and other products. The plant has a
capacity of 6,000,000 bricks per annum, and is
electrically equipped and fitted with the latest
and most approved brick making machinery.
The product is among the best, and large quan-
tities are being shipped to distant points ; a
big home trade is also supplied. Most of the
plant was destroyed by fire in September,
1914, but has been rebuilt.
Planing Mill
The planing mill of A. Bruce Hartnian is a
handy shop conducted by a handy man, where
all kinds of woodworking is done, and odd
pieces made. It is a. great convenience to the
community and receives liberal and well mer-
ited patronage.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
117
The Ricliard Manufacturing Company
is a plant of great value to Bloomsburg, both
in the employment of skilled workmen and the
money the products bring to the town, and
also in the advertising value to this place from
the fact that some of the greatest public works
in America bear the name of this firm on
their mechanical and structural parts. The
work of this company may be found all over
the Union and in England and France. The
business includes the manufacture of almost
anything in iron or brass, but the specialty is
wire and tube drawing machinery. The com-
pany has fitted out some of the largest plants
in this country with wire-drawing machines,
making what is probably the simplest and rnost
successful of this class of machinery. Besides
producing ammunition lifts, torpedo anchors,
observation towers and lighthouse lanterns for
the government, the Richard Company built a
cast-iron sectional lighthouse for the Miah
Maue shoals in Delaware bay, erecting the
structure in Bloomsburg upon a concrete foun-
dation and then dismounting it and shipping it
to the spot where it finally was located. As
a single order in 1907 over 100,000 pairs of
roller skates were put out for a customer. One
of the notable and historic orders filled by this
firm was for a miter lock for the great gates
of the Panama canal locks, the first one used
when the canal was opened to the public.
Bloomsburg's name is fixed for many years
upon these gates.
The firm was organized in 1899 by F. J.
Richard, S. H. Harman and J. L. Richardson.
The present officers are : F. J- Richard, presi-
dent and general manager; j. L. Richardson,
treasurer; C. F. Altmiller, secretary.
TIic Bloomsburg Hosiery Mills
Barger, Bains & Munn, proprietors, was estab-
lished nine years ago, and is a branch of the
plant owned and conducted by this firm in
Philadelphia, where the company's specialty is
ladies' hosiery. In Bloomsburg the product
manufactured is' exclusively infants' hosiery,
finished at the Philadelphia mills, and the
goods are marketed throughout the United
States. The local plant is situated in a mod-
ernly constructed brick building, which is con-
veniently fitted and supplied with the latest and
best makes of knitting machines. The indi-
vidual members of the company are Charles C.
Barger, Edward Bains and W. F. Munn. The
two former are active in the business, while
Mr. Munn holds other large interests. Mr.
Barger is a resident of Bloomsburg. J. P.
Barger, his son, is the superintendent of the
Bloomsburg plant. There is a branch mill at
Nescopeck, Pennsylvania.
The Fred Fear Match Company
is one of the more recent additions to the in-
dustries of the town, having been established
in T909, with a capital stock of $500,000. The
plant consists of a group of brick buildings
covering about four acres. The Fred Fear
Match Company is owned by Fred Fear of
Fred Fear & Co., New York. The products
made are double tip and parlor matches, which
are manufactured under special processes
owned by the company. The plant is specially
fitted for this work and the best and most
modern machinery used in the manufacture of
matches is installed.
The company is also engaged in the manu-
facture of salad dressing, fly paper and Easter
egg dyes. It has plants also in Bradford, Pa.,
Chicago and New York. The officers are:
Fred Fear, president and treasurer ; C. C. Yet-
ter, vice president and secretary ; A. E. Nal-
trett, superintendent.
The White Milling Company
was established in 1885 by H. V. White and
ably conducted by him up to 1900, when the
White Milling Company was incorporated with
the following officers: President, H. V. White;
treasurer, A. B. White ; secretary, M. Powell.
The company manufactures and deals in all
kinds of milling products, including spring and
winter wheat flour, rye flour, buckwheat flour,
corn meal, feeds, chops, etc., making a spe-
cialty of its celebrated "White Seal" flour
and other well known brands. The mills have
a capacity of 125 barrels of wheat flour, one
hundred barrels of buckwheat flour, twenty-
five barrels of rye flour and twenty-five tons
of feed per day, besides other products. The
plant is a group of modernly constructed build-
ings, including the main mill, elevators, ware
and store houses. Each department is sup-
plied with the best improved milling ma-
chinery. The board of directors is: John
Eves, G. FI. Harter, Elhs Eves, J. C. Brown,
O. W. Cherrington, A. C. Creasy. The head
miller is P. C. Beyer.
The Bloomsburg Roller Mills
were established in 1897 by R. R. Ikeler. The
plant is built of brick and is fitted with im-
118
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
proved machinery, including the roller process,
and has a capacity of sixty barrels of flour
per day exclusive of the corn meal and feed
mills. Mr. Ikeler is a practical miller of many
years' experience. In connection with the mill-
ing business he handles coal and wood.
The Dillon Greenhouses
are among the largest establishments of the
kind in the State. In 1875 this enterprise was
established in a comparatively small way by
the late J. L. Dillon, who for a number of
years was one of Bloomsburg's leading busi-
ness men. The original houses were located
back of the normal school, having something
over 40,000 square feet of glass. Twenty
years ago the houses on Fifth street were com-
menced and these were added to from time
to time, until there are now fifteen, having
almost 100,000 square feet of glass. Some
years ago the normal school purchased the land
where the greenhouses stood on the hill, and
in accordance with the agreement the buildings
were removed and possession delivered to the
school in May, 1913, the entire Dillon busi-
ness being removed to the Fifth street location.
After Mr. Dillon's death the business was for
a time conducted by his heirs. It is now in
the hands of his widow, who is ably assisted
by her son Charles and her nephew, Charles
Hutchison.
Miscellaneous Mercantile Houses
At the head of the list of mercantile estab-
lishments in Bloomsburg are the department
stores. The store of Gelb & Mayer carries
everything for the household and in the line
of wearing apparel, except men's clothing.
David Mayer is the managing proprietor.
The other department stores are the Leader
Store Company, Limited, with two branches,
at the corner of Fourth and Market streets,
and in the Exchange Hotel ; and F. P. Pursel,
the oldest and largest in town, at the corner
of Main and Market streets. Heyman Broth-
ers carry men's and women's wear, and Bres-
nick's Women's Shop has everything for
women.
The druggists are Moyer Brothers, C. A.
Kleim, T- H. Mercer, W. S. Rishton, George
A. McKelvy, G. P. Ringler.
Hardware Dealers — J. R. Schuvler, W.
McK. Reber, H. B. Sharpless.
Electrical Supplies — H. S. Kauf?man, F. P.
Edwards, George E. Keller.
The grocers and provision dealers are : J. F.
Tooley & Co., C. R. Stecker, J. L. Sharpless,
Schneider Brothers (wholesale), C. H. Sharp-
less, H. G. Pennington, A. L. Snyder, J. K.
Pensyl, Fritz & Fritz, C. H. Harris, S. A.
Lutz, J. C. Kahler, A. J. Learn, Theodore Gar-
rison, F. M. Everett, T. C. Snyder, George
Trump, K. M. Moon, Mrs. E. Cronin, G. P.
Davis, U. W. Cherrington, Mrs. C. E. Kelch-
ner, Mrs. S. David, J. C. Hile, Mrs. W. H.
Hartzell, J. L. Turner.
Confectionery and ice cream parlors are con-
ducted by E. M. Savidge, Harmany Brothers,
Alexander & Co., J. L. Pohe & Son, W. F.
O'Neill, P. B. Irvin, John Bush, Joe Fest, A.
Svveisfort. The restaurants are kept by Mrs.
Freeze, Ralph H. Smoyer, W. Eastman, and
Alexander & Co.
There are but five licensed retail liquor es-
tablishments in Bloomsburg, exclusive of the
hotels, which are licensed, and they are kept
by Gilmore Bros., John Gross, J. E. Zeigler,
Frank Derr, Joseph Sands. J. S. Bachman is
the only licensed wholesale dealer.
Of the exclusive cigar stores there are four,
the establishments of \\'illiam Vial, The Pal-
ace, J. Ralston, Edward Shaffer. There are
many barber shops, kept by E. F. Row, James
Reilly, Glasgow Cameron, Frank Parks, Frank
Gensemer, Charles Fisher, Fred Vanderslice,
A. R. Kashner.
Meat Markets — Frank Bomboy, D. L. Bom-
boy, R. A. Hicks, C. Bergold, Paul & Pensyl,
J. E. White, C. P. Kressler.
Coal Dealers— J. S. Edwards, W. R.
Kocher, R. R. Ikeler, Harman & Hassert,
W. H. Henrie, O. W. Drake.
Wall Paper— P. K. Vannatta, S. R. Bidle-
man, S. L. Appleman.
Plumbers— W. O. Holmes & Son, W. F.
Hartman, L. C. Conner, William Ludwig.
Millinery — Mrs. John Tracy, Mrs. Elmer
Brugler, Mrs. C. "C. Furman, Miss Bessie
Quick, Miss Ada Cox.
Pianos and Music — Mrs. F. Anstock, James
H. Saltzer.
Shoes — Buckalew & Kemp, C. M. Evans, A.
Davis, Ralph H. Smoyer.
Shoemakers — R. R. Hartman, Otto Wolfe,
Lloyd Hartman.
Clothing — John R. Townsend, D. Lowen-
berg Estate, C. C. Housenick & Co., L. Gross
& Son, A. Evans, Emil Kroll, B. T. Pursel,
Manufacturers' Clothing Co.
Jewelers — James E. Roys, George W. Hess,
George Rosenstock.
Saddlers — M. L. Kline, Samuel Pullen.
Five and Ten Cent Stores — F. W. Wool-
worth & Co., The Fair.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
119
Liverymen — H. J. Shoemaker, Charles
Brink, Charles Moss.
Garages — Fernand Seller, Jules Seiler, C. S.
Gheen, J. W. Wright, H. B. Correll, Gunter
& Knittle.
Miscellaneous — Lesser Alexander, whole-
sale cigars and confectionery; J. W. Moyer,
stationery ; J. Keller's Sons, wholesale notions ;
W. H. Brower, carpets; Zehner Brothers, M.
P. Whitenight, F. W. Miller, farm imple-
ments; W. W. Crawford, mineral waters; Jo-
seph E. Gross, soft drinks ; H. E. Dieffenbach,
W. B. Ferguson, ice; J. Papania, fruits; S. C.
Creasy, lumber; E. W. Ritter, newsdealer; E.
M. Savidge, H. W. Walter, bakeries; C. E.
Crawford, lunchroom; W. A. Watters, laun-
dry; W. J. Correll & Co., furniture.
THE BLOOMSBURG HOSPITAL
This institution was promoted by Joseph
Ratti, the principal owner of the Bloomsburg
Silk Mill. He and a number of friends met
on March 8, 1905, for organization. A. Z.
Schoch was elected president of the corpora-
tion; J. G. Harman, secretary; Joseph Ratti,
treasurer ; F. G. Yorks, assistant treasurer.
The residence of W. L. Ritter on East Fifth
street was purchased by Mr. Ratti, and exten-
sive repairs and improvements made to adapt
it for hospital purposes. Friends of the en-
terprise were solicited, and contributed $6,190,
Mr. Ratti supplying the balance, about $9,000,
to meet the expense incurred. The equipment
included a complete set of the most modern
surgical instruments, and an operating room
fitted with all the sanitary appliances known
to the surgical profession.
In April, 1905, action was taken to change
the name to the Joseph Ratti Hospital, which
was done at the May term of court.
At the meeting in January, 1910, action was
taken looking to the erection of a new build-
ing. The Legislature of 1909 had appropriated
$5,000 towards the project. Plans for the new
building prepared by McCormick & French of
Wilkes-Barre were adopted in 191 1, and the
contract was awarded to the Shamokin Lum-
ber Company. The Legislature of 191 1 ap-
propriated an additional $3,000 for the build-
ing. A canvass of the community for sub-
scriptions was made, which with several lega-
cies enabled the corporation to complete the
building ready for occupancy in July, 1912.
The property has cost $55,000.
The legacies received up to 1914 have been:
Julia Waller, $1,000; Mrs. Antoinette Tellier,
$4,000; Capt. H. J. Conner, $1,000; Col. John
G. Freeze, $1,000. A new laundry building,
ample in size and modernly equipped, was
completed in 1913.
At the meeting in January, 1912, action was
taken towards changing the name back to
"Bloomsburg Hospital," in order to remove the
impression of the public that it was a private
hospital conducted for personal gain, and by
action of the court of that year the institution
is now named the Bloomsburg Hospital.
There are four public wards, with accommo-
dations for sixteen patients, and also sixteen
private rooms. In an emergency this capacity
may be considerably increased. The adminis-
tration of the hospital is in charge of a board
of twenty-five directors, in five groups, elected
for terms of five years each. For 19x4 they
are, Paul E. Wirt, C. M. Creveling, Dr. J. J
Brown, Dr. B. F. Gardner, Dr. L. B. Kline,
For 1915, L. N. Moyer, Dr. I. R. Wolfe, J. G
Harman, Dr. J. S. John, Dr. J. E. Shuman
For 1916, A. Z. Schoch, J. C. Brown, Dr. J
W. Bruner, Dr. J. R. Montgomery, James
Magee. For 1917, Dr. R. E. Miller, Frank
Ikeler, M. K. Yorks, Dr. A. Shuman, S. C.
Creasv. For 1918, Dr. S. B. Arment, Dr. C.
F. Altmiller, L. E. Waller, Dr. C. Z. Robbins,
I. X. Grier.
The building committee was composed of
A. Z. Schoch, J. C. Brown, S. C. Creasy, Dr.
J. J. Brown, Dr. J. W. Bruner. Dr. Bruner
was the first chief of staff, and Dr. John is
now in that position, which he has held for
some years past. The present officers are : Dr.
J. S. John, president ; J. C. Brown, secretary
and treasurer : Dr. C. Z. Robbins, assistant
treasurer. The Sisters of Mercy have the di-
rect care of the patients, and Sister M. Stanis-
laus is the superintendent. A number of
trained nurses are graduated each year from
the institution.
The hospital has already in its brief career
earned an enviable reputation for the success-
ful treatment of critical surgical cases, due
largely to the ability of the physicians and the
careful nursing of the Sisters. While many
gave valuable assistance in the establishment
of the hospital, the successful outcome of the
project is due more to the untiring efforts of
A. Z. Schoch and J. C. Brown than to any
other two persons.,
BLOOMSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
The charter of the Bloomsburg Library
Company was adopted Feb. 19, 1889, and the
management of the company's affairs vested in
a board of directors made up of the follow-
120
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ing: Rev. Frank P. Manhart, president;
Maud C. Walker, vice president ; Eva Rupert,
secretary; Mrs. E. H. Little, treasurer; Martin
P. Lutz, Anna M. Frymire, Mary A. Correll.
Mr. Manhart having very shortly after re-
moved from town, Col. John G. Freeze suc-
ceeded him as president.
The Library shared its first quarters with
the W. C. T. U., this organization very gen-
erously making over a collection of books
which it owned to the control of the Library
directors. In the spring of 1891 this partner-
ship was dissolved, and the Library's equip-
ment moved to the Y. M. C. A. room. After
operating for four years its afifairs, like those
of many other early semi-public libraries,
languished, and for over ten years the town
was without any active organization. Before
the expiration of this time the women's clubs
began to agitate the matter of a public library,
and in 1902 the Civic club with its Library
department was organized.
In 1902 the project of a public library which
should also be free, was put forth by the wom-
en's clubs of the town. Contributions of books
and money were solicited and entertainments
given, with the result that practically every cit-
izen of the town owned some share in the suc-
cess which attended the institution from the
start. The largest sum given by an individual
was the thousand-dollar bequest of Mrs. D. J.
Waller, and the largest amount from any one
source was the $1,100 from the Bloomsburg
Centennial fund. The Civic, Century, Wednes-
day and Ivy clubs stood sponsors at its incep-
tion, and have been loyal supporters through-
out its years of growth.
The new Library Company is operating the
free public library under the original charter,
although its by-laws were amended to increase
the number of directors to twelve, including
two members of the town council. The first
board after the reorganization was as follows :
Mrs. S. C. Creasy, president; Mrs. J. L. Dil-
lon, vice president ; Miss Sarah E. I. Van Tas-
sel, secretary; Mrs. C. W. McKelvy, treasurer;
Miss Laura Waller, Mrs. E. B. Tustin, Mrs.
J. P. Welsh, Col. J. G. Freeze, C. W. Miller,
Louis Cohen, O. H. Bakeless, John R. Town-
send.
A room was secured in the Clark building
on Center street, the Library organized by
Miss Elizabeth Renninger, and on June 18,
1903, with Mrs. Mary S. R. Worthington as
librarian, and with four thousand books on the
shelves, the Bloomsburg Free Public Library
was opened to the people. Five years later
the Library was expanded to its present size
of two large rooms and storage space. The
same year, upon petition of the people, council
came to the financial aid of the institution.
Since that time the appropriation has been in-
creased until in 191 1 the present ruling was
passed : Council voting to duplicate any sum
raised by the board of directors, provided
that sum be not in excess of $1,000. The
library has also accumulated, despite its scanty
resources, an endowment fund which at pres-
ent stands at somewhat over $3,000. With
over 4,500 volumes added to the original col-
lection, and with all possible storage space
crowded with unbound periodicals and other
needed material, the Library has reached its
limit of growth in the present situation. It is
generally conceded by the board and by towns-
people that a building of its own is the only
solution of this congested condition, and that
this building when erected must be commen-
surate with the town itself in beauty, and fitted
to the growth of the town for at least twenty
years to come.
The board at this time consists of the fol-
lowing persons : J. R. Townsend, president ;
James H. Coleman, vice president; Miss Mary
Unangst, secretary ; Mrs. Samuel Wigfall,
treasurer; Mrs. C. W. McKelvy, Miss Sarah
E. I. Van Tassel, Mrs. C. W. Funston, Mrs.
H. G. Eshelman, Miss Anna Creasy, C. W.
Miller, O. H. Bakeless, Dr. G. H. Welliver,
James Magee, Dr. J. W. Bruner. Trustees,
J. R. Townsend, A. Z. Schoch, George E.
Elwell.
The following librarians have served as
noted: Mrs. Worthington, 1903-1908; Miss
Irene Mercer, 1908-1909; Miss Clark, June,
1909; Miss Blanche Williams, 1909-1911;
Miss Edith Patterson, 1911-1914.
Each year the library is financially aided by
a "tag day," in which the townspeople as well
as traveling public are importuned by girls
selected for the occasion to buy a tag or
streamer, the price varying with the inclination
of the purchaser. In 1914 seventy girls par-
ticipated and the sum realized was $270, the
largest on record.
soldiers' monument
The erection of a monument in honor of
the men of Columbia county who fought for
the preservation of the LInion in the Civil war
was a subject agitated and discussed for many
years before its accomplishment. Back in the
seventies an eff'ort was made to raise a fund
for this purpose. A small amount was real-
ized by entertainments and in other ways, but
I
SOLDIICRS' AND SaILORS' MoNUMKXT
Erected Ijy the County at Bloomsburg
Dedicated Nov. 2Q, tqoS
Sol.DIIiKS' ]\[()XLMEXT. C" ATA W I SS A. L'a.
ColAMlllA L'uL-XTV IaIL, J '.1.( k )M SI'.T R( 1, I'a.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
121
the public interest in the movement did not
appear to be sufficiently aroused in the project
at that time and so it slept for more than
twenty years, when the agitation was again
started. This culminated in 1898 when, on
Feb. 8th, a petition was presented to the court
by citizens asking for the erection of a monu-
ment. Aftei being approved and disapproved
by various grand juries through several years
a contract was finally awarded to J. U. Kurtz,
of Berwick, whose bid was $7,795, the lowest
of five. The monument was erected in Mar-
ket Square.
The dedication of the monument, which
took place Nov. 19, 1908, was probably the
most imposing open-air ceremony ever wit-
nessed in the county. The weather was fine
and thousands of people were present. The
program included a parade which started at
the Town Hall, headed by Chief Marshal W.
O. Holmes, County Commissioners J. A. Hess,
C. L. Pohe and Elisha Ringrose, Assistant
Marshals W. G. Lentz and R. A. Hicks, all
mounted. The procession included five brass
bands, mounted police. Sons of Veterans,
Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Drum
Corps of Danville, Knights of the Golden
Eagle Commandery, Improved Order of
Red Men, speakers of the day in carriages,
veterans of the Civil war, Ladies of the
G. A. R., Bloomsburg Fire Department. The
parade ended at the monument, Market
Square, where the exercises were opened by
J. C. Eves, president of the Monument Asso-
ciation. After "America" and a prayer, Presi-
dent Judge Charles C. Evans in a very excel-
lent address, on behalf of the county commis-
sioners, presented the monument to the public
generally, and to the war veterans in particu-
lar. E. E. Bittenbender, commander of Ent
Post, G. A. R., delivered the address of thanks
for the monument. An eloquent and impress-
ive speech was made by Hon. W. E. Andrews,
of Washington, D. C, the orator of the day,
and was followed by Congressman John G.
McHenry, whose address closed the exercises.
This monument has often been declared to be
more beautiful than some costing twice as
much.
POST OFFICE
The first post office at Bloomsburg was
established on Oct. I, 1807, with William Park
as postmaster. He held the position until
April I, 1810, when John Park succeeded him.
Then came John Barton, on April 17, 1819,
who continued until March 21, 1837, when
Bernard Rupert was appointed. John R.
Moyer assumed the position May 10, 1840,
the office being located in his store on Mar-
ket Square, where the residence of the late
John L. Moyer now stands. Then came
Leonard B. Rupert, on June 3, 1847; John M.
Chamberlin, June i, 1849, office in his build-
ing on Main street, now occupied and owned
by Josiah Ralston; Philip Unangst, May 6,
1853, office in his shoe shop, corner of Main
and Center, on the site of Gelb & Mayer's store ;
Leonard B. Rupert, April 7, 1858, office in
building where Moyer Brothers building now
stands, below the square on Main street ;
Palemon John, April 9, 1861, office in room
now occupied by Western Union Telegraph
office and Andrew Evans' tailor shop ; D. A.
Bcckley, April ]2, 1865, office in same location ;
John B. Pursel, Aug. 9, 1866, office in store
room on west side of what is now the Farm-
ers' National Bank building; D. A. Beckley,
April 5, 1869, office in a one-story frame build-
ing that stood on the site of the Morning Press
building; George A. Clark, May 5, 1885; A. B.
Cathcart, Aug. 2, 1889; James H. Mercer, Feb.
5, 1894. The three last named had the office
in the Paul E. Wirt building where the
Bloomsburg National Bank now is. The old-
fashioned boxes and fixtures of the former
office were discarded, and new modern appli-
ances were adopted. O. B. Mellick became
postmaster on Feb. 25, 1898, and the office con-
tinued in the same quarters until June 16, 1899,
when it was moved to the L. N. Moyer build-
ing in the room now occupied by the Columbia
& Montour Electric Company, the fixtures that
were in the Wirt building being retained. Mr.
Mellick was succeeded on March 7, 1902, by
James C. Brown, who held the office until Sep-
tember, 1914, when J. H. Maust was appointed.
On Sept. 29, 1906, the post office moved into
its present commodious quarters in the First
National Bank building, where it was equipped
throughout with up-to-date appliances.
FINANCIAL
The Industrial Building & Loan Associa-
tion was organized in 189 1. It has been so
carefully conducted that it has never been
obliged to foreclose a mortgage on any of its
loans. The officers are: John R. Townsend,
president ; F. R. Carpenter, vice president ; H.
S. Barton, secretary ; Samuel Wigfall, treas-
urer. Directors: George E. Elwell, O. W.
Cherrington, W. H. Hidlay, Willie Law.
From the time of its organization up to De-
cember, 1913, it made loans amounting to
$87,630.
122
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
/
There are three financial institutions in
Bloomsburg in 1914, the First National Bank,
the Fanners' National Bank and the Blooms-
bury National Bank.
On Feb. 5, 1S64, a company was formed for
the transaction of a bankmg business by Wil-
liam jMcKelvy, William Neal, I. W. McKelvy,
Robert Cathcart, Robert F. Clark, John K.
Grotz, George Hughes, Lloyd Paxton and
Charles R. Paxton. On Feb. 29, 1864, it was
authorized to become a national bank, and on
March 7th it was formally opened for busi-
ness with C. R. Paxton as president, and J.
P. Tustin as cashier. Its capital was $50,000,
and it was located in a room in the corner of
the building that was then the residence of Wil-
liam ]\IcKelvy. After Mr. McKelvy's death the
building was purchased from his estate by Col.
S. Knorr and L. S. Wintersteen, and subse-
quently was bought by the First National
Bank. In 1906 the building was practically re-
built and enlarged, a third story being added
and the entire interior changed, making one of
the most imposing structures in the town. The
bank occupies the first floor and is equipped
with all the most modern banking fixtures,
with banking rooms that will compare favor-
ably with many in the large cities. It now has
a capital of $100,000, and in June, 1914, a
surplus fund and undivided profits of $144,-
862.20. The present officers and board of
directors are: M. I. Low, president; George
L. Low, vice president; Frank Ikeler, cashier;
Fred Ikeler, S. C. Creasy, Louis Gross, Clinton
Herring, Dr. H. V. Hower, M. E. Stackhouse,
A. W. Duy, Dr. R. E. Miller.
The Farmers' National Bank was organized
in January, 1891, with a capital of $60,000, and
the first board of directors were : W. S. Moyer,
C. A. Kleim, W'. Kramer, C. M. Creveling, G.
A. Herring, W. Gingles, C. W. Runyon, J. W.
Eves, P. A. Evans. W. S. Moyer was presi-
dent, and Frank Ikeler, cashier. It began busi-
ness in a room in what was then Mrs. M. E.
Ent's building, its quarters being much less
than half the size of its present offices. In
1909 the bank purchased the building and re-
built it, adding a third story and changing it
throughout. The bank occupies the entire first
floor, elegantly fitted with all the modern con-
veniences, finished in mahogany and marble,
one of the handsomest banking houses in the
State. Its capital stock in June, 1914, is
$60,000, with a surplus and profits of $137,-
850.93. C. M. Creveling is president, and AI.
Milleisen, cashier. The directors are : W. L.
White, N. U. Funk, C. A. Kleim, C. M. Crev-
eling, Dr. J. J. Brown, M. Milleisen, J. E.
W hite. Dr. J. S. John.
The Bloomsburg National Bank was organ-
ized in 1899 and began business on Aug. ist
with a capital of $60,000, which was increased
to $100,000 in 1905. The bank is located in
the building of Paul E. Wirt ne.xt to the Ex-
change Hotel, occupying the entire first floor,
is beautifully finished, and fitted with every
appliance for modern banking. In June, 1914,
its surplus and profits amounted to $106,480.08,
in addition to its capital stock. A. Z. Schoch
is president ; W. H. Hidlay, cashier ; and the
directors are : Paul E. Wirt, IM. K. Yorks,
Dr. M. J. Hess, Dr. J. E. Shuman, R. J. Ruhl,
C. A. Caswell, W. M. Longenberger, Samuel
Wigfall, W. H. Hidlay, A. Z. Schoch.
The deposits in the three banks aggregated
$2,087,111.45 on April 4, 1913.
The Bloomsburg Banking Company went
out of business in 1896.
The Bloomsburg Board of Trade was or-
ganized in 1886, and during its existence was
instrumental in helping to bring to Bloomsburg
both the carpet mill and the silk mill. After
a few years of usefulness the organization
ceased.
The Bloomsburg Chamber of Commerce was
organized in 1907. The following are the
present officers : President, C. C. Yetter ; vice
president, Paul E. Wirt ; treasurer, Dr. C. F.
Altmiller; secretary, A. N. Yost; trustees, A.
Z. Schoch, J. M. Robbins, Dr. D. J. Waller;
executive committee, Karl F. Wirt, F. T. Rich-
ard, C. W. Funston, Dr. Altmiller, C. "C. Yet-
ter. Through its efforts largely the Fred
Fear Match Factory was brought to Blooms-
burg. It is still an active organization, and has
done much to foster and develop the manufac-
turing and business interests of the town.
The Business Men's Association of Blooms-
burg was first organized as the Business Men's
Protective Association in the spring of 1910.
At a meeting of business men held in the Town
Hall on May 9th of that year a committee was
appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws.
These were adopted on May 20th. The or-
ganization was effected May 31, 1910, when
the officers were elected as follows : President,
James Magee II ; vice president, J. W. Craw-
ford ; secretary, G. Edward Elwell, Jr. ; treas-
urer. Tames E. Rovs ; directors, F. P. Pursel,
\Y. S.'Rishton, W. McK. Reber, William Low-
enberg, Lewis W. Buckalew. These officers
were reelected at the subsequent election on
Jan. 10, 191 1. The organization prospered
until May, 191 1, when a period of inactivity
set in, which continued until Jan. 10, 1913,
;2
I
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
123
when it was reorganized under the new name,
and the following officers elected : President,
H. V. White; vice president, James E. Roys;
secretary, G. Edward Elwell, Jr. ; treasurer,
C. H. Sharpless; executive committee, F. P.
Pursel, W. R. Kocher, W. McK. Reber, Lewis
W. Buckalew, WilHam Lowenberg.
The aim of the association in general is town
betterment. Its membership of over one hun-
dred includes merchants, wholesale and retail,
in all lines, manufacturers, clergymen and
professional men. It has the functions of a
board of trade, a credit rating bureau, collec-
tion agency and civic club. An office with a
stenographer is maintained in the First Na-
tional Bank building. The officers for 1914
are the same as above, except the following:
Secretary, R. S. Hemingway; executive com-
mittee, J. S. Coleman, W. R. Kocher, G. E.
Elwell, Jr., William Lowenberg, Paul Bom-
boy.
OAK GROVE
Oak Grove Park Association was organized
on May 26, 1886, "for the purpose of pur-
chasing Or leasing grounds to be fitted up as a
park, within the Town of Bloomsburg, Pa., or
any other portion* of the County of Columbia,
to be used for holding celebrations, picnics, and
any and all purposes for which similar places
are used." The capital stock was $10,000.
The incorporators were : W. R. Tubbs, Har-
man & Hassert, J. R. Schuyler. Buckalew
Brothers, J. C. Brown, R. C. Neal, David
Lowenberg, J. F. Peacock, J. H. Mercer, J.
W. Gibbs, I. W. McKelvy, James McClosky,
George E. Elwell, J. L. Moyei', H. H. Grotz.
C. W. Neal, G. W. Creveling, C. B. Robbins,
E. Jacoby, L. T. Sharpless, F. P. Billmeyer,
L. E. Waller, C. M. Creveling, I. S. Kuhn,
C. W. Miller.
The main object of this organization was to
preserve the beautiful grove at East Fifth and
Park streets, as the town was in need of such
a resort, and it was feared that these fine old
trees would be felled for commercial purposes.
The company made a lease with Mr. Nesbit
and the Hoyt heirs, the owners, and pro-
ceeded to beautify the place. A high fence
was built around it, the grounds were cleaned
up, a large rustic dancing pavilion was erected,
water was introduced and a fountain con-
structed, walks made, kitchen built, tables and
benches and swings provided, and the whole
grove made attractive, at a cost of about
$2,000 to the stockholders.
At first it was patronized fairly well, but
the income was not sufficient to pay the rent,
so that at the end of five years the company
proposed to turn over the park with all the
improvements to the owners, the Land Im-
provement Company, which had purchased it
in the meantime, in payment of rent due,
which was accepted by the latter, and in 1891
the lease was cancelled and Oak Grove Park
Association disbanded. The members, who
were among the leading business men of the
town, lost all they invested, and the town lost
a beautiful grove, whose site will some day be
within the built-up portions of Bloomsburg.
Then the town of Bloomsburg bought the
grove from the Land Improvement Company
for $5,500, and paid $1,000 on it, under the
agreement that the town should pay a rental
of $1,500 a year, and after a certain number
of payments the town was to own the grove.
The rent was not paid, however, as subsecjuent
councils refused to recognize the contract, and
the company sued the town and obtained a
verdict of $2,300, subject to a reserved ques-
tion of law as to the power of the town to
buy parks. In December, 1905, Judge Staples,
who heard the case, filed an opinion finding
in favor of the town on the ground that the
town had no legal right to make the purchase,
and therefore the contract could not be en-
forced. In 1912 the Improvement Company
sold the timber, and it has all been removed,
a few stumps being all that is left to mark
the site of this once beautiful grove.
RUPERT GROVE
For many years the only easily accessible
grove in this section was what was known
as Hess' Grove or Rupert Grove, near the
bridge over Fishing creek at Rupert. It was
used for picnics, festivals, camp meetings and
other gatherings, and though not large was
an attractive spot. It was owned by Thomas
Knorr and his estate for many years before
being used as a grove. Reuben Hess bought
the Knorr property, and fitted up the grove for
picnic grounds. For a number of years it was
used each summer for a week or more as a
camp meeting ground by the A. M. E. Church,
and other gatherings were of frequent occur-
rence. Subsequently G. W. Keiter purchased
the grove from Mr. Hess, and on Jan. i, 1904,
C. A. Kleim became the owner. He improved
the grounds by enlarging the pavilion and add-
ing to the attractions and conveniences gener-
ally. The trolley cars on the Catawissa line
pass close to the grove, making it easily
accessible.
124
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ATHLETIC PARK
The town of Bloomsburg purchased from
Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., on Dec. i8, 1873, three
acres of land on Seventh street between Center
and Iron, "to be used for public purposes" as
stated in the deed. The intention at the time
was to make a public park of it. The price
paid was $2,000. Forty-one years have passed
and it is no nearer being a public park than
the day it was bought. It has been used mostly
for a ball ground, and several times leased to
circuses. At one time the Civic club planted
a number of trees therein, which if they had
been properly cared for would by this time
have afforded some shade. There are great
possibilities for a beautiful public resort here,
and it is to be hoped that the next historian
will be able to record that the original purpose
for which the purchase was made has been
realized.
EDUCATIONAL
The first school of any consequence in
Bloomsburg was taught by George Vance in
a log building on the site of the present
Episcopal church in 1802, and about the same
time Ludwig Eyer taught a German school in
a building on the northeast corner of Market
and Second streets. Other teachers of early
date were Robert Fields, William Ferguson,
Murray Manvilie and Joseph Worden.
The highest branches taught in these schools
were the "three R's," the advanced classes
reading in the Bible. The second schoolhouse
on the site of the first one was of frame con-
struction and was taught by William Love.
The next school was established in a build-
ing in the lower end of the town, on the site
of the cabinet shop of Joseph E. Barkley, now
owned by the C. S. Furman estate. Robert
Fields was the first teacher here. .A.bout the
year 1830 a school was opened in a chair or
wagon shop at the site of the Masonic Temple,
Hiram W. Thornton being the teacher.
The old academy was erected on what at the
present time is the site of Dr. Montgomery's
residence, contained four class rooms, and was
used for school purposes until 1875.
The first actual high school was conducted
between 1850 and i860 by Prof. Joel E. Brad-
ley in a room later used by tlie Democratic
Sentinel, while Airs. Anna Drake taught pri-
mary classes in the adjoining room. About
the same period Miss Mattie Wells taught a
select school in a building later occupied by
William Gilmore, and Miss Susan Painter had
another in the rear of her father's ofince on
Market street.
Upon the passage of the public school act
in 1842 schoolhouses were built at various
points in town, but there was no system of
grading or general supervision until 1870,
when the Fifth street school was built at a
cost of $12,000, and opened with F. M. Bates
as principal and George E. Elwell, assistant
principal. Three years later the Third street
school was built, I. E. Schoonover being the
first principal. In 1885 all the schools were
placed under the superintendency of D. A.
Beckley, who prepared a regular course of
studies and greatly improved the condition of
the schools.
The increase in the number of pupils in
the schools was such that a third building soon
became necessary, and so it was determined to
erect a high school building. The lot formerly
occupied by the jail on First street was pur-
chased from the county by the school district,
and in 1888 the present imposing edifice was
completed. The directors at the time were :
John R. Townsend, J. C. Brown, O. T. Wilson,
W. Kramer, W. Chrisman, Joseph Garrison.
The architect was E. E. Ritter, and the
builder, David Geisinger. Since D. A. Beck-
ley's time the following persons hSve been
principals of the high school : William J.
Wolverton, J. F. Harkins, L. P. Sterner and
W. C. Mauser. L. P. Sterner was elected su-
pervising principal of the schools in 1891 and
most efficiently filled that position until July,
1914, when he was elected district superin-
tendent, and the district thus became inde-
pendent. Large additions have been made to
the three buildings from time to time, with
sufficient additional room supposedly for
many years in the future, but on the opening
of the schools in the fall of 1914 every room
was filled to overflowing, and the necessity for
a fourth building was made imperative ; steps
are being taken for its erection. In 1914 W.
C. Mauser is principal of the high school,
B. H. Johnson of the Third street school and
Harry Rider of the Fifth street school. E.x-
tensive improvements were made to the latter
grounds this year, and recent additions have
been made in the chemical, scientific and com-
mercial departments of the high school. Man-
ual training has been introduced in the other
two schools, and sewing classes are conducted
for the girls.
State Normal School
Crowning an elevation 150 feet above the
Susquehanna and overlooking the town of
Bloomsburg, the situation of the State Normal
■s.
^
a
O
c
o
I
1
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
125
School is one of unrivaled beauty and health-
fulness. The buildings are grouped in such a
way as to be easy of access to the students
and are surrounded with well kept lawns and
numerous trees of nearly every variety capable
of growth in this latitude. Bloomsburg is a
city of homes and the Normal pupils gain
thus all the advantages of homelike surround-
ings and social opj)ortunities, without the
temptations of a larger city.
This school is one of the largest in the
United States and many of its graduates fill
positions of importance throughout this and
other States. The school is one of the best
disciplined in the country, while the educa-
tional work is so carefully supervised that a
strong corps of university and college trained
teachers has been brought together for a fac-
ulty. As a result the young men and women
graduated from the college and preparatory
courses are taking high rank among their fel-
lows and reflecting great credit on their alma
mater.
Nineteen acres of campus afford ample
space for lawns and athletic grounds and in-
clude a beautiful oak grove, while the seven
buildings are admirably adapted to their differ-
ent uses. Institute Hall, built in 1867, con-
tains six spacious classrooms, and an audi-
torium on the second floor with a seating ca-
pacity of 1,000. The Model School building,
where the prospective teachers are given
classes of little ones to instruct, thus getting
practical experience in their life work, is a
handsome three-story building next to Insti-
tute Hall. It is 80 by 90 feet in dimensions
and contains twenty-eight study and recitation
rooms, well ventilated and fitted out for the
most improved methods of instruction.
The main dormitory is four stories high,
having a frontage of 165 feet and an extension
of 75 feet, and a wing 40 by 104 feet. This
wing furnishes accommodations for seventy
students. Extending across this wing forward
to the front building is the most attractive por-
tion of the entire cluster of school buildings.
It is a piazza 140 feet in length, which fronts
the beautiful Susquehanna, and from this
vantage point one of the most charming views
in eastern Pennsylvania may be enjoyed. The
river, like a ribbon, edges the plain on the
south, disappearing through a bold gorge three
miles to the southwest. Rising immediately
beyond the river is a precipitous ridge 400
feet high, backed by the majestic brow of
Catawissa mountain. The town spreads be-
fore the eye to the right and left, while in
front is an expanse of green and golden field
and farm. This is a spot to rest and feast the
eye, and is always at the service of the student.
In this main building is located the dining
room, with a floor space of over four thousand
square feet. It is in charge of a professional
chef and meals are served by individual orders.
What is known as the north end addition
was built within a few years past and ex-
tends to within a short distance of the Model
School building, with which it is connected by
a two-story covered passage-way. Here are
located the study hall, library, dormitories for
young men, etc. At the northwestern ex-
tremity of this building is the gymnasium
building, 45 by 90 feet, fitted with all the
necessary appliances, and one of the best in
the State. The main building is equipped with
an elevator and sanitary appliances, and all
buildings are thoroughly illuminated, heated
and ventilated.
Science Hall, on the west, was erected
within recent years at a cost of $65,000 and
is a model of its kind. North Hall is 40 by 70
feet, three stories high, with a basement that
contains the laundry. A part of the top floor
is fitted up as an infirmary.
Besides the instruction in the classrooms,
many of the classes in botany, agriculture, ge-
ology, etc., are taken on long trips weekly
around the country to study their subjects
at close quarters. These trips are useful, in-
structive, entertaining and healthful, and are
eagerly attended by the students.
The beginning of the present Normal School
was made in 1839, when a building at the
corner of Third and Jefferson streets, Blooms-
burg, was opened as a private school for in-
struction in the higher branches. The first
teacher proved incompetent and the same year
C. P. Waller, a graduate of Williams College
and subsequently a president judge of this
State, was induced to come here and found an
academy. He remained for two years and left
the institution in a flourishing condition.
After this teachers in the public schools in
their summer vacations taught in this school,
one of them, Joel E. Bradley, restoring to
some extent the high standard set by Mr. Wal-
ler.
About the year 1854 Mr. B. F. Eaton
opened a classical school in the Primitive Meth-
odist church (on what is now the site of St.
Columba's church), and continued it with
such success that his friends took measures to
make it permanent. In 1856 Rev. D. J. Waller
prepared a charter and William Robinson and
others circulated it. The original signers
were : A. J. Sloan, M. Coffman, E. Menden-
126
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
hall, A. T. Evans, William McKelvy, J. J.
Brower, 13. F. Hartman, S. H. Miller, J. M.
Chamberlain, Philip Unangst, Jesse G. Clark,
A. Witman, Michael Henderson, John G.
Freeze, Levi L. Tate, Peter Billmeyer, M. C.
Sloan, Jonathan ^Iosteller, Alexander J.
Frick, E. B. Beidleman, Robert F. Clark, A.
M. Rupert, R. B. Menagh, W. J. Beidleman,
Robert Cathcart, A. C. Mensch, H. C. Hower.
The charter provided for the establishment
and maintenance of a school to be known as
the "Bloomsburg Literary Institute," for the
promotion of education in both the ordinary
and the higher branches of English literature
and science, and in the ancient and modern
languages. Under the articles of incorpora-
tion Rev. D. J. Waller, William Robinson,
Leonard B. Rupert, William Snyder, Elisha
C. Barton, William Goodrich, Joseph Sharp-
less, John K. Grotz and I. W. Hartman were
constituted trustees.
For a time after the granting of the charter
the school was conducted with varying degrees
of success by William Lowrey, Daniel A.
Beckley and Henry Rinker in the old "acad-
emy," and by others in the Episcopal church
building, until it was for a time suspended.
The "church building" was the first building
erected as the Episcopal church upon the
present property of that denomination. Being
a frame building it was moved to the back
part of the lot on the southwest corner of
Main and Center streets, and in it Joel E.
Bradley and subsec]uently William Lowrey
conducted a school.
The need for a higher school than the
'regular public institutions was becoming more
acute, however, and at this critical period the
right man appeared on the scene in 1866.
Henry Carver, a native of Binghamton, N. Y.,
came through the valley on a pleasure tour
and was introduced to Rev. D. J. Waller and
others. The fact that he had been principal
of an academy and in the preparatory depart-
ment of the University of California induced
the citizens to persuade him to remain and re-
open the school in the old academy building.
He did, and his success exceeded all previous
records.
After continuing the school for a year Mr.
Carver refused to carry it on longer unless
better accommodations were made for the rap-
idly increasing classes. The general confidence
in his methods caused the townspeople to de-
cide to revive the charter of the Literary In-
stitute. This was done, the elected officials
being Rev. D. J. Waller, president : I. W.
Hartman, secretary ; John G. Freeze, R. F.
Clark, William Neal, trustees. A committee
was appointed to secure money and another
to decide on a suitable location for the insti-
tute. After much discussion the site offered
by William Snyder was accepted and plans
drawn for a building to cost not exceeding
$15,000. The selection of the final site was de-
cided by the agreement of the town authorities
to remove the old "Forks Hotel" from the cen-
ter of Main street. The building was finally
completed in 1867 and dedicated on April 4th
of that year, the occasion being made a gala
one by the citizens of the town. The total cost
of the building and its furniture was $24,000.
The following year a bell, costing $1,200 and
weighing 2,171 pounds, was secured by sub-
scriptions through the eft'orts of D. J. Waller
(son of Rev. D. J. Waller), George E. Elwell
and Charles Unangst, the members of the class
of that first year of the new school. Two of
them are prominent residents of Bloomsburg.
Rev. D. J. Waller heads the institution so ably
promoted by his father. Mr. Elwell's father
was president of the board of trustees for
eighteen years, and he succeeded his father as
a trustee, for nearly twenty years. Mr.
Unangst resides in New York City, vi'bere he
is a prosperous lawyer. The first faculty in
the academy was composed of Professor Car-
ver, mathematics and the higher English
branches; Rev. J. R. Dimm, Latin and Greek;
Miss Sarah Carver, the lower English
branches. Two courses of study were ar-
ranged and four years allowed to complete
them.
Thus the school opened under local control
and with a small attendance, but the year had
scarce begun before steps were taken to add a
State Normal school to the one just completed.
A meeting was held in 1868 at which it was re-
solved to establish a State Normal under the
act of 1857 and to procure grounds and erect
a building as soon as $70,000 had been sub-
scribed. Rapidly the plans developed and on
June 25, 1868, the cornerstone of the Normal
School building was laid by Gov. John W.
Geary. Hon. William Elwell spoke in behalf
of the trustees and Hon. Leonard B. Rupert
read the history of the Institute. Within nine
months the dormitory building was completed
at a cost of $36,000, and the school was for-
mally recognized by the State Feb. 19, 1869.
None of the functions of the "Literary In-
stitute" were canceled when it became a nor-
mal school; the charter name is still "The
Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State Nor-
mal School" and the courses of study orig-
inally provided for the Institute are still main-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
127
tained, according to the terms of the original
agreement with the Commonwealth. As a con-
sequence this school is different from other
normals in that it prepares students for col-
leges and maintains courses in both vocal and
instrumental music. The work of the Insti-
tute has never interfered with the training of
teachers ; in fact, the necessity of keeping well
trained instructors in the sciences, languages,
mathematics, history and literature to comply
with the requirements of the Institute has pro-
vided better instruction in the elements of
these branches for students of the normal de-
partments. The school at all times has at least
125 representatives in the various colleges and
universities.
The first principal of the school. Prof.
Henry Carver, held the position until Decem-
ber, 1 871. He was an excellent disciplinarian
and organizer and had the happy faculty of
inspiring young people to make the most of
themselves. After his withdrawal from the
principalship the school passed through a finan-
cial struggle that is best described in the words
of Col. John G. Freeze, in his "History of
Columbia County," as follows:
"The very large amount of money required,
the falling off of subscribers, the want of
prompt payment of those which were good,
the talk of those who were not in sympathy
with the movement, were all discouraging cir-
cumstances. The trustees were therefore
obliged to assume personally the cost of carry-
ing on the work. They had upon themselves
at one time, as a personal obligation, more than
$20,000, repairs, expenditures and deficiencies
to the amount of from $1,000 to $3,000 annu-
ally having been provided for by them, on
their personal responsibility. They have given
days and nights to the business of the school,
they have borne, for the public and general
good, burdens which no man in the town has
struggled under in his own business. When
State aid came slowly or not at all, when sub-
scriptions failed, when the daily pressure of
debts was almost unbearable, the trustees
shouldered the work and accepted the respon-
sibility."
The second principal of the school was the
well known lawyer, Charles G. Barkley, Esq.,
previously County Superintendent of Schools,
who accepted the position temporarily and on
condition that he would be relieved as soon
as possible. His principalship extended only
from Dec. 20, 1871, to March 27, 1872, but a
marked improvement in the school in all re-
spects was apparent at the time of his resig-
nation, and the trustees would have been glad
to retain him at the head of the institution.
He was for years one of the leading trustees
of the school, being chairman of the committee
on instruction and discipline.
Mr. Barkley's successor was Rev. John
Hewitt, rector of the Episcopal Church of
Bloomsburg, who held the position until the
end of the school year in June, 1S73. Im-
provement continued, but still the income did
not meet expenses and the struggles of the
board of trustees continued. In September,
1875, the boarding hall was burned, the loss
being only partially covered by insurance.
The hall was rebuilt in the ensuing year. Mr.
Hewitt was succeeded by Dr. T. L. Griswold,
who continued as principal until June, 1877.
Under his administration the school first paid
expenses. In the fall of 1877 Rev. David J.
\\'aller, Jr., assumed the duties of principal
and his administration was very successful.
It was during his administration that the model
school building and the east wing of the dor-
mitory were erected. Throughout the thirteen
years of his connection with the institution
there was a constant growth in its material
equipment, size, and efficiency; and when, in
1890, Dr. Waller was appointed State super-
intendent of public instruction the school was
in a most prosperous condition.
In July, 1890, Judson P. Welsh, Ph. D., as-
sumed the duties of the position. The "Na-
tional Educator," in its issue of March 18,
1896, says of the prosperity of the school un-
der his administration : "Through the influ-
ence of Dr. Welsh, the growth and prosperity
of the school has been phenomenal. We will
briefly enumerate some of the material changes
which have gone hand-in-hand with the edu-
cational improvements. New furniture came
first, then the beautiful auditorium was re-
modeled. Next the large four-story dormi-
tory and the gymnasium were built. Electric
lights, the new library, the elevator, and the
servants' dormitory soon followed. The new
athletic field is another remarkable feature of
this growth. In short, the school has grown
so wonderfully that those who have not visited
it for five years would be astonished to see the
transformation."
Science Hall was built under the adminis-
tration of Dr. Welsh, and opened in the fall of
iqo6, just after his resignation. It was erected
and equipped at a cost of $65,000.
In August, 1906, Dr. Welsh resigned the
principalship to accept a position in the State
College, and the trustees for the second time
extended a call to Rev. D. J. Waller, Jr., who
upon retiring from the office of State superin-
128
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
tendent had been elected principal of the Nor-
mal School at Indiana, Pa. He accepted, and
again became principal here in the fall of 1906.
The school has continued to grow, the attend-
ance in 191 2 reaching eight hundred during
the year. Several additions to the buildings
have been made during these years, the most
notable being Science Hall. In April, 1913, at
a meeting of the stockholders, it was voted to
sell the school to the State under the provisions
of the School Code, and in the near future its
ownership and control will pass to the Com-
monwealth.
The State Normal School is under the care
of a board of trustees of eighteen members,
nine of these representing the Commonwealth
and nine representing the stockholders. The
stockholders are the contributors of the orig-
inal $30,000 which the State requires to be
furnished by the community in which a nor-
mal school is established. They are not stock-
holders in the sense of being participators of
the earnings of the school, but they elect the
trustees annually and suggest to the Common-
wealth those who may be appointed to repre-
sent the State. The trustees of this school
have upon more than one occasion furnished
funds to the institution from their private
means, and have frequently compromised their
personal estates by placing their names on
paper to help the school out of financial em-
barrassment, when the State failed to appro-
priate sufficient funds, or withheld payment of
funds appropriated. The annual appropria-
tion of the State to the school at present is
$7,500, which is not half the sum paid in
salaries to the instructors.
The State also makes an appropriation of
one dollar and fifty cents per week to stu-
dents at least seventeen years old, who take
the teacher's course of instruction and declare
their intention to become teachers for not less
than two years in the public schools of the
Commonwealth. This aid to the students is
of no direct value to the school, as it does not
furnish any additional funds.
The following well known business and pro-
fessional men constituted the 1913 board of
trustees: A. Z. Schoch, president; J. C.
Brown, vice president; J. M. Clark, secretary;
Col. John G. Freeze, N. U. Funk, L. E. Wal-
ler, 0. W. Cherrington, Hon. Voris Auten, G.
J. Clark, on the part of the stockholders, and
T. R. Townsend, C. W. Miller, Dr. J. J. Brown,
R. C. Neal, M. J. Hess, Paul E. Wirt, A. L.
Fritz, F. G. Yorks, A. W. Duy, W. H. Hid-
lay, treasurer, on the part of the State. Of
the above trustees, four died between July 8th
and Sept. 21st, 1913, namely, Col. John G.
Freeze, A. L. Fritz, F. G. Yorks and R. C.
Neal. At the May election, 1914, these vacan-
cies were filled by the election of Milton K.
Yorks by the stockholders, and M. G. Young-
man, L. E. McGinnes and Benjamin Apple
for the State.
Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., was the first presi-
dent of the board of trustees. He was suc-
ceeded by Hon. L. B. Rupert, who continued
in office until 1873, when Hon. William Elwell
was elected. He resigned in 1891 and was
followed by William Neal until his death,
when A. Z. Schoch was chosen and still fills
the office (1914). I. W. Hartman is the only
survivor of the original trustees.
Four fifths of the yearly income of the
school is spent in the town, and it is esti-
mated that the students in their personal ex-
penditures bring into the town each year at
least $15,000. During seven years previous
to 1898 the annual income of the school in-
creased from $42,000 to $69,000, or almost
sixty-five per cent. The income expended in
Bloomsburg during that time was $346,000
for rqnning expenses. Add to this the sum
expended by the students and the estimated
total is $431,000. Besides this the additions
and repairs to the school buildings repre-
sented $70,000, which was disbursed among
residents of the town, so that the grand total
that the town gained from the proximity of
the school was at least half a million dollars.
MASONIC
The history of the fraternity of Freemasons
in Bloomsburg is coincident with the history
of the town itself. While the town was still
a small village, practically a settlement, Rising
Sun Lodge, No. 100, F. & A. M., was organ-
ized, and met at the house of WiUiam Miller
in Bloomsburg. The warrant was dated Jan.
2, 1804, and the first worthy master named
was Daniel B. Potter, who however declined ;
Christian Brobst was named in his stead. In
1805 and for a number of years thereafter
the meetings were held alternately at Blooms-
burg and Catawissa. There were twelve mem-
bers of the lodge, among them John Clark, W.
M. : Philip Moyer, S. W. ; Casper Christman,
y. W. ; Gabriel Lount, secretary, and Isaiah
Willits, treasurer. This lodge continued until
about 1820 or 1822, when it surrendered its
warrant.
The next lodge here was formed on March
15, 1852, when Christian Frederick Knapp,
33°, William Sloan and others met and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
129
organized Washington Lodge, No. 265, F.
& A. M., which is still in successful existence,
holding its meetings in the Cathedral.
The Scottish Rite bodies of Freemasonry
were organized in Bloomsburg May 19, 1865.
Conspicuous among the fourteen charter mem-
bers were Christian Frederick Knapp, ^^°,
Elisha W. M. Low, 32°, and Jonathan Rose
Dimm, 32° ; Dr. Dimm, now president-emeri-
tus of Susquehanna University, at Selins-
grove, being the only surviving charter
member. These bodies have a membership of
over twelve hundred and occupy their own
building, known as Caldwell Consistory Ca-
thedral.
The Cathedral is located on Market Square,
a building which, with its complete appoint-
ments, is the pride of Bloomsburg, as it might
well be of a much larger city. It is a three-
story brick with brownstone trimmings. On
the first floor is a large entrance hall, with
wide stairs at the back leading to the second
floor. On either side of this hall are the
rooms of the Craftsman Club, which include
reception rooms, reading rooms, card room and
billiard room, with all modem conveniences.
Back of these are an immense banquet hall,
capable of seating five hundred or more per-
sons at the tables, and a kitchen fully equipped
witli all the latest accessories necessary to pre-
pare a meal for so large a number.
The auditorium or lodge room is on the sec-
ond floor. It has a gallery around the sides
and one end, and a perfectly arranged stage
with beautiful scenery, and electric lights of
various colors. This floor also contains cloak
rooms, office rooms and a large reception room.
The building is used exclusively for Masonic
purposes.
At one time Washington Lodge, No. 265,
F. & A. M., occupied rooms in the building
now owned by Moyer Brothers on Main street,
below Alarket Square. When J. J. Brower
erected the three-story brick building east of
the courthouse, now owned by Paul E. Wirt,
the Masons moved to its third floor and re-
mained there until the completion of the
Cathedral.
Prior to 1906 the growth of the order had
made larger and more commodious quarters
imperative, and various locations were consid-
ered for the erection of a temple. In January,
1906, purchase was made of the property then
owned by the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion, formerly for many years the home of
William Neal. Plans were procured for a
building that would cover the entire lot. The
work of demolishing the old building was soon
begun, and the foundation walls progressed
so that the laying of the cornerstone took place
on June 14, 1906, with impressive ceremonies
conducted by Right Worshipful Grand Master
George W. Kendrick, Jr. Other members of
the Grand Lodge who were present were:
Deputy Grand Master George B. Orlady,
Senior Grand Warden George W. Guthrie,
Junior Grand Warden W. C. Gorgas, Grand
Treasurer Thomas R. Patton, Grand Secretary
William A. Sinn. The following was the or-
der of ceremonies :
Formation at Lodge Room, ii 130 A. M.
Opening Prayer, Gra}id Chaplain.
Music, "Spirit of Power and Might,"
Caldwell Choir.
Proclamation, Grand Marshal.
Address to R. W. Grand Master, Chair-
man of Building Committee.
Invocation, Grand Chaplain.
Deposit of Box in Cornerstone, Grand
Treasurer.
List of Articles Deposited, Grand Secre-
tary.
Music, "Who Enters Here," Caldwell
Choir.
Preparation for Laying Cornerstone,
Right Worshipful Grand Master.
Plumb, Level and Square, Grand Officers.
Cornerstone Placed in Position, Right
Worshipful Grand Master and Grand Officers.
Music, "Great Architect, Our Heav-
enly King," Caldzvell Choir.
Cornerstone Laid, Right Worshipful
Grand Master.
Music, "Shine on Our Souls," Caldwell
Choir.
Corn, Wine & Oil, Grand Officers.
Music, "God Is My Strong Salvation,"
Caldzvell Choir.
Presentation of Architect, Chairman of
Building Committee.
Music, Hymn, "Jerusalem the Golden,"
Caldzvell Choir.
Proclam.'^tion, Grand Marshal.
Oration, /. Henry Williams.
Chorus, "Glorious Things of Thee Are
Spoken," Caldzvell Choir.
Benediction, Grand Chaplain.
Chant, "So Mote It Be," Caldzvell Choir.
The building was completed in September,
1907, and the dedication of the Cathedral took
place on the 24th, 25th and 26th of that
month. On Tuesday morning, the 24th, the
opening services were held. In the Lodge of
Perfection, H. A. McKillip presiding, the re-
port of Architect Reitmyer was read, followed
130
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
by the report of the building committee by
R. E. Hartman, its secretary. The key of the
building was then handed over to Frederick
W. Ulrich, Commander in Chief, by the
builder, E. E. Ritter, and passed by him to
John R. Townsend, chairman of the board of
trustees. In the afternoon, the ceremony of
dedication was conducted by Hon. Henry L.
Palmer, 33°, M. P. Sovereign Grand Com-
mander of the Supreme Council, N. M. J.,
assisted by James Isaac Buchanan, 33^, Dep-
uty for Pennsylvania, and the officers of the
Supreme Council.
The reception on Tuesday evening was at-
tended by about fifteen hundred people, in-
cluding members of the Consistory and of
other Masonic bodies, and their wives. The
guests were received by the officers of the
Supreme Council, and the officers of the Con-
sistory. Each lady was presented a souvenir
in the shape of a hatpin, the head being a
triangle with the figures 32 in the center.
A concert was given by Charles P. Elwell's
orchestra of twelve pieces in the auditorium.
Following this, Caldwell Choir rendered an ex-
cellent vocal program for a half hour. During
the early part of the evening refreshments
were served in the banquet hall. At 9 130 the
banquet hall was utilized as a ballroom, and
lovers of the dance enjoyed themselves until
after midnight. Wednesday and Thursday
were occupied with Masonic work, a large
number of candidates being advanced to the
thirty-second degree. The celebration ended
with a banquet in the banquet hall in the
evening, at which H. A. McKillip, 33°, pre-
sided as toastmaster. Provision was made for
550 guests.
The following were the officers of Cald-
well Consistory at the time of the dedication :
Frederick W. Ulrich, 32°, 111. Com. in Chief ;
John R. Townsend, 32°, 111. First Lt. Com.;
John S. Mack, 32°, 111. Sec. Lt. Com.; E.
Skyles McKillip, 32°, 111. Min. of S. G. O.;
Eugene F. Carpenter, 32°, 111. Chancellor;
George L. Low. 32°, 111. G. Treasurer : H. A.
McKillip, 33°, 111. G. Sec. & K. of S. & A. ;
David S. Bachman, 32°, 111. G. Eng. and A.;
William J. Hehl, 32°, 111. G. Hospitaler; Wil-
liam M. Tinker, 32°, 111. G. Master of C. ;
Alfred L. Reichenbach, 32°, 111. G. Stan.
Bearer; Joseph L. Townsend, 32°, 111. Capt.
of the G.; Birch B. Freas, 32°, 111. G. Sen-
tinel. Trustees, John R. Townsend, 32°,
Robert E. Hartman, 32°, Harrv J. Achenbach,
32°.
The bodies which meet in the Cathedral are :
Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. ;
Bloomsburg Royal Arch Chapter, No. 218;
Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & S.
M.; Crusade Commandery, No. 12, Knights
Templar ; Orient Conclave, No. 2, K. of R. C.
of C. ; besides the four bodies of the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite of the Valley of
Bloomsburg: Enoch Lodge of Perfection, 14° ;
Zerubbabel Council, P. of J., 16° ; Evergreen
Chapter, R. C, 18° ; and Caldwell Consistory,
S. P. R. S., 32°, the latter body being owner
of the Cathedral, whose present trustees are
Cortez B. Robbins, 33° ; C. Thomas Vander-
slice, 32° ; Robert D. Young, 32°.
OTHER FRATERNITIES
Theta Castle, No. 276, Knights of the
Golden Eagle, is one of the most prominent
lodges of Bloomsburg. It has a large mem-
bership, and a considerable fund mvested.
One of its features is the commandery, a
handsomely uniformed and well drilled body
of young men, whose maneuvers have elicited
great applause wherever they have appeared.
La Valletta Commandery, No. 91, A. & L.
O., Knights of Malta, was organized July 2,
1891. The present officers are: Sir knight
commander, John Fortner; sir knight gener-
alissimo, John W. Harman; treasurer, J.
Lewis ; recorder, D. W. Campbell ; prelate,
William Lemon; captain general, William
Traub; senior warden, C. H. Gilmore.
Bloomsburg Conclave, No. 254, Improved
Order of Heptasophs, was organized March
7, 1893. The present officers are: Archon,
John Lewis ; secretary, T. C. Harter ; financier,
H. M. Sommer; treasurer, C. A. Kleim; past
archon, R. G. Phillips; provost, T. J. Morris;
prelate, J. E. Aloyer; inspector, G. P. Ringler;
warden, W. F. Hartman ; trustees, G. P. Ring-
ler, John Posten, R. G. Phillips.
Washington Camp, No. 319, Patriotic Order
Sons of America, was organized May i, 1888.
Present officers are: President, John F.
Adams ; vice president, Paul Harvey ; past
president, J. W. Robison ; financial secretary,
Isaiah Deily ; recording secretary, Clark Kash-
ner; treasurer, C. E. Whitenight; master of
forms and ceremonies, Jacob Stiner; con-
ductor, James Yost; inspector, W. E. Miller;
outside guard, D. R. Stiner; trustees, C. L.
Rupert, Isaiah Deily, J. Stiner. Chaplain,
C. S. Ranck ; assistant secretary, S. G. Kash-
ner; sentinels, Jacob Millard. Irvin Askew,
James Hunsinger, Clark Evans.
Honayawas Tribe, No. 372, Improved Order
of Red Men, was organized Aug. 21, 1907.
The officers now are: Sachem, N. J. Hofer;
prophet, John Tringle ; senior sagamore, B.
\ (
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
131
Lanyon; junior sagamore, H. Cleaver; chief
of records, A. W. Walters; collector of wam-
pum, W. L. Earnest; keeper of wampum, J. B.
Earhart.
The Protected Home Circle was organized
Aug. 27, 1895. The present officers are: R.
H. Smoyer, president ; C. H. Kline, secretary ;
Fred Holmes, treasurer.
Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 436, of the Benev-
olent I'rotective Order of Elks, of the United
States of America, was granted a charter April
14, 189S, and the following have served (each
one year) as exalted rulers of this organiza-
tion: I. A. Snyder, William K. West, W. H.
Henrie, C. E. Randall, P. W. Gordon, Hon.
John G. Harman, Clyde Charles Yetter, Esq.,
Charles M. Evans, C. A. Small, Esq., Edward
Schenke, Gerald Gross, Anthony Menzebach,
William D. Holmes and David W. Powell.
This organization accumulated resources,
and on the 18th day of March, 1909, purchased
the Hartman property on Market Square,
which was remodeled. The home with the
furnishings today is valued at forty thousand
dollars. It is a three-story brick structure with
a store and basement. The second and third
stories are used for lodge and club purposes.
The organization frequently gives the use of
its quarters for charitable and civic purposes.
It has a membership of 208 men, and its char-
ity fund at all times of the year is distributed
with such promptness and in such a manner
that it has received the commendation of
Bloomsburg citizens. The present officers are :
Joseph Flaherty, exalted ruler; Dr. C. F. Alt-
miller, esteemed leading knight ; Myron E.
Sands, esteemed loyal knight; J. H. Coleman,
esteemed lecturing knight ; J. F. Watson, sec-
retary ; F. D. Dentler, treasurer ; W. G. Lentz,
esquire; D. W. Campbell, chaplain; R. N.
Wolverton, inner guard; M. W. Betz, tiler; J.
E. Roys, organist. Trustees, K. F. Wirt, F. J.
Richards, Frank Ikeler.
The lodge has been honored by the appoint-
ment of Clyde Charles Yetter, Esq., one of its
members, to the office of district deputy grand
exalted ruler, of this District, which comprised
nineteen lodges in the years 1912-13.
Bloomsburg Nest, Order of Owls, No. 1133,
was organized June 30, 1913. The officers are :
Past president, Jeremiah Geese ; president, A.
E. Tillburg ; secretary, J. H. Fahringer ; treas-
urer, E. L. Buck.
Bloomsburg Camp, No. 9808, Modern
Woodmen of America, was organized March
30, 1905. The officers now are: Venerable
consul, Robert Eunson ; worthy adviser, P. C.
Bomboy ; banker, J. L. Townsend ; clerk, W.
B. Linville; escort, J. B. Creveling; sentry,
Rhode Huff ; managers, W. P. Zehner, G. W.
Hess, L. E. Smith.
Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 2557, Knights and
Ladies of Honor, was organized April 22,
1904. The officers are: Past protector, Aliss
Grace Cook; protector. Miss Lusetta Achy;
vice protector. Miss Lizzie Wilson; recording
secretary, Frank H. Evans; financial secretary,
J. Hurley Walters; treasurer, L. E. Smith;
chaplain. Miss Bertha Gross; guide, Wildie
Dent; guardian. Miss Harriet Barber; sentinel,
Simon Poust; trustees, J. H. Walters, F. H.
Evans, Wildie Dent.
Bloomsburg Lodge of the Junior Order of
United American Alechanics organized Nov.
22, 1890. In 1905 there was a split in the or-
ganization and the local lodge went with the
Order of Independent Americans, becoming
American Union Council, No. 537. The pres-
ent officers are : Past councilor, J. H.
Cramer ; councilor, Rush Cook ; vice councilor,
J. W. Cadow ; recording secretary, R. W.
Alexander; assistant recording secretar}', A. L.
Sobers; financial secretary, M. C. Jones.
Bloomsburg Camp of Woodmen of the
World was organized in December, 191 1, by
Charles S. Myers, district deputy. The of-
ficers are : Consul commander, E. H. B. Ab-
bett; adviser lieutenant, Robert F. Shaffer;
clerk, Joseph H. Dennis; banker, E. J. Gear-
inger. There are four other camps of this
order in the county, located respectively at
Benton, Berwick, Millville and Numidia.
Van Camp Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F.,
was chartered Nov. 17, 1845, with these of-
ficers : Andrew D. Cool, noble grand ; Eph-
raim Armstrong, vice grand ; Edward Keifer,
secretary; Henry Webb, assistant secretary;
George W. Abbott, treasurer. George Cath-
cart, the last surviving charter member, died
in Danville in 1879. The present officers for
1914 are: W. H. John, noble grand; George
A. Fornwald, vice grand ; Hurley E. Walter,
recording secretary; G. W. Hippensteel, finan-
cial secretary ; Theodore Kreigh. treasurer : R.
A. Hicks, William Vial, S. C. Beagle, trustees.
Bloomsburg Council, No. 146, Order United
American Mechanics, was chartered July 16,
1868. with these members: H. F. Bodine, To-
bias Henry, Harman Kline, H. J. Evans, M. S.
Housekne'cht, M. M. Snyder, A. S. Crossley,
Robert Roan, J. M. Thornton, Frederick Gil-
more. George Nicholas, I. K. Miller, J. S.
Jacobv, Edward Searles, William Thomas, Jo-
seph Christman, M. M. Johnson, J. S. Evans,
I. Hagenbuch, P. Welsh, J. Schultz, Henry
Shutt, W. M. Furman, John Gulp, George
132
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Moyer and C. W. Miller. The officers in 1914
are : J. Edward Faust, councilor ; D. R. Kash-
ner, vice councilor; Silas Rhoat, assistant sec-
retary ; Joseph Rhoat, inductor ; Cleve Brodt,
examiner; J. H. Fahringer, outside protector;
Clark Miller, inside protector; H. W. Giger,
representative.
The Daughters of Liberty, Council No. 81,
has these officers: M. C. Jones, councilor; F.
J. Rubenstein, recording secretary ; ^Irs. M. C.
Jones, financial secretary; Mrs. Fanny Davis,
treasurer.
Ent Post, G. A. R., No. 152, Department of
Pennsylvania, was first organized in .A.ugust,
1868. with the following officers: Samuel
Knorr, post commander ; J. B. Robison,
senior vice commander ; X. W. Sample,
junior vice commander ; F. P. Drinker, quar-
termaster; Dr. \V. H. Bradley, surgeon; G. K.
Beidleman, officer of the day; A. Croop, offi-
cer of the guard; C. S. Fornwald, adjutant;
Ross Creveling, chaplain.
After a few years the charter was sur-
rendered, and in 1880 the post was reorganized
as No. 250, with the following officers: H. J.
Conner, post commander; C. P. Sloan, senior
vice commander; G. W. Mears, junior vice
commander ; W. H. Swentzell, quartermaster ;
N. B. Fowler, chaplain; G. K. Beidleman, offi-
cer of the day; W. H. Jacoby, officer of the
guard; Daniel Boice, surgeon; C. S. Forn-
wald, adjutant.
The present officers (1915) are: Dr. J. S.
Lazarus, post commander; William Thomas,
senior vice commander; Thomas Downs,
junior vice commander; W. R. Ringrose,
quartermaster ; Clark Kressler, chaplain ; J.
W. Shuman, officer of the day; F. M. Gil-
more, officer of the guard ; Charles Kunkle,
surgeon; C. S. Fornwald, adjutant.
The living members are: L. R. Bomboy, G.
K. Beidleman, George Brant, J. S. Bachman,
A. J. Beagle, W. J. Correll, C. H. Campbell,
O. B. Case, Louis Cohen, T. M. Dawson,
George Farver, C. S. Fornwald, B. B. Freas,
J. H. Fahringer, W. H. Gilmore, F. M. Gil-
more, A. V. Hower, Albert Herbine, Isaiah
Holter, W. C. Hagenbuch, Jonas Hughes,
William Hopper, G. W. Jacoby, L. D. Kase,
Jonas Kline, Charles Kunkle. Clark Kressler,
William Kern, Jonty Lemons, Frank Mc-
Bride, John McCormick, J. H. Maize, G. W.
Mears, "R. T. Morris. Camden Mears. Charles
Muffly, T- R. Alills. O. B. Price, W. B. Poust,
W. R. Ringrose. Ellis Ringrose. L. T. Rider,
John Roadarmel, John Shellenberger, E. A.
Searles. B. F. Sharpless, William Shoemaker,
H. H. Sands, William Thomas, T- H. Town-
send, John Turner, Charles Titel, William
Traub, Elias Utt, W. H. Utt, James Warr,
Amos Whitenight, Jerry Wagner, Robert
Watkins, Dr. I. W. Willitts.
About one hundred and twenty-two of the
members have died since the post was organ-
ized. The post occupies a hall in the Wells
building on Main street, and keeps up active
work, ably assisted therein by the ladies'
auxiliary.
In addition to the above there are lodges of
the Maccabees, Royal Arcanum, Daughters of
Rebekah, and Daughters of Pocahontas in
Bloomsburg.
LITER.\RY .\ND SOCI.AL CLUBS
The social life of Bloomsburg is well repre-
sented by the many clubs formed for mutual
interchange of ideas and the improvement of
the mind and body. Many of these societies
and clubs are of much value to the future
progress of the county, and others, especially
the Historical Society, will confer incalculable
benefits upon the coming generations.
The Bloomsburg Wheelmen
The Wheelmen was Bloomsburg's oldest
social club. Organized in the days of the
bicycle craze, the club's name became some-
what of a misnomer, but the members never
had a thought of changing it, but rather of
retaining the name in memory of the days they
rode awheel. The clubhouse was first located
on Third street, in the present home of W . H.
Fisher, and later moved to Main street, to the
building now occupied and owned by the
Ostrich Farm & Feather Company. The
organization of the Craftsman so reduced its
membership that in 1912 it moved to two
rooms in Wirt's building, and after one year
there disbanded, and the funds on hand were
donated to the Bloomsburg hospital. The
club's social events were always among the
most delightful affairs in this section, its an-
nual banquets being one of its leading features.
Craftsman Club
Among the most beautifully appointed club
rooms in central Pennsylvania are those of
the Craftsman Club, for membership in which
it is essential that the applicant must be affil-
iated with the Masonic fraternity. Located on
the first floor of the handsome Caldwell Cathe-
dral, the rooms are, without question, among
the most elaborate to be found in anv clubhouse
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
133
of the State. Beautiful in themselves, they
are most elaborately furnished, and excite the
admiration of all who have ever seen them.
The membership is large and fast growing.
Ever since the club came into existence it has
taken a prominent part in the social life of the
town. Its annual Christmas dance is the prin-
cipal social event of this part of the State, while
its ladies' day has become popular with those
ladies of town eligible to enjoy the hospitality
of the club.
The Elks
With a large number of Bloomsburg's repre-
sentative business and professional men in-
cluded among its membership, the Elks lodge
of Bloomsburg has exceptionally attractive
clubrooms in the Hartman building, purchased
a few years ago. Two of the floors devoted to
their own use are handsomely furnished and
arranged. The first floor is a large and hand-
some store room, and the third floor contains
the lodge rooms. A janitor and an expert chef
are in constant attendance. The charitable
acts of this organization are among its leading
characteristics.
The Centurv Club
In the autumn of 1893 Dr. J. P. Welsh, prin-
cipal of the Normal School, was the prime
mover of the "University Extension," held in
Bloomsburg for several years. It was well
received by the people of the town who were
inclined to the. study of literature. At the
second lecture of the first course it was sug-
gested by the lecturer that a number of the
people club together to study the author for
the next lecture, one of the English poets.
After the second lecture seven young women
came down Normal Hill together. Before
separating at Center street they had decided to
meet the following Friday evening at the home
of one of the party. When the seven young
women had been holding their meetings for
some time, some one suggested that it would be
well to have a name. One of the members
very happily sugeested "The Pleiades." In
1896, when others were added to the list, it
became necessary to change the name of the
club. The name "Century Club of Blooms-
burg" was selected. Mrs. ]. L. Dillon was
elected the first president, which position she
very ablv filled for five years. The original
object of the Century Club was for social and
literary work and for the establishment of a
library. The last twenty years have been
spent in the study of literature, several foreign
countries, miscellaneous programs, the Bible,
and the "Racial Element in the Formation of
the People of the United States," under the
title of "Our Great Republic." The club has
the following active members, honorary mem-
bers and associate members: Mrs. O. H.
Bakeless, Mrs. W. H. Brooke, Mrs. R. C But-
ler, Mrs. R. F. Colley, Mrs. S. C. Creasy, Mrs.
J. L. Dillon, Mrs. R. E. Hartman, Mrs. G. H.
Hemingway, Mrs. S. J. Houk, Mrs. R. R.
Little, Miss Helen Low, of Lime Ridge, Miss
Georgia Pursel, Mrs. J. L. Richardson, Mrs.
L. P. Sterner, Mrs. H. M. Smith, Miss Mary
Tustin, Miss Mary Unangst, Miss Sarah Van
Tassel, Mrs. R. R. Zarr, Mrs. J. S. Grimes,
Mrs. E. B. Tustin, Mrs. J. K. Miller, Mrs.
C. A. Caswell and Miss May Sharpless.
The present officers are : Mrs. S. J. Houk,
president ; Miss May Sharpless, vice president ;
Miss Mary Unangst, treasurer; Mrs. Carlton
A. Caswell, secretary.
The Ivy Club
Early in the nineties Miss Helen John, Miss
Ida Bernhard, Dr. Eva Rawlings, Mrs. Ed-
ward Ever (Miss Emma Townsend) and Miss
Stella Lowenberg held weekly meetings for
reading and discussion. In November, 1894,
this reading circle organized a literary society
known as the A. A. P. Club. It remained as
such until March 6, 1897, when it was reor-
ganized as the Ivy Club with a membership
of eight persons. The main oljjects of the Ivy
Club are to aid in maintaining the Public
Library and the advancement of its members.
The club was admitted to the State Federation
of Women's Clubs in 189S. The organization
has fifteen members and the officers are : Pres-
ident, Miss Margaret Waller ; vice president,
Miss Helen John ; secretary, Mrs. D. S. Hart-
line; treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Bruner.
The Wednesday Club
The Wednesday Club, of Bloomsburg, was
organized as a reading circle in the fall of
1892, taking for its first work "The Discovery
of America," by John Fiske. There were
fifteen members of the club at that time. In
January, 189=;. Miss Eva Rupert was elected
president. The same year the name of the
reading circle was changed to the Mosaic Club.
In January, 1898, the Mosaic found that the
purchase of books would be necessary to en-
able them to do the work that they had planned.
It was decided that these books should form
134
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the nucleus of a public library for the town of
Bloomsburg. The club joined the State Fed-
eration of Women's Clubs in June, 1898, and
still belongs to the Federation. On June 29,
1899, the name of the Mosaic Club was
changed to the Wednesday Club, of Blooms-
burg. In all these years the moneys from
fines, dues and entertainments were devoted
to the use and maintenance of the Public
Library. The officers now are : Mrs. Samuel
Wigfall, president; Mrs. R. E. Miller, vice
president; Mrs. D. J. Waller, Jr., secretary;
Mrs. George E. Elwell, treasurer.
The "S" Club
This club was organized on Oct. 21, 1912.
The "S" stands for "study and service." The
first officers were Miss Harriet Waller, presi-
dent ; Miss Mary Demaree, vice president ;
Miss Margaret C. Brooke, secretary ; Miss
Jean Andres, treasurer.
The object of the club is the intellectual im-
provement of its members, and town better-
ment. The present officers are : . Mrs. G. Ed-
ward Ehvell, Jr., president : Miss Gertrude
Gross, vice president ; Mrs. William W. Fagely,
secretary ; Mrs. Frederic O. Mvisser, treasurer ;
Mrs. Charles C. Housenick, club reporter.
The membership includes Miss Jean Andres,
Miss Armantine Arment, Mrs. William
Lawrence Butler, Mrs. Arthur Stevenson Clay,
Mrs. Edward C. Creasy, Mrs. John M. De-
laney, Mrs. George Edward Elwell, Jr., Mrs.
William \\'. Fagely, Miss Gertrude Gross, Mrs.
Paul Z. Harman, Mrs. Charles C. Housenick,
'\fi';s Margaret Jenkins, Mrs. Ralph Keller.
Mrs. Clyde Kemp, Mrs. Frederic O. Musser.
Miss Edith Patterson. Miss Harriet Waller,
Mrs. Karl Funston Wirt.
Fort McClure Chapter. D. A. R.
Fort McClure Chapter of the Daughters of
the American Revolution was organized April
10, 1905, and the date of its charter is April
22, 1905. The charter members were: Miss
Martha L. Caldwell, Mrs. S. C. Creasv, Mrs.
W. L. Demaree, Mrs. Geo. E. Elwell, Mrs. M.
E. Ent, Mrs. Helena Ikeler, Miss Mary P.
Leverett. Miss Anna T. Leverett, Mrs. R. R.
Little, Mrs. C. W. Miller, Mrs. R. G. Phillips,
Mrs. F. P. Pursel, Mrs. L. P. Sterner. Miss
Mary Tustin. ]\Tiss Sarah E. I. Van Tassel,
Mrs. H. V. White. Mrs. Mary Worthington.
Other resident members are: Mrs. M. F.
Caswell, Miss Ethel Creasy, Miss Hannah
Evans, Mrs. C. W. Funston, Miss Julia H.
Furman, Miss Clora G. Furman, Mrs. S. J.
Houk, Mrs. D. S. Hartline, Mrs. J. S. John,
Miss Martha McNinch, Mrs. H. R. Mears,
Mrs. C. Z. Rpbbins. The club meets weekly
from September to June, and papers on his-
torical subjects are read by the members.
In 1907 this club erected a suitable marker
on the site of Fort McClure on the Hughes
farm, and dedicated it with appropriate exer-
cises on April loth. The marker was unveiled
by Miss AlcClure, a direct descendant of Maj.
James McClure, after whom the fort was
named. In the afternoon a public meeting was
held in the courthouse, and among the exercises
was an address delivered by Rev. A. J. P. Mc-
Clure, a great-grandson of Major McClure.
The object of this society is the preservation
of that spirit of liberty which animated the
fathers and mothers of the .\merican Revolu-
tion. The present regent is Miss S. \'an Tas-
sel ; vice regent, Mrs. C. W. Funston ; secre-
tary, Mrs. C. Z. Robbins ; treasurer, Mrs. R. G.
Phillips; chaplain. Miss Mary Tustin.
Columbia County Historical Society
The first steps for the formation of this
society were taken May 9, 1914, at a meeting
held in the courthouse at Bloomsburg, which
was called by the officers of Fort McClure
Chapter, D. A. R. The meeting was called to
order by James C. Brown, who made a few
remarks and then introduced Dr. S. P. Heil-
man, of Lebanon County, secretary of the
Pennsylvania State Federation of Historical
Societies. Dr. Heilman gave a practical talk
on his experiences in the sixteen years he had
been in the work. His address was full of
hopeful suggestions and of great benefit to the
organization. William W. Evans moved a
vote of thanks be given Dr. Heilman, seconded
by Professor Hartline and carried unani-
mously.
Fort McClure Chapter presented to Mr.
Brown a copy of a constitution and by-laws
which they thought would fill the needs of the
proposed Columbia County Historical Society.
The constitution and by-laws were read and
accepted and ordered printed. George Parke,
representing J. H. Beers & Co., publishers,
Chicago, 111., gave a short address, telling of
his work along historical lines in Columbia
County, and presented one copy of this His-
tory of Columbia County to the society, also
many interesting photographs he had made,
and local material that would be very valuable.
Mr. A. W. Duy moved that Mr. Parke be
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
135
thanked for his generous offer, seconded by
Mrs. C. A. Caswell and carried.
The nominating committee then presented
the following names for the offices mentioned
and they were elected : President, Wil-
liam W. Evans : vice presidents, Charles E.
Randall, Catawissa, John W. Evans, Berwick ;
secretary. Miss Elizabeth A. Low, Lime
Ridge; treasurer, John W. Shuman, Blooms-
burg; librarian. Miss Martha L. Caldwell,
Bloomsburg ; executive committee : Clinton
Herring, Orangeville ; Miss Myra M. Eves,
Millville ; Mrs. I. R. Wolfe, Espy ; Miss May
McHenry, Stillwater; W. M. Longenberger,
Mainville ; John H. Aikman, Cabin Run ; L. P.
Sterner, Bloomsburg; Miss Sarah M. Hagen-
buch, Centre township; R. W. Smith, Mifflin.
William W. Evans thanked those present
for giving him the honor of being the first
president of the Columbia County Historical
Society. He emphasized the fact that what we
of today are doing will be of the same interest
to posterity as the days of our forefathers are
to us, and our inability to learn simple facts of
those days shows the importance we should
give today's happenings in our county.
At the second quarterly meeting six stand-
ing committees were appointed, viz. : history,
biography, genealogy, relics and curios, necrol-
ogy, and household arts. The committee on
history, consisting of A. W. Duy, Esq., Mrs.
L. P. Sterner and Miss Edith Patterson, col-
lect and collate books, newspapers, manu-
scripts, letters and histories of the industries
of the county, as well as historical data pertain-
ing to the county's past. The biographical
committee, consisting of J. C. Brown, Dr. I. W.
Willits and Mrs. M. E. Ent, prepare and tab-
ulate the data of the lives of the men who have
aided in the county's development and secure
portraits and paintings of those prominent in
its history. Charles E. Randall, of the Cata-
wissa A^ezvs Item: Dr. J. R. Montgomery, of
Bloomsburg, and Miss Sarah M. Hagenbuch,
of Centre township, are the members of the
genealogical committee, whose work lies along
the lines of co-operating with the organized
family reunions, tracing the antecedents of
the prominent families to an earlier date.
The relic and curios committee, consisting
of Mrs. C. W. Funston, Mrs. H. H. Grotz, of
Bloomsburg, and Miss Myra Eves, of Mill-
ville, have the task of collecting tools, imple-
ments and especially firearms that were used
by the early settlers of the county, and secur-
ing a history of each article.
The necrology committee. Prof. D. S. Hart-
line, Dr. Jeannette M. Trench and Mrs. J. R.
Schuyler, investigate ancient tombstones in the
county graveyards and keep a record of deaths
throughout the county. Household arts in the
county receives attention at the hands of the
Historical Society with especial attention to
the work that was done by the early settlers.
Specimens of spinning, weaving, old wearing
apparel, and old-fashioned playthings are
among the articles collected. Miss Sarah E.
VanTassel was elected corresponding secre-
tary.
A room was secured from the county com-
missioners, to be used as an office and for the
preservation of the various articles collected by
the society.
The members who signed the charter were
(from Bloomsburg except as noted): Mrs.
M. E. Ent, Mrs. M. A. John, Mr. and Mrs.
A. W. Duy, Prof, and Mrs. D. S. Hart-
Hne, Mrs. C. A. Caswell, Anna Leverett, Eliza-
beth Lowe, Helen Chrisman ; Sarah M. Hagen-
buch, Centre township ; Sarah Van Tassel,
Mrs. J. S. John ; Ella G. Stewart, Orangeville ;
Mary P. Leverett, Mrs. H. H. Grotz, Mrs. J.
R. Schuyler, Mrs. C. W. Funston ; Myra Eves,
Millville ; Mrs. H. A. M'Killip, Martha Cald-
well, Clara DiefTenbach, John W. Shuman, J.
C. Brown, W. W. Evans, Dr. I. W. Willits,
Dr. J. R. Montgomery, Edith Patterson, Dr.
Jeannette M. Trench, Mrs. G. P. Frymire,
Mrs. R. G. Phillips, Mrs. L. P. Sterner; W.
M. Longenberger, Mainville; May McHenry,
Stillwater; L. P. Sterner; Mrs.'S. B. Karns,
Benton: H. A. M'Killip; Mrs. I. R. Wolfe,
Espy; Dr. T. C. Harter, Charles E. Randall,
Catawissa; Clinton Herring, Orangeville; H.
\'. White, Mrs. Paul E. Wirt, Mrs. H. V.
White ; John W. Evans. Berwick : Mrs. Clinton
Herring, Orangeville; J. Bruce Hess, Benton;
T. H. Aikman, Cabin Run ; R. W. Smith, Mif-
flinville ; Mrs. E. H. Sloan, Orangeville ; O. D.
McHenry, Stillwater ; S. B. Karns, Benton ;
Mrs. Nellie T. Vastine, Catawissa; Larue
Funston Clark, Catawissa. George Parke,
who was engaged in the compilation and prep-
aration of this history of Columbia and Mon-
tour counties, was elected the first life corre-
sponding member.
THE BLOOMSBURG CENTENNIAL
The fact that Bloomsburg would reach the
one hundredth anniversary of its founding in
1902, with the suggestion that the occasion be
properly observed by a celebration, was first
mentioned in the issue of The Columbian of
Jan. 2, 1901. No steps were then taken, but
in April, 1902, the subject was again agitated
136
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
by the Morning Press and the Bloomsburg
Daily. This cuhninated in a public meeting at
the courthouse on April i8th, held for the pur-
pose of ascertaining public sentiment in the
matter. Mayor John R. Townsend presided,
and the prospects were so encouraging that
it was decided to organize and arrange for a
centennial celebration, to be held on August 27,
28 and 29, 1902.
A general executive committee was ap-
pointed consisting of Col. John G. Freeze, Dr.
[. P. Welsh, Louis Cohen, J. C. Brown, H. B.
Clark, W. S. Moyer, Dr. W. M. Reber, George
E. Elwell, L. N. Moyer, C. C. Peacock, A. Z.
Schoch, H. V. White, Paul E. Wirt, W. H.
Slate, W. O. Holmes, W. S. Rishton, R. E.
Hartman, I. M. Staver, A. W. Duy, H. A.
McKillip, F. G. Yorks, Frank Ikeler, W. P.
Meigs, J. G. Wells, F. P. Pursel, William
Chrisman, F. J. Richard, J. Lee Harman, E. C.
Caswell,- C. W. Aliller, M. F. D. Scanlan.
A meeting of the general committee was
held on April 29, 1902, when the following
permanent officers were elected : Chairman,
John R. Townsend; secretary, George E. El-
well; treasurer, L. N. Moyer; vice presidents,
A. Z. Schoch, Dr. J. P. Welsh. Committees
on finance and program were appointed, and
it was decided to hold a public meeting in
the courthouse on the evening of May 9th, to
which a special invitation was extended to the
ladies. This meeting was largely attended, the
courtroom bting filled to its capacity. Colonel
Freeze presided, and remarks were made by
him, and bv Rev. M. E. McLinn, F. B. Hart-
man, J. K.' Miller, H. V. White, Rev. J. D.
Smith and J. C. Brown. A report was made
by the program committee. Music was fur-
nished by the Bloomsburg Band. It was an
enthusiastic meeting, and from that time the
success of the celebration was assured.
The finance committee soon canvassed the
town, and subscriptions came in cheerfully and
liberally. The town was divided into districts
and solicitors were appointed for each dis-
trict, with the result that nearly $2,700 was
realized. This sum was subsequently increased
in various ways, from the sale of privileges,
from badges and souvenirs, from the Winona
Minstrel show ($65.93), Historical Museum
($220.24), base ball games ($173.10), P. O.
S. of A. excursion, and in other ways, until
the whole amount that came into the hands of
the treasurer reached a total of $3,586.83.
At a meeting of the executive committee
held on June 5th it was reported that the
town council had granted the control of all
privileges on the streets to the committee. The
Columbia & Montour Railway Company of-
fered to donate ten per cent of their receipts
for two days of the Centennial. The American
Electric Light Company offered to furnish
current for the illumination of all the arches
on the streets, and the Patriotic Order Sons of
America tendered one half of the profits of
their annual excursion. All of these offers
were accepted, and a vote of thanks extended
to all for their liberality. The committees
were appointed at this meeting, except those
on finance and program which had been previ-
ously selected.
That all of these committees performed their
duties in the most thorough and efficient man-
ner was evidenced by the grand success of the
Centennial in every particular. The general
public had no conception of the vast amount
of detail work that was done by the active
men and women who so unselfishly gave much
of their time and labor in the preparation of
the event. For more than two months Chair-
man Townsend gave his attention almost ex-
clusively to it, and to his fine executive ability
and good judgment was ascribed much of the
credit for the successful outcome. The secre-
tary and others gave almost as much of their
time, and from start to finish no one shirked |
any duty or responsibility that was assigned ,1
to him. The newspapers all gave valuable •■)
assistance in publicity. Twenty meetings of
the executive committee were held, all of 1
which were well attended and at which busi- 1
ness of importance was transacted, so that I
when the appointed time arrived everything i
was in readiness. ,-',
Among the many thoughtful arrangements
was a rest room in charge of the Civic club,
for women and children, in the courthouse ;
a hospital in St. Paul's parish house for emer-
gency cases of sickness or accident ; an ambu-
lance ; a police patrol wagon ; barrels of ice
water with drinking cups at numerous points
on the streets ; and a detective force from
Pinkerton's Detective Agency at Philadelphia,
to guard against pickpockets and other crooks.
The Celebration <
.■\nd now the eventful day, to which all had
been looking forward for four months with
pleasurable anticipation, arrived. The town
was lavishly decorated. The entire length of
Main street in the business portion was a grat-
ifying exposition of the decorator's art.
Everywhere throughout the town flags and
bunting were in evidence, not only on the
buildings, but also on the trees and poles, and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
137
even the wires lent themselves to the purpose
of the decoration committee, all uniting in
making a scene that was gorgeous in its mag-
nificent splendor. There was scarcely a resi-
dence within the town limits that did not show
its loyalty to the spirit of the occasion. Many
strangers were heard to exclaim that the deco-
rations were more elaborate than they had ever
seen in a place the size of Bloomsburg. Beauti-
ful arches electrically illuminated were erected
at the Town Hall, Courthouse, Market Square,
Fifth and Market, West and IMain, Leonard
and Main, East and Fifth streets. That at
Market Square was erected by the Knights of
the Golden Eagle and the Royal Arcanum, and
the others out of the general fund.
The Centennial exercises opened on
Wednesday evening, Aug. 27, 1902, in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, where an audi-
ence of#wo thousand people assembled. It
was an inspiring sight, and an occasion never
to be forgotten. On the platform sat all the
clergymen of the town, and addresses were
made by Rev. D. N. Kirkby, rector of St.
Paul's Episcopal Church, whose text was
Psalm xlviii, 9-14; Rev. J. R. Murphy, pastor
of St. Columba's Roman Catholic Church,
whose stibject was "The Ethics of Politics";
and Rev. Dr. W. M. Frysinger, pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, who took for his
discourse, "What do we owe to the Blooms-
burg of a hundred years ago, and what do we
owe to the Bloomsburg of a hundred years
from now?" The addresses were all able and
appropriate, and were listened to with marked
attention. Rev. J. D. Smith of the Baptist
Church offered the invocation ; Rev. W. R.
Whitney, Methodist, read a scripture lesson ;
Rev. M. E. McLinn, Lutheran, made a prayer ;
and Rev. J. W. Bentz, Evangelical, proiiounced
the benediction.
The music for the occasion was furnished
by the Centennial Chorus, organized from the
various churches and numbering nearly one
hundred, led by Prof. O. H. Yetter. 'They
rendered Kipling's hymn, "God of our
Fathers," and Mozart's "Gloria," and led in
the hymns, "All Hail the Power of Jesus'
Name," "Holy, Holy, Holy," and "America."
Made up as it was, of the town's best vocal
talent, the music was all beautifully rendered.
Mrs. Fred Holmes presided at the organ.
Never before had there been such an assem-
blage in Bloomsburg. Never before had an
audience listened to addresses from the same
platform, at the same time, by Episcopalian,
Roman Catholic and Methodist clergymen. It
was a most auspicious opening of the celebra-
tion, and it was fitting that we should show
our loyalty to our town by first showing our
loyalty to the Great Creator.
On Thursday morning, Aug. 28th, at 8
o'clock, the ringing of all the church bells and
the blowing of all the factory whistles for five
minutes ushered in the program of the day.
Brass bands arrived from Wilkes-Barre, Cata-
wissa, Berwick, Buckhorn and Lime Ridge.
The Bloomsburg Band gave its service gratu-
itously both days. All incoming trains brought
throngs of visitors, and the streets looked like
a county fair.
Governor Stone, who had accepted an invi-
tation to be present, arrived in the morning,
accompanied by his private secretary, in time
to attend the Historical meeting in the Normal
School auditorium at half past ten o'clock. A
large audience was present. Upon the stage
and in the audience were many men and
women who helped to make Bloomsburg a pro-
gressive industrial and educational center.
Mayor Townsend presided, and opened the
meeting with appropriate remarks. He then
presented to Roland Hemingway the prize
offered by the Century club for the best his-
torical essay on the "Town of Bloomsburg,"
the prize being ten dollars in gold. Addresses
were made by Governor Stone and Hon. Fred
Ikeler, a brief history of the several churches
in Bloomsburg was read by Rev. D. N. Kirkby,
and an historical address on Bloomsburg was
delivered by Col. J. G. Freeze. Several selec-
tions were sung by the Centennial Chorus.
At half past two the civic and industrial pa-
rade started from the fair grounds. It was
headed by mounted police, followed by W. O.
Holmes, chief marshal, and his aides, C. W.
Funston, C. W. McKelvy, A. W. Duy and
S. H. Harman. Then followed, in order, the
Bloomsburg Band ; Governor Stone and Mayor
Townsend ; Bloomsburg town council ; Dan-
ville Post, G. A. R. ; Ent Post, G. A. R. ; the
Catawissa Band ; Knights of the Golden Eagle
of Bloomsburg and Catawissa ; Lime Ridge
Band ; Patriotic Order Sons of America ; Or-
der of United American Mechanics ; Orange-
ville Band ; Junior O. U. A. M. ; Bricklayers'
and Masons' Union of Berwick ; Y. M. C. A.
Cadets of Berwick, led by Col. A. D. Seely;
John Knox Commandery, Knights of Malta,
No. 12, of Wilkes-Barre; the Berwick Band;
the Locomobile Club of Bloomsburg; the
Ninth Regiment Band of Wilkes-Barre; in-
dustrial and mercantile floats. A prize of $25
was awarded John Knox Commandery for
best appearance of secret organizations, and a
special prize of $20 for exhibition drill.
138
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The various floats were prepared by the
following: F. P. Pursel, three floats; Richard
Manufacturing Company; G. W. Keiter; Alex-
ander Brothers ; Stegmaier Brewing Company ;
J. Saltzer; Morning Press; Moyer Brothers;
Tooley & Co., two floats; J. L. Dillon; White
Milling Company ; D. Lowenberg ; L. T.
Sharpless ; Harman & Hassert ; Atlantic Re-
fining Company; R. E. Hartman; J. F. Hid-
lay; Brower & Glover; Bloomsburg Car Com-
pany ; H. G. Supplee ; W. F. Slagle ; Blooms-
burg Fair Association ; Corner Thomas. A
wagon io6 years old was driven by Harvey
Creveling.
The parade was reviewed by Governor
Stone and Mayor Townsend from a stand
erected on Market Square. After the parade
the Governor was given a reception by Ent
Post, G. A. R., in their hall, and after lunch
at the Normal School he returned to Harris-
burg. It was estimated that at least fifteen
thousand people were present on this day.
In the evening at 8 130 o'clock a fine pyro-
technic display was shown on the Neal cinder
tip, and concerts were given earlier in difi^erent
portions of the town by the visiting bands.
Friday, Aug. 2Sth, was Firemen's day, and
the visiting companies arrived on early trains
and were met by their hosts and escorted
to the various hose houses. Visitors came
from all parts of this section of the State,
until it was estimated that there were from
twenty thousand to twenty-five thousand
people in the town. The weather was all
that could be desired. The parade started
at half past one from the Town Hall, under
the direction of William H. Gilmore, chief
marshal, and his aides, William Webb, J. Ohl,
S. H. Harhian, John Welliver and G. W.
Sterner. It was nearly a mile long. The vis-
iting companies were : No. 3 Hose Company,
Plymouth ; Hook & Ladder Company, North-
umberland ; Eagle, Pittston ; Lewisburg Fire
Department ; Good Will, Friendship, Conti-
nental, Washington Hose Companies, Dan-
ville : Reliance, Rangers, Berwick ; Lape Hose
Company, Mowrey Hose Company, Nanti-
coke. The following bands were in line:
Bloomsburg, Berwick, Catawissa, Buckhorn,
Danville, Lime Ridge and three drum corps.
The Northumberland Company had with them
a hand fire engine 106 years old.
The parade was the finest of the kind ever
seen in this section. It was reviewed by
Mayor Townsend and members of the com-
mittee from the stand on Market Square.
After the parade the drill corps of Eagle
Hose Company gave an exhibition drill, and
was awarded a prize of $25, Then followed
a hose contest by the Eagle, Reliance and
Mowrey Companies, Eagle winning, with Re-
liance second.
The baseball games both days were attended
by large crowds, the first day's game being
between the Cuban Giants and Berwick, score
5-4, and the second between the Giants and
Danville, score 9-4. A handsome sum was
realized for the Centennial fund from these
games.
Other attractions were the war balloon at
Seventh and Market streets, where passen-
gers were carried up one thousand feet, and
an exhibition of wireless telegraphy by the
Consolidated Wireless Telegraph and Tele-
phone Company of Philadelphia, under the
direction of Professor Shoemaker. Stations
were erected at the Courthouse and Normal
School, and the snapping of the spwks could
be heard for some distance. This was the
first exhibit of the kind in the interior of
the State.
But the leading attraction, aside from the
parade, was the Historical Museum. A won-
derful collection of antiques was gathered
by the Civic club in the old brick Presby-
terian Church that stood on the present site
of the Yorks residence. The articles were
attractively and systematically arranged, and
thousands of visitors were delighted by a
visit there. Such a collection was never be-
fore, and probably never will be again, seen
in Bloomsburg. It is impossible to name
the thousands of articles here. One of the
very interesting features at the Museum was
the spinning by Mrs. J. S. Woods, an aged
lady, on a spinning wheel. Mrs. S. A. Petri-
ken was also present part of the time and
operated a wheel that had been in her family
since 1810. On the opening night Mrs. Petri-
ken, aged eighty-seven years, sat at a piano
which was bought for her by her father,
Daniel Snyder, when she was a little girl.
It was the first piano ever brought to Blooms-
burg.
In the picture gallery of the Museum were
portraits of many of the men who had helped
to make Bloomsburg. Among them were
Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr., Judge William Elwell,
Senator Charles R. Buckalew, David Lowen-
berg, Prof. Henry Carver, William McKelvy,
William Neal, Elisha Barton, L. B. Rupert,
Peter Billmeyer, Daniel Snyder, Sr., William
Snyder, William Sloan, A. J. Sloan, George
Vance, Robert Cathcart, William Robison,
Rev. J. P. Tustin, Tohn R. Mover, Joseph W.
Hendershott, Dr. J. B. McKelvy, Gen. W. H.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
139
Erit, Capt. C. B. Brockway and others. Alto-
gether the Museum was an exhibition such
as is rarely seen even in the large cities.
The work of the ladies of the Civic club
in preparing it was an arduous task, requir-
ing many weeks, and they reaped a rich re-
ward in the praises that were showered upon
them for the splendid success of their ef-
forts, and in the receipt of a substantial
amount of money for the Centennial fund.
After all the expenses were paid there re-
mained about $1,400 in the treasury, and this
was subsequently donated by the committee
to the iiloomsburg Public Library.
RELIGIOUS
Probably nothing illustrates more strikingly
the pride which the citizens of Bloomsburg
take in their town than the deep religious
and artistic sentiment expressed in the many
magnificent houses of worship which have
been constructed for the different religious
denominations here. The First Methodist
Church, the First Presbyterian Church, St.
Paul's Episcopal Church and St. Columba's
Roman Catholic Church have homes than
which there are few finer in this section, and
they are soon to be followed by others, sev-
eral congregations having taken definite steps
to rebuild.
The congregations of St. Matthew's Lu-
theran Church and the Reformed Church,
both of which have celebrated their centen-
nials, have a growing building fund in hand,
and the Baptist and Christian Churches, hav-
ing outgrown their present homes, are pre-
paring to build as soon as the funds warrant
the outlay.
Many thousands of dollars are already in-
vested in Bloomsburg church properties and
the next five or ten years will mark the ex-
penditure of many thousands more. It is no
exaggeration to state that the church proper-
ties themselves represent an intrinsic value
that is as great, if not greater, per capita
than any other town of equal size in the
United States.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Among Bloomsburg church properties the
one which first assumed its present handsome
proportions is St. Paul's Episcopal. For
years the property occupying a commanding
position at the corner of Main and Iron
streets, extending almo.'^t a half square on
Iron and more than that distance on Main,
has been one of the show places of the town.
The church and parish house, built of gray
stone, are of Gothic architecture, and with
the handsome tower, covered with beautiful
ivy, make a picture that once seen is always
remembered. The grounds surrounding the
parish house and church proper are large and
beautifully kept, and the rectory, on the sarne
property, is one of the handsomest homes in
this town of many beautiful residences.
Handsome as is the church's exterior, the
interior is equally beautiful. It is most hand-
somely finished, the soft coloring making an
exceptionally attractive effect. Improvements
have been made from time to time, but the
original building lines have never been
changed. The church property is one of the
most valuable in central Pennsylvania.
St. Paul's parish is the oldest religious
organization in Bloomsburg, dating from 1793,
when Rev. Caleb Hopkins was appointed rec-
tor of the territory comprised within the
forks of the Susquehanna. At this date a
crude log building was erected in the town
on the west side of the road "leading from
the house of Esquire Elisha Barton to Ber-
wick." It was through the efforts of Mr.
Barton that the building was erected and the
rector appointed. This church had no fire-
place, but was heated by means of a charcoal
fire in a rude grating before the chancel, the
rector's face frequently being obscured by
the smoke.
Rev. Caleb Hopkins officiated at this
church at irregular intervals until 1806, when
he was made stated minister, his field of labor
including the churches of Bloomsburg, Jer-
seytown and Sugarloaf. He resided in that
part of Bloomsburg known as Hopkinsvijle
until his retirement in 1819. Rev. Mr. Snow-
den succeeded Mr. Hopkins in 1820 and took
measures to have the church incorporated.
This event occurred in 1824, the wardens and
vestrymen being Daniel Pursel, Baltis Appel-
man, Littleton Townsend, Isaac Green, Rob-
ert Green, Philip Appelman, Elias Bidleman,
Peter Melick and John Barton. Rev. William
Eldred succeeded Mr. Snowden in 1825 and
was the last to officiate in the old log church.
This structure was replaced in 1827 by_ a
frame building of larger size, which contin-
ued in use until the completion of the third
church, a brick edifice, the cornerstone of
which was laid in July, 1837. The next effort
at church building was inaugurated in 1868,
when legislative action was secured for the
disinterment of and removal of the dead
from that part of the burial ground at the
140
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
corner of Second and Iron streets in order
to make room for another building, the cor-
nerstone of which was laid in September,
1868. The first service in the building was
held on Oct. 28, 1870, but it was not
till June 28, 1 88 1, that the dedication took
place, Bishop Howe conducting the services
and former rector Rev. T. H. Cullen preaching
the sermon. E. R. Drinker, the senior warden,
read the certificate of the vestry.
The cost of the building was $28,000. The
acre of ground upon which the church and
rectory stood was secured from Joseph Long
for the sum of five shillings, by Elislia Bar"
ton, John Trembly and Edmund Crawford,
in 1795. The rectory stands upon the site of
the brick church, and was built in 1883. In
1850 the church came into possession of a
house on East street by the will of Eliza-
beth Emmitt, and the proceeds of its sale
were applied to the purchase of a pastoral
residence on First street. The present rectory
was erected in 1876 during the incumbency of
Rev. L. Zahner.
In 1886 the parish extended a call to Rev.
William C. Leverett, the rector of St. John's
Church, Carlisle, which was accepted, and he
remained in charge until 1895. During his
incumbency tht parish house was begun, and
completed in 1892. It is a handsome stone
structure with an auditorium, and choir and
guild rooms on the first floor, and a dining
hall and kitchen in the basement. It stands
on the church grounds and is connected with
the church by a stone corridor. The furni-
ture for the auditorium was presented by
Mrs. Hester Barton.
In 1 89 1 the uncompleted tower of the
church was finished by Col. J. G. Freeze, and
a peal of bells was placed therein by Paul E.
Wirt, Esq., both as memorials to deceased
members of their families, and Mr. and Mrs.
John A. Funston presented new stained glass
windows for the chancel. A concrete pave-
ment was laid about the church properties, the
interior of the church was newly decorated,
largely through the efforts of the late George
S. Robbins, and a vested choir organized in
1892, by George E. Elwelk
With all these improvements, the parish
was ready for the centennial which was held
on May 29, 30 and 31, 1893. On these dates
sessions of the archdeaconry of Williamsport
were held in St. Paul's and Right Rev. N. S.
Rulison, assistant bishop of the Diocese, and
twenty-three clergymen were present, includ-
ing two former rectors. Services were held
in the church on each evening, and on Tuesday
and Wednesday mornings, with addresses at
different times by the Bishop, Rev. T. H. Cul-
len, Rev. H. L. Jones, D. D., Archdeacon
Groff, Rev. W. C. Leverett, and others. A
luncheon was served in the parish house on
Wednesday to the visitors. The close of the
first century of St. Paul's Church was marked
by a season of delightful exercises.
Owing to physical infirmities, Rev. W. C.
Leverett resigned on April 15, 1895, and was
succeeded by Rev. D. N. Kirkby, who took
charge on June 9th of the same year. In
1898 a new pipe organ was purchased, costing
over $3,000, in place of the smaller organ
purchased in 1874, the latter being the first
one brought to this county. Mr. Kirkby re-
signed in i'904, and was followed by Rev. R. S.
Nichols, who served as rector for two years.
Rev. J. W. Diggles was then called, and re-
mained until Aug. I, 1912, when he resigned.
In October, 1912, the vestry extended a call
to Rev. F. O. Musser, curate of St. Stephen's
Church, Wilkes-Barre, which was accepted,
and Mr. Musser entered upon his duties as
rector of St. Paul's on Nov. i, 1912. In May,
1913, the annual convention of the diocese
iif Harrisburg was held in this church.
The following is a list of clergymen who
have officiated here : Rev. Caleb Hopkins,
1704-1818; Rev. Mr. Snowden, 1823; Rev.
William Eldred, 1823-24; Rev. James Depuis,
1828-^2; Rev. Benjamin Hutchins, 1832-33;
Rev. G. C. Drake. 1833-42; Rev. William H.
Bourne, 1842-44; Rev. Samuel T. Lord,
1845-46; Rev. A. A. Marple, 1846-4S; Rev.
Joel Rudderow, 1848-53 ; Rev. Henry Tullidge,
"185^-57; Rev. A. M. Weilly, 1859-60; Rev. J.
A.' Russell, 1860-62; Rev. t. H. Cullen, 1863-
70; Rev. John Hewitt, 1870-77; Rev. Louis
Zahner, 1877-86; Rev. W. C. Leverett, 1886-
95; Rev. D. N. Kirkby, 1895-1904; Rev. R. S.
Nichols, 1904-06; Rev. J. W. Diggles, 1906-12;
Rev. F. O. Musser, 1912 to the present.
In 1906 George E. Elwell resigned the posi-
tion of choirmaster, after an almost contin-
uous service of thirty-five years, about twenty
vears of which he was organist. He was in-
strumental in raising the money for the pur-
chase of both pipe organs, and was a vestry-
man for thirty-three vears.
In 1907 the vestibule at the church entrance
was tiled. \\'qinscoted and decorated by the
members of St. Margaret's Guild, and in 1909
the aisles were tiled by the same organization,
and the chancel was similarly improved by
Mrs. George S. Robbins as a memorial to her
husband. The beautiful brass lectern in the
church was the gift of the children of Mrs.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
141
Mary Drinker as a memorial to her, and a
very iiandsome brass pulpit was presented by
Robert C. Neal, Jr., of Harrisburg, as a
memorial to his grandmother, Mrs. Martha H.
Clark.
The present vestrymen are Paul E. Wirt,
A. W. Duy, G. B. Boggs, Uriah Thornton,
John Morris, J. L. Woods, James Mills, W. C.
Fortune, C. S. Ranck, A. E. Rogers. Col. J.
G. Freeze was a vestryman from 1886 to the
time of his death, which occurred on July
8, 1913.
Lutherans
During the first fifty years of their history
here the Lutherans, organized under the name
of St. Paul's congregation, worshipped in a
small building at the corner of First and
Center streets, built in 1808 in partnership
with the Reformed congregation. It was
almost square, with galleries on three sides
and a wineglass-shaped pulpit on the fourth
side. It was of logs and held about five
hundred persons. This building was re-
oved in 186 1, but the two congregations
still own the lot and the burial ground adjoin-
ing. The old graveyard is now a serious
olistruction to the improvement of that part of
town, being overgrown with weeds and poison
ivy. The joint ownership has prevented a
division and sale of the property. This plot
originally was bought from Ludwig Eyer for
fceight dollars.
Rev. Frederick Plitt was the first regular
Fpastor for the Lutherans, but as early as 1800
[Rev. Mr. Frederitze held services in the Epis-
copal church. The constitution of the church,
adopted in 1808, was signed by Mr. Plitt and
I John Dietterick and Bernard Lilly, elders and
[trustees, and Bernard Stetler, deacon. The
[early records were in German, as were also
[the services until 183^. Thereafter both Eng-
lish and German were used alternately until
185 1, when the tongue of the Fatherland was
abandoned. The church was incorporated in
1856 as St. Matthew's.
Since Rev. Mr. Plitt the successive pastors
I have been: Rev. J. Frederick Engel, 1809-16;
[Rev. Peter Kessler, 1817-2Q; Rev. Jeremiah
Schindel, 18-^0-37 : Rev. William J. Eyer, 1S37-
4S: Rev. Monroe J. Allen, 1845-47; Rev. Wil-
j liam T- Ever, 1847-51; Rev. PJiilip Weaver,
i8qT-5^: Rev. E. A." Sharretts. 1853-58; Rev.
I J. R.^Dimm, 1850-67; Rev. B. F. Alleman,
186*7-72; Rev. T-R. Williams, 1872-75; Rev.
J. MrCron. 1875-78: Rev. O. D. S. Marclay,
TS78-81; Rev. F. P. Manhart, 1881-80: Rev.
^P. A. Heilman, 1890-96; Rev. M. E. McLinn,
1896-1903; Rev. J. E. Byers, 1903 to the pres-
ent date.
The church building on Market street now
occupied by the Lutherans was erected in 1857,
and in the following year was the meeting
place of the East Pennsylvania synod. Since
that time the building has been remodeled and
additions built from time to time to meet the
needs of the congregation, but it is still too
small for their comfort. A larger and more
imposing structure is in prospect and funds
are being collected for the work. Several
thousand dollars were expended during Mr.
Manhart's pastorate upon chancel and pulpit
furniture, repairs to property, and a pipe organ
costing $900. A new parsonage was completed
in 1 89 1, and first occupied by Mr. Heilman,
and the same year the lower room of the
church was improved.
A few years ago, during Mr. Byers' pas-
torate, a fine new pipe organ was purchased,
Mr. Andrew Carnegie contributing $800, and
the congregation the balance, and the church
was newly papered and carpeted. In Novem-
ber, 1907, this church observed the fiftieth an-
niversary of the dedication of its present
church building, and the hundredth anni-
versary of the building of the first Lutheran
church in Bloomsburg, by a celebration lasting
from the 17th to the 24th, and including varied
and very interesting exercises, participated in
by a number of former pastors and others.
The organizations of the church are : A large
Sunday school, Young People's Society, Ladies'
Aid Society, Women's Missionary Society, and
Men's Brotherhood. A fund has been started
for the erection of a new church. The present
members of the church council are : Rev. J.
E. Byers, pastor and president ; F. H. Jenkins,
lay president ; W. A. Watters, secretary ; W.
H. Hidlay, treasurer. Elders, J. L. Wolver-
ton, C. H. Albert, J. H. Birch, F. Bomboy,
Daniel Creveling. Deacons, C. D. Bankes, W.
A. Watters, Edward Roth, Claude Maust.
Reformed Church
Among the German settlers in Bloomsburg
this denomination has been well represented.
The first pastor to preach to them was Rev.
John W. Ingold, the first services being held
in the Episcopal church. Being denied the
use of this building in 1806 the congregation
made use of a schoolhouse on Fiphing creek
until the buildingr of the co-operative church
on the corner of First and Center streets, in
i8o8._
Rev. John Dietterich Adams succeeded to
142
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the pulpit on the death of Mr. Ingold in 1807,
and was followed by Rev. Jacob Dieitenbach
in 1815. The latter removed his family to
Espy, where a parsonage had been built for
him, and entered upon a pastorate that covered
but ten years, yet in that time he laid the foun-
dations of most of the Reformed Churches in
Columbia county. His field of labor included
Bloomsburg, Briarcreek, Mifflinville, Muncy,
Nescopeck, Wapwallopen, Shamokin, Cata-
wissa, and several smaller points. His imme-
diate successor was Rev. Mr. Larose, who died
in office, of malarial fever. Rev. Richard
Fisher of Catawissa preached at intervals until
1828, when Rev. Daniel S. Tobias became the
pastor. Following came Revs. Henry Funk,
William Goodrich, L. C. Sheip, F. J. Mohr,
T. F. Hoffmier, G. D. Gurley, Walter E. Krebs,
0. H. Strunck, S. R. Bridenbaugh.
On March i, 1887, Rev. J. S. Wagner
entered upon the duties of the pastorate of
the Bloomsburg Reformed Church. Owing
to ill health he served only one year. Rev.
William T. .\uman was pastor from June i,
1889, to June 13, 1892. He was succeeded by
Rev. C. H. Brandt, who served from Feb. i,
1893, to Oct. 24, 1898. The new parsonage
was erected during his pastorate. On Jan.
1, 1899, Rev. John D. Thomas, Ph. D., became
the pastor, and continued his labors until May,
1909, when he was called to a charge in Ohio
and was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Slough, the
latter entering upon his duties Oct. i, 1909,
and serving until 1913. Rev. P. H. Hoover
became pastor in the early part of 1914.
During the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Thomas
the church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of
its establishment on the present site at the
corner of Third and Iron streets, and the one
hundredth anniversary of the founding of the
Reformed Church in Bloomsburg. This cele-
bration was held from Oct. 25 to 31, 1908, and
was a most interesting occasion, not only to
the members of the chtirch, but to the entire
community. An excellent program was suc-
cessfully carried out.
Some years ago a vocalion was presented to
the church by Mrs. M. E. Ent, and the same
generous donor later supplanted the vocalion
with a much larger pipe organ, dedicated on
Palm Sunday, 1910, as a memorial to her
daughter, Mrs. Fred Ikeler, her mother, Mrs.
S. A. Petriken, and her grandparents, Mr. and
Mrs. Daniel Snyder, Sr.
The church building and parsonage were
thoroughly repaired and much improved by
desired alterations during the summer of 1909.
The officers of the church in 191 3 were the
following : Elders, X. U. Funk, O. W. Cher-
rington, I". L. Smith ; deacons, \\'. C. Maustel-
ler, U. A. Leiby, H. 1. Leiby.
Presbyterians
Even before the founding of Bloomsburg
by Ludwig Eyer the Presbyterian denomina-
tion was active in this section of the county.
As early as 1789 Asa Dunham, a native of
Middlese.x county, N. J., and a Revolutionary
soldier, bought a farm on the hillside near the
site of Buckhorn, the birthplace later of the
Pursel family of Bloomsburg. Mr. Dunham
lived there with his wife, mother-in-law and
two brothers. While he was away from home
one day the house ^urned and his entire family
lost their lives. Some years later he married,
the lady being his fifth wife. He preached
occasionally at the barn of Elias Furman, be-
tween Bloomsburg and Espy, and at the Briar-
creek or Hidlay Church.
Before the organization of the Presbyterian
congregation in the town of Bloomsburg, in
181 7, the people had been dependent on the
generosity of the Episcopalians and Lutherans
for the use of their houses of w'brship. After
the organization the use of the Episcopal
church was obtained for the nominal rental of
$7 a year. The first elders elected were James
McClure, Paul Leidy and Peter Pursel, and
they at once prepared to erect a church build-
ing. They bought the lot now occupied by the
Manse on Third street and erected a 36 by 40
foot building, with a deep gallery around three
sides. Some discussion arose whether the
entrance should be from the rear, as was the
custom, or from the street. The new method
prevailed.
The congregation united with the Briarcreek
and Shamokin Churches in extending a call
to Rev. Samuel Henderson, his services to be
equally divided between the three churches, al-
though the Bloomsburg Church had made
jjreparations to provide the greater part of the
support. He came the year of organization
and greatly assisted in the building of the
church. He continued to serve the church un-
til 1824, when he was succeeded by Rev. John
Xiblock, from 1824 to 1826; Rev. James Lew-
ers, an Irishman ; Rev. Mr. Crosby, an eastern-
er, the founder of the first Sunday school ;
Revs. Matthew B. Patterson, Robert Bryson,
Irvin and Bigman.
Rev. John P. Hudson, a Virginian, ser\-ed
from 1832 to 1838, and was followed in quick
succession by Revs. Tobey and Daniel M.
Barber. Then in the fall of 1838 a call was
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
143
made to Rev. David J. Waller, a licentiate of
the Newcastle Presbytery, who had preached
in Eloomsburg in the summer of 1837. He
accepted the call and was installed in May,
1839, his charge consisting of all of Columbia
county. His pastorate continued uninter-
ruptedly for thirty-three years, and his activi-
ties were such that not only did his congrega-
tion gain thereby, but the whole of the sur-
rounding country formed the scene of his
labors, as much in a material as in a spiritual
way. Through his unflagging energy a rail-
road was built, industries establislied, many
families brought to swell the population of
Bloomsburg, and there was not a movement
for the betterment of the condition of his
people in which he did not take a prominent
part. His home was the stopping place of all
sorts and conditions of people, who were en-
tertained with great hospitality. So many
came to his home at one time that when the
landlord of a neighboring inn put up a new
sign some wag hung the old one over the door
of Mr. Waller's house.
Subsequent pastors of this church have
been Revs. Stuart Mitchell, D. D., until 1888;
I. M. Patterson, until September, 1896; Rev.
Dr. G. H. Hemingway, 1897 to 1909; and the
present pastor. Rev. S. C. Dickson.
When the county seat came to Bloomsburg
the congregation prepared to build anew, and
the site on Market street was purchased. Na-
poleon LeBrun prepared the plans, and the
second church was built at a cost of $3,000.
The last services in the Third Street church
were held in Au.giist, 1848, and the new church
was dedicated the following Wednesday. Its
site was that of the present Yorks home.
The lot formerly occupied by the old church
on Third street was also used for cemetery
purposes, and had long been sadly neglected.
By proceedings in the court the remains were
ordered removed, and a fine brick parsonage,
known as the Manse, was erected upon this lot
in 1880. The subject of building a new church
had been under consideration for some time,
and a fund started for this purpose. This
culminated in the purchase of several lots at
the corner of Fourth and Market streets, and
the erection of the present handsome edifice,
which was completed in 1891. It is of Hum-
melstown brownstone. and is very complete
and beautiful in all its appointments. The
officers of the church at the time were : Rev.
I. M. Patterson, pastor : trustees. William
Neal, H. V. White, C. A. Mover, S. A. Wilson,
L. Runyon ; elders, William Neal, C. A. Mover,
Dr. J. Schuyler, C. G. Barkley. The building
committee consisted of C. W. Miller and L. E.
Waller. The last service was held in the old
church on Sunday, June 7, 1891, and on June
nth the new church was dedicated, and with-
out a debt. A large pipe organ was put in at
this time.
The old brick church was used successively
as a chewing gum factory, a printing office
and for other purposes until purchased in 1903
by F. G. Yorks, who tore it down and erected
there the stately mansion that is one of the
ornaments of Bloomsburg.
At the time of the dedication of the present
church the membership was 136, now it is 448,
and the Sunday school has an enrollment of
319. The present officers are : C. W. Miller,
W. L. White, R. J. Ruhl, W. B. Sutliff, A. N.
Yost, elders; W. H. Brower, clerk; Arthur
S. Clay, R. J. Ruhl, M. K. Yorks, trustees ; M.
Milleisen, treasurer; W. H. Eyer, secretary.
The superintendent of the Sunday school is
Prof. W. B. Sutliff.
On July 13, 1914, Rev. D. J. Waller, Jr., son
of the former pastor, and principal of the
State Normal School, delivered the dedicatory
address at the laying of the cornerstone of the
Sunday school building, which will be a model
of utility, sanitation, convenience and beauty.
It is 40 by 80 feet, connected with the church
by a wing 28 by 54 feet, and is constructed of
Hummelstown brownstone, to correspond with
the church. It is estimated to cost thirty thou-
sand dollars. Composing the building com-
mittee are : Arthur S. Clay, John Lewis Moyer,
Frank P. Pursel, David J. Waller, Jr., and
Hiester V. White. The treasurer of the build-
ing fund is Robert J. Ruhl ; the architect of
the building, George E. Savage, of Philadel-
phia ; the contractor and builder, Aaron C.
Jury, Bloomsburg.
Metlwdists
One of the most imposing edifices in this
section of the State is the First Methodist
Episcopal church of Bloomsburg, at Market
and Third streets. Massive in construction
and artistic in design, it is a religious home
of which the congregation may well feel proud.
The first Methodist service was held in the
Episcopal church in Bloomsburg in 1829 by
Rev. George Lane of Berwick. Rev. Wesley
Howe, stationed at Berwick in 1831, preached
occasionally in the churches in Centre town-
ship and at Bloomsburg, and in the latter part
of that year exchanged with Rev. Alem Brit-
tain, who preached to a large audience in the
Bloom.sburg schoolhouse. This was the be-
144
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ginning of regular services here, and in the
tollowing year a class was formed, which in-
cluded Dr. Harman Gearhart, William Paul,
Jesse Shannon, Delilah Barton and others.
Preaching was sometimes held in the school-
house, and when the attendance was small in
the carpenter shop of William Paul, on Mar-
ket, between First and Second streets.
In 1835 a frame church was built on Third
street, being replaced in 1857 by a brick struc-
ture, dedicated by Bishop Levi Scott. The
pastor at that time was Rev. George Warren.
A list of the pastors of this church will be
found in the previous chapter on religious de-
nominations of the county. Most of them up
to 1862 were in charge of other churches in
addition to that of Bloomsburg. At present
it is a charge by itself.
Pastors exclusively in charge of the Blooms-
burg Church have been : Revs. D. C. John,
R. E. Wilson, J. A. Price, J. A. Melick, B. H.
Crever, X. S. Buckingham, J. H. McGarragh,
J. S. Mc]\Iurray, M. L. Smyser, E. H. Yocum,
John Donahue, D. S. Monroe, F. B. Riddle, up
to 1886. It was during the pastorate of the
last named that the present commodious par-
sonage was purchased — 1884. After that date
the rapid growth of the congregation made the
building of a larger church very necessary,
and steps were taken looking towards that end.
The lots between the church lot and Market
street were purchased, and during the pastorate
of Rev. B. C. Conner active measures were
adopted and the new church scheme culmi-
nated.
Ground was broken in the fall of 1895, and
on Sunday, May 2, 1896, the cornerstone was
laid. The contract for the stone work had
been awarded to Thomas Evans, of Danville.
The walls were about completed when, on Aug.
24, i8q6. Mr. Evans accidentally fell from the
northeast corner to the ground, a distance of
about thirty feet, and was killed. A stained
glass window, the gift of his workmen, marks
the point where he fell.
The new church was dedicated on Sunday.
Sept. iq, i8o7, with imposing ceremonies. It
is built of Elk Run graystone, trimmed with
Indiana limestone, and cost S65.000. It is one
of the largest and finest church edifices in this
section, having a seating capacity of 1.200 in
the auditorium, and bv opening the glass parti-
tion between that and the Sunday school room
800 more can be seated. The large stained
glass window at the front, and the fine pipe
or?an. were the gifts of Mrs. Freas Brown.
The other windows were contributed by classes
and individuals. The trustees of the church
at the time of the building were: G. W. Cor-
rell, J. C. Brown, L. N. Moyer, Dr. J. J. Brown,
M. P. Lutz, C. C. Peacock, L. E. W hary, W. R.
Ringrose, S. C. Creasy. The building commit-
tee consisted of Messrs. J. C. Brown, Moyer,
Peacock, Correll, W. R. Kocher. The pastor
was Rev. B. C. Conner.
The pastors of this church since Rev. F. B.
Riddle, 1886, have been: S. M. Frost, 1886-
88; S. W. Sears, 18S9-91 ; W. G. Ferguson,
1892-94; B. C. Conner, 1895-99; ^^ ■ M- Fry-
^iiiger, 1900-02; W. P. Eveland, 1903-05 ; P. F.
Eyer, 1905 ; M. L. Ganoe, 1906-07; E. R. Heck-
man, 1907 to the present.
The officers are as follows: J. C. Brown,
president of trustees ; W. R. Kocher, secretary ;
Dr. J. J. Brown, treasurer; C. H. Kline, finan-
cial secretary; Fred Holmes, official board
treasurer; F. B. Hartman, Sunday school
superintendent. The church membership in
1913 is 1.036, and of the Sunday school, 1,465.
Baptist Church
Among the several congregations of town
which contemplate new church homes in the
near future is the Baptist congregation, whose
present edifice is located on Third between
Iron and Catherine streets. Established fifty-
five years ago at the same location, the church
has had a steady, substantial growth, and at
different times, to satisfy the growing demands
of the congregation, improvements have been
made to the church structure, but at the pres-
ent day it is again inadequate to the needs.
The parsonage of the church is located on
First street.
The first efTorts to establish the Baptist faith
in Bloomsburg were made in 1840 by Rev. J.
Green Miles, who preached in the Methodist
church once and in the union meetinghouse
six times. The next minister to come was Rev.
William S. Hall, of Berwick, who preached
two sermons in 1843 and baptized John Snyder
in Fishing creek in January of that year. This
was the first immersion in the town. For some
years afterward services were held at various
places in Bloomsburg bv Revs. Joseph B. Mor-
ris and A. D. Nichols'. In 1858 Rev. J. R.
Shanafelts. of Berwick, began to preach once
in three weeks in the courthouse, and in less
than a year a house of worship was dedicated.
This structure, with many alterations, is the
one at present in use.
The church was organized with Martin C.
Woodward as deacon; John Snyder, clerk;
Daniel Breece. treasurer ; and with nineteen
members on the roll. They were: Martin C.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
145
Woodward, Sarah J. Woodward, Isaac Tyler,
Susan Tyler, Harriet Roan, Lena Fidler, Sarah
A. Phillips, John Snyder, Richard Edwards,
Martha Edwards, Daniel Breece, Robert Roan,
Elizabeth Cadman, Maria Logan, Margaret
Derr, Mary A. Breece, Lucy Cosper, Mary N.
Powell, Mahala Brittain.
Mr. Shanafelts resigned after a three years'
ministry and his successors have been : Revs.
J. G. Penny, G. W. Scott, J. P. Tustin, C. W.
Smith, D. J. R. Strayer, and again, in 1885,
Rev. J. P. Tustin. Rev. W. T. Galloway came
in 1888 and during his term the church was
improved at a cost of $1,100. Subsequent
pastors have been : Rev. George Weeks, 1892-
95; Rev. William M. Tinker, 1896-97; Rev. J.
D. Smith, 1898-1903; Rev. W. M. Tinker,
1903-06; Rev. R. G. Smith, 1906-10; and the
present pastor, Rev. T. E. Jepson, who came
in 191 1. In 1903 further improvements were
made to the church, and in 1913 the Sunday
school room was enlarged.
Rev. T. E. Jepson, pastor of the church, is
one of the youngest veterans of the Civil war
in the State, having enlisted as a drummer boy
at the age of twelve.
The present officers are : Deacons, C. B.
Edwards, T. E. Hyde, M. E. Stackhouse,
James Sterner; trustees. Dr. H. Bierman, W.
C. Johnston, John Shultz, James Reeser,
Franklin Keller ; clerk, T. V. Gunter ; treasurer,
H. R. Kahler.
Roman Catholics
The first religious services held in Blooms-
burg agreeably to the ritual of the Roman
Catholic Church were in the days of the con-
struction of the Pennsylvania canal, the work-
men on which were mostly Irish Catholics.
Father Fitzpatrick of Milton officiated at dif-
ferent times during this period. In 1844
Father Fitzsimmons held Mass on several
occasions for the workmen who erected the
Bloomsburg iron furnaces. These services
were held at the home of Michael Casey on
Iron street, near the canal, every month, but
the floating population departed and the re-
mainder was too small to support a pastor.
From then until 1874 a congregation was
slowly collected under the ministrations of
Fathers Sherdon, Murray, McGinnis, Smith
and Noonan, from Sunbury; and Schleuter,
from Danville.
Finallv the stone church once occupied by
the Primitive Methodists, on Third, between
Iron and Center streets, was purchased, re-
built and rededicated under the protection of
10
St. Columba. The pastoral residence adjoin-
ing was bought in 1883. Fathers O'Brien,
Reilly, Clarke and McCann were successive
pastors until 1889. Father J. R. Murphy suc-
ceeded Father McCann, and was followed in
1910 by Rev. Father E. A. Burhard, the pres-
ent incumbent.
The present handsome brick church was
erected in 1913, and dedicated on Oct. 12th of
that year. The brick residence on the corner
of Third and Iron streets was removed seventy
feet to the west and on its site the new church
was built. The residence is used as a rectory.
The new church is 43 by 85 feet, and the total
cost of the building and furnishings was over
si.xteen thousand dollars. Improvements to
the rectory, pavements and the grounds totaled
a cost of over four thousand more.
Evangelicals
The Central Pennsylvania Conference of the
Evangelical Association in March, 1873, de-
cided to occupy Bloomsburg as a mission and
place it under the care of Rev. R. C. Bower-
sox, together with several other points. Serv-
ices had been held in the "Port Noble" school-
house in 1867 by Rev. U. W. Harris, and a
class formed with George Rishel as leader.
Other members were Joseph Garrison, Henry
Garrison, Elijah Strohm and Tobias Henry.
Regular services had been held after that, but
it was not till 1880 that the congregation
worshipped in their own house, built on a lot
purchased in 1873. Bishop Thomas Bowman,
himself a native of Briarcreek township, dedi-
cated the completed building on Dec. nth.
Pastors of this church have been : Revs.
R. C. Bowersox, 1873-74; J. N. Irvine, 1875-
76; A. W. Sheuberger, J. S. Hertz, 1877; G.
W. Hunter, 1878-79: L. K. Harris, 1879-80;
S. E. Davis, 1880-81 ; S. P. Rehmer, 1882-84;
H. W. Buck, 1885-88; J. F. Shultz, 1888-89;
A. W. Swengle, C. W. Hunter, 1889-90; C. L.
Sones, 1890-93 ; J. Womeldorf , 1893-95 ; G. W.
Currin, 1895-99; J. W. Messenger, 1899-1900;
J. W. Bentz, 1900-03; J. Shambach, 1903-07;
E. B. Bailey, 1907- 11 ; and Rev. S. E. Koontz,
the present pastor, who came to the parish in
1911.
During 1894 the congregation became known
as the L^nited Evangelical Church, owing to
the denominational change of name. In 1898
the present parsonage on Fourth street was
erected.
The church has made remarkable strides
financially and spiritually, and recently the
146
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
mortgage on the parsonage was entirely paid,
freeing the church completely of debt.
Church of Christ
Starting out a few years ago with only a
few members who held regular meetings in a
room over the Hess jewelry store, the congre-
gation of the Church of Christ has grown
rapidly until now they own a large corner lot
at Fourth and West streets and occupy a
handsome frame structure built upon the West
street side of the lot. Intervening between
these two extremes, however, there were years
of struggle and toil, the results of which the
congregation is now reaping. After purchas-
ing the present lot they built a small rude
structure on Fourth street in which they met
until it proved to be inadequate to meet the
demands of the congregation, so the present
structure was erected.
This church was organized March lo, 1902,
the first pastor being Rev. R. H. Sawtelle, of
the Stillwater Church. He was succeeded in
1904 bv Rev. G. C. Zeigler. Following pastors
have been Revs. H. R. Bixell, 1910-12; H. H.
Carter, 1912-14; and C. V. Huffer, the pres-
ent pastor. The present officers of the church
are: G. G. Baker, A. M. Stevens, W. Brook-
ing, J. W. Mordan, A. L. Walter, C. D. Foll-
mer, O. W. Ashworth, Charles Alunson.
Pentecostal Church
The Eighth Street Mission Church was
erected in 1893 by W. B. Cummings, and was
first called the Methodist Mission. On July
9, 1908, it was organized as the Pentecostal
Church of the Nazarene, with Rev. H. G.
Trumbauer as pastor. He served until July,
1912, when he accepted a call elsewhere, and
was succeeded by Rev. H. N. Haas, who be-
gan his pastorate on April i, 1913.
A. M. E. Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
was organized in 1870. Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr.,
gave the building site on First street, near
Market, and Mrs. Edgar donated the lumber
for the building. The first pastor was Rev.
John Henson, who had been a slave at one
time. His successor was Rev. William West.
The present pastor is Rev. W. T. Watson, who
also has charge of the Danville Church.
YOUNG men's CHRISTI.AN .\SS0CI.\TI0N
The Y. M. C. A. of Bloomsburg was organ-
ized Nov. 16, 1890, in Hartman's hall, and the
first officers elected were: Rev. D. J. Wal-
ler, Jr., president; W. H. Brooke, vice presi-
dent; A. N. Yost, secretary; W. B. Cummings,
corresponding secretary ; E. B. Tustin, treas-
urer. Rooms were secured in the second and
third floors of the Dentler building, and in-
cluded a meeting hall, reading and game rooms,
which were conveniently fitted up and nicely
furnished.
In 1899 the William Xeal property was pur-
chased and rearranged for the use of the asso-
ciation. Dr. Waller was president until 1894,
and his successors were Dr. J. P. Welsh, S. C.
Creasy, F. N. Turner, C. H. Albert and W. L.
White. The successive secretaries were B. F.
Armstrong, C. E. Kesty, C. D. Lynn, B. F.
Armstrong, U. G. Morgain, A. E. Barton and
W. H. Walters.
Excellent work was done, but the financial
support was not sufficient to warrant a con-
tinuance, so in December, 1905, an offer hav-
ing been made for the purchase of the prop-
erty, it was sold to Caldwell Consistory for
$12,000, and the association suspended April
I, 1906. They then purchased from J. L.
Dillon the Phillips lot, on Market street, next
to the post office, for $8,000, and in .-Xpril,
1906, sold 4 feet front and 90 feet depth to
the First National Bank for $1,500. The re-
mainder of the lot is still owned by the Asso-
ciation, but is vacant, and there is no imme-
diate prospect of its being utilized for Y. M.
C. A. purposes.
YOUNG women's CHRISTI.\N .\SS0CI.\TI0X
A power for good in the life of Bloomsburg
was the Young W'omen's Christian Associa-
tion, which, organized several years ago, en-
deavored and succeeded in doing for the girls
of the town what the Young Men's Christian
Association did for the men. Not only was the
religious part of the girls' lives given careful
direction, but classes in practical subjects were
conducted, the better preparing them for fu-
ture careers. Located in the Evans building,
the Association succeeded in getting close to
a large number of the girls of the community
and the work has without doubt left its im-
print. Many social affairs given under the
direction of the Association aided mightily in
maintaining interest. Unfortunately the work
lagged for want of financial support, and the
organization disbanded. Mrs. George E. Wil-
bur was the organizer and the leading spirit
during its existence.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
347
YOUNG MEN S CLUB
This club is a development of the Bible class
of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, which
started with five members. At a banquet in
19 1 3 the proposition was made to organize a
club for young men of the town, regardless
of religious affiliation, who were without a
proper place for social meetings and amuse-
ments. The result was the formation of the
Young Men's Club, which has grown in 1914
to a membership of 118, with an average age
of twenty-five years, and has become a power
for good in the community. In the latter
year they rented the old office of Col. John G.
Freeze, on Center street, near Third, where
they have a library, reading room, game and
smoking room. The officers are : D. *L. Bom-
boy, president ; S. J. Johnston, vice president ;
W. E. Shafifer, secretary ; Howard Bomboy,
treasurer. Any young man is eligible for
membership and the monthly dues are very
low. It is under the direct care of the Luth-
eran Brotherhood.
ROSEMONT CEMETERY
The Rosemont Cemetery Company was or-
ganized by a number of leading citizens in 1854.
Prior to that time there were burial grounds on
several of the church properties. The Episco-
palians used their grounds up to the time of
the erection of the present stone church, its
predecessor, the brick church, then standing
on the site of the rectory, up to 1868. Where
the Presbyterian manse now is their church, a
frame building, stood, and the surrounding
grounds were used by them as a cemetery. A
number of graves were in the Methodist lot,
and the Welsh Baptists also buried around their
church, which stood on the site of Paul E.
Wirt's mansion. The Lutherans and German
Reformed congregations owned jointly the lot
on First and Center streets where their union
church stood. The church was torn down many
years ago, but the graves still remain, in a dilap-
idated condition. When the other grounds
named were needed for other purposes the dead
were removed to Rosemont.
The first minutes of the meetings of the
board of directors of the Rosemont Cemetery
Companv are dated June 1 1 . 1854, when a meet-
ing was held at the home of Daniel Snyder, Sr.,
those present being Mr. Snyder, Daniel Melick,
Jesse Shannon, Erastus Barton, Rev. William
Weaver and Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr. The first
board of directors consisted of those gentle-
men and Anthony Witman, Bernard Rupert,
E. P. Lutz, L. B. Rupert and S. Mendenhall.
A committee composed of Messrs. Waller, Wit-
man and B. Rupert was appointed to select a
site for the cemetery. They reported, and at
a meeting of the stockholders, Nov. 9, 1854,
■'the hill north of the town, and immediately
adjoining it," was selected. D. Snyder was the
first president, and E. P. Lutz the first secre-
tary. L. B. Rupert succeeded Snyder, and Mr.
Waller was elected president in 1856, and con-
tinued to serve until 1893, when Colonel Freeze
was chosen and so acted up to the time of his
death in 1913, when Frank Ikeler was elected.
The Soldiers' Circle was donated May 2,
1862. In 1888 additional land was purchased
from the Bloomsburg Iron Company, and other
lands were added at various times. Improve-
ments have been made by the erection of a
sexton's lodge and a superintendent's office, at
either side of the entrance ; by a fountain ; and
by a brick pavement from the entrance to the
top of the liill. In 1895 a large tract of land
up the Light Street road was purchased, and
named New Rosemont, but very few inter-
ments have been made there, probably on ac-
count of the location, being up a long hill.
In 1914 thirty acres were bought by the com-
pany along the road between Bloomsburg and
Espy, and a new cemetery has been laid out,
which will no doubt be needetl in the near
future, owing to the crowded condition of
Rosemont. The present officers of the com-
pany are : Frank Ikeler, president ; C. L.
Pensyl, secretary; W. H. Hidlay, treasurer;
W. R. Ringrose, superintendent ; other direc-
tors, G. G. Baker, J. W. Harman, W. E. Shaf-
fer, T. L. Smith. "J. G. Quick. C. A. Kleim,
P. K. \'annatta.
Mr. Ringrose has been superintendent since
1902. He is the first one in that position who
has given his entire time to the care of the
grounds, and under him they have been greatly
improved. When he assumed the office the
company had a debt of $5,500. This was paid
off, and $5,000 additional has been expended
for more land and for betterments, under the
direction of the efficient board of directors.
.\MUSEMENT HOUSES
The Bloomsburg Opera House was built in
1874 by B. H. \'annatta and Edward Rawlings.
At that time it was far ahead of any public
hall the town had ever had. its predecessors
having l)een merely rooms on the upper floors
of store buildings. Snyder's hall, in the build-
ing now occupied bythe H. B. Sharpless hard-
ware store and the City Cafe, and Hartman's
148
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
hall, on the third floor of what is now the Elks'
building, were the leading ones. Neither had
a stage. The opera house was conducted by
the lessees of the owners until 1876, when it
passed to the ownership of I. W. McKelvy,
whose lessees operated it until 1895. Then P.
A. Evans and J. R. Fowler bought it, and the
latter managed it until Mr. Evans's death, when
his half interest passed to his daughter, the
wife of Dr. J. S. John. A few years later Mr.
Fowler died, and Dr. John purchased his inter-
est. The auditorium was much improved, the
stage was enlarged and a gallery built, and the
name changed to the Columbia Theatre. It
v^fas run by lessees until September, 1914, when
Dr. John assumed the management.
The Neiv Lyric is an attractive moving pic-
ture house in the L. T. Sharpless building.
The first floor was rebuilt for this purpose, and
opened in 1911 by L. T. Sharpless and W. W.
Fagely, who have made it a popular place of
amusement.
The Arcade was the next bidder for public
favor. It is in what was the furniture store
of W. J. Correll & Co., and was opened in
19 1 3 with H. B. Correll as manager. It enjoys
a liberal patronage.
The Victoria, built by L. J. Chamberlin, of
Shamokin, and opened early in 1914, is one of
the handsomest picture houses in this section,
costing about $25,000, and with a seating ca-
pacity of 1,200. It is up to date in every
respect. J. W. Earned is the manager.
Three other moving picture rooms have been
opened, at various times, but succumbed after
a short run.
The Midway, owned by Thomas B. Moore
and H. J. Achenbach, opened in 1906, is an
amusement hall that has met the public wants
in various ways. It has been used as a bowl-
ing alley, billiard room, dance hall, for poultry
exhibitions, industrial fairs and the like. The
building is well adapted to its uses, and its
motto, "A nice place for nice people," has
always been well maintained by the manage-
ment.
OLD CITIZENS OF P.LOOMSBURG
Among those who were prominent and active
citizens in the earlier davs, and who have gone
to the "great beyond." the descendants of
many of whom are now among the representa-
tive citizens of the town, were Dr. Davi'd Scott,
Dr. John Ramsay, Daniel Snvder, Sr.. William
Robison, Philip Chrisman, William McKelvv.
Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr.. William Hurlev. Caleb
Barton, EH Barton, Elisha Barton, William
Neal, John R. Moyer, L. B. Rupert, Elias Men-
denhall, William Sloan, Joseph W. Hender-
shott, A. J. Sloan, Robert F. Clark, Philip.
Unangst, John M. Chamberlin, David Lowen-
berg, Dr. Jacob Schuyler, John K. Grotz, I. S.
Kuhn, J. J, Brower, Issachar Evans, A. J.
Evans, Col. Samuel Knorr, M. C. Sloan, John
A. Funston, James K. Eyer, Joseph Sharpless,
Andrew Rupert, E. P. Lutz, C. F. Knapp, John
Wolf, Senator Charles R. Buckalew, Judge
William Elwell, Dr. J. B. McKelvy, Isaiah W.
McKelvy, Rev. J. P. Tustin, H. J. Clark, E. R.
Drinker, Charles G. Barkley, C. B. Brockway,
M. S. Appleman, Josiah Furman, G. W. Cor-
rell, P. S. Harman, Robert Cathcart, Peter Bill-
myer, William Snyder, Gen. W. H. Ent, George
Hassert, Henry Rosenstock, B. F. Hartman,
as well as many others.
BRASS B.\NDS
For many years Bloomsburg has had at least
one brass band. Before the Civil war there
were two, and from these one was organized
and went to the war with the Iron Guards. In
1865 at a citizens' meeting a subscription w'as
taken up, and W. H. Gilmore was authorized
to go to Harrisburg and purchase instruments
for a band organized at that time, with John
Hower as leader.
In 1871 the Bloomsburg Band was started
with T. L. Gunton as president, and A. W.
Monroe as leader. In 1884 the band obtained
a charter. It has had a number of leaders,
among them Davis Brooks, who served faith-
fully for many years. The most notable one
was F. H. Losey, who afterwards attained
prominence as a bandmaster and composer.
The band has had its ups and downs, but
through it all T. L. Gunton, its first and only
president and manager, has never wavered,
and now has the satisfaction of having a fine
band of about thirty members, mostly young
men, well equipped, a credit to the town and to
themselves, as the result of his persistence.
The present leader is Clarence G. Herr.
In 1888 William H. Gilmore organized a
band and equipped it with uniforms and instru-
ments. It was known as Gilmore's Band, and
Thomas Metherel was the leader. After doing
good service for five years the organization was
discontinued in iSq"?, and the town had but one
band for the next fourteen years.
The Citizens' Band was organized in April,
TOO/, with eleven members, who had left the
Bloomsburg Band. Charles P. Elwell was the
bandmaster, and a few months later E. M. Sav-
idge became manager. Through Professor
m
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
149
Elwell's efforts additional members were se-
cured among the more experienced players,
until it numbered nearly thirty men. Rapid
progress was made under his direction, and
the band established a high reputation as one
of the best musical organizations in this sec-
tion. He retired in 19 lO, and Frank Hower
served as leader for a time, when he was suc-
ceeded by L. I.. James, the present efficient
director.
FERNVILLE
Fernville, although a suburb of Bloomsburg,
is in Hemlock township, situated just across
Fishing creek at the Hemlock bridge at Rail-
road street. The land on which it stands for-
merly belonged to the Bloomsburg Iron Com-
pany and later was purchased by E. R. and
F. P. Drinker, who laid out the level part of
it in town lots about 1890. County Commis-
sioner C. E. Welliver erected the third house
that was built there. The village contains about
fifty-five houses. The population is about three
hundred. Fernville is in the south election
district of Hemlock township and has about
seventy-five voters. A good schoolhouse fur-
nishes educational quarters for the cliildren in
the grades, while some attend the Bloomsburg
high school or the normal.
Here are located the dairy farms of J. G.
Quick and H. J. Traub, and the greenhouses
of George Kressler.
CHAPTER XV
BERWICK AND WEST BERWICK
Nature prepared the site of Berwick and
man has established upon the spot an ideal
modern industrial community of almost 14,000
souls. The first settlers considered it a logical
site, and their wisdom has been proved by
the subsequent development of the town.
When the borough was laid out the limits
were made one mile each way, but this re-
stricted area has been overflown, and the re-
sult is the existence of three growing suburbs,
which absorb the overflow in part, the borough
of Nescopeck, in Luzerne county, caring for
the remainder.
With the territorial expansion which fol-
lowed the industrial development of Berwick,
the populated area was extended across the
west line of the town, and West Berwick came
into being, with a population of 5,512; on the
north line grew up the suburb of North Ber-
wick, in Briarcreek township, with a popula-
tion of 1,430; East Berwick, lying in Salem
township, Luzerne county, is actually a part
of Berwick and holds a population of 1,350;
while Nescopeck, just across the Susque-
hanna in Luzerne county, could well be termed
South Berwick, with a population of 1,578.
Add to this the population of Berwick proper,
and we have a total of 15,227 persons de-
pendent in a great measure upon the car
works, shops and foundries of Greater Ber-
wick.
The expansion of Berwick has but partially
met the growing demands of the people, not
from failure to realize the necessity, but be-
cause of the growth setting the pace for the
promoters of improvements and expansion.
Within the ten years previous to 1914 fifty-
three new streets, totaling a length of twenty-
three miles, have been laid out ; ten miles have
been graded, two miles paved with brick, and
sixteen miles of sidewalks laid. Twenty-eight
miles of new water mains have been laid, and
eleven miles of gas mains.
Upon the public schools the sum of $105,000
has been expended, while over $60,000 has
been spent upon modern sewers. Part of this
amount has come from the American Car and
Foundry Company, a history of which is
found further on, the company employing dur-
ing working seasons at full capacity 6,200
men, to whom is paid out the monthly sum
of $260,000 in wages. Besides this, the
monthly wage list of the Baer Silk Mills, the
smaller factories and shops, and the numerous
stores and mercantile establishments, form a
total of no mean proportions, unequaled by
any other town in Columbia county.
With this fitting introduction to the indus-
trial city we will turn backward to the little
village of Berwick, or "Owensville," the
nucleus of the present city.
FOUNDING OF THE TOWN
When the land office was opened by the
Penns in 1769 for the sale of the estate of
Pennsylvania, Evan Owen, a member of the
Society of Friends, was one of the first to
150
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
take advantage of the opportunity to obtain
a home in the new world. He made his first
journey of reconnoissance with Benjamin
Doan and others in 1772, coming from Harris'
Ferry in a "Durham" boat, and stopping at
the mouth of Fishing creek, but the troublous
times caused him to return to a more civilized
locality. In 1780, eight yeans later, he came
back and selected as a permanent residence
the point opposite the mouth of Xescopeck
creek. He himself did not settle here until
a period of six years had intervened. In the
meantime John and Robert Brown were in-
duced by Owen to go to his lands and make
a home.
The Browns and their families made the
journey overland to Catawissa, where the
Quakers had already a thriving settlement, in
the period between 1780 and 1787. From that
village they went in canoes to the falls of
Nescopeck, landed on the site of Berwick and
located their separate allotments of land. Dur-
ing the first year they fastened treetops to-
gether, covering them with bark, and thus
made shelters for the period between their
arrival and the harvesting of the simple crops
of the virgin soil. The following year more
substantial homes of logs were erected, as the
farming land had proved to be of good quality.
The influx of actual settlers and the admir-
able site of the settlement induced Owen to
lay out a permanent town in 1786. The act
was a wise one. The location, two hundred
feet above the river, with the opening in the
hills southward offering an outlet to the older
settlements, and the ample supply of fuel and
water, combined with the picturesqueness of
the surroundings, offered a site that has dem-
onstrated its suitability through all the follow-
ing years.
The first settler to erect a dwelling was
John Brown, who built on the south side of
Front street, near Market, Robert Brown
locating on the opposite side. Evan Owen
himself built a house on the site of the present
"St. Charles Hotel," while Samuel Jackson, a
brother-in-law, took the opposite corner.
Josiah Jackson, brother of Samuel, opened
the first hat shop on Front street, below
Market. James Evans, a millwright. John
Smith and Henry Traugh complete the list
of the first settlers.
Owen made an extended trip through the
lower counties of the State, selling lots in the
projected town, and was fairly successful.
James Stackhouse, a wealthy farmer of Bucks
county, came and built a home on Second
street. He planted the first orchard, which
was vigorous for many years after the in-
corporation of the town. Others who came
were Thomas Cole, James Herrin, Benjamin
Doan and Jacob Cooper.
At first the town was laid off into lots and
the streets marked by blazing trees. From
these arboreal surroundings arose the names
of the streets Oak, Vine, Mulberry, Pine,
Chestnut and Walnut. At first the residents
called the town Owensville, but the Quaker
proprietor was modest and the name he gave
it was that of his old home in England —
Berwick-on-Tweed — with the hyphenated at-
tachment dropped. After the settlement of
the conflicting claims of Connecticut and
Pennsylvania part of the town plot was taken
from Owen and included in Salem township,
Luzerne county. This portion is now the site
of East Berwick.
In 1800, John Jones opened the first store
in the town on what is now the site of T. H.
Doan's hardware store. In the course of
time travel through the town increased and
the necessity of taverns became evident. The
first one in the town was opened in 1804, at
the comer of Second and Market streets, by
John Brown. He gave it the title of the
"Golden Lamb." John Jones was the next
proprietor, and was succeeded by Abraham
Klotz and Frederick Nicely. During the lat-
ter's ownership the place was known as the
"Cross Keys." Before the bridge was built
William Brien established a ferry and kept a
tavern at the site of the old bridge. As an
adjunct to this hostelry Richard Smith built
a log house below Brien's place, where he
carried on the vocations of shoemaking and
the distilling of a brand of "squirrel" whiskey.
Samuel F. Headley later kept a public house
at the comer of Front and Mulberry streets,
which he called the "Stage Coach Inn." -
In 1805 a market house was erected in the
center of the street afterwards named from
it, between Second and Third. It was sup-
ported on large square pillars, the space be-
neath being adapted to the storage of wagons
and the protection of the horses. It was lighted
by small green glass "bull's-eyes," which gave
but little light and almost completely pre-
vented ventilation. This building was devoted
to school purposes, preaching, public assem-
blies and elections, and most of the denomina-
tions of the present day had their birth in
this humble and crudely built edifice. At this
time the housewives of the village were accus-
tomed to spend "washday" on the banks of
the river, and the whole year round they left
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
151
their iron kettles hanging along the trees that
fringed the shore.
The first children born in Berwick were
John and Anne Brown, children of Robert
Brown (Anne was the wife of Jesse Bow-
man, deceased, and the first person married
in Berwick). The first church built was the
Quaker, a log building, where C. C. Evans'
residence now stands. The first lawyer was
named Bancroft; first judge, John Cooper;
doctors, Mooreland and Beisswick; post-
master, William Brien ; schoolmaster, Isaac
Holloway ; preachers, Carson and Painter.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
As time passed the necessity for adequate
roads to attract the patronage of the traveler
caused the founders of Berwick to apply to
the State for help. In 1787, Evan Owen was
appointed to superintend the construction of
a State road from Nescopeck falls to the
Lehigh. Two years later the work was com-
pleted and the Indian trail supplanted by a
passable road. On March 19, 1804, the Sus-
quehanna & Lehigh Turnpike & Road Com-
pany was incorporated, and in 1805 the old
road was made over into a graded turnpike
at a great expense, both to the State and to
private capitalists. Andrew Shaner, of Ber-
wick, was one of the contractors, and Chris-
tian Bowman was the first traveler to make
the journey through to Easton. The Susque-
hanna & Tioga Turnpike Road Company was
chartered in 1806 to build a road to the north-
ern line of the State. This road was finally
completed to Towanda. Pa., in 1818. Among
the projectors and stockholders were Nicholas
Seybert, Andrew Shaner, Jesse Bowman,
Jacob Mack, McKinney Buckalew and John
Bastian.
William Brien's ferry being inadequate for
the demands of the public, in 1812 a bridge
company was formed, with the following of-
ficers : President, Abram Miller, Sr. ; treas-
urer, John Brown ; managers, Silas Engle,
Thomas Bowman, Elisha Barton, Jr. Theo-
dore Burr received the contract and completed
the bridge in 1814. It was 1,260 feet long,
with piers of heavy planked timber, and cost
$52,435. The bridge formed the connecting
link for the highways, and a continuous route
was thus established between Towanda and
Easton. The position of Berwick at the junc-
tion of these two roads was of immense ad-
vantage, and she dated her growth and pros-
perity from the time of their construction. An
era of building was inaugurated. Frame and
brick houses replaced the simple log structures
of the pioneers and the village began to as-
sume the aspect of a town. The first frame
dwelling built at this period, by Robert Brown,
stood on Front street until 1902, when it was
torn down, although still in a fair state of
preservation. The first brick house erected
in the town, by Honteter Seybert, in 1816,
was a tavern, named after himself. It later
received the name of "St. Charles." The pres-
ent hotel of that name is built on the site of
the old one.
EARLY INDUSTRIES
The force of the current in the Susquehanna
induced Evan Owen to build a gristmill on the
banks, in the hope of utilizing the water-
power, but the attempt resulted in failure.
John Jones was more successful in his estab-
lishment of a limekiln on the banks of the
river. He obtained his raw material from a
ledge on the island that at that time existed in
the river near the Berwick side. The site is
simply a sandbar now. The forge across the
river on Nescopeck creek added to the pros-
perity of Berwick somewhat during later
years, as did the foundry of George Mack,
located at Foundryville, about a mile north
of town.
The first assessment list gives these names
of the founders of the respective industries
and vocations in Berwick : John and Peter
Suit, coopers ; John Brown, carpenter; Aquilla
Starr, blacksmith; Benjamin Doan, tailor;
Abel Dalby, chairmaker and painter ; Jonathan
Cooper, mason ; Bush, dyer ; Henry
Traugh, tanner; Vallershamp, dentist;
Herman Inman, tinner; Sleppy & Co., gun-
smiths ; James Evans, wheelwright ;
Marshall, silversmith ; Roxanna Cartwright,
milliner; Stackhouse, butcher; Polly
Mullen, weaver; Samuel Herrin, cabinet-
maker; Col. John Snyder, saddle and harness
maker ; John Jones, lime burner.
Paul Thompson came to Berwick in 1798
and erected the first pottery for the manufac-
ture of crocks, jugs and other coarse uten-
sils, on the spot where the Methodist church
now stands. He owned a flatboat and sold his
goods along the river. His son Hugh enlarged
the pottery and ran it till 1842, when his sons,
Joseph D. and Richard, took charge. Together
they operated the pottery on an extensive
scale until 1853, and then Joseph D. Thomp-
son continued it alone until 1863, when he
closed the business, owing to lack of demand
for that kind of goods.
152
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Among the names that will be remembered
in connection with the history of Berwick
are these : Dr. Samuel Headley, Honteter Sey-
bert, Paul Thompson, Richard Smith, Mr.
Davenport, Samuel Herrin, Josiah F. Beach,
Wm. Kitchen, Dr. A. B. Wilson, Dr. Jackson,
Dr. Langdon, Thos. Coles, Sebastian Seybert,
A. Miller, Sr., Robert Smith, Charles Snyder,
Joseph Stackhouse, Lawrence Ruch, Judge
Mack, Andrew Shiner, Jonathan Cooper, Hugh
Thompson, Thomas Richardson, William
Herrin, J. W. Dietrick, John McAnall, Hud-
son Owen, Michael Frantz, Frederick Nicely,
Jesse Bowman, and Mrs. Eckert, nearly all of
whom died at an extremely old age.
Dr. Samuel Headley was one of the larg-
est landowners in Berwick. Where the rolling
mill now stands was part of his farm. Mul-
berry street was once all in his orchard. He
also owned the land from Judge Kurtz's resi-
dence up to the county line and back as far as
Fifth street, as well as the old ferry landing
on this side of the river. Christian Kunkle
owned the ferry landing on the Nescopeck
side.
MAIL SERVICE, ANCIENT AND MODERN
Berwick appears as a post village first in
1797. At that time the postmaster at Wilkes-
Barre appointed a post rider and designated
certain houses in Nescopeck and Berwick as
places for the distribution of the mails. In
1800 Jonathan Handcock carried the mail, and
several years later William Brien was ap-
pointed the first regular postmaster at Ber-
wick. In 181 1 Conrad Teter was awarded a
government contract for establishing mail
coaches between Sunbury and Painted Post.
He transferred that portion of the route be-
tween Sunbury and Wilkes-Barre to Miller
Horton, who owned the first line of coaches
between these points. In 1824 Jesse Miller
and Louis Horton assumed control of a mail
route from Baltimore to Owego, by way of
Harrisburg and Sunbury. A new era was in-
augurated. Four-horse coaches, substantial,
comfortable and attractive, rolled into Ber-
wick every day. The crack of the driver's
whip and the blast of his horn relieved the
otherwise monotonous quiet of the village.
John Jones, tavern keeper, farmer and lime
burner, also became a stage owner, operating
a line of coaches to Easton. The journey to
that point then required two days. Joshua
Dodson drove the first coach from Berwick
to Elmira, a week being required for the round
trip. Joshua Kindy was toll collector on the
Towanda road, beyond Berwick. Philip Ab-
bott and George Root were also long con-
nected with these routes of travel, the latter
driving a stage for more than forty years.
The first telegraph line was constructed
through Berwick in 1850.
The postal service kept progress with the
growth of the town. At present there are five
rural routes starting from Berwick, and the
carrier service covers the city and the sur-
rounding suburbs in a most satisfactory man-
ner. J
Following is the list of postmasters at Ber-
wick from the first: William Bryan (Brien),
appointed Jan. i, 1801 ; John Snyder, Jan. i,
181 5 ; David E. Owen, Nov. 20, 1820; Thomas
C. Foster, June 5, 1821 ; Robert McCurdy,
Jan. I, 1824; Isaiah Bahl, March 9, 1837: C. B.
Bowman, March 9, 1S42; Stephen Mansfield,
May 16, 1845; M. E. Jackson, June 25, 1846;
William B. Gardner, April 9, 1849; Adrian
Van Houten, Aug. 13, 1850; Isaiah Bahl, May
26, 1853; John J- McHenry, May 21,
1857; Levi F. Irwin, Oct. 28, 1857; John
Ruch, Aug. 17, 1858; E. G. Horn, April 22,
1867; John McAnall, Dec. 14, 1867; J. S.
Sanders, Dec. 20, 1867 ; John Ruch, March
17, 1869; Robert S. Bowman, Feb. 6, 1885;
Charles H. Dorr, May 18, 1893 ; Louis J.
Townsend, Oct. 8, 1895 ; Robert S. Bowman,
Dec. 20, 1899; J. U. Kurtz, Feb. 20, 1909;
Oscar E. Letteer, 1913.
THE STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION
Perhaps the most extraordinary event of
the early history of Berwick was the explosion
of the steamboat "Susquehanna" in 1826.
The navigation of the Susquehanna had long
been an accomplished fact so far as rafting
and flatboating were concerned, but no attempt
had been made to operate power boats further
than the forks of the north and west branches,
with the exception of a few experiments in
the way of horse-driven "arks." But the dis-
covery of steampower caused attention to be
directed to the Susquehanna by parties inter-
ested in the then great traffic thereon, and it
was deemed feasible to operate steamboats in
the trade. The Susquehanna had been de-
clared a navigable highway in 1771, and a sum
of money appropriated for its improvement.
The steamboat "Codorus" was built at York
Haven in 1825 and launched in October of
that year. She was sixty feet long, nine feet
wide, had a sheet iron hull, and drew seven
inches of water unloaded. The hold was two
and a half feet deep, two boilers supplied the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
153
steam for a ten-horsepower engine, and sev-
enty persons could be carried, thirty in the
cabin and forty on deck. Under the command
of Capt. John Elgar the boat made a success-
ful trip up the Susquehanna from Harrisburg
in March and April, 1826, up to Binghamton,
New York.
The success of the "Codorus" caused the
owners of the "Susquehanna,'" a larger boat,
to attempt the trip. The "Susquehanna,"
Captain Collins commanding, was built in
1825 at Baltimore, was eighty feet long, four-
teen feet wide, drew twenty inches when
empty, had an iron wheel, nine feet in diame-
ter, as well as an iron hull, was operated by a
ten-horsepower engine, had two boilers, and
accommodations for almost two hundred per-
sons. Her speed was ten miles an hour. The
first trip was made in 1826, and on the after-
noon of May 3d of that year an attempt was
made to pass the Nescopeck rapids, where the
Berwick bridge now stands. The current be-
ing too swift, the captain allowed the boat to
drift down until she stranded on the rocks
near the shore, about the center of the chan-
nel below the present bridge. This caused the
stoppage of the wheel, and as one of the crew
was holding down the safety valve, the strain
became too much for the crude boilers, and
one of them exploded. The boat was not seri-
ously injured, but two men were instantly
killed and several scalded badly by the escap-
ing steam. Among the passengers who es-
caped with little injury was Col. Joseph Pax-
ton, of Rupert, who thus described the ac-
cident in an article printed in a Danville pa-
per: "With our pitch pine we succeeded in
raising a full head of steam, and set off in
fine style to ascend the rapids. The strength
of the current soon checked our headway, and
the boat, flanking towards the right bank of
the river, struck a rock. I stood on the for-
ward deck with a long ash pole in my hand,
and was in the act of placing it in the water
hoping to steady her, when the explosion took
place. Two young men standing near were
blown high into the air, and I was hurled sev-
eral yards into the water. I thought a cannon
had been fired, and shot my head off." Other
fortunate passengers on the ill-fated boat were
Christian Brobst of Catawissa, William \\'ood-
side, William Colt and Sheriff Underwood of
Danville, and John Foster, ^^^illiam G. Hur-
tley and Isaiah Barton of Bloomsburg. The
injured were borne to a warehouse near the
river bank and tenderly cared for by the peo-
ple of Berwick, the uninjured went to their
ways, while the dead were laid at rest in the
cemetery near the present Berwick Store.
Some of the victims of the explosion were
taken to the old brick building at the corner of
Front and Mulberry streets, which was at that
time a public tavern. The ballroom on the
second floor was covered with bales of cotton
saturated with oil and in this the suft'erers
were rolled. The stains of the oil are on the
floor to this day. The house now owned by
Mrs. Anne Jackson was also opened to the
injured, who were given every attention by her
people. Near the entrance gate of the ceme-
tery are the graves of the two principal victims
of the explosion, the tombstones being of sand-
stone, crudely carved with quaint lettering and
ornamentation, the inscriptions being as fol-
lows :
CALEB WHITMANS— Aged 24 Yrs.
This dust and ruin that remain
Are presious in his eyes,
These ruins shall be built again
And all that dust shall rise.
JOHN TURK— Aged 23 Yrs.
Farewell to all my dearest friends,
I rest me here from pain
I hope when christ shall call me hence
To see you all again.
The attempt of the "Susquehanna" deterred
other boats and the navigation of the river was
abandoned for all time. The agitation for the
building of the canal was taken up afresh and
by 1828 sufficient funds had been accumulated
to make the project a success.
NORTH BRANCH CANAL
The first work on the Pennsylvania canal
system in the central portion of the State was
inaugurated at Berwick by the breaking of
ground, July 4, 1828. The occasion was made
one of iinposing ceremonial. A procession of
all the societies and organizations of the town
and the local and visiting officials, headed by
Col. N. Hurlbut of Wilkes-Barre and William
G. Hurley of Bloomsburg, as marshals, pa-
raded the streets towards their destination, the
point near the river bank selected for the first
operations of digging. First came Dr. Whip-
ple, the chief engineer of the work, with two
assistants. Next, Nathan Beach of Beach
Grove, holding the handles of a plow, the oxen
dragging it being driven by John Lockhart of
Salem. Then followed Jesse Bowman of
Briarcreek and John L. Butler of Wilkes-
Barre, pushing wheelbarrows ; Alexander
154
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Jameson of Salem and Arnold Colt of Wilkes-
Barre, carrying spades. The Berwick Infantry,
under Col. John Snyder, and the Luzerne
County Cornet Band, followed.
The first earth was thrown out by Gen.
Daniel Montgomery of Danville and Judge
Hollenback of Wilkes-Barre. After the cere-
monies it was intended to have a dinner on the
river bank for all the crowd, but a severe
downpour prevented this, so the repast was
served in the "Cross Keys Tavern," only part
of the assembly being provided for, although
the rooms of the tavern were crowded to the
utmost.
The building of the canal did much to in-
crease the growth of the town, but it scarcely
improved its moral tone, for in 1830, when the
first boat passed through, there were fourteen
drinking places in the village. After the open-
ing of the canal many of the workmen who
had assisted in the construction remained and
made their homes in Berwick, thus adding a
large Irish strain to the German of the first
settlers.
When the canal was finally abandoned the
Dela-ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad
Company in 1904 filled up the bed, covering
the old locks of stone completely. It is in-
teresting to conjecture the opinions of the ex-
plorers of the next century who may uncover
these stone remains and find the old corner-
stone at the bottom of a deep excavation.
As an illustration of the growth of Berwick,
brought about mainly by her manufactories, it
will be noted that the population in 1840 was
452; in 1850, but 486; in i860, it had only
reached 625; in 1870 the growth of the Jack-
son & Woodin Company had caused it to in-
crease to 923, and by 1880, so rapid had been
the growth of the plant, the town's population
was 2,094. In 1890 the population was 2,701 ;
in 1900 it was 3,916; and in 1910, 5,357.
STORES AND BUILDINGS
As the population gradually increased their
wants were correspondingly catered to by
storekeepers and mechanics. John Jones
opened the first store about 1800, and was soon
followed by William Brien, at his hotel.
George Payne and Thomas Richardson came
from Boston in 1807 and opened mercantile
establishments, the former at the corner of
Market and Second streets, and the latter on
the west side of Second street, between Mar-
ket and Mulberry.
Others who had business establishments in
the period between 1830 and 1886 were:
Matthew McDowell, J. & A. Miller, Wright &
Slocum, Robert McCurdy, J. & E. Leidy,
Stowers & Ellis, J. & J. Bowman, Clark, John
Deily, Samuel Scoville, Rittenhouse & Shu-
man, Headley, McNair & Co., and George
Lane.
RAILROADS
So great was the traffic attracted by the
canal that in 1858 the Lackawanna & Blooms-
burg railroad was built through the county,
thus adding to the transportation facilities. In
1882 the North & West Branch railway be-
came a factor of importance in the transporta-
tion field. It is located on the opposite side
of the river from Berwick, and is now part of
the Pennsylvania system. The last steam
railroad to enter the town, the Susquehanna,
Bloomsburg & Berwick, was built in 1903.
Electric roads connect Berwick with Nesco-
peck, Bloomsburg, Danville, Catawissa, and
the smaller towns intervening.
POPULATION
An old history of 1847 states that Berwick
then contained about one hundred dwellings, a
Methodist church, an academy, several stores
and taverns, and had about eight hundred in-
habitants.
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS
The list of firms doing business ifi Berwick
in 1 914 is as follows :
Department Stores — Berwick Store Com-
pany, Philadelphia Bargain House, Joseph M.
Schain.
General Merchandise — A. H. Baer, H. B.
Dodson, Garrison Bros., Harter & Son, Har-
ter & White, M. C. Hetler, F. A. Hippensteel,
James Lee, J. A. Rhodes, J. M. Schain, S. L.
"Seesoltz, Shiner Bros., J. C. Stone, Williams
Bros., C. B. Wilson.
Grocers — S. Aimetti, Charles Battista, C. A.
Benscoter, Vitale Bevilacqua, Tohn Cordora,
Thomas Cretella, Daroczi & Kish, Bruce H.
Hartman, E. H. Harvey, M. W. Hicks, W. C.
Keller, A. Kromo, Alfonso Marsicano, I. Mit-
tleman, John C. Oberdorf, J. W. Roberts, Cos-
imo Sacco, F. M. Smith, M. G. Smith, S. S.
Smith, John Timbrell.
Hardware — R. E. Benscoter, A. E. Bren-
ner, Harvey T. Doan.
Cigars and Tobacco — C. W. Bower, Eli Bull
& Co., George A. Confair, Diamond Cigar
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
155
I
Store, W. F. McMichael, Oscar Thornton,
United Cigar Stores Co.
Druggists — Clewell & Currin, Gould's Drug
Store, N. B. Shales, C. T. Steck, Edward A.
Steck, H. T. Waldner.
Confectioners — Boston Candy Kitchen, H.
H. Brown, George Confair, B. D. Fenster-
macher, John R. Gould, L. J. Manning, H. T.
Waldner.
Bakeries— Berwick Bakery, H. M. Fet-
terolf, W. C. Heckman. W. I. Herbine, Jant-
zen's Bakery.
Barbers — E. Bickel, H. H. Brown, James
Canouse, D. E. Lewis, J. M. Pollock, W. I.
Shrader.
Blacksmiths — Louis Dauber, C. E. Trescott,
Joseph E. Moore.
Restaurants — H. W. Prutzman, Plicks' Res-
taurant, Frank L. Wright, William F. Boyer,
George E. Clemens, S. K. Heller, Edward
Schenke, H. S. Williams.
Five and Ten Cent Stores — Robert W.
Harman, Sterling Store, F. W. Woolworth.
Florists— W. C. Brittain, D. W. Davis,
Dixon's Greenhouse, John A. Smethers &
Son.
Flour and Feed — T. M. Bomboy, John C.
Crisman & Son, H. L. Harrison & Bro., T. J.
Garrison, Howard Greenly.
Furniture — F. L. Distlehurst, Wilson Har-
ter, James Tierson.
Jewelers — S. E. Fenstermacher, W. D.
Hons, M. Sherman.
Ladies' Furnishings — Philadelphia Bargain
House, Bon Ton Bargain Store.
Liverymen — Ralph Edwards, D. W. Mitch-
ell & Son, H. O. Ruch, W. A. Sutliff, W. B.
Wright.
Lumber and Builders' Supplies — Berwick
Lumber & Supply Co., Harry Fahringer, Wil-
liam Krug, W. I. Mansfield, T- W. Sitler.
Meat Markets— C. H. Belles, E. A. Hart-
man, A. Kromo, S. L. Seesoltz, C. B. Wil-
son.
Men's Furnishings — Housenick & Co., Marx
Levy & Son, A. A. Lerch, Moss Clothing
Company.
Tailors— B. & B. Tailoring Co., Mike Broth-
ler, Bogard's Tailor Shop.
Millinery— Mrs. L. W. Hart, Mrs. G. P.
Wakefield, Bon Ton Bargain Store, Miss E.
B. De Voe.
Photographers — William J. Hertz, J. E.
Fenstemacher.
Plumbers — J. J. Clark, B. L. Eshleman &
Son, W. G. Fowler, O. W. George, Kirken-
dall & Brownson, Charles H. Smith.
Printers — Berwick Enterprise, B. F. Schol-
lenberger, Learn's Printing House, C. A.
Raseley.
Real Estate — S. W. Dickson, J. W. Evans,
S. T. Styer.
Shoe Dealers — Martin Basch, S. Bruan, Jo-
seph Badolato, L. Hofl:man, L. J. Manning,
A. B. Messersmith, R. O. Bower, H. H. Mer-
rion & Co., The $1.98 Shoe Store.
Undertakers — G. G. Baker, I. J. Hess &
Son, Kelchner, H. E. Walton.
Contractors — D. B. Beck, John Heavener,
William Krug, W. J. Mansfield, H. E. Shot-
well, C. E. Sitler, J. W. Sitler, Zeiser Bros.,
Zimmerman & Kendig.
HOTELS
One of the handsomest hotels in central
Pennsylvania is the Hotel Morton, Berwick,
of which George H. Morton is the proprie-
tor. The substantial brick building, with
seventy rooms, is located on the corner of
Front and Market streets, the site of the old
Cross Keys tavern built in early times by
John Jones.
The St. Charles Hotel, built on the site of
the original home of Evan Owen, the found-
er of Berwick, is now operated by John P.
Brenner, and is one of the best in the county.
Other hotels are the Aimetti, Algatt, Ber-
wick, Central, Columbia, Exchange, Fedora,
Bishop, Fairman, Friedman, Hanover, Reiter,
Linden, Kupsky, Alarko, Morton, Rome,
Schangler, Sponenberg, Weiss, Susquehanna.
PROFESSIONAL
The resident physicians in Berwick are Drs.
E. A. Alleman, J. H. Bowman, F. R. Clark,
Joseph Cohen, E. L. Davis, R. O. Davis, J. B.
Follmer, M. J. Freas, E. A. Glenn, W. H.
Ilensyl, P. H. Jamison, A. B. MacCrea, J. P.
Pfahler, C. T. Steck, R. E. Warntz.
The attorneys resident in Berwick are: R.
O. Brockway, Conway W. Dickson, S. W.
Dickson, W. E. Elmes, James L. Evans, A. C.
Jackson, J. G. Jayne, W. S. Sharpless.
Dentists: Drs. Paul W. Eves, B. G. Klein-
tob, H. H. Long, C. E. Schweppenheiser.
BANKS
First National Bank
Org-\nization. — During the summer of
1864 several informal meetings of the busi-
ness men of Berwick, Pa., were held with the
object of taking advantage of the National
156
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Bank Act passed by Congress Feb. 25, 1863,
and to give Berwick banking facilities which
it had lacked up to that time.- After the pre-
liminaries had been complied with, the articles
of association were drawn and signed by the
following gentlemen : M. W. Jackson, P. M.
Traugh. Jesse Bowman, M. M. Cooper, Fran-
cis Evans, F. Niceley, S. B. Bowman, A. Mil-
ler, W. H. Woodin, M. E. Jackson, William
Lamon, H. Lamon.
The request of the association to enter the
National Banking System by virtue of the
charter was granted by the comptroller of the
currency under the title of the First National
Bank of Berwick, Pa., No. 568, Sept. 21, 1864,
for a term of twenty years.
The first meeting of the stockholders was
held Sept. 21, 1864, and organized by elect-
ing Jesse Bowman president of the meeting,
and A. Miller, secretary. The stockholders
at this meeting elected the following gentle-
men to serve as directors : M. W. Jackson,
Jesse Bowman, P. M. Traugh, A. Miller, W.
H. Woodin, Francis Evans, S. B. Bowman.
The board of directors elected by the stock-
holders held their first meeting the same day
(Sept. 21, 1864) and organized by the election
of M. W. Jackson to the office of president
and M. E. Jackson to the office of cashier.
The bank commenced business with a capi-
tal stock of $50,000, which was later increased
to $75,000, at which figure it has remained.
At the first annual meeting of the stock-
holders, which was held in the banking rooms,
the first board of directors and officers were
reelected. At this time the bank showed the
following condition :
Resources
U. S. Bonds $50,000.00
Revenue Stamps 150.00
Treasury Notes 5,000.00
Due from Banks 4i-6i
Loans and Investments 12,891.09
Cash and Reserve 43,747.25
$111,829.95
Liabilities
Capital $50,000.00
Circulation 40,000.00
Due to Banks 382.56
Deposits 21,447.39
$111,829.95
At the annual meeting of the bank held
Jan. 9, 1866, M. E. Jackson resigned as cash-
ier. His resignation was accepted with regret
by the board. At this meeting M. W. Jackson
was reelected president and Mr. B. R. Davis
was elected cashier. Mr. Davis ser\'ed as
cashier of the bank until Jan. 12, 1869. At
this meeting S. C. Jayne was elected cashier,
which position he still holds. Mr. Jayne has
the distinction of sending as cashier of a na-
tional bank for a greater length of time than
probably any other cashier in the State of
Pennsylvania.
On ]\Iay 12, 1869, John W. Evans was
elected teller, resigning Nov. 30, 1875, to take
effect Jan. i, 1876.
At the annual meeting held in January,
1876, AI. W. Jackson was elected president;
S. C. Jayne, cashier; and B. F. Crispin, teller.
The death of M. E. Jackson, attorney for the
bank and a member of the board, was offi-
cially announced.
On May 3, 1880, B. F. Crispin was unani-
mously elected a director to fill a vacancy
on the board caused by the death of Clarence
G. Jackson, who died May 3, 1880; and on
March 25, 1881, F. R. Jackson was elected
a director to fill a vacancy which then existed
on the board, while S. C. Jayne was elected
to the board Jan. 8, 1884.
Extended Corpor-^te Existence. — At a
regular meeting of the board held May 27,
1884, on motion it was resolved to extend the
corporate existence of the association for
twenty years, or until 1904. The articles of
association at this time were signed by the
following stockholders: M. W. Jackson, S.
B. Bowman, C. B. Jackson, Francis Evans, F.
R. Jackson, B. F. Crispin, S. C. Jayne, Anne
Y. Glenn, Mary B. Glenn, Freas Fowler, Eu-
dora W. Hanley, Elizabeth F. Woodin, J. W.
Bowman.
At this meeting of the stockholders, Benja-
min Evans was elected a director and ser\'ed
as such during the balance of his life.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders
held in January, 1885, the following state-
ment was presented to the stockholders, show-
ing the condition at the close of business Jan.
3, 1885:
Resources
U. S. Bonds $ 53,526.25
U. S. Treasury 1.350.00
Furniture and Fi.xtures 1,500.00
Due from Banks 5,952.21
Loans and Investments 156,709.50
Cash and Reserve 38,624.53
$257,662.49
Liabilities
Capital $ 75,000.00
Surplus 40,000.00
Circulation 27,000.00
Undivided Profits 1.919-59
Due to Banks 4.584.18
Deposits 109,158.72
$257,662.49
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
157
M. W. Jackson, who had served as presi-
dent of the bank for thirty years, died July
i8, 1894. The board at its meeting held Aug.
II, 1894, elected B. F. Crispin, president, and
C. B. Jackson, vice president. Mr. Jackson
served as vice president until his death Nov.
5, 1900, and he had been connected with the
bank officially as director, attorney and vice
president for a period of twenty years. B. F.
Crispin served as president until his death in
1903.
On Aug. 3, 1903, Messrs. H. P. Field, C.
G. Crispin and M. Jackson Crispin were
elected members of the board to fill vacancies
then existing, and at the same meeting F. R.
Jackson was elected president.
The necessity of additional help was felt
during the year 1903, owing to the increased
business of the bank, and the board elected
W. J. Hehl assistant cashier Oct. 5, 1903.
The bank had now been opened for busi-
ness for almost forty years, and at a regular
meeting of the board held Aug. i, 1904, on
motion, an application was made for a new
charter, which was granted by the comp-
troller, and the corporate existence was ex-
tended for a period of twenty years from
Sept. 21, .1904.
The statement presented to the stockhold-
ers at the annual meeting held in January,
1905, was as follows:
Resources
U. S. Bonds $ 25,000.00
U. S. Treasury 1,250.00
Furniture and Fixtures 25,000.00
Due from Banks 252.51
Bonds and Investments 431,521.13
Cash and Reserve 76,448.33
. ... $559,471-97
Liabilities
Capital $ 75,000.00
Surplus 50,000.00
Circulation 25,000.00
Undivided Profits 30.282.56
Due to Banks 7,597.i8
Deposits 371 ,592.23
$559,471-97
F. R. Jackson, president of the bank, died
June 22, 1909, after a service of twenty-seven
years as director and six years as president.
The board at a meeting held July 22, 1909,
elected as president M. Jackson Crispin, and
Messrs. Francis Evans and C. G. Crispin as
vice presidents, Mr. Evans it might be noted
being the only living director of the original
board. .A.t this meeting F. E. Brockway was
elected director to fill a vacancy on the board.
Three Generations Presidents. — M.
Jackson Crispin, the present president, is a
son of the late B. F. Crispin, and a grandson
of M. W. Jackson. Thus it will be seen that
three generations of the same family have
served as president of the institution.
It might be well to note that during the fifty
years the First National Bank of Berwick has
been oi>en for business it has passed through
periods of panics and depression unscathed.
The deposits have increased consistently and
remarkably, indicating the confidence mani-
fested by the public. A glance at the state-
ments incorporated herewith will show that
the resources have doubled in each period of
twenty years. This is a record of which the
stockholders may well be proud.
ST.\TEMENT MARCH 4, I914
Resources
U. S. Bonds $ 25,000.00
U. S. Treasury 1,250.00
Real Estate, F. & F 25,000.00
Other Real Estate 1.500.00
Overdrafts 896.44
Due from Banks 5,212.69
Loans and Bonds 1,020,411.25
Cash and Reserve 154,425.17
$1,233,695-55
Liabilities
Capital $ 75,000.00
Surplus 100,000.00
Circulation 25,000.00
Undivided Profits (net) 32,309.66
Unearned Interest 28.970.14
Due to Banks 3.270.68
Deposits 969,145.07
$1,233,695-55
The bank began to pay dividends June i,
1865, and has continued to pay dividends with
regularity.
The First National Bank of Berwick, Pa.,
was the first bank in Columbia county to pay
interest on time deposits. On Feb. 2, 1903,
the board resolved to pay 3 per cent, per an-
num on time deposits. This was an important
factor in stimulating the savings habit in the
community and resulted in greatly increased
deposits.
The success of the bank has been due to
the fact that it has been conducted along the
most consen'ative lines and with one object in
view — the mutual benefit of the stockholders
and the public.
A strong financial institution is the Berzvick
National Bank, organized April 3, 1902, with
a capital stock of $50,000 and a surplus of
$12,500. The first officers were: C. C. Evans,
president; S. W. Dickson, vice president; B.
D. Freas, cashier. This bank is located in
the Dickson building, one half of the first
floor having been specially constructed for it.
158
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
handsomely fitted up, and admirably adapted
to the needs of the business.
The Benvick Savings & Trust Company
was founded to fill the want of a savings bank
for the workers of Berwick, and it has grown
into strong popular favor. Business was be-
gun in 1903 with a capital stock of $125,000,
paid in, and the following were the first offi-
cers: S. W. Dickson, president; O. F. Fer-
ris, Isaiah Beaver, vice presidents ; B. D.
Freas, treasurer; C. C. Evans, solicitor. Di-
rectors: H. F. Glenn, H. R. Bower, J. M.
Schain, J. U. Kurtz, W. W. Hanly, F. A. Wit-
man, M. M. Harter, C. C Evans, Duval Dick-
son, B. H. Dodson, W. F. Lowry, J. J. Myers,
R. H. Davenport, O. F. Ferris. C. D. Eaton,
Isaiah Bower, F. Carkins, F. E. Brockway,
J. E. Smith, J. L. Evans, S. W. Dickson.
The bank is located in the Dickson build-
ing, and conducts a general banking busi-
ness, while the trust department acts as ex-
ecutor, administrator, guardian and trastee,
and in all other fiduciary capacities.
The Berwick Building and Loan Associa-
tion was organized in 1894 and has done a
good work in enabling persons of small means
to acquire homes. In 1914 the association
had $65,625 outstanding on mortgages; $6,185
on association stock; a net profit of $4,019 for
the year, and 967 shares outstanding. The net
profits from the time of organization were
$28,782. The capital authorized by the char-
ter is $500,000. The officers for 1914 are:
A. D. Seely, president; James E. Smith, vice
president ; John W. Evans, treasurer ; John H.
Smethers, secretary ; James L. Evans, solicitor.
Directors: B. D. Freas, Frank Shive. James
L. Evans, C. C. Lockhart, A. D. Seely, John
A. Kepner, P. C. Currin, Charles F. Hartman,
James E. Smith.
OFFICIALS OF BERWICK
Berwick was incorporated as a borough Jan.
29, 1818, but the names of the first officers
have become buried in the archives of the
past, too deep for the writer to unearth.
The officials in 1914 are: F. R. Kitchen,
burgess ; C. E. Sitler, C. E. Ross, W. T. Stout,
Thomas Morton, William Raup. E. A. Glenn,
Elliott Adams, councilmen. The city hall is lo-
cated on Second street.
WEST BERWICK
A petition presented Sept. 2, 1901, was ap-
proved on Sept. 5th, and on Dec. 9th the final
decree was made declaring West Berwick a
borough. There were then seventy-five free-
holders within the limits of the town. An
election was ordered held in February, 1902,
but on the 3d of that month the court an-
nulled the decree on the ground that all the
requirements of the law had not been com-
plied with. A new petition was filed, and on
May 10, 1902, the borough was declared to
be legally established, the election day being
fixed as June 24th. The election resulted as
follows : Eli Sherwood, burgess ; J. M. Fair-
child, John Dodson. Walter Hughes, J. C.
Sponenberg, Clark Heller, William Zerinden,
councilmen ; Jacob Smith, Samuel Hess, O. F.
Ferris, George E. Laub, R. Funk, C. G. Cris-
man, school directors ; Wilson Bond, Chester
Marr, overseers of the poor. On Sept. 7, 1905,
the borough was divided into two wards.
The officials for 1914 are: Chief burgess,
C. W. Freas ; members of council, D. R. Far-
rell, George Knecht, Harry Rasley, Wesley
Fairchild, C. W. Helt, James Levan ; poor
overseers, Frank Creasy, Chester Marr ;
justices of the peace, Frank Fenstermacher,
Samuel Grouse.
The West Berwick city hall is a frame
building, erected in 1903. The upper part is
used for council meetings and the lower floor
for the fire department.
BERWICK WATER COMPANY
The Berwick Water Company, one of the
oldest incorporated companies doing a pub-
lic service business in the eastern part of
Pennsylvania, dates its beginning as a char-
tered service company with the founding of
the borough of Berwick, within the territory
of which it has carried on its operations—
a contemporary indeed of the borough; for
the town of Berwick settled in 1786 was in-
corporated as a borough by act of Assembly
Jan. 29, 1 81 8. while the Berwick Water Com-
pany was incorporated Jan. 27, 1818.
Following the passage of the act provid-
ing for the incorporation of the company the
promoters of the enterprise began to secure
subscriptions to its capital. "A suitable book,"
as directed in the act, was provided and is
still in existence among the archives of the
company, in which the subscriptions of some
sixty persons are recorded in the original
handwriting. Among the names appears those
of many of the progenitors of the citizens of
this vicinity, for example: John Brown, Sam-
uel Headley, Thomas, Jesse and Christopher
Bowman, Samuel Jackson, Robert McCurdy,
Thomas C. Foster, Amassa Burlingame, John
Cooper. Hugh Thompson, Evan Owen, George
Mack, .'^amuel Herrin.
The incorporators early set about putting
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
159
in operation their corporate privilege, namely :
that of "introducing water into the borough by
means of pipes, trunks or acqueducts." A
water main constructed of good-sized logs,
bored with a four-inch diameter opening, fitted
and coupled with iron bands, was laid from
the town out Market street along the road to
a stream near the little village of Foundry-
ville, the water from this stream entering Briar
creek, impounded and tapped and thus con-
veyed into the town. For several years this
system of supply was kept in operation, but
as the population increased it eventually
proved inadequate, for according to the testi-
mony of older citizens who recall this pipe
line the logs would become clogged or ob-
structed. The pipe itself became rotten, the
different kinds of logs used at times making
repairs difficult and unsatisfactory. This con-
dition probably contributed to the need for
securing water elsewhere, for it is also a mat-
ter of history that children of that day were
frequently sent to the springs in the river
below the old dug road and carried the water
therefrom to supply the family needs. The
quality and quantity of water in these springs
being of the best, the use evidently was very
early suggested to the citizens of that time,
and they early became the property of the
Berwick Water Company. The water was
pumped into the mains by means of water-
power at the waste- weir at the locks at Ber-
wick. "The Works" were thus established
prior to the year 1848.
In 1852 the Legislature extended to the
Berwick Water Company the right previously
granted the Hydraulic Company of the bor-
ough of Berwick to use the waterpower at this
waste-weir. This old method of pumping
water by means of an old-type turbine or
water-wheel was continued with more or less
change and improvement until the late sev-
enties ; for "water wheel and pumping ma-
chinery'' appears in the balance sheets of
that day as one of the valued assets of the com-
pany.
Some time prior to the Civil war, on land
still owned by the company on Second and
Chestnut streets, a reservoir was constructed
for storage. In 1883 a seven and a half
foot standpipe was added to this reservoir, and
its use was continued until about 1890, when
the reservoir at Glen Brook was completed.
Following the era in which log pipe was used
the company constructed other conduits or pipe
lines of cement, and in late years these old
log and cement pipes have been at times ex-
cavated by the company's workmen. It is in-
teresting to know the manner of construc-
tion of this old cement pipe : A 2-inch wrought
pipe was covered with a layer of cement of
the thickness of two or more inches, and over
this cement covering a layer of sheet iron
was placed and secured by bands of iron.
When this cement had hardened sufficiently
the 2-inch pipe was withdrawn and the ce-
ment construction was in condition for lay-
ing.
Cast iron pipe in varying sizes, 2, 3, 4 and
6-inch, succeeded this old log and cement pipe.
In 1883, when the late George Depew be-
came superintendent of the company, an in-
ventory submitted by him to the board of man-
agers established the fact that the company
had four and three quarters miles of pipe lines,
all sizes.
The car and manufacturing business located
in the borough developed with great strides
after the Civil war and with this growth in
business the demands upon the water com-
pany's capacity to supply water became acute,
and in turn the company was put to the neces-
sity of meeting the increased demands for
water. Some time in 1884 and 1885 a stand-
pipe was erected at Market and Third streets,
primarily to accommodate the Jackson &
Woodin Company. In 1899 and 1900 a reser-
voir was constructed on property located in
Briarcreek and Salem townships, at the junc-
tion of the Wolfinger and Cope creeks, which
gave capacity for the storage of 15,000,000
gallons of water. This is now known as the
Glen Brook resenoir. The reservoirs at Glen
Brook were known as No. i and No. 2. This
in turn was followed by the construction of
another reservoir in Salem township, on the
Varner creek, in 1895, known as the Salem
reservoir. No. 3, having a capacity of some
3,000,000 gallons.
The pumping equipment had always been
kept in proper condition to operate in con-
junction with the storage supply at Glen Brook
and Salem reservoirs, and for a period of
approximately fifteen years had met the de-
mands of a growing population.
In 1899, the large manufacturing interests
of the town having been incorporated in the
American Car and Foundry Company and a
boom in general business following, Berwick
experienced a great increase in population.
The new steel car plant, new foundries, ma-
chine shops and mills provided work for from
five thousand to six thousand men. with a de-
pendent population of twenty thousand to
twenty-five thousand people in the boroughs of
Berwick, West Berwick and Nescopeck. In
1908 and 1909 a very large addition to the
storage capacity at Glen Brook was construct-
160
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ed, the old reservoirs excavated and enlarged,
and a new reservoir built to impound a quan-
tity of 75,000,000 to 80,000,000 gallons. In
1906 a 20-inch main was laid from the
reservoirs some three miles, connecting with
mains at the north end of Market street and
Freas avenue. This provided the requisite pres-
sure for fire protection and distribution of the
increased supply. Upon the building of the
steel plant at the west end of the borough
limits, and extending into Briarcreek township,
the new borough of West Berwick came into
corporate existence. In 1892, prior to the be-
ginning of the new borough, the West Ber-
wick Water Supply Company was incorpo-
rated and pipe lines laid throughout the town
of West Berwick. Increase of population to
the east and north of the old borough limits
of Berwick made further demands upon the
company's water supply, and at that time the
supply companies were organized : West Salem
Water Supply Company and Briar Creek
Water Supply Company were incorporated in
1903 and 1904, respectively. The Nescopeck
Water Supply Company was incorporated to
supply water to the inhabitants of Nescopeck
in March, 1894, the water mains from Ber-
wick being connected by a line through the
Susquehanna river, approximately 1,300 feet
in length. These supply companies are con-
trolled and operated by the Berwick Water
Company.
The erection of a new filter plant on the
property of the company alongside of the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad
Company's tracks at the foot of Market street
was begun in 1913 and at this date (1914) is
in operation and is furnishing filtered water
for the boroughs. The pumping equipment is
undergoing changes, the pumping capacity is
more than doubled, and is to be operated by
electricity. The company has its own labora-
tory, and frequent examinations of water in
compliance with the present day demands are
made.
The company has always been well financed.
From the earliest to the present dividends have
been paid with regularity upon the capital in-
vested, while the fixed interest charge on the
bonded indebtedness of the Berwick and West
Berwick companies has always been paid with
punctuality. The tangible assets of the com-
pany are easily twice the amount of the in-
debtedness. From the report made to the
Water Commission of Pennsylvania the pipe
mileage exceeds thirty-two miles. Water pres-
sure is from eighty-five to ninety pounds, and
affords ample fire protection.
Prominent citizens of this section have in
the past been identified with the upbuilding
of the property, and we find mention in the
old records of : Morrison E. Jackson, Jesse
Bowman, Mordecai W. Jackson, Seth B. Bow-
man, F. Nicely, William H. Woodin, Sr., H. C.
Freas, John W. Evans, G. L. Reagan, C. H.
Zehnder, S. P. Hanly, S. C. Jayne, Freder-
ick H. Eaton, Wm. H. Hager, W. H. Woodin,
Jr., C. D. Eaton, W. W. Hanly, Capt. F. E.
Brock way.
The present board of managers consists of :
Clarence G. Crispin, vice president of the
First National Bank of Berwick ; Hon. Chas.
C. Evans, president judge of the Twenty-sixth
Pennsylvania Judicial district ; W. S. Johnson,
general superintendent of the American Car
and Foundry Company at Berwick; Howard
C. Wick, and M. J. Crispin.
The officers of the company are: C. G.
Crispin, president ; C. C. Evans, vice presi-
dent ; F. A. Witman, secretary and treasurer.
J. S. Hicks, who succeeded George Depew,
referred to elsewhere in this article, is the
very efficient superintendent of the company's
operations.
From log and cement pipes to 24-inch cast
iron mains and laterals extending over thirty-
two to thirty-five miles of territory and
equipped with controlling valves ; from the old-
style turbine water-wheel to electrically driven
centrifugal pumps ; from simple diversion of
a stream into a log pipe line to the modern
reservoirs constructed to impound upwards
of a hundred million gallons, as well as other
conditions that might be contrasted, measures
the activities of a company whose history
lacks only three years of reaching the century
mark.
FIRE PROTECTION
The first fire company of Berwick was the
Fearless, organized May 20, 1880, as a volun-
teer company. They purchased a hand en-
gine, two hose carriages and 350 feet of hose.
The officers were: R. W. Oswald, president;
S. W. Dickson, treasurer; J. W. Fry, secre-
tary; W. M. Boyles, foreman. This company
was disbanded in a few years, the Rangers
inheriting the fire apparatus. In 1914 there
are three fire companies in the borough.
The Rangers have a handsome club house
on East Front street, and use the old frame
Lutheran church as an engine house. Their
improvements upon the property have in-
creased its valuation to over $9,000.
The Reliance Fire Company has a fine brick
building on South Mulberry street, erected in
1903.
*i
A^JSp
.■ '/"eWSf :»1»', C ft ft WHEtt- SKOpV
TrHjE:: J^^jC,l^sSlQiN! K,- W/Q 0)D)l;l>lj !yiJ^\IN!t)tFA.,Efrrl)!^IN G! (EJQ).^
betrwich Pc^
C C ^ AC^SO^■ Vice PK
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
161
The Defender Hose Company has a brick
building of its own on Sixth street.
West Berwick Hose Company has a frame
home on West Front street. All of these fire
companies use the water from the mains for
fire purposes, as it has ample pressure for the
purpose.
LIFE STORY OF A GREAT INDUSTRY
The growth of the town of Berwick and
the prosperity and happiness of its people are
so closely associated with the great car works
there, which grew from a small foundry,
owned by two men, into the present gigantic
establishment, employing thousands, that the
story of one is the history of the other. With-
out this industrial development, brought about
by the energy and farsightedness of these two
men and their successors, Berwick might yet
be a village of but a few hundred inhabitants.
The foundations of the present immense
plant were laid in 1840, when Mordecai W.
Jackson and George Mack erected on the cor-
ner of Third and Market streets a foundry,
25 by 40 feet, with a small shed in the rear,
for the manufacture of agricultural imple-
ments. The firm remained Jackson & Mack
until 1843, when Mr. Jackson purchased
Mack's interest and took into partnership Rob-
ert McCurdy, adding to the manufacture of
agricultural implements that of hollowware.
About fifteen men were then employed, four
horses furnishing the power for running the
blower and lathe, the only machinery then in
use. Col. Clarence G. Jackson, afterwards
president of the company, was then a boy of
seven, and drove the horses that supplied the
power.
In 1846 the firm of Jackson & McCurdy was
dissolved and M. W. Jackson continued the
business alone, adding to the foundry a black-
smith shop, under the charge of Louis Enke,
and commencing the btiilding of heavy wagons.
In 1S40 William Hartman Woodin, who
had established a furnace and foundry at
Foundryvillc in 1847 ^^r the manufacture of
stoves and plows, united with Mr. Jackson,
and thus the famous firm of Jackson &
Woodin was born. Mr. Jackson was an ex-
pert mechanic and a fine manager of men,
while Mr. Woodin was a broad-gauge man,
possessing farsightedness and selling ability
that soon made the firm prominent in the local
field and in time placed them foremost in
their line among the manufacturers of the
State. A small machine shop was added to
the plant, the horses supplanted by an up-
right steam engine, and the manufacture of
U
the "Robb" stove, with open grate; a round
stove, with a bake oven on top, and the old-
time "Bull" plow, were undertaken. Tinware
and spouting were also made. The force was
increased to twenty-five men, and in 1850
the contract was taken to cast the pipes for
the Berwick waterworks, between five hun-
dred and one thousand pounds of iron being
melted in a day.
Rapid expansion followed, and in 1855 the
firm was making castings for the Lackawanna
& Bloomsburg Railroad Company, of which
Mr. Jackson was then a director and super-
intendent. Mill gearing and stationary en-
gines were also made, and in 1858, a con-
tract being taken to furnish the bridge cast-
ings for the Philadelphia & Erie railroad, an
addition was built to the foundry, about a
ton of iron melted in a day, and fifty men
were given employment.
In the fall of 1861 an order was received
for the building of twenty cars of four wheels
each, for the use of G. W. Creveling in his
limestone quarry at Espy, Columbia county.
To prepare for this (then) large order a
shed about nine feet high, in which the plows
were formerly painted, was boarded up, and
from this primitive car shop the first cars
were turned out. Two men were employed
on this branch of the work, and they suc-
ceeded in producing but one car a week.
The material was mortised, planed and framed
by hand, holes being cut in the roof to per-
mit the insertion of the iron rods into the
frames. During the following summer small
lots of cars were built, sometimes two a week,
the wheels being pressed onto the axles by
means of a hand press.
In 1862 some machinery was advertised for
sale at the car works at Taylorville, Luzerne
county, and Mr. Woodin attended the sale,
there buying a crosscut saw, a fifteen-foot one-
side bed planer, a tenoning machine, a hy-
draulic wheel press, and other pieces. These
he stored in a barn until needed. The pur-
chase proved extremely fortunate, for in a
short time a contract came in for the con-
struction of one hundred cars for H. S. Mer-
cur & Co., Pittston. Anxious to complete the
order in the time set, the saw was brought
from the barn and attached to an inch-and-a-
half line-shaft. This was a wise move, and
proved such an advantage that in a short time
the planer and wheel press were also set up
and attached to the line-shaft. Thus was the
first machinery solely for the manufacture of
cars in Berwick set in motion. The tenoning
machine was next set up, and the work pro-
ceeded so rapidly that five four-wheel cars
162
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
were completed in one week. Finally one
car a day became the capacity of the plant,
Mr. Woodin remarking that they "didn't want
to build more than one car a day." But so
well did matters progress that additions were
made to the machine shop, foundry, car and
blacksmith shops, a planer double the size
of the old one purchased, wooden tracks for
handling the cars laid around the works, and
two four-wheel cars were turned out in a
day.
By this time the firm of Jackson & Woodin
had acquired extensive repute as car build-
ers, and soon increased contracts called for
expansion. Another car shop, 24 by 80 feet,
was erected alongside the railroad "under the
hill," a forty-horsepower engine installed, and
two box cars were made there each day, the
repairing of old cars being done at the old
works. In 1863 another addition was made
to the car shop, increasing its capacity to six
four-wheel cars and two box cars per day.
Thus step by step the plant grew, until in
the winter of 1865-66 five or six eight-wheel
coal cars for the Philadelphia & Erie railroad
were being built every day, and about 150 men
employed.
A critical period in the history of the town
as well as the plant occurred when, on the
morning of March 17, 1866, the works were
totally destroyed by fire. A consultation was
held at the bank the following day, at which
many of the employees were present, and aft-
er a thorough discussion of the matter the
anxiously awaited decision was announced — ■
that the plant would be rebuilt. Plans for
the new buildings were at once prepared, ma-
chinery purchased, and out of the ashes arose
a better and more modem manufacturing es-
tablishment. So rapidly did the works grow
after this date that the necessary additions
soon encroached on the farm lands of M. W.
Jackson, in the rear of the plant, and in 1869
the firm was employing 550 men.
In March, 1872, the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company was organized, with
C. R. Woodin, president; C. G. Jackson, vice
president; Garrick Mallery, treasurer; M. W.
Jackson and W. H. Woodin, executive com-
mittee. The senior members of the firm then
retired from active management of the afifairs
of the company to enjoy a well-earned period
of rest, leaving their sons to continue the
work of developing the plant. The first move
of expansion then made was the building of
the "long switch," to connect the works with
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western rail-
road. This was completed in 1872, and ran
from the main line up a ninety-foot embank-
ment, with a grade of 150 feet to the mile,
to the rolling mill (then in process of con-
struction), thence into the works. Previous
to the building of this switch the finished cars
were drawn by horses through Market street
to Canal, down Canal, with a grade of 400
feet, to the railroad ; a heavy toothed drag
and a brake being used to prevent the cars
sliding down the hill.
In the latter part of 1872 the rolling mill
was completed, thus enabling the firm to make
and shape their own iron work, which had
previously been done outside, and fill orders
for the general market. From year to year
thereafter other additions were made, notable
among them being the pipe works, for the
casting of gas and water pipe.
C. R. Woodin retiring from the presidency
in 1892, C. H. Zehnder was made president
and general manager. Under his direction the
company prospered greatly. In 1896 he ten-
dered his resignation and Frederick H. Eaton
was elected to succeed him.
Upon the organization in 1899 of the Ameri-
can Car and Foundry Company Mr. Eaton
was made first vice president of the corpo-
ration, and W. H. Woodin, son of C. R.
Woodin, was appointed district manager of
the Berwick plant. On June 27, 1901, the
newly elected board of directors met in New
York and elected Mr. Eaton to the presidency
of the corporation, and W. H. Woodin as his
assistant. William F. Lowry, who had been
with the Jackson & Woodin Company for
many years, was made district manager, in
charge of the plants in Berwick and Blooms-
burg.
Many interesting stories are told of the
energy and versatility of the founders of the
works. At one time a Root blower was
broken, and the shipment of the part to the
West for repair would have incurred expen-
sive delay, owing to slow freight methods,
as the entire works depended on the opera-
tion of the blower. So Mr. Woodin took the
broken part to the factory himself, had it re-
paired, and learned there how to keep it in
repair afterward.
The old upright engine that supplanted the
horses for power in the first car works was
used for a time to run a chop mill near Espy;
then E. A. Sneidman used it to run his ma-
chinery in a blacksmith shop at Almedia.
Next the engine served as power on a coal
dredge for Hoffman & Custer, until 1912.'
They then sold it to a junk dealer at Blooms-
burg.
t
American Car and Foundry Company, Berwick, Pa. — Upper Works
Soft Foundry, Wood Car Erecting Shops, Wood Machine Shops, Pipe Foundry,
Lumber Yards. General (Jffices and lierwick Store Co. to Left. 1903
American Car and Foundry Company, Berwick. Pa. — Lower Works
Rolling ;\Iill, Smith Shop, \Mieel Foundry, Truck Shop and Paint Shops. Steel
Car Department in the Background. 1907
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
163
The Modern Car Works
When the business of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company at Berwick was
taken over by the American Car and Foundry
Company in 1899, the Berwick plant was the
largest car building concern in the eastern
part of the United States, and was serving
the principal railroads of New England and
the tier of States along the Atlantic seaboard.
There were then employed from two thousand
to two thousand five hundred workmen in the
upper and lower works. The upper works
included the car shops proper, equipped for
preparation of lumber and the building of
freight cars of wood construction, of every
variety then current upon modern railroads,
an extensive lumber yard, a foundry for the
manufacture of grey iron castings and a foun-
dry for the production of water and gas pipes
for city and town service. As an adjunct to
these an iron machine shop, fully equipped
with lathes, planers, drill presses and kindred
machinery, occupied the brick building on the
northeast corner of Third and Market streets,
now (in 1914) used as a storehouse for car
materials.
The lower works in 1899 were made up of
the rolling mill, forge shop and wheel foun-
dry, producing materials used in wood car
building and supplying outside trade.
In 1902-03 the "Big Boom" came to Ber-
wick. The railroads of the country began
to call for a freight car of all-steel construc-
tion for the transportation of coal. The Amer-
ican Car and Foundry Company gave a quick
response to that call and erected shops at St.
Louis, Detroit and Berwick, fitting them out
with the most up-to-date machinery and fa-
cilities for this new line of car building. This
meant a tremendous addition to the already
large Berwick plant. About three millions
of dollars were spent in the purchase of addi-
tional land, erection of buildings and installa-
tion of machinery. A central powerhouse,
equipped to furnish hydraulic, pneumatic and
electric power, was erected for the new steel
plant. Preparation, construction and erection
buildings of steel, brick and glass, of most
modern plans, were erected. These were 730
feet in length, with three aisles of 100 feet
width, or 300 feet. In these were set up hy-
draulic presses exerting a power of one thou-
sand tons pressure per square inch, great
shears capable of cutting steel plates one
inch in thickness by ten feet in length, power
punches planned to punch seventy-two holes
at one stroke, together with innumerable other
and smaller presses, shears, punches, drills.
riveters and what not going to make up an
up-to-date factory. Over these aisles travel
by electric power seven cranes of ten tons' ca-
pacity lift.
At the north end of the plant is situated
the storage yard for steel plates and shapes
arriving from manufacturing mills. This
yard, 200 by 300 feet, has two overhead travel-
ing electric cranes, ninety-foot span and ten-
ton lift. Thousands of tons of plates and
shapes are lifted from incoming trains of cars,
piled in the yards, and later transferred to the
shops adjacent, where the processes of shear-
ing, punching, pressing, riveting and erection
are carried on until from the other end of the
vast shop rolls a finished all-steel car with a
capacity for carrying a load of 100,000 to 150,-
000 pounds.
Supplementing the shops just mentioned,
other shops were erected at the "lower works"
— shops of steel and brick, 400 by 80 feet,
heated by steam, in which cars are painted
and lettered ; a shop 350 by 100 feet in which
wheels and axles are machined and mounted
and the completed trucks built to receive the
car bodies ; storehouses, offices for superin-
tendents and engineers, and many other build-
ings made necessary by the great operations.
Vast as the preparation was, the demand
for steel freight cars soon outstripped the ca-
pacity, so that 200 feet were added to the
length of the steel freight car shops, bringing
their length to 930 feet. With this increase
more machinery was added to powerhouse and
shop equipment.
The erection of the "steel plant" demanded
greater railroad facilities than those supplied
by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
alone, especially as that road had to be reached
over a switch two miles long down a steep
grade. The demand was met by the building
of the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick
railroad, which runs between departments of
the plant of the American Car and Foundry
Company, reducing the private switching of
cars to a minimum.
The railroads, having seen how good is a
steel freight car, must have also an all steel
passenger car. Again the Berwick plant of
the American Car and Foundry Company
answered the cry of its customers. The sub-
ways of New York contain the earliest product
along this line, delivered in 1904, while in
1905 the first all steel passenger car ever pro-
duced for standard railroad service was turned
out of these shops. Many orders from the
leading Eastern railroads were booked and
passenger car shops of Berwick plant stand-
ards, steel, brick, glass, cement floored and
164
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
steam-heated, were erected alongside the
freight car shops. The passenger car finish-
ing, equipment, painting and varnishing shops,
in part two stories, are i,oio by 130 feet.
The several departments of the works are
connected by standard railroad tracks, which
with tracks for storage measure more than
thirty miles, on which are operated four loco-
motives, two locomotive cranes and two hun-
dred railroad cars owned by the plant for the
inter-transfer of materials. Up-to-date stor-
age battery electric engines are also in service
at special points about the works.
In 1907, when railroad buying in the United
States reached its maximum, the Berwick plant
was employing 5,500 men and produced its
greatest output. In November of that year,
with twenty-five working days, a total of 2,550
cars was built, an average of 102 for each
working day, made up of all steel passenger
cars, all steel freight cars and steel under-
frames with wood superstructures. This is
equivalent to four average freight trains per
day.
During the process of continued develop-
ment to this writing in 1914 many changes
have occurred in the plants. When a fire de-
stroyed the grey iron foundry at the upper
works a new and modern foundry took its
place, located at the extreme north of the
lower works. An iron machine shop 300 by
90 feet was erected and in it grouped machin-
ery before scattered throughout other build-
ings. A nut factory fully equipped with novel
machinery, operated electrically, was erected
for the production of nuts used in the many
plants of the company, east and west, supply-
ing also outside trade.
The plant of to-day covers eighty-two acres
of land, has modern shops, equipped with ma-
chinery of highest efficiency, is the largest sin-
gle plant of the fourteen owned by the Ameri-
can Car and Foundry Company, the only one
producing both passenger and freight cars, and
embraces within itself more varied depart-
ments than any other. It has a capacity of
two finished passenger cars daily ; sixty all
steel coal cars of fifty tons' load, or their equiv-
alent in the varied cars of other designs; 600
wheels for freight cars; 300 wheels for mine
cars ; 200 tons of bar iron ; 50 tons of flanged
pipe; 100 tons of grey iron castings, forgings,
nuts and kindred products. The plant has
never known an absolute shut down, the di-
versity of products, in the dullest times, keep-
ing a comfortable percentage of workmen em-
ployed.
"Safety First" is to-day a watchword on
the lips of all superintendents and foremen.
Fifty thousands of dollars have been expend-
ed in the last two years to safeguard ma-
chinery and prevent accidents to workmen, and
the end of the expenditure is not yet. The
management hopes to attain the high point
where the works are "fool proof" in their
operation, so that even the careless may not
be in danger.
Temperance in Columbia county has its
strongest advocate and support in these works.
Men given to the drink habit are excluded and
the so-called moderate drinker finds he must
change his plan of life or look elsewhere for
employment.
Among the employees are many "Old
Timers" — the list is too long to be given in
detail in this article.
The local management and shop organiza-
tion is made up of young men, comparatively
speaking, and a very unusual fact is that the
leaders are either native Berwickians or have
been connected with the plant all of their busi-
ness careers. A few of the names, with the
positions into which they have grown through
the years, are appended :
William F. Lowry, district manager; C. G.
Crispin, assistant district manager ; William S.
Johnson, general superintendent ; Frank Faust,
superintendent car department ; J. H. Catterall,
superintendent rolling mills ; John A. Kepner,
superintendent wood shops ; L. E. Hess, super-
intendent steel car department ; J. Frank Long,
local auditor; W. J. Harris, supply agent.
The American Car and Foundry Company
The American Car and Foundry Company
was incorporated Feb. 20, 1899, in New Jer-
sey, for the purpose of manufacturing rail-
way cars and supplies, pipe and lumber. The
company manufactures cars of all types,
classes and construction ; also cast iron water
pipe, car wheels, merchant bar iron, pig iron,
castings, forgings, interior woodwork, car
floats, repair parts and various other articles
and supplies of a miscellaneous character. The
following plants have been acquired from time
to time, those marked with an asterisk being
acquired at the time of incorporation :
Bloomsburg Car Mfg. Co.. .Bloomsburg, Pa.
*Buft"alo Car Mfg. Co Buft'alo, N. Y.
Common Sense Bolster Co Chicago, 111.
*Ensign Mfg. Co Huntington, W. Va.
Indianapolis Car Co Indianapolis, Ind.
Jackson & Sharpe Co Wilmington, Del.
*Jackson & Woodin Mfg. Co.. . .Berwick, Pa.
*"Michigan-Peninsular Co Detroit, Mich.
♦Missouri Car & Foundry Co.. . St. Louis, Mo.
*Murray, Dougal & Co Milton, Pa.
m
American Car axd Fhuxdry Company, Bervvu k, Pa.
Steel Car Department — Freight and Passenger. Iron Machine Shop. Xut Factory
and Soft Foundry in the Background. 1913
Berwick Store Company's Dep.\rtment Store, Berwick, Pa.
COLUMBIA- AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
165
♦Niagara Car Wheel Co Buffalo, N. Y.
*Ohio Falls Car Mfg. Co.. .Jeffersonville, Ind.
*Pennock Bros, (dismantled) .Minerva, Ohio
*St. Charles Car Co St. Charles, Mo.
Southern Car & Foundry Co. Memphis, Tenn.
*Terre Haute Car & Mfg. Co
Terre Haute, Ind.
*The Wells & French Co Chicago, 111.
*Union Car Co Depew, N. Y.
The manufacturing plants owned and oper-
ated consist of the following: Four passen-
ger car plants; sixteen freight car plants;
eleven wheel foundries ; twelve grey iron
foundries ; two water and gas pipe foundries ;
one malleable iron foundry; one brass foun-
dry; two sawmills; three rolling mills and
forges ; an architectural wood-working mill,
and a plant for building and repairing car
floats and light capacity vessels. The works
aftd store yards cover over 530 acres of
ground.
When running to capacity the company em-
ploys over 25,000 men and its annual sales
are approximately $100,000,000. The com-
pany has purchased a large tract of land at
Gary, Ind., adjacent to the new works of the
United States Steel Corporation, -with the
view of constructing there a plant with a
daily capacity of about one hundred steel
cars.
The annual capacity of the plants is 125,-
000 freight cars; 1,500 passenger cars; 350,-
000 tons of wheels ; 300,000 tons of forgings ;
150,000 tons of castings; 300,000 tons of bar
iron; 30,000 tons of cast iron pipe; 75,000
tons of bolts and nuts ; and 30,000,000 feet of
lumber.
The American Car and Foundry Company,
combining as it did eighteen matured car-
building plants, had in it the germs of a most
successful business proposition, but the prob-
lem of consolidating and amalgamating the
diverse methods in vogue so that the maxi-
mum economies would result called for
marked executive ability. The company was
fortunate in having at its command talent of
the highest order, and under the tutelage of
W. K. Bixby, of St. Louis, who was its pres-
ident from 1899 to 1901, and of Frederick
H. Eaton, of New York, Mr. Bixby's suc-
cessor and its present president, it has realized
fully its destiny. The company stands today
the premier institution of its kind. With its
product known in every civilized country, it
is the greatest manufacturer of cars in the
world.
During the life of the American Car and
Foundry Company railroad carriers have
been revolutionized. When it came into exist-
ence 60,000-pound capacity wooden cars, with
their limited life and high repair costs, and
wooden passenger coaches with their limited
protection to passengers, were standard every-
where. The company has matured and com-
mercialized the high-capacity steel freight car
— an economic advance of inestimable value
to the railroads. It has originated and devel-
oped the non-flammable steel passenger coach,
the greatest guarantee of safety the travel-
ing public has known.
Concurrent with the technical development
of its art has taken place an equally satis-
factory development of the financial strength
of the company. New plants have been built,
old plants modernized and the entire prop-
erty built up and maintained at a high pitch
of efficiency. The varying nature of the de-
mand for its product necessitates a large work-
ing capital, which is being successfully met
by accretions from earnings from time to
time — over $13,000,000 having been added in
this way since the formation of the com-
pany. Satisfactory dividends have at the same
time been distributed to the stockholders of
the company. Aggressiveness has been tem-
pered with conservatism, resulting in an insti-
tution which is held throughout the world of
commerce to be a model industrial creation.
The capital of the American Car and Foun-
dry Company is fixed at $60,000,000 and the
number of plants in the consolidation is eigh-
teen, of which the Berwick plant is the third
largest. The general offices are in New York
City and the present officials are: Frederick
H. Eaton, president; William H. Woodin, as-
sistant to the president; J. M. Buick, W. C.
Dickerman and Clarence Price, vice presi-
dents ; William M. Hager, secretary ; S. S.
Delano, treasurer; N. A. Doyle, auditor;
Charles J. Hardy, general counsel.
The executive committee is composed of
Frederick H. Eaton, C. R. Woodin and H. R.
Duval. The directors are : Frederick H.
Eaton, Berwick ; W. G. Oakman, New York ;
S. S. Delano, New York ; Thomas H. West,
St. Louis; J. M. Buick, St. Louis; A. P. Hep-
burn, New York; E. F. Carry, Chicago; H. R.
Duval, New York; C. R. Woodin, Berwick;
Gerald Hovt, New York ; George H. Russell,
Detroit ; William H. Woodin, New York ; Wil-
liam M. Hager, Roselle, N. J.; W. N. Atac-
Millan, London, England.
BERWICK STORE COMP.\NY
Closely identified with the history of Ber-
wick, and therefore of Columbia county, is
166
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
that of the Berwick Store Company, which,
founded in a small partnership, though large
for the period, has kept pace with every
stage of the town's growth. Its business has
developed into a store of some thirty depart-
ments, with a floor space equalling if not ex-
ceeding any modern establishment in the oth-
er towns and cities within a radius of fifty
miles. The extent of this store's merchandise
distribution may be understood when it is
stated that it will sell a customer any and
everything needed for personal and house-
hold requirements.
Some time prior to the building of the
Lackawanna & Bloomsburg railroad, when
the merchant of that day traveled by packet
to the city to "'lay in his stock of goods," and
before the Civil war, the predecessor of the
Berwick Store Company, the "old grocery at
the canal," had its beginning. Located along-
side of the canal, in those days the "main ar-
tery of travel," the old building and its wharf
occupied an ideal situation. The old store
was built primarily to cater to the canal
trade, but the disposition of the owners to
enlarge their activities soon made it a center
for a wider trade. The foundryman of that
day found it necessary in "the course of trade"
to finance his business by the exchange of
groceries and dry goods for labor and the
products of the foundry; for not until the
Civil war period of the sixties did the bank-
ing system of the country assume any kind
of connected existence. The old State bank-
ing system with its uncertain currency and
scarcity of ready money made it necessary
for every man doing business to resort to
the old method of barter and trade, and such
were the conditions that made it necessary
for M. W. Jackson and W. H. Woodin, who
composed the firm of Jackson & Woodin, to
establish a store which in the process of time
was destined to a development characteristic
of many of the great business places of the
country at large.
The recollection of the little old two-story
building, across the Lackawanna & Blooms-
burg railroad tracks, near the foot of the
"old dug road," with its associations, lives in
the memory of many of the present genera-
tion.
Of the employees of the old store, there
remains in the employ of the present store
Mr. John H. Taylor. With George B. Thomp-
son, of Pittston, Pa., Joshua F. Opdyke, of
Easton, Pa., Garrick Mallery, of Philadelphia,
Pa., the late S. P. Hanly and R. G. Crispin,
he was early associated with the original Jack-
son & Woodin store.
Among the hardships and inconveniences
which attended the business of keeping store
in that period, aside from the scarcity of ready
money, it is recalled that many a time, and
particularly during the "high water of 1865,"
the cellar of the old building was flooded;
that the mackerel and mess pork floated freely
and unopposed in the depths until the "pumps
were manned" and the place drained ; also,
that the hams and shoulders stored in the
dark room on the second floor were periodi-
cally removed, inspected, and freed from the
onslaught of the germs of that day, after-
wards carefully replaced, and sold — no pure
food inspector under high government com-
mission being in reach to decree otherwise;
that the clerks with congenial associates
roomed and slept peacefully on the second
floor next to the old meat room, disturbed per-
chance only by the ripple of the "Falls of the
Susquehanna" near by.
Sometime in 1872 or 1873 the caqal store
was abandoned and its stock of merchandise
transferred to more commodious quarters in
the new building of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company on Market street,
next to the homestead of the late Hon. M. W.
Jackson. The store occupied the first floor
of the new building, while the Jackson &
Woodin Manufacturing Company's general of-
fices occupied the second floor, together with
the banking firm of Jackson, Woodin & Jack-
son. Later the Young Men's Christian As-
sociation opened rooms on the second and
third floors of this building and here first
conducted its work for young men and boys
in especially equipped reading rooms and li-
brary, the latter for that time comprising a
very well selected collection of books in charge
of Mr. Albert G. Kimberley, whose early train-
ing in the libraries of Birmingham, England,
well equipped him for the position of librarian.
Here began the annual courses of lectures and
entertainments which from the beginning to
the present have been continued over a period
embracing some thirty-five years.
In this new environment the store busi-
ness rapidly grew and became the leading
trading place for Berwick and the surround-
ing country, under the superintendence of J.
F. Opdyke and R. G. Crispin, and, for some
twenty odd years, Mr. C. C. Long; under
Mr. Long's supervision two additions were
made to the building, enlarging the facilities
for handling feed, grain and surplus stocks
of merchandise.
On Aug. I, 1 891, the old store's interest
was sold, together with the store building,
to a new partnership formed under an act
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
167
of Assembly, and continued its progress for
a brief period under the name of the Ber-
wick Store Association, Limited, its original
incorporators being W. F. Lowry, C. H. Zehn-
der, F. H. Eaton, W. H. Woodin, S. P. Hanly,
S. H. Watts.
In December, 1892, this association liqui-
dated its affairs and in its place a new part-
nership, the Berwick Store Company, Lim-
ited, came into existence.
In 1896, Mr. Long having resigned, he was
succeeded by R. H. Davenport, who had had
several years of association with the busi-
ness. A decided enlargement of the company's
operations took place at this time, it being
a period of rapid growth of the boroughs of
Berwick and West Berwick, as well as the
neighboring borough of Nescopeck across the
river. The transfer by purchase and sale of
Berwick's foundries and general car manufac-
turing business having taken place in 1899,
the boom in business and in consequence the
rapid growth in all phases of the community's
life made opportunity for the further en-
largement of the store company's establish-
ment. A new addition to the present store
building in the rear, making a total depth of
approximately 150 feet and a new office and
store room alongside of the original building,
more than doubled the original capacity and
enabled the company to add many new de-
partments.
Mr. Davenport having resigned to enter oth-
er business, the management passed in May,
1905, to W. C. Garrison, who having had large
experience in department store practice in
the West brought to the expanding business
ripe experience and ability, and as a result
the resystematizing of the business was put
into effect with marked expedition and suc-
cess. In addition, a readjustment of the ac-
counting system and the rearranging of the
store's departments, with further enlargement
and modifications of the buildings, was ac-
complished in 1905, greatly enhancing the
• value of the floor space and otherwise mak-
ing for economical operation.
The stables and warehouse of the com-
pany, situated on Bowman and Third streets
within easy access of the main store build-
ing, and occupying approximately two acres
of ground, were erected under the present
management in 1907, and comprise a very nec-
essary adjunct in the storage of merchandise;
in the selling of horses, of which seventy head
can be housed at one time ; and for the storage
of all classes of vehicles, including automo-
biles, a large and increasing volume of busi-
ness being done in the handling of automo-
biles.
The meat department does probably the
largest single business of its kind in this part
of the State. The thoroughly equipped mod-
ern abattoir, near Oak and Ninth streets,
along the tracks of the Susquehanna, Blooms-
burg & Berwick Railroad Company, erected
in 1907, also forms a part of the company's
plant. Mr. T. B. Brobst, the manager of
this department, buys a carload of cattle
every two weeks, and in season a carload
of hogs a week. Forty steers can be dressed
at one time and refrigerated.
The main store rooms have a frontage of
100 feet, large plate glass windows admit
the display of a great variety of attractive
merchandise, and the interior as well as the
window displays are marked features of the
store's publicity policy, in charge of C. J.
Gilds, the decorator.
The spacious floors encompass the activi-
ties of twenty-six departments, and the de-
partmental arrangement includes the follow-
ing classification of merchandise : Dress goods
and silks, domestics, wash goods, notions,
fancy goods, ladies' hosiery, corsets and un-
derwear, men's furnishings, infants' wear,
jewelry, stationery, drugs, groceries, hard-
ware, house furnishings, furniture, wall paper,
tobacco and cigars, candy, meats, flour and
feed, green groceries, wagons, horses, automo-
biles, coal.
A complete elevator service and a well ar-
ranged delivery system augment the conven-
iences in all the departments. Eight delivery
wagons, five meat wagons, ten coal wagons,
and six auto trucks are used in the transfer
of goods from counter to customer. The use
of the telephone in the attention given to the
Store Company's large trade is a feature that
the Store Company very early began to adopt,
and "order by telephone" has grown to be
a settled method through which the store
gives special accommodation to its customers.
Frequent renewals and repairs to the Store
Company's buildings and equipment operate
to keep the properties in a well maintained con-
dition, for the convenience of customers and
the anticipation of their requirements.
The refrigerator plant in the main building,
with five or six large refrigerators for the
storage of meats, fruits and vegetables, is
kept continuously in operation. For the up-
keep of the property, the refrigerating ma-
chinery, light and heating, etc., an engineer
and carpenters are constantly employed.
The volume of business done enables the
company to buy in large quantities at first
168
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
hand, and thus always insures to the cus-
tomers the freshest, newest and best goods at
the lowest available prices ; for instance, sugar
is bought in carload lots ; canned goods are
contracted for before the vegetables are actu-
ally planted, and large shipments are received
and find their way to the company's ware-
house. This can be said also about flour and
feed and other merchandise largely con-
sumed.
The above narrates in a historical way the
beginning, changes and growth of a business
the e.xact counterpart of which it would be
difficult to find ; the early situation as to the
manner of conducting trade that surrounded
the efforts of the founders of Berwick's
large business enterprises and the logic in
holding on and developing a well earned and
established place.
The purpose and policy of the Berwick
Store Company as announced in its advertise-
ment, namely, to furnish "everything to every-
body," states its principle to present its mer-
chandise to everyone in clean and attractive
condition and in courteous and expeditious
manner ; customers have always been given
full value at right prices. Fresh goods are
always kept on hand, and the store stands
ready to return cheerfully the money paid for
goods which for any reason have not proved
satisfactory.
The popularity of the store is attested by
the attendance on the special sale occasions
by residents from surrounding towns and the
large territory contributing to the town's gen-
eral business.
The oldest employee in the service of the
company is Mr. John H. Taylor, who has
been connected with the business, as previous-
ly stated, since the early days at the foot of
the "old dug road" on Canal street. Others
who have seen many years of service in the
company's employ are Messrs. Oscar E. Mc-
Bride and Harry M. Evans.
In November, 191 1, the limited partner-
ship under the title of the Berwick Store Com-
pany, Limited, passed out of existence by
sale to the newly incorporated company, the
present Berwick Store Company, the per-
sonnel of this concern being: W. C. Garrison,
president and manager; F. A. Witman, treas-
urer and secretary; R. L. Kline, credit mana-
ger; C. E. Ferris, assistant manager; C. J.
Gilds, artist and decorator; T. B. Brobst, man-
ager meat and automobile departments.
The United States Lumber & Supply Com-
pany, a Virginia corporation, which has a
branch office in Berwick, has here a fine four-
story planing' mill and lumber yard, to sup-
ply the local trade in building materials. A
two-story novelty plant is attached, in which
many articles used by builders are made. The
yards and buildings are on Second street.
The Standard Shirt Factory in the north
end of Berwick, owned by I. B. Abrams, is
two stories in height, electrically operated, em-
ploys seventy-five people and produces five
hundred dozen fine shirts weekly. The fac-
tory was established here in 1902 by Mr.
Abrams, in a small building, but in three years
had outgrown its quarters to enter the pres-
ent fine building.
The Berwick Silk Throiuing Mill of the
Universal Industrial Association, a New York
concern, is located in West Berwick. It was
formerly the Baer Silk Mill, until 1914. About
sixty employees are engaged in the manufac-
ture of silk yarn. The building is of brick,
three stories in height, and is one of the prin-
cipal industrial establishments of the borough.
Edward J. Hartman, son of the founder of the
mills at Danville, is the present manager of
the Berwick mill.
The Berwick Granite and Marble Works
were established in the town in 1870 by Levi
Kurtz, and are now in the control of his son,
J. U. Kurtz. Mr. Kurtz is an exceptionally
artistic carver and designer, and his work is
to be found all over this section of the State.
He erected the soldiers' and sailors' monu-
ment at Bloomsburg.
SCHOOLS
The early history of the Berwick schools
will probably never be told, for time has
erased all evidences of the old buildings, and
those whose memories bore records of the
old-time teachers and their pupils have also
passed away.
The first recorded school in Berwick was
opened by Isaac Holoway in the brick Quaker
meeting house. From that time until 1837
this and the market house were the only
buildings used for purposes of education.
Prominent among the teachers of the period
prior to 1818 were David E. Owen, son of
the founder of Berwick. Drs. Dutlon and Roe,
David Jones and James Dilvan. Between 1818
and 1837 the teachers were Rev. Mr. Crosby,
Simon Haik and Messrs. Comstock, Hoyt and
Richards.
Berwick Academy, "for the education of
youth in the English and other languages, and
in the useful arts and sciences and literature,"
was incorporated June 25, 1839, the trustees
being Marmaduke Pearce, John Bowman,
Thomas McNair, A. B. Wilson, George Mack
and A. B. Shuman. Rev. John R. Rittenhouse
Old Methodist Church AxNd Academy,
Berwick, Pa., in 1840
1'riexds" ^Ieetixg House, Catawissa. Pa., Erected in 1775
Passenger Boat on the Pennsvlv.vnia C.\.nal in i8C)8
First Jackson & W'oodin Store on the
River and Canal — Taken in 1865,
During High Water
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
169
and Miss Jones, of Troy, N. Y., were the
first teachers. George Waller and Joel E.
Bradley were also among the instructors con-
nected with this institution during its thirty-
three years of existence. A frame building
for the academy was erected in 1839 ^Y
Thomas Connelly on the site of the old mar-
ket house, but was removed in 1873 and the
proceeds applied to school purposes. The
languages, sciences, higher mathematics,
music, drawing and painting were taught, and
the academy ranked as a very fine educational
institution.
The Market street school building was
erected in 1870. In 1875 the Sixth street addi-
tion was built, and in 1893 the Fifth street end
was added. The directors under whose care
the present handsome edifice was completed
were: J. U. Kurtz, C. C. Evans, Dr. A. B.
MacCrea, W. F. Rough, John W. Evans, C. C.
Fenstermacher.
The Berwick Academy was abandoned in
1870 and the classes were removed to the
Market street schoolhouse. This school grad-
uated its first classes in 1871. In January,
1887, the high and grammar grade pupils en-
tered the (then) new high school building on
Third street. The school at Foundryville
which had supplanted the one taught previ-
ously in the old Quaker church was installed
in the Market street building, which accommo-
dated all grades up to the sixth, inclusive.
The Market street schoolhouse accommo-
dated all the grades and the high school until
1886. In that year C. R. Woodin donated
the lots on Third street upon which the pres-
ent high school stands, and the main portion
of the building was then erected. The classes
were moved from the Market street school in
the fall of 1886, and in June, 1887, the first
class was graduated, under the principalship
of Professor Clark.
The addition to the high school was made
in 1901. The school directors of that time
were: Dr. F. P. Hill, Thomas Sherwood, S.
W. Dickson, H. E. Walton, J. E. Smith, W. S.
Johnson.
From 1887 to i8go the principal of all the
schools had personal supervision over the
Market street school. Since the removal of
the high school in 1890 the principals of the
Market street school have been as follows :
Lloyd Bullard, 1890-93 ; Orval H. Yetter,
1893-94; A- U. Lesher. 1894-1912; Eckley
Hoyt, 191 2 to the present time.
The Chestnut street schoolhouse was
erected in 191 1. The school directors of that
date were: Henry Traugh, W. S. Johnson,
B. H. Bower, J. E. Smith, Walter Suit, H. P.
Field, Jr., L. E. Hess, Dr. F. P. Hill, Harvey
Doan. The principals of this school have
been : John Hause, Atlee Cryder and Howard
F. Fenstermacher.
On April 16, 1913, a bronze tablet at the
entrance of the Market street school in honor
of Professor Lesher, who died the summer
previous, was unveiled by- Helen Lesher, the
Professor's daughter. The tablet bears the
following inscription :
In Memory of
Prof. Albert Ulysses Lesher,
Teacher — Scholar — Poet — Patriot
Principal of the
Market Street School
From Sept., 1894, to June, 1912,
This tablet is placed by the teachers,
pupils, directors and friends of
the Berwick public schools.
Songs composed by Professor Lesher were
sung by children and addresses made by Prof.
R. M. Ebert, Rev. E. A. Loux, J. U. Kurtz,
William F. Lowry, Rev. B. S. Botsford, Rev.
E. A. Long and Rev. J. K. Adams.
The principals of the high school have been :
Timothy Mahoney, 1858; Michael Whitmire,
1859; Joseph Yocum, i860; Henry Keim,
1861 ; J. G. Cleveland, 1862; Samuel E. Furst,
1863; Reece W. Dodson, 1864; William Pat-
terson, 1865; J. H. Hurst, 1866; S. C. Tayne,
1867; H. M. Spaulding, 1868; H. D. Albright,
until 1872; J. G. WilHams, 1873; H. D. Al-
bright, 1874; C. F. Diffenderfer, 1875; A. H.
Stees, 1876; W. E. Smith, 1877-81; J. T.
Bevan, 1882; L. T. Conrad, 1883; Amelia
Armstrong, 1884-85; Henry G. Clark, 1886-
88 (resigned) ; Andrew Freas, April, 1888, to
June, 1889; Charles Dechant, 1889-91; E. K.
Richardson, 1891-97; Elmer E. Garr, 1897-99;
Charles H. Winder, 1899-1902; John W. Sny-
der, 1902-06 (resigned); James S. Sigman,
1907-13 (resigned) ; E. R. Ebert, January to
June, 1913; S. Irvine Shortess, September,
1913, to present time. J. Y. Shambach was
elected supervisory principal of the schools
in 1913 for three years.
The principal departments of the schools
which have been added since their establish-
ment are : The English department, added in
1900, with Miss Marie Kschinkia in charge,
to the high school; the primary department,
added in 1901 as a special branch. Miss Sarah
M. Hagenbuch being given the position of su-
pervisor, which she has held ever since ; draw-
ing, introduced in 1902 in all grades, with
Miss Grace Conner as instructor; the com-
mercial course, established the same year in
170
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the high school, under the charge of Miss
Emma S. Liggett ; music, which became a
part of the course in all the grades in 1906,
Miss Bertha A. Bartley presiding; manual
training and penmanship, introduced in 1913,
under the direction of Frank Titman.
Having given the lot for the Y. M. C. A.
extension in 1894, Mr. C. R. Woodin desired
to do something for the girls of Berwick also.
He therefore offered to bear half the ex-
pense of the course if cooking was introduced
in the schools as a regular part of the work
of the girls. This offer was accepted and in
September, 1894, the course was started. But
at the end of three years the sentiment of the
people was so antagonistic to the course that
it was abandoned. Mrs. Fred Richardson was
the instructor at this time. In 191 3 a rever-
sion of feeling brought the cooking course
into favor again, and it was reintroduced in
connection with sewing, under the charge of
Miss Robertson. Mr. Woodin, however, did
not renew his offer, so the course is not as
complete or as thorough as at the first intro-
duction of the work.
Miss Emma S. Liggett, the former instruc-
tor of the commercial course in the high school,
is now with her sister, Isabella, in the Ching
Hua College, Pekin, China, having accepted a
second term of five years, the first term be-
ing for three years.
Previous to the Boxer uprising in China
the government had sent many boys to Ameri-
can colleges to gain a knowledge of occidental
manners and language. After the suppression
of the rebellion the property of the principal
Boxer chief was confiscated and on the site
a college was erected for adult scholars, the
money coming from America, which had re-
turned the indemnity given by China for the
damages Jo American missions and citizens.
As a measure of gratitude for this fairness
the Chinese government selected all of the
eighteen teachers from America. Miss Emma
S. Liggett and Miss Isabella Liggett being
two of the number.
Most of the scholars are married men and
form the leading class of reformers of modem
China. The old Chinese school calendar has
just been superseded by the Western one in
1913. Letters from the school come by way
of Siberia and Europe and take twenty-seven
days for the trip.
The school directors of Berwick are : Henry
F. Traugh, B. H. Bower, L. E. Hess, J. B.
Fulmer, N. G. Baker, James E. Smith, W. S.
Johnson.
WEST BERWICK SCHOOLS
The Ferris Heights school was built in 1908,
and the West Berwick high school in 191 3,
on the same hill. Prof. Harlan R. Snyder is
principal of the high and grammar schools,
the Ferris Heights school being on the same
lot with the high school, and under the prin-
cipal of the latter. William C. Belong is prin-
cipal of the Fairview school.
The school directors of West Berwick bor-
ough are : Frank Wenner, Harry Fahringer,
Walter Hughes, Thomas Hutchings, N. D.
Peters, William Fairchilds, E. M. Ritter.
RELIGIOUS
The church growth of Berwick has been
marvelous, and no city in this section of the
State possesses more active ministers or more
loyal congregations. Thirteen denominations
are represented, there are eighteen resident
ministers, and twenty churches, including three
missions.
The religious growth has kept pace with
the growth of population. Ministers of Ber-
wick foresaw the expansion into outlying dis-
tricts, and in many instances lots were pur-
chased before a house was built where now
the church building is the center of a built-up
community. Since Berwick's last boom there
have been eleven new congregations organized,
ten of which have erected churches, and four
parsonages. There have also been three new
churches erected by congregations which out-
grew old quarters, and one church built by a
congregation which had been for some time
organized, but not strong enough to under-
take the construction of a home.
That Berwick is a church-going community
is shown by the size of the congregations and
the expansion of the pastorates. Revival serv-
ices have also reaped large results, an exam-
ple being the Stough campaign of 191 3, in
which the Bower Memorial Evangelicals
gained 125 converts; the Methodists, 210; and
the West Berwick Evangelical Church, 100
also.
Quakers
The first to erect a house of worship in Ber-
wick was the Society of Friends, who pur-
chased on Oct. 21, 1799, the ground on which
in 1801 they built a small brick meetinghouse.
On Nov. II, 1800, a request was laid before
the Catawissa monthly meeting for permission
to hold services in Berwick on the first day of
each week, signed by Aquilla Starr. On April
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
171
25, 1801, the request was granted. The first
attendants were Evan Owen, Joseph Stack-
house, Andrew Shaner, William Rittenhouse,
Joseph Pilkington and Joseph Eck. The old
meetinghouse was used for a few years and
then abandoned. In 1837 or 1840 it was torn
down, the site now being occupied by the resi-
dence of C. C. Evans.
First Methodist Church
To a narrative prepared for and published
by Rev. Martin L. Smyser, then pastor of
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Berwick,
in "The Berwick Methodist," under date of
March 18, 1882, the writer of this sketch is
indebted for the facts relating to the history
of the local church from the beginning to the
year 1882.
Origin. — Methodism entered Berwick amid
the fervor of a religious revival in Briar-
creek valley, about four miles distant from
Berwick, where resided Rev. Thomas Bow-
man, an ordained local preacher of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, a man of zeal and
eloquence, who, with his brother. Rev. Chris-
tian Bowman, sowed pure Methodist seed in
all this region of country. In order that his
neighbors might have the regular ministra-
tions of the gospel he fitted up the third story
of his dwelling, a stone house (still standing
together with the original stone church near
Fowlerville in Briarcreek township), as a place
of worship, and invited the Methodist itiner-
ants to hold services therein. Here in the
year 1805, under the ministry of Rev. James
Paynter and Rev. Joseph Carson, occurred a
revival of great power and widespread influ-
ence. As an immediate result of this re-
ligious awakening a Methodist class was or-
ganized in Berwick, then a small settlement on
the frontier of civilization. This class con-
sisted of the following members : William
Stahl, leader ; Jane Herin. Rachel Traugh,
Hugh Thompson, Nancy Thompson, Robert
Brown, Samuel Steele, James Herin, William
Sisty, INIary Sisty, Andrew Pettit and Benja-
min Doan. Previous to this, however, occa-
sional visits were made by Revs. William
Colvert, James Paynter, ]\Iorris Howe and
Robert Burch, who, if they attempted to or-
ganize a class, did not receive the encourage-
ment necessary to success. Following the
organization of this class Berwick became a
regular appointment on the Wyoming Circuit,
which then extended from "near Northum-
berland in the State to Tioga Point in the
State of New York." This circuit was trav-
eled by Revs. James Paynter and Joseph Car-
son, who made its extensive rounds once in
every four weeks. Rev. Anning Owen, a con-
verted blacksmith of Kingston, Pa., and a
zealous evangelist of Wyoming valley, was
presiding elder, and was untiring in labor to
plant Methodism along the Susquehanna river
and its tributaries.
Northumberland Circuit. — In 1806 Ber-
wick was attached to what was known as the
Northumberland Circuit, with which it stood
connected until 1831, and was served by the
following regularly appointed ministers :
1806, Robert Burch, John Swartzwelder ;
1807. Nicholas Willis, Joel Smith; 1808,
Thomas Curren, John Rhodes; 1809, Timothy
Lee, Loring Grant ; 1810, Abraham Dawson,
Isaac Puffer: 1811, B. G. Paddock, J. H.
Baker, R. Lanning ; 1812, George Thomas,
Ebenezer Doolittle ; 1813, Joseph Kinkead, I.
Chamberlain ; 1814, John Hazzard, Abraham
Dawson: 1815, R. N. Everts, I. Cook; 1816,
John Thomas, Alpheus Davis; 1817, Benjamin
Bidlack, Peter Baker; 1818, Gideon Lanning,
Abraham Dawson ; 1819, John Rhodes, Darius
Williams ; 1820, John Rhodes, Israel Cook ;
1821, Marmaduke Pearce, J. Thomas; 1822,
John Thomas, lilordecai Barry ; 1823, J. R.
Shepherd, M. Barry; 1824, R. Cadden, F.
Macartney, R. Bond; 1825, Robert Cadden,
R. Bond; 1826, John Thomas, George Hildt;
1827, John Thomas, David Shaver; 1828,
Charles Kalbfus, William James; 1829, James
W. Donahay, Josiah Forrest ; 1830, James W.
Donahay, A. A. Eskridge.
Berwick Circuit. — Owing to the enlarge-
ment of the work, incident to the opening up
of the country, advancing population, multi-
plied congregations, and increasing demands
for ministerial service, in 1831 Berwick Cir-
cuit was formed, embracing twenty-eight
preaching places in Columbia and Luzerne
counties north of the river and including the
following pastoral charges : Bloomsburg,
Buckhorn, Jerseytown, Benton, Orangeville,
Espy, Light Street, Mifflinville, Beach Haven,
Bloomingdale, Muhlenburg and Berwick, all
within the bounds of the Baltimore Confer-
ence. The following pastors served this cir-
cuit: 1831, William Prettyman, Wesley
Howe; 1832, William Prettyman, Oliver Ege ;
1833, Marmaduke Pearce, Alem Brittain;
1834-35, J. Rhodes, J. H. Young; 1836, J.
Sanks, J- Hall; 1837, T- Sanks, George Guyer;
1838, Charles Kalbfus, J. Hall ; 1839, Charles
Kalbfus, Penfield Doll ; 1840, James Ewing,
William R. Mills; 1841, James Ewing, W. T.
D. Clemm ; 1842, Thomas Tanneyhill, Joseph
172
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
A. Ross; 1843, Thomas Tanneyhill, Thomas
Bowman ; 1844, Francis N. Mills, W. L. Spotts-
wood ; 1845, John Bowen, W. F. Pentz, T.
Bowman: 1846, John Bowen, J. W.,Bull, T.
Bowman ; 1847, A. Brittain, J. S. McMurray,
T. Bowman; 1848, A. Brittain, N. S. Bucking-
ham; 1849, Philip B. Reese; 1850, P. B.
Reese, B. B. Hamlin; 1851, H. G. Dill, Justice
A. Melick ; 1852, H. G. Dill, James Curns ;
1853, John Moorhead, J. Curns; 1854, John
Moorhead, Thomas Sherlock; 1855, Thomas
Barnhart, Samuel Barnes ; 1856, Thomas
Barnhart, M. L. Drum; 1857, H. ,G. Dill,
Thomas Sherlock; 1858, H. G. Dill, John
Guss; 1859, A. W. Gibson, C. H. Savidge;
i860, A. W. Gibson, S. L. Bowman; 1861,
S. L. Bowman, J. F. Porter ; 1862, A. M. Bar-
nitz, W. C. Hesser; 1863, A. M. Barnitz, F.
E. Church; 1864-65, M. P. Crosthwaite, S. C.
Swallow; 1866, John A. Gere, W. H. Nor-
cross.
Berwick Station. — Berwick having grown
in size and importance, and the church requir-
ing the entire time and service of a pastor, the
members petitioned the presiding bishop of
the East Baltimore Conference (Bishop Kings-
ley) in 1867 to set aside Berwick as a separate
charge. Accordingly, Berwick Station was
duly established, with Rev. John A. Gere,
D. D., as pastor. Under his wise administra-
tion and superior management the station, with
a membership of about 140, was thoroughly
organized and equipped for the work before
it. The official board of the new charge em-
braced the following well-known persons ;
Jesse Bowman, William H. Woodin, Morrison
E. Jackson, Mordecai W. Jackson, Clemuel
R. Woodin, Henry C. Freas, Paul Fortner,
William J. Knorr, E. B. Hull, J. W. Bowman,
James Jacoby. William H. Woodin was
elected recording steward and Sunday school
superintendent and in both capacities he served
the church with marked fidelity and success.
The ministers from this period forward have
been as follows: 1867-68, John A. Gere;
1869-70, Finley B. Riddle; 1871-73, William
W. Evans; 1874-75, Samuel Creighton ; 1876-
78, Tames H. McGarrah; 1879-82, Martin L.
Smyser; 1882-84, William W. Evans; 1885-
87, Ezra H. Yocum ; 1888-90, Benjamin H.
Mosser; 1891-93, Richard Hinkle ; 1894-96,
T. L. Tomkinson; 1897-99, Alexander R. Mil-
ler; 1900-06, Richard H. Gilbert; 1906-10,
Orlando G. Heck; 191O-15, J. Howard Ake.
CONNECTIONAL SYSTEM AND THE ITINER-
ANCY.— The Methodist Church of Berwick in
1867 was connected with a large district with
many appointments and in extent embraced a
territory equaling a quarter of the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania, while at an earlier
period the circuit formed part of a district
which extended from Montreal in Canada to
Berwick and Clearfield in Pennsylvania. The
Berwick Methodist Church has been connected
with three Annual Conferences, the Baltimore,
the East Baltimore and. the Central Pennsyl-
vania. The itinerant ministry has given Ber-
wick a large number of ministers of diversified
talents, some of whom were giants in their
day and prominent in the councils of the
church. One of her ministers, born in Briar-
creek, near Berwick, Rev. Thomas Bowman,
who was attached to the Berwick appointment
in early manhood, became president of Dick-
inson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa., and
later the president of DePauw University, at
Greencastle, Ind., and subsequently, in 1872,
was elected a bishop of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. His death at the advanced age
of ninety-six years occurred in 1914. Another,
Rev. Jesse B. Young, D. D., soldier, preacher,
author and editor, was born in Berwick and
entered the ministry from the local church,
filling many appointments, was elected editor
of the "Central Christian Advocate" of St.
Louis, and in quite recent years published a
history of the battle of Gettysburg, pronounced
by critics a most accurate and comprehensive
account of this great battle.
Property. — For a few years the Methodists
occupied as a preaching place the second story
of the old Market house (also used for school
purposes), which stood in the center of Mar-
ket street immediately opposite the site of the
present church building. Afterwards an old
log building, originally erected as a dwelling,
later arranged as a storeroom, became the
sanctuary of these devout people. In 181 1, on
the completion of his new dwelling on Second
street, Hugh Thompson tendered to the grow-
ing society the use of his "best room" for di-
vine service, and, being accepted, the "old log
building" was vacated. On special occasions
of extraordinary interest, the house not af-
fording sufficient accommodation, the congre-
gation worshipped in the barn. Encouraged
by the increase in membership means were
taken towards the erection of a church. A lot
on the corner of Mulberry and Third streets
was secured and in 1817 a brick edifice was
raised thereon and dedicated. This building
still stands, now occupied as a dwelling. The
increasing congregations and growth necessi-
tated a more commodious and better arranged
edifice. The lots on the corner of Market and
.Second streets, then valued at $400, were do-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
173
nated by Robert McCurdy and a two-story
brick church was erected having a seating ca-
pacity of 350, the entire cost of the structure,
then the finest church of the denomination in
the county, aggregating $5,000. It was dedi-
cated in the year 1845, under the pastorate of
Revs. John Bowen, William F. Pentz and T.
Bowman. In 1870, under the pastorate of
Rev. Finley B. Riddle, this church gave place
to another, of symmetrical elegance, dedicated
Sabbath, Feb. 19, 1871, bv Revs. Thomas Bow-
man, D. D., and Robert L. Dashiel, D. D. The
whole cost was $26,000. In subsequent years
this building was improved and enlarged and
a pipe organ, the gift of Mrs. Elizabeth S.
Jackson (wife of Col. C. G. Jackson), was in-
stalled. In the spring of 1902, under the pas-
torate of Rev. Richard H. Gilbert, D. D., the
third church building to occupy the present
site, the fourth to be owned by the denomina-
tion in Berwick, was begun. It is a beau-
tiful and commodious stone edifice, and was
dedicated in May, 1903, with appropriate serv-
ices lasting over a week, the late Bishop
(Chaplain) Charles C. McCabe conducting the
services of dedication. The finances were di-
rected by John W. Powell, of Buffalo, N. Y.
The cost of this structure was $50,000. The
present parsonage on Market street was
erected under the pastorate of Rev. W. W.
Evans, D. D., in 1883.
Organizations. — The first Sunday school
was organized about 1825 and was held in the
Methodist Church at the corner of Mulberry
and Third streets. Daniel Bowen, a Presby-
terian, was superintendent. Shortly after its
organization, about 1828, the Presbyterians
withdrew and the school became a Methodist
school, though the superintendent, Daniel
Bowen, continued in his relation as superin-
tendent. The Epworth League was organized
about 1894. The school and league have been
and are great factors in the life of the church.
The growth of the school has been commen-
surate with the growth of the community and
under the energetic pastorate of Rev. J. How-
ard Ake ranks numerically the second in the
county, having an enrollment of over 1,400
persons in all grades. The Sunday school can
soon celebrate its centennial.
Much attention has been given the musical
features of the church services. The several
choirs through the years past, as at the pres-
ent, have proved greatly attractive to the citi-
zens of the community.
Space prevents more elaborate mention of
many individual men and women, as well as
its present day officials, ministers excepted.
who have been and are identified in lay ca-
pacity with her activities. The membership of
the church has included many of the most
progressive business men of the region. The
policy of the church in spiritual and temporal
matters was molded by these men. To their
example the church owes its spirit of benevo-
lence. In a very liberal way she has sup-
ported the benevolent enterprises of the
church. Some of her members have been
prominent in the affairs of the State. Several
of her laymen have represented the Annual
Conference at the General Conference, to-
gether with several of her ministers. One of
her pastors, Rev. Richard H. Gilbert, D. D.,
whose service in the inception and consumma-
tion of the plan leading to the present church
building, deserves acknowledgment, was a del-
egate to the Ecumenical Conference of Meth-
odism in London, England, in 1901. The
church to-day is thoroughly representative,
well organized, well appointed, centrally lo-
cated, evangelical in spirit, and seeks the best
interest of the Greater Berwick in which it
serves. The membership is 1,100.
St. John's Ltitheran Church
In the year 1794 Evan Owen, the founder of
Berwick, donated a lot about in the center of
the town to Jacob Kisner, William Martz and
Sebastian Seybert, in trust, for the German
Lutheran Church of Berwick. This lot was
subsequently exchanged for another, on Mar-
ket street, in 1873.
There was no substantial organization of
this church before 1892, although several pas-
tors had preached in the town hall and the Y.
M. C. A. building before that date. Among
these pastors were Revs. Bahl, Fox, Henry,
Steck and German.
In 1892 Rev. Mr. Stupp became pastor of
this parish and moved into the parsonage, now
the club room of the Rangers, on East Front
street. He soon took in the situation and be-
gan to canvass the town for Lutheran people.
His energies proved fruitful, and on the even-
ing of Nov. 30, 1892, an Evangelical Luth-
eran congregation was organized, with twenty
members. The first services were held in the
parlor of the parsonage, but later the Y. M.
C. A. hall was secured for regular services.
On Feb. 13, 1893, the court granted the peti-
tion for incorporation. Arrangements were
made on April 9, 1893, to build a chapel on
the ground next to the parsonage, and the
completed building, a frame, was dedicated
Dec. 10, 1893.
174
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
In 1894 Rev. Mr. Stupp accepted a call to
another congregation, and Rev. G. G. Kunkle
was called to the parish, where he labored for
two years. In x'\pril, 1897, Rev. N. Scheffer
was called, serving faithfully for seven years.
He was succeeded in August, 1904, by Rev.
J. A. Schofer, who worked in this field for
three years. Near the close of his pastorate
the charge of five congregations was divided,
and the old chapel and parsonage sold to the
Rangers Fire Company.
The three congregations of St. John's Ber-
wick, St. Paul's, Salem township, Luzerne
County, and St. Peter's, Briarcreek town-
ship, Columbia county, formed the new Ber-
wick charge in 1906. Soon afterwards the
formation of a Lutheran congregation in Nes-
copeck, across the river from Berwick, so
depleted the membership of St. John's that it
was taken over by the Mission board, and has
since continued a mission.
In 1907 the three congregations built a
parsonage on East Eleventh street, and St.
John's laid the foundations for a new church
building at the corner of Eleventh and Pine
streets.
On July 19, 1908, Rev. W. II. Berk was
called to the pastorate. For ten months serv-
ices were held in the new parsonage, there be-
ing thirty members in good standing in attend-
ance during that time. In May, 1909, the new
church building, which cost $5,500, was dedi-
cated and occupied thereafter. The present
church membership is loi, that of the Sun-
day school, 95.
Protestant Episcopal
Although the Episcopalians were in Ber-
wick in sufficient numbers to have had an or-
ganization of some kind sufficient to own
property in 1804, there is no record of services
here before that date, nor until 1870. On
Dec. 26, 1804, Evan Owen deeded two lots to
the "Society of the Episcopal Church of Eng-
land," represented by Robert Brown, John
Brown and William Cox, for use in erecting a
church and schoolhouse, and for a burying
ground. Nothing was heard further regard-
ing this donation until 1873, when Col. John
G. Freeze investigated and found that both
lots had been appropriated by Jesse Bowman
and the Berwick Cemetery Association.
After a friendly suit Mr. Bowman trans-
ferred to the church the lot on the corner of
Market and Jackson streets, in return for the
lot he had taken. The lot in the cemetery was
allowed to remain in its use as a burying
ground by the Cemetery Association, having
been partially used for interments.
Services were held in Berwick intermittently
until March 31, 1902, when St. Mary's mission
was organized, and thereafter regular services
were held by Rev. Frederick Wenhani in the
Y. M. C. A. building. In the spring of 1903
the present frame church was built at a cost
of $2,100, the first services being held April
22d. When dedicated the church was given
the name of Christ. At that time there were
117 baptized persons and 45 communicants in
the church.
During 1905, under the rectorate of Rev. M.
A. Shipley, Jr., the church was renovated and
repaired. In 1906 the final payments on the
building were made and the church was ad-
mitted to the convention. The parish house
was built in 1914 at a cost of $2,000.
Rev. C. C. Kelsey, a native of England, took
the charge on Nov. i, 1912, and during his in-
cumbency the debt of the church has been
materially reduced. The communicants now
number loi and the Sunday school is grow-
ing rapidly. The frequent promotion of heads
of departments of the American Car and
Foundry Company, many of whom are mem-
bers, and their consequent removal from town,
has kept this church from growing as fast
as others in Berwick.
Besides those named. Revs. J. W. Diggles
and C. R. Fessenden have served as rectors of
this parish.
Benvick Presbyterian Church
The first organization of the Presbyterians
of this town was made at a meeting held in the
Brick Meeting House on Nov. 24, 1827, by
Rev. Joseph M. Ogden. The members of this
first congregational meeting were: William
and Sarah Wilson, Daniel Bowen, Isaac and
Abigail Hart, Mary and Eliza Pollock, Thomas
and Eleanor Lockart, Emanuel Kirkendall,
Rachel wife of Nathan Beach, Klonah wife
of Christian Kunkel, Frances wife of H. B.
Wilson, A. B. and Mary E. Shuman, Thurma
and Nancy McMaer, Benjamin F. Rittenhouse,
John H. Rittenhouse, Hannah H. Ritten-
house, Rachel Perkins, Sarah Sink, Rachel
Traugh, Elizabeth Palmer, Sarah Ann Solt,
Margaretta Traugh, Eliza and Nancy Adams,
Anna, Mary McNair, John Drake, Hamett
Drake, Thomas Edunder, William Edunder,
Mrs. David Walker, Isaiah Styles, William
Reed, James Evans, Andrew Seely, William
Sink, Samuel Pollock and wife, Matthias
Harns, Sr., Mrs. Jane Edwards, Mrs. William
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
175
Edwards, Mrs. David Sink, Mrs. E. Harris,
Miss Susanna Kiinetob, Miss M. Remaley,
Miss Hannah Shinly, Miss Melinda Dennis,
Miss Harriet Pollock, Miss Eleanor Kiinetob,
James Lamon, William Adams, Evan Adams,
Mrs. Hannah Lamon, Mrs. J. Moyer, Mrs.
Solomon Bower, Mrs. Andrew Seely, Mrs.
Anton Bowman, Hudson Onin, Clinton Trow-
bridge, A. B. Shuman, Alfred Longshin,
Tames Solt, Robert F. Russel, Mrs. Samuel
kelchner, Mrs. Catherine Adams, Mrs. Sidney
Pollock, Mrs. Clement Jones, Mrs. Kiziah
Brundage, Miss Martha C. Walker, Mr. and
Mrs. William Lindsley Walker, Christian
Kunkle, Mr. and Mrs. William Pollock, Mr.
and Mrs. Samuel Deprey, Nathaniel L. Camp-
bell, Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell, Sr, Mrs.
Silas Tacobs, Hannah Bonhams, Mrs. David
Hart, Mrs. Alexander Heltezton, J\lrs. John
Pollock, Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman, Mrs. Jane
Oilman, Mrs. Lyden Reder, Mrs. Hannah
Baird, Mrs. Hannah Kiinetob, Mrs. Sarah
Freas, Mrs. Lydia Freas, Mrs. Ephmain
Evans, Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mrs. Massy
Evans, Mrs. Elizabeth Nihart, Miss Rebecca
Adams, Jacob Cope, Frances Evans, John
McAnall,"Stephen H. Miller, Leonard Kirken-
dall and wife, Samuel J. Seely, Cornelius
Kirkendall, Miss Mary Kirkendall, Miss Eliza-
beth Grover, Miss Sarah Beck, Sarah A. De-
prey Rober, Mrs. Mary F. Pollock, Samuel
Pollock, Mrs. Paul Kirkendall, Mrs. Anna
Charity Evans, Mrs. Margaret Adams, Mrs.
Leah Bredbender, Miss Celinda Deprey, Miss
Mary E. Patterson, Miss Nancy J. Cortright,
Miss Sarah L. Patterson, John Pollock, Mrs.
Dekonah Doak, Mrs. Jacob Cope, Mrs. An-
drew Seely, Mrs. Mamina Walton, Jacob Pol-
lock, Albert Kiinetob, Mrs. Sarah Adams,
Miss Elizabeth Seybert, Miss Susan Ranbach,
John Schleppy, Mrs. Sarah Counos.
On the following Sabbath Daniel Bowen,
Isaac Hart and Thomas Lockart were installed
as ruling elders.
On July 30, 1839, Rev. David J. Waller
preached in Berwick and entered on the min-
utes of this congregation that the church had
for a long time been without a pastor; "and
though their number was small, they with
great liberality, resolved: That they would
unite with Bloomsburg and Briarcreek in the
support of a minister. Mr. D. J. Waller, a li-
centiate of New Castle Presbytery, was invited
to take charge of these congregations and was
ordained by the Presbytery of Northumber-
land and installed Pastor of the church in
Bloomsburg, with one-half of his time at his
discretion." Rev. D. J. Waller served the Ber-
wick Church in this way until relieved by Rev.
A. H. Hand in 1842.
At his own recjuest Rev. A. H. Hand took
this congregation into his extensive charge,
entered upon his duties July 17, 1842, and at
once took steps to revive the church ; also
ministering to Briarcreek and Salem churches.
He succeeded so well that in the following year
a completed brick church with basement was
dedicated by the Rev. George W. Yeomans,
President of Lafayette College. In 1881 this
building was improved by the addition of a
tower and was remodeled.
Rev. A. H. Hand resigned on account of ill
health and Aug. i, 1845, Rev. Alexander Heb-
erton became pastor. He was followed by
Rev. James F. Kennedy, who served from Jan.
23, 1848, to April 27, 1850. In turn he was
followed by Rev. T. K. Newton, who served
from August 18, 1853, to Sept. 29, 1855. R^^.
P. W. Mellick was pastor from (October, 1863,
to 1865. The preaching appointments were at
this time Berwick, Briarcreek, Stone Church,
Moore's Schoolhouse and Lockport (now
Beach Haven). The ne.xt minutes were en-
tered on Oct. 24, 1868, by Rev. James Dickson,
who served until Nov. 2, 1879. Following pas-
tors were: Rev. L. M. Kumler, 1880-88; Rev.
George H. Stephens, 1890-98; Rev. Joseph
Hunter, 1899-1905; and Rev. Edward A.
Loux, 1905-14. At different periods Rev. A.
M. Morgan, Rev. J. F. Kennedy, Rev. Joseph
Marr, Rev. Edward Kennedy, Rev. James M.
Salmon and Rev. James R. Gibson have sus-
tained pastoral relations with this church. Rev.
Edward Franklin Reimer, A. M., B. D., a
graduate of Lafayette College and Princeton
Seminary, who also spent a year in post-
graduate study in Princeton University and
Princeton Seminary, receiving then his divinity
degree, was installed pastor Oct. 31, 1914. He
is a native of Easton, Pa., and has had exten-
sive experience in evangelistic, missionary and
literary work.
The congregation has grown greatly in mod-
ern years, and at present numbers over 500
persons, with a Sunday school of 350 attend-
ants. The cornerstone of the present hand-
some brick building was laid in 1895, and the
completed building was dedicated the following
year, during the pastorate of Rev. George H.
Stephens. It is an attractive edifice, of modern
design and fittings, and is exceedingly com-
modious and artistic.
The church officials in 1914 are: Elders —
Francis Evans, William F. Lowry, O. F. Fer-
ris, Horace Breece, James E. Smith. Trustees
— T. Harv.ey Doan, Fred W. Bush, Thomas
376
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Morton, Willard Smith, George Henkleman,
C. E. Ferris, W. S. Johnson, John H. Smeth-
ers, Charles C. Evans.
Baptists
Preaching was held in Berwick in 1841 by
Rev. J. S. Morris for the Baptists of the grow-
ing town, but it was not till the coming of
Rev. William S. Hall in 1842 that a regular or-
ganization was effected. The sermons of Mr.
Morris were delivered in the Methodist church,
but Mr. Hall held a series of meetings con-
tinuously in the storeroom of Samuel F. Head-
ley, corner of Second and Mulberry streets,
the result being forty-two conversions. On
Sept. 25, 1842, the congregation was organized
in Williams Grove, Nescopeck, with thirteen
members, as follows : J. T. Davis, B. S. Brock-
way, J. S. Havner, Levi L. Tate, Abram Mil-
ler, J. B. Dodson, Casper Reed, Joel E. Brad-
ley, Jacob Rider, Perry Gilmore, Thomas P.
Coles, Thomas Wilford and John Whitman.
The first deacons were Messrs. Davis, Miller
and Tate.
As the Baptist cause prospered, need of a
permanent place of meeting became impera-
tive. A charter for the new church was se-
cured, and a site for the new building, located
on the south side of West Front street, be-
tween Mulberry and Vine streets, was do-
nated by Sister Ann P. Evans ; and a frame
structure, with a seating capacity of about
two hundred, was erected, dedicated July 4,
1843-
At a time when the church had just finished
paying ofif a debt of $1,400 for repairs, at an
early hour, on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14,
1878, the building was burned to the ground.
It was decided to rebuild at once ; funds were
solicited, and the cornerstone of the new
structure was laid on Sept. 27th of the same
year.
The cornerstone of the present church
building was laid on Thursday, June 6, 1894,
the sermon being preached by Rev. Dr.
Woods, of Williamsport. This was made
necessary by reason of the fact that the old
building had been found to be unsafe
Within the last five years extensive im-
provements have been made to the church ; a
slate roof put on, a steam heating plant in-
stalled, the Sunday school room and audito-
rium frescoed, the church recarpeted, the base-
ment remodeled, and other lesser improve-
ments made. The present pastor, Rev. Charles
E. Miller, came to Berwick in 1909.
Pastors of the church since organization
have been: William S. Hall, 1842; Roswell R.
Prentiss, 1845; Levi Hamlin, 1849; John S.
Miller, 1850; John H. Worrell, 1852; E. M.
Alden, 1854; John R. Shanafelt, 1858; Wil-
liam W. Case, 1863; William Leacock, 1865;
George J. Brensinger, 1866; O. S. Rhoads,
1868; Walter Cattell, 1870; R. C. H. Catterall,
1880; William T. Galloway, 1884; P. S.
Brewster, 1889; Albert Hatcher Smith, 1894;
N. C. Naylor, 1901 ; W. Gordon Jones, 1906;
Horace C. Broughton, 1907; Charles E. Mil-
ler, 1909.
The officials for the year 1914 are: Deacons
— Hiram Eveland, E. M. Kocher, Harry Fah-
ringer, W. J. Harris, J. F. Birth. Trustees —
J. H. Catterall, president; O. K. McHenry,
secretary ; W. J. Harris, E. M. Kocher, Joseph
Kirkendall, J. F. Birth, Stephen Knelly, J. G.
Welch, Walter Swank.
Bower Memorial Church
Bower Memorial United Evangelical Church
was established in March, 1871, with Rev. P.
H. Rishel in charge. At that time a class, com-
posed of Isaiah Bower, Hannah Bower, Henry
J. Clewell, Susan Clewell, Elizabeth Clewell
and Fannie Kirkendall, met in the town hall
and held services there weekly until 1874. In
Alarch, 1871, Rev. W. H. Buck was placed in
charge, remaining until 1872. Rev. E. Swen-
gle followed him. In 1873 Rev. W. H. Buck
returned, and the congregation having in-
creased greatly it was decided to build. Dur-
ing that year the first church, of brick, was
begun, and in January, 1874, was finally dedi-
cated by Rev. H. B. Hartzler (now Bishop),
Revs. M. J. Carothers, George Hunter, S. T.
Buck and H. W. Buck assisting. That build-
ing cost $5,750, and was located on Second,
between Pine and Chestnut streets.
The congregation has been served by the
following pastors since its foundation : H. W
Buck, 1871-73; S. P. Reemer, 1874; W. M
Croman, 1875-76; J. A. Irvine, 1877-78; J
M. Ettinger, 1879-81 ; H. W. Buck, 1882-84
J. J. Lohr, 1885-87; E. Crumbling, 1888-90;
G. E. Zehner, 1891-92; A. Stapleton, 1893-
94; J. C. Reeser, 1895-98; J. J. Lohr, 1899-
1901 ; H. W. Buck, 1902-04; J. W. Thompson,
1905-08; I. E. Spangler, 190S-12; W. B. Cox,
1912-14.
During the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Thomp-
son it was decided to replace the old building
with one of larger size and modem construc-
tion, and this resulted in the dedication of
the present beautiful church on Sept. 23, 1906.
The congregation unanimously decided to
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
177
change the name to Bower Memorial Church,
in honor of Rev. Isaiah Bower and his wife
Hannah, who had contributed not only their
services to the upbuilding of the church, but
given the sum of $10,000 towards the con-
struction of the new home. The total cost of
the completed edifice was $48,000. The build-
ing is located on the corner of Pine and East
Second streets and is of orange terra cotta
brick, trimmed with Hummelstown brown-
stone. The brick were especially burned for
the work at Green Grove Furnace, Adams
county. A $2,000 pipe organ supplies the
musical requirements of the congregation, and
the interior is finished in a most artistic and
utilitarian manner.
On May 4, 1913, the last dollar due upon
the building was paid, although the congre-
gation has no wealthy members and has a
clause in its constitution forbidding such ex-
pedients as raffles, lawn parties, suppers or
entertainments at which admission is charged.
The following Monday after the payment of
the last note the church decided to build a
parsonage, with the result that the present
orange shale brick dwelling was erected on the
corner of Pine and East Front streets at a
cost of $10,000, including the lot.
This congregation has enjoyed a number of
extensive revivals. The first meeting held in
the town hall resulted in the conversion of
100 persons; under the ministrations of' Rev.
Mr. Reeser there were 200 conversions ; Rev.
Mr. Spangler obtained 140 converts during
his ministry; and in 1913 there were 148 con-
versions under the ministrations of Rev. Mr.
Cox. During the latter's pastorate there have
been 393 accessions to the church in two years,
181 of these being partly through the union
revival campaign of Rev. W. H. Stough. At
present there are 765 members in the church,
and 800 in the Sunday school. This is the
largest congregation in the Central Pennsyl-
vania Conference of the United Evangelical
Church. Since the founding of this church in
Berwick eight young men have been given to
the ministry from the congregation.
North Berwick United Evangelical Church
During the pastorate of Rev. E. E. Shaffer
on the Columbia circuit the congregation was
organized in North Berwick, being made an
appointment in April, 1901. In December of
that year the cornerstone of the present frame
building was laid, the completed edifice being
dedicated July 6, 1902. The cost of the
12
building was $3,500. In 1904 a parsonage was
built at a cost of $2,500.
The church was constituted a mission, in
connection with the West Berwick Church, in
March, 1903, but in March, 1904, it was de-
tached. In March, 1914, it was changed from
a mission to a station and made self-support-
ing.
Rev. E. E. Shaiifer (now deceased) con-
tinued pastor until March, 1907, when he was
succeeded by Rev. Noah Young, the present
pastor. During the summer of 1913 the
church was enlarged and much improved, at
a cost of $3,000. The remaining debt in 1914
is $1,100. The present valuation of the church
is $8,000, and of the parsonage, $2,000. The
membership of the church is 360, and 425
children are attendants of the Sunday school.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
was organized Jan. 15, 1893, '" the Y. M. C. A.
building, by Rev. C. M. Aurand and wife,
Gertrude Aurand, P. E. Bergeman, Simon
Berry, Mrs. Simon Berry, Sarah Berry, John
Berry, Charles Berry, B. F. Driesbach, Mrs.
B. F. Driesbach, Mrs. Ira Hampton, A. T.
Ibach, Mrs. Daniel Loudenslager, A. F. Martz,
Mrs. A. F. Martz, Maggie Martz, Mrs. John
H. Martz, Mrs. A. T. Ibach, Mrs. C. E.
Miller.
The present church building was dedicated
Dec. 16, 1894. It is of brick, of commodious
size and artistic design, and together with
the lot cost $10,000. The present mem-
bership is as follows: Communicants, 200;
confirmed, 290; baptized, 412. The Sunday
school enrollment, including officers, teachers
and scholars, is 462.
The successive pastors have been Revs. C.
M. Aurand, 1893-98; M. M. Allbeck, 1899-
1904; W. Morgan Gross, 1904-05 ; J. B. Focht,
supply in January and March of 1906 ; and the
present pastor, Rev. C. R. Botsford, who came
in 1906.
First Christian Church
This church was organized May 17, 1903,
in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian
Association of Berwick, by Rev. L. O. Knipp,
late of Plymouth, Pa., the movement having
its culmination through the efforts of Mrs.
Jennie Whitesell and Mrs. C. E. Trescott.
The first members were A. P. Girton, G. C. B.
Whitesell. Mrs. Jennie Whitesell, Mrs. Ada
Boyd, A. W. McHenry, Mrs. Alice McHenry,
178
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
A. W. Harvey, William Berkey, Mrs. Jennie
Berkey, Miss Blanche Berkey, Miss Maine
Berkey. Mrs. O. M. Hess, Miss Ida Berkey,
Albert C. Young, Mrs. Jessie Young, Harry
O. McHenry, Mrs. VV. F. McEwen, Mrs. Jen-
nie Mann, Mrs. Lizzie Hartman, Mrs. Elnora
L. Trescott.
The present church, a neat frame, seating
about 225 persons, was erected in 1905 and
dedicated July 29, 1906. Its total cost was
$7,000. The congregation is about 200, and
the Sunday school, 150.
The pastors have been : Rev. L. O. Knipp,
who preached for a time as supply ; Rev. H.
J. Dudley, the first settled pastor; Rev. George
C. Zeigler; Rev. Theodore B. Shaffer, who was
accidentally killed while assisting at the con-
struction of a tabernacle in 1913 for the
Stough evangelistic campaign ; and Rev. C.
M. lams, who came in March, 1914, and is
still occupying the pulpit.
The elders of this church in 1914 are: K.
P. McHenry, S. S. Michael, A. C. Young, O.
M. Hess; deacons: Milton Sitler, Levi Blank,
Luther Coates, Charles Zimmerman, Charles
Woolley, Charles McHenry, John Hartman,
John Kyttle, John Wilson, Charles Chamber-
lain.
ice in the Austrian army. His successor was
Father John N. Danneker, of Lock Haven,
Pa., who took charge in 1914. Father Petro-
vits spoke and read nine languages ; Father
Danneker speaks only three. These require-
ments are necessitated by the many nationali-
ties represented in the congregation.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been established in
Berwick for ten years and has done excellent
work among the poor and needy. The local
corps is under the charge of Captain Hen-
derson.
WEST BERWICK CHURCHES
With a large foreign population, speaking
ten or more different languages or dialects,
West Berwick is provided with many small
churches, most of them missions, and all
built since the growth of the population of
Berwick forced the laying out of this separate
borough beside the older one.
Grace Lutheran Church
Zwingli Reformed Church
was established in 1903 and the same year the
frame building on Vine street was built. The
congregation numbers about ninety, and the
present pastor is Rev. D. J. Ely.
Roman Catholics
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church was es-
tablished in 1902, and the present handsome
frame church on Mulberry and Cemetery
streets was built in 1903. Some services
were held in Berwick during the building of
the canal, but the departure of the workmen
who had formed the congregation caused the
services to be abandoned for a time.
Father J. R. Murphy, pastor of the Blooms-
burg Church, organized a mission in Ber-
wick in 1902, and in the following year suc-
ceeded in getting together funds for the erec-
tion of the present church. He continued to
serve the Berwick Church until his departure
for Hanover, Pa., where he is now in charge
of St. Vincent's Church.
Father Joseph Petrovits was the next pas-
tor, serving until the beginning of the great
European war, when he volunteered for serv-
Rev. M. M. Allbeck, the pastor of Holy
Trinity Lutheran Church of Berwick, made a
canvass of the territory now known as West
Berwick and, as a result of his labors, organ-
ized a Sunday school May 26, 1901. The first
session was held in the old "White school-
house" in the afternoon with fifty-three per-
sons in attendance. Rev. Mr. Allbeck first
acted as superintendent, until the election of
Rufus Funk to fill the position. The other
officers were as follows : Adam Smith, assist-
ant superintendent; A. G. Birt, secretary; W.
C. Bond, treasurer; Miss Emma Pullen, or-
ganist.
After the session of Sunday school on May
4, 1902, Rev. Mr. Allbeck issued the call for
the organization of a congregation. A consti-
tution and by-laws were at once adopted. The
following persons were elected and installed as
the first church officers : Deacons — Dean
Funk, F. W. Hildebrand, William Pullen.
Elders — Charles Pullen, George H. Myers,
Samuel Michael.
The charter members of the congregation
were: Dean Funk, George H. Myers, Mrs.
George Myers, Samuel Michael, Mrs. Samuel
Michael, Willard Michael, William Pullen,
Mrs. William Pullen, Charles Pullen, Emma
Pullen, Z. T. Beagle, F. W. Hildebrand.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
179
The meetings still continued to be held in
the schoolhouse until the church building was
erected on the corner of Arch and Fairview
avenues, and was formally dedicated to the
service and glory of God on Dec. 28, 1902.
The work growing too large for Rev. Mr.
Allbeck to take care of the field along with his
own pastorate, it was decided to call a regu-
lar pastor. Rev. H. E. Harman was called
and took charge on April 15, 1903.
The Sunday school outgrew its quarters, and
Sept. 18, 1904, ground was broken for the
annex to the church building. The dedicatory
service was held Jan. 24, 1905. The basement
was also fitted up for church use. The parson-
age was commenced July 3, 1905, and was
occupied by the pastor and his family on
Feb. I, 1906.
Since its founding the church has had the
following pastors: M. M. Allbeck, 1901 until
April 12, 1903; H. E. Harman, April 15, 1903,
until Fek i, 1912; Clarence E. Arnold, April
10, 191 2, to the present time.
The membership of the church is 250, and
of the Sunday school, 325. The present offi-
cers are as follows : Elders — D. B. Beck, N.
H. Ney, T. C. Kocher, William Pullen. Dea-
cons— I. H. Shellhammer, Charles Hock, Roy
Beagle, Andrew Beck.
Other Churches
St. Paul's Evangelical Church of West Ber-
wick was organized in 1903, and the frame
church erected in that year at a cost of $5,500.
There are 302 members in attendance, and
the number of scholars in the Sunday school
is 450. The present pastor is Rev. W. C.
Hoch.
The Methodist Protestant Church in West
Berwick was built in 1903 on Park avenue and
Front street. There was no regular pastor,
the congregation having slowly reduced in
numbers, and the services here were abandoned
in 191 1.
Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church of
West Berwick has a frame building, erected
in 1904 and remodeled in 1907. The church
property is valued at $7,200, the parsonage at
$3,000. It is a mission church and is under
the charge of Rev. John E. Beard. The
membership is 148.
The Chiesa Evangelica Presbyteriana, or
Italian Presbyterian mission of West Berwick,
is under the charge of Rev. Arture D'Albergo,
who serves a large congregation. The frame
church was built in 1907.
St. Peter's Staviansk\ Methodist Mission is
under the charge of Rev. George Olejar and
is attended by many different branches of the
Slavonic race. The frame church was built
in 1909.
The Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church in
West Berwick is dedicated to Saints Cyril and
Methodius, and is under the control of the
Roman Holy See. The services are held here
regularly by priests from Wilkes-Barre. The
congregation numbers over 300 and is com-
posed of many nationalities. The frame church
was built in 1907 and has been greatly en-
larged in 1914. The total cost will be $8,000.
The orthodox Russian Greek Calholic
Church of the Annunciation, West Berwick,
was organized in 1909, under the charge of
Rev. A. Boguslavsky. The congregation is
composed mostly of Russian Slavs from Aus-
tro-Hungary and numbers about six hundred
persons, speaking many diflr'erent dialects. The
church is a fine frame, the interior being
decorated with excellent oil paintings of By-
zantine character, on sacred subjects. There
are no pews in the church, a few seats being
])laced around the sides for the old people, but
the main body of the congregation stand all
during the long services. The cost of the
church was $10,000 and it was erected in 1910.
A school is conducted on Saturdays in the
building. The successive pastors have been :
Revs. Peter Shiskin, N. Borisoff, J. Stephano,
John Dzvonchik, Paul Bezkishkin, and the
present pastor, a native of Wilkes-Barre and
of Russian descent. Rev. Andrew \'anyush.
YOUNG men's CHRISTI.\N ASSOCIATION
The Young Men's Christian Association of
Berwick was organized Jime 9, 1878, in the
basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
by C. H. Zehnder, of Danville, secretary of
what was known at that time as the Seventh
I'ennsylvania District, assisted by George S.
Rippard and George S. Bennett, of Wilkes-
Barre, all of whom were connected -with the
Y. M. C. A. movement at that period. The
meeting was public and was attended by the
representative men of the town. An organiza-
tion was effected by the election of Col. Clar-
ence G. Jackson, of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, as president and
Isaiah Bower, as vice president.
The third floor of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company's oflice building was
fitted up and placed at the disposal of the As-
sociation free of charge, and here the first
Young Men's Christian Association rooms
were opened, with the beginning of a library
180
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
that has now grown to some five thousand
volumes. There was donated by the Jackson
& Woodin Manufacturing Company a very
choice selection of over one thousand books,
considered by good authority to be one of the
most complete in the possession of any of the
smaller libraries of the country, and chosen
largely through the advice and supen-ision of
Albert G. Kimberley, who had been connected
with the public library of the city of Birming-
ham, England, and who at that time had taken
up iiis residence in Berwick. This was about
1880.
In 1879 ^^•'- C. H. Zehnder was elected sec-
retary of the Association and served for some
considerable time, until the Association got
well started in its work. The Association
thus very early became fi.xed on a firm founda-
tion.
The question of a building for Association
purposes was agitated about 1883. The As-
sociation was incorporated in that year, the
board of trustees being: W. H. Woodin, M.
W. Jackson, C. R. Woodin, B. F. Crispin, F.
R. Jackson, S. P. Hanly, L. F. Bower, S. C.
Jayne, C. H. Zehnder. The following year,
1884, C. R. Woodin deeded to the trustees
three lots on the corner of Market and Second
streets, part of the homestead of the late Jesse
Bowman, and also gave the sum of $11,000.
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Jackson, whose husband, the
late Col. C. G. Jackson, was the first president
of the Association, donated a dwelling house
on Market street, and also made cash sub-
scriptions of over $2,000. Steps were at
once taken to utilize these donations, and
the State secretary, Samuel W. Taggart,
came to Berwick and solicited subscriptions
for this purpose. So well did the pub-
lic respond that in the spring of 1885 a
new building was completed and the associa-
tion took up its quarters therein. This build-
ing was dedicated April 7, 1885.
From this period the Association grew
steadily in numbers and power for good in
the community. The library was a special
feature, while baths and reading rooms, to-
gether with the hall on the third floor, were
all agencies used to make pleasant and useful
quarters for the Association work.
For a number of years Rev. Henry S.
Mendenhall was the employed librarian and
did much to direct the reading of the youth
of the town who patronized the library.
The following persons have filled the office
of president: C. H. Zehnder, 1885; S. W.
Dickson, 1886-87; James E. Smith, 1888-90;
S. W. Dickson, 1890-93; J. S. Hicks, 1893-95;
John A. Kepner, 1895-98; S. W. Dickson,
1898-1900; John A. Kepner, 1900-05; S. W.
Dickson, 1905-11; W. S. Johnson, 1911-13;
Leslie E. Hess, 1913-14.
The employed secretaries : S. T. Dimmick,
1884-86; W. N. Multer, 1886-89; H. A. Lord,
1889-93; Horace Breece, 1894-1903; John R.
Riebe, 1903-06; E. A. Jesson, 1906-07; R. E.
Bomboy, 1907-13; W. B. VanScoter, 1913-14.
From the opening of the building in 1886
to 1907 the Association performed a very ex-
cellent work for young men and boys. The
increase in the population of Berwick by rea-
son of the chief industry of the town having
made large additions to its mills and car
shops, made it very apparent that the Associa-
tion needed increased facilities and larger
quarters for the carrying on of its work, and
in the period between 1907-14 the Association
therefore has received its greatest impetus.
The membership was increased to over one
thousand and subsequently the building was
remodeled and refurnished, a third story add-
ed, and an addition of 50 by 86 feet built in
the rear, together with a gymnasium 47 by 69
feet, equipped with modern apparatus. The
third story is furnished with dormitories,
while a swimming pool and bowling alleys
complete the equipment in the basement. The
Association has other property from which a
small revenue is derived.
Besides the Library features, that is, the
library and reading rooms, the Association has
from the beginning — extending now over a
period of thirty-five years — conducted a series
of lectures given by the best talent on the
American lecture platform, every winter, and
their courses are looked forward to by the
public and patronized very substantially and
liberally.
The Association maintains classes in com-
mercial and technical work for boys and men
who are employed during the day. Free lec-
tures are also given, and in numerous other
ways it seeks to exercise a leading part in
the community in the moral and spiritual up-
lift of its members.
In 191 1 there was a reorganization of the
board of managers with the following result:
W. S. Johnson, president; J. H. Smethers,
treasurer; G. B. Vance, recording secretary;
directors, S. W. Dickson, J. A. Kepner, J. S.
Hicks, E. M. Kocher, L. E. Hess, F. W. Bush,
W. C. Garrison, J. H. Catterall, R. L. Kline,
C. E. Ferris, E. A. Glenn, M. D., J. W. Shef-
fer, J. B. Landis.
The demands of the Association were such
that this board was selected with more than
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
181
usual care to handle to the best advantage
new and growing conditions in the Associa-
tion work.
The report of the secretary, W. B. Van-
Scoter, for the year 1913-14 shows a total of
972 members, of whom 786 were men and
186 boys. The average daily attendance at
the building was 350, and thirty men were
residents of the dormitories. Free tuition in
the different classes was given to members,
and 312 students were enrolled in these dif-
ferent classes, to the number of sixteen. The
subjects taught include arithmetic, shorthand,
bookkeeping, typewriting, mechanical drawing,
freehand drawing, shop mathematics, electric-
ity and common school branches for foreign-
ers ; there is also a day class for men who are
employed during the night. The Association
also provided rooms for a kindergarten which
was conducted by Miss Grace Hill from 9
to 12 A. M. Thirty-one practical talks were
given to men and boys besides the lecture
course herein referred to. One Book per day
during the year was the number donated by
friends of the library, and 1,825 books were
drawn out by the readers.
Among the many organizations that used
the building as a meeting place were the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, the
Twentieth Century Club, Sunday School
League, Ministerium, Patriotic Order Sons of
America, Retail Clerks' Association, Personal
Workers' League, Daughters of the American
Revolution, Civic League, King's Daughters,
and the Anti-Saloon League. The Ladies'
Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian As-
sociation, which has been in existence as a
separate organization since the time that the
first building was opened, and which has al-
ways rendered effective help in the manage-
ment of the Association, has frequently used
the rooms to give delightful entertainments
and furnish refreshments during the year.
The religious work also has been a great
benefit to those who participated. Fourteen
different Bible classes were held, with an at-
tendance of 530 men and boys and a force of
sixteen teachers and assistants. Twenty-four
Sunday meetings were held, with an attend-
ance of 3,945 young men and boys. Shop
meetings are a feature and are largely at-
tended, while two shop Bible classes were
continuously conducted.
The work for the boys was both educational
and religious, and an important addition to
the equipment was donated by Mrs. Jane
Jackson-Gearhart, in honor of her mother,
the late Mrs. Elizabeth S. Jackson, consist-
ing of a moving picture projector and optical
lantern. By means of this outfit many in-
teresting lectures were given.
Besides the regular physical classes there
was formed a Boy Scout Troop, which has
helped in the work of developing the boys
into men of credit to the community. In the
gymnasium the attendance for the year was
7,281 men and boys.
In 1913 the entire basement was remodeled
and two new bowling alleys added, also a
men's game room. The total expenditures
for the year were $9,691, the receipts being
slightly less. The Association, however, is
self-supporting, the small difference being
caused by the expense of numerous improve-
ments and additions. Such is a brief state-
ment taken from the last annual report, 1913,
and indicating in a general way the activities
of this modern Association.
The officers and board of managers for the
present are : Leslie E. Hess, president ; John
H. Smethers, treasurer; Bernard G. Vance,
secretary; J. B. Landis, E. A. Glenn, M. D.,
lohn Sheffer, C. E. Ferris, R. L. Kline, E. M.
kocher, J. S. Hicks, W. E. Elmes, John A.
Kepner, Frederick Bush, W. S. Johnson, W.
C. Garrison. W. B. VanScoter is the gen-
eral secretary of the Association and with
him is associated B. T. Pond, the physical
director.
In addition to the board of managers, the
property of the Association is vested in the
following trustees : C. R. Woodin, Frederick
H. Eaton, S. W. Dickson, W. H. Woodin, R.
L. Kline, Francis Evans, W. C. Garrison, C.
G. Crispin, F. A. Witman.
The money invested in the property, that
is, the lots, the buildings, its library and fur-
nishings, represented originally the sum of
$30,000. With the addition in 1907-08 ; with
new furnishings and bowling alleys in 1913,
there is now invested a sum equaling in round
figures $100,000. For all this the Association
has been indebted through the years to the
enterprise of the citizens of greater Berwick
and its neighborhoods, but more largely in-
debted to the members of the trustees board
in control of the large car and foundry manu-
facturing business located in the town for
most liberal financial contributions to the in-
vestment and the maintenance of the Associa-
tion's work, without whose support it would
not be possible to maintain the standard set up
nor to make good the title, the Industrial
Young Men's Christian Association of Greater
Berwick.
182
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB
The first step towards the organization of
women for the undertaking of chib work was
taken under the leadership of Mrs. S. P.
Hanly. Ten women met at the Y. M. C. A.
Oct. 20, 1898, for the purpose of estabhshing
systematic readings and discussions. A Cur-
rent Events Club was the result, the following
officers being elected: Mrs. S. P. Hanly,
president; Mrs. H. F. Glenn, vice president;
Mrs. S. C. Jayne, secretary, and Mrs. W. H.
Woodin, treasurer. Looking over the outline
of work, the first three years' study consisted
of discussions of inventions, politics, music,
art, stage, educational interests and religious
interests. Certain periods were also spent in
reading portions from standard works of
literature, principally those of Shakespeare,
Dickens and Longfellow. During the third
year programs were arranged and printed, a
plan which has been followed each succeeding
year.
In 1901 the club joined the Federation of
Clubs of Pennsylvania Women as the Twen-
tieth Century Club of Berwick, Pa. The mem-
bers comprising the club are : Mrs. E. Adams,
Mrs. F. K. Crisman, Mrs. F. R. Clark, Mrs.
C. G. Crispin, Mrs. A. L. Canavan, Mrs. Dis-
telhurst, Mrs. T. H. Doan, Mrs. C. C. Evans,
Mrs. J. W. Evans, Mrs. B. F. Evans, Mrs. J.
L. Evans, Mrs. F. Faust, Mrs. W. C. Garrison,
Mrs. Eudera Hanly, Mrs. L. E. Hess. Mrs. A.
C. Jackson, Mrs. Anna Kirkendall, Mrs. E. A.
Loux. Mrs. William McKinney. Mrs. W. F.
Lowry, Mrs. J. H. Taylor; associate members :
Mrs. Theodore Berger, Mrs. S. W. Dickson,
Miss Dodson, Miss Elizabeth Glenn, Miss
Dickson, Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, Miss Jame-
son, Miss Anna Oswald, Mrs. H. F. Glenn,
Mrs. Elizabeth Oswald ; non-resident members,
Mrs. M. M. Allbeck, Monongahela, Pa. ; Mrs.
M. J. Crispin, New York City; Mrs. F. H.
Eaton, New York City; Mrs. W. M. Hager,
Roselle, N. J. ; Mrs. Emma Jackson, Tiffin,
Ohio ; Mrs. T. S. Lewis, Philadelphia, Pa. ;
Mrs. R. H. Davenport, Kansas City; Mrs. C.
D. Eaton, Plainfield, N. J. ; Mrs. N.'C. Naylor,
Shenandoah, Pa. ; Mrs. Elizabeth Reber,
Bloomsburg, Pa. ; Mrs. C. L. Rodgers, Sligo,
Mo.: Mrs. N. Scheffer. R/feadville, Pa.; Mrs.
A. H. Smith, California; Mrs. P. Sturdevant.
Passaic, N. T- : Mrs. C. R. Woodin, New York
City ; Mrs. W. H. Woodin, New York City.
Mrs. F. Faust is the president in 1914.
D.\UGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Moses Van Campen Chapter, D. A. R., was
organized in Berwick Feb. 19, 1912. The
name was adopted for the reason that Moses
\an Campen was a resident for many years
of the section immediately west of Berwick
and his achievements were part of the history
of this section of the State. Van Campen
was born Jan. 21, 1757, and died Oct. 15,
1849. Some account of his life and acts will
be found in the earlier chapters of this work.
This branch of the D. A. R. meets the first
Friday of each month, from October to May,
at Berwick, and at these meetings addresses
are made and papers read on matters pertain-
ing to the history of America, the L'nitcd
States and the section of the State now in-
cluded in the counties of Columbia, Montour
and Luzerne.
The first officers elected by this chapter
were : Mrs. Clarence G. Crispin, regent ;
Mrs. C. E. Ferris, recording secretary ; Miss
Sarah M. Hagenbuch, corresponding secre-
tary ; Miss Harriet J. Alexander, registrar ;
Mrs. A. C. 'Jackson, historian; Miss Doretta
Distelhurst, treasurer; Mrs. E. A. Loux, chap-
lain. The only change made since organiza-
tion has been the election of Mrs. A. T.
Lowry as registrar in place of Miss Harriet
J. Alexander, who became vice regent.
The charter members of the chapter were :
Harriet Jenkins Alexander, Bessie Belle
Bishop, Elma Caroline Bishop, Mae L. Crispin,
Louise W. Crisman, Grace E. Distelhurst,
Doretta Chandlee Distelhurst, Gertrude May
Follmer, Carrie K. Ferris, Harriet Arabella
Ferris, Adelaide Lepha Ferris, Martha Jeane
Freas, Sarah Margaret Hagenbuch, Edna K.
Jackson, Anna C. Loux, Caroline H. Sponsler,
Helen Emily Trescott. Martha W. Williams.
BERWICK ATHLETIC AS.S0CIATI0N
The purposes of this organization, as stated
in the charter of April 15, 19 10, are the pur-
chase and maintenance of a private park and
facilities for baseball and other innocent ath-
letic sports, including clubs for that purpose.
The yearly income of the association is re-
stricted to $20,000 from other sources than
real estate.
The number of directors is fixed at nine,
the first board being J. U. Kurtz, M. C. Hetler,
Freas Fowler, George Confair, J. N. Harry,
\\'illiam Linden, John C. Crisman, J. W.
Evans, Charles C. Lockhart. The capital
stock was fixed at $5,000 and divided into 200
shares of $25 each: At present there are about
eighty-five stockholders.
The first officers were : J. N. Harry, presi-
I
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
183
dent ; John H. Sniethers. secretary ; Mahlon
C. Hetler, treasurer and business manager.
The present officers are : John C. Crisman,
president ; George Linville, secretary ; George
Confair, treasurer; M. C. Hetler, manager.
In the spring of 1910 the association leased
for five years a plot of ground in West Ber-
wick from Freas Fowler, calling it Fowler
Field. This property is valued at $9,CX30, and
the association has an option on it and has
made $6,000 worth of improvements, includ-
ing a grandstand. Here are held bicycle and
athletic meets, which attract crowds aver-
aging 2,500 persons, several times a year.
When the Susquehanna Baseball League of
six clubs was formed the association sup-
ported the home team. The league first con-
sisted of the Nescopeck, Shickshinny, Nanti-
coke. Bloomsburg, Berwick and Danville
clubs, for one year. The next year the Nesco-
peck, Shickshinny and Nanticoke clubs
dropped out, and the Sunbury club was added.
Many of the former members of the league
later played in the big national baseball
leagues.
THE BERWICK MARATHON ASSOCIATION
The Berwick Marathon Association has held
meets for seven consecutive years, at which
only the highest grade athletes have been seen,
in many contests for prizes, consisting mainly
of diamonds. The principal event is the ten-
mile foot race, in which the fastest records
in the Union have been made. The first meet
took place in 1908 on Thanksgiving Day, which
has been the day set for all the meets which
have taken place since. The officers of the
association are : A. E. Domrelle, Detroit,
president ; Prof. James Y. Sigman, Ph. G..
Berwick, vice president; C. N. MacCrea, Ber-
wick, secretary-treasurer.
THE grinders' CLUB
This unique organization combines fraternal
and social objects with literary and athletic
aspirations of varied character. Originally
organized by a few young men in West Ber-
wick in December, 191 1, as a debating society,
it has since expanded its arms to include mem-
bers from Bei^ick and Nescopeck. The
charter contains a clause prohibiting the sale
by the club of intoxicants and the by-laws
provide that gambling and the bringing of in-
toxicants into the clubrooms will be the cause
for expulsion of members. Card and game
playing on the Sabbath are also prohibited.
In the summer of 1912 members of the
Grinders' Club won the pennant in the Penn-
sylvania League of baseball clubs. In the
same year they pulled down the team prize in
the Berwick Athletic Association, also winning
the shield for the relay race, running against
a formidable field in both events.
In 1913 the club won the first prize in the
New Year's celebration by parading a com-
plete "Uncle Tom's Cabin'' troupe, sixty
strong, including the bloodhounds, as well as
Eva and Topsy. The Grinders, Jr., a branch,
won the boys' prize in the parade with a com-
plete Zouave company.
In the following year the club was winner
in -the New Year's parade with a company of
Jackson's soldiers of the war of 1812, com-
pletely uniformed, even to the buttons. The
"Grenadiers." an offshoot of the Grinders, Jr.,
of the previous year, won the boys' prize over
all competitors.
In the summer of 1914, after a bad start,
the Grinders' team won both series of the City
League, after a grueling finish. Their man-
ager was Ed. Tustin. The club also won a
number of debates that year and were suc-
cessful in the checkers and pinochle tourna-
ments.
In the season of 1913-14 the members won
the bowling championship of the City League,
under the management of V. R. Cousins.
Each year a banquet to the members and
their lady friends is given at the "St. Charles
Hotel." The club has presented flags to all
the public schools of both boroughs ; initiated
the custom of celebrating Surrender Day by
a reception in the town hall to the surviving
veterans of the Civil war; and made a national
reputation by establishing a camp. at the his-
toric battleground on the celebration of the
fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettys-
burg. The club has always been ready to
respond to appeals for help from the two bor-
oughs and has also furnished a room in the
new Berwick hospital at an expense of several
hundred dollars.
The first president of the club was P. B.
Lowry and the second Clyde Croft. William
Sherman was the first secretary-treasurer.
The present officers are : John A. Beeber, past
president ; Edward Foster, president ; W. B.
Croft, vice president; Frank M. Carey,
financial secretary; Clyde K. Croft, recording
secretary ; J. J. Kallbach, treasurer.
The club is located in commodious quarters
on Front and Orange streets, but a program
of larger scope is being prepared for the com-
ing year, which will necessitate the building
of a home of its own.
184
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
THE BERWICK CLUB
With handsomely furnished and equipped
rooms, the Berwick Club plays an important
part in the life of Berwick. The club was
organized in May, 1894, and its popularity
among the membership, which comprises many
of Berwick's most representative citizens, has
been constantly increasing. Reading room,
card room, pool room and grill room com-
prise the suite on the second floor of the Evans
building which has been occupied by the club
since its organization. Among the members
are some of the best pool shots in this section,
and pool tournaments are always a feature
during the winter.
MILITARY MATTERS
"Training Day," coming in the latter part
of May, was one of the important periods of
the year when the memory of the Revolu-
tionary and border wars was fresh in the
minds of the people. A motley crowd of men
and boys would gather in the streets and
march around to the tune of the fife and the
roll of the drum. An ancient cannon was
generally procurable, and this was cleaned,
loaded, primed and fired amid the delighted
shouts of the small boys and the shrill screams
of the ladies. Among the leaders of the past
on these occasions are recalled the names of
Capt. Matthew McDowell, the organizer of
the first military company ; James Pratt, the
drillmaster; John M. Snyder and John Bitten-
bender, colonels ; and George Kelchner and
Christopher Bowman, majors.
Berwick furnished a full quota of soldiers
in the Civil war, a company of thirteen en-
listing in May, 1861, and twenty-three a short
time afterwards, while many others joined the
armies during the progress of that great
struggle. A number of soldiers repose in the
cemetery at Berwick, two of the number,
Moses Davis and James Pratt, being veterans
of the Revolution ; three of the war of 1812,
and two of the Mexican war.
A number of military organizations existed
in the town in the past. The Jackson Guards,
organized in 1871, disbanded" in 1880. The
Berwick Guards, organized by Julius Hoft, a
student of the Prussian military academy, in
1886, with C. G. Jackson as captain, was
chiefly a juvenile company and had a short
life.
Capt. Clarence G. Jackson Post, No. 759,.
Grand Army of the Republic, was chartered
Jan. 26, 1886, with the following members:
George A. Buckingham, J. T. Chamberlain,
Samuel Simpson, D. W. Holley, Abner Welsh,
Reuben Moyer, George Keener, W. H. Mor-
ton, John Withers, R. H. Little, W. C. Bar-
nard, Minor Hartman, Martin 'McAllister,
Leroy T. Thompson, Tighlman Moharter, i.
C. Jayne, A. D. Seely, W. J. Scott, Michael
Thornton, John Wooley, E. D. Lipkicher.
This post is the successor of the one for-
merly known as W. W. Ricketts Post.
John H. Styer Camp, No. 25, Sons of
Veterans, was instituted May 29, 1862, with
D. C. Smith, captain; E. P. Wolfe, first
lieutenant; Harry Lowe, second lieutenant;
David Thomas, chaplain ; Augustus Lowe,
surgeon ; George Hoppes, orderly sergeant ;
Harry Barnato, sergeant of the guard; David
Thomas, quartermaster; Jerome Pifer, color
sergeant; Albert Lowe, corporal.
BERWICK CORNET BAND
Charles H. Stoes, the famous bandmaster
of Danville, came to Berwick about 1857 ^nd
gave private lessons to a number of musically
inclined young men of the town. He also
organized a band and purchased a number
of instruments. For a time the band partici-
pated in many of the events of the day, but
the interest finally lagged and disbandment
followed. The instruments were stored away
until 1868, when interest was revived, and the
permission of the surviving members of the
old band being obtained, the instruments were
given to the new organization.
The Berwick Cornet Band was organized in
April, 1868, with the following members: E.
M. Klinger, Capt. A. H. Rush, William Ruch,
Isaiah Bower, Dr. R. H. Little, Joseph Faust,
Col. A. D. Seely, Hiram A. Bower, Riter Keck,
Daniel Reedy, Isidore Chamberlain, Lyman
Fowler, Alem Connelly, Theodore Wein-
garten, Charles Becker, J. R. McAnall, J. F.
Opdyke, Theodore Fowler, Fred Spiker, Mor-
decai Bropst, Joseph E. Fry.
Under Harry Grozier, as leader, the band
made its first public appearance on Decora-
tion Day, May 30, 1870. They marched
proudly to the top of the hill, and the signal
being given, began to play. But scarce had
the first note been blown allien Col. Frank
Suit, who had planted his fieldpiece at the left
of the hilltop, pulled the lanyard, and a tre-
mendous explosion shook the earth, stopped
the band music and split the lips of most of
the players. Thereafter the music was of a
very poor quality and volume.
Mr. Grozier resigned after a few years and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
185
George Rupert was elected to the position of
leader. He was followed by Richard Stout
and Prof. Adam Schalles, of Stockton, Pa.
During the latter's term (in 1888) the_ band
was incorporated, owing to the necessity of
protecting its property from loss and damage.
The next leader was Prof. J. O. Boyles,
who has been connected with the band since
he was a small boy, and under him the band
has reacht;d its present high position in the
musical world. The band has received prizes
at six county firemen's conventions, at Blooms-
burg, Scranton, Mahanoy City, Hazleton,
Danville and Milton; first prizes at the Red
Men's conventions at Williamsport and
Shamokin ; first prizes at the Elks' conventions
at Mahanoy City and Milton, and prizes at the
P. O. S. of A. convention at Scranton.
The first quarters of the band were in a
room over the wagon shop of Jeremiah See-
sholtz, where the Fenstermacher photograph
studio is now located. Next they located over
Wilson's drug store, now the Levy building,
and were then successively on the third floor
of the original Jackson & Woodin building,
over the stable of the "Warnett Hotel" (later
the "Fairman Hotel"), in the Thiel Pottery
building on Sixth street, in the Adams build-
ing, now occupied by Smith Brothers; in the
J. C. Furman blacksmith shop, over Joseph
Faust's carpenter shop, on the third floor of
the "Morton House," in the Town Hall, on
Second street ; and lastly in the brick building
belonging to the American Car and Foundry
Company, on Market street, which they now
use free of rent.
The Berwick Band, as it is now called, has
a membership of fifty-five musicians, and an
equipment of the latest make of instruments.
They wear blue fatigue uniforms and scarlet
and white parade dress, and the entire equip-
ment is valued at $8,000. The present officers
are: J. O. Boyles, director and manager;
Christopher Tubbs, president; W. E. Adams,
secretary; J. E. Fry, assistant secretary;
Harry Hayman, treasurer.
SECRET SOCIETIES
Berwick has more secret and ritualistic
societies than any other town in Columbia
or Montour counties. These societies include
within their circles the most substantial mem-
bers of society in the town and exert a tre-
mendous influence for good throughout the
community. The oldest of the organizations
and one of the strongest is the local lodge of
Odd Fellows.
Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., was
instituted Jan. 23, 1847, the first members
being: Isaiah Bahl, O. H. P. Kitchen, Aaron
Dietterich, James S. Campbell, Stewart
Pearce, G. VV. Nicely, William Brewer, B. S.
Gilmour. A hall was built by the lodge in
1868 at a cost of $12,000.
Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A.,
was established in 1869, but disbanded in 1878.
On Feb. 27, 1880, it was reorganized with the
following members : S. W. Dickson, W. A.
Ross, C. A. Croop, S. C. Marteeny, F. R.
Kitchen, C. E. Ross, H. C. Learn, F. S. Hart-
man, Anselm Loeb, Will H. Owen, W. M.
Hampshire, Conway Dickson, J. U. Kurtz, J.
S. Hicks, Charles W. Freas, F. P. Hill, George
B. Kester, J. C. Dietterick, John W. More-
head, J. C. Reedy, J. M. Witman, M. E. Rit-
tenhouse, William F. Rough, A. J. Learn, F.
G. Hull, J. E. Fry, A. Z. Hempfield. In
April, 1886, the fine hall now used by the
camp was first occupied. It was built by the
Odd Fellows in 1868 and purchased by the
P. O. S. of A. soon after the fire which par-
tially destroyed it in 1880. The building was
rebuilt and is now used for meeting purposes
and as a location for a motion picture theatre.
In 1914 the lodge reached the even figure
of 700 in membership, and was in exception-
ally fine financial condition. The officers for
that year were: J. W. McElwee, president;
Gaylord Spangler, vice president ; Arthur
Bechtel, master of forms; Walter Miller, con-
ductor; Samuel Garrison, inspector; Adam
Miller, guard; Cyrus Smith, trustee; Irvin
Spangler, secretary. The board of directors
were : C. E. Ross, J. O. Edwards, F. R.
Kitchen, A. N. Sheerer, H. E. Rabert, C. J.
Cortright, S. L. Hess, Guy Henrie, H. H.
Pursel.
Berwick Lodge of Elks
Berwick's new lodge of Elks has hand-
somely furnished club rooms on West Second
street. The large John W. Evans dwelling
house has been converted into a home that
makes the club particularly popular. There
is a large game room, reading room with
papers, and a pool room. The lodge room and
the ladies" parlor are on the second floor. The
building throughout is finely fitted with mis-
sion furniture and the appointments of the
meeting room are particularly fine, being of
hardwood. The lodge has been rapidly grow-
ing in membership and with excellent quarters,
a fine location and the high personnel of its
membership promises to be an ever-increasing
factor in the life of the community.
18G
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Masonic
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Berwick, was constituted March
2, 1870, with the following officers and mem-
bers: John W. Taylor, worshipful master;
Frank E. Brockway, senior warden ; George
B. Thompson, junior warden. Charter mem-
bers: John H. Taylor, Frank E. Brockway,
George B. Thompson, Clarence G. Jackson, A.
B. MacCrea, Henry C. Freas, Clemuel R.
Woodin, Samuel Hetler, Hudson Owen,
Daniel Reedy, William H. Woodin, Adrian
Vanhouten, R. H. Little, J. W. Dreisbach,
Nicholas Seybert, George W. Fisher, Joshua
F. Opdyke, Joseph H. Hicks, Seth B. Bow-
man, N. W. Stecker, Benjamin Evans, William
Ross.
Meetings are held on the first Friday of
each month in the Evans building. The 1914
officers were : Worshipful master, Roland
O. Brockway ; senior warden, Ernest H.
Stiner ; junior warden, Herman T. Waldner;
treasurer, John W. Evans, P.M.; secretary,
James E. Smith, P. M. ; trustees, Charles T.
Steck, P. M., Stephen C. Seiple, P. M., Miles
S. Bredbenner, P. M. ; representative in grand
lodge, John C. Crisman, P. M. Past masters
by service : John H. Taylor, Frank E. Brock-
way, John F. Woodin, J. F. Hicks, J. F. Bit-
tenbender, David H. Thornton, William A.
Baucher, W. S. Heller, Henry C. Angstadt,
John W. Everard, Benjamin F. Crispin, Jr.,
Robert G. Crispin, William E. Smith, Julius
Hoft, John W. Evans, J. Simpson Kline, Elias
P. Rohbach, John A. Kepner, William T.
Emery, James E. Smith, Charles T. Steck, G.
Fred Miller, Elmer E. Garr, Je"nnings U.
Kurtz, William L. Houck, Barton D. Freas,
William D. Kline, Jesse Y. Glenn, Charles H.
Dorr, Henry P. Field, Jr., William E. Elmes,
Frank E. Patten, Nelson W. Bloss, Stephen
C. Seiple, Horton J. Kirkendall, Miles S.
Bredbenner, Dayton L. Ranck. John C. Cris-
man. Non-affiliated past ma'ster, Olaf F.
Ferris.
Knights of Malta
Susquehanna Commandery. No. 18, Ancient
and Illustrious Knights of Malta, was. insti-
tuted at Berwick Aug. 25, 1887, with A. E.
Shuman as commander. Starting with a mem-
bership of seventy-two, it has grown steadily
and substantially until in 1914 it numbers 230
members. Being a religious, beneficial and
fraternal organization, it has drawn to its
roster many of the best and most influential
men of the community. Three of the mem-
bers of this commandery were also members
of the Supreme Commandery of the Continent
of America, A. E. Shuman, John R. McAnall
and George W. Suit (deceased). The grand
commandery of Pennsylvania held the annual
session in Berwick in 1893, with W. J. Rough,
grand commander. The commandery now
meets every Thursday evening in the Odd Fel-
lows' hall. Reagan 13. Johnson is the present
commander, and I. L. B. Martz, recorder.
Anak Siesta, No. JJ, Princes of Bagdad (a
side degree of the Knights of Malta), was
organized in 1907, with a membership of
eighty. It has had a steady increase in mem-
bership and has proved the cementer of bonds
of brotherhood between the younger members
of the knights.
Other Lodges
Berwick Encampment, No. 131, Knights of
Khorassan ; Berwick Council, No. 176, Royal
Arcanum; Pewaukee Tribe, No. 240, Im-
proved Order of Red Men ; Tuscawilla Coun-
cil, No. 156, Daughters of Pocahontas; Ber-
wick Council, No. 698, Junior Order United '
American Mechanics ; Berwick Castle, No.
249, Knights of the Golden Eagle ; Berwick
Conclave, No. 783, I. O. H. ; Aerie No. 1281,
Fraternal Order of Eagles ; Berwick Tent, No.
282, Knights of the Maccabees.
BERWICK CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
This association was composed of plot
holders in the old cemetery and was formed in
1873 for the purpose of securing control, by
purchase or otherwise, of the grounds, thereby
to be enabled to improve and care for the
graves. The land had been given to four re-
ligious denominations by Evan Owen. In
May, 1 88 1, the association acquired control of
the land and immediately commenced the work
of improvement, which has gone on without
interruption up to the present time. The first
officers of the association were : H. C. Freas,
president; C. B. Jackson, secretary; O. H. P.
Kitchen, treasurer and superintendent.
BERWICK HOSPITAL
The Berwick Hospital Association was or-
ganized in January, 1905. The ladies of Ber-
wick were instrumental in collecting the funds
to furnish the first building, which was owned
by C. R. Woodin and accommodated twenty-
two patients. The first officers of the associa-
Berwick Hospital. Berwick, Pa.
Bloomsbukg Hospital, Bloomsburg, Pa.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
187
tion were: Mrs. S. P. Hanly, president;
Mrs. C. C. Evans, first vice president; Mrs.
R. L. Kline, second vice president ; Miss Eliza-
beth Glenn, secretary; ]\Iiss Ella Moyer,
treasurer.
I-'rom the first hospital six nurses were
graduated yearly, all of whom lived in the
building; but soon the quarters became over-
crowded and in 1912 a meeting was held to
secure funds for the erection of a larger
building.
Much enthusiasm was aroused in the cam-
paign for funds, and the erection and furnish-
ing of the new hospital became a community
affair in which all classes participated. The
American Car and Foundry Company gave
large sums, workmen gave a day's wages to
the fund, and the Odd Fellows, Elks, P. O. S.
of A., Grinders' Club, Salem Grange, Frances
Willard liible Class of the Methodist Church,
and a number of other organizations, each
furnished a room in the hospital, at an average
cost of $150.
The new building was completed in 1913 at
a cost of $28,000, and the old building aban-
doned in January, 1914. The building is of
Bloomsburg brick, with limestone trimmings,
97 ^y 37 feet, with two floors, basement and
attic. There are four large wards, with a
capacity of thirty beds, ten private rooms,
space for four cribs for children, and rooms
for fourteen nurses and hospital help. The
training school will educate ten nurses, who
will graduate in 191 5. The new building is
located on Mulberry street and Garfield
avenue, in the north end of the town, while
the old building was situated on Maple street.
The number of free patients in 1913 in the
old building was 201 ; pay patients, 161 ; num-
ber of deaths, 23. The cost of maintenance
during the first five months after the occu-
pation of the new building was $5,000.
The officers of the Hospital Association for
1914 are: J. H. Catterall, president; J. U.
Kurtz, first vice president ; Frank Faust,
second vice president; B. D. Freas, treasurer;
Conway W. Dickson, secretary. The trustees
are: J. M. Schain, B. D. Freas, H. E. Wal-
ton, John W. Evans, Walter Hughes, J. H.
Catterall, A. N. Sheerer, three years; M. C.
Metier, J. U. Kurtz, C. W. Dickson, Wilson
Harter, Frank Faust, Wilbur Smith, James
Lee, two years; M. J. Crispin, M. F. Williams,
J. N. Harry, Jason Rhoades, J. W. Roberts,
Harry Fahringer, C. G. Crispin, one year.
The following are life members of the asso-
ciation : C. W. Sones, C. C. Lockhart, C. A.
Raseley, James Fox, A. C. Jackson, I. B.
Abrams, C. E. Sitler, M. C. Hetler, W. A.
Hughes, H. H. Long, J. A. Rhodes, M. G.
Smith, B. D. Freas, J. W. Roberts, Jacob
Kupsky, John M. Fairchild, J. C. Oberdorf,
H. E. Walton, S. C. Jayne, R. E. Warntz,
John Murko, W. F. McMichael, S. E. Fen-
stermacher, E. W. Garrison, Jacob S. Garrison,
R. O. Bower, Jno. W. Evans, George Unangst,
Elliott Adams, A. A. Lerch, F. A. Witman,
W. C. Garrison, J. F. Pfahler, Herbert Levy,
J. W. Sitler, Frank Fahringer, Hugh Thomp-
son, J. J. ;\Iyers, George W. Seybert, John K.
Adams, Wm. J. Fairchild, R. L. Kline, L. I.
Clewell, P. C. Currin, John N. Harr>', T. Har-
vey Doan, James L. Evans, T. B. Brobst, H.
R. Bower, Mary A. Lockhart, Conway Dick-
son, C. T. Steck, J. H. Bowman, W. C. Hensyl,
Jos. M. Schain, E. L. Davis, H. T. Waldner,
Joseph Cohen, M. F. Williams, John Frank,
Frank Faust, J. U. Kurtz, J. H. Catterall,
Wilson Harter, Jas. Harman, W. S. Johnson,
J. L. Halyburton.
CHAPTER XVI
CATAWJSSA BOROUGH— CATAWISSA TOWNSHIP
Catawissa township was formed from Au-
gusta in 1785, and originally included all of
ijeaver, Lonyngham, trankhn, Locust, Main,
Mittim, Mayoerry of Montour county, and
part of bnion township in Schuylkill county.
it was reduced in size by the lormation of
Roaringcreek township in 1832, l^'ranklin in
1843, and Main in 1844. It is the oldest sub-
division of the county and contains the oldest
settlements.
Authorities differ as to the meaning of the
Indian name "Catawese." Redmond Conyng-
ham, after whom the township of that name
was called, stated that the Piscatawese had a
settlement here. Stewart Pierce stated that
the Shawanese had a town here in 1697. The
word "Catawese" occurs in several of the
Indian dialects, and means "pure water." The
greater part of the eastern portion of the
township is occupied by the majestic Catawissa
mountain, the brow of which overshadows the
town. In the summer many parties are made
up to visit this eminence, from all parts of
the county. It was a favorite resort of the
Indians. Within a short distance of the sum-
mit is a fine, ever-flowing spring. Beside this
stood for many years an immense gum tree,
the only one for miles around, which was
looked upon with reverence by the savages.
The tree was overturned by a high wind some
years ago and has rotted away, but younger
descendants of the forest monarch are spring-
ing up to take its place.
The first European to visit Catawissa was
James LeTort, a French trader, who bore mes-
sages of amity to the Delaware chieftains and
the celebrated Madame Montour in 1728, pre-
senting each a "strowd match coat," as a token
of friendship. After the visit of this French
trader no mention is made of the place until
1754, when Conrad Weiser, the noted Morav-
ian missionary to the Indians, writes from
Shamokin, mentioning in the letter the Indian
village of "Oskohary," which was identical
with the Catawissa of the present. At that
time the chief of the village was the famous
Lapackpitton, a Delaware. Soon after this
date the place seems to have been abandoned
by the savages as a place of residence.
The first settlers in the Catawissa valley
were a number of English Quakers, from
Maiden-creek and Exeter in Berks county, who-
came by way of the valley of the "North
Branch." They arrived between 1774 and
1778. Before their arrival a number of per-
sons had obtained patents from the Penns,
among them being William Collins, William
Hughes, James Watson, John Lore, John
Mears, Isaiah Willits and John Lloyd. Other
settlers arrived at different periods, most of
them following the trails over the Broad, Blue,
Locust and Little mountains on horseback. The
first house in the vicinity of Catawissa was
built by Moses Roberts in 1774.
Among those who reached Catawissa in 1782
were Michael Geiger, Joseph Mclntyre, John
Furry, Thomas Wilkinson, George Huntzinger
and Conrad Wamphole. Soon after their ar-
rival a party of Indians came and occupied the
old site of their town. Their fishing operations
were interfered with by Wilkinson, who was
made to swim the river to escape their arrows.
He tried to explain to his friends that he was
only gauging the depth of the water, and thus
earned the nickname of "Tom Ganger." In
the same year a party of Indians made a raid
on the settlement, scalping and killing John
Furry, his wife and two daughters. Three
sons, John, Jonas and Lawrence, were absent
at the gristmill at Sunbury and thus escaped,
while another son, Henry, was taken captive.
Years later the three brothers met Henry in
Montreal, Canada, where he had developed into
a prosperous trader after his imprisonment
there by the French had ended.
This was the era of the "great retreat," dur-
ing which most of the settlers of'the valley fled
from their homes in fear of Indian raids. The
Quakers, owing to their confidence in the In-
188
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
189
dians' promises to the Penns, remained. This
confidence was never betrayed.
In 1787 VViUiam Hughes laid out the town of
"Hughesburg, in the County of Northumber-
land, State of Pennsylvania, North America,
on the banks of the northeast tract of the river
Susquehannam near the mouth of Catawessey
creek, about twenty miles above Sunbury and
about one hundred and si.x miles above Phila-
delphia." William Gray and John Sene were
the surveyors. According to the custom of the
day the lots were disposed of by lottery. Wil-
liam Henry was the original owner of the tract
in 1769, the patentees were later Edward and
Joseph Shippen, and from them the title was
transferred to William Hughes. In 17S9 John
Mears, a physician and justice of the peace,
secured title to sixty-five lots. In 1796 the
Roberts addition was laid out by James
Watson.
Although the original town plot was large
it was but thinly settled. The first industry
established was the tannery of Isaiah Willits,
in 1780, at the corner of Third and South
streets. The ferry was then run by Knappen-
berger & Willits. The first merchant was
Isaiah Hughes, who opened a store at an early
date on the river bank near the foot of South
street. Joseph Heister followed with a store
on Water street, near Main. He sold out to
John Clark, who kept it for some years.
The history of the township is so wrapped
up in that of the town that it is necessary to
include both in this sketch. The few farmers
remained near the town, for better protection
from the Indians, the most prominent ones in
those days being the Watsons, Jacksons,
Lounts, Lloyds and Hayhursts. The first jus-
tices of the peace were George Hughes and
William Mears. The first mill in the county
was liuilt on Catawissa creek in 1774 by a mem-
ber of the Societv of Friends whose name
cannot be ascertained. It was so crude in con-
struction as to be frequently out of repair, in
which event the farmers had to go to Sunbury
to get their grist ground. In 1799 Christian
Brobst rebuilt this mill. It was later operated
by Hollingshead & Scott, and last by T. M.
Fields, who received it from his father. It
was burned in IQ12, and is now but a ruin.
The fall of water was slight, so the wheel was
one of the widest and smallest in diameter of
any in the county. In 1797 a mill was erected on
the north side of the creek (but a few steps
above the present paper mill), by Jonathan
Shoemaker, and at once received the cream of
the patronage of that section of the town. In
1700 Christian Brobst built a mill about a
quarter of a mile above the former mill, on
the same side of the creek. The Shoemaker
mill was purchased by John Clark and Ben-
jamin Sharpless in 1809 and the machinery
removed to the stone mill (McKelvey mill,
now the oldest standing in this section) across
the creek, which they had just built. In
1811 Mr. Sharpless established a paper mill
in the old Shoemaker mill, which was later
enlarged, and then torn down when the own-
ers rebuilt on the present site — a group of
four large brick buildings on the north side
of the creek. At the time of the rebuilding
of the Brobst mill there was a regular line of
boats on the Susquehanna and the proprietor
became the chief man of the town of Cata-
wissa, operating the mill, a store and other
enterprises.
Other merchants of the days of the town's
early growth were Thomas Ellis, Stephen and
Christopher Baldy, Daniel Cleaver, Jacob Dyer
and Samuel Brobst. There was little money
then in circulation, trading being conducted by
the interchange of products and goods. The
shad fisheries ranked among the principal
sources of income, fish being exchanged for
salt, at the rate of six cents each.
From an old magazine in the possession of
the Columbia County Historical Society the
fact is gleaned that in August, 1801, there were
but forty-five houses in "Catawissy," one of
which was stone and the rest mostly log. At
that time an old Indian burying ground near
the river had washed out and some of the skele-
tons were exposed to view. The writer had
made the trip from Reading in that month,
stopping on the way at "Lavenberg's," on the
road near Little mountain.
One of the first buildings in the town was a
market house, built soon after the village was
laid out in lots. There appears to have been
but little need for this public building and it
soon became a home for the stray cows and
hogs of the place. An old resident said that
it was a noted resort for the elusive flea and
was declared a public nuisance. It was decided
in 1820 to demolish it, and a short time there-
after a loud explosion in the night sounded the
knell of the building. Slight effort was made
to discover the perpetrators of the deed, and
the building was not replaced. In 183 1 a prop-
osition was made to build a town hall and
market house on the site, but the proposal
brought on an acrimonious discussion which
defeated the nroject and caused the dissolution
of the onlv fire company in the town.
From an old history, published at Phila-
delphia in 1847, the information is had that in
190
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
1840 Catawissa had a population of Soo, ex-
ceeuing that of Bloonisburg by 150. The town
then contained tliree churches, several stores
and taverns and upwards ot two hundred
dwellings. There were a loundry, a paper mill
and several tanneries in and near the town.
I'he Germans predominated in the population
then.
THE BOOM DAYS
The building of the Catawissa railroad, a
description of which is found on another page,
was a blessing to the town and caused a rapid
increase of population. Six months after the
opening of the road the headquarters were
established in Catawissa and extensive repair
shops built in 1864. Thus the town became the
home of many operatives, and as the other
roads came in became quite a railroad center.
These operatives brought their families, estab-
lished homes and became important factors in
the growth of Catawissa for a number of years,
until the extension of the Reading road from
Shamokin to Milton caused a removal of much
traflk from the Catawissa division and reduced
the number of employees in the repair shops.
There are still a number of employees of the
Reading and Pennsylvania roads in the town,
but few compared with the past.
The rapid increase of population and the de-
mand for homes was the cause that led to the
organization of the Catawissa Land and Build-
ing Company and the Catawissa Mutual Build-
ing Fund Association, in 1865 and 1870, re-
spectively. The result of their formation was
a period of building activity, extending from
1869 to 1S73, during which many persons who
otherwise could not have obtained money were
enabled to own homes. The demand for homes
and lots caused F. L. Shuman to purchase the
Zarr farm and lay out the Shuman addition in
1882.
One of the prominent citizens of Catawissa
was Clark F. Harder, who built the planing
mill in 1866. He made it one of the chief in-
dustries of the town, and in 1885. during the
building boom, put up seventeen houses, fur-
nishing his own materials from the mill. Most
of the better class of residences of that date
were built by him.
David Cleaver, a pioneer merchant of the
town, built the "Susquehanna House" in 1868,
and leased it to several parties. It is now
operated by William Goodhart.
MUNICIPAL INCORPOR.VTION
The first movement to make Catawissa a
borough was taken in 1885, when a petition was
presented to the proper court. It was opposed
by some who feared added taxation, and by
others who did not wish to be left out of the
town. The grand jury of that year disap-
proved the petition. Again in 1887 a similar
petition met with a like fate. On Sept. 26,
1892, a third petition was presented by 250
freeholders, and in December of that year con-
firmed by the court.
The necessary officers for holding an elec-
tion were appointed, and the following officials
elected : C. C. Willits, chief burgess ; O. D. L.
Kostenbauder, C. O. Brown, E. B. Guie, I. H.
Seesholtz, T. E. Harder, William Hartman,
councilman. The first school board consisted
of J. B. Yetter, L. B. Kline, S. Raup, C. E.
Clewell, J. J. Lewis, A. S. Truckenmiller.
The present borough officials are: A. H.
Sharpless, burgess; W. H. Vastine, president
of the council: J. Berninger. Daniel Knittle,
Edward Billig, Alexander Lillie, Joseph Hart-
zell, councilmen ; G. H. Sharpless, clerk : L. C.
Mensch, solicitor.
The postmasters of Catawissa borough have
been as follows, together with the dates of their
appointments :
John Shoemaker, July i, 1802; John Clark,
July I, 1803; Joseph Paxton, Nov. 3, 1821 ;
Michael Fornwalt, June 23, 1829; C. A. Brobst,
May 18, 1841; Paul R. Baldy, Dec. 6, 1844;
John Schmick, Dec. 26, 1846; Charles Hart-
man, Feb. 15, 1849: John .Schmick, Jan. 27,
1853; Casper Rhawn, May 6, 1853; Levi
Keiler, Jan. 17, 1861 ; S. D. Rinard, Oct. 12,
1861 ; George H. Willis, Aug. 24, 1869; Luther
B. Kline, Sept. 24, 1878; Calvin Clark, Oct. 24,
1878: Joseph B. Knittle. Sept. 15, 1885; Wil-
liam H. Berger, April 27, 1889; J. H. Geary,
Dec. 20, 1889; Charles L. Pohe, May 6, 1896;
Christian E. Geyer, June 5, 1900; Charles M.
Harder, Aug. 2, 191 3.
C. S. W. Fox' was mercantile appraiser in
1899.
P0PUL.\TI0N
According to the United States census figures
the population of Catawissa township in 1820
was 2,520; in 1830, 3,130; in 1840, 2,060; in
1S50, 1,143: in i860, 1,176; in 1870, 1,627; in
1880, 2,003: in 1890, 2,348; in 1900, 560; in
1910, 503.
The population of Catawissa borough was
2.023 in 1900, and 1,930 in 1910. This gives
evidence of the fact that most of the popula-
tion of the township resided in the borough
in the early days.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
19]
INDUSTRIES
One of the first of the nidustries of the town
was a nail factory, operated by Thomas Hart-
man, the product being handmade. In 1845
Fincher & Thomas, owners of the Esther fur-
nace, erected the "Penn" furnace near the
mill of Christian Brobst, a short distance
above Catawissa, on the creek. They ran it
for a short time only, the cost of transport-
ing the ore and coal being prohibitive, in
competition with the furnaces at Danville and
Bloomsburg. There was also the foundry of
O. D. Leib & Co., which made a specialty of
"ten-plate" stoves. Owen and George Hughes
were its last owners.
The largest manufacturing establishment in
Catawissa was the paper mill established in
1811 by Benjamin Sharpless. He was a resi-
dent of Sunbury, and while on a visit to a
brother in Ohio became acquainted with the
process of papermaking. Returning to Cata-
wissa he formed a partnership with John Clark,
bought the old Shoemaker gristmill and altered
it to accommodate the new industry. The
ancient hand process was used, the raw mate-
rial being rags. After passing through dif-
ferent hands and being greatly enlarged the
mill came into the possession of William Mc-
Kelvy, and was operated by his son, C. W.
McKelvy. At the death of the proprietor the
plant was managed by E. B. Guie, for the
estate, until it was sold to Edward and John
McCready, of Philadelphia. It was destroyed
by fire in 1882, but soon rebuilt for the exclus-
ive manufacture of wood pulp. McCready
Brothers met with financial reverses and the
plant was sold at sherifi^'s sale to a syndicate,
which reorganized it as the Pennsylvania Paper
Mills in 1900. After three years' operation the
mills closed down to install modern machinery
to double the output, but the new equipment
was mainly experimental and did not fulfill
expectations, so that after an expenditure of
$275,000 the mills passed into the hands of a
receiver. The plant was then appraised at
$396,000. The receiver failed to rehabilitate
the mill and at the end of two years it was sold
by order of court to the New York & Pennsyl-
vania Paper Company, owners of five other
mills. They dismantled the mill, distributed
the machinery among other plants, and in 19 13
sold the buildings to Mrs. Josephine Beckley.
A portion of the plant is now used by Clinton
E. and Frederick R. Long as a manufactory.
They produce the Panama Canal Puzzle, a sim-
ply constructed glider for children and an ad-
justable stilt which can be made to fit almost
any child. These toys they have designed and
patented themselves, and from a small begin-
ning have built up a trade that covers the entire
Union and reaches into some foreign countries.
Starting in 1912 with a small workshop, they
now have a capacity almost unlimited and em-
ploy in the busy season sixty hands.
The Knittle Flouring Mills were established
in Catawissa by Jacob Berninger more than
thirty years ago, since which time they have
passed into the hands of D. F. Knittle, a prom-
inent citizen of the town. Besides the milling
business he has a large grain elevator, with a
capacity of five thousand bushels, and deals
in coal, lumber and builders' supplies.
One of the valuable industries of Catawissa
is the marble and granite works of H. T. Young
& Sons, where modern compressed air machin-
ery and methods are used to design and com-
plete many of the most artistic monuments
and tombstones to be found in the cemeteries
of the county.
The Catawissa Knitting Mills were incor-
porated in 1911, with a capital of $20,000, stock
being held by various parties. The product
was several varieties of cotton stockings. The
officers were : T. E. Hoover, president ; Luther
Eyer, vice president ; C. P. Pfahler, treasurer :
W. S. Laubach, secretary and manager; H. S.
Grove, C. J. Fisher, M. J. Grimes, directors.
The enterprise failed in 19 13 and the plant was
closed.
In 1914 the plant was leased from the Cata-
wissa Knitting Mills Company by Harry West,
of Plymouth, Pa., for a term of five years. He
installed thirty-five additional machines for the
manufacture of half-hose, thus doubling the
capacity of the works, and re-employed most
of the old operatives. Mr. West is a son of
Thomas West, who made the town of Ply-
mouth noted for its production of knitted
goods.
The Shoe Factory
The most important industrial plant now in
Catawissa is the All W'ear shoe factory. The
manufacture of shoes was established in 1889
by a company composed of W. F. Creamer,
H. B. Anthony and Charles O. Brown, the
first named a native of Catawissa and the lat-
ter of Camden, N. J. A building was erected
on land of Frank L. Shuman and machinery
installed. From eighty to one hundred and
twenty emplovees were occupied constantly in
the production of ladies', misses' and children's
shoes to the number of from five hundred to
seven hundred pairs a day. The 1897 panic
192
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
caused an embarrassment of the firm and the
business was closed out by creditors.
The All W'ear Shoe Company is composed
of D. J. Finkelstein, president; L. C. Mensch,
treasurer ; and C. E. Kreischer, secretary. The
factory is fitted with modem shoe machinery,
housed in a fine concrete block building near
the Reading tracks, built in 1905, and produces
a medium grade of McKay sewed shoes for
misses and children, five hundred and fifty
pairs per day being the product, and eighty-
one persons employed. The superintendent
of the factory is A. C. Boyer, and the office
man is E. D. Weiser. The old factory in 1914
was remodeled into a dwelling.
Mercantile
Prominent among the representative busi-
ness houses in Catawissa is the department
store owned and conducted by H. S. Grove on
Main street, which was established in 1902 by
Mr. Grove. The premises occupied consist of a
large two-story frame building, with the entire
first floor and part of the second in use, and
containing upwards of five thousand square
feet of floor space. At the front of the store
is the well stocked dry goods department. The
grocery department is modernly equipped and
stocked with groceries and family provisions.
On the second floor are footwear, kitchen uten-
sils and men's furnishings.
The furniture trade in Catawissa is well rep-
resented by Thomas E. Harder, whose fine
store on Main street occupies a six-stor\- build-
ing, built in 1883, at a cost of $15,000, having
a floor space of twenty-five thousand square
feet. It is fitted with all conveniences and
stocked with the best makes of furniture and
house furnishings, including carpets, rugs, cur-
tains, etc. It is the largest store of this char-
acter in this section and the best equipped and
appointed, the entire building being used in
display and for storage purposes. Mr. Harder
is also an undertaker and embalmer, carries a
full line of caskets and other funeral requisites,
and owns his own funeral car.
The Catawissa Marble and Granite Works
was established in 1871 by Frederick B. Smith,
who is the pioneer marble and granite worker
in this section. Mr. Smith came to this coun-
try from Germany, where he learned his busi-
ness, of which he is a past master. He erected
the Soldiers' monument at Catawissa, which
is considered one of the best pieces of work of
the kind in this part of the country, and com-
pares with the work of great sculptors. He is
an artist of the old school, few of which are
now found.
The merchants of Catawissa include the fol-
lowing: Clothing — Paul R. Berger, D. J. Fin-
kelstein, H. Marks, O. F. Miller. Shoes— E.
G. Walter. General Stores— H. R. Baldy, J.
R. Deimer, Charles Pohe. Saloons — Daniel E.
Fegely, L. P. Hause, J. D. Yeager, D. P. Kist-
ler. Pool Rooms — A. Hollinshead, E. E. Lon-
genberger. Restaurants — A. E. Baer, P. B.
Erwin. Druggists — J. F. Fisher, John Wat-
ters & Co. Confectioneries — C. A. Baker, P.
B. Erwin, G. W. Yetter. Meat Markets— O.
P. Kostenbauder, W. H. Roberts. Junk —
Morris Engle, Jacob Liptzer. Feed — W. A.
McCloughan. Undertakers — T. D. Berninger
& Sons. Livery — M. J. Grimes & Bro., J. E.
Roberts. Stationery — A. S. Truckenmiller, H.
R. \'anDorster. Tinners — K. S. Clever, War-
ren Rhawn. Coal — E. B. Guie, D. F. Knittle.
Autos — Gunther & Knittle, M. J. Grimes &
Bro. Jeweler — David Hons. Milliner — Clara
Hamlin. Hardware — S. E. Young.
Financial
The First National Bank of Catawissa is a
successor to the Catawissa Deposit & Savings
Bank, incorporated May 26, 1871. The present
title was adopted the following year. John K.
Robbins was made president, and B. R. Davis,
cashier. The capital stock has always been
$50,000 up to the present. In 1891 the bank
received its national charter. The present
handsome quarters are owned by the bank, and
the officials in 1914 are: J. T. Fox, president;
W. j\L \'astine, cashier ; Luther Eyer and W.
H. Roberts, vice presidents ; J. M. Vastine, C.
E. Kreisher, Wilson Rhoads, K. P. Reifsny-
der, directors. The bank has a surplus and
undivided profits of $16,000 and deposits to
the amount of $240,000.
The other financial institution is the Cata-
wissa National Bank, chartered April 30, 1904,
with a capital of $50,000. It has now a sur-
plus and undivided profits of $26,000, and de-
posits to the amount of $310,000. The first
officials were: C. J. Fisher, president; C. P.
Pf abler, vice president ; C. S. W. Fox, cashier ;
N. P. Vastine, assistant cashier ; C. J. Fisher,
C. P. Pfahler, Lloyd Burger, Ambrose Shu-
man, Jeremiah Kester. John L. Kline, I. H.
Seesholtz, directors. The same officials are
still in charge, with the exception of directors
Kline and Seesholtz, deceased, whose places
are filled by W. T. Creasy and Ir\-in Kreisher.
The bank erected the fine brick building on
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
193
Main street in which it is located, sharing the
first floor with the post office.
HIGHWAYS
Catawissa is fortunate in having the finest
street of any town in Columbia county. It is
part of the State highway to Reading, and was
built in 1913 under the direction of R. A. Mc-
Cachran, assistant to Engineer Arthur S. Clay
of Bloomsburg. It is of brick, with a concrete
base 2,000 feet long, and runs from the river
bridge to the forks of the streets in the south-
ern part of the town, where it connects with a
tar-macadam road 2,240 feet long, running to
the creek bridge. The latter bridge was also
built by the State in 1905, and from it may
be had one of the finest views of natural scen-
ery in the county.
FIRE PROTECTION
The Catawissa Fire Company was organ-
ized May 17, 1827, at the hotel of Stacy Mar-
gerum, witli Joseph Paxton, president, and
Ezra S. Hayhurst, secretary. A committee,
consisting of Christian Brobst, George Hughes,
Stephen Baldy, George H. VVillits and Jacob
Rupert, was appointed to draft a constitution.
Four days later the document was signed by
fifty-four persons. Meetings were held quar-
terly at Margerum's and an assortment of
buckets, ladders, hooks and chains secured and
distributed at proper places. The utmost har-
mony prevailed in the organization until the
building of the town hall was brought up, when
in February, 1832, after repeated adjourn-
ments without agreement, the company was
disbanded.
At present the protection against fire con-
sists of a chartered volunteer company and a
hose reel and ladder truck, housed in the town
hall.
In Catawissa the water supply has been
solved to the entire satisfaction of the people
by the Catawissa Water Works, owned and
operated by P. H. Shuman, whose plant and
reservoirs are of sufficient capacity to take care
of all needs. The Catawissa Water Works was
organized and chartered in 1882, the original
members of the company being F. L. Shuman,
Reuben Shuman, W. H. Rhawn, P. H. Shuman
and Gideon Myers. These gentlemen soon had
the works in operation, and the mains laid
through the streets of the village giving the
best of service, which has been maintained since
the water was first turned on. Some years ago
the entire property came into the hands of P.
13
H. Shuman, who now is the sole owner, and
gives every detail of the works his personal
supervision. Nature and man's ingenuity have
combined to give Catawissa its pure water sup-
ply, which is drawn from springs in the Cata-
wissa hills and runs by gravity system into the
reservoir, which has a capacity of 330,000 gal-
lons, and from there is fed into pipes that sup-
ply the town, the gravity pressure being suffi-
cient to answer all purposes. In addition Mr.
Shuman has sunk several artesian wells, which,
if necessary, can be used during a very dry
season, and has a modern equipped pumping
station fitted with high power air compressor
and force pumps.
THE BAND
The Catawissa Silver Cornet Band Associa-
tion was organized April 7, 1869, with these
members: Monroe Seitzinger, Jeremiah S.
Cornelius, Allen L. Brandt, Emery Getchey,
Charles Schmick, Perry Walters, A. Z. Lewis,
J. M. Walsliaw, Luther Eyer, F. D. Berninger.
Charles H. Smith, the efficient leader, has held
that position for more than twenty years, and
the band has the deserved reputation of being
one of the best trained and cultivated musical
organizations in central Pennsylvania. The
association owns the building it occupies. A
fine "Boys' Band" is connected with the asso-
ciation, organized and conducted by Prof. John
T. Berger, from which members are drawn for
the adult band as soon as the boys become pro-
ficient.
soldiers' monument
Catawissa, which has often been in the lead
in matters civic in Columbia county, was the
first to honor the memory of the brave men who
gave up on the battlefield their choicest posses-
sion— life — for the services of their country,
by erecting a monument in the union cemetery,
at the site of the old Lutheran church. It was
dedicated Oct. 7, 1899. The shaft is 28 feet
high and bears a statue of an infantryman.
It is surrounded by a wide lawn, the angles
being marked by wartime relics in the shape
of mortars and cannon balls. The cost of the
monument was $4,000, and it was the work
of Frederick B. Smith, proprietor of the Cata-
wissa Marble & Granite Works. Those having
the matter of gathering the funds in their
charge were: Maj. I. H. Seesholtz, G. W.
Reifsnyder, A. H. Sharpless and George Wat-
ers. All of the money was raised by the mem-
bers of Lieut. H. H. Hoagland Post, No. 170,
194
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
G. A. R., and their friends, without an appro-
priation from any source.
At the dedication Governor Stone was pres-
ent and delivered an address, Rev. G. M. Klep-
fer, on behalf of the Post, presented the monu-
ment to the borough, and Miss Theresa Waters
unveiled it, W. H. Rhawn making the speech
of acceptance for the borough council. A
parade took place in the morning, in which the
local and visiting Posts, the Sons of V'eterans
and several secret societies participated, the
Catawissa Band leading all the others. It is
estimated that over five thousand people were
in attendance.
SOCIETIES
Lieut. H. H. Hoagland Post, No. 170, Grand
Army of the Republic, was organized in Octo-
ber, 1868, with the following members : M. M.
Brobst, Samuel Walters, Daniel Walters, John
G. Forborg, Thomas Harder, I. W. Willits,
Clark Harder, Henrv Thomas, Arthur Harder,
T. P. House, B. B. Schmick, George W.
Waters, John R. Brobst, John Reicheldeifer.
In 1876 it was disbanded and in 1880 reor-
ganized with practically the same member-
ship. Many of the members have passed away
in the years since, but a few of them are left
to answer the roll call.
Concordia Lodge, No. 60, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, was organized Sept.
24, 1838, and has held regular weekly meetings
since that date. The first officers were Owen
D. Leib, noble grand ; John F. Mann, vice
grand; Michael Farnsworth, secretary; Joel E.
Bradley, assistant ; Christian A. Brobst, treas-
urer. Meetings were at first held at the home
of Mr. Brobst, until 1882, when the Pine street
schoolhouse was used, having been purchased
the previous year. This is the building
now occupied by the lodge as a place of meet-
ing. It is the twentieth oldest lodge of the
order in the State, and is one of the permanent
institutions of the town. The members are
very proud of their long record of usefulness.
Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M., was
granted a charter Dec. 5, 1864. The first of-
ficers were: John Sharpless, W. M. ; \V. M.
Monroe, S. W. ; Walter Scott, J. W.
Catawissa Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, was
instituted Feb. 19, 1855, with James D. Straw-
bridge, high priest; John K. Robbins and J.
Boyd McKelvy were other officers.
The Catawissa Masonic Association was or-
ganized Dec. 8, 1869, by the following members
of the chapter and lodge: I. H. Seeshohz,
George S. Gilbert, M. V. B. Kline, Walter
Scott, W. B. Koons, J. B. Knittle, W. H. Ab-
bott, C. Ellis, I. Monroe, John K. Robbins, C.
B. Brockway, John Thomas. A brick build-
ing was erected at the head of Main street, the
cornerstone being laid in 1869 and the com-
pleted structure occupied in 1870. The cost of
the building was $19,000. Storerooms occupy
the lower floor, a meeting hall the second, and
lodge rooms the third floor. The association
became involved financially in 1879 ^'""^ the
building was sold in July to George S. Gilbert
and A. H. Sharpless & Sons. In 1888 Gilbert's
interest was sold to the Sharpless family. In
1895 J. K. Sharpless, Jr., bought his father's
interest, and in 1904 transferred it to his
brother and sister, Harold and Mary Sharp-
less. This interest was later acquired by the
Masonic lodge, and the interest of J. K. Sharp-
less, Sr., conveyed after his death to Desde-
mona, widow of Dr. L. B. Kline. The title to
the hall now rests in Ambrose H. Sharpless,
the Kline heirs and the lodge.
Catawissa Council, No. 96, Order of United
American Mechanics, was chartered Oct. i,
1866, with this membership : Simon Raup,
Charles Garner, J. Q. A. Brobst, Henry S.
Geiger, Valentine Betz, Jacob Millard, Nathan
Northstein, John Getchey, C. P. Reese, Gideon
Haldeman. John M. Gordon, Andy Bowers,
Charles H. Letteer. This body is now dis-
banded.
Washington Camp No. 132, P. O. S. of A.,
was organized April 3, 1870, with the follow-
ing membership : W. H. Imhoff, Jacob Cool,
J. K. Rhawn, Harry Yeager, Charles H. Bibby,
Jacob Morrison, Samuel H. Young, C. P. Pfah-
ler, C. D. Hart, George L. Kostenbauder, \V.
K. Russell, P. A. Brown, Thomas E. Harder,
Dennis W'aters, W'illiam F. Bibby, Thomas B.
Cullinan, A. W. Stadtler, Charles D. Cool, W.
H. Abbott, O. D. Kostenbauder, Jacob Kosten-
bauder. The officers in 1914 are: Edward
Riegel, president ; Herbert Y. Harman, vice
president : Frank Riegel, master of forms ;
Paul Schlieder, conductor ; Ross Ervin, inspec-
tor; Charles Sassaman, guard; R. Bruce
Wheeler, trustee; R. B. W'heeler and Dr. L.
B. Kline, delegates to eight-county convention :
C. A. Paul, delegate to State camp. The num-
ber of the camp is now 540.
Catawissa Grange, No. 216, Patrons of Hus-
bandrv', was chartered April 30, 1874. The
first members were: Matthias Hartman, Jo-
siah Roberts, E. M. Tewksbury, Solomon Hel-
wig, Martin T. Hartman, Samuel Fisher, John
S. Mensch. The Catawissa Grange and Hall
Association was incorporated May 25, 1883,
and a commodious brick building was erected
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
195
by them the following year at a cost of $6,cxx3.
Hon. William T. Creasy was the first presi-
dent of the stock company which was formed
to take charge of the property.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles has a fine
brick hall near the river bridge, but the local
membership was sadly depleted by the removal
of the Reading shops. This hall was once
the residence of William Eyer, and is two
stories in height.
SCHOOLS — TOWN AND TOWNSHIP
The beginning of school work in the town-
ship was made in June, 1797, when a school
was established under the direction of John
Mears with funds derived from subscriptions
among the Friends of Philadelphia. He bought
a lot of ground and placed it in the hands of
John Lloyd, Robert Field, Charles Chapman
and Ellis Hughes, as trustees. The following
year John Pemberton, a prominent Friend of
Philadelphia, donated twenty pounds toward
the encouragement and support of the school.
This school continued to be attended by all
denominations until the dissolution of the
monthly meeting of the Friends.
The Germans also took an interest in the
school question, being anxious to preserve
their language, and opened a school in 1800
in the home of Martin Geiger, it being con-
ducted later at Joseph Mclntyre's and still
later at E. M. Tewksbury's, at the lower end
of the township. This school was taught by
Martin Stuck, of Hamburg, Berks county. The
following year he removed to a building
erected for the purpose, nearer Catawissa
creek. There were no school directors then,
but he was employed by Peter Fornwald,
Archibald Hower, Frederick Knittle, Thomas
Fester, and other neighbors.
In 1804 Mrs. Mary Paxton opened a school
in her residence near the Friends meeting-
house, where she also taught sewing and knit-
ting, being thus the first manual training
teacher in the county. Her son Joseph Paxton
afterward built an addition to his home, in
which his daughter Ruth Ann taught a school.
A small frarne house was built about this
time near the residence of Frederick Pfahler,
by the Friends, in which Elijah Barger and
Ellis Hughes taught. In 1815 a high school
was opened in the Keller home by a Mr. Kent
of New York, who was succeeded by a Mr.
Ely, of the same city.
in 1818 the largest educational institution
at that time in the county was opened by
Thomas Barger in the second floor of a spring-
house on land later owned by John Keififer.
His scholars came from Mainville and other
points, as well as from the town of Catawissa.
This school was in the eastern end of the town-
ship, on the road to Bloomsburg. Successive
teachers were John Stokes, Joseph Gittling
and Thomas Ellis. The present school near
this spot is located on the brow of the hill
amid a grove of trees, one of the beauty spots
of the township.
The year 1838 marked the beginning of or-
ganized school work, imder the act of 1836.
That year an academy was founded by Joel
E. Bradley, who had for some time taught
school in the town. He continued to uphold
a high standard of learning until 1842, when
Teremiah J. Brower took his place and car-
ried on the work until 1848.
The first board of school directors was
elected in March, 1838, and consisted of Wil-
liam Clayton, Isaiah John, Ezra S. Hayhurst,
Caspar Hartman, Christian A. Brobst, Milton
Boone. At their first meeting provision was
made for the erection of ten schoolhouses, to
cost from $185 to $210. During the following
year more than four thousand dollars was
expended for school purposes, and although the
money went to found much needed educa-
tional facilities, the taxpayers, as is common
in modern days, complained greatly, and al-
most defeated the continuance of the work at
the following election. However, by 1846,
the work had become so important and neces-
sary that but four dissenting votes were cast
at the regular election in May.
A charter for the Catawissa Seminary was
obtained in 1866, the trustees being George
H. Willitts, Charles W. McKelvy, Samuel B.
Diemer, George Scott, Isaiah John, Henry
Hollingshead, David Clark, John K. Robbing.
Professors Lance, Forsyth and Case were the
first teachers. The school started out well,
but the patronage grew gradually less, and it
closed and was sold in 1879 to the Episcopal
Church. This circumstance assisted in arous-
ing the people to the needs of the schools and
resulted in the building of a fine brick school-
house at the head of Main street in 1882. The
architect was W. W. Perry and the builder
Charles Krug. The school directors of the
township at this time were : E. B. Guie, B. R.
Davis, G. W. Reifsnvder, J. B. Yetter, Luther
Eyer, Dr. W. Walter. Charles H. Albert was
the first principal and E. B. Guie his assist-
ant.
At present the borough has twelve school
grades, with 416 scholars in attendance, while
196
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the township has three schools and loo schol-
ars.
The school directors of Catawissa borough
are: W. A. McCloughan, Charles Berger, C.
E. Barwick, Ralph Young, Herman Bucher.
The school directors of Catawissa township
are: Mayberry Achy, J. W. Rider, J. J.
Cherington, C. M. Young, Oscar Leighow.
The principal of the high school is F. A.
Frear and his assistants are Ella Knittle and
Helen Margerum. The teachers of the pub-
lic schools are: Ida Walter, Hattie Abbott,
Bessie Grimes, Nellie Harder, Mary Fegley,
Bessie Long, Lucie Waters, Sarah Hamlin,
Mrs. Hester Derickson, Lulu C. Tyson.
RELIGIOUS
The Quaker Meetinghouse
Upon a low hill, surrounded by massive oaks
and half hidden by their luxuriant limbs, stands
the oldest place of worship between Sunbury
and Wyoming. This little log building at
Catawissa is the first home of the sect of
Friends in Columbia county. It has never
been definitely determined how long the build-
ing has stood here. It is severely plain in ap-
pearance and bears the scars of many a tem-
pest and winter's frost. Within, the fittings
are very plain and simple. A few wooden
benches and a table and desk are all that the
founders considered necessary to the worship
of God. All of these wooden articles of fur-
niture, as well as the partitions which sepa-
rated the men from the women, are handmade
and have neither nail nor bolt to hold their
parts together. These fittings are for the most
part older than the edifice in which they are
housed, and are of interesting character, owing
to their oddity and age.
Because of the aversion of the Society to
self-advertising it is hard to fix the age of
the building, there being no cornerstone or
other monument to mark the site and the date
of erection. The first record of services in
this vicinity is that of 1787, when William
Collins, William Hughes, James Watson, John
Love and other Friends resident in Catawissa
were granted permission to hold services at
this place by the Exeter (Berks county) Meet-
ing, under whom they were at the time. At
the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting of No-
vember, 1795, the Exeter Friends reported the
necessity of this meeting in Catawissa, having
existed for some time previous, and at that
time the monthly meeting at Catawissa was
definitely established. The first official meet-
ing of the Catawissa branch was held April
23, 1796, and was attended by Ellis Yarnall,
Arthur Howell, Henry Drinker, John Morton,
James Cresson, David Potts, Thomas Light-
foot and Benjamin Scarlat, all of Philadelphia;
and by Amos Lee, Jacob Thomas, Owen
Hughes and Thomas Parson, from Exeter.
These effected an organization by the election
of Isaac Wiggins as clerk. Among other
business transacted was the appointment of
Ellis Hughes and William Ellis to prepare all
marriage certificates, and of James Watson,
John Lloyd, Joseph Carpenter, Benjamin
Warner, Thomas Eves, Reuben Lundy, Nathan
Lee and John Hughes to care for the Friends'
burying ground.
This series of monthly meetings continued
for twelve years, but by that date the num-
ber of members was so reduced by emigration
to points further west that the regular meet-
ings were abandoned and the meeting dissolved
formally on Dec. 24, 1808. From that time a
few earnest members met in the building at
irregular intervals until 1814, after which the
old meetinghouse was closed and for a time
abandoned to the silence of the forest that
surrounded it. For years it stood alone and
neglected, the property the resort of the loose
live stock of the town and a dumping ground
for the careless villagers.
But this state of neglect was not to be the
final fate of the historic old home of the
Quakers, for in the spring of 1890 there came
to Catawissa from Elysburg a maiden lady of
the sect, Mary Emma Walter, who had de-
termined to make the care of the old church
and the little cemetery beside it her especial
duty for the rest of her days. Quietly she
took up the task of clearing away the luxuriant
growth of weeds and grass from the graves
of her parents and the others who were laid
at rest there, and cleansing the old building
from the accumulations of years, restoring it
to a semblance of its former dignity. Among
the occupants of the lot on which the church
is located she found a pugnacious goat, who
had appropriated the plat as his special demesne
and resented her guardianship. But she used
firmness and kindness and soon shut out the
horned depredator, as well as the human
loungers who had previously spent their idle
hours there. But the predacious youth of the
village and the careless householder were still
to be reckoned with, and finding her efforts of
no avail to restrain them she suddenly appeared
one rainy day at the meeting of the town coun-
cil, quietly but firmly laid her cause before
the members, and as silently departed. Her
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
197
plea was unanimously granted and from that
day her troubles ceased, the people of the town
vying with each other in assisting to care
for the grounds and taking a pride in their
preservation. Among the most enthusiastic of
the volunteer caretakers are the railroad men,
who keep the grass cut and the fences and
gates in proper shape.
The property is still owned by the Philadel-
phia Society and each year a meeting is held
here by delegates from that city. In the
meantime Mary Emma Walter holds regular
solitary service in the old building on the first
day of the week, and during the period of her
residence here she has missed but two Sab-
baths, owing to the severe winters. She is
the daughter of John Walter and Eliza Violetta
Hicks (his second wife), was one of ten chil-
dren, and was born Sept. 4, 1841, near Elys-
burg, Pa. Her father was from Devonshire,
England, while her mother's ancestor, Robert
Hicks, settled on Long Island in 162 1. He
did not come over in the "Mayflower," owing
to the lack of room in that famous vessel, but
took a following boat. Arrangements will be
made to care for this famous meetinghouse
in the event of the death of the self-sacrificing
custodian, through the Columbia County His-
torical Society and the Society of Friends.
When a new roof was put on the old church
and some repairs made in 1914 it was found
that the white pine boards of the gable ends
had been worn down from one and one-eighth
inches to but three-eighths of an inch by the
storms and snows of 139 years. In the center
of the upper floor or garret was found a yel-
low pine girder 12 by 15 inches in size and 30
feet long, which was perfectly sound. The
joists were 3 by 7 inches and the rafters 3 by
5 inches, all of yellow pine, mortised and
fastened together with wooden pins.
The old hand- forged nails which fastened
the weatherboarding on were made at the time
the building was erected by some blacksmith,
from charcoal iron. These were preserved
and made into breastpins as souvenirs. The
wooden lock which had been used at first upon
the door was replaced in position, and the door
was lined with heavier boards to preserve it.
The grounds surrounding the old meeting-
house are now used by the citizens of Cata-
wissa as a park, in the absence of a public
place for gatherings and exercises. Within
the meetinghouse are two interesting stoves
. of the "tenplate" variety — so named from hav-
ing ten sections, fastened together by long
rods. One of these stoves was made in the
foundry of O. D. Leib & Co., Catawissa, and
the other at Valley Forge. Both are in fine
shape and the custodian says they will still
heat the room or bake a loaf of bread.
Lutherans
When Christian Brobst came to Catawissa
in 1795 he was accompanied by Rev. Mr. Seely,
a Lutheran minister from Berks county. On
May 1st of the following year (1796) the first
recorded communion was held in Brobst's
cabin, the following persons participating:
Michael Raup, Michael Hower, Daniel Geiger,
Christian Brobst, John Wirts, Jacob Yocum,
Conrad Geiger, Catharine Wirts, Barbara
Brobst, Regina Hartel, Maria Gillihans,
Catharine Hower. On Jan. ist of that year
the following children were baptized : Joseph,
son of Christian Brobst ; Edna, daughter of
Frederick Knittle ; and Maria, daughter of
Daniel Yockum. Thereafter until 1802 serv-
ices were held in the old stone house on the
Kostenbarger farm, and between 1802 and
1804 in a barn at the foot of the hill on the
farm now owned by P. H. Shuman.
During 1802 Rev. G. V. Stochs was pastor
of the Lutherans, and in 1808 Rev. John Diet-
rich held the services for the Reformed con-
gregation which affiliated then with the
Lutherans. By a deed of Sept. 4. 1802, Chris-
tian Brobst and his wife Barbara gave to Jacob
Yockum and Harman Yost, in trust, an acre
of ground near the town of "Hughesburg or
Catawese," for the use of the Lutheran and
Presbyterian (German Reformed) denomina-
tions, on which to build a union church and
establish a free burying ground. On March
10, 1804, articles of agreement were entered
into by both denominations for the joint own-
ership of a house of worship, signed by Michael
Hower, Jacob Yockum and Harman Yost,
elders ; and Samuel Felter and Daniel Geiger,
deacons. In that year the old stone union
church was built on the site of the present sol-
diers' monument. It was of the usual style
of architecture of those times, having galler-
ies around three sides and a "wineglass" pulpit.
It was occupied until 1852. when the second
church, a brick structure, replaced it.
The increase of English speaking members
by 1845 caused a separation of the congrega-
tion into two parts, St. John's and St. Mat-
thew's, the former retaining the old brick
church property, in partnership with the Re-
formed congregation. In 1881 the Lutherans
bought out the interest of the Reformed
Church and in July, 1890, laid the cornerstone
of the present brick building on a lot directly
198
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
opposite their old site. The completed build-
ing was dedicated in 1893. It has been re-
peatedly improved and enlarged, and in 1914
an addition was made to the Sunday school of
a gj-mnasium and meeting halls, costing $10,-
000. The value of the church building alone
is placed at $18,000.
During the 118 years of its existence this
church has had but fourteen pastors, and but
four since its occupation of the present build-
ing. They were: Rev. Mr. Seely, 1795; Rev.
G. V. Stochs, 1796; Rev. Frederick Plitt, 1808;
Rev. Peter Hall, 1817; Rev. Peter Kessler,
1820; Rev. Jeremiah Schindle, 1831 ; Rev.
William J. Eyer, 1837; Rev. William Laitzel,
1874; Rev. L. Lindenstreuth, 1878; Rev. J. H.
Neiman, 1881 ; Rev. E. L. Reed, 1892; Rev.
Peter Altpeter, 1898; Rev. William J. Nelson,
1906; and Rev. J. H. Sandt, the present pastor,
who came March 28, 1909.
The present officers of the church are :
Church council — Rev. J. H. Sandt, C. L. Pohe
(president), J. G. Nelson (secretary), John
B. Fortner (treasurer), D. E. Billeg, H. A.
Billeg, E. E. Longenberger, D. E. Nuss, P. J.
Deaner, P. H. Shuman, N. C. Creasy, C. E.
Kreisher, Dr. A. Shuman, Paul Henry, John
Miller, William Fedder, Burton Fortner, G. A.
Eckroat, James Hartman. Trustees — William
T. Creasy, J. E. Clayton, E. F. Weaver, C. G.
Smith, Samuel Eckroat, J. W. Kitchen.
The large membership of the church council
is due to the fact that many of the members
are railroad men, liable to calls of duty at any
hour, and there is danger of the lack of a
quorum at called meetings of the council. The
membership of the church is 420, and of the
Sundav school 350. Financially the church
is in very prosperous condition.
St. Matthezc's Church
The rapid increase of English speaking per-
sons during the term of Rev. William J. Eyer
caused him to suggest a division of the con-
gregation, and a meeting was held for this pur-
pose June 25, 1845, a committee w-as appointed
to draft a constitution, and in 1830 St. Mat-
thew's Evangelical Lutheran congregation was
incorporated, the members being: William J.
Ever, pastor; Stephen Baldy, Peter Bodine,
elders : C. G. Brobst, Daniel Clewell, deacons ;
Michael Brobst. treasurer; members, J. B.
Kessler, William Yoder, Francis Dean, Jacob
Kreigh, John Hartman, S. D. Reinard, Peter
Strieker, Ephraim Brobst, Joseph Breisch,
Benjamin Miller.
From the time of the organization of this
congregation it continued to worship in the
parent church, with Rev. William J. Eyer as
pastor (preaching every two weeks), until the
English church was completed, the building
of which was commenced by taking up sub-
scriptions on the 3d of August, 1849. The
list was headed by Stephen Baldy with $100,
or a lot on which to build the church. The lot
was taken on which the church now stands.
Quite a number of subscriptions followed,
ranging in amounts from $75 down. After
having received in cash and subscriptions at
home some $2,500, which w^as not enough,
resort was had to ask aid from friends abroad.
A second subscription list was written, which
commissioned Hon. Stephen Baldy to receive
such donations as the liberal minded were dis-
posed to give into his hands.
Equipped with this document Mr. Baldy
went to Philadelphia and collected from his
merchant friends and others between three
and four hundred dollars. This in addition
to that collected at home warranted the con-
gregation to commence building. The church
was finished some time in 1850, and either in
January or February, 1851 (no records), was
dedicated, the dedicatory sermon being de-
livered by Rev. P. Willard, of Danville, Pa.
The congregation continued to be served by
Rev. W. J. Eyer until 1862, when he resigned
because his pastorate was entirely too large,
being composed of four or more congregations.
Rev. J. F. Wampole succeeded Rev. Eyer in
July, 1862, and resigned in July, 1864. Next
came Rev. J. R. Dimm, D. D., in August, 1864,
and remained until 1866. It was during his
pastorate that the congregation left the Minis-
terium of Pennsylvania and united with the
East Pennsylvania Synod. It has since united
with the Susquehanna Synod. Rev. D. Beck-
ner took charge of St. Matthew's, also of the
\"ought Church, May 12, 1867, and left the
charge in 1869. Rev. S. S. Curtis became pas-
tor in 1870 and served until the spring of 1872.
A student of theology from Selinsgrove by the
name of C. S. Coates was then called to supply
the congregation for three months, commenc-
ing June 9. 1872. In September, 1872. Rev.
R. F. Kingslev was elected and took charge,
remaining but one year. Then a long vacancy
occurred, with several unsuccessful attempts
to elect a pastor, until the election of Rev. E. S.
Leisenring, who served as a supply until June,
1875, when he accepted, and remained until
1878. It is on record that Rev. F. P. Manhart,
D. D., supplied the church in 1878 for a period
of six months. On Feb. 2, 1879, the congre-
gation elected as pastor Rev. J. F. Diener, who
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
199
took charge some time in the same year. Dur-
ing his pastorate it was resolved by the con-
gregation to purchase a lot and build thereon a
suitable house for the use of the pastor. A
lot was bought of C. F. Harder, and a contract
was made with him to build a parsonage on
the same, which he finished in October, 1880,
and on the nth of November, 1880, the pastor,
Rev. Mr. Diener, with his family moved into
it. In 1881 the parsonage was enlarged, and
in many respects improved and beautified.
Unpleasant relations sprang up between Rev.
Mr. Diener and the congregation, so much so
that he was urged to resign, which he did,
leaving some time in 1882.
First the council on Dec. 17, 1882, then the
congregation, unanimously concurred in call-
ing Rev. D. M. Henkel, D. D., to take charge of
the congregation as supply (preaching but
once a Sunday) until a pastor could be secured,
to which proposition Rev. Mr. Henkel con-
sented and at once took charge, continuing un-
til Rev. U. Myers accepted and took charge of
the congregation May 15, 1883.
The storm of Sept. 30, 1896, which wrought
so much ruin in many parts of our land, struck
Catawissa with unusual fury. The long wagon
bridge across the Susquehanna was swept from
its foundations into the river, trees were torn
up from the roots, and many buildings blown
down or badly damaged. Among the latter
was St. Matthew's Lutheran church. One of
the towers was blown down, some of the bricks
landing in an adjoining house; the roof was
torn of?, a large memorial window blown in
and destroyed, while the pouring rain added
greatly to the damage. A few hours after the
storm had subsided the council was in session,
and resolved to re-build at once the waste
places of their Zion. The parts blown away
were replaced with new material. A metal
ceiling was substituted for the damaged plaster,
and the entire auditorium repainted and re-
fitted, including a new velvet carpet, all at an
expense of $1,100. Sunday, Dec. 20, 1896,
was the day set apart for rededication. Rev.
J. H. Weber, D. D., of Sunbury, preached in
the morning and assisted the pastor in con-
ducting the finances. Most of the pastors of
Catawissa closed their churches and attended
this service. At 2 :30 p. m. a Sunday school
service was held, and addresses made by a
number of the ministers present. At 6 o'clock
the Lutheran Alliance held a special service,
and an hour later Rev. R. G. Bannen, of Wil-
liamsport. preached the dedicatory sermon, and
Rev. Dr. J. H. Weber, as president of the Sus-
quehanna Synod, conducted the dedicatory
services. The amount asked for at the morn-
ing service was eleven hundred dollars. So
liberally did the people respond that at the
close of the evening service about $1,600 had
been paid in cash or subscribed, leaving a sur-
plus of $500 for use of the council in making
other improvements and repairs on the par-
sonage, which also was damaged by the storm.
In 1900 a magnificent Gothic altar, 14 feet
high and 7 feet wide, was placed in the church
through the efforts of the ladies. It has a
statue of Christ, by Thorwaldsen, in front.
Rev. Dr. Myers has continued as pastor of
the church up to the present time. On March
2^, 19 14, a meeting commemorating his thirty-
five years of service was held in the church, the
services being in charge of the Bloomsburg
Ministerium.
On the twentieth anniversary of his pas-
torate a fine pipe organ was installed, and in
191 4 the entire church was remodeled at a
cost of $5,000, the entire amount being raised
in four weeks.
At the first communion service held in Cata-
wissa by Dr. Myers there were thirty-seven
attendants. The present membership is 300,
in spite of the removal of the Reading rail-
road headquarters, which at one time took
away one hundred members and at another
fifty more.
The following charter members signed the
constitution on July 13, 1845. The names are
placed in the order in which they are found on
the church record and the spelling is closely
followed. One name only was added, having
been omitted at the time of signing: Christian
Brobst, Stephen Baldy, Michael Breckbill,
Michael Brobst, Joseph Brobst, Hiram B. Ely,
Peter Bodine, Anna Margaret Bodine, Chris-
tian G. Brobst, Willimena Zehender, Caroline
Zehender, Sarah Ely, Hannah Kruck, Caroline
Brobst, Jane Kreigh. Sophia Hartman, Su-
sanna Yoder, Catharine Baldy, Susan Baldy,
Elizabeth Bodine, Mary Rinard, Nancy Brobst,
Mary Brobst, S. D. Rinard. Jane Brobst,
Joshua Evans, Sarah Brobst, Ephraim Brobst.
C. Heister Brobst, Barbara Brobst. Jacob
Kruck, Susanna Kruck, Williammina Moyer,
Maria C. Moyer, Daniel Knittle, Mary Knittle,
Jacob Kreigh, John Hartman, Catharine Hart-
man, Elizabeth Moyer. Sue C. Eyer. Peter
Strieker, Elizabeth Breckbill. Rebecca Breck-
bill. Sarah Breckbill. George Strieker. Amanda
Brobst. Susanna Strieker. Daniel Geiger,
Sarah Geiger. Isaiah Brobst. Francis Dean.
Deborah Dean, Mary H. Brobst. Wm. Yoder,
Daniel Clewell, George Manhart, Hannah B.
Mench.
200
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
St. John's Reformed Church
After the pastorate of Rev. John Dietrich
Adams, which commenced in 1808, the suc-
cessive Reformed pastors up to the year 1886
were Revs. Diefenbaugh, Knable, Tobias,
Fursch, Steeley, Daniels, Moore, Dechant,
Derr. During Mr. Dechant's pastorate, the
joint ownership of the Lutheran church was
dissolved, and in May, 1882, the cornerstone
of a new St. John's was laid. Mr. Dechant
himself conducted all the building operations
and in May, 1883, the completed edifice was
dedicated, Revs. O. H. Strunck, of Blooms-
burg, and Rev. William C. Scheaffer, of Dan-
ville, participating.
Mr. Dechant's pastorate continued over thir-
teen years and his successors have been : Rev.
Joshua H. Derr, 1886-90; Rev. Raymond E.
Butz, 1891-95; Rev. Harry W. Wissler, 1895-
99; Rev. A. T. G. Apple, 1899-1903; Rev. Al-
fred M. Schaffner, 1904-11; Rev. Charles E.
Rupp, the present pastor, who came Nov. i,
1911.
The present church officers are: Jere S.
Shuman, A. B. Pifer, Harry H. Keifer, H. M.
Gellinger, elders ; Jacob H. Gross, Charles N.
Keifer, Howard N. Gunther, George Vastine
Fisher, deacons.
The congregation owns a splendid parsonage
on Third street, the purchase of which was
made possible by the will of Mrs. Mary E.
Ritter. The church was completely renovated
in 1909 at a cost of $1,000 and rededicated in
the fall of that year, Revs. George W. Richards,
of Lancaster, Cyrus Musser, of Philadelphia,
and former pastors Butz, Wissler and Apple,
participating.
The present membership of the church is
140, and the congregation is noted for its mis-
sionary enterprises. The Sunday school for
twenty-five years has supported Prof. T. De-
mura, a native preacher and teacher in Japan.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church
The first services of the Protestant Episco-
pal denomination in Catawissa were held in
i860 by Rev. E. N. Lightner, rector of Christ
Church, Danville. Some years later Rev. T.
H. Cullen, rector of St. Paul's, Bloomsburg,
held services monthly and administered bap-
tism. In 1870 his successor. Rev. John Hewitt,
conducted bimonthlv services in the Masonic
hall, alternating with Rev. J. M. Peck of Dan-
ville. During this time the Right Rev. Wil-
liam B. Stevens, bishop of the diocese, offi-
ciated at two confirmations. In May, 1871,
St. John's parish was formed, and George S.
Gilbert, Walter Scott, Isaac H. Seesholtz, Wil-
liam Abbott and S. E. Jones were elected ward-
ens and vestrymen. They applied for a char-
ter in that year, but did not receive one until
1874.
The first rector. Rev. Joseph L. Colton, came
to the town in April, 1872, and opened a paro-
chial school. In January the congregation
bought the Catawissa Seminary, but wor-
shipped in the Masonic hall until the building
could be altered to suit its new uses. The rec-
tor held the first communion in June, 1872,
and in two weeks the congregation worshipped
in their own building, but the deed was not
given till 1879. On July 21, 1878, Mr. Colton
resigned, and his place was not filled until 1880
by Rev. Charles E. Fessenden, who only re-
mained for six months. Thereafter, at various
times when the parish was without a rector,
services were held by Rev. L. Zahner, Rev. W.
C. Leverett and Rev. D. N. Kirkby, successive
rectors of St. Paul's Church, Bloomsburg.
Methodist Episcopal Church
The home of Joseph Mclntyre, where the
first school in this township was opened, also
saw the first services of the Methodist de-
nomination in the beginning of the last cen-
tury. Bishop Asbury, the founder of Method-
ism in America, stopped here on a trip from
Sunbury to Wyoming and held services which
resulted in the conversion of the entire family
and some of the neighbors. He was followed
in later years by Nathaniel Mills, James Payn-
ter and Benjamin Abbott, itinerant preachers
of that denomination. In 1828 a church was
built near the road, on land donated by Mc-
lntyre, in the southern part of the township.
A second church was dedicated in 1869 and is
the one there in 1914. It is at present served
by Rev. John H. Greenwalt, of the Roaring-
creek circuit. The Mclntyre family celebrated
their eighteenth annual reunion in 1914 at the
old church, by a picnic and social services, the
attendance being very large.
The Catawissa Methodist church was built
in 1834 by members of the above church who
had migrated to the town earlier. A second
house was built in 1854 and the last one in
1884. The latter was dedicated in February,
1885, Revs. Vincent and Upham participating.
The building committee were: Rev. R. E.
Wilson, H.F. Clark. W. W. Perry, J. M.
Smith, C. C. Sharpless, Jesse Mensch, Dr. L.
B. Kline.
Pastors of this church have been : Revs.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
201
I
R. E. Wilson, A. M. Barnitz, William Moses,
J. B. Mann, George M. Klepfer, Samuel D.
Wilson, A. Lawrence Miller, Robert M.
Snyder, William R. Picken, J. M. Johnston,
and the present pastor. Rev. R. H. Stine.
The church has been repeatedly improved
and remodeled, the latest expenditure, in 1913,
being $1,500. In 1906 a $2,500 pipe organ was
installed, half of the cost of which was con-
tributed by Andrew Carnegie, the ironmaster.
The present membership is 340 and the Sun-
day school has 300 attendants, the superintend-
ent being R. M. Graham. The trustees of the
church for 1914 are: Charles S. Kline, R. M.
Graham, Dr. L. B. Kline, C. J. Fisher, O. P.
Kostenbauder, H. C. Oberdorf, D. E. Murray.
The stewards are : M. J. Grimes, John R.
Deemer, William C. Kuster, M. E. Irwin,
Oscar Miller, S. M. Miller, William Eveland,
John Fenstermacher, Perry Heacock. Mrs.
M. E. Irwin is president of the Ladies' Aid
Society, and Miss Mary Fegley is president
of the Epworth League.
CEMETERIES
Catawissa is well supplied with burying
grounds. In the one adjoining the Quaker
meetinghouse lie many of that sect, as well
as those of other denominations. Next to this
is a more modern cemetery. Near the upper
end of the town is the Union cemetery, do-
nated to the public by Christian Brobst in 1802.
Here lie the remains of himself and wife under
a massive slab of marble. He was born .Sept.
14, 1767, and died Jan. 14, 1849. His wife.
Barbara, was born Sept. 21, 1767, and died
Dec. 24, 1847. Many of the ancestors of the
present residents of the town are also buried
here, and the grounds are very well kept, con-
sidering their age and public ownership.
CATAWISSA BIBLIOPHILES
Organized for the social as well as for the
intellectual benefit, along literary lines, were
the Bibliophiles — the booklovers of Catawissa,
consisting of fourteen ladies, in 1908. The
club has flourished and since then meetings
have been held weekly, at which literary works
have been taken up, studied and discussed at
length. No definite line of work is laid down
for the club. Each succeeding work is taken
up as the members desire, and the programs
interspersed from time to time with social
gatherings and discussions of contemporary fic-
tion, as well as more elaborate entertaintnents.
The meetings are held at the homes of the
members in turn, on Monday evenings. The
first members of the club were the following:
Mrs. A. S. Truckenmiller, president ; Mrs. C.
E. Randall, Mrs. Harry Fahringer, Mrs.
George Schmick, Mrs. Harry Yetter, Mrs.
Maude Beminger, Mrs. C. E. Geyer, Mrs.
F. A. Frear, the Misses Sue Berninger,
Hattie Abbott, Jane Harder, Helen Baldy,
Berd Walter, Ida Walter. The officers for
1914 are: Mrs. C. E. Geyer, president; Mrs.
F. A. Frear, vice president ; Mrs. C. E. Ran-
dall, treasurer. The membership has been in-
creased to sixteen.
CHAPTER XVII
CENTRALIA BOROUGH— CONYNGHAM TOWNSHIP
This extreme southernmost township in
Columbia county was in 1856 separated from
Locust township and made a division unto
itself, being named after the then presiding
judge, John Nesbitt Conyngham. The session
over which the Judge presided when the town-
ship was erected was the last one of his term.
Conyngham township is in almost every re-
spect unlike the other divisions of Columbia
county. Having no railroad communication by
direct route with the county seat, and separated
from the rest of the county by towering and
rugged mountain ranges, it is practically cut
off from its sister townships. To reach the
county seat the residents of Centralia are
obliged to travel by one of two roundabout
railroad routes, six times the distance by the
direct public road. The latter road is in
such a state of disrepair as to be almost im-
passable. In addition the heavy grades make
the journey long and hazardous to the traveler.
To a great degree the people are dependent
on the towns in Schuylkill and Northumber-
land counties for supplies and interchange of
social courtesies.
The township is almost destitute of agri-
cultural possibilities, and but for the immense
coal deposits therein would have remained for
202
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
indefinite years a wilderness of forest and glen.
It is separated from Locust township on the
north by Little mountain, and on the south lies
Locust mountain, whose southern slope ex-
tends into Schuylkill county. Three smaller
ridges lie between these two elevations, caus-
ing the country to be cut up into alternate hills
and valleys, all having an east and west trend.
In the summits of these elevations lie the great
anthracite coal fields, the only ones in Colum-
bia county.
During the years when the settlers came
from Berks county to the Catawissa valley a
constant stream of vehicles and horsemen
poured over the mountains and through Con-
yngham, by way of the old Reading road, but
never a one paused to give more than a cursory
view of the landscape, heaving a sigh of relief
when the last declivity had been passed and the
broad valley northward was revealed to sight.
Little did they reck of the enormous treasures
concealed within these hills and awaiting but
the scratching of the surface to bgcome avail-
able to mankind. It was more than sixty years
after the Quakers passed through this town-
ship that the mineral treasures were developed
in a practical way.
Until the year 1830 the township was a
haunt for the deer, fox and other wild crea-
tures. It was not an entirely unknown region,
for the "Red Tavern," on the crest of Locust
mountain, erected by John Rhodenberger in
1804, was a famous and popular place of rest
for travelers on the Reading road. Settlers
were shy of stopping longer than a night or
two in this section, however, until the discov-
ery of coal made the land valuable. Then there
was an influx of settlers of much different
nationalities frorn those of the rest of the
county. Perhaps no portion of the county
can show so varied a list of races and nation-
alities as Conyngham. It is a typical mining
region, with all the characteristics of such
communities.
Most of the land in this township was sur-
veyed in 1793, but property titles have been
clouded by the many warrants issued by un-
scrupulous owners when they found the lands
underlaid with coal. Some portions of this
township have been found to bear at least
three separate titles from the Commonwealth.
All of the titles have been settled either by
agreement or by legal proceedings. The first
to develop this section was the famous Stephen
Girard, founder of the great college at Phila-
delphia. In 1830 he bought an extensive tract
on Catawissa and Mahanoy creeks from the
trustees of the Bank of Philadelphia, in the
hope of uncovering deposits of iron ore. He
began the construction of roads and bridges
and opened a few drifts, but failed to find any
iron. For twenty-five years the property re-
mained undeveloped and then the Locust
Mountain Coal & Iron Company opened the
Mine Run colliery. They had organized in
1842. The same year the Locust Run and Coal
Ridge collieries were opened. The Hazel Dell
colliery was completed in i860 and the Cen-
tralia colliery in 1862. The Continental col-
liery was opened in the following year.
Notwitlistanding State laws prohibiting
ownership of coal mines by railroad companies
it is said the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company
has gradually acquired control and ownership
of all the mines in Columbia county and
operates them under different corporate
names. This road owns the transportation
lines into Centralia and Aristes.
CENTRALIA
On one of the few level spots in the town-
ship the "Bull's Head" tavern was built in
1841 by Jonathan Faust, about a mile from
the "Red Tavern" and on the Reading road.
This was the first house on the site of Cen-
tralia. The tavern later came into the hands
of Reuben Wasser. In 1914 it was partially
removed to make way for a store. In 1855
Alexander W. Rea, the first engineer of the
Locust Mountain colliery, built a cottage above
the tavern and brought hither his family from
Danville. He made surveys in his spare time
for streets and lots, and in the same year
built a number of homes for the workers in
the mines. This was the beginning of the
town. In i860 Jonathan Hoagland opened the
first store opposite the tavern and two years
later became the first postmaster. The village
had been called "Centerville" for some time
previous, but the name was changed to Cen-
tralia owing to conflict with another town of
the former name in the State. Three years
later the Lehigh & Mahanoy railroad was built
through the town.
The advent of the railroad brought many
persons to the town and several collieries were
soon opened. This caused an application to be
made for incorporation, and at the February
session of court in 1866 the borough of Cen-
tralia was formally established. James B.
Knittle was elected president of the town coun-
cil : L. S. Boner, town clerk ; James Dyke, chief
burgess. These officials soon had their hands
full in attempting to quell the spirit of law-
lessness that had developed among the numer-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
203
ous nationalities working in the mines. The
chief of these troubles was the "Molly Ma-
guire" murders, of which a complete sketch
is given in the bar history of this county. The
first to fall a victim to the assassin's bullet was
Alexander W. Rea, who was practically the
founder of the town. Michael Lanahan and
Thomas Dougherty followed as victims soon
after.
Another trouble was the frequency of in-
cendiary fires in the village. Between 1872
and 1878 scarcely a year passed without a
severe and extensive fire amongst the dwell-
ings and stores. This has now been suppressed,
and the town has experienced a comparative
rest from conflagrations for a number of years.
Centralia is characterized by the large num-
ber of saloons within its corporate limits, one
for every two hundred persons. There are
twenty saloons, two drug stores, seventeen
general stores and groceries, one jeweler and
two butchers in the town.
Water Supply
The Centralia Water Company was chart-
ered in 1866, a reservoir was built on the side
of Locust mountain and wooden mains laid
through the town. The company later became
financially invoh'ed anfl the property was sold
in 1876 to William Brydon. By this time
the mains had rotted and the supply of water
was very inadequate. Brydon improved the
propertv and service greatly. After his time
the works were successively owned by A. B.
Fortner, David C. Black, Edward Williams,
A. K. Mensch, O. B. Millard, John W. Fort-
ner, and others.
Owing to the pumping plants of the mines
aiifecting the w^ater supply the Locust Mountain
Water Company was formed in 1881 for the
purpose of building a dam across Brush Valley
nm to conserve the supply in a permanent man-
ner. Thev constructed a reservoir on top of
the mountain and laid several miles of mains.
This removed the possibility of a water famine.
The fire protection of Centralia consists of
a volunteer company and a hose and ladder
truck, but poor water pressure hampers the
fire fighters greatly.
MISCEr,I..\NEOUS MATTERS
Centralia is populated chiefly by persons of
Irish descent, while many nationalities are
employed in the mines. There have been three
strikes in these mines since their onening,
in 1868, 1897 and 1900. The Miners'
Union now has entire control of the labor sit-
uation and peace has descended upon the field.
Centralia is connected with Mount Carmel
and Ashland, in Northumberland and Schuyl-
kill counties, respectively, by a trolley line,
which makes a long detour in order to over-
come the steep grades. A fare of sixteen
cents is charged for the trip of less than three
miles.
Occasionally subsidences of the ground in
portions of the town, due to the removal and
rotting of mine supports, have caused damage
to buildings and roads, but the State Mine
Commission is preparing to have this reme-
died.
At present the two important collieries of
Centralia are the Continental and Repellier,
I both of which are operated by the Lehigh
Valley Railroad Company. Some stripping is
still being done at the old Locust Mountain
Coal Company's mines, inside the corporation.
Financial
Centralia has a strong financial institution,
the First National Bank, having a capital of
$25,000 and deposits aggregating over $106,000.
It was organized Sept. 29, 1909, with the fol-
lowing directors : L. Fetterman, O. B. Millard,
W. E. Davis, ]. M. Humphrey, T. W. Riley,
Dr. R. M. LaShelle, J. A. Moran, M. J. Mc-
Donnell, H. J. Hefifner, J. W. Fortner, I. C.
Johnston. It opened for business Dec. i, 1909,
with C. S. Henderson as the first and present
cashier. The present directors are T. W. Ril-
ey, M. I. McDonnell, O. B. Millard, J. W. Fort-
ner, G.'C. Blass, H. J. Hefifner, D. E. Keller, J.
Marsh, Edward Williams. T. W. Riley is
president, and M. J. McDonnell, vice presi-
dent.
Capt. Jack Crawford
Back in the early sixties, when the country
was on the verge of the Civil war, Centralia,
then but a little hamlet, took a prominent part
in furnishing soldiers, and none has won more
enduring fame than Capt. Jack Crawford, the
poet-scout. "Little Johnny." as he was then
known, ran away from his home in Centralia
and enlisted at Minersville. and later became
one of the famous heroes of the great struggle
between the North and South. He was a
member of the 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania
\^olunteers, and is still living.
Of the many Centralia veterans who have
passed awav durine the last half century there
are nine buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery,
204
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and eleven in St. Ignatius cemetery. Tlie sur-
viving veterans in the town are : Capt. John
R. Porter, Borough Treasurer O. B. Millard,
John W. Fortner, Lafayette Fetterman, John
Curray, Joseph Clews, Sr., James Brennan and
George Malley.
Societies
Centralia Lodge, No. 586, I. O. O. F., was
chartered Sept. 22, 1866, but the charter being
burned another was issued Nov. 25, 1872. The
first officers were James Thomas, James
Thompson, C. B. Spurr and Seth Thomas. The
membership is about one hundred now. The
meeting hall on Centre street, above Locust, is
valued at $4,000.
Washington Camp No. 106, P. O. S. of A.,
was organized in 1866 with thirty-six mem-
bers and these officers : J. P. Hoagland, presi-
dent ; C. G. Freck, secretary ; J. F. Scott, treas-
urer. It was reorganized in 1872 and re-
chartered in 1883, with twenty-four members.
This order is now in a prosperous condition
and owns its own hall.
The branch of the United Mine Workers of
America at Centralia has a membership which
includes practically all the men employed in
the coal mines and possesses a full treasury,
from which various benefits are paid to the
members in sickness, injury or old age.
Council No. 1006, Order of Independent
Americans, has a large membership in Cen-
tralia and the surrounding villages.
RELIGIOUS
In the schoolhouse at Centralia, built in
1858, the organization of most of the religious
denominations of this township occurred. In
this building services were held for some years,
until it became engulfed by the caving in of an
old mine working.
The Methodists were the first sect to hold
services in the bounds of Conyngham. In
January, 1863, Morris Lewis was appointed
leader of a class of eight persons by Rev. W.
M. Showalter, pastor at Ashland. Two years
later Rev. N. W. Guire organized the congre-
gation and appointed William M. Hoagland as
leader. For three years thereafter Rev. J. M.
Mullen was in charge. In the summer of 1866
John James and Joseph Steele excavated the
foundations for a church building at their own
expense, and in the autumn the cornerstone of
the building was laid by Rev. W. A. Stephens.
The church was finally completed in 1871.
Pastors of this church have been : Revs. J. B.
Riddle, J. A. Dixon, C. D. Mc Williams, S. R.
Nankervis, A. C. Crosthwait, H. B. Fortner,
Samuel Barnes, A. H. Mensch, G. W. Larner,
N. S. Buckingham, G. W. Marshall, T. H.
Tubbs, J. P. Benford, R. L. Armstrong, J. S.
Buckley. The present pastor is Rev. Robert
W. Bryner. After 1883 this church was made
a separate station. The church was complete-
ly rebuilt in 1886 and is a commodious frame
building in the eastern part of the town, on
the trolley line. The parsonage is beside it.
Roman Catholic
St. Ignatius' Roman Catholic Church of Cen-
tralia is in the diocese of Harrisburg. Rt. Rev.
J. F. Shanahan selected Very Rev. D. J. Mc-
Dermott to organize it in 1869. He celebrated
two Masses in the schoolhouse in April and
on July 1 8th the cornerstone of the church
was laid by Bishop Shanahan. Four lots on
which the church was built were donated by
the Locust Mountain Coal & Iron Company.
The building was completed in 1870 and the
pastoral residence in 187 1. By 1872 the num-
ber of souls in the congregation had reached
1,500, with Rev. Edward T. Fields as pastor.
Rev. James I. Russell entered into the charge
in 1884. The present pastor is Rev. J. F.
Crotty. The church has been constantly im-
proved and repaired and is in fine condition
now. The convent beside it and the school
and meeting hall across the street were built
in 1880. The electric line runs in front of these
buildings and the street has been paved and
sidewalks laid by the church, making this part
of Centralia quite metropolitan in appearance.
The present congregation is large, and is com-
posed of manv nationalities.
Episcopalians
The first resident missionary of the Protest-
ant Episcopal Church in Centralia was Rev.
Otto H. Fryer, who served there during 1864
and 1865. Services had been held there
previously by clergymen of the Ashland
Church. A visit of Rev. D. Washburn of
Philadelphia in 1865 culminated in the organ-
ization of the Church of the Holy Trinity in
May, 1869. The first rector here in 1867 was
Rev. J. P. Fugett, who was stationed at Ash-
land, and served for one year.
In August, 1867, Rev. Mr. Washburn re-
turned for a time to recuperate his health, and
at the request of the Bishop reorganized the
church and established the first Sunday school,
in a room opposite the "Centralia Hotel." In
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
205
the following year the church was officially
organized, and in 1869 Thomas R. Stockton,
superintendent of the Locust Mountain Col-
liery in place of Alexander Rea, whom the
Mollie Maguires had murdered, took the
superintendency of the Sunday school and
entered into the work of lifting the dark cloud
of horror that seemed to overshadow the
people. Through him the Colliery Company
donated four lots, the plans were donated by
Edward T. Potter, son of the Bishop, and
the cornerstone was laid July 29, 1869.
The building is a large frame, with belfry,
and has an addition upon the north side for
Sunday school purposes, built some years later.
The chancel window is the donation of Robert
Gorell and bears his monogram. The church
was consecrated Sept. 4, 1870, by Rt. Rev.
William Bacon Stevens, D. D.
In 1868 Holy Trinity had been so far estab-
lished as a mission as to be admitted into union
with the Convention of the Diocese of Penn-
sylvania. A new church had been erected
here, and was served by Rev. Daniel Wash-
burn, in connection with Ashland. But after
a little time Centralia, meeting the larger por-
tion of the support of a non-resident clergyman,
became dissatisfied. Hence Rev. Mr. Wash-
burn secured for them a deacon. Rev. P. P.
Reese. During the year 1873-74 the interior
of the church was improved and beautified.
The lack of work, in 1875-76, throughout the
great coal fields of Pennsylvania, played sad
havoc with the church in this region. The serv-
ices in Centralia, however, were continued
without any interruption during this time. In
the spring of 1878 Rev. Mr. Washburn re-
signed, and was succeeded by Rev. C. E. D.
Griffith. The burning down of the Centralia
coal breaker during the Conventional year,
1879-80, almost broke up the mission here, for
the time being, because of the removal of a
large majority of the members. Owing to the
fact that the few people who were left were un-
able to support the work, Rev. Mr. Griffith was
obliged to withdraw in the early part of the year
1880. At this time Holy Trinity had twelve
families, sixty-eight baptized persons, twenty
communicants, thirty-seven members in the
Sunday school, and a church valued at $4,000.
From the time of the resignation of Rev.
Mr. Griffith this mission continued vacant for
about two years, or until in the spring of 1882,
when the rector of St. John's Church, Ashland,
Rev. Robert H. Kline, took charge of the
work here. In the year 1884 Holy Trinity
again suffered very much by removals. Rev.
Mr. Kline withdrew from the field about the
first of the year 1886, and after a vacancy of
a little more than two months he was succeeded,
on March 21st, the second Sunday in Lent, by
Rev. David Howard, who continued to serve
this people until May 22, 1887, when he re-
signed, and without any interruption in the
services Rev. Benjamin F. Thompson took
charge of the work. In the year 1887-88 a new
carpet was purchased and placed in the church.
On May 31, 1890, this mission had seventeen
families, twenty-four communicants, with
forty-six members in the Sunday school, and
a church free of debt. Rev. Mr. Thompson
resigned the latter part of the summer of 1891,
and was shortly afterwards succeeded by Rev.
William W. Mix. The work here, however,
was largely done by Mr. Otho Brant, who had
been appointed lay-reader by the bishop.
During the year 1892-93 Holy Trinity was
united with Mount Carmel, which gave this
mission twice the number of services it re-
ceived prior to this time. On Feb. 9, 1894,
Rev. A. T. DeLearsey, D. D., took charge of
the work here. This mission having again
become vacant. Rev. Frederick Charles Cowper
became priest in charge on Nov. 15, 1895. In
February, 1899, the mission doubled the rec-
tor's salary. On May 31, 1900, Holy Trinity
had eighteen families, seventy baptized persons,
forty-one communicants, thirty-three members
in the Sunday school, and a church property
valued at $10,000, free of debt. About the ist
of March, 1901, Rev. Mr. Cowper resigned, and
was succeeded, the last of the year, by Rev.
Alfred Samuel Hill Winsor.
The church work here was very much crip-
pled, during 1902-03, by removals, as frequently
occurs in most mining towns. Although Cen-
tralia was for many years a part of the arch-
deaconry of Reading, yet upon the division of
the diocese it geographically and canonically
fell within the limits of the archdeaconry of
Williamsport, and therefore became a part of
the diocese of Harrisburg. This change caused
a vacancy of considerable length, but the serv-
ices were continued during this time by the ef-
ficient lay-reader Mr. James Simons.
Rev. Leroy F. Baker, the general mission-
ary of the diocese of Harrisburg, began giving
regular Sunday afternoon services here the first
Sunday of December, 1905. On Sunday, Jan.
6, 1907, an effort was made to reorganize the
Sunday school, which had been discontinued
for several years prior to this. But as there
were no children, the few adults present agreed
to meet every Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock
and spend an hour in the study of the Bible
and the Book of Common Prayer, with Mr.
206
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
James Simons as leader. During the Lenten
season of 1907 Mr. John Costello gave very
acceptable lay services every Thursday eve-
ning. In 1909 the general missionary still con-
tinued in charge.
In December, 1909, Rev. Robert R. Mor-
gan, rector of St. Stephen's Memorial Church,
Mount Carmel, took charge of the work and
still (September, 1914) continues as minister
in charge. In 1911-12 the whole interior of
the church was remodeled and refurnished at
considerable expense and a large two-story par-
ish house erected. The property is entirely free
from debt and has a small endowment. There
are now forty communicants, one hundred bap-
tized persons, and a Sunday School of sixty.
Services are held every Sunday.
Presbyterians
This church was organized in Centralia July
31, 1867, with eighteen charter members.
Three of them still survive in 1914, two at-
tending the Centralia Church, Robert White
and Sarah Black ; while the third, Mrs. Matilda
Richards, is a member of the Ashland Church.
The first elders of the church were Daniel
Buchanan and David Black. The church
building was erected in 1869 at a cost of $3,000.
During the forty-seven years of its history
this church has had eleven pastors, as fol-
lows: Rev. L. L. Haughawout, 1868-69; Rev.
J. H. Fleming, 1871-72; Rev. R. Caldwell,
1875-77; Rev. A. T. Stewart, 1883-87; Rev.
J. W. Williams, 1890-91 ; Rev. J. R. Mann,
1891-94; Rev. F. S. Hort, 1895-98; Rev. E. E.
Lashley, 1898-1902; Rev. A. T. Schleich, 1904-
05 ; Rev. W. A. Clemmer, 1906-10 ; the present
pastor. Rev. G. A. Leukel, took charge of the
church in 191 1 and is also pastor of the Ash-
land Church.
The present elders are Robert White, David
Whitaker and I. W. Howerter. William O.
Mayer is clerk of the session. The board of
trustees are: Henry Whitaker, I. W. Hower-
ter. Thomas Smith, Francis Michael, Edward
Keeler, Walter Dunlevey, Theo. W. Riley, Wil-
liam O. Mayer ; Lewis Reb is treasurer.
William O. flayer is superintendent of the
Sunday school ; Walter Howerter, secretary ;
and Edward Keeler, treasurer. The church
organist is Miss Adelaide Black. The present
membership of the church is forty-eight. The
church was rededicated in February, 1912,
after extensive repairs. Robert White, one of
the elders and a charter member, was eighty-
nine years of age in August, 1914, and still-
able to attend to his religious duties.
Other Denominations
The Greek Catholics have an imposing frame
church on the south side of Locust mountain,
overlooking Centralia, built in 1900. A nu-
merous congregation of ditterent nationalities
attend there and are served by priests supplied
from surrounding mining towns.
The Polish and Lithuanian Catholics attend
St. Ignatius' Church.
"MONTANA" OR ARISTES
The "Red Tavern," built about 1800 by
John Rhodenberger pn the northern brow of
Locust mountain, to catch the trade of travel-
ers on the Reading road, the only route then
to the northern part of the county, was the
first building on the site of "Montana," or
Aristes, as it is now called. Rhodenberger's
place is mentioned in an article in an old
magazine printed in 1802 in Philadelphia.
The writer tells of stopping over night at
"Lavenberg's," on Locust mountain, and
probably made a mistake in the spelling of
the name. Among the later owners of the old
"Red Tavern" were : Joseph Miller, William
Hughes, Joseph Zimmerman, Isaac Betz, Jacob
Zimmerman, Adam Clayberger, John Jones,
Peter Hower, Samuel Leiby, William Good-
man, Isaac Edwards, Daniel E. Kelnes, Jona-
than Faust and George W. Billman. The old
building was torn down in 1890 and a more
modern hostelry erected on the site by U. F.
Fetterman, the last owner, who ran it as a
public house. It is now closed.
There are two other hotels in Aristes, both
of which are operated merely as saloons. There
are three stores in the village, owned by D.
Goodman, James A. Miller and G. W. Weller,
the latter being also postmaster. The Order
of Independent Americans has a frame hall
here near the "Red Tavern."
The village was laid out in 1865 by Samuel
Leidy, owner then of the "Red Tavern." He
was led to the step by the opening of the Reno
colliery by Morris Robinson & Co., which
brought a large population of mine workers to
this spot. This colliery is now abandoned.
The United Brethren Church here was or-
ganized in 1871 by Rev. J. G. Fritz, of Mount
Carmel, and meetings were held in the school-
house until the present church was built, in
1887. The present pastor is Rev. B. F. Good-
man, who serves the Catawissa circuit, con-
sisting of the churches at Aristes, Midvalley
and Freewill, all in Columbia county.
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church was
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
207
organized in 1893 by Rev. F. A. Weicksel and
the church was built in 1899 at a cost of $5,000.
The parsonage, of concrete block construction,
was built in 1910 at a cost of $3,000 and is
modern in every respect. The membership of
this church is now small, but in the days of the
operating of the mines here the number of
members was large. Rev. Milton M. Dry was
the last pastor of this church, in 1913, the con-
gregation now depending on supplies. The
elders are: Emanuel Levan, W. F. Rhoads,
Isaiah Kreisher, Harry Wright, Sylvester J.
Beaver, Charles Beaver, Reuben A. Beaver,
James Miller, Wilson Yoder.
The Midvalley mines Nos. i and 2 are situ-
ated a short distance above Aristes and fur-
nish the bulk of the population with employ-
ment. These mines, as well as the railroad
line to the town, are owned by the Lehigh
Valley Railroad Company.
SMALLER TOWNS
Byrnesville is a cluster of houses on the
hill below Centralia, once called the "Upper
Shanties." It is populated by persons of Irish
descent who work in the mines. Below here,
at the site of the abandoned Repellier mines,
arose another settlement, called Gcrmanioivn,
from the first families of that nationality who
built homes there in 1857. The Irish have
complete control now. Both of these settle-
ments have the usual preponderance of saloons.
Locustdale is only partially in Columbia
county, most of it being in Schuylkill and
Northumberland counties. The first building
here was erected in 1856 by George C. Potts &
Co., for an office. In the following year the
colliery was opened, with T. L. Beadle as man-
ager. There was a hotel near here in 1840,
operated by Jacob Brisel. The first store-
keeper was A. S. Morehead, of Pottsville, in
1859-
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church of
Locustdale was moved across the street in
1914 in order to get into Columbia county and
the diocese of Harrisburg. Father Connag-
han, the pastor, raised funds for the moving
and for the erection of a fine parsonage.
SCHOOLS
The first schoolhouse in this township was
built in 1840 at the site of Aristes. It had few
pupils and soon passed into disuse. The next
schoolhouse was built in 1851 at Germantown
by Alexander W. Rea. The school building
at Centralia was erected in 1858 as a general
place of meeting as well as a temple of learn-
ing. The first Locustdale school was opened
in 1859 by John Wagner.
There are eight grades to the schools of
Centralia and 311 scholars in attendance. In
the township outside the borough there are
eighteen schools, attended by 644 scholars. The
great majority of these children are of foreign
parentage.
The school directors of Centralia borough
are : Samuel Cartwright, Michael Madden,
H. J. Hefifner, John J. Reilly, Edward V.
Dempsey.
The school directors of Conyngham town-
ship are : Richard Kane, W. J. Fennessy,
Martin Monahan, Hiram Watson, Anthony
Mohan.
POPULATION
The population of Conyngham township in
i860 was 1,326; in 1870, 1,960; in 1880, 2,183;
in 1890, 2,739; '" 1900, 3,037; in 1910, 3,127.
This is the only township that has shown a
steady gain in population in late years.
The population of Centralia was 1,340 in
1870; 1,509 in 1880; 2,761 in 1890; 2,048 in
1900; 2,429 in 191a
CHAPTER XVIII
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
This township, formed in 1845, was the fifth
in order of organization in Columbia county,
and was named from the Uttle run which flows
througli the central valley between Uuck and
McAuley mountains. North of this lies the
valley of Scotch run, above which on the north
towers Nescopeck mountain. This region of
elevations and depressions did not attract early
settlers and was not occupied until the more
level and fertile lands to the westward were
taken up. In 1774 Beaver valley was occupied
by Alexander McAuley, whose mysterious
fate is described in the sketch of Locust town-
ship. He retired from this Indian infested
region in 1776, but a neighbor, Andrew Harger,
was captured by the savages and kept in bond-
age for almost a year.
No further attempt was made to inhabit the
"Beaver Swamps" until 1799. At that date
there appears to have been an Englishman by
the name of Thomas Wilkinson living a her-
mit's existence in a cave along Catawissa creek.
Among the settlers of the following years were
James Van Clargan, and the Klingaman, Oaks,
Rarig, Mensinger, Swank, Longenberger and
Fisher families. At this time a dispute arose
between Daniel Oaks and Reuben Eyerly as to
the title to a piece of land. Soon after the
Oaks family were burned in their house. Eyerly
was arrested for the atrocity, but released for
lack of evidence. He was, however, later
hanged for a similar crime. John Dalious set-
tled at the foot of the mountain on Catawissa
creek. He was from Berks county, as were
John Rarig, Ludwig Mensinger and John
Hootz, who followed him some time later.
INDUSTRIES
The industries of this township in early
times, as well as the present, were few and in-
significant. John and Christian Shuman ran
a sawmill and tannery on the site of the present
station of Shmnan before 1868, and James
Hause had another sawmill near the source
of Beaver run.
J. B. Nuss built a gristmill at Beaver Valley
post office, which was burned in 1876, while
the proprietor, F. L. Shuman, was in Phila-
delphia. He rebuilt it and sold it in 1881 to
Charles Reichart. The latter kept the mills
till 1885 and then sold to Dr. A. P. Heller, of
Millville. Sherman Heller, the son, ran it
until 1886 and tlien sold to McHenry & Heller.
D. W. Shuman is now the proprietor in 1914.
The mill has an overshot wheel of 35 horse-
power, and a capacity of forty barrels of flour
per day. It is a buckwheat mill.
BEAVER VALLEY
Beaver Valley and Shumantozim are prac-
tically the same, one being on the hill beside
the railroad, and the other in the valley below.
The mountains tower above the valley and
Catawissa creek makes many a sharp turn here,
at one point breaking through the natural bar-
riers and forming a gorge of great beauty. The
Reading railroad here has a tunnel through
a spur of Buck mountain. Just below is the
pumping station of the Tidewater Pipe Line
Company, which buys in the oil regions,
pumps the oil through its lines, and sells it to
the Standard Oil Company at Tidewater.
The tanks and engine house are located on a
tract of five acres. The oil is elevated to the
top of the hill, a height of 1,325 feet, whence
it flows towards the southwest. The present
superintendent of the plant is J. E. Paisley.
The storekeepers at Beaver Valley are W. F.
Bredbenner, L. H. Michael, Levi Michael,
T. J. Shuman and Charles Ney, the latter being
also postmaster. "Shuman's Hotel" is run by
John P. Fry.
The chief place for public meetings in the
village is the P. O. S. of A. hall of Washing-
ton Camp No. 540. The officers of the camp
are: Edward Riegel, president: H. Y. Har-
man, vice president ; Frank Riegel, master of
forms; Paul Schlieder, conductor; Ross Ervin,
inspector; Charles Sassaman, inspector; R. B.
Wheeler, trustee.
208
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
209
COAL MINING
The height of McAuley mountain brings
it within the Hmit of the Pottsville con-
glomerate, which hes together with the strata
of anthracite. These deposits are the only
ones in the county outside of Conyngham
township, and are small in area and difficult to
mine, owing to their great height above the val-
ley. This coal had been noted in 1826, during
the surveying of the Catawissa railroad, but it
was not till the opening of that road in 1S53
that the capitalists turned their attention to
these deposits. The McAuley railroad was
incorporated in 1854 to run through Beaver
valley and connect with the Catawissa road, a
distance of five miles. In 1855 Charles B. Pen-
rose, Lee W. Buffington and John C. Sims
formed the Columbia Coal and Iron Company,
with a capital of $500,000, and in 1858 they
took in the railroad company. The building
of the road and breakers and the opening of
mines were accomplished in the succeeding
years, and in 1867 the first coal shipments were
made from the McAuley coHiery. The bright
prospects of the companies were not to be
realized, however, for in five years after the
first shipment of coal the mines were prac-
tically exhausted. The railroad tracks and
the breakers were removed in 1869. These
mines thereafter were operated solely for local
consumption, under lease.
The mines on the north side of the mountain
were opened when the Danville, Hazleton &
Wilkes-Barre railroad was completed. Simon
P. Kase, one of the promoters of the railroad,
built the breaker of the Beaver Valley Coal
Company in 1864. and owing to the refusal of
the Catawissa railroad owners to run a line
along the Scotch valley he promoted the new
road. He leased the colliery to J. H. Losee in
1871 for ten years. It was then idle for five
years. In 1886 James and Mary McAlarney
undertook to operate it, and were followed by
Joseph Donnellan. It is at present being oper-
ated by E. M. Cook, of Boston, Mass., the local
superintendent being Harry E. Keiper. The
work is being done by means of a steam shovel,
and consists of stripping ofif the top layers of
rock, and soil to get at the upper layers of coal
left by former workers. When this layer is
removed the mines will be entirely exhausted.
As the first miners did not know that the
coal deposits were in basins they mined in a
haphazard way, thus making the work of the
later owners very difficult. Modern methods
may prove more profitable to the present own-
14
ers than those of the coal operators of the past
were.
In Buck mountain, in the southeastern part
of this township, are mines which for many
years were worked by the Buck Mountain
Coal Company, in more recent years by Coxe
Brothers & Co., but now operated by the Le-
high Valley Coal Company, which has them
leased. The coal is loaded on cars at Gowen
and sent to Hazleton, where it is prepared for
market.
At the time of the opening of the railroad
and coal mines a town was laid out in, Scotch
valley and named "Glen City." At one time
it boasted a number of residences of workmen
and a post office. The station of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad is now a half mile east of the
town site and all that remains of the projected
town is a long siding, for passing freight trains.
The station is now called Scotch Valley, and
has three houses and a store. There is scarcely
room between the mountains for anything else.
The gristmill at MifHin Crossroads is entirely
gone and there are but a few houses to mark
the site of that once prosperous village. Near
the edge of the county, partially in Luzerne,
were the grounds of the Mountain Grove Camp
Meeting Association, which met annually there,
being attended from this and adjoining coun-
ties. The association dissolved some years ago.
Here the valley opens out into the fertile
farms of Luzerne county, in great contrast to
the narrow valleys and high mountains of the
eastern part of Columbia county. H. M. Hess,
from Sugarloaf township, has settled here on
the edge of the county, having the last farm
on the end of McCauley mountain.
RELIGIOUS
The first Methodist sermon heard in Beaver
township was delivered in 181 5 at the home of
David Davis, on the road crossing Catawissa
creek in the extreme southeastern part of the
township. Revs. Dawson, Rhoads, Taneyhill
and Monroe preached there for some time, the
latter in the years 1822-23 organizing a con-
gregation and building the present church near
the county line. The Methodist congregation
disbanded in 1872 and the Evangelical denom-
ination has since held services in the church,
the pastors coming from Schuylkill county.
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church,
formerly called Harger's Church, is located on
the side of McCauley mountain, on one of the
coldest spots in the township during the winter.
It is the only union edifice in the southern part
of Columbia county, being used also by the
210
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Reformed denomination. The Lutherans or-
ganized in 1848, and for a time held services in
a barn. Before that the members had to cross
Nescopeck mountain to attend the Miiflinville
Church. The first regular place of worship
was a log schoolhouse. The first union church
was built in 1849, ^"d the second one in 1892.
Services are held here by the Lutherans alter-
nate weeks. Pastors since the beginning have
been Revs. J. Benninger, Isaiah Bahl, R. S.
Wagner, J. S. Renninger, S. S. Kline, H.
Weicksel, J. P. German, W. H. Geiger, O. D.
Bartholomew, C. F. Dry.
SCHOOLS
The first school in Beaver township was
taught by Isaac Davis in the Kostenbauder
gristmill, in 1821. Four years later he opened
another in his home, on the site of the present
Davis church. In 1825 Henry Schell taught
in a dwelling near the church, on the road from
Beaver to Mainville, and Adam Holocher
taught another in a building on the land of
Charles Michael. A school was later taught
on the land of Joseph Lehr. All of these
schools were at first devoted to instruction in
the German language, but later English was in-
troduced.
The number of schools in the township in
1914 is seven, and 183 scholars of both sexes
attend. The school directors are : Oscar Bred-
benner, Ellis Klingaman, John Fritz, C. W.
Stead, Miles Rittenhouse.
POPULATION
The population of Beaver township in 1850
was 672; in i860, 901 ; in 1870, 969; in 1880,
1,221; in 1890, 1,039; in 1900, 886; in 1910,
842.
CHAPTER XIX
BENTON TOWNSHIP— BENTON BOROUGH
This township, established in 1850, was
named in honor of Thomas H. Benton, then
at the height of his political power. It has
always been a farming district, although at
first the dense forests caused the building of
many sawmills to utilize the abundance of
timber.
The most interesting item regarding the
lands in this township concerns the establish-
ment here in 1769 of one of the famous "Man-
ors" of the Penn family. These divisions of
land were set apart for the exclusive use of
the Penns themselves, and in many instances
were the last of the lands in the Commonwealth
to be disposed of. The Manors here were two
tracts of 530 acres each, and were "situate on
a large branch of Fishing Creek, eight or ten
miles above the end of Fishing creek moun-
tain," that is, about two miles north of the
present town of Benton. In the original sur-
vey the name of "Putney Common" was ap-
plied to those lands.
The first recorded settler in this township
was Benjamin Coleman, who bought land from
Daniel McHenry and founded what was later
the Laubach farm. Jonathan Colley was an-
other settler who came to this section prior to
1797. The house in which he lived was built
near the Swartwout mill, and the orchard he
planted is still to be seen at that point. James
Peterman and Jesse Pennington also came
about the same time. The latter built the first
sawmill in the township, on Upper Fishing
creek. A Mr. Robbins built the Swartwout
mill before 1850. It was later operated by J.
Swartwout and Bent Cole. Isaiah Cole built
the mill on the creek a short distance above
Benton borough about 1806. A cloudburst in
1848 destroyed both this and the Swartwout
mill. The Thomas mill on West creek, built
in 1865, is now operated by N. B. Cole.
Others of the first settlers were Joshua
Brink, Robert and John Moore, William Eager,
Samuel Rogers, John Keeler, Daniel White-
man, Peter Robinson, Jonathan Hartzell and
Daniel Jackson. The house of the latter for
some years after 1833 was all that existed of
the village of Benton. After the settlement
of Sugarloaf and the growth of the second
generation of the families, the McHenrys,
Hesses, Laubachs and others of that town-
ship moved into and helped to populate Ben-
ton township. Many of their descendants are
still living on the old farms.
GROWTH AND SETTLEMENT
Early in the history of Benton township the
tiny hamlet of homes located within what is
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
211
now the Benton borough limits was destined
through its geographical position to be its prin-
cipal settlement. During the last year of the
eighteenth century two families had pene-
trated up the valley of Fishing creek and had
chosen sites in the vicinity. In the tirst sixty
years of the nineteenth century the growth of
the community was hardly perceptible to the
passing generations. By 1868 the settlement
had grown into a considerable village. Some
fifty houses clustered around a tavern, a
church, a schoolhouse and a sawmill. The post
office had been established in 1852, and Daniel
Hartman, who had started the first store, was
appointed postmaster.
From 1868 to 1886 Benton grew slowly. The
number of dwellings increased to sixty or more,
two churches ministered to the religious needs
of the community, entertainment and accom-
modations for the wayfarer were furnished by
two hotels, and several stores supplied the re-
quirements of residents. The "Exchange
Hotel," which was destroyed in the great fire
of 1910, was built by Hiram Hess in 1872 and
opened to the public early in the following year,
and for a long time was the most important
hostelry in upper Columbia county and adja-
cent territory. The last owner of this hotel
was Daniel J. Donavan, who remodeled the
structure and entered upon a career of pros-
perity which was cut short by the fire. Since
that event the hotel has never been rebuilt.
Benton's second hotel, the "McHenry
House," was erected in 1886 by James Boyd
McHenry, much of the planning of its interior
being done by his wife, a lovely and estimable
woman, who still resides in Benton. This hotel
passed unscathed through the fires of later
years, and is now operated by F. V. Zwilling,
who caters to a large trade from all parts of
this and surrounding counties.
The old "Travelers Inn" stood on the west
side of Main street some distance above the
other hotels, and was in its day a famous
meeting place for the residents of this section.
The building is now used for other purposes.
BENTON BOROUGH
The Benton of the present day, despite the
ravages of several disastrous conflagrations, is
a smiling little town, set in level swards of
meadow land, and one in contemplating its
level and tree-embowered aspects, from the
heights of the adjacent hills, is instinctively re-
minded of Oliver Goldsmith's "Sweet Auburn,
Loveliest Village of the Plain.'' Beautiful
Fishing creek passes through the heart of the
place, sparkling down the gentle incline of its
course on the way to the broad Susquehanna.
At one place the beautiful stream passes along
the base of a majestic and pine-clad slope, at
another it dances through a verdant meadow,
or perchance slips quietly and musically along
beside a well traveled thoroughfare. The phys-
ical environments of Benton are of peculiar
charm. No craggy masses rear their lofty tops
to the skies. The scenery is unmarked by the
grandeur of sublime heights or the varying
contrasts of sylvan dells and bold precipices.
On the contrary, the surrounding hills are of
gently undulating nature and the broad plateau
of its setting sweeps in straight lines to their
bases. Wooded slopes climb to the top of the
sun-kissed hills and well tilled fields, particu-
larly during the days of harvest, which ripen
into colorful charm the varying hues of their
fertile garmenture, and bring out the perspec-
tive of a scenic picture, exquisite, which
lingers long in the memory.
The community of the present has probably
suffered more, size and condition considered,
than any other town of its class in the Union.
Numerous fires have robbed it of many indus-
tries and a far reaching financial upheaval has
visited many of its principal business interests
and devastated many homes. Shock after
shock has been bravely met. Misfortune upon
misfortune has swept the town, until the towns-
people, looking around in temporary despair,
have asked one another, "what next?"
Prior to the completion of the Bloomsburg
& Sullivan railroad, in 1887, but few industries
flourished in the town. One of the first was
the plant established by N. P. Moore in 1848
for the purpose of manufacturing wagons. In
these modern days the application of that word
to the industry then conducted by this wheel-
wright would undoubtedly be a misnomer, as
his lousiness, the time and date considered, must
have been conducted under primitive condi-
tions which perhaps would hardly justify the
name of "shop." In any event, the work of
producing wagons at the Moore place contin-
ued from 1848 to 1862.
For several years Benton borough has been
in the public eve as a genuine, bona fide hard-
luck town. Disaster after disaster has swept
the communitv. Interwoven in the warp and
woof of its later days one man played a promi-
nent part, a man gifted with great personal
charm, ambition and an intellect unusually
acute. He did more to build the community up
than any other factor, and the unfortunate
ending of his various enterprises did still more
to pull it down — a condition which, happily.
212
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
soon was remedied by the stern fiber and loyal
hearts of its citizens.
As the son of Rohr McHenry, who de-
scended from one of the families who were
the first to move into the upper sections of
Columbia county, John G. McHenry early in
life displayed signs of unusual business abil-
ity and creative instinct. For many decades
Rohr McHenry had conducted the business of
distilling whiskey. The product had long en-
joyed a local reputation and the "Still House,"
back of "Whiskey Hill," perhaps a mile and
a quarter from the village, was the objective
point of many farmers, who filled their jugs
with spirits whenever they were in the vicinity.
The first McHenry engaged in the manufacture
and sale of whiskey at Benton had established
the business in 1812 and the product gradually
gained a reputation for purity and medicinal
qualities. Towards the end of the nineteenth
century McHenry whiskey, because of these
qualities, began to be known far beyond the
confines of the county. Rohr McHenry recog-
nized the commercial possibilities of his pro-
duction to a certain extent only, and under
his ownership the plant grew steadily but
slowly, in amount of output. Meanwhile, his
sons were receiving excellent educations, and
John G. was preparing to fulfill the functions
of his subsequent successful administration of
the plant. ,
During the closing days of the nineteenth
century and the early part of the twentieth
changes in the business were manifested. Plans
for a greater future production were discussed
and the advertising possibilities of the long
and honorable career of the firm were devel-
oped. This was due to the active association
in the firm of John G. McHenry, who essen-
tially was of the modern type of business man.
Mr. McHenry at once appreciated the value
of the phrase "Born 1812," and began the ex-
ploitation of the term by comprehensive and
nation-wide advertising. When the death of
his father occurred, he naturally assumed the
sole jurisdiction of the then rapidly growing
business, and began to increase the daily out-
put, necessary to meet the additional demand,
in a careful and systematic manner. He cre-
ated an executive organization of high efficiency
to handle the selling end, administer the finan-
cial affairs and supervise the manufacture of
the product. Mr. McHenry maneuvered his
advertising campaigns with bold and success-
ful strokes. He distributed enormous sums
of money all over the United States. Orders
more than the plant could handle rolled into
the offices in a golden stream. Even the in-
creased facilities could not take care of them
and it was necessary to replan and build other
utilities to accommodate the increase of busi-
ness, in 1905 the concern, which had been in-
corporated under the name of the Rohr Mc-
Henry Distilling Company, was booming and
faced a future of infinite promise. Its adopted
trade mark, "Born 1812," was aiding in bring-
ing in the results — results that naturally ac-
crued through the superiority of the product
over others of a similar nature. Had its young
executive continued to devote his singular busi-
ness talents and acumen to the further devel-
opment alone of this proposition — a business
which had come to him, through his forefathers
and one of long and honorable record — the ex-
tent of still further growth was immeasurable
and only the hand of time could have marked
the limit.
But he was a man of altruistic vision, a mod-
est and unassuming philanthropist in some
ways, and even in the days of his greatest busi-
ness promise of a decade ago his mind was
planning visionary schemes, which he hoped
would better the living conditions and financial
status of his community. Casting about for a
way in which he could best attain the necessary
position of power, from which he could put
his ideas into eff^ect, he decided to enter the
field of politics. At the conclusion of a mas-
terly campaign he was elected to Congress in
1906. He served his constituency with the
utmost brilliancy and efficiency and his abili-
ties were early recognized by Democratic
House leaders, who appointed him to service
on the important Congressional committees.
Mr. McHenry's business success and his rise
to power as Congressman materially aided his
popularity, and he grew to be the most beloved
man in the section. His well known progress-
iveness attracted further investments in his
business. He had a natural aptitude for bank-
ing and finance, and one of his earliest achieve-
ments was the founding of the Columbia
County National Bank, of Benton, an institu-
tion he served in the capacity of president for
many years. He was the factor that estab-
lished a series of Grange banks throughout the
State, planning them as nuclei for similar
banks to be founded in every State and com-
munity, and thus build up a money power con-
trolled by agricultural interests which in time
would equal the capitalization of State savings
banks. A singular commentary on the fal-
lacy of human endeavor is that these banking
institutions which he founded at the expense
of great personal endeavor and investment sur-
vived the crash of the later financial ruin in
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
213
which he and his estate were involved — singu-
lar because his bank investment, which was
comparatively small, survived, while his per-
sonal business with its allied industries crashed
down to ruin and oblivion.
Shortly after he entered Congress Mr. Mc-
Henry organized the People's Department
Store. The whole countryside subscribed to
stock in the corporation, which had announced
novel ideas in merchandising goods and trad-
ing with customers. This venture stimulated
the wholesale and retail business in Benton to
a marked degree and the community derived
inestimable benefit in dealing at the store, be-
cause of the unusual trading facilities offered
— that of trading in stock and produce for
household and personal necessities. Some
three hundred stockholders became associated
with Mr. McHenry in the enterprise, which at
its inception was apparently to be successful.
The shortcomings of Mr. McHenry 's judg-
ment, so evident in later years, were soon to
be demonstrated in the administration of this
co-operative business. He had chosen an ex-
ecutive for the store who stocked it with a
quantity of unsalable goods and who was waste-
ful and extravagant in his supervision. The
consequent deficit grew each year until the big
fire of 1910 wiped the store out of existence,
and the insurance salvage barely paid the out-
standing obligations, leaving the stockholders
without store, stock or money.
Surrounding the many buildings of the dis-
tilling plant were hundreds of broad acres of
fertile farming lands which had been put to
agricultural usage by the McHenrys for scores
of years. These lands had been farmed in a
primitive manner, according to the theory of
John G. McHenry, who through his interest
in Grange matters and because of his nativity
had given the subject of agriculture serious
consideration. Among the many pursuits of
his environment that of farming appealed to
him greatly, and he was anxious to get back to
the soil and demonstrate in a small way that
scientific methods, technical treatment and
modern cultivation would prevail against the
old-fashioned manner of farming. He put his
ideas in effect modestly, by engaging a highly
recommended State College graduate. At the
beginning of the experiment Mr. McHenry
exercised considerable jurisdiction over the
work of his expert. The outcome of the ex-
periment was an enlargement of his plans and
the organization of the "Pioneer Farms," a
company which purchased many farms in Ben-
ton and neighboring communities. Great ac-
tivity ensued. The various tracts making up
the large holdings were worked from a purely
scientific standpoint. A great orchard of 30,000
peach trees was planted, buildings for the in-
cubating and breeding of poultry on a large
scale erected, and investments in utilities that
would simplify and aid intensive farming were
consummated. The fame of the "Pioneer
Farms" spread throughout the State. Because
of its unusual size, the vigor with which the
proposition had been developed and the modern
methods employed in its maintenance, its broad
acres provided a Mecca for the purely curious,
the interested or the envious. In September,
19 12, the first whimper of financial embarrass-
ment of the company was bruited about,
through the difficulty in meeting the payroll
of the twoscore or so men employed about the
various units of its holdings. The illness of
Mr. McHenry, which had come to be regarded
by that time as serious, prevented any actual
co-operation on his part to relieve the string-
ency, and matters rapidly drew to a crisis. In
July, 1912, insistent rumors of the insolvency
of the Rohr McHenry Distilling Company, the
parent concern, and one from which the side
issues sprung, were prevalent. They were cir
culated with alarming persistency, though few
believed that they were true. During that
month Congressman McHenry came and went
in his usual fashion, and about the last public
function that he attended was the Democratic
National Convention at Baltimore, which nom-
inated Woodrow Wilson to the presidency of
the United States. Upon his return to Ben-
ton his friends were shocked at his appear-
ance. He spent a few moments in his office,
and was taken to his home "on the hill." Later
he entered a sanitarium in New York State,
recovering sufficiently to be able to go to At-
lantic City, from which place he went to the
Mercy hospital in Philadelphia and then was
taken to his home in Benton to die.
Meanwhile his affairs in Benton were get-
ting into a deplorable shape. The first official
notification that substantiated the rumors which
had been current came from the Columbia
County National Bank, which announced that
a receiver was about to be appointed for the
Rohr McHenry Distilling Company and stated
that the bank was in no way involved. The
crash in the affairs of the great concern came
two or three days later, when receivers were
appointed by Judge Witmer in the United
States court at Sunbury. The "Pioneer
Farms" toppled and then went under. A fav-
ored employee of the distilling company
held a note given by the farming corporation
for lands that they had assumed. Becoming
214
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
frightened at the receivership of the distilHng
company, this employee foreclosed on his
paper and an attachment was placed upon the
goods and chattels of the farms, whose treasury
was already weakened by the continued with-
drawals made for development. In the interim
between the receivefship of the distilling com-
pany and the sheriff's sale of farming property
Mr. McHenry returned to Benton. 'I he most
contradictory rumors were circulated regard-
ing his condition. Word was passed from lip to
lip, one moment that he was going to get well,
and the next the rumor that he was about to
die was prevalent. On the day of the public
sale of the farms property, hundreds of friends
and neighbors gathered on the scene. They
had to pass his home, and a few close intimates
called upon him.
That night John G. McHenry passed away.
Many believe that it was the shock of the
forced sale that killed him — the crumbling of a
cherished institution. His body was laid to rest
with impressive ceremonies in the presence of
a multitude, whose voices for the nonce were
stilled from criticism and hushed in sorrow
over the departure of a beloved friend. Many
of Mr. McHenry's Congressional colleagues
were present and the little Benton cemetery
was thronged with a large concourse of peo-
ple, many of whom had been the recipients of
innumerable acts of friendship which he had
extended in an unassuming way.
After a short interval chaos ensued. Cred-
itors of the various enterprises, many of which
are not mentioned herein, descended upon the
estate. The Benton Electric Light, Heat &
Power Company defaulted payment of inter-
est on bonds and collapsed ; the Sentinel Print-
er>', of Bloomsburg, went into the hands of a
receiver ; the Hummer & Yorks Lumber Com-
pany, of Elk Grove, declared itself insolvent;
action for an accounting in a guardianship
which the deceased held was brought through
the courts; former business associates suf-
fered through their indorsement of paper and
were forced to meet the obligations by public
sale of properties ; his estate became involved
in a maze of legal tangle, and almost every-
thing with which he was connected became a
financial wreck and was forced to the wall.
The Rohr McHenry Distilling Company has
never resumed production. A bondholders
committee is slowly liquidating the great
stock of whiskey on hand and the future of
the plant, which is roughly valued at three
hundred thousand dollars, is entirely problem-
atical.
The consensus seems to be that the second
of Benton's fires which destroyed the gigantic
ten-story brick warehouse of the Rohr Mc-
Henry Distilling Company in Alarch, 19H, was
the beginning of the trouble which eventually
caused the breaking of the various enterprises
.with which Mr. McHenry was connected. The
structure cost about $50,000 and was a modern
and supposedly near-fireproof building. In it
were stored 17,000 barrels of ripened or par-
tially ripened whiskey, and but one was saved.
The burning of the McHenry warehouse was
the second of a series of disasters caused by
fire from which the town of Benton has suf-
fered. On July 4, 1910, a careless celebrant
discharged the roman candle that started a
fire which destroyed in a few hours thirty-eight
residences and stores and forty-eight barns.
Among the burned buildings were the post of-
fice, bank, "Exchange Hotel," People's Depart-
ment Store, Odd Fellows hall, and a number
of smaller places of business. The loss was
almost $300,000, with but little insurance. Fires
followed each other with unceasing regularity.
They were always of mysterious origin. One
took place in 191 3 which caused universal sor-
row throughout the community and county.
It destroyed the beautiful Presbyterian church,
the gift of Mr. McHenry to the congregation
in memory of his mother, and one of the finest
edifices of worship in the county. Traces of
incendiarism were plainly evident, and the
State fire marshal was summoned to investi-
gate the case. The loss from this fire was over
$20,000.
The large planing mill of R. T. Smith and
Son in the same year fell a prey to a midnight
fire. It was about the only industry- left to the
community, and a feeling of deep gloom per-
vaded Benton until its public-spirited citizens
made possible the continuance of the business
by subscribing to its stock and paying for it by
working on the construction of a new plant and
furnishing the essential supplies.
Another conflagration later destroyed the
shirt factory and adjoining dwellings.
This series of fires had an effect on the
growth of the town which it will take years to
efface. The first to rebuild was the bank, the
next the planing mill, then the shirt factory,
and now the church is being rebuilt on the old
site. Other store buildings are taking the
places of the burned ones and the town is en-
deavoring to recover from these almost over-
whelming disasters.
Industrial and Commercial
With the advent of the Bloomsburg & Sul-
livan railroad, in 1887, Benton showed marked
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
215
signs of growth and improvement. Previous
to that time the town had been sixteen miles
from a railroad and the only public conveyance
was the stage to Uloomsburg, the trip taking
some hours over rather poor roads. After the
railroad opened up communication a planing
mill was established by Wesley & Smith (later
R. T. Smith & Son), the flouring mills of John
J. Mather were built, and 'many of the small
industries grew into large establishments.
Among the more recent industries started in
Benton which thrived, was the shirt factory
which J. D. Sallade established in 1907 and
which was swept out of existence by one of the
fires which raged in 1913.
The Benton Mill was converted into a flour-
ing mill in the early seventies, having previ-
ously been operated as a planing mill by John
Chapin. The owner since then has been John
J. Mather, who has also served for twelve years
as Benton's postmaster. The mill is of four
stories, fitted with the Ellis system of roller
milling, has five double stands of rolls, steel
attrition mills for grinding chops, and a daily
capacity of 150 barrels of buckwheat and 60
barrels of wheat flour. The elevator capacity
is 10,000 bushels of grain. The plant is oper-
ated by three turbines, with water from a dam
of concrete, built in 1908 at a cost of $2,000.
A steam plant is also in operation during low
stages of water.
The Benton Shirt Factory was opened in
1907 by J. D. Sallade, and was burned out in
1913. The present proprietor, W. W. Smith,
has built anew, and is doing a successful busi-
ness, employing thirty-five girls and producing
a fine grade of dress shirts for men.
The placing mill of R. T. Smith & Son was
one of the largest in the county when it was
destroved by the fire of 1913. The firm has
partially rebuilt and has a rapidly growing
business.
The Long Wagon Works came from New
Columbus, Luzerne county, where they had
been established in 1874 by O. M. and J. F.
Long, and located in 1909 in a building beside
the railroad tracks, on Market street, Benton.
The firm was embarrassed badly by the failure
of the Rohr McHenry Distilling Company, but
has now recovered a measure of prosperity.
The present proprietor is Stanley P. Long. The
works are second in size to any in the county,
that of John Eves of Millville leading. The
product is solely farm wagons, and all of the
work in wood and iron is done in Benton, the
timber even being a product of this section.
The wagons are in many respects superior to
those of larger factories, all of the woodwork
being bent, instead of sawn. The establish-
ment is valued at $10,000 and on an average
twelve workmen are continuously employed.
The Benton Store Company has one of the
leading establishments in this part of the
county, occupying a large brick building in the
center of the town. The officers are : R. T.
Smith, T. C. Smith, W. A. Butt, P. G. Shultz.
Other merchants of Benton are : J. W.
Belles, H. W. Biddle, H. W. Belles, C. L.
Davis, F. G. Dodson, C. A. Edson, C. J. Hess,
Hess & Smith, Ma.x Herr, Keller & Conner,
B. G. Keller, Ray B. Keeler, Elwood Knouse,
Pennington & Seely, Fred Wood, John F.
Wright, George Yost.
The Benton Manufacturing Company and
W. P. Kline are manufacturers of fruit and
vegetable crates and do a large business.
Banking
The Columbia County National Bank, Ben-
ton, was chartered in 1902 with John G. Mc-
Henry, president; and J. Boyd McHenry,
Alfred McHenry, Charles A. Wesley, Russell
Karns, C. F. Seely, George B. Hummer, W^ L.
Yorks, directors. The capital was placed at
$25,000. The bank occupied a frame building
next to the site of the present post office, until
the fire of 1910. The present attractive and
modern brick building was erected immediately
after the fire, and cost, including the interior
furnishings, over $16,000. The bank has de-
posits at present of over $154,000 and a large
surplus fund. The officers are : A. R. Pen-
nington, president; S. B. Karns, cashier; A. R.
Pennington, C. F. Seely, H. H. Kline, directors.
Watenvorks and Fire Protection
Owing to the numerous fires in Benton the
townspeople have been aroused to the neces-
sity for adequate protection. Some years
before the fires occurred the charter of the
present water company was secured, in order
to prevent speculators preying on the town by
means of "fake" organizations. After a time
the charter was transferred to a company
which proposed to drill a well and lay pipes in
the town. This company, however, was with-
out sufficient funds and did not carry out the
contract. The wooden pipes brought on the
ground were sold by the constable in 1914 to
satisfy a judgment. Finally the people took
the matter into their own hands and formed
a company under the old charter to supply both
water and lisrht to the town. This company,
the Benton Water Supply Company, is build-
216
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ing a dam above town on West creek and in-
stalling a powerhouse and pumps, so that in
the future Benton will not suffer for lack of
protection from fires. The president of the
company is John F. Stone. So satisfactory are
the arrangements for fire protection to the in-
surance companies that they have voluntarily
reduced the rates on property in 1914.
Two volunteer fire companies and the same
number of hose and ladder trucks constitute
the fire fighting resources of Benton.
Incorporation
An effort was made in 1890 to have Benton
incorporated as a borough, but failed. Finally
in 1894 the grand jury approved the application
and the town was regularly incorporated. On
April 2d of that year the following officials
were elected : Burgess, A. L. McHenry ; coun-
cilmen, C. B. McHenry, R. T. Smith, C. A.
Wesley, Alfred McHenry, B. G. Keller, W. M.
Appleman.
The council for 1914 is composed of C. E.
Yorks, burgess; G. D. Yost, W. S. Laubach,
R. T. Smith, councilmen.
Many improvements were made after incor-
poration, among them being the building of
sidewalks and the improvement of the streets,
and contracts were let for light and water
supply.
The town is supplied with electricity by a
company of which Charles Bellas is president
and manager; C. B. Whitniire, vice president;
G. L. Hess, secretary and treasurer. A con-
crete dam, 280 feet long, has been built at the
site of the old Swartwout mill, and the power-
house contains a 75-kilowatt generator, oper-
ated by a lOO-horsepower turbine.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS
Presbyterian services were held in St. Gabri-
el's Church, Sugarloaf township, as early as
1812. In 1859 a number of persons from Coles
Mills petitioned the Presbytery of Northum-
berland for a church organization, in response
to which John Doty, D. J. Waller and John
Thomas were appointed a committee to in-
quire into the matter. They met in the log
Christian church at the site of Benton borough
on Aug. 12, 1859. and organized a congrega-
tion consisting of Earl Boston, Frederick Lau-
bach, James Wilson, Simon W. Tubbs, Freas
Conner, and others whose names are not re-
corded. Services were held in the Hamline
church until 1874, when the building at Raven
Creek was dedicated.
In the early part of I902 three services were
held by the Presbyterians of Benton in the
Christian Church building, at one of which a
proposition was made to organize and build a
home of their own. The Presbytery of North-
umberland was appealed to and appointed Rev.
G. H. Hemingway, of Bloomsburg, Rev.
Joseph Hunter, of Berwick, and Elder John E.
Sterling to assist in the organization. They
met on April 28, 1902, and elected Dr. I. E.
Patterson, Dr. I. L. Edwards and D. W. Kra-
mer as ruling elders. Soon after this the fol-
lowing trustees were elected : John G. Mc-
Henry, Dr. J. B. Laubach, I. K. K. Laubach,
Norman Hess, S. B. Karns, Dr. I. L. Ed-
wards, Dr. I. E. Patterson.
The pastors of the church until 1913 were
Revs. F. V. Frisbie, W. Hays Topping and
Robert P. Howie.
The first church was erected in 1903 at a
cost of $23,000, and was a pretentious struc-
ture for so small a town. It was of wood,
with brick veneer and brick and stone but-
tresses. On May 16, 1913, it was burned to
the ground, leaving only the outer shell of
brick partially standing. In this condition it
stood until the fall of 1914, when the congre-
gation began to rebuild, having a fund of
$3,800 from the insurance on the burned
building as a foundation. The new structure
is to be similar to the old one in some respects.
The list of the first members of this church
is as follows: I. E. Patterson, M. D., and
wife, I. L. Edwards, M. D., and wife, Mrs.
Agnes Alexander, Miss Mabel Alexander, J.
S. Baker, Miss Effie Edwards, Peter U. Farley
and wife, Norman W. Hess, Mrs. Lelia S.
Hess, S. B. Karns and wife, Daniel W. Kra-
mer and wife, Mrs. Russell Karns, Mrs. Wil-
liam Kline, H. A. Kemp and wife, Mrs. Rebec-
ca Mather, Mrs. Mary Morey, J. B. McHenry
and wife, J. G. McHenry and wife, Dr. J. B,
Laubach and wife. Miss Estelle Laubach, Mrs.
Agnes McHenry, Mrs. James Smith, Fred
Wood and wife, George D. Yost and wife,
Mrs. J. S. Baker, Myron P. Edwards and wife.
The Christian Church was organized at
Benton in 1849 by Rev. John Sutton, with
thirty members. Robert Colley and Elias Mc-
Henry were elected elders and served until
1889. The first meetinghouse was of logs, and
stood on the hill across the creek, southeast of
the village. It was built in 1856 and torn down
in 1890, that year the present church in the
town of Benton being built. This building is
a frame and has had many repairs made on it.
Steam heat and other modem improvements
have been since added. It is valued at $8,000.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
217
The pastors of this church serve the con-
gregations at Derrs, Cambra, Rohrsburg and
Stillwater also. Since Rev. John Sutton they
have been Revs. Theobald Miller, Jacob Roden-
baugh, J. J. Harvey, J. G. Noble, Zephaniah
Ellis, E" E. Orvis, C. M. Cooper, D. M. Kin-
ter, J. W. McNamara, H. L. Waltman, G. P.
Morse, R. A. Sawtelle, Vernon Harrington,
J. P. Topping, W. I. Burrell.
The membership of the church is i6o, and of
the Sunday school, I So. The elders in 19 14
are; Samuel Appelman, William Appelman,
Carl McHenry, Thomas McHenry, Ira Mc-
Henry, Thomas Coleman, George McHenry.
The Methodist Protestant denomination
built a church in 1872, through the exertions
of Rev. A. E. Kline, a native of this section,
then in charge of the Pine Creek circuit. The
congregation disbanded in 1886 and the build-
ing was sold.
The first Methodist class in Benton town-
ship was formed in 1835, with Charles Snyder
as leader. Their first house of worship was
the old Hamline church, built in 1S45. This
was rebuilt in 1879. A class of sixteen per-
sons formed the first Methodist congregation
at Benton village in 1870, with William Y.
Hess as leader. The first church building was
erected in 1872. Rev. Gideon H. Day was
the first pastor, and Rev. John F. Brown had
charge when the present church was built.
Rev. H. B. Fortner was pastor when the Ham-
line church was rebuilt and his successor was
Rev. S. P. Boone. The present pastor, Rev.
Harry W. Newman, serves the churches of
Benton, Hamline, Waller and Stillwater.
The Evangelical congregations at Benton
and Waller are served by Rev. E. E. Haney.
MEDICAL
The first physician to locate in Benton town-
ship was Dr. Thomas C. McHenry, in 187 1.
Dr. J. A. Chapin came soon after, and Dr. I. E.
Patterson arrived in March, 1874. Drs. Pat-
terson and Chapin rode the circuit of this and
nearby counties for a year, and then Dr. I. L.
Edwards came and united with Dr. Patterson,
the partnership lasting for four years. Their
riding covered a radius of forty miles around
Benton and entailed much hardship in the
long and stormy winters. Both of the latter
doctors are still in practice, but do not attend
patients beyond the confines of the town.
Other physicians resident in Benton are Drs.
H. W. Biddle, J. B. Hess, J. S. Hoffa and Wil-
liam J. Smith. Resident dentists are Drs.
Freas Colder and J. B. Laubach.
SCHOOLS
During the year 1799 but two families re-
sided in the space wiiere Benton now stands.
However, there being enough children to war-
rant it, Isaac Young opened a school in one
of the dwellings. Afterwards he moved it to
a house on the site of Eli Mendenhall's barn
of later date. Subsequently the first two log
schoolhouses in the township were built, one
on West creek and the other where Stephen
Lazarus resided in years following. One of
the first members of the school board was Hon.
Alexander Colley, who was born in 1786 and
died in 1881. He was a surveyor, a school
teacher and a member of the Legislature.
The school directors of Benton borough in
1914 are : William C. Hosier, T. C. Smith,
P. G. Shultz, T. J. Coleman, L. F. Hartman.
The school directors of Benton township
are : Jasper N. Shultz, Hosea Ash, S. H.
O'Brien, Rohr M. Shuhz, William J. Yocum.
A high school was established in Benton in
1896, of which L. Ray Appleman is the pres-
ent principal. The successive officials in charge
since the opening have been : E. E. Beam, Car-
roll Champlin, Bruce Albert, L. Ray Apple-
man.
POSTAL SERVICE
The first postal service in this section was
established in 1836. Benton was a delivery
station on a mail route which ran from Fair-
mount Springs, Luzerne county, to Taney-
ville, Lycoming county. Other delivery points
were Coles Creek, Campbell and Division. The
mail was delivered and collected by contract
and the route covered forty miles. James N.
Park was the first man to handle the contract
and assigned the actual work to his son Orrin,
who covered the long circuit each day, winter
and summer. It was not until 1848 that the
amount of mail was great enough to warrant
the use of horses. In 1852 Mr. Park assumed
the route also which connected Pealertown (or
Forks) with Stillwater, Benton, Coles Creek, '
Central and Division. The postmasters of
Benton from the first have been : Daniel
Hartman, appointed April 25. 1835 ; John J.
Stiles, Jan. 7, 1857; Samuel Heacock, July 31,
1861 : John J. McHenry, Aug. 29, 1866: Sam-
uel Heacock, March 23, 1869; John Heacock,
Jan. 27, 1881 ; Ella E. Appleman, Sept. 14,
1885; John Heacock, April 20, 1889: Charles
B. McHenry, June 5, 1893 ; John G. McHenry,
April II, i8q6: Samuel S. Harvey. March 31,
1898; John J. Mather, Jan. 22, 1904.
218
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The Raven Creek post office was established
in 1872, with Peter Laubach in charge. R. T.
Smith was appointed to the Taurus post office
in 1886. These two offices had a tri-weekly
service, and in winter it was a try-if-you-can
service, owing to the bad roads. There is not
a single post office in Benton township now,
all of them having been abolished at the time
rural free delivery was established. Deliveries
are made from the borough post office.
Outside of Benton borough there is but one
settlement in this township, that of Raven-
creek, where C. R. Shultz is the sole store-
keeper. There are a few houses here and a
Presbyterian church.
VETERANS
The Fishingcreek Valley Veterans Associa-
tion was organized in 1914, with the following
officers and members : Alexander Knouse, of
Benton, president ; B. D. Cole, of Jamison City,
vice president ; John R. Keeler, of Benton, sec-
retary ; A. S. Larish, of Benton, treas. The
other members are : A. R. Pennington, G. W.
Knouse, S. S. Harvey, J. E. Edson, George
Gibbons, Peter Shultz, Joseph Ash, of Ben-
ton ; Terry \''ansickle, Aaron Vansickle, John
Klinger, Wesley Harvey, of Sugarloaf town-
ship ; Frank Lutz, of Cambra. All of the
members are veterans of the Civil war.
Other societies of Benton are the Russell
Karns Camp, Sons of Veterans, No. 319;
Washington Camp, No. 123, P. O. S. of A. ;
and Benton Lodge, No. 746, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, which had the follow-
ing officers in 1914: Percy Brewington, noble
grand ; R. E. Hess, vice grand ; P. L. Apple-
man, treasurer ; S. S. Fritz, chaplain ; Ray
Fritz, inside guardian; Warren Thompson,
outside guardian; Charles Remley, F. O.
Search, supporters; Ray Rider, warden.
There is also a flourishing lodge of Masons.
The Benton Band is an important organiza-
tion of the town, and has calls for its services
from rnany distant points.
THE PRESS
The Benton Argus is now in its twenty-fifth
year, and is in this year of 1914 housed in a
new building on Center street, erected espe-
cially for newspaper purposes by the Colum-
bia County National Bank. The site is that of
the store of Miah Cole, which was destroyed
in the Benton fire of 1913. Mr. Cole has also
passed away in death. The new quarters con-
sist of an office, composing room and press
room, and the plant is increased in capacity by
the addition of a Unitype typesetting machine.
Percy Brewington, the editor, has been asso-
ciated with the Argus since 1910, having as-
sumed ownership after the death of John G.
McHenry. He has been in active charge since
the death of William H. Smith, the founder,
and has built up the paper into a power
throughout the northern part of Colinnbia
county. The Argus was founded in 1S89 by
William H. Smith. It was issued from the
Smith building until the fire of 1910, after
which the home of the paper was in the bor-
ough hall until 1914.
POPULATION
The ponulation of Benton township in i860
was 893; in 1870, i.oso; in 1880, 1,062; in
1890. 1.252; in igoo, 857; in 1910, 769. The
population of Benton borough in 1900 was 635,
and in 1910 it was 719.
CHAPTER XX
BRIARCREEK TOWNSHIP
In 1797 the "Township of Green Briar-
creek" was formed from territory formerly
included in Fishingcreek township. In 1844
the erection of Centre township reduced it to
its present dimensions. The borough of Ber-
wick was separated from it in 1850.
The settlement of the township followed
soon after the founding of Berwick. A num-
ber of families removed there from Mount
Bethel, Northampton county, among them
being found the old family names of Freas,
Bowman, Hutton, Rittenhouse, Cauley and
Mack. They emigrated in a body, entering
this region in 1793, coming by way of Bethle-
hem, Nazareth and Beaver Meadows. In this
way they • were of mutual assistance in the
clearing of the land and erecting homes.
Thomas Bowman built the first stone house
in this township in 1802. His brother Jesse
settled at the junction of the river road and
Briar creek. William Rittenhouse obtained
title to an extensive tract lying on both banks
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
219
of the creek to a considerable distance above
the forks. This tract is now in the hands of
numerous persons. Jacob Mack was the first
of the contractors in this section to take up
the business exclusively. Among those who
came later to settle in the township were the
Bower, Millard, Evans, Engle, Adams and
Martz families.
Among the industries of the pioneer days
were the fisheries, those in Briarcreek town-
ship being the "Tuckahoe" and "Jacob's Plains"
locations on the Susquehanna. Fishing is now
almost a lost art on the river.
The early industries of the township were
few. William Rittenhouse built the first mill
at the junction of the north and west branches
of Briar creek in 1800, having dams in both
streams. He also put up a woolen mill and
a sawmill. The fulling mill was later run by
Andrew Ilunlock in 1833 and by a man named
Millard at a later date. During the sixties it
was destroyed by fire, and at present nothing
but a few timbers of the frame are standing
there.
' EVANSVILLE
In the upper part of township, at the forks
of Big Briar creek, James Evans built a saw
and grist mill and soon a cluster of houses
formed around it, thus evolving the little vil-
lage of Evansville. The Evans family held a
monopoly of the industries of the village for
many years. A few years after his settlement
there George Evans was operating a tannery
and Tames Evans carried on the business of
making linseed oil. Both of these industries
had languished by 1870. The last operator of
the gristmill at this spot was Silas Mover, who
abandoned it some years ago owing to the
destruction of the dam by freshets. The
Evangelical Church here is served by Rev. W.
C. Hoch, of West Berwick. One of the finest
farms in this neighborhood is that of O. M.
Bower, who makes a specialty of poultry.
From his hillside home may be had as fine a
view of the vallev of the Susquehanna as that
afforded at any point in the county.
East of Evansville and north of Berwick is
Summer Hill. The only buildings of note here
are the Methodist and Evangelical churches,
both of frame construction, the former built
in 1882 on the site of an older building, and
the latter built in 1803. Rev. Hueh Strain is
pastor for the Methodists and Rev. W. C.
Hoch, of West Berwick, attends to the spir-
itual wants of the Evangelicals. The store-
keeper and postmaster here is Joseph L. Bower.
One of the largest community cider mills in
the county is here operated in the season by
Jacob Suit, the many orchards of the neigh-
borhood affording an ample supply of apples.
MARTZVILLE
About the center of the township is the
settlement of Martzville, named from the num-
ber of members of that family living there. A
few pretty cottages and an old Lutheran
church, with a quaint steeple, constitute the
prmcipal buildings of the village. An ancient
burying ground adjoins the church, and from
this elevated point a view may be had of the
town of Berwick, and through the gap in the
hills a distant glimpse of Luzerne county is
caught. An occasional gash in the verdure of
the intervening hills gives evidence of the in-
dustry of the lime burners of the past. Rev.
C. E. Arnold of West Berwick serves the
spiritual needs of the people here.
BRIAR CREEK
Near the mouth of Briar creek is a village
bearing that name, consisting of about fifteen
neat residences, a store, a gristmill and a dis-
tillery. The gristmill was built about 1820 by
Jesse Bowman and burned in 1874, soon after
coming into the hands of George Ruckle and
Charles Ash. They rebuilt it that year and
ran it until 1880, when Ruckle's interest was
purchased by George W. Ash. Thereafter he
and his father operated the mill until 1890. At
that date it came into the hands of A. M. and
W. C. Ash, sons of George W. It is a large
building, fitted with modern machinery,
operated by a 12-foot overshot wheel, and has
a capacity of 125 barrels of flour per day.
The Briar Creek Distillery was built in 1883
by George W. and William Ash. In 1886
George W. Ash ran it alone and in 1906 sold
to James Barrett, who now has remodeled the
entire plant and carries on a wholesale busi-
ness in connection. The capacity of the dis-
tillery is four barrels of rye whiskey per day.
The general store and post office at Briar
Creek is conducted by W. S. Ash & Sons.
Briar Creek post office was established in 1858,
just after the opening of the Lackawanna &
Bloomsburg railroad. John G. Jacoby was the
first postmaster. Near here are the large sales
stables and farm of Elmer ShafTer, who holds
monthly auctions which are attended by buyers
from all over Columbia, Montour and sur-
rounding counties.
220
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
FOUNDRYVILLE
The village of Foundryville, a short distance
northeast of Berwick, has had quite an inter-
esting history. Here William H. Woodin
opened the foundry in 1847 which gave the
town its name. Here in 1800 Abraham Zaner
built a small distillery, which afterwards was
owned by D. Seybert, the upper miller. A grist-
mill and wagon shop were operated in the
lower end of the village by Peter Hayman, and
a tannery by O. Stokes. Mr. Woodin's succes-
sor in the ownership of the foundry was A. W.
Eaton, father of the present president of the
American Car & Foundry Company, at Ber-
wick. The charcoal iron furnace at Foundry-
ville was built in 1835. Ore was brought from
Bloomsburg by way of the canal and teams.
All of these industries have passed into ob-
livion and the village will soon be a suburb
of the rapidly growing town of Berwick. The
Methodist Episcopal Church here is served
from Berwick.
RELiniOUS
A detailed history of the churches of this
township is included in the sketch of Berwick,
as most of them are served (only occasionally)
by the pastors from that city.
The foundations of the Evangelical denom-
ination in Briar Creek were laid in 1826 by
Revs. Seybert and Noecker, who conducted
services in the home of George Zahner. After
that date Daniel Kahr, Simon McLane, James
Dunlap and others continued to preach at pri-
vate houses. The first Summer Hill church
was built in 1849, the present one in 1893 ; both
were of frame construction. The Evansville
church was built in 1854. These charges are
now served from West Berwick. The suc-
cessive pastors have been : Revs. Jacob Hart-
zell, John Young, George Hunter, A. H. Irvin,
S. D. Bennington, P. H. Rishel, H. W. Buck,
S. P. Remer, A. W. Shenburger, W. W.
Rhoads, I. W. Pines, D. P. Kline.
The date of organization of St. Paul's Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church of Martzville is not
known. The first communion service was held
there in 1861. The congregation first met in
the schoolroom, just below where the present
church building stands, until 1867, when the
present church was built. The members then
were: John Martz, Abraham Martz, Daniel
Martz, Nathan Martz, D. W. Martz, John H.
Martz, Henry H. Martz, George W. Martz, Z.
T. Martz, Lydia Martz, Disiah Martz, Leah
Martz, Jane Moharter, Mary Hill, Elizabeth
Jones. The membership at present is thirty-
six, and that of the Sunday school, seventy-
five. The pastor is Rev. C. E. Arnold, who is
in charge of the congregation at West Ber-
wick.
No definite records are extant of the first
meetings of the Lutheran and Reformed con-
gregations who in 1807 built the union log
church one mile from the Susquehanna and
four miles from Berwick. The first known
pastor of the Lutherans was Rev. M. Carl
Solomon Fridrici, and his successors were
Revs. J. F. Engel, Peter Hall, J. K. Haal, Peter
Kessler, Isaiah Bahl, W. B. Fox, S. S. Henry,
Thomas Steck, J. P. German, S. B. Stupp, G.
G. Kunkle, N. Scheffer. The congregation at
present is served by the pastor of St. John's
Church at Berwick, Rev. William Berk.
Zwingli Reformed congregation is served by
Rev. D. J. Ely, The first "Freithof" day, or
free-house day, was celebrated in this church
in 1914, about 350 persons attending. The old
church is in a good state of preservation, con-
sidering its age and the moderate expense of
construction, it having been built on the site of
the log one in 1850, of brick, at a cost of $1,000
only.
SCHOOLS
The first school in Briarcreek township was
held in the old stone Methodist church, four
miles south of Berwick. In 1810 this school
was removed to a building erected for the pur-
pose at Foundryville. Cordelia A. Preston,
Daniel Goodwyn, Morris Hower and John
Arney were the teachers in this school at
various periods.
At present there are fourteen schools in the
township, taught by fifteen teachers, and 478
scholars are on the rolls.
The school directors of Briarcreek township
are : Bruce Lanning, Levi Kocher, William
S. Ash, Claude Bower, J. O. Grasley.
POPULATION
The population of Briarcreek township in
1820 was 1,719; in 1830, 1,706; in 1840, 1,451 ;
in 1850, 1,091; in i860, 1,734; in 1870, 1,089;
in 1880, 1,172; in 1890, I, 292; in 1900, 1,833;
in 1910, 2,761.
CHAPTER XXI
CENTRE TOWNSHIP
This township was formed in 1844 from
portions of Briarcreek and Bloom townships.
Two distinct ranges of hills, extending in a
direction parallel with the Susquehanna, di-
versify the surface of the land. A narrow,
rugged valley separates Lee mountain from
the Summer hills, and between these and Lime
Ridge is one of the most fertile valleys in the
county, in which the west branch of Briar
creek takes its rise. South of the ridge the
land slopes gradually to the river.
This region was among those sections first
settled in Columbia county. Here on the
west branch of Briar creek the VanCampen,
Salmon and Aikman families built their homes
and laid out their farms, only to be subse-
quently involved in the devastation which fell
upon the flourishing colony at Wyoming, in
the year of the terrible massacre. Alexander
Aikman emigrated from New Jersey in 1777
and built a cabin on the bank of the run now
known as Cabin run. He spent the summer
here, but in the autumn returned to New
Jersey, fearing the Indians. This was a wise
move, for in the years intervening between
his return in 1781 the savages burned his cabin
and committed many outrages upon the un-
fortunate settlers who had remained. After
Aikman's return with his family in 1 78 1 he re-
built his home and became a permanent home-
steader. His descendants still live at and near
the old site of his house. One of them, John
H. Aikman, has a charming home almost on
the site of the first cabin. The silvery spring
which afforded unfailing refreshment to his
ancestor still flows below the house.
Moses VanCampen, who had arrived a short
time after the first visit of Aikman in 1777,
was driven from his cabin in the following
year and the savages burned it, running ofif all
his stock. After spending some time in the
refuge of Fort Wheeler Moses VanCampen,
his father, a younger brother, an uncle, and
the latter's son, about twelve years old, to-
gether with a hunter, Peter Pence, started for
their old location, expecting to remain and re-
build the cabins unmolested. Unfortunately
for them a party of Indians and Tories had
moved down from the Wyoming valley to the
neighborhood of Fishing creek. The party ar-
rived at their farms and had been there five
days when they were surprised by the Indians,
who killed and scalped the father, brother and
uncle of VanCampen, and made prisoners of
the rest of the party. The Indians then
marched up past Huntington creek and over to
the headwaters of Hunlock creek. Here they
captured Abraham Pike, but after painting the
wife sent her and her child away unharmed.
After several days the party came to the north
branch of the Susquehanna, about fifteen miles
below Tioga Point. Here VanCampen and
his companions succeeded in surprising and
killing their captors and escaped down the river
to Northumberland.
Joseph Salmon, who settled on the run at the
same time as the VanCampens and Aikmans,
was made a prisoner by the Indians at the time
they burned their homes in 1778. Salmon was
in the field and saw the Indians surrounding
the cabin. He hastened there in time to per-
suade the savages to spare them. In return
they agreed to hold Salmon as a hostage. They
carried him with them for about a year as a
captive, and finally returned him to his home,
unscathed.
Fort Jenkins, built in 1778, is described in
the sketch of the forts of this county on an-
other page. The site was the home of two
brothers of that name, whose first names have
never been ascertained. They were settlers
contemporaneous with the families mentioned
above. In 1792 Frederick Hill purchased the
site from the Jenkins' and erected the first
public house in the township.
An interesting and romantic incident was
the marriage of Benjamin Fowler, an English
soldier who had surrendered with Cornwallis
at Yorktown in 1781. The following year he
rode through the valley of Briar creek on
221
222
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
horseback and there met and fell in love with
Deborah, daughter of David Fowler, the
similarity of names first attracting his atten-
tion. Here he stopped and entered into the
life of the settlers, continuing his courting in
the intervals of rest from the arduous labors
of clearing the land and working at his trade
of blacksmith. The year following his arrival
he made the journey with the girl and her
friends to Reading, where the wedding was
solemnized with great eclat. The descendants
of this couple are among the substantial resi-
dents of the township in 1914.
After 1793 a number of persons came and
settled in this township, among them being
John Hoffman, Xehemiah Hutton, James Cau-
ley and Henry Hidlay. The latter secured a
large tract of land, on a part of which the
Hidlay church is now located.
Travel along the river had increased so much
by 1799 that in that year Abram Miller estab-
lished an inn, which from its position, midway
between Bloomsburg and Berwick, was later
called the "Half-Way House." When the
stage line was established between Sunbury
and Wilkes-Barre this inn was a famous stop-
ping place for travelers. Thomas Miller suc-
ceeded his father, but the place gained its
greatest repute during the ownership of
Samuel Harman, who managed it when the
stagecoach was the only means of travel, just
previous to the introduction of the railroads.
After the opening of the railroads in 1858 the
trade at the "Half-Way House" slackened and
it was used as a private dwelling. It was a
building of quaint appearance, with broad
porches and low-ceiled rooms. It was finally
torn down and now a fine residence, the home
of Pierce Kiefer, stands upon the site of the
old hostelry.
Abram Miller, the innkeeper, was the first
to open the limestone deposits of this portion
of the county. Part of his old kiln along
Lime Ridge is still to be seen. Much of the
lime produced there was used in buildings at
Wilkes-Barre, whither it was transported by
way of the canal. Later the limestone was
shipped to the furnaces at Danville, Blooms-
burg, Hunlock Creek, Shickshinny and W'ilkes-
Barre. The first kilns were operated by the
Miller brothers at the west end of the ridge.
John Knorr opened the mines in the central
portion, and John Jones those in the eastern
portion. The opening of these quarries soon
brought a number of families to the neigh-
borhood, and from this nucleus the town of
CentrevUle, or Lime Ridge, was formed.
About 1845 some of the lime operators bought
twenty-four acres of land on the canal and
laid it out into lot? They also erected a ware-
house and wharves and soon a thriving settle-
ment sprang up.
The principal quarries here are owned by
Low Brothers & Co., and have been operated
by members of the same family since 1846.
The capacity of their plant is 1,200 bushels
of lime per day, nine kilns are in use, and
twenty-five men are employed. In connection
with the plant is the hydrating department of
the Paragon Plaster & Supply Company of
Bloomsburg. Here the lime is partially slacked
and absorbs sufficient water to prevent it air-
slacking during shipping. It is used largely
in the way of an addition to concrete mix-
tures, to make them smoother and more ad-
hesive.
At one time Centreville was quite a village,
but at present it is simply a charming suburban
station on the line of the North Branch Trac-
tion Company. It contains the stores of Low
Brothers, G. B. Dennis, Charles Heaps, G. E.
Sponsler, John S. Scott and Harry Wertman.
The postmaster is Tilden Weiss.
Columbia Park, an amusement resort
operated by the trolley company, is located
west of Lime Ridge. The land was formerly
the John P. Conner farm, and was leased some
years ago by J. R. Fowler, e.x-county treas-
urer, who established the park. Colonel Freeze
naming it Shaivnee Park, from the tribe of
Indians who formerly made their home there.
The railroad company seems to have liked the
name of Columbia better, although the Indian
name is more appropriate. The Traction
Company has fitted it up in the most approved
resort style, with amusement devices, swings,
pavilions and other features for enjoyment.
Here most of the Sunday school picnics and
family reunions of the county are held. Ad-
mission is free to all.
The remainder of the villages and settle-
ments of this township are few in number and
were formed around various industrial estab-
lishments of the past, ll'liituiire, named from
members of that once numerous family, was
the site of the gristmill of Daniel Zaner, built
in 1816. He ran it up to 185 1 and sold to
J. L. Wolverton, the last owner. West of the
village, on the branch of Briar creek, Andrew
Creveling carried on a tannery from 1850 to
1862, when he sold to Jacob Rink. J. P.
Conner was the last owner. Andrew \\'hit-
mire for a number of years operated a brick-
yard on his farm in the northwestern portion
of the township, but it is now abandoned.
Fozvlen'ille, named from Gilbert H. Fowler,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
223
son of the English soldier mentioned before,
is located near the Briarcreek township line,
on the land of the pioneer of the family. Gil-
bert H. Fowler was the first postmaster and
storekeeper here and was succeeded by his
son, Z. T. Fowler. The present storekeeper
is Henry Bower, but the post office has been
superseded by the rural mail service. A
chopmill and store are kept by Marvin W.
Colder.
Willow Grove, or Willow Springs, is a flag
station on the Delaware, Lackawanna & West-
ern railroad and the terminus of the Miftlin-
ville bridge. Here is the handsome brick home
of J. C. Cryder and just below it, under the
bank of the old canal, is one of the largest
and most beautiful springs in the county. As
the bridge is of recent construction and the
electric road has a station here, it is to be ex-
pected that a village will some day stand upon
this spot.
The Briar Creek Farmers Mutual Insur-
ance Company was organized Jan. ii, 1875,
with Levi Aikman, president ; Samuel Ney-
hard, secretary ; George Conner, treasurer.
They held their offices for many years with
success. The present officers are : A. W.
Spear, president; H. H. Brown, secretary; C.
H. Dildine, treasurer. The company is still
in prosperous condition.
The societies of the township are Centre
Grange, No. s6. P. O. H., and Camp No. 517,
P. O. S. of A. The latter has a fine hall, built
in 1898, southwest of Whitmire.
CHURCHES
Hidlay Presbyterian Church has a history
contemporaneous with the settlement of the
township. On Aug. 19, 1796, Henry Hidlay
conveyed to Andrew Creveling, George Espy
and Conrad Adams, trustees of the Briar-
creek Presbyterian Society, an acre of ground
for the location of a house of worship. It is
probable that the first building was erected
the following year. This building was used
also by the Reformed and Lutheran congre-
gations for many vears. In August, 1838, a
large frame building replaced the smaller old
one. In the old burial ground adjoining are
the graves of many of the original members.
They were : William Sloan, John Freese,
Moses Oman, William Hutchison, William
Park, Samuel Webb, Hugh Sloan, Samuel
Belles, Alexander Aikman, William Aikman,
William Henderson, Benjamin Boone, An-
drew Creveling, Daniel McCarty, John Ken-
nedy, William Martz, John Bright, Samuel
Creveling, James Hutchison, Joseph Brittain,
Joseph Salmon, Ephraim Lewis, William
Oman, Josiah McClure, James Fowler, Ben-
jamin Fowler, John Stewart, Henry Hidlay,
Levi Aikman, John Brittain.
In 1792 the Presbytery of Carlisle appointed
Rev. Mr. Henry to supply the congregation.
Two years later he was succeeded by Rev.
John Bryson. The succeeding pastors were
Revs. Asa Dunham, Samuel Henderson,
Matthew Patterson, Robert Bryson, J. P.
Hudson, D. ]. Waller, Sr., Mr. Williamson, A.
H. Hand, G. W. Newell, James M. Salmon,
P. W. Melick, John Thomas, James Dickson,
Nathaniel Spear, C. K. Canfield, R. H. Davis,
James Martyn, until 1886. The church is
still used as a place of worship by the Lutheran
and Reformed congregations, and Rev. O. E.
Sunday, of Espy, is the Lutheran pastor.
The successive elders have been : William
Sloan, William Hutchison, Daniel McCarty,
Samuel White, William Baird, William
Wardin, Daniel Melick, William White, Levi
Aikman, Elias Smith, John White, A. M.
White, J. H. Aikman, A. W. Spear.
The Methodist Church at Centreville was
organized in 1832 by Isaac Low, George Sloan,
Henry Trembly and Aaron Boone in a school-
house near the village. In 1842 the brick build-
ing at the town of Lime Ridge was erected.
The Fowlerville church was built in 1867.
Both of these churches are served from Espy,
the present pastor being Rev. Edmund J.
Symons.
The Evangelical congregations at Lime
Ridge and Whitmire were organized between
1845 ^"d 1849. The Whitmire congregation
built two churches, the first in 1849 and the
second in 1880. They are served from West
Berwick at present.
The Lutheran and Reformed congregations
in this township are also served from West
Berwick. Rev. Isaac Shellhammer was the
first Reformed minister to preach in the old
Hidlay church in 1846. Rev. William Fox
first preached in the same building about 1850
to the Lutherans. The first Lutheran pastors
at Centreville were Revs. Sharretts, Dimm and
Bergstresser. Both of these Lutheran
Churches belong to the West Berwick charge.
The Whitmire Baptist Church was organ-
ized in 185 1 with Rev. John H. Worrell as
pastor and with thirty members. It has been
served from Berwick since the beginning.
SCHOOLS
The earliest schools in Centre township
were taught in private homes. One was lo-
224
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
cated near the ferry and was taught by Solo-
mon Federici ; another was at Lime Ridge ;
and another, on Hiram Schweppenheiser's
land, was taught by John Dietterich. The first
schoolhouse at Centreville was erected in
1810, destroyed by fire after a few years and
rebuilt at the lower end of the village.
Solomon Neyhard, father of Samuel Neyhard,
the surveyor, died in 1879, aged eighty years,
the oldest member of the first school board.
In 1875 the Grangers erected a hall near Fowl-
erville, and fitting the lower floor up for a
school employed Professor Lockard to teach
it. This school was continued until the public
school near there was built.
The number of schools in this township in
1914 is ten, and the attendants are 252 schol-
ars. The Lime Ridge school is taught by G.
R. Hartman, E. R. Kline and Jane Shuman.
The school directors of Centre township
are : E. E. Low, J. J. Davis, C. H. Creasy, J.
H. Sitler, M. I. Whitmire.
POPULATION
The population of Centre township in 1850
was 1,019; in i860 it was 1,360; in 1870, 1,320;
in 1880, 1,256; in 1890, 1,195; in 1900, 1,189;
in 1910, 1,233.
CHAPTER XXII
LOCUST AND CLEVELAND TOWNSHIPS
Locust township was formed by an order
of the court in 1842 from the southern part
of Catawissa township, and embraced at that
time all of what is now Locust, Cleveland and
Conyngham townships. It was at first named
Scott, but as one of the townships on the
north of the river already bore that name it
was in a month changed to Locust. The call
of the northern boundary of Locust at the
time of its formation was from a black oak
tree in the line of Roaringcreek township by
various courses and distances to the mouth of
Musser's run on the line of Northumberland
county.
From the territory of Locust township the
township of Cleveland was formed in 1S93,
being named from the president who had just
been elected. The early history of these two
townships is so intermingled that it will be
necessary to treat them in one sketch.
The Purchase Line of 1768 is almost iden-
tical with the southern boundaries of these
townships, and earliest land warrants were
issued in the following year. It was not till
1785, however, that the Quakers came from
the settlements of Exeter, Maiden-creek and
Reading, in Berks county, to this section of
Columbia county. The names of many of
these first settlers are lost, as they were averse
to self-advertising and left little in the way of
records. Among those who are now in the
townships are the Siddons, Bonsalls, White-
heads, Hughes, Lees, Williams, Millards and
Starrs.
One of the first arrivals in this section was
Alexander McAuley, after whom the moun-
tain in Beaver township is named. He first
settled in Beaver valley in 1771. In 1783 he
came through the section now comprising
Locust and Cleveland townships in search of
some strayed horses. He was last seen at a
house near Roaring creek. From that date
no definite trace of him has been found. In
1808 a number of silver buttons and twenty
Spanish silver dollars were found in a deep
ravine near Bear Gap, Northumberland
county, which are supposed to have been his
property, although no bones were discovered
at the spot. His daughter, Jeannie McAuley,
was the first bride in Locust township, in 1794,
her husband being Alexander Mears, son of
Samuel Mears, an old settler of the town-
ship.
I NDUSTRIES SL.\BTOW N
In 1789 Samuel Cherrington, a millwright of
Mill Grove, Roaringcreek township, erected a
mill for Thomas Linville on the site of Slab-
town. After he began to saw lumber for the
neighbors a number of "shacks" were built
of the slabs, thus causing the resultant village
to gain the name of "Slabtown," which it has
always since retained. Linville sold a part of
his land to Andrew Trone, who built himself
thereon a log house just previous to the erec-
tion of the mill. Here he opened a tavern,
which he ran until 1804 and then sold to John
Yeager. Yeager carried on the tavern for
many years, also having a primitive post office,
consisting of a box on a post. He was ap-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
225
pointed postmaster there, and continued to
serve until 1847, when the office was moved
to Newlin. in 1855 it was restored to Slab-
town, the official name of Roaringcreek
being given it. The present postmaster is E.
C. \ eager.
The Meager tavern, now called the "Na-
tional Hotel," was successively run by Isaiah
and Wellington Yeag'er, and John Rivers. The
present proprietor is A. L. Merkle. "Brook-
side Hotel," above the town, is conducted by
J. R. Bibby.
The tannery at Slabtown was built in 1835
by John Yeager, operated afterward for a
number of years by M. & L. Yeager, and
finally closed in 1885. The Linville gristmill
is occasionally run in the season by Peter
Olshesky.
The present storekeepers at Slabtown are
H. D. Leiby, E. C. Yeager and John Snyder.
The population is about two hundred.
The first bridge across Roaring creek at
Slabtown was built in 1874, at a cost of $1,500.
This was removed in 1913, and replaced by one
of the most artistic and substantial small
bridges in this part of the State, constructed
of concrete and steel, at a cost of $5,500.
About 1789 a mill was built by Samuel
Cherrington for Nathan Lee, on Roaring creek,
a short distance from the Friends church, and
about two miles southeast of Slabtown. All
of the machinery was brought from Philadel-
phia over the Reading road. This mill was
the only one in the lower end of the county at
the time, and when it was burned in the winter
of 181 1 almost a famine was caused by the
loss of most of the grain there. John Lee and
Jeremiah Snyder were later owners of the
mill. It' is only occasionally operated now
by the present owner, a Polander.
NEWLIN
Caspar Rhoads built a tavern on the site at
the forks of the middle branch of Roaring
creek about 1830, which came into the pos-
session of John Kern in 1840. He gave the
name of Kernsville to the little settlement of
about ten houses, but in 1884 the post office
here was named Newlin and Elias W. Whitner
placed ill charge. The post office is now abol-
ished, but the name still sticks.
The gristmill on the creek here was built by
a Mr. Cherrington, who sold it, the purchaser
selling to Benjamin Bahm, and it was after-
wards owned bv Elias Snyder. The present
proprietor is William L. Snyder, who bought
it from Elias. The mill is operated by a gas-
15
oline engine, as well as a turbine, and the out-
put is buckwheat liour, about seventy bushels
of grain being ground per day.
Newlin at the present time is even smaller
than in the past, having suffered a loss of pop-
ulation while Numidia has grown larger. The
only store at Newlin is kept by B. S. Bodine.
NUMIDIA
This village is the principal one in Locust
township, being surrounded by some of the
finest farms in the county. Nathan Lee was
the owner of this spot of land, and his son-
in-law, Peter Kline, built the first house in the
village. A store was opened in this house in
1832. The town was definitely laid out in
1835 by Elijah Price, who changed the name
of Leestown to Neiv Media. This has been
corrupted to Numidia. Anthony Dengler built
a store here in 1842, and was appointed post-
master in 1847. The present postmistress is
Mrs. Charlotte Daniel, who also continues the
store left her by her husband, the former post-
master. The other storekeeper is William J.
Beaver, who occupies the lower floor of the
Odd Fellows building.
The first physician at Numidia was Dr. J.
H. Vastine, who carried on practice for twenty-
one years, until his death here. Other physi-
cians thereafter were Drs. G. W. Mears, Pius
Zimmerman, John Rhodes, J. H. Shirey, and
the present residents, Drs. J. C. Wintersteen
and A. V. Carl. Dr. Wintersteen has resided
here for twenty-three years.
The hotel is kept by M. Yeager & Son, who
have a reputation for capability extending all
over this and surrounding counties.
Good Will Lodge, No. 310, I. O. O. F., of
Numidia, has grown with the town's prosper-
ity, having 136 members at present, in con-
trast to but eleven in 1886. The organization
owns its hall, the largest building in the town,
having a storeroom below.
The estimated population of Numidia is
350, and there are few old buildings here, a
fire having consumed many of them not long
ago. Most of the residences are attractive and
modern in construction, while some of them
are quite metropolitan in appearance and in-
terior furnishings. This is the largest town
between Catawissa and Centralia and draws
upon a fine farming community for support.
ESTHER FURNACE
This charcoal iron furnace was built in
1822 by Samuel Bittler, son of Michael, the
226
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
pioneer, and was owned by Burd Patter-
son and W. F. DeBerg, of Pottsville. They
sold it in 1844 to Fincher & Thomas.
Its site was on Slabtown creek, a short
distance from the junction with Roar-
ing creek. A waterpower sawmill had
been built here over the little creek by
Simon Shive a few years previously. There
was no supply of ore or coal at hand, but an
abundance of timber for charcoal with which
to operate the furnace. The ore was secured
from the Fishing creek valley. The product
of this furnace was exclusively pig iron, al-
though earlier writers have stated that stoves
and plows were made here. Isaiah John and
Samuel B. Diemer leased the furnace from the
Bittler heirs in i860 and ran it until the Civil
war came on. Then they shipped a lot of iron
to New Jersey, from which place it was sent
to the South, captured by the Confederates
and lost. This caused the failure of the lirm
and the abandonment of the furnace. Other
earlier operators of the furnace were Lloyd
Thomas, John Richards and D. J. Waller, Sr.
The furnace is now completely destroyed and
but a pile of stones, overgrown by trees and
bushes, marks the site.
ROADS
The first roads of this township were merely
bridle paths to Catawissa, the only source of
supplies. After the coming of the Quakers a
number of Germans came from Berks county
by way of a road which they opened from
Reading across the mountains. This Reading
road was much used after 1812, and in 1817 a
sum of money was appropriated by the county
to improve it. This occasioned much bitter-
ness between rival innkeepers. Caspar Rhoads
induced the viewers to decide on improving
the upper road past his hotel, but the stage
drivers refused to use it, so the lower road
was also improved. This caused Rhoads to
open another tavern in 1832 on the lower road,
in the house built three years before by Ben-
jamin Williams. Soon a few houses arose
around this spot, causing it to acquire the name
of Rhoadstozvn. A post office was located
here from iSs? to 1864.'
In 1825 a line of stagecoaches appeared on
the Reading road, operated by Joseph Weaver.
Benjamin Potts started an opposition line in
1839, and for some years both lines changed
horses at John Yeager's hotel, at Slabtown.
They both ceased operations after the build-
ing of the Catawissa railroad.
CHURCHES
The first church building in Locust township
was erected by the yuakers, half way between
Newlin and Slabtown, in 1796. They had been
holding weekly meetings for ten years previous.
The year of the erection of the meetinghouse
a preparative meeting was established here
under the name of "Roaring Creek Prepara-
tive." Joseph Hampton was the first overseer,
followed in 1802 by Amos Armitage, in 1804
by Thomas Penrose, and in 1808 by Bezaleel
Hayhurst. The title to the property was held
in trust for some years by dift'erent local resi-
dents, but is now in the hands of the Philadel-
phia Society. The Catawissa Meeting was dis-
continued in 1808, but in 1814 restored under
the name of Roaring Creek Monthly Meeting.
Sessions are held now in the old church m
Locust township monthly, with the exception
of the June meeting, which is held at Catawissa.
Meetings are also held half-yearly at Millville.
There are but few members now attending
these services, the principal families connected
with this sect being the Kesters and the Bea-
vers.
The old meetinghouse is located about a
mile south of Slabtown on a hill, with the
small burying ground beside it. A wooden-
roofed stone wall surrounds the spot where
the bodies of deceased Friends lie, marked by
a simple rough fragment of stone, unnamed
and unrecorded, and often unknown. Occa-
sionally a more pretentious marker of quaint
design and simple lettering is seen, but the
majority of the graves that have carved tomi)-
stones bear only the initials of the occupant.
The old building is in a fair state of preserva-
tion, and is carefully looked after by the few
who attend the infrequent services there.
In the year 1808 both the Lutherans and
the Reformed denomination had a foundation
in Locust township. In the barn of John Hel-
wig a short distance north of the site of Nu-
midia, Rev. John Dieterich Adams and Rev.
Frederick Plitt had previously held services
for the Reformed and Lutheran adherents res-
ident here. In 181 5 Rev. Jacob Diefi^enbach
came and began plans for a church building.
The building committee, Caspar Rhoads, ;
George Miller and Matthias Rhoads, bought i
a lot from Jacob Kline on the road east of
Numidia. Here a building was begun, the
cornerstone being laid July 5, 1816, but the
edifice was not completed until fifteen years 1
had elapsed. Services were held here once
a month. In 1870 the two congregations be-
gan another church, using the old cornerstone, .
i
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
227
with additional inscriptions ; it was laid on
Oct. 13th. The building committee consisted
of Reuben Fahringer, Leonard Adams and
Henry Gable, and the cost of the brick church,
which still stands there, was $7,000.
For a time the two denominations remained
in harmony, but in 1886 dissensions arose, the
result being the offer of the Lutherans to sell
their share to 'the other congregation. This
was refused by the Reformed members, and
the result is that the Lutherans still own a half
interest in the building, although using a new
church elsewhere. The permanent separation
between the congregations occurred in 1888,
after a lawsuit which decided nothing, and in
1889 Lutherans erected the present beautiful
and commodious frame church nearer to the
village, at a cost of $8,000. A parsonage was
built -in 1893.
This church bears the name of St. Paul's
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation and the
membership is 375, while the Sunday school
has 280 attendants. The pastors have been
Revs. J. Benninger, j. Schindel, William J.
Eyer, W. G. Laitzle, L. Lindenstreuth, J. H.
Neiman, F. A. Weicksel and the present pas-
tor, Rev. William J. Masser.
After using the old brick church for a time
the Reformed congregation repaired it and re-
dedicated it in 1893 under the name of St.
Paul. The pastors of the Reformed denomi-
nation here have been Revs. Knable, Tobias,
Fursch, Steeley, Daniels, Moore, Dechant, and
the present pastor. Rev. John F. Bair. The
membership is 300, and the Sunday school has
234 attendants.
Methodist services were first held in this
section in 1835 at the homes of Nathaniel
Purdy and Michael Phillips, near Rhoadstown.
The first pastors. Revs. Oliver Ege and Thomas
Taneyhill, were from Sunbury. The Slab-
town congregation worshipped in the Reformed
church at that place, built in 1848. Three years
later a campmeeting of the Methodists resulted
in the conversion of most of the Reformed
members and since that time the church has
been exclusively a Methodist one. The pres-
ent building was erected in 1895 on the site of
the old one. It is a fine frame structure, and
the congregation is served by Rev. John H.
Greenwalt. He also serves Trinity Church at
Numidia, whose house of worship was built in
1872 at a cost of $2,250. The first trustees
were Isaac Dyer, Daniel Levan, Thomas Sea-
borne, William Kline. Successive pastors have
been : Revs. Franklin E. Gearhart, Henry S.
Mendenhall, John F. Brown, T. A. Clees, John
Guss, John Z. Lloyd, Thomas Owens, W. S.
Hamlin.
The United Brethren denomination came in-
to Locust township in 1862, St. Paul's congre-
gation being then served by Rev. John Swank.
The land on which their church was erected
that year was donated by John Richards, own-
er of the Esther Furnace, and included the
summit of the hill above. This church, now in
Cleveland township, was rebuilt in 1907 and
is a large frame building, with a belfry, of
modern design. The first pastor of this church
and of the one at Fisherdale, built a few years
after the first one, was Rev. J. G. M. Herrold.
Freewill United Brethren church, on the
northeast edge of Locust township, was built
in 1876 and remodeled in 1914. Soon after
the repairs were completed it caught fire from
a gasoline explosion, Sunday, Oct. i8th, and
was totally destroyed. It was a frame build-
ing, 28 by 40 feet, and the loss was estimated
at $3,000, with $1,000 insurance in the Locust
Mutual Insurance Company. The congrega-
tion is occupying the Strausser schoolhouse,
preparatory to rebuilding.
The present pastor of these three churches
above mentioned is Rev. B. F. Goodman.
In 1840 a number of Welsh immigrants
came to Locust township and bought farms,
among them being the Watkins, Evans, Hum-
phreys, Reese and Jones families. In 1850
James Humphreys and Michael Phillips gave
a plot of land on the road to Ashland, about
two miles south of the present village of
Numidia, for the use of the Baptist denomina-
tion. A church was erected there in that year,
and the first pastor was Rev. William Jones.
This church was used by the Baptists for about
ten vears and then sold to the United Brethren
denomination, most of the Welsh families
having gone to Canada. In 1908 the old
church was abandoned by the Brethren, and
in 1909 it was torn down. It was long known
as St. John's Church.
The latest addition to the religious edifices
of this township is the church of Our Lady of
Mercy, built at Slabtown in 1914 at a cost of
$4,000. There are fifty-five families here, of
Slavic and Polish ancestry, and the first pastor
in charge is Rev. Father N. B. Strickland, up-
on whom devolved the work of gathering funds
and supervising the erection of the church.
SCHOOLS
The first school in Locust township was that
of the Friends, near their meetinghouse be-
tween Slabtown and Newlin. William Hughes
228
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was one of the first teachers. It was estab-
Hshed soon after the coming of the Quakers
and in 1796 passed into the care of the Cata-
wissa Monthly Meeting, being continued after
that date for twelve years. Other schools were
later opened by the German population at Slab-
town, Kerntown and Esther Furnace, the teach-
ers of which were James Miller, Samuel Bittler,
Joseph Stokes, Alexander Mears. Joseph
Hughes, Isaac Maish.
The public school system was adopted in
1839 by a majority of but one vote. During
that year the Numidia, Beaver, Miller, Fisher,
Wynn, Leiby, Eck, Deily and Furnace schools
were established.
There are now eleven schools in Locust
township, attended by 242 scholars. The school
directors are : M. E. Stine, David E. Yeager,
James M. Leiby, John Huglies, James Yeager.
In Cleveland township there are seven
schools, attended by 447 scholars. The school
directors are: Samuel Shuler, Edward
Rhodes, Henry Adams, Herman Rupp, Isaac
Rhodes.
POPULATION j
The population of Locust township in i860
was 1,897; in 1870, 1,550; in 18S0, 2,014; in
1890, 1,973; in 1900, 1,200; in 1910, 1,191.
The population of Cleveland township in
1900 was 899 ; in 10 to, 909.
CHAPTER XXIII
FISHINGCREEK TOWNSHIP— STILLWATER BOROUGH
Being divided almost in half by the waters
of Fishing creek, this division of Columbia
county, formed in 1789, was given the same
name. It was once of much larger size, but
the erection of Briarcreek, Greenwood, Sugar-
loaf, Benton and parts of Mount Pleasant
and Orange townships at various periods
greatly curtailed the area.
The settlers of this portion of the county
were mainly of English, Irish and Scotch de-
scent, but a number of Germans also settled
here. There was sufficient of different nation-
alities to cause much dissension regarding the
names of creeks and villages, the post office
of Fishing Creek being named by one faction
and Huntington creek, upon which it was sit-
uated, being named by people who settled
along that stream in Luzerne county. This
name came from one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, and was given
by the settlers who came from Connecticut.
The first settler of this region was Daniel
McHenry, who came here in the summer of
1783 and located above the site of the present
village of Stillwater. He was of pure Irish
descent and had been a resident of New Jersey.
In 1784 he brought his family here, and in
1785 his son, John McHenry, the first white
child born north of Knob mountain, saw the
light of earth.
Abram Dodder, from Muncy, came here in
1786 and settled at the mouth of Pine creek.
Ludwig Smith came in 1800 and settled on
Huntington creek near the county line. Se-
bastian Kisner located near Smith in 1808, and
the same year John Buckalew, father of John
M. Buckalew, established the farm later owned
by his descendants. After 1810 the arrivals
were Samuel Creveling, Samuel Cutter, Rich-
ard Brown, Benjamin Jones and John Paden.
Thereafter the immigration was rapid until
the township became one of the most thickly
populated portions of the county.
INDUSTRIES .'■
Many sawmills were built in this township
in the first years of settlement, one of the first
being that of John M. Buckalew on Pine creek,
in 1808; that of Benjamin Jones was erected
in 1809, at the site of Jonestown ; and that of
John Paden, at Forks, in 1810. A small full-
ing mill was also established in 1820 on Little
Pine creek by a man named Kennedy, but did
not run long. Later industries are treated in
the paragraphs relating to the localities bear-
ing distinctive names.
STILLWATER
This is the largest villa,ge in the township
and is the home of many members of the Mc-
Henry family. The first store in the town was
opened bv Daniel and James McHenry in 1847.
Moses McHenry ran it next and was succeeded
by the present owner, M. McHenry, who has
his son in partnership with him. Daniel Mc-
Henry was appointed postmaster in 1854 and
f
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
229
continued in office until 1886. He has had
but two successors, his nephew John V. Mc-
Henry and the present postmistress, Mrs. Mi-
randy i>. Hess. There are at present three
post offices in this township, Stillwater, Fish-
ing Creek and Forks. Other points are sup-
plied by the rural routes.
The industries of the town are few, most of
them having been dependent on the supply of
timber in the past. The planing mill estab-
lished by T. H. Edgar in 1877 was abandoned
in 1912.
West of the town was the sawmill of Peter
Appleman, built in 1832 and operated first by
waterpower and later by steam. From 1836 to
1890 it was operated by P. & M. Appleman. It
is out of use at present.
B. Frank Edgar built a distillery at Van
Camp in 1874, in 1886 moved it to Stillwater,
ran it till 1898 and then sold it to his son, Al-
fred H. Edgar, and Clem. G. Beishline. It
never was a paying proposition here and was
finally closed.
The village of Stillwater was cut off from
Fishingcreek township and became a borough
Sept. 2~,, 1899. The first election held in No-
vember resulted in the installation of these
officials : Daniel McHenry, burgess ; Charles
Wesley, B. F. Pealer, W. L. McHenry, Moses
McHenry, T. H. Edgar, J. B. Karns, J. N. Mc-
Henry, councilmen ; Charles Wesley, I. W. Ed-
gar, T. H. Edgar, E. P. Bender, A. B. Mc-
Henry, E. E. Wagner, school directors ; M. M.
McHenry, E. B. Beishline, justices ; W. Girton,
D. W. McHenry, overseers of the poor.
In this small municipality of 179 inhabitants
there are two churches, a schoolhouse, a large
store, some shops, a planing mill and some
handsome and well kept residences.
Stillwater has been the home of a number
of the prominent and valuable citizens of the
county, among them being Daniel McHenry,
in 1S63 county treasurer, a man of sterling
worth ; E. J. McHenry, who represented the
county in the Legislature from 1874 to 1878;
Cyrus B. McHenry, an associate judge: Moses
McHenry, probably the oldest merchant in the
county, still conducting a store in the town ;
and O. D. McHenry, an extensive lumber dealer
and prominent in the affairs of the borough.
Miss May McHenry, a daughter of Daniel Mc-
Henry, lives in her father's old home with her
widowed mother and brother, O. D., and has
more than local fame for her literary ability.
A gristmill was built at the mouth of Raven
creek, just below .Stillwater, by one of the Pat-
tersons about 1865, and was successfully oper-
ated by E. J. McHenry, Andrew .\ikman and
Andrew McHenry in turn. It was then con-
verted into a paper mill, using rye and oat straw
for the manufacture of wrapping paper, the
first to make paper being C. B. McHenry. It
was then bought by C. A. and Perry D. Wesley
and operated from 1894 to 1908. After that
' C. O. Stauff'er ran it for two years, turning it
back to the Wesleys after that time. From
1910 to 1912 the Impervious Paper Company
of Scranton operated the works for the pro-
duction of a fine grade of cartridge paper, after
which the factory reverted to the ownership of
the Wesleys for the last time. During the busy
'days of the paper mill quite a large settlement
arose around the works, but after its closing
down these homes were abandoned, and the
place has now but a few caretakers living near
it. The Wesleys have the entire plant on the
market, and should be able to dispose of it read-
ily, for there is an abundance of raw stock at
hand and ample power to convert it into profita-
ble merchandise. The outfit of machinery is
complete and modern, consisting of two 48-inch
paper machines, two 1,000-pound beaters, one
Horn-Jordan engine for preparing stock, and
a number of finishing machines. The power
plant consists of three Alcock turbines of 25,
40 and 115-horsepower, respectively; four
steam engines, a 200-horsepower Wright Cor-
liss, and one 140, one 35 and one 8-horsepower
slide valve engines. Three boilers of 100 horse-
power each form the steam making battery.
The Stillwater Inn is managed by George B.
Dresher. W. J. Smith is a veterinary surgeon
resident in the town. Camp No. 551, P. 0. S.
of A., has a hall here and a large membership.
JONESTOWN
Notwithstanding its name, this village is
scarcely more than a hamlet in 1914. In the
past, however, it was a somewhat pretentious
place, having two names, one from its founder
and the other given it by the post office depart-
ment, which established the office of Fishing-
creek here in 1815, with Benjamin Jones as
postmaster. The present one is a descendant of
the first and bears the name of A. W. Jones.
He and Bolich Bros, are the storekeepers in the
village. There is also an excellent unlicensed
hotel here, kept by Mr. Kunkel.
Benjamin Jones settled at the site of Jones-
town in 1809 and soon thereafter built a saw-
mill. In 181 1 he added a gristmill, running it
until 1849, when he died and his sons, James
N. and Richard, inherited them. In 1857 they
separated, Richard taking the sawmill and
Tames N.. in partnership with his brother-in-
230
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
law, John Merrill, rebuilding the gristmill.
The gristniill was operated thereafter by Jones
& Mears and then Mears & Thomas, until 1868,
when Francis W. and James E. Jones, sons of
Richard, bought it. It is now operated by H. S.
Gruver.
Jonestown derived some importance in the
past from its position on the Susquehanna &
Tioga turnpike. John M. Buckalew graded
one mile of this road for $150. The charter
of this company is still in force, although the
collection of tolls ceased many years ago. The
road is now under the charge of the State,
which had a definite interest in the road from
the first, having contributed several thousand
dollars towards its construction.
FORKS
Although aspiring to be a village in former
times, this place is now simply a station on
the Bloomsburg & Sullivan railroad. Rush
Harrison is the station agent, expressman,
storekeeper and postmaster. There are but
three houses at the station, but around it and
along the two creeks are the summer resi-
dences of many citizens of the larger towns
of the county, who form a considerable popu-
lation in the warmer months.
Bernard Ammerman settled at Forks about
1820, and opened a store a little later. In
1855 he was made postmaster at that point, and
held the office until 1861, when it was trans-
ferred to Pealertown on Huntington creek.
In 1871 J. M. Ammerman, his son, became
postmaster there and continued to hold the
office until the installation of the rural routes.
In 1 90S the old Ammerman home was sold
to William H. Derr, of Bloomsburg, who ob-
tained a hotel license, changed the name to
"Forks Inn," made many alterations and addi-
tions to it, and has converted it into an at-
tractive hotel, the resort of auto parties and
fishermen from the surrounding country.
Located at the immediate junction of Hun-
tington and Fishing creeks, it is surrounded
by picturesque spots and has some fine trout
pools near by. An artistic wire suspension
bridge connects the inn with the railroad flag
station.
A little farther up Fishing creek is Williams
Grove, an equally popular resort. The beau-
tiful scenery along these two streams has long
held out invitations to the lovers of nature,
and numerous cottages and camps line the
banks, summer seeing a throng of fishers,
boatmen and campers taking full advantage of
these many allurements.
At the junction of Fishing and Huntington
creeks is the sawmill built in i8io by John
Paden. The next owner was Andrew Lau-
bach, then came E. M. Laubach, next his
daughter, Mrs. E. A. Pennington. Now E. A.
Pennington, the oldest grandson, runs the mill.
The old machines for manufacturing wooden
pumps are still in use, as is the oldtime cider
press, worked by a lever. A chop mill and a
circular saw are run by the turbine, which has
replaced the old overshot wheel of the past.
The wheel pit is of cribwork and has an ancient
look in comparison with the more modern tur-
bine it houses.
One of the largest sawmills in the county
was that of Evan and Eli A. Beishline, built
in 1881 at Van Camp, east of Stillwater. It
scarcely had time to get under way before it
was burned in 1884, together with a large quan-
tity of lumber ; there was no insurance on either
it or the mill.
RELIGIOUS
The first denomination to hold services in
this township was the Methodist, Revs. John
and Christopher Bowman, from Briarcreek,
holding services in the home of Abram Dodder
some time before 1812. Preaching was con-
tinued at Dodder's until a schoolhouse was
built. Meetings were also held at John An-
drews' house, on the road from Asbury to
Jonestown, in 1836. The Stillwater church
was organized about the same time at the home
of Alexis Good, some distance from the vil-
lage, on the banks of Fishing creek. The
Jonestown church was built in 1880, the one
at Stillwater in the same year, while the As-
bury church, west of Jonestown, was built in
1848. The first two mentioned are now in
the Orangeville circuit, while that at Asbury
is abandoned.
Stillwater Christian Church (Disciples) was
one of the first to be established in this county.
In 1835 Revs. John Ellis, J. J. Harvey and
John Sutton associated together to establish
preaching places from Union to Luzerne coun-
ties. Rev. John Sutton coming to Stillwater.
He preached here occasionally until 1838, when
a monthly appointment was begun. Moses
McHenry was one of the founders of this
church and was the first person in the town-
ship to be baptized by immersion.
Many protracted meetings preceded the or-
ganization of the church, which took place in
1838, with a list of twenty-nine members. The
first church and parsonage were built here in
1842, the latter being a log schoolhouse, rebuilt.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
231-
The second church was built in 1877. The
pastors have been : Revs. John Sutton, Theo-
bald Miller, Jacob Rodenbaugh, J. J. Harvey,
J. G. Noble, Zephaniah Ellis, E. E. Orvis, D. M.
Kinter, J. W. McNamara, H. L. Waltman, G.
P. Morse, R. H. Sawtelle, Vernon Harring-
ton, J. P. Topping and W. I. Burrell, most of
whom have also had the Benton charge.
The first Reformed preacher in this section
was Rev. Jacob Dieffenbach, who occasionally
preached m private houses near the old Pealer
and Bellas graveyard, next to where St. James'
church is now located, in 1820-22. From then
to 1825 Rev. J. N. Zeiger preached in the same
place. From then until 1840 the congregation
worshipped at New Columbus, Montour
county. In 1840 they moved to the Creveling
crossroads schoolhouse, and in 1852 the St.
James church was built near Fishing creek,
between Stillwater and Forks, at what is now
Zaner station. Rev. Isaac Shellhammer was
their pastor until 1858, Rev. H. Funk the next.
Rev. W. Goodrich the next, Rev. E. B. Wilson
the next, Rev. A. Houtz for forty years, and
Rev. W. S. Gerhard until Rev. A. M. Shaffner
succeeded him, in October, 1914.
Zion Reformed congregation was formed in
1842 by Rev. D. S. Tobias in the Stucker
schoolhouse, near Van Camp, where he con-
tinued to preach until 1857, when Zion church
was dedicated there. Other pastors of this
church have been the same as those of St.
James.
SCHOOLS
Christopher Pealer taught the first school
in this township at his home near the site of
Zaner station, in connection with his weaving,
about the year 1790. The first schoolhouse
was later built near here, and Jonathan Colley
taught there. Henry Hess came to Stillwater
in 1794 to oversee some land for his father,
and later opened a school there. The second
school in the township was built near Zion
church. In 1885 there were nine schools in
the township, in operation for six months, and
attended by 249 pupils. In 1914 there were
also nine schools, but although the term was
seven months in length only 200 were in at-
tendance.
The school directors of Fishingcreek town-
ship are : J. C. Karns, O. J. Hess, A. S. Mc-
Henry, George Van Liew, A. F. Arnold.
The school directors of Stillwater are : Wil-
liam J. Smith, A. B. McHenry, E. B. Beish-
line, Lloyd Bender, O. D. Hagenbuch.
POPULATION
The population of Fishingcreek -township
in 1820 was 502; in 1830, 568; in 1840, 902;
in 1850, 1,110; in i860, 1,266; in 1870, 1,370;
in 1880, 1,447; in 1890, 1,447; >" 1900, 1,181;
in 1910, 1,031.
CHAPTER XXIV
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
This township was formed in 1843 from
Catawissa township, and included the town-
ship of Mayberry, in Montour county, at the
time. When that county was separated from
Columbia in 1850 Franklin township was taken
along, but in 1853 a division was made which
left the present area within Columbia county,
and gave to Montour the part now called May-
berry township.
This section was settled after the Catawissa
valley was populated. In 1783 Jesse Cleaver,
a Quaker, came here from Chester county to
visit friends, and liking the site bought a tract
on the hills west of Roaring creek, near the
Susquehanna. He had intended to buy land
on the north side of the river, but the great
floods of that year deterred him. He brought
his family here the following year. The Clay-
tons, another Quaker family, also soon came
to this section. Frederick Knittle, of Berks
county, settled on the Esther Furnace road,
and in 1795 Daniel Knittle bought the adjoin-
ing tract. John and Peter Mensch settled near
the river, north of Roaring creek, Michael
Hoover on the hill road to Danville, and Chris-
tian Hartley (or Artley) near the site of the
present village of Willowvale.
INDUSTRIES
The only industries past and present in this
township are the gristmills on Roaring creek,
near the edge of Cleveland township. One
of these mills was built by Washington Parr
232
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
about i860, almost on the edge of the line. It
is now owned by Rider Brothers. The other
mill was built later by Mendenhall Brothers,
about a mile below Parr's, and has been suc-
cessively owned by Francis Pensyl, R. S. Mc-
Henry and the Rider brothers. The latter mill
is now strictly modern in its mechanical equip-
ment.
WILLOWVALE
This village, sometimes called WiUozi' Grove,
was formed by a cluster of houses around the
Mendenhall mill, now called the Franklin mills.
A post office was established here at the store
of Mendenhall Brothers, but there is no office
here now, as the rural routes take its place.
The office was at one time known as "Pensyl."
SCHOOLS
Most of the scholars from this section in
early times attended the Catawissa schools.
After the Mclntyre school in that township
was closed in 1804 a house was built just above
the foundry on Catawissa creek to accommo-
date the settlers. Daniel Crist and Daniel Rig-
ler taught in this school, and several grown-
ups were' numbered with his scholars. The
Clayton school was opened later near the home
of Joseph T. Reeder and taught by Joseph
Hbrlocker.
At present there are four schools in this
township, attended by 124 scholars. The
school directors are : Emerson Creasy, Rolan-
dus Artley, Glen Shultz, John Wintersteen,
J. D. Fetterman.
RELIGIOUS
The Methodists are in the ascendancy in this
township, although there are a number of
persons of different religious beliefs who at-
tend the churches of Catawissa.
The Bethel Methodist Church built its house
of worship in 1859 on the road from Willow-
vale to Numidia. David Zarr, Jonas Berninger,
Joseph Hartman, John Teitsworth, Nicholas
Campbell, William Reeder, Peter Yocum and
William Kiesle were the trustees at the time.
Mount Zion Methodist Church was built
in 1874 at the forks of the road in the north-
ern part of the township. Its trustees were
William Fisher, Joseph Reeder, Peter G.
Campbell, Wellington Cleaver, Jackson
Cleaver, John Hile, Joseph Fisher, Sylvester
Cleaver, Eli Keilner. The church is a frame
building and is in good repair.
Both of these churches were formerly in
the Danville circuit, and were served by the
pastors of the times, whose names can be
found in the chapter on religions. The pres-
ent pastor is Rev. John H. Greenwalt. of the
Roaringcreek circuit.
POPULATION
The population of Franklin township in
i860 was 533; in 1870, 550; in 1880, 543; in
1890, 522;'in 1900, 549; in 1910, 537.
CHAPTER XXV
GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP— MILL VILLE BOROUGH
This division of Columbia county is one of
the oldest and first settled. Originally in-
cluded in Wyoming and then Fishingcreek
townships, it was formed as early as 1799.
Benjamin Chew, a prominent Quaker of
Philadelphia, became possessed of two thou-
sand acres of land in the region around Mill-
ville at various dates previous to the coming
of actual settlers. He had the largest hold-
ings by one person in this county. The site
of the town of Millville was warranted to Wil-
liam and Elizabeth McMean in 1769. Their
tracts and others adjoining passed into the
hands of Reuben Haines, a brewer of Phila-
delphia, and from him to John Eves in 1774.
He bought 1,200 acres for the sum of ii45,
and in 1769 left his home at Mill Creek Hun-
dred, Newcastle Co., Del., followed the Sus-
quehanna to Sunbury, and from there pro-
ceeded overland to his destination. He viewed
the land, returned home, and the following
summer came back with his son Thomas, and
they built a cabin on the west bank of Little
Fishing creek. The following spring he
brought his entire family to the wilderness and
settled down to the task of reclaiming it. The
settlers, being members of the Society of
Friends, were never molested by the Indians,
although many west of them suffered from
raids.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
233
This peace was rudely shattered in 1778 by
the warning given them by a friendly Indian
of the terrible Wyoming massacre. l"he fam-
ily at once loaded wagons and fled by way of
Washingtonville, where a stockade was stand-
ing, and thence returned to their former home
in Delaware. They did not return until 1785,
and then found their home in ashes and fields
overgrown with bushes. They at once built
two log houses and a gristmill, the latter stand-
ing for almost a hundred years thereafter.
From this family of Eves it is estimated that
more than one thousand persons have de-
scended. They have always been among the
foremost in the development of the county and
are highly respected for probity and enter-
prise.
Soon after the arrival of the Eves many
others came to the site of Greenwood, among
them being the Lemon, Lundy, Link, Battin,
Oliver, Mather, Robbins, Patterson and Mc-
Michael families. Jacob Link, in 1797, opened
the first tavern in this township.
Until 1798 the Indian trail from Berwick to
the West Branch was the only highway of the
settlers, but in that year a road was surveyed
across the Mount Pleasant hills to the river.
This road and the creeks during flood stage
afforded the means of transporting the lum-
ber and other raw products to the settlements
farther down the Susquehanna. In 1820 an
effort was made to build an additional road
through Greenwood, but it was not till 1856
that the State laid out and completed the road
from Bloomsburg to Laporte, in Sullivan
county.
MILLVILLE
The gristmill which gave rise to the name
of the town of Millville was operated after
the death of John Eves by his son Thomas.
The latter built the first dwelling house in the
town. David Masters bought the mill site in
1830 and rebuilt the mill. His son George ran
it till 1840. when fire destroyed it. Masters
and John Betz rebuilt the mill on a larger scale
and made a success of its operation for a num-
ber of years. Later owners were Masters
& Heacock, in 1872, McHenry & Heacock,
from 1874 to 1883, and the mill is now in
1914 in the hands of Reece & Greenly, the
members of the firm being J. L. Reece and
Ellis Greenly. They have added a brick power
house, with a 140-horsepower engine and
boiler, and otherwise increased the mill's ca-
pacity, which is two hundred barrels of buck-
wheat flour and fifty barrels of wheat flour
per day. All of the machinery is now modern
in make, and the turbine wheel is seldom used
for power except during high stages of water
in the creek. This is one of the largest buck-
wheat mills in the United States, in 1913
grinding one half of one per cent of all the
buckwheat flour produced in the Union. All
of the grain grown in Columbia and Mon-
tour counties that could be bought, and quan-
tities from other counties, was hardly suf-
ficient to keep the mill in operation that year.
The production was fifty carloads of flour,
eleven hundred bushels of grain being required
for each carload, the price averaging 75 cents
per bushel, and the value of the flour being
estimated at over $40,000.
The first store in the township was opened
at Millville in 1827 by David and Andrew Eves,
David being appointed postmaster four years
later. Subsequent incumbents of the ofiice
were Andrew Eves, James, George and Wil-
liam Masters, until 1885. After that date
Uriah P. Henry was appointed, Jan. 25, 1886;
Ellis Eves, Aug. 12, 1889; D. F. Herring,
Sept. 2, 1893; W. C. Eves, Sept. 22, 1897;
Joseph C. Eves, Sept. 24, 1901. The present
postmaster, J. S. Cole, is one of the few not
a member of the Eves family.
Mail facilities have been greatly increased
since the advent of the Susquehanna, Blooms-
burg & Berwick road, the first train of which
arrived at Millville on April 6, 1887. There
was for some years a daily mail from Blooms-
burg by stage line. At present an autobus
makes two trips a day each way, and a freight
wagon makes one trip each way.
There are a number of flourishing indus-
tries in Millville. In 1813 John Watson started
a woolen factory, the plant comprising a full-
ing mill and two carding machines. Wool was
brought to the mill by the farmers to be cleaned
and carded, the weaving into "homespun" be-
ing done in the homes, after which the cloth
was returned to the mill to be dyed and pressed.
Chandlee Eves succeeded Watson and built
a large brick mill on the opposite side of the
creek. He did not make a great success of
the project and the plant stood idle for a time,
being finally occupied by the Enterprise
Worsted Mill. The latter corporation was
originated in the basement of the Magee Car-
pet Mills, at Bloomsburg, by Midgely & Haley,
in 1891, and several years later moved to Mill-
ville. The mill was later operated by Edward
Thorpe until his death, when the present cor-
poration was formed and took it over. The
ofiicers are : A. J. Skerry, Jr., president, and
J. A. F. Simpson, treasurer. The product in
former vears was woolen blankets for the
234
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
United States army, but at present it is ex-
clusively woolen yarns, the output of five thou-
sand pounds per week being sold direct to mills
in New England and Philadelphia. The plant
is a strictly modern one and is housed in a
three-story building of brick, the power being
both steam and water. The employees number
about fifty. William J. Koehler is the manager
of the mill.
The fame of the Millville wagons made by
John Eves and his son Charles has gone all
over the State and enabled the firm to build
a factory in the town that employs twelve per-
sons. An i8-horsepower turbine operates the
machinery, and there is also an additional steam
plant for use in the dry season. Farm and
lumber wagons are the products of the factory.
Henry Getty and William Greenly started a
planing mill in i88i which is now operated by
Charles Cutler. Three years later Shoemaker
& Lore built another planing mill. This latter
is in the hands of Edward Buck, who operates
a wagon works.
The Millville Creamery has had a steady
and prosperous career. It was started in 1887
by S. J. Eckman, who operated it for several
years. Later he sold it to his sons, W. J.
and C. W. Eckman, who have developed
an immense trade, the output being butter,
cream, eggs, poultry and meats. The cream-
ery has many wagons on its many milk
routes, and the meat wagons cover a large
portion of the county. The first building
erected was only 24 by 36 feet in size, but was
then ample for the requirements. The pres-
ent building is 70 feet square and two stories
in height, and the business occupies all of the
space to its fullest capacity. The plant and
methods are modern in every respect. On
June I, 1913, a corporation was formed, of
which W. J. Eckman is president and C. M.
Eves is the treasurer.
The First National Bank of Millville is a
successful financial institution and a great con-
venience to the business men and farmers of
that section of the county. It opened its doors
on July I, 1900, with a capital of $25,000, and
a surplus fund of $5,000. Its first board of
directors were: Wilson M. Eves, John Eves,
W. W. Eves, J. W. Eves, Dr. H. S. Christian,
Dr. J. E. Shuman, Josiah Heacock, Ellis Eves,
William Masters. The present board consists
of J. W. Bowman. Dr. H. S. Christian, J. Hea-
cock, C. R. Henrie, J. W. Eves, F. C. Eves,
Ellis Eves, A. W. Eves, William Masters. The
officers are : William Masters, president ; J. W.
Eves, vice-president ; C. M. Eves, cashier ; C.
R. Henrie, secretar}^ The surplus fund is now
$25,000 and the deposits over $285,000. In
1914 the bank built its own home on a corner
of the two main streets of the town. It is of
Indiana limestone and gray brick, with brick
lining, three stories high, and architecturally a
credit to the bank and the town.
The Millville Water Company was chartered
April 5, 1898, with a capital of $16,000. The
projectors were William Masters, Ellis Eves,
J. J. Robbins, H. G. Frederick, C. W. Miller.
The supply of water, which is excellent in qual-
ity and abundant, is obtained from a large
spring, being pumped into a reservoir. The
present officers are : William Masters, pres-
ident; C. M. Eves, treasurer and secretary;
William Masters, Ellis Eves, Josiah Heacock,
Watts Heacock, C. W. Miller, directors.
A tannery was started in 1907 by Heller &
Cutler, who sold it later to the Millville Tan-
ning Company. It is now operated by the
Kirkpatrick Tanning Company of Philadel-
phia. The product is strictly sole leather.
The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of
Millville was incorporated Sept. 7, 1875, with
J. W. Eves, president, and Ellis Eves, secre-
tary. They have continued since then to carry
on a conservative and successful business, hav-
ing over $5,000,000 in force in 1914. The pres-
ent officers are: Cyrus DeMott, president; J.
Fred. Eves, secretary.
Freeholders of Millville filed a petition for
a borough charter on May 5, 1890, which was
reported favorably by the grand jury. In Sep-
tember exceptions and remonstrances were
filed, and on May 4, 189 1, were dismissed. An
appeal was taken to the Supreme court, which
on April 14, 1892, decided in favor of the in-
corporation, the objectors having failed to con-
tinue the fight. The first borough election re-
sulted as follows: Joseph W. Eves, burgess;
R. J. Hess, J. C. Eves, C. W. Eckman, S. W.
Kester, H. W. Kisner, E. T. Eves, council-
men : W. M. Eves, V. P. Eves, justices of the
peace.
The present borough officials are : W. W.
Heacock, burgess ; E. T. Eves, Charles Cutler,
J. W. Biddle, A. S. Ikeler. C. M. Eves, J. L.
Reece, councilmen ; C. L. Eves, Boyd Trescott,
justices ; Grant Johnson, C. A. Kreamer, J. B.
Welliver, Charles Brumstetler, C. H. Henrie,
school directors.
An unusual feature at Millville is the fact
that there exists there an unlicensed hotel
which has been carried on for over thirty
vears. At one time an effort was made to pro-
cure a license, but failed. Burr Albertson, the
present proprietor, keeps an excellent place for
the entertainment of the traveling public.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
235
There is no place in the town where intoxicat-
ing liquor is sold.
An excellent system of sewerage, put in
in 1899 and 1901, is still in use.
Millville is reached by the Pennsylvania rail-
road now, with two trains daily. The trolley
line, projected in 1900, consists now of a rust-
ing track overgrown with weeds and supported
by rotting crossties, a monument to the cred-
ulity of local investors.
The storekeepers of Millville are : General
Stores — P. L. Eves, G. & D. Smith, J. C. Chris-
tian & Co., B. F. Cadman, G. W. Henrie, S.
T. Lewis, Grant Johnston, Heller & Fritz.
Clothing — A. Frank. Restaurant — H. J. Bow-
man. Druggist — Charles S. Ely. Meat Mar-
kets— R. C. Kester & Son, Millville Creamery.
Livery — Dildine & Kramer. Blacksmiths — H.
W. Kisner & Bro., G. A. Stackhouse. Mill-
ville Laundry, Harry W. Buck.
The MillviUe Tablet is a five-column, eight-
page paper, founded in 1887 by G. A. Potter,
who ran it till 1912, when Boyd Trescott took
the editorship and has held it since. It has a
large circulation in that end of the county, and
is ably edited and well printed.
A number of fraternal societies have had
existence in the town since its founding, while
many others have passed into the history of
the "has beens."
Millville Lodge, No. 809, I. O. O. F., was or-
ganized July 29, 1872, with twenty-one mem-
bers, but surrendered its charter a few years
later. In 1S80 the charter was restored, only
to be surrendered again in 1886, and finally re-
stored in 1888. Since then the existence of
the lodge has been uninterrupted. The officers
for 1914 were : Charles Wagner, noble grand ;
Perry Eves, vice grand ; W. O. Johnson, treas-
urer; Dr. H. S. Cliristian, trustee.
Recently a camp of the Woodmen of the
World has been organized here.
Valley Grange, No. 52, P. of H., one of the
oldest in the State, was chartered with twenty
members, Feb. 4, 1874. They own a fine
library in Millville and have a membership of
over one hundred and fifty. The officers are:
William Eves, Jerseytown, master ; Miss Sarah
Reece, secretary.
J. P. Eves Post, No. 536, G. A. R., was mus-
tered Sept. 3, 1886, with the following roster:
James W. Eves, Henry Robbins. George W.
Belig, B. F. Fisher, Isaac M. Lyons, John
Shaffer, J. C. Eves, W. G. Manning, Emanuel
Bogart, Jacob Derr, Henry J. Applegate, John
Thomas, D. F. Crawford, Charles M. Dodson,
William L. Caslan, W. H. Hayman, Richard
Kitchen, George W. Perkins, John Applegate,
Harvey Smith, John Krepneck, John H. Mor-
dan. J. P. Eves, in whose name the post was
organized, was wounded at the battle of Fred-
ericksburg, died in the field hospital and was
buried in an unmarked grave on the Rappa-
hannock river. He was a member of Company
I, 136th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.
The surviving members of the post are in 1914 :
George W. Belig, Isaac M. Lyons, John Shaf-
fer, J. C. Eves, Jacob Derr, John Mordan.
ROHRSBURG
This town was named from its early land-
owner, Frederick Rohr, who served in the
Prussian army against Napoleon, and who in
1825 bought the land on which the town is
situated from Samuel Shertz. The following
year the only building on this spot was the
blacksmith shop of Robert Campbell. In 1828
Peter Venett opened a store here, and Shoe-
maker & Rees soon after followed the lead
thus set. The first flouring mill here was built
by Joseph Fullmer, on Green creek. In 1832
a fulling and carding mill was operated on the
creek just north of the town by Joseph E.
Sands. In 1856 he moved it to Mordansville.
A flouring mill was built below the town on
Green creek by Joseph Fullmer of Limestone-
ville in the early days ; this mill was later
owned by Jonas Hayman, and after him by
J. H. Ikeler.
Lumbering was at one time the principal in-
dustry in this section and continued to be until
the forests were practically exhausted. In 1820
Joseph Lemon built a mill on the creek below
town, which was carried on until 1848 by his
sons Jonathan, Isaac and William. The steam
sawmill and foundry of Matthias M. Appleman
was built in 1S35 and operated for many years
with success.
The pottery of Kester Parker in 1847, and
the tannery of Perry Smith in 1868, were other
industries of the past. Judge Iram Derr ran
a hotel here from 1838 to 1841. Jacob Berlin
was postmaster from 1862 to 1874.
The present storekeepers are Frank Albert-
son, George Appleman, Carl Redline, E. E.
Parker.
Rohrsburg Grange, No. 108, P. O. H., was
organized Feb. 12, 1874, with thirty members.
In 1886 the membership had increased to
eighty-four, and it is now about one hundred.
eyee's grove
Located in the southeastern corner of the
township, this village was founded in i860 by
236
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Jacob Eyer, who built a gristmill and store on
the site of a similar structure erected in 1807
by Robert Montgomery. Successive owners
since Eyer have been William Kreamer, C. W.
Eves, Heacock & Masters, Dr. G. P. Gehring,
Hileman & Johnson and W. D. Hileman. The
present mill has five stands of modern milling
machinery, operated by a 17-foot overshot
wheel of iron. The mill race is over half a
mile long and 40 horsepower is generated. A
steam engine is tised in low stages of the creek.
The mill is a three-story red brick building of
imposing appearance.
The present postmaster and storekeeper is
G. M. Ikeler, a nephew of the late Judge Ike-
ler. A hotel was run by different proprietors
until 19 1 3, Rudolph Yankee being the last
landlord. Since the building of the Susque-
hanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick railroad the
town has improved in commerce and now has
about forty houses, a Methodist church built
in i860, and a fine schoolhouse.
lOLA
This village is just north of Millville on
Little Fishing creek and was started in 1828
by the building of a gristmill by John and Jos-
eph Robbins. Elisha Hayman, who owned the
mill from 185 1 to 1880, named the town after
his daughter. M. V. Gehring was a later
owner, and the present one is Samuel Fought.
The mill is operated by a 10- foot overshot
wheel and the output is buckwheat flour and
chop.
Tola Lodge, No. 711, F. & A. M., was organ-
ized July 5, 1870, and in 1881 removed by spe-
cial dispensation to Pine Summit. An I. O.
O. F. lodge was founded here before the Ma-
sonic lodge and at one time possessed a fine
hall, but is now out of existence.
RELIGIOUS
A meetinghouse of the Society of Friends
was built in Millville in 1795 and in the fol-
lowing year William Ellis, Thomas Ellis and
John Hughes were appointed supervisors. In
1799 the Muncy Meeting was established and
alternate sessions held at Millville. In 1856
the name was changed to the Fishing Creek
Monthly Meeting. In June of each year the
session is held at Catawissa. This record of
unbroken meetings for almost 120 years has
never been equaled in this part of the State.
The present meetinghouse of the Friends is
a neat brick building in a grove at the edge of
the town. The Friends at Millville belong to
the Hicksite branch, while those at Green-
wood post office are of the Orthodox branch.
The first services of the Methodists were
held in 1809 at the Eves mill in Millville by a
class of eleven. Jacob Evans was appointed
leader. For sixteen years services were held
in the barn of William Robbins. A church was
built in 1825 and occupied until 1857. ^t was
located at the forks of the road from Millville
to Rohrsburg. A second building was erected
at Millville in 1882 and the present one in
1897. It is a fine brick structure, with a belfry,
and cost $4,000. The pastors of this church
have been Revs. Joseph S. Lee, George H. Day,
D. Y. Brouse, C. W. Rishell, W. H. Hartman,
Joseph A. Bretz, A. C. Logan, Fred A. Goeler,
Zaccheus Weston, William A. Faus. The last
named gave up a more lucrative charge in order
to minister to the congregation at Millville, the
home of his mother, Elvira \\Tight. The mem-
bership at Millville is seventy-five and the
Sunday school about fifty. The charge in-
cludes the churches at Jerseytown, Eyer's
Grove, Pine Summit, lola and Ikeler's.
The Presbyterians organized at Rohrsburg
in 1847, having previously attended the
Orangeville Church. Among the first mem-
bers were Philip Sibley, Elias Smith, James
Wilson and Charles Fortner. The congrega-
tion was served for many years by Revs. Wil-
liamson, Thompson and Boyd, the services be-
ing held in William Mather's barn until the
church was built in 1850, at a cost of $1,500.
This church has a membership of twenty-four
and is served occasionally from Benton.
The Christian Church at Rohrsburg was or-
ganized in 1870 by Elder J. J. Harvey, with a
membership of thirty-one. Services were held
in Appleman's shop until the house of worship
was completed in the following year. Elders
Harvey and Rodenbaugh held services occa-
sionally in the seminary at Millville until 1880,
when the "Free Church" was built for the use
of all denominations. Josiah Heacock, S. B.
Kisner and R. M. Johnson were the founders
of this church. For some time other denomina-
tions used the church, but at present it is prac-
tically an exclusive Christian edifice. Rev. W.
I. Burrell of Benton is the pastor there at pres-
ent.
The Lutheran Church at Millville was or-
ganized in 1 88 1 by Rev. F. P. Manhart and a
charge was formed embracing also the church
at Pine Summit. In 1894 a building was
erected for the congregation at a cost of
$4,800, and the membership has increased;
the Sunday school numbers about one hun-
dred. Rev. F. P. Manhart, now president of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
237
Susquehanna University, at Selinsgrove, Pa.,
serves the congregation regularly.
The Evangelical Church at Greenvk'ood set-
tlement was organized in 1880 by Rev. W. H.
Lilly, at the home of Eli Welliver. The fol-
lowing year, through the efforts of David Al-
bertson anil Wilson Kramer, the present church
was built. The appointment is hlled from
Waller.
EDUCATIONAL
With the Friends religion and education
were closely connected. One end of their first
meetinghouse was partitioned off for a school-
room and in 1798 Elizabeth Eves here in-
structed the children of the vicinity. Jesse
Haines and John Shirley were her successors.
The first schoolhouse in the township was on
the farm of Jacob Gerard, in the eastern part.
It was subsequently removed to Rohrsburg.
Other schools were from time to time estab-
lished in convenient parts of the township.
In 1851 the Friends erected the Millville high
school, William Burgess being made principal
the following year. He opened it in the autumn
of 1852 with an enrollment of thirty, and con-
tinued to be the head for twelve years. In
1861 the Greenwood Seminary Company, with
a capital stock of $5,000, was organized, as-
sumed all the liabilities of the high school,
added to the buildings, and placed the insti-
tution on a firm basis.
Prof. T. W. Potts, of Chester county, took
charge in 1865, and in 1866 the property was
leased to C. W. Walker. Three years later
William Burgess returned, and remained until
1872, being succeeded by R. H. Whiteacre.
During the winter of 1874-75 the school was
conducted by Florence Heacock, of Benton.
She was followed by Arthur W. Potter and
R. H. Whiteacre. From 1878 to 1885 the school
was conducted only in the summer, the teach-
ers being John M. Smith, Harold Whiteacre,
M. C. Turrell and A. L. Tustin. In 1886 the
Fishing Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends
again became the lessees, and opened the school
with seventy-five pupils, under the principal-
ship of Anna C. Borland, of Philadelphia.
Subsequent principals have been Edith H. Cut-
ler, 1887-89; Henry R. Russell, 1890-93; Jen-
nie Kester and Ellen Russell, 1894-95; Harry
W. Eves, 1 896- 1 900; Wilmer W. Kester, 1901-
09; Kathryn Eves, 1910-13. Many men and
women who attained prominence in the vari-
ous walks of life have been attendants at this
institution of learning. The buildings are now
in a state of disrepair and the school is poorly
attended. Miss Mary Ridgway is the last
principal.
The present Millville high school was built
in 1900 and already in 1914 an addition has
been built to accommodate the increase of at-
tendance. The structure is a large two-story
brick and is strictly modern in every respect.
Present county superintendent Evans is of
Quaker descent and takes particular pride in
this school.
There were eleven schools in Greenwood
township in 1912, with 271 pupils in attend-
ance. The school directors are : A. W. Eves,
W. F. Kline, Ralph Eves, J. W. Bowman, C.
F. Derr.
The school directors of Millville are: J. B.
Welliver, Grant Johnson, C. H. Henrie, Charles
Brumstetler, C. A. Kreamer.
POPULATION
The population of Greenwood township in
1820 was 1,078; in 1830, 1,110; in 1840, 1,217;
in 1850, 1,260; in 1S60, 1,470; in 1870, 1,585;
in 1880, 1,710; in 1890, 1,876; in 1900, 1,307;
in 1910, 1,221.
The population of Millville was 593 in 1900
and 611 in iqio.
CHAPTER XXVI
HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP
Early surveys included the section now em-
braced in Hemlock township in what was then
Wyoming township, Northumberland county.
The name of Hemlock creek was then men-
tioned, and when this township was erected in
1801 the name was applied to both. It is one
of the original townships included in Colum-
bia county when the latter was formed. Part
of the present territory of the township was
incorporated into Montour county at first, but
after the act of 1853 the part thus separated
was returned.
The earliest warrantees were John Nichol-
son, Robert Bogard, William Eike, Philip
Hahn, David Lynn, Elizabeth Gray, William
Patterson, Evan Owen, Michael Bright, Henry
Funk, Philip Gable, Samuel Emmitt, Sebright
Wagner, Alexander Johnson, James Ellis,
Daniel Duncan, Margaret Duncan, Thomas
Barton, Daniel Montgomery, Nathaniel Brader,
Peter Brugler, Andrew Waltman, John Lilly.
Peter Brugler was the first person to enter
on and improve his land, coming here between
1788 and 1790. His land extended from the
eastern part of Frosty valley to the west branch
of Hemlock creek, and embraced about six
hundred acres. He built his home on the slope
of Frosty valley, but it has long since vanished.
Peter and Philip Appleman came soon after
Brugler. Through a mistake they built their
house on the wrong tract, but later acquired
title to this also. They occupied the Duncan
tract, part of which they sold to Hugh Mc-
Bride, whose descendants still own it.
Other German families came soon after the
above persons, emigrating from Berks and
Northampton counties. They came by way of
the Lehigh and Susquehanna turnpike, through
its northern terminus at Berwick. Their first
supplies were usually bought at Catawissa and
Sunbury. Among these families were those of
the Ohls, Hartmans, Neihardts, Whitenichts,
Leidys, Girtons, Menningers, Merles, Grubers,
Yocums and Haucks. They purchased their
lands from the patentees, but few receiving
title from the State.
Henry Ohl, who was a soldier of the Revo-
lution, came in 1804. Michael Menninger lo-
cated on a hill above Fishing creek and Henry
Wanich was the owner of the adjoining tract.
Most of their lands are now in the hands of
later settlers' descendants.
INDUSTRIES
Hemlock township was rich in iron ore and
the mines produced a fair income for the own-
ers of the land from which the raw material
was taken, but as the years passed the oper-
ators were compelled to go deeper after the
mineral and the expense of keeping the mines
free of water in this region of springs became
so great as to make unprofitable the further
exploitation of the veins. Besides ore could
be purchased from the Michigan mines at less
cost than it could be mined here. This, added
to the necessity of radical changes in the meth-
ods of smelting, finally caused the closing down
of the furnaces and the abandonment of this
once highly remunerative industry.
Though somewhat hilly this township is a
fine farming section and is cultivated to the
limit, most of the forests being cleared away.
A good State road runs through the western
end of the township towards Danville and is
much used by automobiles. The scenery of
this part is fine and worth the trouble of the
trip.
The first mill for the production of boards
and timber was built at an early date in the
Liebenthal — a narrow valley in which flows
the west branch of Hemlock creek, but the
builder's name as well as its location are now
forgotten. Other mills were later built at dif-
ferent points, served their purpose and passed
into oblivion.
Elisha Barton came to Hemlock township
atout 1 78 1 and bought a tract of land extend-
238
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
239
ing from the mouth of Hemlock creek to the
site of the village of Buckhorn. He and his
family lived in their wagon until their home
was built. After the house was completed and
several crops raised he built what was for
years called the Hemlock mill, at the foot of a
hill about i6o rods from the mouth of Hem-
lock creek, on the north bank. In 1842 this
mill was torn down by his son Isaiah and re-
built, tiie name being changed to "Red Mill,"
from the color of the soil around it. Isaiah
McKelvy in 1885 purchased the mill and in-
stalled the roller system. Since then it has been
held by G. W. Sterner, R. R. Ikeler and the
present owner, John I. Davenport.
About 1812 a mill was built on the upper
waters of the north branch of Hemlock creek
by a man named Pepper. It was operated by
a small overshot wheel and was similar to most
of the mills of that period. William Kline was
the next owner, being succeeded by Jacob Zies-
loft. The latter's daughter Maria is now the
owner, but the mill is not in use, owing to the
washing out of the dam. The only improve-
ments made since the beginning have been the
installation of a turbine and replacement of
the wooden gearing with iron.
The mill beside the road to Millville on the
banks of Little Fishing creek, in the northern
part of the township, was built some time after-
ward by J. Beagle. It was a large building and
one of the best equipped mills in this section,
being operated by a large overshot wheel and
later by a turbine, but it was subject to damage
by repeated freshets and finally abandoned.
It is still standing, but in a ruinous condition.
Mines for the development of limestone as
flux in the furnaces and for agricultural pur-
poses were operated at the junction of the two
Fishing creeks and along the line of Frosty
valley. None of these mines is now in use.
A tannery was operated on the west bank
of Fishing creek, near Bloomsburg, by John
K. Grotz from 1850 to 1870.
The Discovery of Iron
About the year 1822 Henry Young, a farm
laborer, discovered iron ore on the farm of
Robert Green, at the point where Montour
ridge is severed by the waters of Fishing creek.
The peculiar character of the soil induced him
to open up a drift and have the mineral ana-
lyzed. This was the first of the mines in this
township, and the product was hauled across
the river to the Esther and Penn furnaces near
Catawissa. After 1844 the Bloomsburg Iron
Company took the product for ten years, later
owners and producers being McKelvey & Neal
and William Neal & Sons, until the time when
the supply of ore was exhausted.
Part of these ore fields was owned by the
Farrandsville Iron Company, who shipped
their product over the Pennsylvania canal to
Centre township, but never reduced it, later
purchasers smelting it at Bloomsburg. When
the soft ore was exhausted a shaft was sunk
on the north side of Montour ridge in search
of the hard ore, but the enterprise did not prove
profitable.
Because of these iron mines and the indus-
tries in connection with them a large floating
population came into the township and the vil-
lages of Buckhorn and Wedgetown came into
being to cater to their wants. The loss of all
of the township's industries have relegated
these places to the status of small settlements.
Slate Quarrying
A limestone quarry on the west bank of
Little Fishing creek had long supplied the iron
furnaces with fluxing material. About 1868
a clergyman from Northampton county while
visiting here noticed the shale on the sides of
the bluff and was led to organize a company
for the production of slate mantels and roofing
material. He formed the Thomas Slate Com-
pany, bought twenty-three acres of land along
the creek, built a factory and installed some
machinery. Here a fine grade of slate was ob-
tained and for a time the industry was vigor-
ously prosecuted under the name of Suscjue-
hanna Slate Company, but in later years the
death of the president of the company, William
Milnes, and the poor management of his suc-
cessors caused the closing of the plant and the
sale of the machinery. It has never been re-
opened, although the raw material is still plen-
tiful and the market good.
BUCKHORN
In a museum at Allentown is preserved part
of a buck's antlers imbedded in a section of an
oak tree. This tree stood on the edge of a
swamp near the site of the present town and
marked the junction of a path from the forts
and settlements and an old Indian trail to North
mountain. Some Indian had hung the antlers
in a sapling as a mark for others on the trail,
and as time passed the tree grew and covered
over the last sign of the horns. In the early
seventies a woodpecker reopened the wound
in the tree and revealed the truth of what was
then considered simply a tradition. From this
240
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
buckhorn the name of the village now standing
here received its name.
Two stores were opened in Buckhorn by
V'aniah Rees and M. G. & \V. H. Shoemaker
during the first days of its founding. These
stores are now operated by Charles H. Harris
and Roy Pursel. The first public inn in Buck-
horn was built by Vaniah Rees, the founder of
the town, in 1820, and received the patronage
of the stagecoaches running from Bloomsburg
to Muncy. It was the first house in the town
and stood opposite the famous buckhorn tree.
Twelve years later Hugh Allen erected another
hotel opposite, which was last run by J . Apple-
man. The site of Rees's inn is now occupied by
the Pursel home, the largest building in the
town.
Hugh Allen was the first postmaster, his
successors being Marshall Shoemaker, Joseph
White, Charles Harris and Roy Pursel. Noah
Prentiss carried the mail twice a week from
1850 to 1866, when a tri-weekly service was
begun by Jacob Crawford. In 1883 the daily
mail service was begun and has been continued
since, despite the rural routes and the nearness
of Bloomsburg.
The first justice of the peace in the town-
ship after the formation of the county was
Henry Ohl, the Revolutionary soldier from
New Jersey. Jacob Harris served as the first
justice in Buckhorn, holding office for twenty-
one years. His successor was N. P. Moore,
the village blacksmith, who also served the pub-
lic for many years.
Buckhorn now boasts a fine hall, built by
Hemlock Grange in 19 14 and dedicated with
appropriate ceremonies on June 27th of that
year. The Grange has a large membership in
this township.
SCHOOLS
The first school in the township was opened
in 1801 in a dwelling on the road to Frosty
valley, a Mr. Davidson being the first teacher.
Another was soon thereafter opened by
Thomas Vanderslice near Little Fishing creek,
and a third in the Liebenthal near the limits
of the northern end of the township. The lat-
ter became a resort for the entire neighbor-
hood as a place for singing schools and social
gatherings. Other teachers of the early days
were Henry Ohl, Jacob Wintersteen and
Charles Fortner.
At present there are eight school buildings,
attended by 123 scholars, in the township. The
neat brick high school at Buckhorn was built
in 1905, the school directors at that time being:
I. N. Maust, E. R. Kester, S. M. Girton, W. H.
McCarthy, E. Beagle, H. Hartman. The pres-
ent school directors of Hemlock township are
C. F. Girton, H. J. Traub, H. E. Jones, James
Gulliver, E. R. Kester. Maurice J. Girton is
the principal of the high school at Buckhorn
at the present writing.
MEDICAL
The first resident physician in Buckhorn was
Dr. Hugh W. McReynolds, who served the
residents of the entire township from 1851 to
1876. His successors have been Drs. Stiles,
Christian Lenker and J. R. Montgomery. Dr.
Montgomery moved to Bloomsburg in 1904,
and since that time Buckhorn has been without
a local pliysician.
RELIGIOUS
The spot where the V'anderslice cemetery is
now located, near the banks of Little Fishing
creek, was at one time the site of a combination
school and church, used by the Lutherans.
Here Rev. John P. Heister preached, and
Squire Ohl taught an English and German
school. This church had passed out of exist-
ence and even memory by 1868.
The first religious services in the Hemlock
region were held by Rev. Frederick Plitt, a
Lutheran minister who came with the early set-
tlers. The Revs. Ball, Frey, Weaver and Oyer
also occasionally held services in private homes
in this section. The first church building was
a union edifice, dedicated by the Methodists in
1848 and located at Buckhorn, on a lot of
ground owned by John McReynolds. Immedi-
ately after its erection services were alternately
held by Revs. Funk, Price and Consor, of the
German Reformed, Evangelical and Methodist
denominations.
The Methodists were supplied regularly by
Revs. Hartman, Tannehill, Buckingham, Gear-
hart. Ross, Bolton, Warren, McClure, W. H.
Tubbs, Chilcoat, Bowman, Brittain, Ale, Sav-
age, T. Clees and J. F. Brown. The present
pastor is Rev. George Martin.
The old Methodist church, having seen its
best days, was torn down in 1868 and the fol-
lowing year the present imposing two-story
brick building was erected. The edifice has
a bell and tower and cost $7,000. The trustees
at that date were Thomas J. Vanderslice, John
Appleman, Jacob Reichert, John Kistler. A
few years later a fine parsonage was built
near by.
For a time after the erection of the new
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
241
church in 1848 the only denomination which
had regular services was the Methodist, the
Lutherans being occasionally served by Revs.
Ball and Weaver. The latter's first regular
pastor was Rev. Mr. Frey, who was succeeded
by Rev. William J. Eyer. The latter succeeded
in adding a large number of members to the
congregation, and in the spring of i860 an
organization was effected with a membership
of sixty-three. During the Civil war the serv-
ices were discontinued, but in 1867 Rev. J. M.
Rice came to the field, his charge including the
Espy and Millertown Churches. A reorganiza-
tion was effected by the election of James Em-
mitt and Peter Werkheiser as elders, and
George Wenner and John H. Miller as deacons.
"Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Congrega-
tion of Buckhorn" then became a part of the
Espy charge, and the people took steps to sup-
port a regular pastor.
In 1867 a building committee consisting of
James Emmitt, Peter Werkheiser, John H.
Miller, Reuben Bomboy and George Russell
was appointed, and on Nov. 25, 1869, the pres-
ent brick building was dedicated by Rev. E. A.
Sharretts. The cost was about $5,000, all of
which was settled for in a short time.
After Rev. Mr. Rice the congregation was
supplied occasionally by Rev. B. F. Alleman,
of St. Matthew's Church, Bloomsburg, and
Rev. Henry C. Heathcox, a student at Selins-
grove. In 1872 the Espy charge, composed of
St. John's, Espy ; Canby, at Millertown ;
Christ's, Buckhorn ; and St. Peter's, New
Columbia, called Rev. J. M. Reimensnyder to
be their regular pastor. In March, 1875, he
resigned and the church was without a pastor
for two years. Then Rev. William Kelley ac-
cepted the charge for a year. The next pastor
was Rev. E. A. Sharretts, who remained eight
years. Successive pastors have been Revs.
M. O. T. Sahm, A. R. Glaze, Charles W.
Sechrist, Peter B. Fassold, H. W. Hilbish, W.
J. Wagner, G. D. Strail and the present pas-
tor. Rev. E. A. Chamberlin.
The parsonage, purchased from G. W. Hart-
man and remodeled in 1894, is occupied by
the pastor, whose charge also includes the
churches at New Columbia and Frosty Valley,
Montour county, and Canby and Mordans-
ville, Columbia county.
POPULATION
The population of Hemlock township in
1820 was 1,464; in 1830, 1,681 ; in 1840, 957;
in 1850, 1,087; in i860, 1,037; in 1870, 1,170;
in 1880, 1,080; in 1890, 946; in 1900, 927; in
1 9 10, 898.
CHAPTER XXVII
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
The first division of Greenwood and Sugar-
loaf townships was made in 1838, when Jack-
son township was formed from portions of
both. In 1840 the section taken from Sugar-
loaf was returned and the present limits were
defined. The whole of the area of this town-
ship was at first owned by the Asylum Land
Company, a syndicate of land speculators
whose actions prevented an early settlement
of their property. The lack of roads and the
hilly nature of the country were also important
hindrances to settlement.
Jacob Lunger came from Northampton
county to this section in 1800 and settled on
Green creek. About 1805 Abram Whiteman
located at the headwaters of Green creek, four
miles from North Mountain. Jonathan Rob-
bins came in 1810 from Sugarloaf, where he
had settled in 1795. In 181 1 Paul Hess, Levi
Priest and George Farver arrived. Others
16
who settled in this section at later dates were
the York, Colder, Waldron, Everhart, Camp-
bell and Parker families.
The industries of this township were few
and came into being after the opening of the
first good road through the country from
Unityville to Benton, in 1828. Most of the
first industries were small sawmills, as the
chief occupation of the pioneers was lumber-
ing. Judge Iram Derr built a sawmill on
Little Fishing creek in 1841 and soon the
settlement that grew up around it was given
his name. His son, Andrew J. Derr, ran the
mill from 1861 until its abandonment in 1874.
He was the first postmaster here in 1879.
The first post office in the township was that
of Polkville, established in 1848 at the home of
John P. Hess, near Waller. Mr. Hess was the
first ofificial, and the next was Lot Parker, in
1863 ; in 1866 D. L. Everhart took the office.
242
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
For a time it was discontinued, and then re-
established at the village, which had changed
in name from Polkville to Waller, as it is still
known, although the post office is lost to it,
being supplanted by rural delivery from Ben-
ton. Waller once consisted of a church, used
by various denominations, a schoolhouse, a
store and a few cottages. This condition re-
mains, with perhaps the exception of a slight
reduction in the number of inhabitants. Al-
fred J. Hess is the storekeeper here.
Derrs is slightly smaller, and has a Baptist
church and a school. A general store kept by
Charles Robbins, and a chop mill operated by
Arthur Cole," are just south of the Jackson
township line, in Greenwood township.
• RELIGIOUS
The Baptists were the first to visit this town-
ship, in 1819. Revs. Joel Rodgers, Elias Dod-
son, Samuel Chapin, Brookins Potter and Mer-
rit Harrison held monthly services on their
tours through this wild region in the years
afterward until 1845. John Christian was an
early promoter of the cause and attempted to
have a church built, but died before he could
succeed. In 1852 Revs. A. B. Runyon and F.
Langdon held revivals here and their efforts
resulted in the erection of a church in 1853 ^t
Derrs. In 1859 the Benton Baptist Church was
organized with nineteen members. In 1859 it
was disbanded, and in 1869 reorganized, with
John R. Davis and Theodore Smith as deacons,
and John F. Derr, clerk. Pastors of this
church have been : Revs. E. M. Alden, J.
Shana felts, Furman, Zeigler, Stevens, Tustin,
Benjamin Shearer, Joseph W. Crawford.
Mr. Crawford continued as pastor from 1885
until of late, when regular services ceased. He
occasionally serves the pulpit when requested.
The Christian Church of this township was
organized in 1858 with eleven members, among
them being Luther German, Iram Derr,
Thomas W. Young, Absalom Henry. Pastors
have been : Revs. John Sutton, J. J. Harvey,
A. Rutan, Edward E. Orvis, Charles S. Long,
C. W. Cooper, D. M. Kinter. This congrega-
tion is now included in the circuit that covers
Benton, Stillwater, Derrs and Cambra. The
church was built in 1879 near Derrs, at a cost
of $2,500.
The Evangelical denomination had two con-
gregations in this township. The oldest was
formed at Waller in 1846 by Revs. James Dun-
lap and Jeremiah Young. The first class had
been formed earlier by Rev. James Seybert and
consisted of George Hirleman, Henry Wagner,
Michael Remley, David Remley and Frederick
Wile. The union church at Waller was built
in 1854. The class in the southern part was
formed in 1876 with nineteen members. Revs.
James T. Shultz and C. D. Moore served the
small congregation for a time. Both of these
congregations are now under the charge of
the pastor at Benton.
SCHOOLS
The schools of this township were few at
first. John Denmark opened a school in a log
dwelling near the union church at Waller in
the winter of 1821-22. The next year a build-
ing was erected here for school purposes. His
successors were John Keeler and William
Yocum. The first school in the southern part
of the township was built in 1825 at Derrs.
The diflferent teachers here were Cornelius
McEwen, Helen Calvin, Joseph Orwig and
Peter Girton. There are now eight schools in
the township, taught by the same number of
instructors, and attended by 113 scholars.
The school directors of Jackson township
are : Jacob Sones, W^arren Kline, C. O. Hart-
man, S. L. Knouse, J. N. Fritz.
POPULATION
The population of Jackson township in
1840 was 265; in 1850, "374; in i860, 539; in
1870, 565; in 1880, 67s ; in 1890, 738; in 1900,
700; in 1910, 552.
t
CHAPTER XXVIII
MADISON TOWNSHIP
This township, the most westerly in Colum-
bia county, is noted as the only one which is
partially drained by the headwaters of Chil-
lisquaque creek. The "Divide," a sharp ridge,
separates this stream from the waters of
Little Fishing creek. At the corner in the
northwestern end of Madison township, where
Columbia, Lycoming and Montour counties
meet, is the site of an old Indian town, and
the trail from the West Branch to Nescopeck
crossed the "divide" just above the village of
Jersey town.
In the year 1776 the VVhitmoyers, Billhimes
and Wellivers came to this section from New
Jersey. Michael Billhime located on Muddy
run, where he built a cabin and cleared six
acres of land. Daniel Welliver selected a place
on Whetstone run, an affluent of Little Fishing
creek. The Whitmoyers settled a short dis-
tance west of Jerseytown. When the Indian
outrages induced the settlers to take refuge
in the forts, the Whitmoyers remained. In
March, 1780, some of the men went to a sugar
camp, leaving several of the women and a
few men at home. A son returning the fol-
lowing morning for a forgotten utensil found
the whole family dead and scalped. Fearing
for his life he fled to Fort Augusta. The next
day a party of rangers returned to the spot
and buried the bodies. The graves are on the
road from Jerseytown to Washingtonville.
In the autumn of 1780 the Billhimes and
Wellivers returned, accompanied by John,
Adam and Christopher Welliver, cousins of
Daniel. Christopher bought land south of
Jerseytown, John located on the site of the
devastated home of the Whitmoyers, and
Adam occupied the site of Jerseytown. Michael
Billhime found his home in the possession of
another, and had to clear a new spot, on
Spruce run. About this time Joseph Hodge
and Peter Brugler also arrived from New
Jersey. In 1785 William Pegg (or Pague)
settled on the Chillisquaque, two miles south-
west of Jerseytown, and three years later
Phineas Barber took up a tract on the oppo-
site side of that stream. The following year
Hugh Watson located a mile east of the vil-
lage site, as also did John Funston, and Evan
Thomas settled a little west of town. In 1786
Richard Demott located east of Jerseytown.
Lewis Schuyler, a Revolutionary soldier, came
in 1794, and George Runyon and Jacob Swish-
er followed soon after. Swisher was the first
justice of the peace in the township, having
been appointed by Governor Snyder, and hold-
ing the office until it became elective some
years later. He also started the first tannery.
Other settlers were John Smith, James Laird,
Thomas Laird, Henry Kitchen and Hugh Mc-
Collum.
After the peculiar methods adopted by the
land speculators who first controlled the titles
to tracts in this county had been aired by those
who had suffered from their dishonesty, the
former adojited more reasonable methods of
sale, and honest settlers came to this section
in increasing numbers. By 1817 the growth of
population was such as to warrant a separa-
tion from the extensive township of Derry.
Accordingly the court at Danville ordered the
erection of the township of Madison, naming
it from the president, who had just completed
his second term. Since that time the township
has been twice reduced in area for the benefit
of other townships.
JERSEYTOWN
The village of Jerseytown, the only one in
this township, was developed by the traffic on
the stage roads from Danville and Blooms-
burg to Muncy. The first store was opened in
1 79 1 by John Funston, and around it the vil-
lage grew up. It was founded in a somewhat
singular manner. Funston and his neighbors
were in the habit of sending their wheat and
other products to Reading yearly by the for-
mer's son, and in return obtaining there a sup-
ply of goods for the season. On one trip
243
244
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Tommy bought six wool hats, and they found
such ready sale in the vicinity that the father
embarked in the business of supplying the
neighbors with goods and thus originated the
first store. Conrad Kreamer was his successor,
and the first postmaster of the village.
Evan Thomas, son of Evan the pioneer,
opened the first blacksmith shop. and later the
first hotel, which was afterward run by
Andrew Hazlett and A. K. Smith. James N.
Miller, late sheriflf of Montour county, was
successively storekeeper, tanner and hotel pro-
prietor in Jerseytown, before 1867.
The present hotel is operated by S. D. Rim-
by, who took charge in 1886, and obtained his
license in 1893.
The tannery here was opened in 1827 by
Jacob McCollum ; his son Hugh succeeded him
in 1856, and twenty years later E. W. Mc-
Collum became proprietor. The last to
operate it was Warren McCollum, who sold
out in 1903 to the Millville Tanning Company.
In 1868 Jerseytown consisted of the tan-
nery, two stores, forty houses, a church and a
schoolhouse. It has scarcely gained in size
since that date. The present stores are kept
by William E. Kreamer and Harvey L. Gingles,
the latter being also the postmaster. The
Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick railroad,
now the Pennsylvania, runs through the town,
but has not seemingly increased the population
to any appreciable extent.
The gristmill at Jerseytown was built by
Samuel Farnsworth in 1877, and sold to R. G.
Greenly in later years. Mrs. R. G. Greenly,
widow of the late operator, has leased the mill
to Rohm Brothers, who now run it. The mill
is three stories high, 45 by 55 feet, operated by
steam, and can produce forty barrels of wheat
flour and thirty barrels of buckwheat flour a
day. It is strictly modern in its interior equip-
ment.
Mathias Appleman for a time ran a distil-
lery in Jerseytown, the only one in the town-
ship, but it soon passed into the realm of for-
gotten things.
One of the early industries in the township,
outside of Jerseytown, was the sawmill, chop-
mill and fulling mill of James Masters, later
operated by his son, David Masters, built in
1 79 1 on the upper part of Spruce run. For
a time this was the only carding and fulling
mill north of Danville. The sawmill here was
operated as late as 1880.
RELIGIOUS
Between the years 1793 and 1800 there was
built on the old road from Jerseytown to Mill-
ville, two and a half miles from the former
place and one mile from the latter, an Episco-
pal church, the parish name of which seems
to have vanished from the recollection of the
oldest citizen as early as 1880. It was known
as Christ Church, Derry township, North-
umberland county, and after the erection of
Columbia county came into the township of
Madison. The road since then has been
changed, so that the site of the old church and
the weed-filled cemetery is now (1914) on the
farm of Thomas Mordan. The site was do-
nated to Rev. Caleb Hopkins, Jacob Swisher
and Mathias Appleman, trustees of the church,
by Henry Kitchen, Sr., many years after the
church had been built, but no deed for the land
was ever executed. The subscription paper
was made out to John Funston and Mathias
Appleman and was in pounds, shillings and
pence, the current money of those days. The
subscribers included : Lawrence Miller, Wil-
liam Kitchen, Even Thomas, Jacob Hender-
shott, Daniel Weliver, Isaac Hendershott,
William Laird, Jacob Bodine, Jr., Joseph
Haynes, Daniel Dildine, Jr., Samuel Marr (or
Mann), Henry Kitchen, Jr., Valentine Chris-
tian, Richard Demott, Jesse Hendershott, John
Thomas, Jr., Joseph Kitchen, James Dunbarr,
Henry Kitchen, Sr., Edward Rorke, Thomas
Rorke, John Funston, Ebeneazer Davis, John
Hanna, Valentine Woollever, David Woollever,
Nathanil Kinney, William Miller, John Allen,
Michael Johnston, Joseph Williams, John F.
Wollevor, Hugh Watson, Peter Kinney, Jr.,
John Philips, William Snider, John Sommers,
Joseph Robison, Joseph Handeword, Joseph
Magill, Jacob Diline, John Moody, John
Haynes, John Wilson, Elijah Miller, Philip
Philips. Phinehas Barber, Peter Labour, Wil-
liam Brottain, Mathias Woodley, Samuel
Wooliver, Jr., John Cox, Joseph Hodage, Rich-
ard Kithchen, John Frochey, Jacob Rordene,
Jr., Peter Kinney, John Bacnian, John Kitchen,
John Seed, Ellexander Watson, Samuel Kitch-
en, Alex Stewart. On the flyleaf of the sub-
scription book the name of Jacob Rordene, Jr.,
was corrected to Jacob Bowdine, Jr., and an-
other name, William Pagg, added. A page of
the book was torn out, so that the complete
list will probably never be known. All of the
names are given as spelled, some of the mem-
bers of the same families apparently differing
as to the correct way. The total amount of
subscriptions is not known, neither is the total
collected, but with whatever sum it may have
been the trustees, John Funston and Jacob
Langs, entered into an agreement, dated Dec.
24, 1796, with John Lee and Jesse Hender-
^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
245
shott, house joiners, to do certain work on the
church by the following March.
Before the work was completed another
subscription was taken up, the new signers of
this sheet being Samuel Moore, Caleb Hop-
kins, Jacob Langs, William Aten, William
Ikeler, Jacob Wintersteen, Stephen Drake,
William Hull, James Cochern, John Butler,
William Butler, James Campbell, James Win-
tersteen, Peter Wintersteen, PYederick Coder,
Abraham Shoemaker, Paul Lyde, John Coder,
John Wats, William Harris, Elam B. Albert-
son, Samuel Kennedy, Joseph Sampson, Law-
rence Sidrick, Henry Laport, Paul Eicke, Mar-
tin Bogart, Andrew Irvine, John Lemons.
The old church was built of very straight,
hewn pine logs, and was quite large, with a
gallery on three sides. It was chinked between
the logs with lime and sand. The pulpit was
well built and nicely furnished, and there was
a raised sand box in the center of the room
for heating purposes, charcoal being the fuel.
It is not known when the church was com-
pleted, but the last payment was made by Rev.
Caleb Hopkins in December, 1798.
The subscription paper refers to tfie church
as Episcopal and "Lutherian," but there are
no records of services by the latter denomina-
tion, although undoubtedly many of the sign-
ers were Lutherans.
Rev. Caleb Hopkins, the first rector, left
the church in 1812 and thereafter the services
were irregular until 1821, when Rev. Charles
Snowden took charge for about a year. After
him Rev. James Depuy (or DePue) was rector
for two years, followed by Rev. Mr. Carter,
who ministered to the people for several years
after 1826. He first suggested the removal of
the church to Jerseytown, and served in that
town after the removal. Then came the last
regular rector, Rev. Mr. Fury, and afterwards
services were held irregularly by Edwin and
Milton Lightner. The last recorded min-
ister was Rev. William H. Bourns, who bap-
tized May 19, 1844, Mathias, son of Esau and
Sarah Girton, and Jane, daughter of Phillip
and Jane Girton.
By 1829 the old church became dilapidated
and it was torn down and another built at
Jerseytown, on an acre of ground donated by
Jeremiah Welliver and his wife. When the
building was erected cannot be definitely de-
cided. It was used intermittently until 1844,
when it was abandoned. Conrad Kreamer for
a time stored his grain in the building, and in
1877 lis conveyed the title to another lot to
the Episcopal parish of Bloomsburg, in return
for the unlawful use of the old church and
lot. Later the old building was torn down. In
1899 the lot was sold.
Many of the early settlers in Madison town-
ship were Baptists, among them being the
Demotts, Runyons, Hulitts, Hodges, Wellivers
and Swishers, so they soon prepared to estab-
lish a congregation of that faith in their new
home. On Sept. 27, 1817, Elders John Wol-
verton of Shamokin, Smiley of White Deer
township, and Simeon Coombs of Middleboro,
Mass., met in the union meetinghouse in More-
land township, Lycoming county, and organ-
ized the Little Muncy Baptist Church. This
society is one of the oldest in the Northumber-
land Baptist Association, and at the formation
of that body in 1821 the delegates from Mad-
ison were Revs. Henry Clark and Silas E.
Shepard, and James Moore, Richard Demott,
James Hulitt and Powell Bird, lay delegates.
The Madison Baptist church was built in
1845 in the eastern part of the township, near
Little Fishing creek. The pastors of the con-
gregation have been: Revs. Henry Clark, J.
Green Miles, Joseph B. Morris, Henry Essick,
A. B. Runyan, Henry C. Munro, R. M. Hun-
sicker. This church is now out of use, as the
membership has been greatly reduced.
The first Reformed church, called the
"Heller" church, was built in 1826 in the south-
ern end of the township, on the stage road to
Bloomsburg. Rev. Jacob Dielifenbach organ-
ized the congregation, and the attendants came
from neighboring townships as well as this
one. The second church was built in 1870.
Other pastors here were Revs. Daniel S. To-
bias, Henry Funk, William Goodrich, and
others from Orangeville and Bloomsburg.
The Methodist church at Jerseytown was
built in 1832 about a quarter of a mile above
the village. In 1900 the old building was re-
moved and a fine structure of native limestone,
with a slate roof and bell tower, erected in the
heart of the town. The congregation is now
served by the pastors from Millville, but four
miles distant.
"Vandine" Lutheran Church was organized
in 1869 by Rev. George Eicholtz, of Lairds-
vilje, Lycoming county, and the next year a
building was erected in the extreme northern
part of the township. The successive pastors
here have been : Revs. Miller, Bodine, Bat-
tersby, Hutchison. The church is now sup-
plied from Buckhorn.
SCHOOLS
The first school in this township was opened
at Jerseytown in 1799 by a Mr. Wilson. In
246
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
iSio Leonard Kisner opened another in a
dwelling on iiis land, which was taught by
Thomas Lane. A third was opened in 1815
near where the Reformed church now stands,
in the southern part of the township. A fourth,
in the eastern part, near the Baptist church,
completes the list of early schools.
At present there are ten schools and the
same number of teachers for them in this
township, and they are attended by 173 schol-
ars.
The school directors for 1914 are: Jesse
Hunselman, J. G. Rishel, S. R. Howell, Cyrus
Hartline, Jacob Welliver.
POPULATION
The population of this township in 1820 was
1,330; in 1830, 1,554; in 1840, 1,700; in 1850,
714; in i860, 1,146; in 1870, 1,090; in 1880,
1,077; in 1890, 1,072; in 1900, 1,025; i" 1910,
909.
CHAPTER XXIX
MAIN TOWNSHIP
^
Previous to 1799 Main township was in-
cluded in the territory of Catawissa township.
For nearly fifty years thereafter part was in-
cluded in Mifflin township and the balance still
remained in Catawissa. In January, 1844, the
township was formed with its present boun-
daries, that on the north being the Susque-
hanna and the southern limit being defined
by the towering height of Catawissa moun-
tain.
Along the river runs a bold hill which hems
in the Pennsylvania railroad, giving it scarce
room for one track ; to the east rises the crest
of Nescopeck mountain ; to the southwest lies
the Catawissa range, and between the two
Catawissa creek forces a passage with much
violence and many turns of its course. Prob-
ably one half of the territory of this division
of Columbia county is given up to nature, owing
to the abruptness of the hills and valleys.
It was while this region was known as
Augusta township and was included in Berks
county that the first permanent settlers ap-
peared within its limits. In 1 709 Saijiuel John
emigrated from Wales and settled in Uwch-
land, Chester Co., Pa. His son Samuel re-
moved from there to Exeter, Berks county, and
from that place in 1772 his son, Isaac John,
with his wife Margaretta came to the valley
of Catawissa. having previously purchased
three hundred acres of land here. During the
summer of 1778 they were twice compelled to
leave their farm for fear of Indian, depreda-
tions, and they endured many other hard-
ships incidental to pioneer life. They occupied
a log cabin a story and a half high, the door
being in the roof and reached by ladders with-
in and without. It is a well attested fact that
a family of ten children was brought up in this
humble and scarcely comfortable habitation.
Among those who followed Isaac John and
settled farther up the creek were Peter and
John Klingaman, both of whom located at the
site of Mainville. Jacob Gearhart settled on
the hill above, Jacob Bower on a tract nearer
the river, and a few others from the lower
counties came l^efore 180S, the Reading road
through the gap made by Catawissa creek
being their route of travel.
INDUSTRIES
The principal industry of this township in
the past was the manufacture of iron and its
products. In 181 5 the first charcoal iron fur-
nace in Columbia county was built south of
the site of the present village of Mainville by
John Hauck. The advantages of the location
were the proximity to the Reading road, the
abundance of fuel, and the supply of ore in
the bogs of Locust mountain, near where the
town of Centralia now stands. Later on some
of the ore was obtained from around Light
Street. The pig iron was at first sent to Read-
ing to be manufactured, but in a short time
Hauck began to cast stoves and plows, many
of which are still in existence, one stove in
particular serving at this late date to warm the
old Quaker meetinghouse at Catawissa.
In 1826 Harley & Evans built a forge on
the creek below the furnace, where the Kester
mill is now, which was operated by them until
1854, when Rudolph Shuman became owner.
FVom 1863 to 1883 it was operated by C. E.
Pennock & Co., of Coatsville. The last one
to operate it was Charles Reichart.
One year before he built the furnace John
Hauck had taken advantage of the abundant
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
247
waterpower to build a mill on the banks of
Catawissa creek. In 183 1 Abraham Creesmer
was the proprietor, and also operated the fur-
nace. The mills on the old site at present are
of modern design and are operated by Jere-
miah Kester.
The Mainville Roller Mills, of which D. W.
Shuman is the proprietor, are located on the
creek between the two railroad bridges. The
mill was built soon after the Hauck mill, is
three stories high and in a good state of preser-
vation. Many additions and improvements
have been added in the past years, the roller
process superseding the old method of milling
in 1885. John M. Nuss & Son operated the
mill from 1876 to the date of Shuman's pur-
chase.
Mainville was at one time a thriving village,
having the furnace and two mills, the forge,
three stores and two hotels. Part of this pros-
perity came from the building of the Cata-
wissa railroad, between 1832 and 1838. Many
parts of the line were graded and the high
trestle bridge over the creek and gap between
Nescopeck and Catawissa mountains was con-
structed at a great cost. The work ceased un-
til 1853, when it was resumed, but the entire
structure had rotted, necessitating its com-
plete rebuilding. This gave more work for
local contractors, and a few years later the
Danville, Hazleton & Wilkes-Barre railroad
added to the temporary prosperity of the town
while in process of construction. Both of these
roads now have tall steel bridges across the
ravine and creek, the Reading (or Catawissa)
railroad structure being directly over the old
one, the piers of stone still standing in fair
condition, but not supporting the new work in
any way.
The "Shuman Hotel" was owned by that
family for a century. It is no longer a public
house.
The "Mainville Hotel" is an old-fashioned,
roomy structure in the lower part of the town
and has a reputation for good service and
ample accommodations. It has been kept by
Boyd R. Yetter for many years. W. M. Long-
enberger is postmaster, and also has a store
here. Another merchant is A. F. Deaner. P.
O. S. of A. Camp No. 484 has a fine brick
meeting hall here. There is also a new frame
high school in the town.
There are but three veterans of the Civil
war now living in Mainville : William Utt,
Henry Bredbender and Martin Van Buren
Kostenbauder.
RELIGIOUS
The oldest religious societies in Main town-
ship are the Lutheran and the Reformed. In
1813 they built a log church on the cross-
roads north of Mainville, calling it Fisher's
church, from one of the farmers who donated
the ground for the building and cemetery. The
second church upon this site was a frame, built
in 1833. The third church, still in use, was a
brick one, built in 1877. It was badly dam-
aged by a storm in 1896 (the Lutherans had
previously sold their share to the Reformed
congregation and built a home of their own
just north of the town). Frank Shuman do-
nated the land and a frame building was
erected in 1888, being dedicated in the follow-
ing year. The cost was $4,300.
The donors of the ground upon which the
successive union churches were built were
Henry Fisher, Peter Bowman and John Neuss.
The Lutherans organized in 1822 and their
pastors to the present time have been : Revs.
John Benninger, Jeremiah Schindel, William
.1. Ever, W. G. Laitzle, L. Lindenstreuth, J. H.
Neiman, W. E. Roney and C. F. Dry. The
parish of Mainville now includes the churches
of Mifflinville, Mainville and Beaver Valley,
Rev. C. F. Dry having charge of them and re-
siding in the parsonage at Mifflinville. The
Mainville Church is now called Emmanuel's.
The membership is 125 and the Sunday school
has forty-five attendants.
The storm or cyclone which struck the union
church in 1896 blew in the gable and so dam-
aged it that the congregation had it torn down.
The Lutherans having sold their interest in
the building, the Reformed congregation sold
the remains of the brick church and in 1896
erected a frame church building a short dis-
tance north of the site of the old one, at a
cost of $2,500.
The membership of this church in 1914 is
138, and there are fifty children in the Sunday
school. The present pastor, Rev. R. Ira Gass,
resides in Mainville. His predecessors from
the first were Revs. A. J. Tobias, A. R. Hot-
tenstein, Philip Steerv, G. B. Dechant, Lutin
Fetterolf, Charles H. Matchler, J. Alvin Reber,
Alfred J. Herman, Frederick A. Cook. The
officers of the church are: J. B. Nuss. S. C.
Beaele, M. M. Geiger, A. F. Deaner, Charles
B. Hawk, Peter Beagle, Henry Whitenite, D.
M. Miller.
Prior to 1S80 the Methodists held services
in the schoolhouse at Mainville and were in-
cluded in the Mifflinville circuit. In that year
a committee was appointed at the second quar-
248
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
terly conference of the church to erect a house
of worship. John W. Shuman donated the
ground and in October, 1881, the work was
begun. The building, a frame, was dedicated
in 1882, Rev. C. L. Benscoter being pastor at
the time. His successors were Revs. John W.
Horning and J. K. Deaver. The present pas-
tor, Rev. J. W. McAlarney, resides at Mifflin-
ville, being also pastor of the church at that
place.
SCHOOLS
When this township was included in the
limits of Catawissa the school children were
compelled to attend the "springhouse" school
in the western part of that township. About
the year 1820 a school was opened by Jacob
Gensel in George Fleming's carding mill on
Scotch run, southeast of Mainville. In 1824
John Watts opened a school in a log building
near the Fisher church. When that church
was abandoned for the new one beside it the
school was removed to the rejected building,
which was fitted up for the purpose and used
until the establishment of the public school
system. Daniel Krist was another of the teach-
ers in this school.
During the year 1886 five teachers were
employed in the schools of this township at an
average salary of $30 per month. At present
there are six schools in the township, attended
by 114 scholars. The rest of the statistics
regarding these schools may be found in the
chapter on schools of the county. The present
school directors are: B. R. Yetter, Miles J.
Fisher, D. W. Huntzleman, F. A. Shuman, S.
I. Goodman.
POPULATION
The population of Main township in 1850
was 581 ; in i860, 529; in 1870, 601 ; in 1880,
626; in 1890, 595; in 1900, 652; in 1910, 567.
CHAPTER XXX
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP— MIFFLINVILLE
This township was erected in 1799, during
the last term of Thomas Mifflin, one of the
signers of the Constitution of the United
States, and governor of Pennsylvania from
1788 to 1799. It was one of the two divisions
of the county of Columbia at the date of its
formation, and was reduced to its present di-
mensions by the erection of Main and Beaver
townships in 1844 and 1845. The northern
boundary of this township is the Susquehanna,
and the crest of Nescopeck mountain on the
south forms a long and complete natural bar-
rier between this and Beaver township.
The date of the first settlement of this sec-
tion cannot be accurately determined ; there
were some families here in 1779, one of which
was murdered by the Indians, their more for-
tunate neighbors fleeing across the river to
Fort Jenkins for safety. The last Indian trag-
edy in this section occurred in 1785, when a
family of three was murdered on the "Mifflin
flats." Their names have never been ascer-
tained.
Among the first settlers of this township was
Nicholas Angle (or Engle), who located on
Ten-mile run, southwest of the present town
of Mifflinville. This run obtained its name
from the fact that it marks the ten-mile post
on the hill road to Catawissa. Paul Gruver
made a settlement at the same time near the
base of Nescopeck mountain, and in the same
neighborhood Thomas Aten and Jacob Schwep-
penheiser also located. The latter built the
first sawmill in the township on a branch of
Ten-mile run. On the ridge above this stream
were the Creasys, the Kirkendalls and John
and David Brown. John Brown, in 1793,
located in the valley of the creek on a tract
of four hundred acres, purchased by his father
for $12 an acre. This tract included the site
of the present gristmill and the Frymire and
Snyder farms. Other old families in this sec-
tion, who came here some time later, were the
Koder, Bowman, Kern, Hartzell, Mosteller,
Zimmerman and Mensinger families, most of
whom were from Berks county.
INDUSTRIES
The second oldest gristmill in the county was
built soon after the Wyoming massacre by
John Brown, great-grandfather of J. C. Brown,
postmaster of Bloomsburg from 1902 to 1914.
The mill was operated bv a long line of Browns
— John, Samuel, William, Freas and John.
The present owner is P. A. Fetterolf. This
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
249
mill has changed but little since its erection
and still has the long wooden flume running
from the side of the hill to the second story of
the building. At one time a 22-foot overshot
wheel operated the machinery, but since 1881
a turbine has furnished the power. The mill
is three stories in height, and has three runs
of buhrs, with a capacity for grinding one
hundred bushels of buckwheat per day. This
is now the only mill in the township in regu-
lar operation.
Another mill was erected on Ten-mile run
in 1869 by George Nungesser, who ran it till
1881, when his son William J. took charge.
It is three stories high and 36 by 45 feet in
size. The mill about a mile north of this one,
on the same stream, was built about the same
time by Peter Yohe, father of J. R. Yohe, who
also ran a sawmill for a time. Both of these
mills were for buckwheat alone. The Yohe
mill was burned some years ago. The Nun-
gesser mill is still occasionally operated.
On the eastern border of the town stood the
tannery and brickyard of Freeze & Smith,
which flourished during the period of the
town's prosperity, but are now in a state of
dilapidation and disuse. Southeast of town
is the large brick plant of the Nanticoke Brick
Company, which was built to produce common
red brick, but after the discovery of a fine
stratum of shale in 191 3 the plant was altered
to make paving brick. Some of the product
has been used on the streets of Bloomsburg
and Berwick. There are three kilns in opera-
tion.
In 19 14 the Creasy Brick Company was
chartered by Oden R. Lewis, Samuel W. Gil-
lam, James T. Brennan and James L. Reilly,
with a capital of $75,000. They began in that
year the erection of a large paving brick plant
and acquired leases of the B. D. Freas, Robin-
holt and George S. Miller farms.
MIFFLINVILLE
This most beautiful and admirably located
village was laid out in 1794 by John Kunchel
(Kunkle) and William Rittenhouse, on the
"flats" almost in the center of the township,
upon the banks of the Susquehanna, directly
opposite a cleft in the Montour ridge on the
northern side of that stream. The original
draft of the town's charter described it as
"situate on the south side of the river Susque-
hanna, opposite three islands (now gone) in
Catawissa township, Northumberland county
(of which it was then a part), about thirty
miles above Sunbury, and the same distance
below W'ilkes-Barre.'
The last part of this description reveals the
motive of the proprietors in founding the town.
The erection of Northumberland county in
1772, and of Luzerne in i/Sb, with their seats
of justice sixty miles apart, made it probable
that the formation of a county from adjacent
parts of each would eventually be necessary;
so these enterprising founders took time by the
forelock and built for the future, w'ith the de-
sire of capturing tiie county seat. This de-
sire, however, failed of accomplishment. At
one time it was hoped to secure the location
of the Columbia county courthouse here, but
it was merely a suggestion of disgruntled poli-
ticians and had no effect on the final decision.
In 1808 an unsuccessful effort was made to
induce the projectors of the Mauch Chunk and
Towanda turnpike to locate its course through
the town, but the inducements were insufficient.
On a later map of this State by Reading Howell
this turnpike is traced through Mifllinville (or
Miftlinburg, as it was then called). This was
but an error of the maker of the map, however.
In laying out the town the founders were
most generous in the matter of streets and
alleys. Front street was laid out one mile in
length and the town plat extended the same
distance to the rear. The streets were named
in a systematic manner, and a space of great
size reserved for the projected courthouse
and public square. All of the streets are wide,
Market and Third being 132 feet across. Ten
corner lots on Fourth street were reserved for
houses of worship, the title remaining in the
corporation, with a perpetual lease to occu-
pants. Two lots were set aside on Third street
for German and English colleges, which failed
to materialize.
The first house in the village was built by
Peter Yohe, who came from Berks county. It
stood on a lot adjoining the present "Creasy
Hotel." He must have come from the home
county at an early date, as he was obliged the
first year to go to Wilkes-Barre for corn, his
crop having not yet matured. Other old
houses were those of John Reynolds, Christian
Kunchel and Michael Wehr, located respective-
ly on Race and Third, Market, between Front
and Second, and Front, above Market, streets.
Matthias Heller built the first tavern on Front
street, to cater to the trade of the river rafts-
men. Later another public house was built by
Jacob Harman, who opened the first store in
the township. The first regular physician to
locate in the town was Dr. Clement Millard,
of Philadelphia, in 1825.
250
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The first iron plow in tlie county was
brought to Mitriinville by Samuel Smitn, who
had It made for him in his native city of Bal-
timore. He located at the eastern edge of the
town soon after its founding.
The building of the "North Branch canal"
might have greatly helped the town had there
been any convenient and rapid method of com-
munication with the opposite shore. For many
years ferries had been operated at this point,
but the shallow stages of water, alternated by
freshets and ice gorges, made the Susquehanna
an unreliable means of communication. Efforts
were then made to have a bridge erected across
the river, but the project failed by a small
margin to receive iinancial backing. This dis-
heartened the proprietors of the village, and
they ceased to supervise the affairs of the com-
munity. The result was that many lots were
occupied without warrant or purchase, and
the titles of many at the present time are based
solely on "squatter rights." Many of the resi-
dents also encroached- on the wide streets,
alleys and squares, the result being that in
manj places there was hardly passageway for
a single vehicle. The old spirit of civic pride
was not lost, however, and in 1835 a meeting
of thirty-one citizens was held to discuss the
propriety of opening the streets. Capt. S. B.
M. Yants was called to the chair, and Benja-
min Seidle was appointed secretary. A town
committee was elected for six years and em-
powered to take measures to resurvey the
town, rent the public lots and call all necessary
meetings of the citizens. This committee con-
sisted of John Keller, S. B. M. Yants, Ben-
jamin Seidle, Samuel Harman and Charles
Hess. Though never regarded as a legally
constituted body, these town committees were
never opposed in their actions.
The work of resurvey was given to Ezra E.
Hayhurst and so well did he accomplish the
duty that the original plans of the founders
were practically duplicated. Thus the village
was again given the proud title of chief among
the many lovely towns of eastern Pennsylvania.
The resurvey was accomplished in but five
days.
An old magazine published in 1847 states
that "Mifflinburg" then contained about thirty
dwellings, several stores and taverns, a Luth-
eran and a Methodist church. At that period
the tanneries were the only industries of the
villasje. With no facilities for transportation
until the construction of the North and West
Branch railroad, Mifflinville has never offered
anv inducements for the location of indus-
tries, and after that road was built the greater
attractions of the larger towns to the east
and west diverted any projected manufac-
tories or mills. In 1855 a small powder mill
was opened in the town by Matthew Brown
and Samuel Snyder, to supply the nearby coal
mines. The mill was blown up three days
after its opening, but rebuilt and operated as
long as the mines were operated m Beaver
township.
The station of the Pennsylvania railroad
here is called Creasy, owing to the similarity
of the town's name to another on the same line
of railroad. The bridge here was built in
1907 and a description of it will be found in
the chapter devoted to bridges and rivers.
There are but three survivors of the Mex-
ican war in Pennsylvania and Mifilinville has
the honor of being the home of one of them,
John S. Myers, who served as a marine in the
bombardment and capture of \'era Cruz in
1847. In 1914 he is ninety-five years old —
the oldest man in the town, and one of the
liveliest. Post No. 59, G. A. R., of Berwick,
has twelve members living at this time in
Mifflinville.
The town committee for 1914 consists of
Samuel J. Keller and C. Whitney Hess, who
hold office indefinitely.
RELIGIOUS
The Lutheran and Reformed congregations
were the first to avail themselves of the gen-
erous donations of the founders of Mifflin-
ville. In 1809 articles of agreement for the
erection of a union church at Race and Third
street's were signed. The building was begun
the same year, but not completed until 1813.
In January, 1882, the union between the two
congregations was dissolved, the Lutherans
preparing to build a home of their own, the
dedication of which took place in December,
1883. This building is the one standing at
present opposite the site of the first union
church. It was remodeled in 1892 and is now-
valued at $3,000. The parsonage adjoining is
valued at $2,800.
The Lutheran congregation was organized
in 180Q as St. John's by Rev. J. P. F. Kramer.
Previous to that time the Lutherans had been
occasionally served by Rev. Mr. Shelhardt, one
of the pioneer pastors of the Susquehanna val-
ley. The successive pastors of this congrega-
tion since Kramer have been Revs. Barnitz,
Kessler, T- Schindel, Isaiah Bahl, W. B. Fox,
S. S. Henry, Thomas Steck, J. P. German,
W. E. Roney. and the present incumbent. Rev.
C. F. Dry. The membership of the church is
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
251
i66 and the Sunday school has 128 attend-
ants. Before i8yo the services here were held
every four weeks, the German and English
languages being used alternately.
For a time after the separation the Reformed
congregation worshipped in the old church,
calling it St. Matthew's, but in 1887 erected
the present building, a frame, similar in de-
sign to the brick Lutheran church directly op-
posite. Among the lirst pastors of this con-
gregation were Revs. Dieffenbach, Shellhamer,
and Hoffman. Following were Revs. A. J.
Tobias, A. R. Hottenstinc, I'hilip Steery, G.
B. Dechant, Lutin Fetterolf, Charles H.
Matchler, J. Alvin Reber, Alfred J. Herman,
Frederick A. Cook, and the present pastor,
Rev. R. Ira Gass, who took charge June 12,
1910. The present congregation numbers but
thirty-eight, and there is no Sunday school.
During the winter of 1859-60 a division of
the Lutheran Church in the western part of
the State on doctrinal lines caused a like dis-
sension in Mifflinville, and a number of mem-
bers separated, forming an English Church
under the control of the General Synod, the
main body being, as now, under the charge of
the General Council. The seceding members
built a brick church on the public square and
were served successively by Revs. E. A. Shar-
retts, Henry R. Fleck, David Truckenmiller,
William E. Krebs, M. \'. Shadow and J. E. F.
Hassinger. After having been disused for a
number of years the church building in 1914
was converted into an amusement hall by the
young people of the town, who have repaired
and refitted it, with a stage and folding seats.
Methodist services here were first held in
the home of Samuel Brown, and when the
number of attendants grew too large, in the
barn of Henry Bowman. In 1819 Samuel
Brown built a small frame house near his
private burying ground, for a chapel. It was
small in size, and had a gallery around three
sides, which could be reached only by a lad-
der, for the young people. The pulpit re-
sembled a bird's nest and was affixed to the
wall some distance above the floor. It was
a tight fit for the portly form of Rev. Marma-
duke Pearce, who had to ascend to his perch
by a small ladder. During the years follow-
ing 1 83 1 a frame church was built in Mifflin-
ville on the present site and used by the con-
gregation, and in 1861 the present large brick
church was erected. Since then it has been
improved until its value now is over $4,000.
The old "Brown" church was torn down in
1862.
The early pastors of this church were those
of the Danville district, and later it was served
by those having the dift'erent charges and cir-
cuits of which mention is made in the chapter
on religion. Since 1905 the pastors have been
Revs. J. W. Worley, £. J. Symons and the
present pastor. Rev. J. W. McAlarney. The
present membership of the church is 200, of
which sixty-four have been added since Rev.
Mr. McAlarney's coming by a revival in 1913.
The Sunday school has a membership of 235.
The trustees of the Methodist Church are
F. K. Smoyer, R. W. Smith, George B. Keller,
S. J. Keller, J. W. Creasy, A. F. Fedder. The
stewards are B. E. Ervin, F. K. Smoyer, R.
W. Smith, George B. Keller, S. J. Keller, S.
E. Ruckle, Rash Wintersteen, Jerd Winter-
steen, James Hoglan. The president of the
Ladies' Aid Society is Miss Hattie Hutchens,
and Robert Miller is, president of the Epworth
League. The superintendent of the Sunday
school is B. E. Ervin.
Zion Evangelical church was at one time
located in the southwestern part of the town-
ship, near the Yohe mill, but is now gone.
The Hetlerville Lutheran church, about a
mile south of Mifflinville, is now out of use,
but at one time had a thriving congregation.
Mrs. J. Bringenberger keeps the store here.
THE ORPn.\NAGE
One mile south of Mifflinville on a command-
ing hill is located the orphanage of the Patri-
otic Order Sons of America and Patriotic
Order of Americans. The building is of con-
crete block construction, with wide porches, is
three stories high, and was dedicated in May,
1909. The orphanage is supported by the
camps of the State, Columbia county being one
of the strongest in membership of an}- division
of Pennsylvania. The order includes men and
women in its ranks, and most of the camps in
this county have homes of their own. Camp No.
6S4 of Mifflinville having a fine two-story brick
hall in the heart of the town.
The chief occupation of the Miffiinville town
committee is the care of the old cemetery in
the center of the town plat, with its roofed-
over stone wall and ancient tombstones. The
inhabited part of the town is located on two
long streets, while the balance of the plat is
devoted to truck gardens. The storekeepers
of the town are J. R. Berninger, J- W. Creasy,
E. R. Eisenhower, P. E. Housenick, W. H.
Kelchner, H. G. Miller, George S. Miller. The
only hotel is kept by C. M. Creasy, and the
barber shop by A. E. Harvey. The village
blacksmith is f. H. Bastencheck.
252
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
SCHOOLS
In the year 1794 a school was opened by
David Jones in a hut among the scrub oak
and pine trees below Mifflinville, on the land
of Christian Wolf. The alphabet was taught
by means of letters inscribed by the teacher
on a shingle, there being then no books on
school subjects available. Soon after a school
building was erected where the Lutheran
church now stands. The present schoolhouse
is located on the adjoining lot.
At present there are ten schools in this town-
ship, with 264 scholars in attendance. The
school directors are : Samuel Keller, R. H.
Mowery, Harvey Slusser, J. H. Eisenhauer,
Aaron Wolf.
POPULATION
The population of Mifflin township in 1820
was 1,492; in 1830, 1,791; in 1840, 2,143; in
1850, 1,024; in i860, 1,021; in 1870, 1,043; '"
1880, 1,038; in 1890, 1,022; in 1900, 1,043; in
1910, 1,142.
CHAPTER XXXI
MONTOUR TOWNSHIP
Bearing the same name as the county beside
it, Montour township lies in the sharpest bend
of the Susquehanna in its meanderings through
Columbia county. The river here has ample
reason to bend. In ancient geological years
the stream had a straight course through what
is now called "Dutch valley" and pursued this
way to the vicinity of Danville. But an obsta-
cle was encountered at the site of Rupert in
the shape of Fishing creek, which semiannually
poured a flood of water and debris into the
river at right angles to its course. Ages passed
and the mound of gravel slowly choked the
river, which in desperation turned to the south-
ward and aided by some upheaval of the strata
that cleft a breach in the lofty hill carved a
new course, which poured the waters of both
streams past Catawissa and diverted the entire
flow of the river into a great loop. This "plug"
of gravel and sand is plainly seen along the
west bank of the creek and forms a high ridge,
in which for more than fifty years the sur-
rounding towns have found an inexhaustible
supply of building materials.
The bluff below Rupert is an attractive ex-
ample of stratified rocks and there a complete
story of the geology of the county can be read
in God's own book. This is one of the scenic
spots of the county and is the resort of tourists
from all parts of the State.
SETTLEMENT
The first comers to this township were from
Berks and Northampton counties and their
nationality gave the name to Dutch valley. The
Ruperts came first, bringing their wagons and
all the household goods by way of the Reading
road and Catawissa, ferrying across the river
to the spot where Rupert stands. Leonard
Rupert did not long remain in the first rude
cabm of logs he had erected on his arrival, but
reached out into the future and built him a
home of three rooms in 1788, occupying it for
thirty years; it still stands beside the more pre-
tentious "Paxton" home. Rupert had the land
from his father-in-law, Michael Bright, who
had it from John Spohn, he in turn having ob-
tained his patent from the proprietaries in 1769.
Among those who followed Rupert were the
Tucker, Frey, Dietterich, Blecker, Hittle and
Leiby families, most of whom went on into
Dutch valley, since Rupert's land included all
the available soil in the angle of the creek, river
and mountain.
This section of the county was at first amply
supplied with the news of the outside world,
being on the main line between Sunbury and
Wilkes-Barre. Travelers took the ferry over
Fishing creek and passed west up Dutch valley
to the regions of IDanville and Sunbury, thus
leaving Catawissa to the south. The route to
Reading through the latter town also drew
travelers across the river ferry to Rupert. Thus
the town caught the travelers "going and
coming." This stream of traffic was foreseen
by Rupert, who opened a tavern here at an
early date, and his rooms have held some of
the famous men of the different periods since
the opening of this region. The first ferry
here was established by William Hughes, who
was succeeded by a Mr. Clark. Both objected
to the toll charged by Rupert for running the
ferry on his landSj so Rupert started one of
his own, and, of course, soon absorbed the
others.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
253
Iln 1829 the "North Branch" canal was built mines were located on Little Fishing creek,
and for a time affected the traffic of the stage- had some time before 1871 endeavored to make
coach. The work of running the canal along paint from the refuse of the works. In that
the hills and across the creek was of sufficient year they removed this department to Rupert
magnitude to employ the labors of many men to avail themselves of the shipping facilities,
for two years, and of course Rupert profited and the firm of Reay & Drehr took over the
thereby — that is, the town as well as the man. work. But ten days had elapsed after the
The opening of the canal caused such a rapid building of the factory here when fire destroyed
growth of the town and the near country as it. However, it was immediately rebuilt and
; to cause a congestion in the schools. The ran successfully for some years, but thefinan-
I people vainly tried to secure adequate schools cial depression of 1885 caused it to close, and
from the officials of Hemlock township, so in after selling off the stock on hand the business
1837 they separated from the parent division was discontinued in 1890.
and formed the township of Montour. The traffic on the canal and the industries
In the summer of 1853 the railroad bridge above mentioned caused much transient trade
across the river was begun, and in September, to pass through the town, and this was catered
1854, the first train came into Rupert. The to by the "Rupert House," kept by W. R.
Catawissa, Williamsport iS: Erie Railroad Com- Tubbs, and the "Montour Hotel," of which M.
j pany opened an office here in that year and Dougherty was the proprietor. The former
j Wesley Fleming was appointed the first freight stood near the railroad depot, and the "Mon-
agent at Rupert, retaining the position for fifty tour Hotel" was located on the canal basin,
I years, until retired by the company on a pen- opposite the coal office of Paxton & Harman.
sion. He died about 1908. The latter buildings were incinerated in the
For some years the passengers for Blooms- fire which destroyed the powder keg factory,
burg took a stage at Rupert for the balance of Two stores, and a blacksmith shop kept by
the journey, but in 1857 the Lackawanna & James Quick, were the limit of the smaller in-
Bloomsburg road was opened to Rupert and dustries in the past as well as the present,
for some months was the southern terminus. Quick has been the village smith for many
Later it was extended to Northumberland. As years.
the only railroad point north of the river Besides the establishments already noted,
Rupert then became a place of importance, Rupert at the time of its prosperity comprised
although when the first road was opened it was about twenty-five houses, a store, two hotels,
simply a settlement of a few houses. After the marble works and the coal office on the
that time it grew quite rapidly. This came canal,
about partly through the advent of many in
dustries, drawn here by the fine shipping facil
ities.
INDUSTRIES
The stores at Rupert are conducted by I. M.
Betz, the postmaster, and Arthur Roberts.
The "Rupert Hotel" is owned by Harry J.
Mensch. A. J. Duck is the local coal dealer,
and there is a store at the north end of the
The first result of the traffic enlargement of Catawissa bridge operated by R. B. Grimes &
Rupert was the establishment, in 1861, by Co. Rupert is now simply a railroad junction,
Isaac S. Monroe, a lumberman of Catawissa, without industries. In its palmy days Paxton
of a factory for the manufacture of powder & Harman conducted an extensive wholesale
kegs for the Dupont Powder Company, of grocerv and provision business there.
Wapwallopen. Pa., and Wilmington, Del. In At the eastern end of the town and in the
1866 his son, Washington M. Monroe, was ad- ^ngle of the roads leading to the old covered
mitted as partner, and in 1879 the death of bridge across Fishing creek is the home of
the father placed the works entirely mthecon- ^ ^ g^^j formerly the Paxton residence,
trol of the son. The factory turned out ninety ^^ old-fashioned brick building, but supplied
thousand 25-pound kegs m a year valued at ^i^h all modern conveniences. It is surrounded
$20,000, and gave emplovment to eleven men. , . 1 1, 1 , j ^^ j -...i.
It was located beside the canal locks, over the ^7 spacious and well kept lawns dotted with
spillway, from which it took power to run an ancient and lofty shade trees and beautified by
overshot wheel in summer. In winter, when ornamental plants and flower beds. Beside the
the canal was emptied, the power came from a dwelling is an ancient log building, the iden-
steam engine. After many years of success tical one in which Miss Harriet Rupert held the
fire destroyed the plant, and it was not rebuilt, first school. In the corner of the lawn near the
The Susquehanna Slate Company, whose creek is a stone and wood springhouse, vine-
254
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
draped and venerable, which adds beauty to an
already charming ensemble.
Many residents of Bloomsburg now staid
and gray recall with pleasure the social fetes
that were given in the past by Mr. Lloyd Pax-
ton, sometimes in the mansion and sometimes
on the illuminated lawn^ — all events of delight-
ful memories.
Just across the creek from Rupert and within
the boundaries of the town of Bloomsburg,
although apparently far from that thriving
town, is the "Aqueduct Mill," built by Lloyd
Paxton two years before the construction of
the canal, and subsequently owned by George
W. Keiter, whose death put it upon the
market in 1914. This mill has never lacked
for waterpower, being fed from a large dam
in Fishing creek some distance above. The
water is carried under the old canal and oper-
ates two turbines of 58 inches diameter each.
The head of water is 8>4 feet, and the capacity
of the mill, which is fitted with the modern
roller process, is seventy-five barrels of flour
daily.
Near the mill is what is known as the Reu-
ben Hess farm, which was purchased by Mr.
Keiter some years ago and now is owned by
the Guernseydale Stock and Fruit Farms, a
corporation engaged in the dairy business,
farming, raising Guernsey cattle and Duroc-
Jersey swine, and fruit.
Outside of Rupert there is little to tell of in
the township. The iron mines and lime kilns,
in the northern part, constituted the only im-
portant industry. William Neal & Sons owned
them at first. Since the exhaustion of the iron
ore the limestone is the only source of revenue
from the property. There are a number of
other small limekilns in operation along Mon-
tour ridge on the farms of the owners.
The "White" mill, near the mouth of Hem-
lock creek, was built by James Barton, son of
Isaiah, about 1842. In its construction were
used some of the longest timbers found in
any mill in the county. Water was taken from
a dam below the tailrace of the "Red" mill to
operate two 15-foot overshot wheels. Caleb
Barton, brother to James, took charge of this
mill in 1882, introduced the roller system and
replaced the old wheels with two turbines, of
35 and 45 horsepower. He also changed the
name to "Montour Mills." Since his time the
mill has been run by Thomas J. Barton, Elisha
Drieshbach, George W. Keiter and the pres-
ent owner, .\lfred Girton. Mr. Girton has
followed milling all of his life and is constantly
making improvements to the plant. In 1914
he placed a concrete wall around the entrance
of the race, to prevent danger of washing.
CHURCHES
Religious worship had its inception in the
hrst frame schoolhouse at Rupert, services be-
ing held there by pastors of the Bloomsburg
churches until 1884. From 1869 to 1872 Revs.
Bowersox, Irvin, Shuneberger and Hertz con-
ducted Evangelical services there.
The first Methodist sermon in Rupert was
delivered in the home of James Famsworth by
Rev. Mr. Creever, of Bloomsburg, in 1870. In
September, 1884, the cornerstone of the Meth-
odist church at Rupert was laid by Rev. G. W.
Stevens, pastor at Buckhorn. It was com-
pleted in the following winter. It is the only
church in the township, and is now served by
Rev. George Martin.
Lazarus Lutheran Church, just over the line
in Montour county, serves the people of the
western part of this township. At present
there are no church services held in any part
of the township, the nearness of the towns of
Catawissa and Bloomsburg rendering the main-
tenance of local churches difficult.
SCHOOLS
The first school in the township was held in
a frame shanty once occupied by the contrac-
tors who built the canal. Harriet Rupert was
the first teacher here, in 1831, but soon re-
moved her class to a log house on her father's
land nearby. Later a schoolhouse was built
on the west side of the railroad, on a triangular
piece of land donated by Leonard Rupert. The
present school building, the third on the site,
occupies the old position of the first one built
for school purposes exclusively.
At present there are four schoolhouses,
housing 122 scholars, in Montour township.
One is at Rupert, one at the settlement called
"Battletown," and the other two at the eastern
and western ends of the Danville road.
The school directors of Montour township
Frank Hagenbuch, Henry Hummel,
are:
Isaac Whitenight,
Rechel.
Francis Leibv, William
POPUL.\TION
The population of Montour township in 1840
was 809; in 1850, 409; in i860, 485; in 1870,
624: in 1880. 662; in 1890, 638; in 1900, 618;
in 1910, 625.
CHAPTER XXXII
MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP
In 1818 this township was constructed from
portions of Bloom. Greenwood and Fishing-
creek townships. Il has never been a very
important division of the county, although a
good farming section. The little villages of
Canby, Welliversville and Mordansville have
never developed into sufficient size to be classed
as towns. The township was noted in the days
of settlement of the county for the abundance
of timber and the unfailing character of its
water supply.
Most of the settlers of this region were of
English descent, and natives of New Jersey.
They did not come until after the Revolution
and the settlement of the Indian troubles. The
first to arrive were Peter Eveland and Jacob
lime kilns in the southern portion were the limit
of industries, outside of Mordansville, in the
early sixties.
MORDANSVILLE
The sawmill of John Mordan, the first built
in the early days of settlement, gave this vil-
lage its name. For a time the place was a
thriving spot, due to the woolen mills built here
in 1856 by Joseph E. Sands and Thomas
Mather. In i860 Mr. Sands became sole pro-
prietor. At first the farmers brought their
wool to the mill to be carded, then spun and
wove the cloth at their homes, returning the
material to the mill to be fulled and pressed.
Later Mr. Sands installed the necessary looms
Force, the former locating near the site of and for many years did a fine trade with the
Welliversville, and 'the latter near the spot
where the Kitchen church was later built.
Adam Welliver came soon after and settled
between these first two arrivals, the spot being
afterwards called Welliversville in his honor.
Frederick Miller, a German from Northamp-
ton county, came some years later and settled
mining regions of the State. In 1881 he died
and his son, Charles L. Sands, took charge,
introduced improved machinery and increased
the capacity of the mills. In 1886 he took into
partnership William R. Hagenbuch and M. J.
Elder, calling the firm C. L. Sands & Co. In
1898 Mr. Elder retired, and in the year 1905
at the site of Canby, the post office established the mills were burned. They were never re-
here in 183 1 by him bearing at first his name — - built. The capacity of the mills had grown
Millertoivn. This office was for a time discon- from 6,000 to 25,000 pounds of wool per year,
tinned, but revived in 1873 under the name of Joseph E. Sands established the first store
Canby, from the gallant general whose death there and was the first postmaster, the office
occurred in the Civil war. This office is at being at first called Bear Run.
present replaced by the rural route. A dozen
houses, a Lutheran church and a schoolhouse
form the town in 1914. The first stone house
in the township, built by Philip Kistler, still
stands near the village. The present store-
keeper is A. M. Shultz.
John Kester located on the hill above Mor-
dansville, where many of his descendants now
reside. John Kitchen settled near Wellivers-
ville. The Vanderslices, Ikelers, Applemans,
Crawfords, Bittenbenders, Whites, Hartzells
and Howells were among the later arrivals.
At present the only industry in the little
village is the saw, shingle, planing and chop
mill of John V. Kline. It is run by steam.
The old Sands home has been converted into
a hotel, operated by Harry W. Johnson. Previ-
ous owners of the property were E. B. Hagen-
buch and, before him, Joseph E. Sands.
John McCaslin, a native of Missouri, opened
a store here in the old Frank Kindt home in
19 14. The village blacksmith is R. C. Kindt.
There is no post office here, the rural route
taking its place. The Susquehanna, Blooms-
George Van operated a small woolen mill for burg & Berwick railroad (now owned by the
a few years on a run in the eastern edge of Pennsylvania Railroad Company) runs
the township, and a number of sawmills and through the village.
255
256
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
CHURCHES
The Methodist churches in this township are
located on the old Mount Pleasant road, one
in the southern end and the other in the north,
near Wellivers. The former is called the
"White" church and the latter "Kitchen's"
church. Services were held in the schoolhouse
and in the home of Harman Kramer until "Kit-
chen's" church was built in 1859. "White's"
church was built in the year 1875. Some of
the first members of the latter church were the
White, Oman, Shipman, Melick and Hilbom
families.
The English Lutheran Church at Canby was
organized Nov. 18, 1859, in the Millertown
schoolhouse, by Rev. E. A. Sharretts, of Espy.
The church building was erected in 1861. It
is served by the pastor at Buckhorn, Rev. E. A.
Chamberlin.
SCHOOLS
All of the old schoolhouses of this township
were located on the Mount Pleasant road.
Peter Oman formed the first school in his
home and employed a teacher at his own ex-
pense, his neighbors' children as well as his
own being instructed. The first three school-
houses were built on the lands of Joseph Gil-
bert, Aaron Kester and Andrew Crouse. The
number of schools at present is eight, with the
same number of teachers, and there are 166
scholars in attendance.
The school directors of Mount Pleasant
township are : A. B. Kester, F. P. Davis,
Calvin Kressler, Charles Mordan, D. F. Fester.
P0PUL.\TI0N
The population of Mount Pleasant township
in 1820 was 637; in 1830, 715; in 1840, 609;
in 1850, 708; in i860, 776; in 1870, 750; in
1880, 760; in 1890, 786; in 1900, 722; in 1910,
647. This is a remarkable constant average
and evidences the pastoral occupation and con-
tented character of the inhabitants.
CHAPTER XXXIII
ORANGE TOWNSHIP— ORANGEVILLE BOROUGH
This township is the most centrally located
of the divisions of Columbia county north of
the Susquehanna river and is watered by Fish-
ing creek and its branch, Green creek. Knob
mountain rises abruptly on the east of Fishing
creek and continues unbroken for many miles
to the east. It is one of the highest of the ele-
vations in the county.
Orange was formed in 1840 from portions
of Bloom, Fishingcreek and Mount Pleasant
townships. Previous to that Bloomsburg was
the voting place for the Orange election dis-
trict, a most inconvenient arrangement.
SETTLEMENT
The earliest mention of this locality concerns
a tragic occurrence. The party of Indians who
captured Joseph Salmon in the year of 1780 in
passing through murdered a family who had
settled at the foot of Knob mountain. The
rangers who were following them buried the
mangled corpses on the east bank of the creek.
In 1885 these remains were plowed up in a
low spot far from the bank of Fishing creek,
the stream having in the interval shifted its
channel. Who the family were will never be
known, and these brave but unfortunate pio-
neers will pass into history among the unknown
heroes of our country's settlement.
Salmon states that the savages camped at
the junction of Green and Fishing creeks, and
m the morning two of them left, going towards
the east. Some hours later they returned with
their blankets filled with lead ore, which they
proceeded to melt. This caused later owners
of land hereabouts to prospect for lead, but
without success. The probability was that the
Indians obtained their ore from the hill north
of Lime Ridge, where galena is now mined in
small quantities.
In 1785 Abram Kline, his wife and family
of grown sons came to this section of the
county, and for the first year lived in their
wagons and tents. The first log house erected
bv their united efforts stood halfway between
Fishing and Green creeks on the land now
owned by George Welch. It was in good repair
in 1886, but was later torn down. Matthias,
Isaac and George Kline built cabins later on
the creeks above the one of the father. This
family is now one of the largest in the county,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
257
many of the descendants of the pioneers re-
siding on the lands owned by their forefathers.
The stone house built by Harnian Kline, near
Orangeville, in 1826, is still in tine condition.
It was not until 1796 that Abram Kline se-
cured a title to his land. The tract had been
surveyed for Hester Barton, who married Paul
Zantzniger, and from him the title was secured
by Kline. Other owners about this time were
George Cutts, William Montgomery, Cather-
ine Razor, Frederick Yuengling and Andrew
Krouse. The settlers who followed the Klines
and took up these lands were the Whites, Parks
and Culps, from New Jersey ; and George and
Frederick Rantz, James \'an Horn, the Neten-
bachs and the \Veremans, from Berks and
Northampton counties. Pa. In 1800 Peter
Blank and Andrew Larish came from New
Jersey, and Samuel Staddon from Lancaster
county. Pa. Ludwig Herring and the \'ance
and Patterson families came some years later.
INDUSTRIES
Before he had been in the county long Abram
Kline built a sawmill on Green creek, not far
from Laurel hill. It was abandoned after a
few years' use and is now completely obliter-
ated. Another mill was built by Henry Geiger
in early times on Fishing creek, west of the
present town of Orangeville. He sold it in
1822 to Jacob Seidle, and in 1845 Wesley Bow-
man bought it and completely rebuilt it. His
son, Henry, ran it till his death, and it is now
in the hands of Benjamin C. Bowman. Three
turbines, of 50 horsepower each, operate the
modern machinery of this mill, and the prod-
uct is a fine grade of wheat flour which sells
all over the county. The capacity of the mill
is fifty barrels of wheat and fifty barrels of
buckwheat flour daily.
OR.ANGEVILLE
This village is one of the most picturesque
in the county, and while not possessing any
pretentious dwellings, has many attractive and
homelike cottages, surrounded by trees and
flowers.
The town was laid out by Clemuel G. Rick-
etts, of Fairfield county, Ohio, who came
here in 1822. Noting the advantages of the
site for a village, he bought it from Henry
Dildine and other heirs of Andrew Dildine and
took possession of the house just vacated by
Harman Labour. This house and the farm-
house of Abraham Eveland were the only ones
on the site of Orangeville at the time. Ricketts
17
straightened the road and sold two lots to
Elisha Boone, who at once began the erection
of a house and tannery. He bought a stock of
goods from an Espy merchant and opened the
first store in the town in the same year that
it was founded. Ludwig Herring was em-
ployed to haul the goods for the store from
Philadelphia, yearly.
The third house was built by David Melick,
and at once occupied by Philip Snyder and
Solomon Siegfried, from Northampton county.
On the corner later owned by Alexander B.
Stewart. Ricketts built the next house, which
was occupied by David Fausey as an inn. A
few years later Ricketts built the brick hotel
now known as the "Orangeville Hotel." John
Unger, who came to Orangeville in 1824, built
many of the houses later erected here.
The name of the town was adopted at a
town meeting at the suggestion of the pro-
prietor, who said that as many of the resi-
dents had come from Orange county, N. Y.,
and Orange, N. J., it would please them to per-
petuate the name. So the town received the
name of Orangeville, about 1824.
A. B. Herring, son of Ludwig Herring, built
the first gristmill in the town. It was burned
in late years, and the site is now occupied by
the Conner electric light plant. The Boone
tannery was continued for many years. It
had a rival in the tannery of Miles A. Williams,
built in 1856. Both of these have been long
since abandoned. A distillery once occupied
the site of the present Methodist church.
One of the first undertaking establishments
in the county was opened here in 1853 by Al-
fred Howell. In 1855 James B. Harman be-
came proprietor and brought to the town the
first hearse. He also embarked in the manu-
facture of furniture. His successor is A. E.
Patterson.
Abraham Eveland. son of the first resident
on the site of the town, has been engaged in
shoemaking here for over twenty-five years.
M. S. Hayhurst has been repairing watches and
clocks for more than thirty years in Orange-
ville. His quaint sign has hung from its post
for almost that length of time.
The storekeepers in 19 14 are B. F. Quick,
Jerome B. DeLong, Perry DeLong, G. N.
Smith and G. S. Fleckenstine. The village
smith is J. C. Smith. The Orangeville Print-
ery is operated by F. M. Bowman, who does a
good business, but does not publish a paper.
The old "Centennial Hotel" was last run by
H. C. Conner, but its site is now occupied by
the Presbyterian church. The "Heckman
House" is managed by H. A. Shaffer. The
258
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
"Orangeville Hotel" is an old hostelry. It was
owned and conducted for many years by Sam-
uel irlagenbuch, and some time after his death
was sold by the heirs to C. H. Reice. In 1913
it passed into the hands of James Redline, the
present landlord.
The Sterling Shoe Company, owned by A. C.
Guinn and Irvni Roeder of Catawissa, was es-
tablished in Orangeville in 190S and employed
twenty men at one time. The plant was oper-
ated by electricity and manufactured children's
and misses' shoes. It closed in 1912.
The Conner Implement Works
One of the important manufacturing plants
in the county and for years the chief support
of the residents of Orangeville was the Conner
Agricultural Implement Works, which were
bumed in June, 1914.
Benjamin Hayhurst began the manufacture
of farming implements in his blacksmith shop
here and was succeeded in 1853 by William
Schuyler, who continued it for twenty years.
After passing through several hands the shop
was purchased in 1880 by W'hite & Conner,
who devoted their time entirely to making
wheelbarrows, harrows and bobsleds. In 1896
Mr. Conner assumed full control of the works,
and in 1909 he took into partnership his son
Gerald.
Mr. Conner bought the water right of the
old gristmill on the creek above town, and clear-
ing out the abandoned millrace, constructed a
concrete dam across Fishing creek, 212 feet
long, built a concrete powerhouse and installed
a 75-kilowatt generator, operated by a 55-
horsepower turbine. He developed the imple-
ment factory to a high degree, putting all of
his profits into it in the shape of buildings and
machinery. Ai the time of the fire it consisted
of six two-story buildings, housing a planing
mill, foundry, machine shop, blacksmith shop
and two warehouses. The products of this
plant were threshers, fodder cutters, wood
saws, springtooth harrows, Scotch harrows,
bobsleds and wheelbarrows. About thirty
men were employed and the prosperity of the
town to a great degree depended on that of
the works.
A peevish babv was the cause of its mother
awakening and discovering the fire. Mrs.
Harry Ebner awoke a little before four one
mornin-g in June, 1914. and noticing the blaze
roused her brother, Harry Williams. The
alarm was given to most of the residents of
Orangeville. For a time the bucket brigade
had a hard time preventing the total destruc-
tion of the town, but strong eft'orts finally con-
quered the Hames. F'our of the buildings,
containing all of the machinery e.xcept the
electric plant, and all of the stock on hand,
besides $5,000 worth of lumber, went up in
smoke, the total loss being almost 840,000,
with but little insurance. The fire was more
difticult to fight because of the darkness caused
by the breaking of a flywheel in the electric
plant the day before. This left the town in
darkness, as besides operating his factorj- Mr.
Conner supplied the town with lights.
.\fter the fire Mr. Conner at once cleaned
up the debris and erected concrete Ijuildings,
establishing the works on a firmer footing
than before. His water rights and location
are ideal and the workmen are firmly settled
in the town, so that rebuilding on the same site
was the logical thing, although he received
many advantageous offers from other towns.
The petition for the incorporation of Orange-
\ille was presented to the proper court in 1899
and in F'ebruary of the following year it was
made a borough. The election in that month
resulted as follows: .\. B. Herring, burgess;
C. I. Megargell, ]. B. Montgomery, C. B.
W'hite, J. B. DeL6ng, G. S. Fleckenstine, R.
Fister, J. W. Conner, councilmen; H. J. Con-
ner, ]. P.. Harman, justices ; G. L. Jolly, L. C.
Williams, H. B. Low, G. M. D. Herring, E. H.
-Sloan, school directors ; I. K. Dildine, .\. W.
Eveland. poor overseers. At that time there
were about ninety-one freeholders in the new
borough.
The present council of Orangeville is com-
posed of : E. W^ Coleman, burgess ; and O. P.
DeLong, .\. B. Herring, Joseph Fleckenstine,
P. H. Dildine. O. R. Henrie, C. W. Trump,
councilmen. F. H. Sloan is justice of the
peace.
POPULATION
The population of "Orangeville in 1847. 'Ac-
cording to an old history, was about two hun-
dred persons. At that date there were forty
houses in the town, several stores and two
taverns. In 1900 the census gave the town 439
inhabitants, and in 1910 one less than 400.
MEDICAL
The physicians who have been settled at
Orangeville since its founding have been : Drs.
A. P. Stoddard, George L. Tolly, O. A. Megar-
gell, G. E. Fulmer and W. T. \'ance. Of
these the first two named have practiced here
continuously for manv vears. The latter two
are late comers.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
259
POSTAL
The postmasters of Orangeville since the
estabhshment of the office have been as fol-
lows: C. G. Ricketts, appointed Feb. 8, 1826;
Jacob Bittenbender, March 13, 1830; C. G.
Ricketts, Dec. 12, 1832; Emanuel Lazarus,
Dec. 12, 1838; Jesse Coleman, Nov. 4, 1847;
A. B. Stewart, June 2^, 1849; Samuel Achen-
bach, April 16, 1851 ; William Fritz, May 0,
1853; Richard Brewer, Nov. 19, 1862; Eliza-
beth J. Schuyler, May 16, 1864; R. W. Bow-
man, June 22, 1865; R. J. Millard, Sept. 19,
1866; D. K. Sloane, June 27, 1867; R. W.
Bowman, March 17, 1869; Kate Lazarus, Oct.
23, 1871 ; H. C. Conner, March 6, 1872;
Charles W. Low, July 12, 1872; Silas Conner,
Jan. 20, 1874; Charles W. Low, March 21,
1877; William Mausteller, April 30, 1885; L.
C. Williams, July 9, 1889; John G. Knorr,
April 6, 1893; Francis Herring, June 2j, 1896;
Millard F. Conner, July 11, 1900; Archibald
E. Patterson, Feb. 23, 1907. Mr. Patterson is
still serving as postmaster in 1914.
SOCIETIES
Mountain Lodge, No. 256, I. O. O. F., has
been in existence at Orangeville since Sept.
17, 1847. The officers then were: Abraham
Covel, noble grand; George W. Lott, vice
grand; Joseph E. Sands, secretary; Elijah G.
Ricketts, treasurer.
Oriental Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. M., of
Orangeville, was instituted Nov. 12, 1870. The
original members were : James B. Harman,
Miles A. Williams. Frederick Laubach, John
F. Brown, A. H. Megargell, Jeremiah Com-
stock, Hiram C. Eves, Jacob M. Harman, Na-
thaniel Spear, John Heacock, Dr. O. A. Me-
gargell, Peter Laubach.
Joseph A. Pealer Post, No. 435, G. A. R.,
was established at Orangeville May 13, 1893.
The present officers are: James F. Trump,
commander; O. P. DeLong, adjutant; Abra-
ham W. Eveland, quartermaster; Ranslo Lis-
ter, chaplain. The other members are Joseph
Fleckenstine, James Ammerman, D. B.
Hughes, Samuel Harp, Henry Conner, Wil-
liam Sands, Stewart Henrie, John Goodman.
ORANGEVILLE ACADEMY
The first school in this township was taught
in a building on the farm of H. R. Kline, the
teachers being Daniel Rake, Philip Doder and
Jonathan Colley. In 1820 George \'ance came
from Bloomsburg and opened a school in a log
building on the farm of William DeLong, be-
low Orangeville. He was succeeded by Clem-
uel G. Ricketts, William Rantz and John Kline.
The house was later torn down and another
of more substantial character erected on the
site of the Kline home in Orangeville. Among
tlie earliest teachers in Orangeville were Abra-
ham Kline, Ira Daniels and Charles Fortner.
The Orangeville Male and Female Academy
was incorporated by an act of Assembly dated
March 11, 1858. Pursuant to the directions of
the charter a board of trustees was elected.
This first board consisted of George W. Lott,
Samuel Achenbach, Michael C. Vance, James
S. Woods, Wesley Bowman, Hiram R. Kline
and Edward Lazarus. They appointed Rev.
Peter Bergstresser first principal. He pre-
pared a course of study contemplating a period
of three years for its completion. On May i,
i860, the academy was opened in the public
school building with thirty-two students. Rev.
Mr. Bergstresser continued as principal two
terms, when the duties of his pastorate com-
pelled him to relinquish it. At his recom-
mendation John A. Shank, a graduate of Wit-
tenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, was elected
his successor. Professor Shank was a fine
disciplinarian. He conducted his school on
schedule time.
The trustees meanwhile had formed a stock
company for the purpose of obtaining funds
for the erection of a proper building. This
was completed and occupied by Prof. Shank
in the autumn of 1861. The attendance was
large and the school enjoyed a fair degree of
]irosperity. At the beginning of the next year,
1862, Rev. H. D. Walker was placed in charge
of the academy. Two years later he was called
upon to take charge of a number of soldiers'
orphans. He rented the academy building and
the grounds from the trustees and transformed
the institution into a soldiers' orphans' school.
He erected a building on a lot adjoining the
academy grounds for the occupation of the
children. Prior to its completion they were
received into private families and every pro-
vision for their comfort was made by the citi-
zens of the town. The home was occupied
in the spring of 1866. Under the efficient gov-
ernment of the principal and matrons, Mrs.
Charles Walker and Priscilla Snyder, the ap-
pearance of the orphans was always neat and
clean. Subsequently the orphans were re-
moved to another school.
In 1870 Prof. Isaac E. Schoonover became
principal of the academy which had now been
virtually suspended for six years. He re-
mained in charge of it four and a half years.
260
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Professor Schoonover and wife did excellent
work. The school was very prosperous under
their administration. They became very much
endeared to their pupils and were regarded as
true benefactors. During this principalship
Miss Mary A. Achenbach taught music.
In 1875 Rs"^- ^- Houtz took charge of the
academy and served it nearly two years with
Francis Herring and Miss Sadie Spear as his
assistant teachers. In 1876 and 1877 it was
served by John Aikman and Francis Herring.
Rev. C. K. Canfield was principal from 1877
to 1882. Mr. Cantield was a good solicitor
and drew students from Bradford county and
other distant points. He not only had a large
attendance, but maintained a corps of good
teachers, among whom were : Mrs. Canfield,
Augustus Y. Burgner, Miss Newman, Andrew
Y. Husler, G. L. Jolly, Miss Carrie Dicker and
a Mr. Harrison. Rev. Mr. Canfield was suc-
ceeded by Prof. Francis Heck, 1882 to 1884;
Prof. Tames F. Harkins, 1885-86; L. P. Ster-
ner, 1886-88; W. C. Mauser and C. H. Moore,
until 1894. It then ceased to be an academy
and was sold to the township for school pur-
poses. When Orangeville became a borough
the officials bought the building from the town-
ship. The hall is now used for entertainments
and the first floor has been repaired and is
occupied as a high school.
The school directors of Orangeville are: A.
Houtz, Carl Fleckenstine, Clinton Herring,
Gerald Conner, Charles H. Dildine.
The school directors of Orange township
are : J. A. Kline, J. C. Montgomery, J. P.
Houcke, H. J. Hippensteel, B. A. Steiner.
RELIGIOUS
Before the founding of Orangeville the old
McHenry church was built two miles west of
Orangeville on land given by Andrew Larish
in 1800. The church was erected in 1810 and
used as a house of worship by the Reformed,
Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations for
more than a quarter of a century. Edward
McHenry came into possession of the farm
adjoining in 1828, increased the size of the
graveyard and thus had the church named after
him. It had been laid out as a cemetery in
1813 by the previous owner, Harmon Faust.
Among the pastors who preached in this church
were Revs. Baughey and Benninger, of the
Lutherans ; Diefifenbach, of the Reformed ; and
Patterson and Hudson, of the Presbyterians.
In 1837 the roof of the church collapsed be-
neath a weight of snow, and soon after the
ruins were removed to make way for a school-
house.
The three denominations before mentioned
in 1S39 united in the erection of a union church
in Orangeville, at a cost of $1,600. This union
church is still the home of the Reformed and
Lutheran congregations, but the Presbyterians
now have a home of their own.
The Reformed congregation of Orangeville
was formerly part of the Bloomsburg charge.
When Rev. W'illiam Goodrich resigned in 1865
the Orangeville charge, embracing also St.
James and Mount Zion, Rev. E. B. Wilson was
called to the charge in 1866 at a salary of $500
a year, and served until his death in 1868. For
three years after the church was without a
pastor and the membership decreased consid-
erably. In 1869 Rev. A. Houtz took charge,
and at once the spirit of the congregation re-
vived. He increased tiie membership and the
salary also. The Hidlay congregation was an-
nexed to this charge in 187 1. Altogether Mr.
Houtz continued to minister to the congrega-
tions for forty years, when he resigned, still
enjoying the love and respect of the entire
community. His ministry was one of devo-
tion to his Master and his people, and during
that time the congregations were increased, the
church buildings improved and a successful
financial system adopted. He still resides in
Orangeville, sometimes officiates in one of the
pulpits, and is active and vigorous, being at
present a member of the school board. Rev.
W. S. Gerhard was pastor until succeeded by
Rev. A. M. ShafYner, in October, 1914.
The Presbyterian appointment was formerly
a station of the old Briarcreek charge. Occa-
sional services were held in the Orangeville
schoolhouse by pastors on their way to the Mc-
Henry church. When Rev. D. J. Waller be-
came pastor in 1838 regular services began,
and in the following year they occupied the
union church. The formal organization of the
church occurred in 1842, Samuel Wliite, John
B. Patterson and John B. Edgar being elected
elders. The other members were Sarah White.
Ann Charity Patterson, Elizabeth Edgar, Isaac
Kline, Mary Kline, John White, Lucy White,
Ann Kline,' Ruth Dildine, Mary Welsh. The
subsequent pastors of this church : Revs.
Charles Williamson, George W. Newell, W. P.
Teitsworth, Nathaniel Spear, D. J. Waller, Jr.,
C. K. Canfield, R. H. Davis, James W. Martyn,
F. B. Frisbie, J. B. Christ and John W. Kern,
the present pastor. The present church was
built in 1885 and dedicated the following year.
The congregation donated its share in the union
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
261
church to the other two denominations which
still use it.
The Orangeville Methodist Church was for-
merly in the Bloomsburg circuit. In 1852 the
Orangeville circuit was formed. The first
Methodist sermon was preached in Orangeville
in 1829 by Rev. James W. Donahay, in the
schoolhouse. The first church, a brick build-
ing, was erected in 1843, opposite Snyder's mill.
In 1881 the present brick church was dedicated,
at the corner of Mill and Pine streets. The
pastors since organization have been Revs. Al-
bert Hartman, T. O. Clees, E. M. Chilcoat,
A. B. Hooven, and others whose names are not
available. The present pastor is Rev. Ariel R.
Turner. The membership in his three charges
is 268, Sunday schools, 257; and the value of
the church properties is $12,800, besides the
parsonage, $1,000. During the pastorate of
Rev. T. O. Clees the frame church at the Mc-
Henry appointment, now "White's Chapel,"
was built.
The Orangeville Lutheran charge was or-
ganized in 1857 by Rev. P. Bergstresser, and
included Orangeville, Zion's, Rohrsburg and
Briarcreek.
CHAPTER XXXIV
PINE TOWNSHIP
The natural beauty of the mountain scen-
ery of this township may attract the tourist
now that good roads have been built within its
limits, but the absence of the latter and the
rugged appearance of the country w^ere deter-
rents to the original settlers of Columbia
county. Thereby the settlement of Pine town-
ship was postponed for some years after the
filling up of the other townships, and the in-
crease of population after a few venturesome
hunters entered this wilderness of forest and
hills, was slow and irregular.
Pine township was formed in 1853, and had
previously been included within the confines
of Derry township, Northumberland county,
and Madison township, Columbia county.
Most of the land was owned by the Asylum
Land Company, and their untrustworthy meth-
ods held many a substantial settler from enter-
ing this region.
Peter Brugler, a hunter from New Jersey,
was the first to come to this corner of the
county, and he lived for many years upon the
proceeds of the chase, as the region abounded
in deer, bear and other game.
INDUSTRIES
Many shingle makers came to Pine town-
ship, but none of them were permanent set-
tlers. Jerry Lyon came in 1796 from New
Jersey to Greenwood, where he remained six
years, and then crossing the Muncy hilis made
the first permanent improvement in the town-
ship, on land now occupied by his descendants
and those of Jeremiah Fowler, to whom the
land had been surveyed. He was soon followed
by David Hamilton and Daniel Whipple, who
settled some distance above Sereno. Joshua
and Samuel Davis next arrived and built the
first sawmill on the site of that of Edward
Ritchie at Sereno. now in ruins. Later John
Thomas built another sawmill on Little Fish-
ing creek, north of the first. This was after-
wards run by Jacob Christian. For many years
these two mills did all the work for that end
of the county, the timber being hauled
to the Susquehanna and rafted down that
river. In 1835 Richard Greenly built
the sawmill on Wolfhouse run, and in
June, 1836, a cloudburst destroyed the mill,
dam, house and barns. It was not till 1841
that he returned here and rebuilt his devastated
property. J. L. Eves was the last owner. The
lienfield sawmill at Sereno was built in 1853,
as also those of Zebulon Robbins and Henry
Battin in other parts of the township. After
this date a great number of small sawmills
arose at various points, consummated their
purpose and sank into ruin. To enumerate
them would be wasteful of space. The tan-
nery at Sereno was for a time of some con-
sequence. It was operated by Edward Ritchie
in connection with his sawmill, from 1837 to
1872.
Sereno post office was established in 1853,
with John Starr as the official. The village had
for a time been called Warnersville. Frank
P. Masters was the postmaster in 1861. His
father, James Masters, was his predecessor
and the first schoolmaster in the township, in
1830.
Talmar, a village in the northern part of
the township, consists of a store kept by H.
262
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUXTIES
R. Getty, a schoolhouse, church and a few
dwelhngs. There are no industries.
Pine Summit, in the western part of the
township, was the most pretentious of the vil-
lages here. The first merchant there was R.
W. Lyons, who was also the first postmaster,
continuing in office from i866 to 1889. The
present storekeeper is W. C. Swartz. Simon
Whitmoyer opened the first blacksmith shop.
His modern successor is H. D. Neupher. The
most important industry here was the distil-
lery of J. R. Fowler, operated from 1880 to
1883. Although it made a fine quality of goods,
it was too far from railroads to be a success.
The last owner in 1910 was James C. Hough-
ton. It is now closed down. The townspeople
are served in a mercantile way through the
tradesmen of Millville.
CHURCHES
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was
organized in 1879 by Rev. N. A. Whitman.
His successor. Rev. O. D. S. Marcley, dedi-
cated the first church building in 1880. The
officers of the congregation at this time were
John Bruner, P. W. Sones, Samuel Eckman
and A. E. Girton. Soon after this the con-
gregation had a disruption and disbanded. The
church is now occupied by the Evangelical
congregation and is regularly served by the
pastor from Unityville.
The Methodist Church in the extreme north-
ern part of the township was built on land
donated by Thomas Faus, and has since borne
his name. It is a fine frame building and is
served from Millville, the congregation being
under the charge of the pastors of that place.
SCHOOLS — POPULATIOX
There are eight schools in the township at
present, taught by the same number of teach-
ers, male and female being equally divided,
and there are 215 scholars in attendance.
The school directors are: John Gardner,
Erastus Kline, H. P. Shaner, James Clemmens,
L. G. Shultz.
The population of Pine township in i860
was 555; in 1870, 760; in 1880, 911 ; in 1890,
965; in 1900, 976; in 1910, 834.
lola Lodge, No. 711, F. & A. M., was re-
moved to Pine Summit in 1881 under special
dispensation, and has been defunct for thirty
years.
CHAPTER XXXV
ROARINGCREEK TOWNSHIP
This is the third township formed from
Catawissa in 1832, and then embraced all of
Locust, Cleveland and Conyngham townships,
but at various periods since it has been shorn
of territory until it finally reached its present
dimensions. Catawissa mountain on the east-
ern boundary forms a natural barrier between
it and Schuylkill county, while on the south a
spur of Little mountain and several hills break
up the landscape into picturesque beauty. This
township is entirely agricultural, but the broken
character of the land is such as to interfere
greatly with farming operations. The name
of Roaringcreek is now hardly applicable, as
since the year 1850, when Montour county
was formed, most of the territory through
which Roaring creek meanders has been taken
from the township. The Indians gave the
name of Popemetung to this creek.
Among the first persons who came to this
section were Samuel Hunter and Bezaliel Hay-
hurst. The former secured a patent in 1774
for a tract known as the Trout Springs farm,
southeast of Mill Grove. Alexander Hunter
succeeded to the farm after his father's death
in 1784, and from him it passed into the hands
of George Randall, then into the possession of
Abram Whitner, his son John, and his descend-
ants. Other later settlers in this township
were Samuel and Anthony Morris, Hugh and
Michael Hughes, Francis and Barbara Artilla,
Henry Hartzel, Andrew Helwig, John Heni-
minger, John Harmon, George Groh, George
Duval, .Stephen Pealx)dy, George Dewees.
Adam Zantzinger settled on Mill creek in
1784, and others who resided in that section
were Jonathan Pearson, Bartholomew Wam-
bach, and the Wilsons and Robinsons. The
mountain lands above Mill creek were owned
by Christian Immel, Peter Minnich, Frederick
W'agoner, ^\'illiam Lanion, Christian Shultz.
The best farming land in the township came at
first into the hands of Matthew McGlath,
Charles Truckenmiller, John McKay, Jacob
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
263
Shakespeare and Thomas Fisher. Most of
these persons were (Quakers who later removed
to points farther west, being followed by dis-
tinctively German settlers, among the latter
being the Rarigs, Kunkels, Uriesbachs, Houcks,
Holstines, Kreishers and Longenbergers.
INDUSTRIES
The road to Reading runs directly through
this township from northwest to southeast,
with a branch in the central part towards
Hazleton, over which a large traffic was done
in the era of settlement and development. This
road was used for a time after its improve-
ment in 1812 as a route for stagecoaches, but
a few years later the Reading road through
Locust township drew all of the trade from
this section.
The first mill in this township was erected
about the year 18 16 by James Hibbs at the
site of Mill Grove, which is now just on
the border line between Locust and Roar-
ingcreek townships. Hibbs also bought from
John Ni.xon and Alexander Foster, two mer-
chants of Philadelphia, a tract of land, having
as his partner Joseph Hampton. The mill was
replaced by the one built by Judah Cherring-
ton in 1856. Peter Swank was the next owner,
followed by J. W. Hibbs and David Long. It'
is now in the possession of the Cherrington
family. Another mill was built on Mill creek,
some years after the Hibbs mill, by Abner
Hampton. This later came into the posses-
sion of William Heupka, who rebuilt it. Its
last operator was John Mourey.
A few houses were built around the Hibbs
mill and eventually the village of Mill Grove
was established. Judah Cherrington opened
the first store there in 1859, and his son, O. W.
Cherrington, was the first postmaster, in 1886.
A. E. Cherrington is the present successor of
the storekeepers and ])ostmasters of the past.
SCHOOLS
The first school in this township was opened
in 1816 in the home of Mahlon Hibbs, at Mill
(jrove, and was taught by Joseph Stokes. It
was a subscription school, and ran for two
sessions. It was reopened in 1821 by Charles
Breech, who was followed by David Chase.
The Cherrington family has for years been
connected closely with the interests of this
township, particularly the schools. Samuel
Cherrington was a locally famous millwright.
having built most of the gristmills in this and
neighboring townships. He found his growing
family in need of schooling and sent to Berks
county for his father, who had taught schools
there for thirty-six years. Thomas Cherring-
ton, the father, opened his school in 1S17 and
taught it for four years, being then succeeded
by his son Samuel. Thomas Cherrington was
a mathematician of no mean attainments, and
his descendants have in their possession a man-
uscript treatise on mathematics by him that
gives evidence of much knowledge of the sub-
ject.
The first schoolhouse in this township was
built in 1830 near Mill Grove. For twenty-
three years this building was the home of the
Methodist denomination. At present there are
five schools, attended by ninety-five scholars,
in the township.
The school directors of Roaringcreek town-
ship are; (Jwen Hughes, Ira Cherrington,
\\'illiam Berninger, John Feese, \\ illiam Hoft-
man.
POPULATION
The population of Roaringcreek township in
1840 was 1,842; in 1850, after the formation
of Montour county and the consequent reduc-
tion in territory of this township, it was 519;
in i860, 509; in 1870, 485; in 1880, 533; in
1890, 580; in 1900, 631 ; in 1 9 10, 569.
CHURCHES
The first religious denomination to form a
congregation here were the Methodists, who
began to meet at the home of John Yocum,
north of Mill Grove. Mrs. Yocum had been
a Maclntyre previous to her marriage and her
father was one of the founders of Methodism
in Catawissa township. After the building of
the schoolhouse meetings were held there regu-
larly until 1853, when the church building a
short distance north of Mill Grove was erected.
The trustees at that time were William Yocum.
David Case, J. J. Thomas, William Rhoads.
The first members were Phoebe Dyer, J. J.
Thomas, Joseph Yocum, Jesse Yocum, Ezra
Yocum, Samuel Horn,
served this congregation
its existence were Revs,
denhall, Haughawaut,
age. Brown, Guilden.
The pastors who
m the first years of
Black, Tague, Men-
Gearhart, Cleese, Sav-
This church has been a
charge under its own pastors for a number of
years. The present pastor is Rev. John H.
Greenwalt.
In 1873 William Yeager offered $100 and
264
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
an acre of ground to any denomination which
would build a church on his land. This offer
was accepted two years later by Rev. M. P.
Saunders, of the United Brethren Church, who
held a meeting here and converted fourteen
persons.
The Freewill congregation was organized
and the present church completed in 1876. The
membership was then increased to sixty and
has continued near that figure ever since. Suc-
cessive pastors were Revs. S. R. Kramer, H. S.
Gable, J. G. M. Herrold. The present pastor
is Rev. B. F. Goodman. The church was
burned down in the fall of 1914.
CHAPTER XXXVI
SCOTT TOWNSHIP
This division of Columbia county was
formed in 1853 from Bloom township and
named for George Scott, then entering upon
his second term as representative in the State
Legislature from the district embracing Colum-
bia and Montour counties.
The early settlers of this section were chiefly
of English origin and came from New Jersey.
Peter Melick came in 1774 and farmed near
Espy. He served in the Continental army and
spent the winter of 1776-77 at Valley Forge.
He returned home in 1778 to defend his home
on the outbreak of the Indians, who burned
the house on Sept. 17th of that year. He and
his family managed to escape to Fort Wheeler,
on Fishing creek, near the site of the present
paper mills, near Light Street.
Henry McHenry, a private soldier who had
been stationed at Fort Wheeler, settled at the
site of Light Street in 1779. He put in a crop
of potatoes, but the yield was poor and the
family suffered from hunger during the fol-
lowing winter.
Levi Aikman settled at Briar creek in 1778.
His descendants still occupy his lands. Zeb-
reth Brittain came to this section in 1782, but
died before making a settlement; his wife and
children remained. John Bright and Alem
Marr settled near the Brittains. Others of
the earlier families to settle in Scott township
were the Henries, Seidles, Webbs, Crevelings
and Boones.
The fertility of the soil of the township may
be judged from the fact that every acre not
occupied by a home is cultivated and produces
abundantly. But the chief wealth in the past
has come from the iron ore in Montour ridge.
The first mines were opened on the land of
Samuel Melick bv Rodman, Morgan & Fisher,
the ore being hauled to Espy and forwarded to
the furnaces at Bloomsburg by way of the
canal. The McDowell and Ent furnaces at
Light Street for a time used the ore, but did
not prove paying propositions.
Between 1780 and 1850 the fisheries of the
Susquehanna were of great value to the people
of Scott township, the industry bringing many
traders to this region. The good points on the
river were preempted by different persons and
bore their names. From the mouth of Fishing
creek to the rapids at Mifflinville they were
known as the Boone, McClure, Kinney, Hen-
dershott, Kuders, Whitner, Creveling, Webb
and Miller fisheries. Most kinds of fish then
caught are not now found here, the first to
succumb to the incessant inroads of the waste-
ful fishermen being the shad, gar, salmon and
rockfish. The season began in March and
ended in June, a law prohibiting fishing on
Thursdays to give the fish a chance to get to
headwaters. Two hauls of the seines were
made in a day, the nets being about four hun-
dred yards in length and five yards in depth,
with meshes two inches square. Seven men
handled the seine, four men handled the oars
of the flatboats, one man in the stern paid out
the seine, while two men on shore held the
land end. At tlie \\'ebb fishery 9,000 fish
were caught at one cast in 1830. The price of
shad in 1800 was $6 per hundred and in 1830
had risen to double that amount. People
came to the river from all points to buy fish,
bringing in exchange corn, meat, cider,
whiskey, etc., creating a steady and remuner-
ative traffic. But this industry was destroyed
by the ruinous methods of the fishermen and
at present it is a serious offense to cast a
seine into the river, even if there were fish
to be caught. During the season in which
line and hook fishing is allowed a few for-
tunate persons land a trout or a bass and per-
haps a few of the other almost extinct fish,
but the day of the fisheries has gone, never
to return.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
265
LIGHT STREET
This neat and homelike village, a short dis-
tance north of the Susquehanna and northeast
of Bloonisburg, is now merely a place of resi-
dence for retired farmers and a few store-
keepers who cater to their wants. At one
time it was a town of some pretensions.
The plot of the town of IVilliamsburg was
laid out in 1817 by Philip Seidle and in 1821
the residents were John Hazlett, Uzal Hop-
kins, William McCarthy, James McCarthy,
George Zeigler and a Mr. Lake. Half a mile
south were the blacksmith shop of Robert
Gardner and the farmhouse of John Deaker.
The upper gristmill was built in 1823 by Mc-
Dowell & Millard, and here Gen. Matthew
McDowell later established the first post
office under his own name. This mill was
rebuilt in 1868 by Peter Ent. It is now
operated by Harry Heacock with the modern
roller process. The lower gristmill was built
in 1825 by Samuel L. Bettle, was later owned
by Kelchner & Son and is now operated by
W. H. (jreenley & Son. It also is a modern
mill. Both of these mills are operated by
waterpower from I'ishing creek. Each mill
had a distillery beside it.
Two iron furnaces were located in the past
at Light -Street. One at the upper end. above
the mill, was built by McDowell in 1S45, soon
after the construction of the mill. It was a
charcoal furnace, and was operated later for
some years by Peter Ent, and after him his son
Wellington ran it till 1868 and then abandoned
the work. The lower furnace was owned and
run by Bettle, and stood just above his mill.
Rev. Marmaduke Pearce, a Methodist
clergyman, came to Light Street about 1844
and became the owner of the lower mill. He
found the walk to the post office at the upper
mill too far and took steps to remedy this by
applying for the post office. W^hen his object
was attained he changed the name of the
place to Light Street, from the fact that he
had lived on a street of that name in his native
city of Baltimore. Soon after the two settle-
ments came to be one long village and so
remain to this day.
At one time a tannery was operated in the
town by J. W. Sankey and later by Charles
Rink, but is now closed. Besides the mills
the town, with a population of about three
hundred, has three churcbf's. a school build-
ing and a P. O. S. of A. hall.
William M. Ent, a descendant of Peter Ent,
conducts a hardware store in the town. Wil-
liam M. Robbins, the postmaster, is also a fur-
niture dealer, and stores are kept by J. E.
White, Franz Crawford and R. W. Ivey. C.
F. Jackson, barber, R. M. Kester, butcher, and
Grant Drake, blacksmith, constitute the rest
of the commercial men of the town.
The largest house in Light Street is the
old tavern, now a private residence, built by
Peter Shook about 1865. He owned consid-
erable land in the village and built the tavern
himself, burning the brick on his farm near
the creek. Owing to opposition from the
neighbors he lost his liquor license some years
later, sold out and moved away. His prop-
erty was sold to various parties, but in 1914
all of the various parcels have come into the
hands of Harvey Hutzell, thus again vesting
the ownership in one person.
The "United States Hotel" was opened in
the early si-xties by Philip G. Keller, who re-
built a private residence for the purpose, add-
ing a large hall on the third story. This was
then the only hall in the town and a popular
resort for the young people. William B.
Goodheart was the next owner, and Mr. Spear-
ing the last. When the building was burned
a small frame house was erected on the site
to retain the license, which was later re-
scinded.
The remaining veterans of the Civil war in
Light Street are John Crawford, Joseph Miller,
and Samuel Keller.
P.\PER MILL
West of Light Street, on Fishing creek, near
the site of Fort Wheeler, is the plant of the
Bloomsburg Paper Company. Here a grist-
mill, three stories high and operated by an
overshot wheel, was built by John Barton many
years ago. His successor was a man named
Phillips, who for a time manufactured buttons
from clam shells, but was not successful,
finally selling the property to Thomas Trench
in 1830. In 1840 the mill was adapted to the
manufacture of paper by Thomas Trench,
who some years later took his son,
C. C. Trench, in partnership with him.
The product was used for wrapping pur-
poses. In 1882 James M. Shew bought the
factory and began the manufacture of water-
proof cartridge paper for the DuPont Powder
Company, of Wilmington, Del. He later took
his son-in-law, Robert J. Ruhl, into partner-
ship, and at Mr. .Shew's death the property
came into the hands of Mr. Ruhl, the pres-
ent manager.
The plant has thrice been destroyed by fire,
first in I8^5, when it was rebuilt bv the
266
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Trenches, and then in 1903, when it was rebuilt
and remodeled by Mr. Shew. The third tire
was in 1905, after which the present tine out-
tit of modern paper machines was installed.
The power comes from turbine water wheels
and an auxiliary steam plant. Eleven men
are employed the year round. The works com-
prise four brick buildings on a plat of forty-
three acres, and are connected by side tracks
with the B. & S. and S. B. & B. railroads,
which here have a junction point.
ESPY
This place acquired its name from Josiah
Espy, who in 1775 bought a tract of three
hundred acres from the Penns, which included
the present site of the town. Soon after-
wards his son George built a two-story log
house on a spot about twenty yards from where
the canal later ran, and near the center of the
present town. He built the house in 1785
and occupied it until 1810, when he removed
to Crawford county. In iScx) he laid out the
town into lots, which he sold to various per-
sons, all of whom did not occupy them. He
gave the name of Liberty to the settlement, but
later on the residents adopted his name, which
was fixed in i8j8 by the establishment of a
post office here with that title. At that time
there were fourteen log houses and twelve
frame dwellings in the place.
Among the first residents of the town were
John Edgar, Alexander Thompson, John Ken-
nedy, Samuel McKamey, a Mr. Hinkle, John
Haverman, a Mr. Miller and Frederick Wor-
man. The first frame house was built of lum-
ber sawed at the Elias Barton sawmill in
Hemlock township and was owned by John
Shuman. The first hotel was built about 1805
by John Kennedy, rebuilt in 1853 by Henry
Trembly, and at present is owned by Boyd
Hartzell as the "Hotel Espy," but has no
license. The first brick house was built in
1845 by John Hughes. In 1826 the people of
the town were su|)plied with water from three
wells at the hotel and the houses of John Webb
and Philip Miller, the latter at the corner of
Main and Market streets.
During the early history of the town the
bog in the rear between the hills and the settle-
ment was almost impassable, a log bridge
called the "Indian Path" being the only method
of passage towards Light Street. Over this
morass a corduroy road was laid in 181 3 by
John Hauck to haul ore over from the ridge
to his furnace at Mainville. This bog extends
from the brook near Almedia to the edge of
the corporation line of Bloomsburg and has
for years been a waste spot. However, in
1907 a company was formed to exploit the
peat deposits and in 1913 was reorganized by
the Espy Humus Fertilizer Company, of which
Dr. Ira R. Wolfe is president, M. W. Wolfe
treasurer and F. E. Lord secretary and man-
ager. The deposits of peat, which are twelve
teet in depth, are dug, dried by steam and
pulverized, being then shipped to different
plants over the L'nion to be converted into fer-
tilizer by admixture with other materials.
Thus a worthless spot has been developed into
a source of almost unlimited wealth.
Probably the palmy days of the town of
Espy were during the operation of the canal.
About 1834 the first boat for use on the canal
from this point was made by George and
Thomas Webb, and until 1873 canalboating
was a prominent industry of Espy townspeople.
Boatyards were operated by Barton & Edgar,
Kressler & V'ansickle, Fowler, Tronsue & Mc-
Kamey, all of which were later absorbed by
the Pennsylvania Canal Company. The latter
firm continued to operate their yards until the
canal was abandoned, and in 1900 the boatyard
was destroyed, together with the Milnes grist-
mill beside the canal basin.
While the boatyards were in operation there
were three planing mills in Espy, two owned
by Thomas W. Edgar and one by D. Snyder &
Co., respectively. There were also a tannery,
a pottery, a distillery, a vinegar factory and
a brickyard. All of these have passed into
oblivion.
The Atlas Manufacturing Company, for the
manufacture of a special design of stepladder,
was formed in 1881, by James and William J.
McCormick, who ran it till 1884 and then re-
moved to Danville.
The first merchant in Espy was William
Mann, who continued in business from 1816
to 1818. Between 1820 and 1850 stores were
operated bv Worman & Swaby, Miles Ban-
croft, Cyrus Barton and John Petricken. The
volume of business in the town at one time
was so great as to support a private bank, of
which William Milnes was the owner and
John v. Logan cashier. The present store-
keepers are: H. C. Ruckle, T. W. Hartman,
F. P. Pursel, N. Reichert, K. S. Creasy, W. E.
Hummel.
The old planing mill on the line of the Lack-
awanna road was ])urchased in igioby George
B. Markle, of Hazleton, who also owned the
John Robinson farm. He spent $50,000 and
developed a large poultry business, making a
specialty of squabs, hundreds of which he
!
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
267
shipped each week to markets in the East,
using the old mill as a cold storage house. The
place is called "Uncle John's Farm" and is
under the management of George Denby.
The citizens of Espy have always taken
pride in the beautifying of the streets of the
town. The first residents imported the Lom-
bardy poplar and the weeping willow, while
later lot owners have added the maples and
other shade trees to the list. Travelers on the
electric line of the North Branch Transit Com-
pany have ample opportunity to admire the
results of the efforts of the citizens to make
the town attractive.
The public buildings of Espy consist of a
higli school, three churches and a frame Odd
Fellows hall, which replaced the town hall,
burned in 1889. The population of the town
is about six hundred.
.\LMEDIA
One mile above Espy is the little village of
Almedia, once called Afton. It contains some
neat residences, the stores of C. M. Creveling
Company, and Frank White, two churches, a
schoolhouse, and the blacksmith shops of W .
H. Englehart and William Sneidiuan. The
population is about three hundred persons.
Most of the old lime quarries here were
operated by the Creveling family for fifty
years, some of them coming into the hands of
other parties at different periods. At present
there are three plants in active operation near
the town. H. N. White has a quarry with two
kilns which he is preparing to enlarge. Rhone
Trescott operates the plants of the "Silver
Spring Quarry Company" with nine kilns and
a fine stone crusher for making road ballast.
He has the only vein of galena, or lead ore, in
the county, but the production is small.
An industry of all these towns along the
Susquehanna is that of coal dredging, after
the high water has subsided. Most of the
residents of the towns depend almost entirely
on the anthracite taken from the river bed for
their winter fuel. Some of the large steam
dredges take from thirty to fifty tons a day
from the river.
The Creveling cemetery at x^lmedia was
given to public use by members of that nu-
merous family and is one of the handsomest
and best kept burying grounds in the countv.
RELIGIOUS
The denominations represented in this town-
ship are the Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian
and Evangelical. The oldest of these is the
Methodist at Light Street. At a camp meet-
ing held at Huntington in the autumn of
i8iy a number of residents of that town were
converted and on returning home were formed
into a class by Rev. John Rhoads, then the
pastor at Berwick. For eight years the meet-
ings were held at the home of John Brittain,
but in 1827 den. Daniel Montgomery, of Dan-
ville, donated a plot of ground in Light Street
to the Methodists and they built a log chapel
upon it. The trustees at that time were Paul
breas, John Brittain, John Millard, Samuel
Melick and Peter Melick. In 185 1 the church
was incorporated and a new deed was exe-
cuted by the Montgomery heirs. That year
the log house was razed and a frame building
re])l,iced it. Most of the pastors of the churcli
here have been connected with the Orangeville
circuit. The present pastor at Orangeville,
Rev. A. R. Turner, holds regular weekly serv-
ices in Light Street.
The Presbyterian Church had but one con-
gregation in the past at Light Street. The
church there was built in 1853, but services
were irregular and in the later years, after
1883, it has been used as a dwelling.
Methodist services were first held at Espy
in 1828 by Rev. Isaac John. In 1833 the fa-
mous evangelist, Lorenzo Dow, visited here
and preached to a large congregation in the
schoolhouse. The services being frequently
interrupted by the barking of dogs in an ad-
joining lot, he announced that he had come
to preach to men, not dogs. When a car-
riage was offered him as a conveyance to Main-
ville he refused it in favor of a truck wagon.
The first church here was built in 1838 and
the present one in 1883. The latter was dedi-
cated i)y Bishop Bowman. The pastor at that
time was Rev. H. C. Cheston. His imme-
diate successors were Revs. R. H. Wharton,
James Beyer and Richard Mallalieu. The
present pastor. Rev. Edmund J. Symons,
preaches also at Lime Ridge and Almedia.
From 185 1 to 1853 Rev. William Weaver,
pastor of the Lutheran Church at Blooms-
burg, preached occasionally at Espy, and dur-
ing that period a congregation was formed
from those residents of the town who attended
the Bloomsburg church. They were : David
Whitman, John Shuman, Samuel Kressler,
John Kressler, J. D. Werkheiser, Cyrus Bar-
ton, Conrad Bittenbender.
In the summer of 1853 a church was erected
and dedicated. Rev. E. A. Sharretts becoming
the first pastor. His successors were Revs. J.
R. Dimm, D. S. Truckenmiller, J. M. Rice, J.
268
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
M. Reimensnyder, William Kelly, E. A. Shar-
retts, M. O. T. Sahm, A. R. Glaze, C. W. Se-
christ, D. E. Rupley, 1. J. Minimier, J. H. C.
Mansfield, H. E. Harman, L. \V. Kline, H. O.
Reynolds, and O. E. Sunday, the present pas-
tor.
In 1895 the old church was replaced by a
neat frame building, and in 1905 a parsonage
was built. The pastors of this church for some
years have officiated at the Hidlay and Fowl-
ersville Churches.
The Evangelical societies at Espy, Almedia
and Light Street have always been included in
the Bloomsburg mission, but were established
while this territory was included in the Colum-
bia circuit. During the winter of 1866-67 re-
vival services held by Rev. A. J. Irvine in the
Presbyterian Church at Light Street resulted
in many conversions and caused the formation
of a congregation there. The church here
was built in 1869. Almedia became a preach-
ing point in 1866, services being held in the
schoolhouse until a church was built in 1872.
It was not till 1875 that preaching became
established at Espy, and in the following vear
the church there was built. These churches
are under the charge of Rev. John Shambach,
of Espy.
The Lutheran church at Almedia was built
in 1852. It was in regular use until 191 2, when
it was damaged by lightning. Since then no
regular services have been held therein.
SCHOOLS
The first schoolhouse in Scott township was
established at Espy in 1805, the trustees being
John Kennedy, John Webb and a Mr. Waters.
The building stood at the corner of Market
and Main streets and was 20 by 24 feet in
dimensions. It had small-paned glass win-
dows, slab benches, writing tables around three
sides of the room, and a wood-burning stove
completed the furniture.
The second school at Light Street was built
on a lot later owned by J. W. Sankey in the
extreme lower end of the town, in 1806. In
1814 a third school was opened in a building
on one of B. Ammerman's lots, in the upper
end of Light Street. The teachers of these
schools were George Vance, Joseph Solomon,
William Love and John Kennedy.
At present the township supports eight
schools, including a high school at Espv, and
the average number of scholars in attendance
is 188.
The school directors of the township are :
T. C. Creveling, A. F. Terwilliger. Austin Ohl,
Bruce Sneidman, Joseph Hippensteel.
THE "creveling" GRAPE
This famous vine was propagated by Mrs.
Charity Creveling, wife of John Creveling, a
member of the Society of Friends, at her home
near Espy. The vine ran over a large pear
tree beside the house, and cuttings from it
were sold all over the nation. It is still a
popular grape in many parts of the country.
R/\1SING OSTRICHES IN A COLD CLIMATE
The first and at present the only ostrich
farm in a northern latitude is that of the
Ostrich Farm & Feather Company, at the edge
of the eastern end of Espy. The company was
organized in 1910 with W. H. Hile, president;
George W. Oster, vice president; James E.
Teple, secretary ; A. N. Yost, treasurer. All
of these gentlemen but Mr. Oster are native
sons of Columbia county.
Mr. Hile was led to organize the company
by having visited several of the famous ostrich
farms in other parts of the world. He pro-
cured the first of his stock in Africa and has
developed the farm into one of the show places
of the State. He also has exhibition yards in
Cleveland, Ohio, where forty-four birds are
kept. In the Espy farm he has twenty-eight
old birds and several young ones. An incu-
bator house, pens, nesting house and factory
for the preparation of the feathers are part
of the ec|uipment.
Besides ostriches the company breeds Bel-
gian draft horses, thoroughbred Guernsey
cattle and Berkshire hogs. They are the first
farmers in the county to grow alfalfa success-
fully, and they have a number of acres of
land devoted to grain and forage crops and
vegetables. The farm is neatly kept, is located
beside the trolley line and is a popular resort
for visitors.
"Ostrich farms are found in California,
Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Florida and Penn-
sylvania. Ten farms have over one hundred
birds each, five farms over four hundred birds
each and one farm has over two thousand
birds. In all, about seventy-five farms in the
United States are making a business of ostrich
farming. The number of birds on these farms
is about seventy-one hundred, of which 5.685
are in Arizona. Approximately forty-nine
hundred of all the birds are plucking birds and
give on the average one and a quarter pounds
of feathers per bird, valued at $20 a pound.
Besides this, a pair of breeding birds will easily
reach $.^50 each, and eggs for hatching sell at
about $10 apiece. Egg shells find a limited
market as curiosities at fifty cents to one dol-
lar each."
I
CHAPTER XXXVII
SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP
This township was formed in 1812 from
the township of Fishingcreek. The court gave
it the name of "tiarrison," the change to
Sugarloaf being made some time later. The
date of this change is not known, but the rea-
son is apparent from the former importance of
the maple sugar industry here.
The settlement of this section of Columbia
county was made by a family party, represented
by John J. Godhard, an Englishman from
Delaware. He had one son-in-law, William
Hess, and four granddaughters, the wives of
Philip Fritz, Christian Laubach, Ezekiel Cole
and lohn Kile. Most of these were farmers
and resided on the Delaware near Mr. God-
hard. He and his son-in-law and grandsons,
together with William Coleman, Matthias
Rhone and Benjamin Coleman, all neighbors,
came to this section, explored the land thor-
oughly and decided to buy it. The price they
paid made the average $2 an acre.
In the following year — 1792 — the actual
■ immigration occurred. The large party came
by way of the Susquehanna and Lehigh road
to Eierwick, thence along the river to Blooms-
burg, and up Fishing creek to their destina-
tion. The tract purchased by William Hess
extended from Cole's mills to North moun-
tain. He built his cabin, which has since been
destroyed, near a spring on the Laubach farm.
The spring is still flowing. His sons, George,
John, .\ndrew, Tobias, Conrad, Frederick,
Henry and Jacob, took up their residences
along the creek, where many of their descend-
ants still reside' John Kile, Ezekiel Cole and
William Hess settled near each other, while
Christian Laubach went first to Montour
county, in 1797 returning to remain in the sec-
tion now covered by Sugarloaf.
Philip Fritz followed his relatives here in
1795, settling on the site now called "Fritz
Hill," near Central, on land owned at present
by Thomas Fritz, one of his descendants.
Jonathan Robbins arrived in the same year and
located in the southern part of the township.
He had brought with him some apple seeds,
which he planted, the result being that his chil-
dren in later years gathered htteen hundred
bushels of apples from one thousand trees.
Portions of the orchard are still to be seen
in 19 14.
Others who became residents of this part
of the county in those years were Godfrey
Dilts, William Bird, Da\id Harrington, Jacob
Harrington, James Seward, Jesse Hartman,
James A. Pennington, Ezekiel and William
Shultz. The population of Sugarloaf in 1800
consisted almost entirely of the Hess, Kile,
Laubach, Robbins and Cole families, and
these are still the larger part of the population
in 1914.
INDUSTRIES
The first mill in the township was built by
Ezekiel Cole in 1802, on the little creek of his
name, near its junction with Fishing creek.
The generations of Coles wdio have owned
and operated this mill are Ezekiel, Ezekiel, Jr.,
Alinas and .\lbert, the latter being the owner
in 1914. At the beginning this mill had four
runs of stone, but now has only two. The
wooden crown and lantern gears are still in
use, and one of the old buhrstones, made in
Danville at the time the mill was erected, is
still in use. The old method of milling is in
use, the product being buckwheat flour, corn-
meal and chops, from forty to fifty bushels
per day being the capacity. A 13-foot overshot
wheel of wood furnishes the power, and the
mill has never run out of water since its con-
struction.
Many small sawmills were built in the
pioneer times of this township, in order to
utilize the great supply of timber. Among
them were the following mills, which attained
more than local fame : Jacob W. Harrington
built a sawmill on Cole's creek, in the eastern
part of the township, in 1841, which he sold to
J. B. Davis in 1866. William Yorks built an-
other mill about that time on a branch of Fish-
ing creek, in the extreme southern part of the
i269
270
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
township, and ran it till 1852, when his nephew,
Joseph ^'orks, purchased it and operated it
till 1867. Larish & Roberts, E. Cole and two
of the Fritzs also operated sawmills in the
period of the industry's palmy days. One of
the most noted of the early sawmills w-as at
Paradise, a short distance above the Harring-
ton mill. This was operated until 1875.
Harrington's foundry was established in
1866 by Newton R. Harrington, at Pioneer
Station on Cole's creek. A sawmill w'as added
in 1882, and the product was plows, sleds, mill
gearing, shingles and lumber. This mill is
still in operation, but the product is now lim-
ited by the exhaustion of the timber. Other
modern mills on this stream are the Penning-
ton, Hartman and Howlett sawmills, all of
which at one time were of much importance.
William Shultz operates the mill at Grassmere
Park, on the Bloomsburg & Sullivan railroad.
JAMISON CITY
The completion of the Bloomsburg & Sul-
livan railroad opened up the territory in the
upper end of the county. The terminus of
the road in Sugarloaf township was called
Jamison City, in honor of Col. B. K. Jamison,
of Philadelphia, who aided largely in financing
the road. While the road was in process of
building .\. L. Fritz, Col. James Corcoran and
Col. John Jamison purchased three farms
about a mile above Central and laid them out
in lots, many of which were sold and a num-
ber of buildings erected thereon. Soon quite
a village grew up, and in 1889 a large sawmill
was erected by the Central Pennsylvania Lum-
ber Company. Later a large tannery was put
up by Colonel Corcoran, who sold it to Thomas
E. Proctor, of Boston. It was subsequently
acquired by the Elk Tanning Company. These
two plants employed numerous men and at-
tracted a still larger population, composed
mostly of lumbermen and tanners and their
families. A large general store was opened by
Stiltz & Company, and smaller stores and shops
rapidly multiplied until the place seemed to
justify the name of Jamison City.
The town being situated upon an elevation
six hundred feet higher than Bloomsburg, the
idea was conceived by a number of citizens
of the latter town that the altitude, the cool
nights, the many trout pools in the creeks, and
the beautiful scenery of mountain and forest,
rendered Jamison City an ideal spot for a mod-
ern summer resort hotel. So, in 1888, the
Manor Rest Inn Company was formed, and
upon the hillside above the town was erected
a hotel of Swiss design, fully equipped with
modern conveniences, and handsomely fur-
nished. The first managers were Stiltz & Com-
pany, and the inn was opened in i8yo with a
great flourish. For some reason, however, the
public did not take sufficient interest in the
project to accord it a lucrative patronage and
the hopes of the promoters were never real-
ized. Not long after the opening the company
was reorganized and the name of the place
changed to Proctor Inn, but this had no etfect,
and finally in 1905 the hotel was closed, the
furniture disposed of at public auction, and
the building sold to Parvin Kile, who conducted
it as a hotel for a short time. He also lost
money, and finally sold the building to a party
who tore it down and utilized the material for
building purposes elsewhere. When a distri-
bution was finally made of the assets of the
company the members received about ten cents
on the dollar for their investment.
At the time when Jamison City was at the
height of its prosperity there were five places
where liquor selling was licensed, and but one
church and one schoolhouse. In addition to the
extensive lumbering operations carried on here,
there were camps established at various places
where the timber was cut and hauled to the
central mill. There it was converted into lum-
ber, the bark being used in the tannery. But
it did not take long to work out the available
timber and soon there was nothing on which
ti) support the large population. In 1912 the
mill was closed down and dismantled, the
machinery being sent to other mills belonging
to the company. The last carload of lumber,
which had been cut some years before, was
shipped over the railroad to Bloomsburg in
the spring of 1914.
At present the tannery is still in operation,
and bids fair to continue for at least five years.
The population is so reduced that two stores
and one licensed liquor establishment are al!
that the inhabitants seem to need.
THE COFFER CRAZE
Between 1900 and 1912 considerable excite-
ment was caused in this section of the county
by the rumor that there was copper to be found
in Sugarloaf township. This was partially
caused by the copper craze almost universal
over the United States. A company was
formed in this county and considerable stock
sold. W^ith these proceeds a smelter was
erected below Central and operations com-
menced. Like many another project of the
period, the plan proved a failure, as there
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
271
was copper to be found in small pockets here
and there, but not in paying quantities. After
a struggle to make good the property was sold
by the sherii?, and to-day there remains only
the dilapidated and rotting buildings and the
fallen smokestack to mark this grave of high
hopes and wasted dollars.
SMALL SETTLEMENTS
During all the period of its known history
Sugarloaf has been a popular resort for the
hunter and fisherman. In the early days hunt-
ing was the chief occupation of many of the
settlers, and fishing followed in point of food
value. At present the hunting is almost a
thing of the past and fishing is rapidly passing
awav with the depletion of the streams of their
fiiinv ])iii)ulation. Notwithstanding severe le-
gal penalties dynamiting and seining are prac-
ticed by "fish hogs" and the trout and bass
are becoming scarce with lamentable rapidity.
Nestled among the towering mountains a
short distance above Jamison City, near a
clear trout stream, stands an old-fashioned
house, with large porches, that for many years
was widely known as "Hilly Cole's." It was
a popular resort for the Rloomsburg people
who were fond of fishing in the well stocked
mountain streams, and for those who sought
rest in the solitude of the forests and hills.
It was the home of good cooking, few serving
brook trout as well as Mrs. Cole. After her
husband's death the place and the fishing
privileges were leased to a club for a time,
finally passing into the hands of Harry Miller,
who carries it on with some of the reflected
glory of the past.
Elk Grove is a hamlet located about a mile
above Central on the west branch of Fishing
creek, and consists of about a dozen dwell-
ings, a store and the "Elk Grove Hotel," kept
by J. W. Perrv, who has conducted it for many
years and built up a deserved reputation for
service. The structure is a three-story frame,
stands on the site of an old public house once
kept bv members of the Hess family, and is
one of the best appointed rural inns in this
section of the State. This spot was long the
stopping place for travelers over the Laporte
turnpike. During the lumbering boom the vil-
lage was a scene of some activity. The Pente-
cost Lumber Companv built a railroad to con-
nect with the Rloomsburg & Sullivan road at
Central, which passed through the town and
for several miles further up the creek. The
Pentecost Companv was absorbed by the Cen-
tral Pennsylvania Company and in 1912 the
tracks were torn up, the little village relapsing
into its former state of repose.
Grassmcrc Park is a station on the B. & S.
road and consists of a store, a sawmill and the
verdant resort from which it acquired its
name. When the road first opened the park
was laid out for the patronage of excursion-
ists. It was fitted with a dancing pavilion,
kitchen, booths, tables, swings, etc., and was
supplied with water from an excellent spring.
For a time it was patronized, but by 1913 it
had relapsed into its wild condition of former
times.
POST OFFICES
Central post office was established in 1836,
under the name of Campbell, through the exer-
tions of a doctor of that name. After his
removal the ofiice was discontinued until 1850,
when Peter Hess was commissioned. Joshua
Hess succeeded him in 1861, Henry Hess in
1876 and Elijah Hess in 1886.
Cole's Creek was first known as Suyarloaf,
and the office of postmaster was held by mem-
bers of the Cole family until the abandonment
of the local delivery. Giiava was established in
1883, with Andrew Laubach in charge. The
only offices in the township now are Cole's
Creek. Jamison City and Elk Grove. Other
points are served by the rural routes.
SCHOOLS
In the earlv days subscription schools were
in vogue in the towaiship, the first of these
being taught by Philip Fritz in a log building
which then stood on the site of St. Gabriel's
church. The first public schoolhouse was built
on West creek. Upon the establishment of
the public school system, in 1837, the follow-
ing were elected directors: John Laubach,
William Roberts, Matthias Appleman, Henry
Fritz, Samuel Krickbaum and William E.
Roberts. Two schools were opened, Hess's
and Cole's Creek. In 1885 there were seven
schools in the township.
At present there are twelve schools in the
township, including a fine, high school building,
of which A. S. Fritz has been the principal
from the beginning. Other statistics may be
found in the chapter on schools.
The school directors for 1914 are: George
Klinger, Irvin Diltz, William Perry, J. H. Van-
Sickle, ^^'illiam Brink.
RELIGIOUS
Mr. Godhard, the pioneer patriarch of this
township, was a member of the Established
272
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Church of England, and his family were at-
tendants in their Delaware home of the Episco-
pal Church. Thus it was natural that soon
after their establishment in this new land they
should have arranged to build themselves a
religious home. The result was the beginning
of the erection of the "Log Church," which
for fifty years after this township's settlement
was the only one in the northern end of Colum-
bia county. Begun in 1810 and completed in
1812, this church was not dedicated until July
15, 1828, when the Right Rev. Henry M.
Onderdonk, bishop of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, performed the ceremony. The
names of the members signed to the subscrip-
tion book in 1812 were as follows: Caleb
Hopkins, William Wood, Ezekiel Cole,
Matthias Rhone, James Peterman, John Keel-
er, Philip Fritz, Jacob Cough, Conrad Hess,
Henry Fritz, Uriah McHenry, John Kile, Wil-
liam Osborne, George Hess, U'illiam Hess, Sr.,
Daniel Stone, Jacob Hess, John McHenry,
Tobias Hess, John Kopsnyder, Andrew Hess,
Cornelius Coleman, Frederick Hess, John
Roberts, John Hess, Daniel Robbins, Levi
Priest, George Rhone, Jonathan Robbins, Wil-
liam Edgar, Benjamin Coleman, Abraham
Kline, Sr., Jacob Rine, Conrad Laubach, Peter
Yocum, Abraham Whiteman, William Hess,
Jr., Samuel Musselman, Paul Hess, Jonathan
Robbins, Henry Hess, William Waldron, Wil-
liam Yorks, Christian Pouts, Edward Roberts,
Casper Chrisman, Emanuel Whiteman, Daniel
McHenry, Jesse Pennington, John Emery,
William Wilson, Thomas Miller, Frederick
Harp, Benjamin Stackhouse, Silas Jackson,
John Whiteman, Jacob Whiteman.
The first church, built of pine logs, had
galleries around three sides of the interior.
After being occupied for years as a place of
worship it was burned in 1876. The owner-
ship was held by the Episcopalians, Lutherans
and Presbyterians, jointly, until the fire, and
this will explain the presence of the names of
members of those different denominations on
the subscription list. The present frame
church was built in the next year on the site
of the old one. The belfry is located in a
giant tree directly in front of the church. It
was built and the bell hung therein in 1882,
during the pastorate of Rev. John P. Rock-
well, who lies beside his wife in the rear of
the church, outside the main burying ground.
The memorial window in this church is a copy
of one in Christ Church, Oxford, England,
made from a design drawn from memory by
Professor Weir, of West Point Military Acad-
emy. The communion plate of pewter, as
well as the lectern and Bible, have been in use
since 1812.
The first wardens of the Episcopal Church
were Christian Laubach and James Peterman,
and the vestry consisted of William Wilson,
Jacob Rine, John Roberts and Matthew Rone.
The successive rectors of this church have
been: Revs. Caleb Hopkins, William Eldred,
Benjamin Hutchins, James DePui, W. H.
Bourne, George C. Drake, G. M. Harding,
John P. Rockwell. Services were held at
various times by the rectors of St. Paul's,
Bloomsburg. Rev. C. C. Kelsey, Berwick, is
now the visiting rector.
It is interesting to note that the first acces-
sions to the Disciples, or Church of Christ, in
Columbia county were made in this township
in 1836, when Elders John Ellis, J. J. Harvey
and John Sutton held a protracted meeting in
the Hess schoolhouse. A church was estab-
lished at Guava and for a time was prosperous,
but is now out of existence.
The Methodist Episcopal faith was estab-
lished on a secure footing in 1855 by Rev.
Elijah Fulnier, who conducted then a revival
at the schoolhouse near Central. Ten years
later Rev. John A. DeMoyer of Berwick con-
ducted a protracted meeting here and that year
a chapel was built and named "Simpson,"
after the bishop of that period. Later another
church was built near what is now Grassmere
Park. Both of these churches are served by
the pastor of the Jamison City Church, Rev.
J. N. Diehl. The Jamison City church was
built in 1889. There are 251 Methodist at-
tendants in this township, and the churches
are valued at $9,000.
A Presbyterian Church was organized in
this township in 1848, but did not thrive and
was later removed to Benton.
POPULATION
The population of Sugarloaf township in
1820 was 505; in 1830, 678; in 1840, 943; in
1850, 1,316: in i860, 752; in 1870, 761; in
1880, 869; in 1890, 1,337; in 1900, 1,376; in
19 10, 1,404.
HISTORY OF
MONTOUR COUNTY
CHAPTER I
EARLY HISTORY— COUNTY ORGANIZATION, ETC.
Montour is among the youngest and small-
est of the sisterhood of counties in the State
of Pennsylvania. It is named in honor of
Madame Montour, a character of whom little
is known and yet one whose name, in this
locality, in the early days, seems to have been
a favorite. She is said to have been a white
woman by birth and an Indian by adoption
and choice. Her maiden name is not given.
She seems to have acquired the name of Mon-
tour from her Indian husband, Roland Mon-
tour, who must have received it from the
French settlers in Canada, as his Indian name
is unknown.
The Madame was ever friendly to the
whites, especially in the meetings of the whites
and Indians in forming treaties. The esteem
with which in her day she was regarded may
be inferred somewhat from the verbal message
sent by Governor Gordon by his deputy. He
said : "Give kindest regards to Madame Mon-
tour and to her estimable husband, and speak
to them to the same purpose." Count Zin-
zendorf speaks in terms of great praise of
her in his account of the Indian troubles in
the Wyoming. She took an active part in the
Treaty of Lancaster in July, 1774. This was
a very important agreement with the Six
Nations, and it is proper to concede more to
Madame Montour in bringing the Indians to
agree to it than to anyone else.
In the general history of the two. counties,
Columbia and Montour (Chapters I, II, III),
we have given the early Indian history of this
section, as well as the topography and geology
of the same. The two parts of this history
must necessarily overlap in some slight degree
in covering the story of two separate counties
that once were one ; but we shall avoid repe-
tition as far as it may be possible.
On March 22, 1813, Columbia county was
created out of the territory of Northumber-
land county and the county seat was fixed at
Danville. There was some contention about
the location of the county seat, as Danville
was said to be in an inconvenient place for the
majority of the people of the new county, who
lived in the north and northeast portions.
The \\'est Branch of the Susquehanna was
the original western boundary line between Co-
lumbia and Northumberland counties. This
included Turbot and Chillisquaque townships,
and putting these townships into the new
county made it possible to najne Danville as
the county seat with fairness, as to the acces-
sibility in the lay of the territory to the county
town. Afterwards, however, these two town-
ships were reannexed to Northumberland
county, leaving Danville considerably to the
west of the center of the county. Then at
once commenced the agitation by the people
of the northern and eastern portions, for the
removal of the county seat from Danville to
Bloomsburg. The large bulk of the voters lay
in the part of the county opposed to Danville.
They could outrate the friends of Danville.
They would regularly elect the county offi-
cers, running the elections almost solely on
this issue. But Danville had able and astute
273
18
274
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
managers, men of powerful influence, and so
the contest went on.
Danville, having triumphed over Blooms-
burg and Milton in being designated as the
county town, found herself confronted with
the rather difficult task of providing ways and
means to erect the required county buildings,
jail and courthouse. Her citizens, as well
as all the other people of this portion of the
new county, were stirred to energetic action
by the fact that they must not allow a loop-
hole for the enemies of Danville, who were
alert for any pretext on which to base a re-
moval of the county seat. The new county
made an appropriation towards the building of
$1,050. The rest of the money was paid by
private subscriptions. Three or four subscrip-
tion papers were circulated early in 1814, two
of which are still extant. They were dupli-
cates and read as follows :
• We, the subscribers, promise to pay into Daniel
Montgomery, James Maus and Alem Marr.
for the purpose of erecting the public buildings in
Danville, the county seat for the county of Colum-
bia, the sums respectively annexed to our names ;
nevertheless, in case the whole subscription be not
appropriated for the purpose aforesaid, the subscrip-
tion of each subscriber shall be refunded in propor-
tion to the sum subscribed.
Here was prudent forethought, indeed, on
the part of those old fellows, characteristic of
the time and the men, sounding curious to
iTien of this age, when such a thing as expen-
ditures falling short of appropriations is an
undreamed of possibility, much less a prob-
ability. This was long before the days of
graft and political contractors. These were
men of sturdy patriotism and unflinching in-
tegrity, men who studied the public good and
plotted not for private gain. How the pol-
itician of today laughs at the thought of the
whole sum appropriated not being needed !
How he pities the simplicity and honesty of
these men of former days ! Yet these were
the men who wove patriotism, purity, truth
and honesty into the fabric of ottr govern-
ment and made possible a nation outriding the
storms of censure and overcoming the blasts
of the dishonesty and corruption of these pres-
ent days. The hope of today is based upon
the deep, firm, broad and unyielding founda-
tion of truth, honesty, promise and endeavor
laid by these men in the early days of the
nineteenth centun.-.
The principal names to this stibscription
paper are of sufficient interest to preserve for
posterity: Daniel Montgomers'. Si. 000; Wil-
liam Montgomery, $1,000; Joseph Maus, $100;
Thomas Woodside, $100; Phillip Goodman,
$100; Alexander Montgomery, $100; James
Longhead, $100; John Montgomery, $75;
Alem Marr, $50; William Montgomery, $50;
David Petrikin, $50; John Deen, $35; Rob-
ert McW'illiams, $25 ; John Evans, $25 ; Wil-
liam Clark, $25: William Mann, $2S; Peter
Blue, $20; Peter Baldy, $12; David Williams,
Sio; James Donalson, $10; John Moore, Sio;
and others, $22 — a total of $2,944.
This generous subscription was sufficient
encouragement to commence the building of
the courthouse. Gen. D. Montgomery made
an estimate of the cost, $2,704.96. The com-
mittee to receive and disburse the money con-
sisted of General Montgomen,', Mr. Marr and
Mr. Maus. Messrs. Montgomery and Marr
were too deeply engaged in their own affairs
to give the matter attention, we are told, so
this fluty devolved upon Mr. Maus alone. With
his wonted energy he entered upon the task,
employed workmen, opened stone quarries,
brick kilns, purchased timber, hardware, glass,
paints and needed materials of all kinds. His
only resource for boarding the workmen was
to establish a boarding house. In person he
collected the stibscriptions, superintended the
work, paid all bills, and his unremitting energv'
and toil soon witnessed the triumph of his
labors. Of those who worked upon the build-
ing the following names are all that can now
be recalled : Daniel Cameron, a Scotchman,
was a carpenter in charge of that part of the
work ; Tunis Gearhart, James and Joseph
Crosley were stonemasons ; William and Gil-
bert Giberson, brickmasons ; the chief plas-
terer was the jolly Hibernian. Michael Raf-
ferty, whose home was in Danville. Isaac
Edgar, assisted by Asher Smith and John
Cope, made the brick. The other employees
on the bttilding, their particular posts not be-
ing known, were John Bryson, John Strieker,
Edwin Stocking. Alexander Johnson, Benja-
min (iarretson. Nehemiah Hand, William
Lunger, Peter Watts, Peter Snyder, Frederick
Harbolt, James Thomas, William Doak. D.
Henderson, B. Long and T. Haller. The total
cost of the building was $3,980.80. It was
commenced in April, 1815, and completed in
September, 1816.
These, our nation builders, were a hardy
race, pious — bigots, it may be — austere in their
religious tenets and practices ; severe of con-
science and relentless in the pursuit of sin ;
and. in order that no sin might escape, pun-
ishing even innocent pleasures ; splendid types
of the church militant, full of the fire of
patriotism, devoted to the death to liberty, and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
275
as honest as they were fearless! They ate
heavily of a diet that was mostly meat. They
were rugged men and women, to whom life
and their Christian duties were stern realities.
They knew nothing of the refinements and ef-
feminacy of modern times ; had these Ijeen
brought to them, they would have despised
them. They had mostly fled from the dire
religious persecutions of the old world, had
felt the heaviest hand of persecution, the cold
dungeon and had approached the stake and
the fagot. These they had left behind them
to brave the solitudes, the malaria, the wild
beasts and vipers, and the yet more deadly
tomahawk and scalping knife of the cruel
and pitiless savages of the forest. What a
school in which to rear this new race of
nation builders ! Look out over the fair face
of the earth to-day and behold what these
simple children of the early days have given us,
the magnificence and magnitude of their work
and the poverty and paucity of the means at
their command. No men the world ever pos-
sessed had more thoroughly the courage of
their convictions. Their faults and frailties
"leaned to virtue's side." As severe as they were
in their judgments, the same castiron grooves
they gave to others, they applied with even less
charity to themselves. They came of a race
of religious fanatics and martyrs, and the eld-
est of them were born in Europe when even
the most highly civilized portions of the world
were in the travail of the ages — the age of
iron and blood ; an age when shoemakers rose
from their benches, tailors from their boards,
and coopers dropped their hoops and staves,
and unfurled the banner of the Cross: and
gathering their followers about them, seized
the greatest empire inthe world, and chopped
off the king's head with no more awe than per-
forming the simplest daily duty ; an age when
all men were intensely, savagely religious.
Great wars had been fought for religion. Gun-
powder had been invented with its civilizing
explosive powers. Marching, fighting armies,
when not fighting, held religious meetings ; and
illiterate corporals mounted their rude pulpits
and launched their nasal thvmders of God's
wrath at the heads of their officers. Men
kneeled down in the streets and prayed and
gathered crowds and preached their fiery ser-
mons to eager listeners. The churches were
filled three times a day on Sunday with ear-
nest, solemn people, and prayers and singing
of psalms were the only sounds to be heard
in the towns or, for that matter, in the coun-
try. Nearly every man was a church police-
man or a minister of God, his baton or license
bearing no great red seal of state or church or
institution ; but, inspired of heaven, he became
a flaming sword at the garden's gate against
the entrance of all sin. And yet, out of these
stern and unyielding and perhaps bigoted men,
there developed those qualities of sturdy hon-
esty, and sterling integrity and implicit faith in
.Almighty God, which combined to make the
patriotism that walked with bleeding feet the
snow and ice of Valley Forge ; and that later
struck the shackles from the arms of the dusky
slave and still later consecrated to God and
freedom the soil of Pennsylvania, on the
bloody field of Gettysburg.
The contest for the removal of the county
seat from Danville to Bloomsburg became
more bitter as the years rolled on. There
were then planted the seeds of hatred and
jealousy which even yet are bearing fruit.
Col. John G. Freeze, in his History of Colum-
bia County, says :
"It is hardly worth while to write up the
history of that long and bitter contest. Its
track is strewed with the wrecks of unfortu-
nate local politicians who had mistaken the
temper of the people, or were themselves the
mere tools of more designing intriguers. Party
politics were lost sight of in the election of
county officers, and year after year removal
and anti-removal candidates tested the strength
of the respective localities."
Attempt after attempt was made to ha\e the
Legislature change the county seat, but with-
out success. These efforts ceased with the
session of 1822, and no further attempts were
made in the Legislature until about 18^3 or
In November of 1833 ^^^ grand jury re-
ported that the public records were in great
danger of destruction by fire and recom-
mended the immediate erection of fireproof
offices. This action again aroused the people
who had clamored for removal, and a new
movement started. Bills were introduced into
the Legislature at various sessions, only to
be defeated.
At last, on the 24th of February, 1845, ^^^
Legislature passed an act submitting the C|ues-
tion of removal to a vote of the people, and
in October of that year a vote was taken
which resulted as follows: For removal 2,913,
against removal 1,579, making a majority for
removal of 1,334.
At once public buildings were erected at
Bloomsburg, and in November of 1847 the
records were removed to that place and the
first court held in January, 1848.
Danville's smart at defeat was of short
276
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
duration. No sooner was the county seat re-
moved than Danville's partisans and leaders
began a movement for a division of the county,
with Danville as the county seat.
Valentine Best, one of the earnest advo-
cates of retaining the county seat at Danville,
was elected State senator from Columbia and
Luzerne counties in 1850. He made his duty.
chiefly, the distinctive one of the formation
of Montour county. He was a newspaper
publisher in Danville, and a warm partisan
of the borough in all questions affecting that
place as the county seat, and when Blooms-
burg carried off the prize, he, among others,
only redoubled exertions to score even with
the people of the northern part of the county
who had carried the day in the long contest,
and left Danville to weep over her departed
official eminence. He was an out-and-out
Democrat of the Jeffersonian kind. When he
took his seat in the Senate — a position he
had won on the county seat question, and by
his own tireless energy and good judgment —
he found that there was some fine work to
be done in order to carry through the sole
measure for which he had gone to the Sen-
ate, forming a new county. He perceived the
relation of the two political parties was such
that without his vote there was a tie. The
Whigs were ready to vote for his new county
if they could gain any of their ends by such
combination. He closed at once with them,
and by their votes and his own he was elected
speaker, and thus he was enabled to push
through triumphantly the bill for the erection
of Montour county.
By Act of Assembly of May 3, 1850, the
county of ^lontour was formed. Section 2
provides as follows :
"That all that part of Columbia county in-
cluded within the limits of the townships of
Franklin, Mahoning, \'alley. Liberty, Lime-
stone, Derry, Anthony and the borough of
Danville, together with all that portion of
the townships of Montour, Hemlock and Mad-
ison lying west of the following line, begin-
ning at Leiby's sawmill on the bank of the
Susquehanna ; thence by the road leading to
the Danville and Bloomsburg road, at or near
Samviel Lazarus' house ; thence from the Dan-
ville and Bloomsburg road to the Rock val-
ley at the end of the lane leading from said
road to Obed Everett's house ; thence by said
lane to Obed Everett's house; thence north-
ward to the schoolhouse near David Smith's
in Hemlock township ; thence by the road lead-
ing from said schoolhouse to the State road at
Robin's mill to the end of the lane leading
from said road to John Kinney's house ; thence
by a straight line to John Townsend's, near
the German meetinghouse ; thence to Henr}'
Johnson's near Millville; thence by a straight
line to a post in the Lycoming county line,
near the road leading to Crawford's mill, to-
gether with that part of Roaringcreek town-
ship lying south and west of the line begin-
ning at the southeastern corner of Franklin
township : thence eastward by the southern
boundary' line of Catawissa township to a
point directly north of John Yeager's house;
thence southward by a direct line, including
John Yeager's house, to the Schuylkill county
line at the northeast corner of Barry town-
ship."
The Act then proceeds to provide that
never, no. never, shall any portion of North-
umberland county be annexed to said county
of Montour without the unanimous consent of
the voters of Northumberland. Then there
occurs a clause fixing Danville as the county
seat.
Section 3 provided that the people of Dan-
ville should pay all the costs of the courthouse
and jail, and annexed the county of Montour
to the Eighth Judicial district of the common-
wealth.
Section 14 provides that all that portion of
Madison township lying in the new county
shall be erected into a new township called
Madison. * * * That the portion of
Hemlock township in the new county shall
be erected into a new township called West
Hemlock. * * * All that portion of Mon-
tour township in the new county shall be a
new township called Cooper. * * * That
part of Roaringcreek township in the new
county shall be called Roaringcreek township.
These new townships were made election dis-
tricts, elections to he held in Madison at the
house of John Welliver; West Hemlock, Bur-
tis Amwine ; Cooper. Jacob Rishel : Thomas
Ritter; Roaringcreek. David Yeager.
The Act appointed commissioners to locate
the boundary line of the county as follows:
Abraham Stroub. David Rockefeller and
Isaiah B. Davis.
On Jan. 15, 1853, the Assembly passed an
act to change the location of the line between
the counties of Columbia and Montour. Sec-
tion I provides as follows : That Roaring-
creek township, in Montour county, and such
parts of the townships of Franklin, Madison
and West Hemlock, in said county, that lie
east of the adjusted line of Columbia and
Montour counties shall be, and the same are
hereby, reannexed to the county of Columbia
Old Couxty Courthouse, Danville, Pa.
Soldiers' Monument, Memorial Park,
Danville, Pa.
jNIontour County Courthouse, Danxille, Pa.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
277
as hereinafter prescribed and established. The
act then described the new county Hne between
the two counties as follows : Beginning at
the Northumberland county line, at or near
the house of Samuel Readen ; thence a direct
course to the center of Roaring creek, in
Franklin township, twenty rods above a point
in said creek opposite the house of John
X'ought ; thence down the middle of the stream
of said creek to the Susquehanna river ; thence
to the middle of said river; thence up the
center of the same to a point opposite where
the present county line between Columbia and
Montour strikes the north bank of the river;
thence to the said north bank; thence by the
present division line between said counties to
the schoolhouse near the residence of David
Smith ; thence to a point near the residence
of David Smith ; thence to the bridge over
Deerlick nm on the line between Derry and
Madison townships ; thence by the line be-
tween said townships of Madison and Derry
and Anthony to the line of Lycoming county.
John Koons^ Gilbert C. McWaine, of Luzerne
county, and Bernard Reilly, of Schuylkill
county, were appointed commissioners to run
and locate the new line.
Section 4 changed the name of Franklin
township, in Montour county, and made it
Mayberry.
Section 5 provides that so much of Mad-
ison township as remains in Montour county
shall hereafter compose a part of West Hem-
lock township.
The present courthouse was built in 1871.
It occupies the grounds of the old building,
with the additional grounds where the build-
ing of the Friendship Fire Company stood.
The total cost of ground and building was
$55,000. The contractor and architect was
Mr. O'Malley; the brick work was done by
B. K. Vastine ; the stone work by H. F. Hawke
& Co. It is a very substantial and commo-
dious building, plain, strong, and yet hand-
some in its outlines and finish. The first
floor is occupied by the commissioners, pro-
thonotary, recorder, sheriflf and grand jury.
The second floor is devoted to the main court-
room and jury rooms.
The whole is well furnished with all the mod-
ern conveniences and appliances for the carry-
ing on of the county's legal affairs. The
vaults for the records are large, comfortable
rooms.
The large and solid stone jail known to the
generations preceding 1890 was built in 181 7-
18 by Charles Mann, contractor. It had two
cells on the first story and two on the sec-
ond, and also a substantial and roomy resi-
dence under the same roof for the sheriflf.
The present new and beautiful brick build-
ing, designed by Danville's competent and
much respected architect, John H. Brugler,
was erected in 1892.
While once in a while this jail contains a
few prisoners, yet to the credit of the county
be it said that oftener it is empty; and quite
frequently the sheriiY, instead of feeding pris-
oners, is notifying jurors that their attendance
at court is not necessary.
CHAPTER II
SOME OF THE EARLY FAMILIES
We are in the second century since the first
settlers came to what is now Montour county.
The only record these sturdy people had time
to make of themselves, for the contemplation
and pleasure of their posterity, consisted al-
most solely of the works of their own hands
amid trials and difficulties we can but poorly
appreciate now. Without machinery', tools,
money or the rudest appliances of civilization,
they had to carve out their way against appall-
ing obstructions. That they did it, not only
well, but at all, is one of the marvels in the
history of the human race. The world's
"seven wonders" that have passed down for
the admiration of so many ages are, in the
aggregate and abstract, but childish, simple
nothings — floating bubbles — cohipared to that
of the continental conquerors, these liberators
of the human race, who builded, no doubt,
wiser than they knew, but yet built for all
ages and for all mankind. The sublime story
of these simple, grand men and women has
never been properly told and is not under-
stood by their descendants of to-day. Their
memories have been grossly neglected, and
too often now we find that their wonderful
story has passed away forever with their de-
caying bones.
The few mentioned in this chapter include
but a small portion of those whose family
278
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
names should be indelibly stamped upon the
pages of the history of Montour county, yet
these few names include about all, in connec-
tion with the accounts of others in the bio-
graphical section of this work, of whom it
has been possible to give definite and reliable
information.
To write the history of the early days of
what now constitutes Montour county and to
write the history of the Montgomery family
would be mostly one and the same thing.
Gen. William Montgomery wrote this upon
the blank leaf of an old family Bible : "August
3rd, 1809. — By the goodness of divine Prov-
idence, I have this day numbered seventy-
three years, and it is but right that I should
leave a record of something of (jod's good-
ness to me in so long a life. I was the third
son of Alexander and Mary Montgomery,
who both died, leaving me an orphan ten or
eleven years old."
Alexander Montgomery, spoken of m the
above quotation, was the son of Captain Mont-
gomery, born in 1666, who was an officer
under William of Orange at the battle of the
Boyne, and for bravery in that memorable
conflict was promoted to be a major in the
British army.
Alexander Montgomery was born about 1700
and died in 1746. He and his wife had eight
children, seven sons and one daughter. Wil-
liam. Daniel and Margaret emigrated to
Northumberland county together, from Ches-
ter county. William was born Aug. 3, 173^).
and died in May, 1S16. at the green old age
of eighty years. He had become a prominent
man in his native county of Chester before the
Revolution. He was a member of the "Asso-
ciators" and a delegate in a convention "of
the people of the Province of Pennsylvania"
assembled in Philadelphia Jan. 2t,. 1775. He
was again a delegate to the convention that
assembled in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia,
in June, 1776.
In June, 1776, Colonel (afterwards Gen-
eral) Montgomery's battalion, the 4th Chester
County Militia, 450 strong, was "serving its
tour" in New Jersey, and it is supposed was
in the battle of Long Island in August. 1776-
Then his regiment became known as the "Fly-
ing Camp." In 1773 he visited Northum-
berland countv, which then included Columbia
and Montour,' and Nov. 26, 1774. is the date of
the deed of J. Simpson to William Montgom-
ery for "180 acres of land on Mahoning Creek,
north side of the east branch of the Susque-
hanna, called Karkaase." This is the land on
which Danville was originally laid out. He
removed his family to what is now Danville
in 1776 or early in 1777. Here his youngest
son, Alexander, was born Oct. 8, 1777, in a
log house built by his father adjoining the old
stone house still standing at the corner of
Mill and Bloom streets, and there he died, in
1848, in the same room in which he was born.
William Montgomery was a fearless bor-
derer of brawn and brain admirably suited to
the turbulent times that were then upon the
country, and which in consequence of Indian
raids weighed so heavily upon the outer set-
tlements. In 1779 he was a member of the
Assembly from Northumberland county. In
March, 1780, he voted for an act "for the
gradual abolition of slavery." In 1783 he
visited Wyoming and was engaged in the set-
tlement of certain disputed claims which
threatened the peace and safety of the com-
munity. Among the papers surviving him is
the following letter, written to his wife, which
shows the work devolving upon him in this
connection, and also reveals his character as
a courtly gentleman of the old school — and
the pity is, it is not of the new school also.
Wiotning April 21st 1783,
My Dear — I wrote you yesterday, but having an op-
portunity now wliich 1 thuik will be quicker 1 gladly
embrace it in order to relieve your mmd, but too
easily imprest with apprehension for my safety, that
I am here safe and well that there is no apprehen-
sion of the least danger from the savages, the People
here are very quiet, and I hope we will finish our
Negociation successfully — there is no objection to
the establishment of civil Government here — And I
believe they will cede their claims to the Pensyl-
vanians on certain terms which the Pensylvanians
are willing to grant. Thus there is a probability of
Peace here as well as elsewhere — this circumstance
will be to our advantage as well as comfort as it
will promote the trade and intercourse on our
Branch — it will open a way to employment in my
new business, and tend to the more genteel support
and education of a rising family, for this purpose I
can cheerfully undergo the fatigues thereof, Nor
will I consider it otherwise than as a pleasure if it
will contribute to the enjoyment of anything where-
by I can gratify so amiable a person as yourself;
which to do, is, & I hope will continue to be, the
pride and glory of Your .■\ffect. Hbd
Wm. Montgomery.
In 1784 Wm. Montgomery was elected, by
the Assembly, a member of Congress, which
position he resigned Feb. 7, 1785. That year
he was appointed president judge of North-
umberland and Luzerne counties. While in
this position he was still actively interested
in the adjustment of these disputed claims.
The following letter from Benjamin Frank-
lin shows the estimate in which he was held by
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
279
those having the adjustment of these claims
in hand :
IN COUNCIL
Sir
Philadelphia May 27th 1786
GIVEN in Council, under the Hand of The Hon-
orable Charles Eiddle, esquire, Vice President, and
the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this twenty
third day of July in the Year of our Lord one thou-
sand seven hundred and eighty seven
ATTEST
On the 22d day of August 1787 Before me the
Subscriber, Member of the Supreme Executive
Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ap-
peared William Montgomery, Esq., and took the
Oath prescribed by the Above recited Act of As-
sembly in due form of Law and the Oath of Al-
legiance as prescribed by the Constitution
Nathan Denison.
ATTEST
John Armstrong, Scty.
In December. 1787, he was appointed deputy
surveyor of Northumberland and Luzerne
cotmties ; when he received this appointment
he resigned his office of president judge of
the courts. In 1791 he was induced to accept
a commission as justice of the peace. These
last two named acts are strongly character-
istic of the man himself. In 1808 he was
presidential elector, the vote of Northumber-
land county standing: William Montgomery,
Republican-Democrat, 2,793 ! fof the Federal
candidate, 220.
This is but the briefest outline of his mil-
itary and official life. His permanent great-
ness and fame should rest chiefly upon his
domestic, commercial and agricultural labors.
To the little colony of settlers he was much
like a careful and protecting father. He boldly
ventured tipon any scheme of merchandising
or manufacturing that promised to yield good
fruits to the people. In an address to his
neighbors in the dawn of this century he told
them that these hills were full of iron, and he
believed there were those listening to him who
would live to see here great iron factories,
(SF-M OF THE STATE employing vast numbers of laborers and yield-
OF PENNSYLVANIA) '"S boundless wealth to the country. His
(Just opposite this seal on the margin is the name prophecy became entirely fulfilled. He estab-
Chas. Biddle.] lished here the first saw, grist and woolen
^ I" t'fN'^ME and by the AUTHORITY of the j^^jj, ^j^^ j^^.^^ ^^^ j ^ , j^ ^
FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. , ' ^ • .1 ,. 1 r r
THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, OF almost everythmg that gave such powerful
THE said Commonwealth, mipetus to the building up of the town of
To William Montgomery Esquire Danville. We cannot better conclude this ac-
We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ completing the quotation, from
Prudence, Integrity, and Abilities, have appointed „ iat'I ^.^ ^, vuu-i
vou the said William Montgomery our Commissioner General Montgomery s own words, with which
for executing the Act of Assembly, entitled "An Act we commenced :
for ascertaining and confirming to certain persons
called Connecticut Claiments the Lands by them ..j ^^^j married Margaret Nivin ; she was
claimed in the County of Luzerne &c n ^u i. ' u u ,. 1 • u
You are therefore by these Presents commissionated all that could be expected in a woman ; she
to have and hold the said Office of Commissioner was pious, sensible and afifectionate ; she lived
with all the with me about thirteen years and had issue.
Rights Powers. Salaries [this word is erased m Mary, who died at twenty-three years of age ;
original , and Emoluments to the said Ofhce belong- ,, . u j- a -^ :„i at <- u
ing or bv Law in anv Wise appertaining, until this Ale.xander. who died in infancy ; Margaret who
Commission shall be legally revoked died in the same year with her sister ; William,
The Council have received your letter of the sev-
enteenth and twentieth instant by General Bull, con-
taining the important Intelligence of fresh disturb-
ances at Wioming, which will be taken into Consid-
eration. We are sensible of your attention to the
public welfare manifested in these dispatches; and
desire you would continue to send us what farther
information you may from time to time obtain of
the proceedings in that part of the Country; using in
the mean while what influence you have, to quiet
the minds of the unhappy settlers there, by assuring
them that there is the best disposition in the Govern-
ment to treat them equitably and even with kindness,
and to take them under its protection and to extend
to them all the privileges of our free and happy
Constitution, on their demonstrating by their peace-
able and orderly behaviour that the sentiments ex-
pressed in their late petition to the General Assem-
bly are sincere, and that they are truly disposed to
become good citizens.— We hope they will wisely
pursue this Conduct and thereby render all Thought
of taking compulsive measures unnecessary.
I am, with much Esteem
Sir, Y'our most humble servant
B. Franklin Presidt.
William Montgomery Esquire
President of the Courts of Common pleas Quarter
Sessions and Orphans Court— of the County of
Northumberland
In 1787 Wm. Montgomery was appointed a
commissioner to execute the act of Assembly
entitled "an act for ascertaining and confirm-
ing to certain persons called 'Connecticut
Claimants' the lands by them claimed in the
County of Luzerne," etc. His commission
reads as follows :
280
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
who is still alive and has a large family, is
about forty-seven years old ; John, who is
about two years younger and has also a large
family ; Daniel, who is still two years younger
than John and has a family ; Alexander, who
died about one year old.
"About twenty-two months after her de-
cease I married Isabella Evans, a most dis-
tinguished and delightful woman, by whom I
had issue, Robert, born in April, 1773; Han-
nah, born the 22d of January, 1775; Alex-
ander, born October 8, 1777, and Margaret,
born January 8, 1784. The three former are
still living, but she died soon after her mar-
riage with Thomas Woodside. Their mother
was called away from me in August, 1791,
and in April, 1793, I married a worthy and
eminent woman ; her maiden name was Boyd,
and she was the widow of Col. Mathew Boyd,
by whom she had issue, John, who died with
the dysentery, aged about twenty-three years ;
also, Rebekah, who is married to Rev. John
B. Patterson, lives happily and is raising a
fine family. But I have had no issue by my
present wife nor has any uneasiness arisen
in consequence of it. Nor can it be said that
any of .my children have had step-mothers,
being always treated with as much tenderness
and respect as they could have expected from
their own mothers. Another instance of my
happiness, and for which I ought to be very
thankful, is the untarnished morality of my
children, and the peace and harmony that has
always subsisted among them.
"Through all this long life I have been
abundantly provided for, have enjoyed honor
enough unsought by any other means than
honestly endeavoring to do my duty to my
God and my country — great health and much
comfort, retaining my natural powers with lit-
tle diminution until about five or six years
past, since when I feel sensibly the advances
of age. But I hope that goodness and mercy
which have followed me through life will not
forsake me when gray hairs appear, but con-
tinue to conduct me down to death, after
which, through the merits of our Lord Jesus
Christ alone and the mercy of God our
Saviour, I hope to obtain eternal rest and
happiness.
Wm. Montgomery.
"Note this year the woolen factory at Dan-
ville established under my care."
D.XNiEL Montgomery, brother of Gen. Wil-
liam Montgomery, came with his brother from
Chester county and for a long time lived in
an old frame house on Water street, Dan-
ville, where Philip Benzbach now lives. He
was a painter and said to be a very good one.
Gen. D.\niel Montgomery was the third
son of the above Gen. William Montgomery,
and was fifteen years old when his father
brought his family to Danville to reside. When
only twenty-five years of age, under the guid-
ance and assistance of his father, Daniel
Montgomery opened the first store in Dan-
ville. Soon he was the trusted merchant and
factor of a wide circle of patrons. This first
store building was where the "Montour
House" now stands. On Nov. 27, 1791, Daniel
Montgomery married Miss Christiana Straw-
bridge. The next year he laid out the town
of Danville — the part east of Mill street. The
new town received its baptismal name from
the abbreviation of his Christian name,
through the partiality of his customers. From
this time until his death he was the most
prominent man in this part of the State.
Elected to the Legislature in 1800, he at once
took his father's place as a trusted leader in
the public enterprises and politics of his dis-
trict. By leading men throughout the State
he was recognized as a man of great influence
in wisely shaping public affairs. During his
active political life of many years he carried
on his extensive mercantile establishment, pur-
chased and owned large tracts of land. In
1805 he was lieutenant-colonel in the 8ist
Pennsylvania Militia. He was appointed
major-general of the 9th Division July 2"],
1809. He was the chief promoter in the
building of turnpike roads in this portion of
the State. Elected to Congress in 1807 as a
Democrat, he served out his term ably and
acceptably and declined a reelection. He
worked efficiently for the division of North-
umberland county and the erection of Colum-
bia and Union counties ; Danville was made
the county seat of Columbia county, and the
father and son donated the land for the county
buildings, and contributed largely in money
towards their erection. In 1823, though
strongly urged by prominent men all over the
State, he declined to stand for the office of
governor. In 1828 he was appointed one of
the canal commissioners, and it was while he
was in this office that the great internal State
improvements were inaugurated — among
others the North Branch canal was located
and well advanced towards completion. He
was a large stockholder and a strong promoter
of the Danville Bridge Company, completing
the bridge in 1829. He originated the project
of the Danville & Pottsville railroad and was
first president of the company. Besides ad-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
281
ministering these varied positions of trust,
great labor and responsibility, he, like his
father, was a noted farmer. Gen. Daniel
Montgomery died at his residence in Danville
on Friday, Dec. 30, 1831, aged sixty-six years.
The old family Bible bears the following rec-
ord of his children: Margaret, born Oct. 18,
1792, died April i, 1845, unmarried; Isabella,
bom Aug. I, 1794, died Oct. 11, 1813, unmar-
ried; Mary, born July 26, 1796, died Sept. 2,
1797; Thomas, born July 19, 1798, died Feb.
22, 1800; Hannah, born Oct. 16, 1800, was
married to J. C. Boyd in May, 1820; William,
born Jan. 11, 1803, died Jan. 23, 1873, aged
seventy, bachelor; Polly, born Feb. 6, 1805,
married Dr. W. H. Magill May i, 1828 (they
had two sons and three daughters) ; Chris-
tina, born March i, 1809, died May 26, 1836,
unmarried ; Daniel Strawbridge, born July 2,
181 1, died March 26, 1839.
Judge William Moxtgomerv was a son
of Daniel Montgomery the elder and a nephew
of Gen. William Montgomery. He was a
merchant, doing business in the store at the
corner of Mill and Market streets and re-
siding on the opposite corner. He was ap-
pointed the first postmaster of Danville in
1806 by President Jefferson. This position
he held for seven years and in the administra-
tion of the office gave universal satisfaction.
Judge Montgomery was a man highly re-
spected in the church and in the community,
and all his influence was used for the better-
ment of mankind. Chiefly through his eft'orts
the first Sunday school was established in
Danville in 1816. On Aug. 5, 181 5, he was ap-
pointed associate judge of Columbia county.
Phillip Maus was born in Prussia, 1731-
In company with his parents he came to Phil-
adelphia in 1 74 1, being then ten years old. He
attended school, and soon could speak and
write both English and German fluently. In
1750 he was apprenticed to the trade of manu-
facturing stockings, a circumstance that
enabled him in the times of the Revolution
greatly to aid and benefit the country. W^ithin
five years after he commenced to learn his
trade he established himself in the business,
conducting it with great success for the next
twenty years, when the troubles with the
mother country suspended operations. His
brothers were Frederick, Charles and Mathew.
The latter became a prominent surgeon in the
war and was with General Montgomery in his
expedition into Canada, and when Montgom-
ery fell before Quebec he aided Colonel Burr
in carrying away his body. Dr. Maus served
through the entire war of independence.
Phillip Maus married Frances Heap, a
native of England, a most estimable wife,
mother and friend. When his business fur-
nished him the capital he invested it in the
purchase of 600 acres of land. The patents
from Thomas and John Penn are dated April
3, 1769, and are among the earliest in what is
now Montour county. The proprietaries re-
served a perpetual quitrent of twopence per
acre, which was paid until the Common-
wealth compensated the Penns and became the
proprietor of the lands. The tract of land
lay in the rich and fertile valleys of Valley
township. At the time of the purchase it lay
on the outer fringe of the settlements, and
hence no improvements were made on the
property until after the Revolution. But as
soon as peace and safety permitted Mr. Maus
brought his family to this place, and for more
than thirty years it was his home. The chil-
dren of this happy union were : George, born
1759; Elizabeth, 1761 ; Phillip, 1763; Susan,
1765; Samuel, 1767; Lewis, 1773; Charles,
1775; Joseph, 1777; Jacob, 1781.
During the Revolution Mr. Maus was an
active and earnest patriot. He formed the
intimate acquaintance, which extended to the
end of their days, of Benjamin Franklin and
Robert Morris. Mr. Maus invested very
largely of his ample fortune in furnishing
clothing to the army, took his pay in Conti-
nental money, and of this money, when it
became valueless, he had several thousand
dollars on hand. Basket fuls of this old cur-
rency may yet be found in the possession of
Philip F. Maus. What would a modem army
contractor think if he was to hear this story?
Here is a letter that now possesses a historical
interest :
Philadelphia, 9 Octo. 1776.
Mr. Samuel Updegraff, Sir : — By the bearer, Mr.
Joseph Kerr, I send you the ballance of the price
of 8 doz pairs of buckskin breeches I bought of
you, having paid you ig in advance, the ballance
being £143 3s. which he will pay you on delivering
him the goods. If you have any more to dispose of
he will contract with you for them, and I shall be
glad if you and him can agree. Your humble
servant,
Phillip Maus.
Leather breeches, moccasins and hunting
shirts of the same, were the clothing of some
of the grandfathers of many of our most
artistocratic and exclusive people of fashion
and wealth of the present day.
At the close of the war Mr. Maus'
fortune was so reduced that he turned
his attention to his land in Montour county,
282
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
coming here in 1782. He found the in-
fant settlement of Danville, which had then
been founded by Daniel Montgomery and his
brother William, to consist of a few log
cabins and half a dozen families, nearly all
from the southeastern portion of the State
and the western part of New Jersey. His
lands, when he then looked upon them, pre-
sented a mass of verdure and "deep tangled
wildvvood," stretching along the northern base
of Montour's Ridge, with the Mahoning flow-
ing through them. He brought with him from
Philadelphia two carpenters, and his son I'hil-
lip, and with willing hands they cleared away
the great forest and made his beautiful
farm. He erected the first cabin in \'al-
ley township. Its site was on the right
bank of the stream, nearly half a mile
from the present stone mill. He contracted
for the clearing of other parts of his land,
but then the Indian troubles commenced,
and the people in these unprotected parts had
to flee to Northumberland for safety. Be-
fore leaving the place everything they could
not carry away, such as implements, tools, etc.,
was carefully buried and secreted from the
Indians. The place was then rented to Peter
Blue and James Sutphel, the bargain being
that the lessees were to return and occupy
the lands as soon as it would be safe to do so.
Mr. Maus and family remained in Northum-
berland only a brief time and then proceeded
to Lebanon, where they remained one year :
then returned to Northumberland, remained
three or four years, and then came back to
the Mahoning settlement.
Philip F. Maus, son of Joseph and Sallie
Montgomery, and grandson of Phillip Maus,
one of the first settlers in what is now Val-
ley township, lived until the year 1891 at
Mausdale, in Montour county. Philip Eugene
Maus, his son, now lives upon the old home-
stead at Mausdale, and the direct line of de-
scent is as follows : Phillip Maus, his son
Joseph, Joseph's son Philip P.. and Philip
F.'s son, Philip Eugene Maus.
Joseph Maus was born in Philadelphia in
October, 1777, and catne to this county with
his parents when about eight years old. In
1808 he married Sallie, daughter of John
Montgomery, of Paradise farm. The issue of
this marriage was Philip F., born Sept. 27,
1810, and John M., born in 1812. Joseph
Maus died July 26. 1867. Sallie (Montgom-
ery) Maus died May 20. 1872. John M. mar-
ried Rebecca Gray in 1833. Philip F. Maus
married Sarah Gallaher. of Lycoming county.
in May, 1838. Of this marriage there were
six children, four sons and two daughters,
all of whom e.xcept Philip E. died in infancy.
Mrs. Sarah (Gallaher) Maus was a daugh-
ter of William and Margaret Gallaher, who
were early settlers in what is now Lycoming
county ; they were of Scotch-Irish descent.
John C. Gulics was born in Mahoning
township Dec. i, 1807, a son of John and
Mary (Gearhart) Gulics, natives of New Jer-
sey. Grandfather Jacob Gearhart was a Rev-
olutionary soldier, attaining the rank of cap-
tain, and was long in the service under Gen-
eral Washington. John and Mary Gulics had
five children.
Nathaniel Wilson and his wife Sarah
(Bond) were of the early settlers in the
county. Liberty township. They were natives
of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent.
Nathaniel was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Descendants of the Bonds and Wilsons are
now citizens of Montour county.
Samuel Kirkham. How that name brings
up old schools days and "parsing grammar!"
Pennsylvania must have bred great grammar-
ians— Lindley Murray was a native of York
county, and Mr. Kirkham was a teacher in
the Danville schools in 1819 to 1821. It is
said what little grammar Abraham Lincoln
ever knew he got from Kirkham's grammar.
Daniel Frazer was born May 2, 1755.
and married Sarah Wilson in 1772. She died
i'l 1775- He was again married, his second
wife being Isabella Watson, whom he mar-
ried on the 6th day of February, 1777. Daniel
Frazer came here in 1790. He purchased a
farm of John Frazer, 100 acres. Here he re-
sided thirty-eight years, or until his death,
which occurred on the 26th day of March.
1828. All the south part of his farm is now
in the corporate limits of Danville. He was
a most estimable farmer, and his death was
mourned by a wide circle of friends. His
children were Charles, Emma, Margaret, 1
James, Alexander. Sarah. Jane, William.
Christiana M., Agnes. Daniel and Thomas.
Dr. Benjamin F. Young resided in North- ;
umberland ( now Montour) county between
1794 and the date of his death, March 2^,. \
1803. \
Ellis Hughes came here a school teacher 1
and for some time taught in the schoolhouse ;
a short distance from where the "Montour
House" now stands. He was appointed reg- ,
ister and recorder by the governor, and served
to the entire satisfaction of the public. He j
died in 1850. _ !
William H.nrtman came to Danville in :
18 14, a chairmaker, at that time a very con-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
283
veiiient kind of workman to have in a com-
munity where three-legged stools were chiefly
the seats of honor. He died in 1851. His
children were Joseph, Duncan, Jane, Frances,
Emily (wife of Samuel Pardoej and Sarah
(wife of George W. Forrest j.
Rev. Is.'^ac Grier, S. T. D., was the son
of [ohn Grier, who in the seventeenth cen-
tury was rescued as he and his wife were
about to be driven into one of the lakes of
Ireland on account of their religion. John
Grier and his wife fled to this country and
settled in the Cumberland valley. Rev. Isaac
Grier was born in 1764. He graduated at
Dickinson College in 1788 and entered the
Presbyterian ministry in 1791. He studied
theology with Rev. Thomas Cooper, D. D., of
Middle Spring Church, in the Cumberland
valley, and married Dr. Cooper's daughter.
He settled at Northumberland and estab-
lished there the brick college so well known
throughout all this region. Dr. Grier was
called, in 1794. to the pastorate of the three
congregations which in 1792 were combined
to form the Great Island Church in what is
now Lock Haven.
The following were the children of Dr.
Isaac Grier and his wife: (ij Hon. Robert
C. Grier, mentioned in Chapter VI among
the members of the bar at Danville. He was
an eminent lawyer and in 1846 was appointed,
by President Polk, a justice of the Supreme
court of the United States. He was long an
elder in Dr. Bordman's Church, Philadelphia.
(2) Thomas Grier, who attended Princeton
College and taught for some time in the Dan-
ville Academy. (3) Rev. Isaac Grier, D. D.,
for nearly fifty years pastor of the Buftalo
rVesbyterian Church, and for part of the time,
in connection with the [Uift'alo charge, pastor
of White Deer Church, both in the Presby-
tery of Northumberland. "An active and use-
ful pastor, greatly beloved by the people whom
he served so long, and held in high esteem
by his co-presbyters." (4) John C. Grier,
for manv years a merchant and active citizen
in Dan\-iire, interested in all that was good
and for the uplifting of the town. About
184s he removed to" Peoria, 111., and died
about 1895, aged ninety years. (5) Michael
C. Grier, Jtor many years one of the substan-
tial and leading citizens of Danville. He was
long a ruling elder in the Mahoning Presby-
terian Church and afterwards in the Grove
Church, in the organization of which he took
an active part. He married Isabella Mont-
gomerv, daughter of Alexander Montgomery,
and after heV death married her sister, Mar>'
Montgomery. He was the father of I. X.
Grier and Rev. John B. Grier, D. D., of Dan-
ville, William Alexander M. Grier, now of
Brooklyn, N. Y., Mrs. Mary Ely, of Peoria,
111., and Mrs. Jennie Youngman, now de-
ceased. He died Dec. 25, 1879. (6) Gen.
William N. Grier, a graduate of West Point
and a brigadier general in the regular army,
who spent much of his life in the military
service of his country, in New Mexico and
other places on the frontier. He served for
some time in the Army of the Potomac dur-
ing the Civil war, under the command of Gen.
George B. McClellan. (7) Martha B. Grier,
who married John Thomas Orr, of Kittan-
ning, Pa. (8j Elizabeth Grier, who married
Rev. Thomas C. Strong, D. D., of the Dutch
Reformed Church of Flatbush, Long Island.
(9) Jane Grier, who married William Hib-
bler, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ( 10) Margaret
Grier, who married Henry C. Sproul, for a
long time clerk of the LInited States District
court at Pittsburg. (11) Anna Grier, who
died unmarried.
Nov. 24, 1784, is the date of the oldest rec-
ord extant containing a partial list of those
who were first here. It was a subscription
paper, drawn by Gen. William Montgomery's
hand and entitled "Preaching Subscription."
It was not especially sectarian, and as all men
in those days were deeply religious in faith
and pined for the expotinding of God's word,
it is quite probable that the list contained
nearly every head of a family then in the
county who was able to subscribe towards the
desired fund. It is an interesting relic. To
their descendants it is a kind of "Declaration
of Independence signers," and it is due their
memories that their histories, so far as can
be now obtained, be gathered up. The list
is here given in full, and following it is such
an account of their descendants as it has been
possible to gather from some of the oldest
citizens.
Following is the document and the amounts
respectively subscribed :
We. the subscribers, promise to pay the several
sums annexed to our names into the hands of such
person as shall be named by a majority of us to re-
ceive and collect the same, to be set apart as a fund
for the encouragement and promoting the preaching
of the Gospel among us at the settlement of
Mahoning.
Done this twcntv-fourth dav of November, 1784.
£ s. d.
Jno. Emmitt 7 6
Jas. Emmitt 7 6
Charlie McClahan 7 6
David Subingall i o o
284
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
i s. d.
Peter Blew 7 6
Jno. Wilson 7 6
Jos. Barry 7 6
Jno. Irwin 15 o
David Carr 7 6
Jacob Carr 7 6
Gilbert Voorhes 7 6
Wm. Montgomery, Jr 3 o o
James Henry 15 o
William Gray 7 6
Asahel Fowler 7 6
Benjamin Fowler 17 6
Robert Henry 12 6
James Grimes 15 0
Martin Todd 5 o
Peter Melick 7 6
Wm. Montgomery 3 o o
John Evart i o o
John Black I o o
Daniel Kelly 15 o
Peter Rambo I o o
John Emmet 15 o
John Clark I o o
Andrew Cochran 1 10 o
Ale.x. McMullan 15 o
Thomas Giles 7 6
Robert Giles 7 6
William Lemar 15 o
William Moreland i 2 6
John Wheeler 15 o
Levi Wheeler 7 6
Garret Vancamp 7 6
John Ogden 7 6
Lemuel Wheeler 10 o
David Goodman i 2 6
Joseph Roseberry, Jr 1 10 o
In those days distance had but small control
in determining where the good people would
attend divine service. And it is highly prob-
able that the subscribers above named in-
cluded families from ever\- settlement in the
county.
Peter Blew- ( Blue) lived in \'alley town-
ship, a good man and a much esteemed neigh-
bor among his farmer neighbors.
John Wilson, we are told, was a Quaker.
John, Thomas and William lived many years
in Frosty valley, on the Back road.
David .xnd J.\cob C.\rr settled just across
the river from Danville.
John Evart (Everitt) lived in Frosty val-
ley.
John Black lived in Derry township,
where he died many years ago.
John Emmet lived in Frosty valley. He
removed to Bloomsburg. It is told that he
was one of the believers in the wild story that
the Indians, before they left these parts,
buried vast treasures of gold in this hill. There
was a further wild superstition that those who
attempted to dig and find the hidden treasure
would be stricken by the spell of the dusky
ghosts, and would flee in terror and pine away
and die. A man named Runyon, it was
gravely related, went there to dig after Emmet
had fled and left his digging implements. He,
too, fled in terror before the spooks and went
oft' and died.
William Clark, in company with his
brother John, kept Clark's tavern, which stood
where the Brown building now stands on Mill
street. The old building was burned down in
1835 or 1836.
Andrew Cochr.-\n died many years ago.
William Crowle was a stonemason and
helped build the old still.
Thomas Gaskins and family were among
the earliest settlers here. He had si.x chil-
dren: John, Jonathan, Thomas, Mrs. Polly
McMullin, Mrs. Betsy Forsyth and Rachel
(unmarried). Of these, John was born here
in 1775 and died in 1856. He was the father
of \\'illiam G. Gaskins, born in 1817, who died
a number of years ago.
There is extant the constitution of the Male
Sunday school of Danville, which gives a num-
ber of other names of the early settlers here.
These names are as follows : Ira Daniels,
James Humphreys, James Montgomery, Wil-
liam Wilson, Josiah McClure, John Irwin,
William \\hitaker, Jeremiah Evans, W'illiani
Woods, Joseph Prutzman, D. C. Barrett, W.
Montgomery, John Russel, Charles M. Frazer.
Rev. William B. Montgomery, son of Col.
John Montgomery and grandson of Gen. Wil-
liam Montgomery, was born at Danville about
the year 1788. He graduated at Princeton in
the class of 1808, studied theology with Rev.
John B. Patterson, pastor of the Mahoning
Presbyterian Church, and was licensed to
preach Nov. 12, 1816. On Feb. 19, 1821, he
was ordained to the gospel ministry and im-
mediately with his wife, Jane Robinson, left
as a missionary to the Osage Indians, in In-
dian Territory, where for more than thirty
years he labored zealously and successfully
for his Master. The field was then far dis-
tant from his home, the work was humble, the
difliculties great, but this brave soldier of the
Cross worked with patience and faith, look-
ing for the "Crown of Righteousness which
the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall gi\e him
at that day." He died at his post of duty
July 17, 1834, of Asiatic cholera.
John Deen, Sr., the first of the name in
the limits of this county, came here in 1790.
He was born in Philadelphia Dec. 22. 1783.
When he was an infant his father was lost at
sea — a seafaring man in command of a ves-
sel. His mother, Eleanor (Frazier) Deen,
was a native of Scotland, and some of the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
285
Fraziers were of the earliest settlers in this
portion of the State. John Deen came to
this county with his uncle in his seventh year.
The widow married John Wilson. She died
in Danville Oct. i, 1827, in her sixty-sixth
year, and was buried in the old Presbyterian
cemetery. Here John lived from the time he
came with his uncle, Daniel Frazier, whose
log house was on the hillside a little east of
Bloom street, near the present site of the Re-
formed church, his farm covering the ground
that is now the Fourth ward. Here at the
short-termed subscription schools John ac-
quired what education he possessed. In 1796
he was apprenticed to Mr. Hendrickson to
learn blacksmilhing. In 1809 he married Mary
Flack, daughter of Hugh and Susan Flack,
who was born near Washingtonville in April,
1785. The Flacks were a large family, and
their descendants have intermarried with
many of the pioneer families. The father on
the maternal side of the Flacks was McBride,
another of the very early settlers in what is
now Montour county ; McBride settled on a
farm at what is now Whitehall.
In 1809 Mr. Deen and wife came to Dan-
ville. The town was then a mere hamlet of
log buildings scattered over the territory west
of what is now Church street and south of
the canal. He occupied the corner on which
is now the residence of W. G. Shoop, at Mar-
ket and Ferry streets, where he lived until
1814. Here he had his smithy shop; here
three of his children were born, viz. : Thomas,
who died at the age of five years, John and
Julia Ann. He then purchased ground on
the opposite side of the street of Daniel Mont-
gomery. He here erected what is now the
eastern end of the frame house lately owned
by his eldest daughter, Airs. Julia Ann Bow-
yer, where he lived the remainder of his life.
The work in a blacksmith shop in those
days was very different from that of to-day.
There was very little machinery ; everything
had to be hammered out on the anvil, and
charcoal was the only fuel used. Mr. Deen's
account books are still in the possession of
the family and here are recorded business
transactions dating back to so long a period
as now to possess much historic interest.
Bar iron at that time was worth $100 to $120
per ton. Buckwheat was selling at thirty to
thirty-five cents a bushel. In 1824 wheat sold
for $1,871/2. A day's ploughing with two
horses was worth $1.40.
Soon after making his residence here, Mr.
Deen obtained an interest in a fishery located
above the mouth of Mahoning creek, and also
one in Culp's eddy, above. The fish caught
here at that time were many and of the best
quality, shad weighing as high as seven pounds
and salmon weighing fifteen pounds, rockfish
thirty pounds. The best fish sold at six or
seven cents a pound. The women made the
twine of which the nets were woven, as they
also made the clothes worn by men and wom-
en. The spinning wheel and the loom were
then to be heard in almost every house. The
first woolen factory was erected in Danville
more than one hundred years ago. It was on
Mahoning creek at the Northumberland street
crossing. These facts are gathered from Mr.
Deen's old account book.
John Deen's close industry and economy
brought him prosperity, and in 1820 he pur-
chased of John Montgomery the land running
eastward along the south side of Market
street, paying one hundred dollars per acre
for it. This was stony ground and not fit
for cultivation ; however, it was once a great
place for blackberries. It has long been cov-
ered with the fine improvements we now see
there. In 1826, in addition to his business of
farming and his large blacksmith shop, Mr.
Deen purchased of the patentee the right to
manufacture threshing machines and opened a
factory. These were evidently good machines
and well made. Mr. Deen had contracts on
the canal then being constructed, as well as on
the river bridge. When the canal was opened
he owned and ran a boat thereon in the coal
trade. At an age when ordinary men usually
retire from active business life he built the
tannery on the river near Church street.
On Ian. 5, 1852, his faithful helpmate de-
parted this life. After a long and useful life,
widely esteemed and beloved by a great circle
of friends, he breathed his last July 16, 1864,
leaving behind seven children, all of whom are
now deceased. His eldest son, John, married
Jane Hutton and died in 1874: Julia Ann mar-
ried John Rowyer; James married Margaret
Sanders ; Jane married Thomas Brandon ;
Hannah married Rev. Amos B. Still ; Perr}-.
the voungest son, married Jane Ritchie, and
after her death married Jane Fullmer; Susan,
the youngest of the familv, married Isaac
Tyler.
J.\coB Sechler was the son of John Sech-
ler, an early settler, who bought part of the
Montgomery Purchase included in the boun-
daries of Danville. John Sechler, the father,
was a Revolutionary hero, surviving the win-
ter at \'alley Forge and said to have been an
officer on Washington's staff'. John and his
brother came to what is now Danville some
286
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
time between 1780 and 1790. The}' bought
part of the Montgomery Purchase, John tak-
ing the land beginning at what is now the
river bank at Church street ; thence eastward
beyond the present site of the State Hospital ;
thence northward to the vicinity of Toby Run
Hollow; thence westward to what is now the
Bloom road ; thence southward to the present
Church street. Jacob Sechler, son of John,
was born in what is now Danville, Oct. 9,
1790. He served in the "Danville Blues" in
the war of 1812 and was the last survivor of
that company. He was an enterprising and
useful citizen and was one of the pioneers of
this region noted for his honesty, industry and
sterling integrity. For many years he lived
on the farm within the present limits of Dan-
ville, later known as the "Beaver farm,'' and
now a part of the property of the State Hos-
pital for the Insane. He died Dec. 26, 1880,
aged ninety-one years. Jacob Sechler was
twice married, first to a Miss Reese, a Swiss
Huguenot, and upon her death to Mrs. Ann
Gilbert. His family consisted of eleven chil-
dren, all born of his first wife, two of the
eleven dying in early life. Those who grew
to maturity were : Abraham, who died when
eighty-three years of age ; Samuel, who died
at the age of eighty-two ; Jacob, who died at
the age of ninety years ; Mary, who married
Joseph Miller, and who afterwards married
Thomas Coxey, the father of the famous
"General" Coxey ; Charles Sechler, who died
at the age of sixty-two ; Alem, who died at
the age of seventy-eight years ; Frank, who
died at the age of eighty-two : James, who died
at the age of seventy-five : and Marquis de La-
fayette Sechler. who died at the age of
seventy.
John C. Boyd was born in Chester county
in 1794. His father was John Boyd, who
sened for seven years in the army of the Rev-
olution and at the end of that time was hon-
orably discharged, returning home, as his
biographer says, "\\'ith nothing left but his
horse and equipments." Yet still that same
year — 1782 — he married Mar\- Cowen and at
once established himself in a tannery near
Cochranville, Chester county, where he car-
ried on a profitable business for some years.
John C. Boyd married Hannah Montgomery,
daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomen.', May
tS. 1820, and shortly after came to Danville
to reside. Mr. Boyd opened a store in the
building forinerly occupied by his father-in-
law, located on the lot where the "Montour
LTcuse" new stands. In 1824 he sold out and
removed to the farm a few miles above Dan-
ville, on the south side of the river, known
ever since as the "Boyd farm." This farm
was given Mrs. Boyd by her father as a mar-
riage gift. Mr. Boyd built the stone gristmill
which still stands on the old farm, as also the
well known white mansion house which in all
its stateliness has survived the wreck of time.
He joined his most active father-in-law in the
many enterprises in which he was engaged,
chief among which was the Danville and
Pottsville railroad. His biographer says : "Mr.
Boyd was a man of irreproachable life and
most agreeable manners, dignified and upright.
He had a thorough knowledge of men and
rarely was wrong in his estimate of them. In
all his intercourse with those with whom he
had to do, he was always the same courteous
and considerate gentleman, never giving of-
fense by thoughtless or inconsiderate words
or actions. He had the confidence and respect
of all his neighbors and friends."
He died Aug. 18, 1849, '" h's fifty-si.xth
year. He left surviving him children as fol-
lows : Mary L., married to William Neal, of
Bloomsburg; D. Montgomery Boyd; H. Fliza
Boyd, who died tmmarried ; James Boyd ; J.
Alexander Boyd; Christiana J. Boyd, married
to Col. \\'illiam M. McClure ; and Joseph C.
Boyd.
John Lundv was born at Millville. Colum-
bia Co., Pa., July 22, 1799. He was the son
of Ephraim and Elizabeth Lundy. On .Vpril
II, 1822, he married Mercy Morrison, who
was born Aug. 25, 1799, daughter of John and
.'^arah Morrison, of Gettysburg, Pa. John
Lundy came to Danville about 1822 and pur-
chased the property at the southeast corner of
Market and Pine streets, where he lived until
his death, and where his widow resided until
her death. This valuable comer was pur-
chased by John Lundy, about the time he came
to Danville, for $75. There was a supersti-
tion that the property was haunted and no one
was willing to risk its purchase. The chil-
dren of John Lundy and his wife Mercy were
as follows : ( i ) Rev. John Patterson Lundy,
D. D., born Feb. 3, 1823, graduated at Prince-
ton University in the class of 1846 and at
Princeton Theological Seminarv' in 1849. He
entered the Presbyterian ministry upon his
graduation, but in 1855 changed to the Epis-
copal ministry. He was interested in forestry
and has the credit of first calling attention to,
and promoting, the science of forestn,-; he was
one of the founders of the Pennsylvania For-
estry Association. He died Dec. 11, 1892^
(2) Sarah Elizabeth Lundy, born Jan. 23.
1826, became the wife of John McHenry, of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
287
Benton, Columbia county. (3) William Ma-
gill Lundy was born Nov. 25, 1827. (4 ) Ann
Lundy, born Nov. 26, 1829, became the wife
of Peter Adams, who at this writing is still
living at his home on Ferry street. (5) Har-
riet Newell Lundy, bom Dec. i, 1831, mar-
ried Andrew C. Russell, a well known res-
ident of Danville for many years, whose chil-
dren, still living, are Robert \V. Russell, An-
drew B. Russell, John L. Russell, Harry N.
Russell, Walter Russell, Albert L. Russell and
Miss Elizabeth Russell. (6) Charles Gotslafif
Lundy was born June 26, 1834. (7) Albert
Dunlap Lundy, born July 24, 1836, died
recently.
Dr. Willi.\m H. Magill, the "beloved phy-
sician," was born in Montgomery county. Pa.,
March 24, 1795. He was the son of William
and Mary Dunlap Magill. He came to Dan-
ville in 1818 and began the practice of med-
icine, his family having moved to Dan\ille in
1814. His mother built the house on Market
street known ever since as the "Magill Home-
stead." On May i, 182S, he married Mary,
daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery. Dr.
Magill played a large part in the earlier life
of Danville. He had a large practice and had
the happy faculty of bringing brightness and
cheer into the sickroom, while his sterling in-
tegrity and open-heartedness won for him the
conficlence and respect of all the families to
whom he ministered. The family physician,
in the early days even more than now, stood
very near the life and center of the home. His
skill, his sympathy, his untiring attention, had
much to do with family growth and family
development. All these qualities Dr. Magill
possessed in a high degree, and many in Dan-
ville and a large surrounding country district
felt it a personal loss when he gave up his
practice at an advanced age.
Dr. Magill was much interested in the
growth and prosperity of the county. He was
the first burgess of the borough of Danville.
He was firm and loyal during the Civil war.
He was always regarded as one of the leading
citizens of the county.
Dr. Magill and his wife were earnest Chris-
tians, both members of the Mahoning Presby-
terian Church. Mrs. Magill uniting with the
same in 1822 and the Doctor in 1833. Mrs.
Magill died in 1882: the Doctor in 1889.
aged ninety-three. The children of this long
and happv union were : Daniel ; Elizabeth, mar-
ried to \\illiam Hayes : \\'illiam H. ; Hannah
L., married to Dr. S. S. .Schultz. for many
years superintendent of the State Hospital
for the Insane at Danville; Robert D., for
many years a leading druggist in Danville ;
Christian M. ; Mary D., married to Lieut.
James Kline; and James D. Magill. Mrs.
Schultz, Mrs. Kline and James D. Magill, at
this writing, are still living.
James \oris was born in what was then
Northumberland county, now Liberty town-
ship, Montour county, in 1787. He was the
son of Gilbert Voris, who was born in New
Jersey in 1757. His mother, Jane (McClana-
han ) ^"oris, was born in Ireland. Gilbert
\'oris and his wife Jane early came to Mon-
tour county, where they spent the remainder
of their lives, he dying in 1797, she in 1816.
Tames \'oris married Anna Gray, who was a
nati\e of Ireland. He was a carpenter and
contractor, residing in Liberty township until
1837, when he removed to Danville, and was
a substantial citizen of the county. Here his
large family was boni and reared. James
\'oris died in April, 1866. His children, a
number of whom were among the prominent
citizens of Danville, were as follows : Gilbert,
born June 9, 1809, married Catherine .\shen-
felder, and died in 1850 ; Elizabeth, born Nov.
8, 1810. became the wife of Joseph Diehl. and
died Nov. 12, 1880; John, born June 3. 181 2.
died in 1848; Jane, born Dec. 23. 1813. died
in April, i860; Daniel Gray, bom March 11,
1816, married Mary Hopewell and after her
death married Charlotte Richie, and died
Nov. 17. 1880; Archibald Gray, born Sept.
14, 181 7, married Rebecca Frick, and died
April 17, 1894; Reuben B., born March 8,
1819. married Harriet \'ance, and died Nov.
18, 1903; Thomas, born Oct. 31, 1820. died
Aug. 27, 1841 ; James, born Aug. 24, 1822.
died Oct. 17, 1833; Eleanor, born Aug. i.
1824, married Robert McCoy, and died Feb.
12. 1893; Elijah C, born Jan. 4, 1826, mar-
ried Julia D. Troxell, and died Nov. 11, 1910;
Sarah Bell, born Aug. 4. 1828, married John
Bartholomew, and died Sept. 6, 1891 ; William
P., born April 3, 1830. married Letitia Zuber :
Christiana M.. born April 3, 1830. married
David F. Stroh, and died Nov. 21, 1894.
Peter Baldy, Sr., was born in 1788 and
came from Northumberland to Danville in
1814. He was a blacksmith in his early days,
but soon engaged in merchandising. In 1839
he built the stone mill which still stands on
Church street. I'^or long years he transacted
business in Danville and by industry and thrift
and care accumulated a large fortune. Peter
Baldv was the first president of the Danville
Bank, now the Danville National Bank, and
has been succeeded in that position, first, by
288
COLUMBIA AND MOxXTOUR COUXTIES
his son, Edward H. Baldy, and then by his
grandson, William J. Baldy, who at present
holds that position. Peter Baldy was a mem-
ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church of
Danville from the time of its organization, and
by his influence and means did much to build
up and strengthen that branch of religious
work. By his will he left fifty thousand dol-
lars to his executors to be used as a memorial
for himself and wife, which amount the execu-
tors used in building the present handsome
and stately church which stands on the site
of the old one. Mr. Baldy died Xov. 24, 1880,
aged ninety-two years.
Is.\.\c Rank was born May 19, 181 1, in
\\'hite Deer, Union Co., Pa. His parents,
Isaac and Rebecca Rank, were from Lan-
caster county and were among the first settlers
of Union county. He was the seventh in a
family of thirteen children. In the spring of
1832 he mo^•ed to Danville and established
himself in business as a blacksmith and car-
riage manufacturer, at the corner of Mill and
Mahoning streets, opposite the present Opera
House. He also engaged in boating and in
the manufacture of lumber. Mr. Rank was
prominent in public improvements, was chief
burgess of Danville in i860, and afterwards
ser\-ed the community as councilman. For
many years he was a justice of the peace.
He was strictly temperate in his habits and
lived to a ripe old age. dying in March, 1883,
leaving to survive him the following children :
Xorman Leslie, bom Aug. 2, 1835 ; Ellis
Hughes, born Aug. 10, 1837; Mar}' Elizabeth,
bom June 21, 1 841, married to Stephen John-
son; Anna R., born Feb. 23. 1844; David
Hayes, born Feb. 5, 1847.
H. B. D. Sechler was born on Water
street. Danville. Jan. 26. 1808. He was the
son of Rudolph and Susanna Sechler. His
father was a blacksmith in early and middle
life, later was postmaster of Danville, and
later still was register and recorder of Co-
lumbia county, serving several years. In
1821 he was appointed justice of the peace
and served until 1845. John Frazier, in his
Recollections of Danville, says of Rudolph
Sechler: "I never knew a more honest man
than Mr. Sechler. With him it was innate.
He could not be otherwise than honest. His
countenance, his actions, his words, in short,
everything about him, proclaimed his sterling
integrity ; and what gave a charm to it, he was
quite unconscious of his being more honest
than other men." The son seemed to have in-
herited these traits of the father. He was
reared in Danville and educated at the sub-
scription schools. He learned the cabinet-
maker's trade and followed it for many years,
but from 1840 was engaged in house and orna-
mental sign painting. He, too, served for a
number of years as justice of the peace. He
was survived by two children, Harriet, widow
of Jonathan Waters, who is now dead, and
Emma, wife of John Yorgy.
Peter Bright was born at Reading, Pa.,
Xov. 21, 1801. He was the son of David
Bright and grandson of Michael Bright, Jr.,
who served in the Continental army during
the Revolutionary war. His great-grand-
father. Michael Bright (or Brecht). emigrated
from the Palatinate to America in 1728. Peter
Bright married Mary Evans in December,
1827. David Bright, father of Peter Bright,
and Philip T. Evans, father of Mrs. Bright,
purchased together the land in \'alley town-
ship known then as the '"Strawbridge Farm,"
and presented it to the young couple, who in
March, 1834, moved upon it and there happily
lived and reared a family of strong, substan-
tial men and women, men and women the like
of which are always the bone and sinew of the
communities in which they live. Peter Bright
was a farmer and a most successful one. In
the early days, while living in Reading, he did
considerable teaming, sometimes hauling
freight from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. At
one time among his freight was a sack of half-
pennies from the mint in Philadelphia, which
he distributed to the tollgate keepers along
the turnpike. His moving from Reading to
the \'alley township farm in 1834 was done
in three big four-horse "Conestoga" wagons
and a "Dearborn," in which the family rode.
Mr. Bright was a quiet, studious, well-read,
intelligent and busy farmer. He lived on this
farm from 1834 until his death, which oc-
curred Dec. I, 1882. His widow then moved
to Danville, where she died May 8, 1894.
Peter Bright left surviving him the following
children : Rebecca, who married Emanuel
Sidler and who died in Danville in 190S;
Hiram, who married Rhoda Butler and who
for many years has resided in Boswell, Ind.
( he was a member of Company B, 72d Regi-
ment, Indiana \'olunteers, in the Civil war,
later was transferred to Company F, 44th
\'olunteer Infantry, and was discharged in
August, 1865) ; Dennis, who married Lucy M.
Rea, and who died in Danville in 1910 (Den-
nis Bright enlisted, April, 1861, in the 15th
Indiana \"olunteers. and was wounded at Rich
Mountain. Va. ; later he was promoted and
served on the staff of Brigadier General Wag-
ner in General Buell's division ; was again in-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
289
jured, at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and
resigned in May, 1862; in 1871 was appointed
by Governor Geary lieutenant colonel of State
Guards of Pennsylvania; represented the
county of Montour for one term in the Legis-
lature) ; Penina, who died in Danville in
191 1 ; Philip, who died in Phoenix, Ariz., in
1873 (he enlisted Aug. i, 1862, in Company
F, ii6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
and was discharged by reason of disability at
the age of sixteen years, in February, 1863;
in June, 1863, when Pennsylvania was invaded
by Lee, he enlisted in Captain Young's com-
pany of six months' men, was discharged at
Harrisburg in January, 1864, and Sept. i,
1864, again enlisted, as a member of Company
F, 203d Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers ;
was with Birney's sharpshooters when General
Terry and Admiral Perry captured Fort
Fisher, Tan. 16, 1865; was shot through the
hand at Fort Fisher, and was discharged from
service at Fortress Monroe, June 17, 1865) ;
Abbie, who married William Auchenbach,
who now resides at Gladbrook, Iowa; and
Mary, who died in Danville in 1891.
Simon P. K.\se was born in Rush town-
ship, Northumberland Co., Pa., Aug. 27, 1814.
At twenty years of age Mr. Kase left home
and commenced the battle of life. He first
engaged in building and selling threshing ma-
chines. In 1835 he established an agricultural
and machine shop in Lebanon county, and
in 1837 returned to Danville and built the
second iron foundry in that place. In 1840
he married Elizabeth McReynolds and started
housekeeping in the home on West Market
street which has for many years been known
as the "Kase residence." In 1844 Mr. Kase
built the first mill for the manufacture of
merchant iron, and in 1S46 he built his rolling
mill, which was an important event in the
history of Danville. About 1864 Mr. Kase
started to build the Danville. Hazleton and
Wilkes-Barre railroad, extending from Sun-
bury to Tomhickon, a distance of fifty-four
miles. He encountered much opposition in the
building of this road and nothing but his in-
domitable energy enabled him to push it to
completion. Mr. Kase died some years ago,
leaving to survive him the following children ;
Clara E., J. Hervey, M. Wheeler, Edwin S.
Kase, and Martha Haas, now deceased.
T.^coB Shelh.\rt and his wife Christine
(Everitt) Shelhart were natives of Lehigh
county, Pa., and of German origin. They
earlv settled in what is now ^lontour county.
He lived to be eighty years old, and spent
over seventy years of his life in this part of
19
Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood in
Cooper township and in early life made farm-
ing his business, but later devoted his time to
the manufacture of wooden plows, which he
carried on for a time, also manufacturing
wagons and wheelbarrows, when the canal was
being made through Danville. Eleven chil-
dren grew tip in the Shelhart home, Jacob
Shelhart being the sixth of the family, born
Aug. 14, 1825. In 1865 he was elected sheriff
of Montour county, serving three years. In
1879 he was again elected sheriff and served
three years. David, the youngest of the fam-
ily, was bom in Franklin township, Columbia
county, >lay 9, 1833, and was reared on the
farm ur.cil seventeen years of age. He clerked
in the store of Christian Laubach from 1850
to 1856. He then started in business for him-
self as a merchant tailor and for many years
carried on that business, being one of the prin-
cipal merchants of Danville.
Gideon M. Shoop was born in Northum-
berland county, June 23, 1821, a son of George
and Elizabeth Shoop. the youngest of their
family of seven children. He attended the
common schools of his native county until he
was thirteen years of age. He then went to
Franklin county and learned the art of manu-
facturing millstones. In 1841 he came to
Danville as collecting agent for several stage
lines and also embarked in the lumber busi-
ness, dealing in and manufacturing lumber
quite extensively and owning several saw-
mills. In 1846 he rented the "Brady Hotel,"
repaired and improved it, added another story
to it and changed the name to that of "Mon-
tour House," and conducted it for eighteen
months. Mr. Shoop's main business, how-
ever, was dealing in lumber. He purchased
large tracts of land in the South and else-
where, from which he cut the timber and
manufactured it into lumber. ]Mr. Shoop's
residence, comer of Ferry and East Market
streets, was one of the attractive homes in
Danville. On Dec. 2, 1846, he married
Amelia D., daughter of William Gearhart,
of Roaringcreek. On the nth of April,
1849, Mr. Shoop was appointed postmaster at
Danville, which position he continued to hold
until Nov. 26. 1852. For a number of years
he was a member of the board of trustees of
the State Hospital for the Insane at Danville,
was a director of the Danville Nail and Man-
ufacturing Company, director of the Bridge
Company, and for a long time director in the
Danville' National Bank. ]\Ir. Shoop was a
member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal
Church, was president of its board of trustees,
290
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
}
a steward, and a teacher in the Sabbath
school. In 1880 he was elected a lay delegate
to the Central Pennsylvania Conference, and
by that body elected a lay delegate to the
General Conference which met in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in Alay, 1880. He died March 20, 191 1,
leaving to survive him one son, William G.
Shoop, who now occupies the homestead.
B. F. Shultz, M. D., was born in Columbia
county, March 19, 1828, a son of Peter and
Sarah Shultz. His father was of German
origin, his mother a Pennsylvanian of Scotch
origin. Dr. Shultz was the seventh in a family
of nine children and obtained his early educa-
tion in his native county, subsequently attend-
ing the University of Pennsylvania. He
studied medicine in the office of Dr. James D.
Straw-bridge and entered Jefiferson Medical
College, at Philadelpliia, where he graduated
with the degree of M. D. Immediately after
his graduation he commenced the practice of
his profession at Danville, where he secured
a large and lucrative practice. He died leav-
ing to sur\-ive him Isadora, who married
Oliver Drumheller ; Cameron Shultz, now a
practicing physician in Danville : Florence,
wife of A. H. Grone ; Deborah, who married
Thomas G. Vincent; and Araminta, wife of
E. J. Klove, of Iowa.
T. O. Van Alen was one of the leading
business men and manufacturers of Danville.
He was born in Chatham Center, Columbia
Co., N. Y., Aug. 19. 1819. His paternal great-
grandfather emigrated from Holland to New
York, and his son, Gilbert \'an Alen, was boni
in Columbia county, N. Y., and followed
farming; married Annis Moore, of Columbia
county, N. Y., and to them were born two
children, Reuben and Catherine. Catherine
married John G. \'an \'olkenburg, a farmer
and merchant of Columbia county. N. Y.
Reuben married Mary, daughter of Timothy
and Sallie Oakley, and pursued farming: and
merchandising at Chatham Center. They had
three sons and one daughter: Gilbert R., Tim-
othy O., Sallie O. and Lewis O. The daugh-
ter died aged thirteen years. T. O. \ an Alen
was eight years old when his parents moved
to Salisbury Mills, Orange Co., N. Y. He
attended the common schools until ten j'ears
old, when his father employed a private
teacher for him. At twelve years of age Mr.
\'an Alen entered the academy at Kinder-
hook, Columbia Co., N. Y., remaining there
two years, during which time he resided with
the family of Dr. Henry ^'an Dyke. Subse-
quently he returned to Orange county and
attended the school of Nathaniel Stark, at
Goshen, one year. At fifteen he went to New
York City and served an apprenticeship in a
hardware store until 1839, when he returned
home and engaged in the manufacture of
paper and agricultural implements, as well as
merchandising with his father, until 1844,
when he came to Danville to represent the
interests of Murdock, Leavitt & Co. in the
Montour Iron Works, and acted as the resi-
dent agent of the company. During this time
he built what was known as the company store
and in 1846 engaged in merchandising, asso-
ciated with New York stockholders of the
company, under the firm name of T. O. Van
Alen & Company. In 1866, in connection
with George M. Leslie and A. H. \'oris, he
built the nail factory in Northumberland, and
with his sons engaged in the manufacture of
iron and nails. A fact worthy of note was
that Mr. Van Alen kept his mills running
through all the depressions occurring during
his active business life. In 1846 he was mar-
ried to Ann Catherine, daughter of Cornelius
Garretson, ironmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Van
Alen were members of the Mahoning Pres-
byterian Church, and Mr. \'an Alen was for
a number of years president of the board of
tnistees. For many years he was a trustee of
the State Hospital for the Insane at Danville
and a director of the First National Bank.
Five of his children lived to reach maturity,
viz. : Cornelius G., Gilbert R., A. Oakley,
Edmund G. and George L. All the sons be-
came active business men. George L. is a
Presbyterian minister. Mr. \'an Alen died
April 6, 1891.
George B. Brown was born in what is now
Montour county, Sept. 13, 1816, a son of
Samuel and Dorothy (Neice) Brown. His
great-grandfather came to America from
England, and his grandparents settled in what
is now Montour county in 1795. George B.
was the eighth of nine children, all of whom
grew to maturity, and was nine years of age
when his father died. He remained with his
mother on the farm until he was fourteen,
meanwhile attending the district school, and
worked out on farms until he was seventeen
years old. He then clerked in a store in Mill-
ville, Columbia county, until 1834. In that
year he came to Danville, and for two years
clerked in a dry goods store, later purchasing
the store of S. M. Bowman & Company, which
he conducted four years. In 1856 he estab-
lished a book store in Danville, dealing in
books, stationery, artists' supplies, etc., and
to him belongs the honor of circulating the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
291
first daily newspaper in Danville, the Public
Ledger- This branch of his business steadily
expanded. Mr. Brown was also a dentist and
had a large practice in that profession, which
he carried on in connection with his book
store. In 1837 he married Sarah A., daugh-
ter of John Gearhart. Four children were
born to them: Benton B., Melissa D. (widow
of O. H. Ostrander), John G. and Will G.
These children are all living at this writing.
Mr. and Mrs. 15rown w^re devoted members
of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church.
William Biddle for many years was a
prominent merchant and manufacturer of
Danville, and was a man of more than ordi-
nary intelligence. He was born at Whitehall,
in what is now ^Montour county. April 18,
1812. His parents, Gcrshom and Mary (Jen-
nings) Biddle, had a family of six sons and
four daughters, \\'illiam being the youngest.
They were charter members of the old Derry
Presbyterian Church, organized in 1798. Ger-
shom Biddle was a prominent man of Derry
township, of Scotch-Irish descent. His an-
cestors were among the early pioneers of
Pennsylvania, settling on a tract of land near
Fishing creek. Alary (Jennings) Ijiddle, wife
of Gershom, was a daughter of Hugh Jen-
nings, who served in the Revolutionary war;
he was of English descent ; his ancestors set-
tled in New Jersey near Alorristown. William
Biddle, at the age of thirteen, came to Dan-
ville and was employed as clerk by John
Moore, merchant; subsequently he became a
partner and a few years later engaged with
him and others in the foundry business. After
many changes among the partners, William
Biddle became the owner of the Eagle Works
on Ferry street, which for a number of years
was one of the leading industries of Dan-
ville and gave employment to over a hundred
men. Mr. Biddle always took an active in-
terest in the welfare of those in his employ,
and by his kindness and generosity gained
their confidence and respect. He was married
twice, his first wife being Mary Jane Moore,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Donaldson)
Moore. She died Dec. 12, 1854, the mother
of seven sons and two daughters. Two sons
survive her, Edward Moore Biddle and ^^'al-
ter Sterling Biddle. His second wife, .\nne
Alward Moore (sister of his former wife),
he married Dec. 6, i860. The fruit of this
union was three children, Grace Hunter,
Harry Otis and Horace Moore. William
Biddle was identified with Danville for sixty
years and died Feb. 3, 1885.
TiiOM.\s Chalfaxt was descended on the
paternal side from Robert Chalfant, a mem-
ber of the Society of Friends, who emigrated
with William Penn from Stoke Pogis, Eng-
land, and settled on a patent of land at Doe
Run, Chester Co., Pa. On the maternal side
his ancestor is John Peden, a Scotch-Irish
Covenanter who emigrated to Pennsylvania
in 1732 and was one of the first to found a
Covenanter church in Philadelphia, on Spruce
street, above Third. Thomas Chalfant was
born in Philadelphia in the year 1819 and was
brought up in that city. He learned the car-
penter's and patternmaker's trades and
worked thereat for some years. In 1847 he
removed to Georgia and was there engaged in
the erection of sugar mills, cotton mills and
structures of a similar character. Subse-
quently he returned to the North and located
at Danville, Pa., where he entered into part-
nership with his brother-in-law, Dr. Isaac
Hughes, in the drug business. On Oct. i,
1853, he was commissioned postmaster at
Danville. He held that position until July 15,
1 861, when he assumed charge of the Danville
Intelligencer, which he conducted from that
time until the time of his death. On Oct. 8,
1866. Mr. Chalfant was elected a member of
the State Legislature, as representative from
the counties of Columbia and Montour. He
was reelected in 1867. During his incum-
bency of that office he was an active and
highly esteemed member of the General
Assembly and was largely instrumental in the
passage of the bill appointing commissioners
to select a site for and erect the State Hos-
pital for the Insane. The selection of Dan-
\ille as the site for the hospital was due in
part to his efforts. In 1S83 Mr. Chalfant was
appointed one of the trustees of the State
Hospital for the Insane at Danville, a position
which he held for many years. In 1870 he
was again chosen to represent Columbia and
Montour counties as State representative. In
1872 he was chosen State senator, represent-
ing the counties of Columbia and Alontour,
Lycoming and Sullivan, and served three
years in that capacity. In 1842 Mr. Chalfant
was united in marriage with Eliza \'. Hughes,
daughter of Ellis Hughes, Esq., of Danville.
The offspring of this marriage were two sons
and two daughters, of whom none survived
but the younger son, Charles Chalfant, who
for a number of years was publisher of the
Danville Daily Sun. In 1881 Mr. Chalfant
was elected president of the Pennsvlvania
State Editorial Association. On Dec. 5, 1885,
he was again appointed postmaster and served
292
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
for nearly five years; and on June i, 1894, he
was again appointed to that position, serving
until Feb. 15, 1899.
Samuel Yorks came from New Jersey
and in 1780 settled in what is now Montour
county, where he owned a large tract of land.
He served with distinction in the war of 1812.
Two sons survived the father, William Yorks,
who became a resident of Cooper township,
and Samuel Yorks, a resident of Danville.
William Yorks was a man of considerable
influence in the county. He was county com-
missioner for one term and for thirty years
was justice of the peace of Cooper township.
He died in 1877, survived by four children :
C. E. Yorks, now residing in Columbia
county; Miss Ida Yorks, who resides on the
homestead ; Mrs. Fanny Gallaher, now de-
ceased, and Dr. John Yorks, a prominent
dentist of Philadelphia.
Samuel Yorks, Jr., was a leading spirit in
the organization of the First National Bank of
Danville. He was on the first board of direc-
tors and became the first president. He died
in 1878, leaving to survive him: Mrs. Louise
Gearhart, wife of B. R. Gearhart ; Mrs. Annie
Johnson; Mrs. Margaret Grove, wife of R. M.
Grove ; C. F. Yorks, and S. Augustus Yorks.
John Rhodes came to Danville in 1824. He
bought the "Pennsylvania House," now the
"Riverview Hotel," in 1829. This house was
formerly called the "Farmers' Hotel," and for
a long time was the favorite stopping-place
of the farmers and others while attending
court. John Rhodes died in 1852, leaving two
sons to survive him : B. K. Rhodes, attorney,
and J. Clark Rhodes, for many years a mer-
chant in the store adjoining the hotel prop-
erty. The latter's widow still survives, living
in the homestead on West Market street.
James McCormick was born in what is
now Montour county, June 26, 1818. He was
the son of William A. and Margaret (Shaw)
McCormick. The father. William A. Mc-
Cormick, was born in Ireland of Scotch par-
ents, and came to Pennsylvania when a mere
lad. The mother was of Scotch-Irish origin,
and both she and her husband were Presby-
terians. James McCormick was reared in
Montour county, receiving his education in the
common schools of the county. He early en-
gaged in merchandising and in connection
with that ran a stage line from Danville until
the railroads were built. Subsequently he
conducted an omnibus line. In 1848 he mar-
ried Agnes M. Franciscus. Three children
were born to these parents: William J., de-
ceased ; Margaret McCormick, and Katherine
McCormick. James McCormick served two
terms in the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
1877 to 1878 and 1883 to 1884. He died Dec.
19, 1891.
Joseph Cornellson was born in Holland
and upon coming to this country settled in
the State of New Jersey, but soon after moved
to Danville, where Jie established the first
blacksmith shop and followed that line of
business the remainder of his life. He left
surviving him the following children: Joseph,
William, Jacob, Isaac, Cornelius, James,
Massey, Mary Yorks and Anna Best. The
son Isaac Cornelison at an early day learned
the trade of wagonmaking and carried on his
business on Mill street. He died at the age
of forty-three years. He married Abigail
Pancoast, a daughter of Mordecai and Mary
(Clears) Pancoast, who were strict adherents
of the Quaker faith. Mrs. Cornelison died
at the age of twenty-four, leaving two chil-
dren, Mary E. (wife of D. Rice) and Abigail
A. The son Joseph Cornelison in 1830 erected
a building in which he conducted a fine hotel.
This establishment became known throughout
that section as the "White Swan Hotel," and
a very appropriate sign was hung over the
door, an artistically-painted white swan. He
continued as the proprietor of this establish-
ment until 1852, when his son Jacob succeeded
him as proprietor. Jacob married Abigail A.
Cornelison, and they continued the hotel busi-
ness with success until the death of Jacob in
1865. The building was large and substan-
tial. In 1872 it was purchased by .Adam Ger-
ringer, who erected the present structure
known as the "City Hotel." Mrs. Abigail A.
Cornelison afterwards married George F.
Geisinger, who was born in Ilingham, Mass.,
in 1 82 1, and was a son of Commodore David
Geisinger. A fuller account of George F.
Geisinger and his wife, Abigail A., will be
found in later chapters.
Alany names not included in this list of old
families will be found in subsequent chapters,
under other heads. Many have no mention
because of the difficulty in procuring statistics
and because of the lack of family records. Let
us hope the present generation may prove
worthy of the heritage handed down and may
be as tnie to God and loyal to country as
many of these noble families of the past.
CHAPTER III
INTERNAL IMrROVEMENTS
In these days of automobiles, railroad
flyers, steam launches, fast freights, airships
and ocean liners, it is almost impossible to
conceive of a community without means of
intercourse with the outside world and with-
out opportunity of reaching even nearby
points, save on foot or astride a failhfid beast
of burden.
In the early days of the settlement of what
is now Montour county there were no State
highways, no roads of any kind, exce])t as
each settler made his own highway through
the woods, or followed the Indian path which
too often led to danger and to death. But
these settlers were Americans, the founders of
a mighty race, and already the spirit of in-
domitable energy and jiusb antl determination,
which in the years that followed laughed at
dilTiculties and spurned impossibilities, was
planted and was growing.
These were of the ancestors among whose
worthy sons were Henry and Morse, who
harnessed the lightning flash to the tele-
graphic wire ; Cyrus VV. Field, who cabled
that wire and planted it beneath the almost
fathomless depths of ocean; Thomas A. Edi-
son, who aimiinlated distance and carried the
human voice over hundreds of miles ; aye, of
that family, whose numbers are legion, who
l)Ound the Atlantic to the Pacific by bands of
steel; who transformed the great American
desert into comnnmities throbbing with life
and energy; who tunneled mountains; who
opened up the hills, making them give up their
vast deposits of minerals and precious metals ;
who penetrated the air with vast shi]is of
traffic ; and who, as a crowning glory of the
opening years of the twentieth century, united
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a trimnph
of engineering skill and power.
For a while the Susijuehanna river was the
only highway 0])en to these hardy settlers. In
summer merchandise was brouglit up the river
in "Durham" boats. These were somewhat
like the canal-boat, but only about two feet in
depth, and were pushed up-stream by long
socket poles, when it was not possible to use
sails. In winter the rough roads, which were
impassable in summer, were rendered smooth
by the snow, the rivers and smaller streams
were bridged by ice, so that for three or four
montlis the sled could be drawn almost any-
where. During this season neighbors joined
together and with loads of wheat or pork or
whisky, and each with his wallet of provisions,
a blanket for covering, a bag of oats and
bundle of hay for provender for his horse,
traversed the defiles and mountains to Reading
for a market. 1 lere they bartered their loads
for salt, iron, nails, groceries and Jamaica
s])irits. Few houses of entertainment were
found on the way and these hardy travelers
sought shelter at whatever cabin might chance
to be near at hand when night came on.
"The privilege of stretching himself on the
floor with feet to the open fire was paid for
in the morning with a sixpence. Few of
these pioneers through the snows of nearly fi
century ago could atTord to ]iay for a warm
meal, and many a trip was made from the
Susquehanna to Reading on two or three
shillings."
The organization to build the Centre turn-
pike extending from Reading to the Susque-
hanna river opposite Northumberland was per-
fected in 1808. One of the active ])romoters
and managers of this daring and important
enterprise was Gen. William Montgomery.
The work was pushed with sleepless energy.
It was a work in its own time as great as
was the building of the Union Pacific rail-
road in after days. In 1814 the turnpike road
from Danville to Bear Gap, where it con-
nected with the Centre turnjiike, was built.
These were important and beneficent public
works, gained only by the most heroic strug-
gles. The promoters were the foremost men
in the country — the great benefactors of their
age.
Companies were organized and chartered
293
294
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
to build turnpikes. A few still remaining,
with their tollgates and their toll gatherers,
are curiosities to the present generation, but
are monuments of the thrift and development
of a past age, whose accomplishments were as
great in their day and under their limitations,
as the great railways of the present, binding
different and distant sections of the country.
In 1826 the great State Internal Improve-
ment system was inaugurated. That year a
citizen of Danville, Daniel Montgomery, was
appointed one of the canal commissioners, and
he was elected president of the board. He ex-
ercised much influence over the direction and
building of the canals then constructed. While
he was in this position the North Branch
canal was located. The survey was made in
1826-27, and the work contracted for early
in 1828. In 1832 the first water was turned in,
and a boat that year was loaded with wheat in
Danville, and taken to the Sweet Water. The
boat itself was built in Danville. The line of
the canal, as originally planned, was from the
Lackawanna creek to Columbia, a distance of
about one hundred and fifty miles. There was
only three feet gauge at first, but by raising
the path and by dredging the canal bottom, the
depth of water was increased to a gauge of
between six and seven feet. This canal con-
tinued to be the property of the State until
about 1854, when it was sold and became a
part of the possessions of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. It remained the property
of that company until its abandonment, a few
years ago, when it was purchased by the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad
Company.
The building of the canal was an important
event to the people of the country through
which it passed. At the present writing there
is much clamor for the filling up of the un-
sightly ditch and loud cries against the canal
nuisance, but from the days of 1832 to i860,
and indeed up into the seventies, that "ditch"
was a great blessing to the county and the
means of opening important centers of trade.
It became a highway for transporting goods
from one section of the country to another,
and before the days of monopoly it brought
coal and flour and other staple articles to the
consumers' reach at prices that now cause a
smile upon the face of the monopolists, and
carried from the towns and farms along its
line their products of iron ore and grain to the
great and growing trade centers.
The days of the canalboat were days of
growth and prosperity for the communities
lying adjacent to the great highway upon
which they rode, and the mule's plaintive cry
for hay, oats and cut straw, so amusing to the
boys of that day along the towpath, meant as
much, if not more, to the people of the former
days as the shrill scream of the iron horse,
ploughing its way along the rail highways,
means to the markets and homes of to-day.
And so, while we rejoice at the wonderful
advance of the present over the bygone times,
and are justly proud that the fast freight has
replaced the tedious canalboat, let us temper
our impatience at the old ditch with the
thought that in the formative days, when
foundations were being laid deep and strong,
the old canal was a great boon and mighty
blessing to the builders of our civilization.
The canal continued to be the chief high-
way through the county until the days came
when the iron horse began to supplant the
canalboat team and compete with it for sup-
plying the demands of public service.
In 1854 the Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie
Railroad Company began operations in Mon-
tour county. This was the beginning of the
Philadelphia & Reading railroad system,
which has grown to be one of the important
and indispensable thoroughfares of railroad
traffic in the county. The Catawissa, Wil-
liamsport & Erie railroad extended from
Tamanend to Milton, and in 1871 was ex-
tended from Milton to Williamsport. In 1872
the road was taken over by the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company, which now
controls it.
The second railroad to enter the county
was the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg. This
road was built from Kingston to Rupert in
1857. In i860 it was extended to Northum-
berland, supplanting the old stage line. About
1881 this road came under the control of the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad
Company, and became a part of the great
Lackawanna system, furnishing a quick and
most delightful and convenient route to New
York.
In 1870 the Danville, Hazleton & Wilkes-
Barre railroad was built, thus crowning with
success the indefatigable efforts of Simon P.
Kase, of Danville. This road extended from
Sunbury to Tomhickon, a distance of fifty-
four miles, and passes through Montour
covmty. in Mayberry township, on the south
side of the river. Though but a small por-
tion of this road is in Montour county, it is
one of the principal railroads which have
helped to build up and develop Danville, which
is separated from it only by the river bridge.
Creat credit is due to Simon P. Kase for push-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
295
ing this road through to completion in the face
of difficulties which would have appeared in-
surmountable to most men. Against all ob-
stacles he persevered, and the opening of the
road was a great personal triumph. The road
is now owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company and is an important link in that
great system of railroads. Some years later
the name was changed to the Sunbury, Hazle-
ton & Wilkes-Barre railroad.
In 1881 the North and West Branch rail-
road was opened from Catawissa to Wilkes-
Barre. This branch was bitilt by Rev. D. J.
Waller and now forms an important branch
of the road running from Sunbury to Wilkes-
Barre. This road was also pushed to comple-
tion amidst many difficulties and obstacles. It
also is now a part of the Pennsylvania rail-
road system.
About 1887 the Wilkes-Barre & Western
railroad was opened through a portion of
Limestone, Anthony and Derry townships,
giving railroad facilities to Washingtonville
and the surrounding country that were greatly
appreciated by the people of that region.
These railroads were welcomed as modern
and advanced means of transit. They carried
the people from one town to another. But the
need was still felt of some means of connect-
ing the towns with the country lying in be-
tween— the throbbing world that did not live
in town but yet was bound by business and
social ties to the town — those communities
through which the railroad train whirled, with
saucy look and independent move.
To supply this want came the electric rail-
way in 1903; and now Danville, supplied with
railroad and trolley facilities, looks back with
wonder and amusement to the olden days of
the Indian path, turnpike and canal.
The Danville & Bloomsburg Street Railway
Company constructed an electric road between
Danville -and Bloomsburg in 1903. The Dan-
ville & Riverside Street Railway Company,
about the same time, constructed an electric
railway along Mill street to the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western railroad crossing and
across the river bridge to the south side, and
up Market street to the State Hospital.
These lines of railway have been constantly
operated and are now parts of the great in-
ternal improvements which Danville feels are
indispensable to her comfort and welfare.
Before the electric railways came the tele-
phone lines, which connected Danville with the
world at large. In 1880 the North Pennsyl-
vania Telephone Company extended its line
from Williamsport to Danville. This was part
of the Bell telephone system. The office was
located in the present O'Conner building on
Mill street, opposite the opera house; and
Mr. W. J. Armes, the manager of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, was the first Bell
telephone manager. The first Bell telephone
established in Danville was in the "City
Hotel." Mr. Armes employed Miss Martha
Lloyd as the first Bell telephone operator in
the town. Other operators in the employ of
this company prior to May, 1900, were Miss
Mary Lloyd, now deceased; Miss Anna John-
son, now Mrs. Harry Stees, of Bloomsburg,
and Miss Elizabeth Russell, present chief
operator, who has been in the employ of the
company for fifteen years. The office of the
company was afterwards moved to the second
floor of the Lyons building, and still later to
its present location in the Swentek building.
The managers following Mr. Armes have been
Al. Crawford, John Kenyon, John Conway,
Elwood Mateer, Reuben W. Kintzer and John
S. Brace, the present efficient manager. The
growth of this company's business has been
rapid. Two hundred and eighty-six telephones
were connected with the Danville exchange
on Feb. i, 1915.
In 1899 the Montour & Columbia Telephone
Company entered Danville. It established an
office in the Opera House block, where for
sixteen years it has competed with the Bell
Telephone Company for the "hello" business
of the town. Charles P. Hancock was presi-
dent of the Montour & Columbia Company,
and Frank C. Angle, secretary and treasurer.
George B. Wright was manager. The com-
pany at present is the United Telegraph &
Telephone Company. It had two hundred and
seventy-two 'phones connected with the Dan-
ville exchange Feb. i, 191 5. The present
manager is Martin Withington, and the chief
operator is Miss McKinney, who has been in
the employ of the company for five years.
The streets of Danville have been much im-
proved within the last ten years. Mill street,
East Market street. East Front street and
Bloom street have all been paved. Other
streets have been put in first-class condition.
CHAPTER IV
MILITARY RECORD
Montour county has a military record of
which she may be justly proud. Her citizen-
ship has been represented in the rolls of mil-
itary achievements in the Revolutionar}' war,
the war of 1812, the war with Mexico in 1846,
the great civil struggle from 1861 to 1865, and
the war with Spain in 1898. Even now she
has hundreds of brave sons who, while re-
joicing in the fact that peace prevails through-
out our land, are ready at any moment to
rush to the defense of our flag and to the
preservation of our national honor.
It is with pride she points to the part taken
by Gen. William Montgomery in the war for
independence. She remembers with delight
that Jacob Sechler, one of her sturdy citizens,
stood for the defense of his country in the
struggle of 1812. She rejoices in the record
made by Dr. Clarence H. Prick and the mem-
bers of his gallant company in the Mexican
war. It is with tears of gratitude she recalls
the names of Col. Charles \V. Eckman, Col.
Joseph Shreeve, and the long list of brave
boys, officers and privates who so bravely at
the front battled for their countr>''s life. To-
day she exults that the brave men of the past
left behind them worthy sons who, just as
loyally as their fathers, answered the call of
duty, and came to the help of a distressed and
oppressed people at our door.
It is a fact to be lamented that the early
records of the military companies have not
been preserved. It is hard to give a complete
list of the soldiers of Montour county, and
any omission in the lists of names must be
attributed' to this fact. For the information
contained in this chapter, we are much in-
debted to the research and faithfulness of
D. H. B. Brower in collecting the necessary
statistics, and we do not hesitate to quote
freely from him.
The first military company of which we
have any information in the territory now in-
cluded in Montour county was The Danville
Light Horse. This was a company of light
dragoons, commanded by Captain Clark, of
Derry. The community, especially the boys,
was very fond of these cavalrymen, and the
days on which they paraded were great days.
The organization dates back to 1810. It of-
fered its services to the government at the
breaking out of the war of 1812, but for some
reason the offer was not accepted, much to
the disgust and indignation of both the com-
pany and the community. So far as we have
been able to gather, the following are the
names of those composing this company:
Charles Clark, captain ; John Blue, Elisha Bar-
ton, James Boyd, Lucas Brass, Isaac Bear,
James Donaldson, John Donaldson, William
De Pew, Charles Evans, Charles M. Prazer,
Charles Prazer, John Gulick, John Gaskins,
James Hamilton, Kipp,
King, William Kitchen, Daniel Montgomery,
Lewis Maus, Joseph Maus, Robert Moore,
Thomas Moorhead, Peter Pursel, William
Sheriff, James Stevenson, Henrv' Sanders,
Daniel Woodside, James Woodside, Thomas
\\'oodside.
The Danville Blues was a rifle company
commanded by Capt. Isaac Blue. Just when
this company was organized we do not know,
but it was in active ser\-ice in 181 3 on the
Canadian frontier during the war of 18 12.
Jacob Sechler was a private in this company.
Samuel Yorks, Sr., was a lieutenant, and Dr.
David Petrikin was surgeon. When the com-
pany left home for the ser\'ice they halted in
front of the old stone mansion on Mill street
to give a parting salute to Gen. William
Montgomery. As the old general came to the
door the company presented arms, whilst they
listened to a brief address. General Mont-
gomery told them to be good soldiers and at
the same time take good care of themselves
and be ever, as now, ready to defend and
support the government. At the close of Gen-
eral Montgomer>''s address the company fired
a salute and marched away. This company
suffered much from what was called "Black
296
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
297
Rock fever," many dying from its effects. The
portion of the roll of this company preserved
contains the following names : Isaac Blue,
Captain ; Isaiah Blue, Herbert W. Best, Daniel
Cameron, Colin Cameron, Alexander Camp-
bell, John Dugan, Edward Morrison, Asa
Moore, Abner Moore, John Mills, John Mc-
Coy, David Petrikin, Surgeon ; ■
Sanders, Samuel Yorks, Lieutenant ; Jacob
Sechler.
The Danville Militia was a company flour-
ishing and well organized at the close of the
war with England in 1815. ^\'e know little of
it except that it had one hundred men on its
roll and was commanded by Capt. Samuel
Yorks, who had been lieutenant in the Dan-
ville Blues.
The Columbia Guards was a company organ-
ized in 1817 and on its roll were some of the
,rriost prominent among the younger citizens
of the community. The Guards, together with
the Northumberland Artillerists (Captain
Priestly), the Warrior Run Infantry, and
others, constituted the Northumberland and
Columbia Battalion of Volunteers commanded
by Maj. R. Coleman Hall. In the summer of
1823 there was a battalion parade on the then
open ground between Bloom and Center
streets. Dr. W. H. Magill, then a young man,
was surgeon of the battalion. The parade is
said to have been the grandest military dis-
play ever witnessed in Danville.
The following is the muster roll of the
guards soon after their organization:
John S. Wilson, captain ; Clarence H. Prick,
first lieutenant; Edward E. LaClerc, second
lieutenant ; William Brindle, second lieuten-
ant ; George S. Kline, first sergeant ; James _D.
Slater, second sergeant; Robert Clark, third
sergeant; Charles Evans, fourth sergeant;
John Adams, first corporal ; James Oliver, sec-
ond corporal ; John Smith, third corporal ;
Arthur Gearhart, fourth corporal; Thomas
Clark, drummer ; Jesse G. Clark, fif er.
The private soldiers were: Charles W.
Adams, Alvin M. Allen, Jacob App, George
W. Armstrong, Frederick Brandt, Samuel
Bums, Elam B. Bonham, William Banghart,
John Birkenbine, Samuel D. Baker, Francis
Bower, Francis B. Best, William Brunner,
William H. Birchfield, Randolph Ball, Peter
Brobst, Abram B. Carley, Michael Corrigan,
Wm. Dieterich (Dietrich), Wm. Erie. Daniel
S. Follmer, Charles W. Fortner, Robert H.
Forster, Sewell Gibbs, Edward Grove, George
Garner, Thomas Graham, Shepherd W. Gir-
ton, Samuel Huntingdon, Adam Heisler,
Henry Herncastle, Oliver Helme, William S.
Kertz, William King, Jerome Konkle, Charles
Lytle, Ira Lownsberry, Robert Lyon, John A.
Lowery, Benjamin Laform, Benjamin J. Mar-
tin, Jasper Musselman, Edward McGonnel,
George iMiller, William Moser, Archibald
Mooney, Mahlon K. Manly, John G. Mellon,
Alex. McDonald, Daniel Martial, Richard H.
McKean, Charles Moynthan, Robert McAl-
niont, Hugh McFadden, James McClelland,
Norman B. Mack, William McDonald, Casper
Oatenwelder, Daniel Poorman, Peter S. Reed,
Philip Rake, James A. Stewart, Peter M.
Space, Jona R. Sanders, Oliver C. Stevens,
Daniel Snyder, Edward Seler, Peter Seig-
fried, John C. Snyder, John N. Scofield, Wil-
liam Swartz, Joseph Stratton, William W.
Sawaney, John A. Sarvey, Benjamin Tumble-
ton, Adam Wray, William White, George
Wagner, Jacob Willet, Jerome Walker, George
Wingar, Peter W. YarneJl.
In 1846 the Columbia Guards offered their
services to the United States government, then
in the midst of the Mexican war, and the offer
was accepted. Under Captain Wilson the
Guards numbered over ninety, rank and file.
The company was mustered into the United
States service Dec. 28, 1846. The departure
of this band of brave patriots made a deep im-
pression upon the community. War never
seems as real as when one's own flesh and
blood are involved in its horrors ; or men, well
known in the community, march to join the
ranks of those engaged in the contest. For
many years these men had been "holiday
soldiers," but now that war was real and the
country needed their services, they were no
longer holiday soldiers ; they now marched
through the community where, for a long time,
they had paraded and played at war, as real
living, fighting soldiers, and the community,
with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow,
cheered them as they marched to the field of
caniage. A number of citizens accompanied
the soldiers as far as Pittsburgh. This com-
pany was placed in the 2d regiment of Penn-
sylvania volunteers, commanded by Colonel
Wyncoop, later by Col. John W. Geary, after-
wards governor of the State.
These heroes soon saw real service. They
were engaged in the storming of Vera Cruz.
Here Captain Wilson died, April 10, 1847, and
Dr. C. H. Frick assumed command and gal-
lantlv led the Guards through the campaign.
They were engaged in the battle of Cerro
Gordo, where they lost one man, John Smith.
At the battle of Chapultepec they lost two
more men, William Dietrich and John Snyder.
As General Scott approached the city of
298
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mexico the defense of San Angelo, with the
mihtary stores, was committed to the "Colum-
bia Guards"; and on the 13th of September,
1847, they were among the first to enter in
triumph, with General Scott at their head,
the capital city of the Montezumas. After an
absence of nearly two years, and with ranks
thinned and battle flag torn and riddled, the
Guards returned home. A wonderful recep-
tion was given them. Nearly one half the
number who left home answered no longer the
roll call on this side ; and tears and sadness
were mingled with the joy and cheers that
welcomed the bronzed veterans' return.
The roll of the company as it left for Mex-
ico was as follows: John Anthony, W'illiam
Barber, Sarnuel Baum, Daniel Barber, John
Best, Anthony Boon, Matthew Blackwell,
W'illiam Clark, Thomas Colt, William
Colt, James Colt, William Cathcart, Isaac
Cornelison, James Carson (captain), .Alexan-
der Donaldson, William Donaldson, William
DePew, Frederick Frick, Fisher,
Thomas Grier, Charles Goodman, William G.
Hurley, Ellis Hughes, Jacob Hibler, Samuel
Huntingdon. Jared Irwin, Adolphus Kent,
Amos E. Kitchen, John Lundy, Asher Lyon,
Daniel W. Montgomery, John Montgomery,
Henry Marshall, John Moore, Charles Moore,
Andrew Y. Moore, Burrows Moore, Samuel
Moore, Thomas Moorhead, Hugh McWil-
liams, Hector McCallister, William S. Maus,
Gideon Mellon, Matthew Patterson, George
Potter (captain), John Pervin, Orrin Sholes,
Jacob Sechler, Savage, John M. Thiel,
Casper Thiel, Samuel Underwood, David
Woodside, Robert Woodside, Jacob Wieman,
Isaac Warner, Thomas Wiley, Charles Wil-
son, John Young.
After the return of the Guards their ranks
were recruited and George W. Forrest was
elected captain. He served until his remo\al
from town made it necessary for him to give
up the command. Oscar Ephlin was then
made captain.
This company kept up its organization until
the breaking out of the Rebellion, in 1861,
when it entered the three months' serv-ice
under Captain Ephlin. On the expiration of
their time many of the members reenlisted in
other companies, and the Columbia Guards,
as an organization, passed out of existence.
But the memor>' of their noble deeds in two
great wars will ever live : and Montour county
is proud of the record of her brave boys.
The Montour Rifles was the name of a
company organized July 14, 1855, by Capt.
f. T. Zuber. August Fogel was first lieuten-
ant and M. Rosenstine second lieutenant.
This company seems to have been composed
principally of Germans. In 1859, through
some disturbance and outside influence, the
company was disbanded and most of its mem-
bers entered the United States service some
months later, many of them going in a body
ajid enlisting in Company E, 6th Regiment of
Reserves, Mahlon K. Manly, captain, and
John Horn, lieutenant.
The Civil war appealed to all the patriotism
and loyalty in the American heart. Every
community, large or small, was stirred to its
depths. Montour county was intensely loyal,
and her residents, on the first appeal from
President Lincoln for men to defend the
nation's honor and to rally round its flag,
hastened to respond. Some of her most sub-
stantial citizens and skilled workmen laid
aside their business and the implements of
trade and donned the blue uniform of the citi-
zen soldiery.
The first military company that left Dan-
ville for the war was recruited and com-
manded by Capt. William McClure. The
company included one hundred of the -county's
best and bravest young men. The muster
roll of this gallant band has not been pre-
served. The enlistment of these boys was
for three months, and they served their time.
They were in the battle of Falling Waters
and of their number Amos Zuppinger was
killed, the first soldier from Montour county
to sacrifice his life in the Civil war. Many
of these brave men, after being mustered out
of the service, reenlisted in other companies.
Captain McClure afterwards commanded
Company F, 112th Artillery, and for brave
conduct was subsequently promoted to the
position of colonel of the regiment.
The Baldy Guards were organized in Dan-
ville and mustered into the service of the
United States on the 25th of September, 1861,
under command of Capt. Joseph F. Ramsey.
The company was called after Peter Baldy,
Sr., one of the oldest citizens of Danville, who
took much interest in its welfare. These boys
were designated Company H of the famous
93d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
which regiment was engaged in some of the
most important and desperate battles of the
war, and many of the brave boys of Montour
county lost their lives on Southern fields while
fighting in its ranks.
Mrs. Charles W. Eckman now has in her
possession the beautiful silk regimental flag
presented to her husband, the colonel, upon
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
299
which are inscribed the battles in which the
regiment was engaged.
Its first battle was at Williamsburg, on the
Peninsula, and the regiment fought with the
Army of the Potomac until the curtain was
rung down at Appomattox. Cajitain Ramsey
resigned his command in 1H62 and on Oct. 21st
of that year Charles W. Ecknian became cap-
tain, leading the company until he was made
major of the regiment, Nov. 27, 1864. Upon
his promotion Joseph H. Johnson was made
captain and served in that position to the close
of the war. On the same day that Captain
Eckman was made major he was promoted to
the position of lieutenant colonel, and on the
25th of January, 1865, was made colonel, of
the ()3d Regiment.
Colonel Eckman was a brave and gallant
officer, lieloved by his men, and sharing with
them all the trials and vicissitudes of those
stormy years from Sept. 25, 1861, to June 23,
1865. Three times he was severely wounded,
his injury at Cedar Creek being the most
serious and the one which through all his after
life gave him great pain and distress and
eventually caused his death. May 3, 1906.
The muster roll of this company, at the
time of its enlistment, was as follows :
Captain, Joseph F. Ramsey; Lieutenants,
LetTerd H. Kase, First, Charles W. Eckman,
Second; Sergeants, M. B. Goodrich, First, A.
B. Patton, Second, J. T. Howe, Third, William
Young, Fourth, Seth C. Freeze Fifth ; Cor-
l)orals, Joseph Fenstermacher, First, Jared
Runyan, Second, Joseph H. Johnston. Third,
Charles W. Weaver, Fourth, Orville D.
Harder Fifth, Oscar Sharpless, Si.xth,
Frederick Laubach, Seventh, Silas Hartman,
Eighth ; Musicians, L. D. Houghawout, Joseph
L. I^le; Clerk, Shelden T. Gibbs ; Quarter-
master, James Auld ; Teamster, John C. Sny-
der; Privates. John Ammerman, Joseph Bear,
J. Byerly, H. C. Barnhart, L. "S. Brocious,
George Boyer, |. D. Cannady, P.. A. Cleaver,
William Davis, "p. H. Eckman, D. R. Eckman,
B. R. Gearhart, P. Everett, T. J. Foley, W.
Frymire, W. Flanigan, H. F. Freese, Charles
E. Foley, H. Fortmer, Clark Guinn, C. V.
Giilick, A. Goss, ^^'illiam Henrie, J. Hower,
J. Houser, J. B. Johnson, J. R. Johnson, R.
Jenkins, J. Keim, Charles Kneibeller, (]. D.
Kreigh. William Kneer, Samuel Kurtz, J.
Lawrence, John Levers, Hiram Layland, H.
H. I.eisenring, J. B. Moore, William Miller,
M. Murrv, T. H. Mench, ]. B. Mutchler, ].
Miller. I. C. Miller, T. R." Mowrer, P. Mc-
Clure. t. Morrall, P." Miller, P. P. Osmun,
R. Perrin, Eli Pennsyl, J. W. Philips, S.
Ouinn, A. Reynolds, C. R. Rishel, R. Ramsey,
\\'. R. Rouch, Charles L. Sholes, Charles
Stephens, E. Shissler, W. Slay, J. M. Shannon,
William M. Snyder, Charles W. Sholes, H. F.
Snyder, William Smith, W. Stephens, W. W,
Sechler, J. H. Sperring, J. Stewart, Oscar
Tittle, W. Turner, J. Wertz, G. S. Walker,
A. B. Warntz, C. Woods, C. Wagner, L.
Voder.
Company F, 2d Artillery. — Capt. William
M. McClure, after his service of three months,
returned to Danville and recruited Company
F of the 1 1 2th Regiment of Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, better known as the 2d Pennsylvania
Artillery. A large portion of this company
were from Montour county. The regiment
served with great distinction and did much
hard service during the war. Captain Mc-
Clure, for bravery, was made colonel of the
regiment. The boys from Montour county in
Company F were as follows ; Samuel Straw-
bridge, Lieutenant ; J. Moore Wilson, Lieu-
tenant ; Edward Thatcher, Corporal ; Charles
Mowrer, Corporal ; John Laciscus, Corporal ;
D. H. McCarty, Corporal; Jonathan Bare,
Corporal; Thomas Reichelderfer, Bugler;
Robert Curry, Peter Cooper, Richard W.
Eggert, John I'arrell, A. J. Grantz, J. Hen-
drickson, William R. Johnson, Elias Kulp,
John McMuIlen, Phillip Manning, Martin
Mazael, Charles Mattees, John Matshall,
Clarence Price, George Robison, I. S. Smith,
Daniel Smith, James Weidel.
Danville Fencibles. — This company was or-
ganized in Danville in 1862 under the com-
mand of Capt. Joseph E. Shreeve. It became
Company A in the I32d Regiment, Pennsyl-
vania \ olunteers. At the battle of Antietam
seven of its brave boys were killed, viz. : John
M. Hassenplug, D. Van Ronk, Jacob Long,
Daniel Klase, Samuel Hilner, Hiram Hummel
and John Gibson. Eighteen were wounded in
the same battle, viz. : James Foster, John
Leighow, George Lovett, Charles Flick, D. R.
Shutt, John S. Ware, C. C. Moyer, Archie
Vandling, S. V. Dye, E. M. Roderick, D. R.
Hendrickson, Harry Adams, Jacob H. Miller,
E. D, Smith, S. W. Arnwine, William Ringler,
John Morris and William B. Neese.
For bravery at Antietam Captain Shreeve
was promoted to the position of major of the
I32d Regiment, and afterwards was made
colonel. On Captain Shreeve's promotion,
Charles N. Norris was made captain of the
company.
This company, as mustered into the United
States service, was composed as follows :
Joseph E. Shreeve, Captain ; George W. \^an-
300
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
gilder, First Lieutenant ; Charles N. Norris,
Second Lieutenant ; Privates, Henry B.
Adams, Sylvester W. Arnwine, Conrad L.
Aten, Arthur W. Beaver, J. J. Bookmiller,
W. H. Carrell, Isaac D. Crewit, John M. Crist,
S. E. Cooper, Franklin Divine, Samuel V.
Dye, William Earp, junior, James S. Easton,
Hiram S. Eggert, John Ephlin, Joseph Feidell,
Charles W. Fitzsimmons, J. B. A. Foin, James
Foster, Charles Flick, Patrick Fleming, Sam-
uel Flickinger, George Francis, John Gibson,
Thomas Goodall, A. Jerome Harder, John M.
Hassenplug, G. K. Hassenplug, John Harig,
Joseph Hale, Samuel Hilner, Alexander Hunt-
ingdon, Hiram Hummel, George Hunt, Wil-
liam Irvin, Thomas James, John R. Jenkins,
James W. Jones, Evan Jordan, Michael Kess-
ler, Wellington Klase, Alichael Lanigan, Wil-
liam Lawrence, Conrad Lechthaler, John
Leighow, N. Ferree, Lightner, Jacob Long,
George Lovett, Samuel Lunger, Thomas Max-
well, Leonard Mayer, John McCoy, William
C. McCormick. Jacob H. Miller, Levi Miller,
Watkin Morgan, Cornelius C. Moyer, jacolj
W. Moyer, James McKee, William I!. Xeese,
Joseph H. Nevius, James M. Philips, David
H. Rank, Isaac Rantz, John P. Reaser, Simon
Reedy, Jonathan Rice, William A. Ringler,
Edward W. Roderick, 'August Schreiber,
Aaron Sechler, Henry Schick, David Shutt,
Edwin L. Smith, E. Dallas Smith, George
Snyder, John Stine, Samuel Stall, William
Stewart, William Sunday, Oliver W. Switzer,
Daniel Vanronk, Archibald Vandling, John H.
Wallace, Samuel M. Wate, Angus Wright,
Matthew R. Wright, Andrew Waugh, James
D. W^ray, James Williams, John S. Ware.
Company E, 6th Pennsylvania Reserz'es, was
organized in Danville under command of Capt.
Mahlon K. Manly. No roll of the company
exists, so far as known, and most of its mem-
bers were either killed or wounded on the
field. The only record we have shows Charles
Richart and John Horn to be lieutenants and
the following among the privates : William
Keiner, Nicholas Freeze, Jacob Miller, Ernest
Aderhold, William Bottles, Gottlieb Kerchner.
In the emergency occasioned by the invasion
of Pennsylvania, two companies were organ-
ized in Danville for the defense of the State.
Coinpanv A was under the command of Capt.
John A. Winner and Company K under com-
mand of Capt. William Young, both attached
to the 13th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer
Militia. These companies were composed as
follows :
Regimental officers — Colonel. James John-
son ; Lieutenant Colonel, J. F. Means; ^Iajor,
S. H. Newman; Adjutant, J. W. Chamberlin;
Sergeant Major, B. S. Powers; Quarter-
master, J. W. McKelvy; Surgeon, Dr. Reber;
Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Vandersloot ; Drum
Major, B. W. Musselman; Hospital Steward,
Dr. I. Pursell; Ward Master, William W.
Hays; Chaplain, Benjamin G. Welch; Post-
master, Wilbur G. Brower; Colonel's Clerk,
Alex. M. Russel.
Company A — Captain, John A. Winner;
Lieutenants, First, W. A. M. Grier; Second,
John C. Perrin; Sergeants, First, John G.
Hammer, Second, Simon Lyon, Third, Elias
Knerr, Fourth, T. C. Hullihen, Fifth, William
R. Pursel; Corporals, First, Robert Adams,
Jr., Second, William T. Ramsey, Third, John
W . Thatcher, Fourth, Benjamin K. \'astine,
Fifth, George Irwin, Sixth, Samuel Earp,
Seventh, John Werkheiser, Eighth, Samuel
Haman; Drummer, John H. Hunt; Quarter-
master Sergeant, Reuben Riehl ; Privates, John
.\dams, Charles S. Baker, Peter Baldy, Jr., A.
Russel Best, P. F. Bourgenot, D. H. B.
Brower, Wilbur G. Brower, S. L. Butterwick,
William Brv'ant, Nelson Carr, Robert M.
Cathcart, Charles W. Childs, W. H. Cool,
William Cummings, Stephen Cuthbert, J. M.
Criswell, William Deen, William Dent, Wes-
ley Deshay, Joseph A. Doran, Christian
Ernest, Edward Evans, Josiah Frantz, S. B.
Flick, Evan Fisher, Jr., Herbert Gaskins, A.
Mont. Gearhart, Edmund Gearhart, W. H.
Gearhart, Charles H. Gibbs, Frank Gibbs,
Samuel F. Griffin, Isaac X. Grier, Michael
Haupt, Lamar Hahn, D. C. Hartman, \\'illiam
W. Hays, Hezekiah Holbert, Richard Jenkins,
William H. Jenkins, J. Hervey Kase, Charles
Kaufman, Alfred Kneass, Frederick Kreps,
Henry Kocher, Charles Limberger, William
C. Lyon, Saul Lyon, John V. Martin, Franklin
Miller, William McLain, Moses Xetter,
George B. O'Connor, Samuel J. Pardoe. Theo-
dore Palmer, Isaac Pursell, West Perry, A. D.
Rockafeller, Alexander M. Russel, Warren
RTdgway, J. C. Shaver, Cyrus F. Styers, Jo-
seph Sechler, Jr., Henry C. Snyder, S. Y.
Thompson, Lewis Tittle, John L. A^astine, T.
J. Vastine, S. C. Vansant, Josiah Wolf, Sam-
uel Werkheiser, Reuben Werkheiser, Peter
Werkheiser, Benjamin G. Welch. William
Wands, Robert Wilson, Samuel Welliver,
Samuel Ware, Jr.
Company K — Captain, William Young;
Lieutenants, First, Alfred Mellon, Second,
Alfred B. Patton ; Sergeants, First, M. B.
Munson, Second, A. Jerome Harder, Third,
George W. Ramsey, Fourth, Alexander Hoff-
ner; Corporals, First, Alfred Yerrick, Second,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
301
Hugh P. Libhart, Third, Lewis Byerly,
Fourth, William Miller; Quartermaster,
Samuel Moore ; Drummer, B. W. Musselman ;
Fifer, John Geist; Privates, Oakley V. Am-
merman, James M. Ammerman, Samuel
Ammerman, John C. Alexander, James Best,
W. H. Byerly, Sylvester Blocksage, John
Bedow, Charles W. Boudine, Joseph H.
Campbell, Martin Cornelison, John Deen,
Joseph E. Dougherty, Leonard Dimmick,
William D. Everhart, Cornelison C. Herr,
Duncan W. Hefler, John Hale, Jeremiah
S. Hall, William F. Horner, David James,
John W. Kress, Samuel Kelley, George
Lunger, William A. Leighovv, Victor A. Lo-
tier, David 'W. Moore, D. Clinton Millard,
Franklin Myers, William P. Pursell, Irvin
T. Patton, L. Rhodenheffer, William Riffles,
F. W. Rockafeller, D. M. Springer, George S.
Sanders, William Trease, George W. Watts.
Of the soldiers who enlisted from Montour
county during the Civil war, fifty-two were
in the regular army and four hundred and
fifty-six in the volunteer service. (The table
does not include drafted men.)
Townships Enrolled In Service
Anthony IS7 I3
Cooper 79 lo
Danville, North Ward 868 197
Danville, South Ward 623 127
Derrv 141 IP
Liberty ipi 25
Limestone 158 26
Mahoning 170 45
Mayberry 4<5 9
Valley 162 29
West Hemlock 60 8
2,655 508
The following is as complete a list of the
soldiers who enlisted from Montour county
during the Civil war as can be secured at the
present time :
Anthony Tozvnship — John Watts, artillery;
Samuel Gray, artillery; James Koons, 131st
Pa. Vols.; Thomas Mohr, private; Jacob
Binder, private; William R. Johnson, Com-
pany F, ii2th P. v.; Jacob Robinalt, nth
P. V. ; Samuel Robinalt, D, 7th P. V. ; Perry
Watts, C, 96th P. v.; James Candy, H, 93d
P. v.; Jacob Candy, H, 93d P. V.; Adam
Bidler, F, io6th P. V.; John Kime, H,
93d P. v.; Daniel Kime, H, 93d P. V. ;
William :\Iiller, H, 93d P. V.; Michael Breck-
bill, D, 7th P. V. ; Samuel Sprout, D, 7th P.
\'. : Isaac Wertman, E, 12th P. V. ; John Mc-
Mullin, F, ii2th P. V.; Simon Reedy, A, I32d
P. \'.; A. Crossley, F, 112th P. V.
Derry Toivnship — Thomas H. Switzer,
Company A, 131st Pennsylvania Volunteers;
O. B. Switzer, A, 131st P. V.; John Gibson,
A, 131st P. v.; Peter Cooper, F, 112th P. V.;
Sergt. Samuel E. Cooper, A, i32d P. V. ;
Jeremiah Black, A, I32d P. V.; James T.
Powers, G, 8th P. V. ; Newson L. Sagess, D,
7th P. V. ; John Dugan, D, 7th P. V. ; Frank
G. Blee, A, I32d P. V. ; W. W. Switzer, G, 4th
P. v.; David Gibson, ii6th P. V.; Philip
Springer, E, 6th Pa. Reserves; William C.
McCay, D, 7th P. V. ; Samuel Fleckinger, A,
i32d P. v.; Joel Metz, E, 6th Pa. Reserves;
Corporal George Snyder, A, I32d P. V. ; J. P.
Bearer, A, I32d P. V.
Danville, North Ward — Franklin Lewis,
84th Pennsylvania Volunteers; Samuel M.
Wate, Company A, I32d P. V.; Gomer Jones,
K, 5th P. v.; Joseph R. Patton, band, io6th
P. V. ; Charles M. Zuber, band, io6th P. V. ;
J. C. Millhouse, band, 51st P. V.; Fred Lau-
bach, H, 93d P. v.; Capt. J. F. Ramsey, H,
93d P. v.; Thomas Wenck, H, 7th P. V.;
Augustus Shriver, A, I32d P. V. ; Nathaniel
Everhart, H, 93d P. V. ; Martin Taylor, 12th
U. S.; WilHam H. Rouch, H, 93d P. V.;
Clarence Price, F, 112th P. V.; Alfred B.
Patton, H, 93d P. V. ; George Francis, A, I32d
P. V. ; Jared Rtmyan. H, 93d P. V. ; John L.
Miller, H, 93d P. V.; William M. Miller, 12th
U. S.; Stephen Johnson, E, 4th N. Y. V.;
William Turner, H, 93d P. V. ; Israel Wertz,
H, 93d P. V. ; William Horfif, E, 6th Pa. Re-
serves ; Reuben Ramsey, H, 92d P. V. ; John
Miller, E, 6th P. V. ; James Bailor, 12th U. S. ;
Harman Bailor, 12th U. S. ; Peter Bailor, 12th
U. S. ; Samuel S. Gulick, A, I32d P. V. ; Jacob
Bookmiller, A, i32d P. V.; Andrew Waugh,
A, I32d P. v.; George Focht, E, 9th Pa. Re-
serves; Capt. M. K. Manly, E, 9th Pa. Re-
serves; John Byerly, H, 93d P. V.; Isaac
Barto, F, 48th P. V.; James R. Johnson, H,
93d P. V. ; David H. McCarty, F, 112th P. V. ;
William H. Miller. E, 54th P. V.; Levi M.
Miller, A, I32d P. V.; S. E. Ridgway, F,
Matthew's Battery; Charles Kneibler, H, 93d
P. V. ; David R. Shutt, A, I32d P. V. ; Thomas
James, A, I32d P. V.; Francis Trees, 69th P.
V. ; James Burns, P. V. ; John Nester, P. V. ;
Patrick Tenenty, P. V.; Charles Eckhart,
band, io6th P. V. ; J. B. A. Foin, A, I32d P.
v.; Nicholas Freeze, E, 6th P. V.; Daniel
Klase, A, I32d P. V.; James Moore, H, q3d
P. \\ ; Joseph Hefifer, D, 17th P. V. ; William
C. Heffler, E, 112th Pr V. ; William F. Deshay,
1 2th U. S. ; John L. Deshay, 12th U. S. ; John
Wood, 69th P. V. ; Evan Jordan, 15th U. S. ;
Elijah Fields, C, 12th U. S.; Robert Fields, C,
302 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
I2th U. S. ; Aaron Gibson, E, 6th Pa. Re- John Huntingdon, C, 14th P. V.; Philip
serves ; John F. Mullen, E, 12th U. S. ; Richard Effinger, K, 52d N. Y. V. ; Martin Ma'zella, F,
Jenkins, A, 3d Md. V.; Josiah Robinson, G, 112th P. V.; Henry Agga, D, ist P. V.; Jo'na-
3d Md. V. ; James Auld, H, 93d P. \'. ; Wil- than Rice, A, I32d P. V. ; Conrad Lichthaler,
ham Davis, H, 93d P. V.; Reese Davis, A, A, I32d P. V.; Joseph Hale, A, I32d P V •
54th P. v.; William Price, H, 93d P. V.; Philip McClure, H, 93d P. V. ; Francis Hafeyi
y\ngus Wright, A, I32d P. V.; Mathew R. 109th P. \'.; William McClean, D, 109th
Wright, A, I32d P. V. ; James Stewart, D, P. \". ; Philip Evert, H, 93d P. V.; H. F.
69th P. V. ; Charles L. Sholes, H, 93d P. V. ; Freeze, H, 93d P. V. ; Charles V. Gu'lick, H^
Thomas Goodall, A, I32d P. V.; William 93d P. V.; Mathias Fish, 5th P. V.; John
Davis, A, I32d P. V.; John Morris, A, I32d Doyle, D, 69th P. V.; Robert McCoy,-A, i32d
P. v.; Peter Green, D, 69th P. V.; F. Finne- P. V.; Arthur W. Beaver, A, i32d P. V.;
gan, D, 69th P. \'. ; Thomas McManus, D, Joseph Bryant, K, 54th P. V. ; Isaac D. Crewit,
69th P. v.; Patrick Hardy, U. S. Regulars; A, i32d P. V.: Dennis Leary, D, 69th P. V.;
William Finnegan, U. S. Regulars ; George Owen Burns, D, 69th P. \'. ; William Smith,
Lovett, A, I32d P. V.; Samuel Ricketts, G, 3d D, 69th P. \'. ; Stephen Sullivan, D, 69th P.
Md. v.; George Hacker, A, I32d P. V.; V.; John McWilliams, D, 69th P. V.; John
George Bingham, E, 6th Pa. Reserves; Alarshall, E, 1 12th P. V. ; Martin Murray, H,
Thomas W. Levers, E, 6th Pa. Reserves ; 93d P. V. ; Samuel Quinn, H, 93d P. V. ;
William Ringhani, 13th P. \'. ; Adam Hern- Richard Lanigan, A, 5th P. V. ; James Quinn,
berger, A, I32d P. \'.; John Levers, H, 93d A, 5th P. V. ; William Thomas, E, 54th P. V.;
P. v.; John Boyer, I, 52d P. \'. ; Jonathan Richard Jenkins, H, 93d P. V.; James Foster,
Davis, I, 52d P. V.; Samuel Brvant, I, 52d A, I32d P. V.; William Stewart, A, I32d P.
P. v.; Michael Hurley, I, 52d P' V.; Daniel V.; Patrick Riddles, D, 69th P. V.; Henry
Van Ronk, A, I32d P. V.; Seth C. Freeze, H, Bogart, E, 12th U. S. ; \\'illiam Markle, E,
93d P. v.: Sheldon T. (iibbs, H, 93d P. V.; 12th U. S. ; John Mintzer, E, 12th U. S.;
Franklin Devine, A, i^zd P. V.; Robert George Kear, E, 5th U. S. ; Isaac Melon, 12th
Wood, F, 48th P. v.; Richard Hopkins, F, U. S. ; John Bubb, E. 12th U. S. ; Michael
48th P. v.; John Stine, A, I32d P. V.; John O'CTorman, B, 5th U. S. ; Caleb Roberts, E,
Sheldon, H," 6th P. V. : Frank Kneidt, F, 12th U. S. ; Lieutenant John Horn, E, 6th Pa.
Matthew's Battery ; Jacob Haag, F, Matthew's Reserves; William Keiner, E, 6th Pa. Re-
Batterj'; James Henegan, D, 69th P. V.; John serves; Joseph Walton, E, 6th Pa. Reserves;
McDonald, D, 69th P. V. ; Patrick Conners, John McKone, G, 57th N. Y. V. ; John Rob-
D. 69th P. v.; fames Williams, A, I32d P. erts, G, 3d Md. V.; Richard W. Eggert, F,
V. ; Richard Grogan, K, io6th P. \'. ; William 1 12th P. \'. ; Adam J. Grantz, F, 1 12th P. V. ,
Paugh, D, 69th P. V. ; Michael Kessler, A, Danville, South Ward — Capt. Joseph E. I
I32d P. v.; Thomas Kennedy, D, 5th P. V.; Shreeve. Company A, I32d P. V.; George W. '
James Kennedy, D, 69th P. V.; John Ephlin, Hoffman, band, io6th P. V.; R. S. Simington,
28th P. V. ; Thomas Laft'erty, D, 69th P. V. ; surgeon, 93d P. \'. ; William Young, H, 93d '
John Burns, D, 69th P.' V. ; Patrick Burns. D, P. \'. ; William W. Sechler, H, 93d P. V.;
(39th P. V. ; Terrence O'Neil, D, 69th P. V. ; Joseph Johnson, H, 93d P. V. ; Charles
Thomas Smith, P. V. ; Charles Rogers, P. \\ ; Mummey, D, 84th P. V. ; Oscar G. Mellin,
John Reed, P. V.; James Moran, P. \'. : Pat- laand, 4th Pa. Reserves; Charles Gross, band,
rick Kellev, P. V.; fohn Greenv, P. V.; Tames io6th P. R. : Harnian Leibv, H, 93d P. R.;
McCartv.'P. \'. ; Hugh Biadlv, P. V.; Frank William A. Mellin, E, 12th P. R. ; Joseph
Burns, P. \'. ; Tames EUitt, P. \.\ Thomas Hale, H. 93d P. R. ; Charles Smith, A, I32d
Coughlin, P. v.; John Paugh, 5th U. S. ; P. R. ; Archie \'andling, A, i32d P. R. ; John
Philip Renn, 12th U. S. ; James Eastin, A, McCoy, A, I32d P. R. ; David Keffer, 13th P.
i32d P. v.: Thomas Davis, H, 7th P. V.; R. ; Henry Adams, A, I32d P. R. ; W. Forest,
Evan Edwards, E, 54th P. V.; John Jordon, D, 7th P. R. ; Samuel Lunger, A, I32d P. R.;
E, 54th P. v.; George Morris, E, 54th P. V.; Thomas E. Frame, E, ist P. R. ; James Cor-
Patrick O'Connor, D, 69th P. \'. ; William coran, D, 76th P. R. ; Arthur F. Henrie, band,
Weidall, B, io6th P. V. : Watkin Morgan, A, 6th P. R. : Thomas Adams, 6th P. R. ; Lieut.
I32d P. v.; Charles McMullen, C, 69th P. V.; Charles C. Norris, A, I32d P. V.; Lieut. M.
Isaac Kear, E, 5th U. S. ; Abram Price, E, B. Goodrich, H, 93d P. V. ; Andrew Derry,
6th Pa. Reserves; Isaac Rantz, A, I32d P. V.; artillerv. 93cl P. V.; James Shepherd, H, 7th
Peter Connell, E, loist P. v.; Mathias \'eras- P. \'. ;' William Nago, D, nth P. V.; Tohn
koski, 46th P. v.; John Price, 63d P. V.; Wallace, A. i32d P. V.; William Earp, A,
If.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
303
I32d P. v.; William L. Snyder; Conrad S.
Aten, A, i32d P. V.; Henry J. Aten, band,
io6th P. v.; George Dean, band, 6th P. V. ;
Wellington Klase, A, i^2d P. V.; Daniel
Klase, A, I32d P. V.; William Kelly; Jacob
Moyer, A, I32d P. V.; Samuel A. Mills, band,
6th Pa. Reserves; William Mitting, 7th P.
v.; Thomas Morrall, H, 93d P. V.; Sharps
M. Snyder, A, I32d P. V. ; James D. Ray, A,
I32d P. v.; Benjamin F. Hagenbach, band,
6th Pa. Reserves; David Ross, L, 12th P. V. ;
John Ware, A, I32d P. V. ; Joseph L. Frame,
band, 93d P. V.; Hiram Eggert, A, i32d P.
v.; Edward Milward, G, 77th P. V.; George
C. Williams, E, 6th Pa. Reserves; Henry
Laland, H, 93d P. V.; D. A. Laland; Lieut.
William Roberts, G, 109th P. \^ ; Lieut. Abra-
ham Lang, I, 109th P. v.; James Jones, A,
I32d P. v.; William Williams, I, 12th P. V. ;
William Watts, I, 12th P. V.; Joseph Fenster-
macher, H, 93d P. V.; Frederick Brodt, H,
93d P. V. ; J. Houpt, 49th P. \'. ; E. D. Smith,
A, I32d P. V. : Corporal N. Ferree Lightner,
A, I32d P. v.; S. P. Harder, F, Matthew's
Battery; O. D. Harder, H, 93d P. V. ; John T.
Howe, H, 93d P. y. ; Charles W. Sholes, H,
93d P. v.; George E. Hunt, A, 93d P. V.;
Charles Savage, Jr., F, Matthew's Battery;
Toseph D. Miller, H, 93d P. V. ; Samuel Hib-
ler, H, 7th P. V. : John W. Hibler, 54th P. V. ;
Edwin Lockart, E, 6th Pa. Reserves; George
Yeomans, surgeon, 23d Pa. Reserves ; Herber
Painter, I, sSth P. R. ; Gutlep Kercher, E, 6th
P. R. ; James Hilt, P. V. ; George Archer, E,
74th P; V. ; Henry H. Leisenring, H, 93d
P. V. ; Alexander Gulp, artillery. 93d P. V. ;
James G. Moore, D, 84th P. \\ ;' Lieut. G. W.
Vangilder, A, I32d P. V.; John Stewart, H,
93d P. V. : Samuel Kerst, H, 93d P. V. ; Wil-
liam Stephnagle, H, 93d P. V.; Charles
Stephnagle, H, 93d P. V. ; J. W. Flannagan,
H. 93d P. v.; Joseph Gross, E, ist P. V.;
Marks Wise, I, 12th P. V.; Jacob Sperring,
H, 93d P. V. ; Alfred Reynolds, H, 93d P. V. ;
Capt. Alexander T- Frick, D, 84th P. V.;
Capt. William M."McClure, F, 112th P. V.;
Lieut. S. D. Strawbridge, F, 112th P. V.;
Pursival Miller, H, 93d P. V.; Thomas Max-
well, A, i32d P. v.; Robert D. Magill,
steward: John G. Moore, band, 5th Pa. Re-
serves; Christopher Woods, band, 6th Pa. Re-
serves : Simon Derlacher, H, 6th P. R. ; Joseph
Rose, E, 6th P. R. ; Abner H. Brown," band,
6th P. R.; William Ackev, E, 6th P. R. ;
George Deen, E, 6th P. R. ;'M. B, Johnson, E,
6th P. R. ; George Hughes ; Samuel May.
Liuicstone Township — John T. Newcomer,
Company D, 7th Pennsylvania Volunteers;
F. J. Newcomer, D, 7th P. V. ; Martin Keifer,
D, 7th P. V. ; William Dinkle, C, 3d P. V. ;
Wilham Fink; David Werlty, 131st P. V ;
Charles F. Bennett, U. S. Regulars; Luke s!
Brass, K, 95th P. V. ; Charles E. Wagner, D,
7th P. v.; Hiram Wertman, D, 7th P. V.;
Jacob Smith, 131st P. V.; William Keifer, D,
7th P. v.; Thomas Kersteller; Daniel G Dil-
dme, D, 7th P. \. ; Jacob O. Caldwell, H, 5th
P. v.; Conrad Springer, E, 6th Pa. Reserves;
Daniel F. Wagoner, D, 7th P. V. ; Samuel V.
Dye, A, i32d P. v.; Charles Balliet, D, 7th
P. v.; Daniel Rank, D, 7th P. V.; James
Bryson, captain, D, 7th P. V.; W. Caldwell,
D, 7th P. v.; Jacob Balliet, D, 7th P. V.;
Joseph D. Fulton, D, 7th P. V.; Carn-
than, D, 7th P. V.; C. W. Fitzsimmons, A,
i32d P. V.
Liberty Toivnship — Charles F. Bennett,
Company E, 12th Regulars ; Reuben Bennett,
E, i2th Regulars; William C. Best, H, 53d
Pennsylvania X'olunteers; J. P. Bare, F, 112th
P. v.; Martin Bower, K, 51st P. V.; John
McElrath, F, 1 12th P. \. ; Robert Curry, i32d
P. v.; William Clark, F, 112th P. V.; Jacob
Hendrickson, 121st P. V.; Emanuel Kertz ;
Jacob Johnston, E, 6th P. V. ; Jacob Long, A,
I32d P. v.; John Marshall, F, 112th P. V.;
James L. Mifler, H, 53d P. V.; C. Marshall,
E, 6th Pa. Reserves; R. F. Nesbit, H, 12th
Regulars : John Perry, E, 12th P. V. ; Richard
Rozel, K, nth P. V. ; Z. Robinalt, H, 53d P.
V. ; Simon Springer, H, 53d P. \'. ; J. S. Smith,
F, ii2th P. v.; Levi B. Schock, r3ist P. V.;
Michael Thornton, H, 53d P. V.
Mahoning Toivnship — John Stineman, 4tl>
New York Volunteers; Peter McAfee, Com-
pany E, 6th Pa. Reserves; Joshua McAfee,
52d P. v.; Charles Flick, E, I32d P. V.;
Charles Waters, I, 52d P. V.; Samuel Gray,
F, Matthew's Battery; John Watts, F, Mat-
thew's Battery; Charles Rishel, H, 93d P. V.;
Christian Wagner, E, 6th Pa. Reserves;
Abram Voris, E, 6th P. R. ; John Campbell,
F, Matthew's Battery ; Henry Bogar ; William
Turvey, E, 53d P. \^ ; Daniel Turvey, E, 53d
P. V. ; Henry Vincent, A, i32d P. V. ; Thomas
Jones, A, I32d P. V.; Michael Rouch, D, 69th
P. \\ ; Philip Cassiday, A, — th — . — . ; Wil-
liam Edmunds, A, 69th P. \'. ; W^illiam Smith,
H. 93d P. V. ; John R. Mowerer, H, 93d P.
v.; Aaron Sechler, A, I32d P. V.; John
Leighow, H, I32d P. V.; Jacob Sanders, D,
fiist P. v.; Charles Mowerer, F, 112th P. V.;
Henry S. Neuss, F, Matthew's Battery;
George W. Mowerer. F, Matthew's Battery;
Henry Wireman, F, Matthew's Battery;
John H. Christian, F, Matthew's Battery;
304
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Charles Shipman, F, Matthew's Battery; J.
W. Houser, E, I2th P. V.; John Houser, H,
93d P. v.; Joseph Robey, E, 12th P. V.;
James M. Phillips, A, I32d P. V.; H. Kosten-
hacker, E, 6th Pa. Reserves ; David D. Moser,
E, i2th P. v.; Alfred Roberts, D, 7th P. V.;
Thomas H. Sanders, D, 7th P. V.; William
A. Fetter, D, 7th P. V. ; G. W. Robinson, F,
Ii2th P. v.; John Bubb, E, 12th P. V.; Ben-
jamin Rudy, teamster.
Mayberry Toivnship — Joseph R. Mutchler,
Company H, 93d P. V. ; Samuel Hilner, A,
I32d P. v.; WilHam Miller, H, 93d P. V.; P.
P. Osburn, H, 93d P. V. ; Joseph Long, A,
93d P. V. ; William Hanly, 46th P. V. ; Joseph
Simmeason, 46th P. V. ; M. Ely, 131st P. V.
Valley Tozvnship — Dennis Bright, lieuten-
ant; Joseph Rowes, E, 6th Pa. Reserves;
Hiram Humel, A. I32d P. V. ; Henry F.
Snyder, H, 93d P. V. ; Alpheus D. Ott, E, 6th
Pa. Reserves; W. B. Neese, A, I32d P. V.;
William Sunday, A, I32d P. V.; Philip Evart,
H, 93d P. V. ; Charles H. Rishel, H, 93d P.
V. ; Stephen L. Rush, F, 54th P. V. ; Lieut. J.
Moore Wilson, F, 112th P. V. ; P. Maning, Jr.,
F, Ii2th P. v.; Jonas Roup, E, 6th Pa. Re-
serves; George S. Walker, H, 93d P. V. ;
Edwin Thatcher, F, 112th P. V.; Daniel
Miles, D, 69th P. V. ; Richard Riddle, E, 12th
P. v.; Joseph Eagles, A, I32d P. V.; John
Wood, D, 69th P. \' . ; James Thomas, D, 69th
P. V. ; C. West, F, 54th P. V. ; John Boyer,
F, 54th P. V. ; William M. Snyder, teamster ;
David Henrickson, A, I32d P. V.; Amos
Appleman, i32d P. V.; Thomas Welliver, E,
6th Pa. Reserves ; Evan Jordan, E, 12th P. V. ;
William Stephens, E, 53d P. V.
]]'cst Hemlock Toz^'nsliip — Joseph Weidel,
Company F, 112th P. V. ; Oscar Tittle, H, 93d
P. v.; Martin Tarner, G, nth Michigan Vol-
unteers ; George W. Crossley, H, 105th P. V. ;
Sylvester W. Arnwine, A, I32d P. V. ; William
H. Correll, A, I32d P. V.; B. F. Heilman, E,
6th Pa. Reserves; Thomas Welliver, E, 6th
Pa. Reserves.
Additional Enlist Dieiits — Surgeon J. D.
Strawbridge, Army of the Cumberland ; Wil-
liam L. Jones, Company H, 93d P. V. : J. C.
Sylvis, I, I2th Pa. Cavalry; Isaac Mellin, U.
S. A. ; E. K. Hale, band. 112th P. V. ; Charles
Ely, Samuel Roberts, J. S. Hale, H, Capt. G.
W'. Reay, Ed. Watkins, George Danks, Moses
Gibbons, William Gibbons, William Roberts,
3d Md. V. ; x\ndrew H. Brown, 12th Pa,
Cavalrv ; William O. Butler ; I. T. Patton, C,
187th 'p. v.; Lieut. David Ware; Charles
Ware; William Ware; J. D. Ware, 187th P.
v.: Benton B. Brown, C. 187th P. V.; George
Tillson, 2ioth P. V.; Frank Finegan; John
McGuire; James M. Irland, E, 9th Pa.
Cavalry; Reese H. Flanegan, 187th P. V.;
Thomas McManus; Lieut. M. Rosenstein, 6th
Pa. Reserves; Isaiah Devers, John Clave,
Patrick Rollan, Peter Yerrick, Ad. Ray, Jona-
than Waters, John Clark, Matthias Murray,
John Lee, Moses Gibbons, Edward Cuthbert,
Thomas Stoddart, John Robinson, Frederick
Harris, William Millner, Isaac Devers, E. O.
Ridgway, all of Company H, nth P. V.;
Warren M. Ridgway, C, 187th P. V.; Amos
Suppinger, H, nth Pa. Reserves.
There were Montour men in various other
Pennsylvania regiments as well as in regi-
ments from other States.
In 1878 Company F of the National Guard
was organized in Danville and was first com-
manded by Capt. P. E. Alaus. Captain Maus
resigned in 1880 and Dr. Jonathan Sweisfort
was elected captain. Upon his resignation
John W. Farnsworth became captain and in
turn was followed by William B. Baldy,
Charles P. Gearhart, J. Beaver Gearhart and
F. M. Herrington, who still commands the
company.
Company F, 12th Regiment, Pennsylvania
National Guard, volunteered in the service of
the LInited States for the Spanish-American
war in 1898. The following is the roster of
the company as it left Danville in 1898:
Charles P. Gearhartr Captain ; Rufus K. Polk
First Lieutenant ; Frank M. Herrington, Sec-
ond Lieutenant ; Sergeants, W. L. Clark, J. D.
Kramer, Robert McClure, Eugene Kinn, W.
S. Mettler; Color Sergeant, Abraham Swartz;
Corporals. Frank Keefer, Charles Kase, Wal-
ter Ostrander, Morris Guest, Riley Watts,
Martin Landau ; Privates, Percy Angle, Wal-
ter Arms, William Baker, John Bowers,
George Bradley, William Breckbill, Daniel
Byerly, Charles Clark, Edward Cooney, Boyd
Crawford, John Curry, John Deen. Robert
Dodson, William Frey, Robert Gearhart. Wil-
liam Greiner, Charles Green, Elias Gross,
Harry Harding, Joseph Heim, James Hender-
son, Arthur Henrie, James Hodge. Charles
Howe. Albert Hunt, Carl Irwin, William Jen-
kins, James Kearns, Frank Keiner, Charles
Keiner, James Klein, Benjamin Kneibler,
Joseph Longenberger, Henry Lowenstein,
"George Mclilrath, Henry Mitchell, Charles
Mottern, William Alourer, Steven Murphy,
George Oberdorf, Oscar Ovelman, Wilbur
Penepacker, Harry Phile. Henry Prentiss,
Christopher Rice, Gilbert Robinson, Edward
Roberts, William Russell, Frank Sanders.
Harvey Sassaman, John Schuster, Frank
Seidel,' Charles Shelhart, Harry Slifer, John
Shotts, John E. Steinbrenner, Edward P.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
305
Thomas, John Toohey, William B. \'astine,
Samuel White, George Wilcox.
Company F is still in the service of Penn-
sylvania and stands ready for any call to duty.
This is the history of one hundred and
thirty-nine years of military service. The
record is not perfect, there may be omissions,
but thev are not intentional, and caused onlv
by want of proper records. Let us hope that
the days of war are over for the land we love
and that we have reached the time when
" — the war-drum throbbed no longer, and the battle-
flags were furl'd.
In the Parliament of Man, the Federation of the
World."
CHAPTER V
SCHOOLS OF MONTOUR COUNTY
Of the early schools of Montour county a
writer of 1886 says, that little could be gath-
ered, and that most of the details were obtained
from old residents, whose memories in some
instances were obscured by age and infirm-
ities.
Some time about 1785, while yet the village
of Danville was unknown as a distinct or-
ganization, but was included in the township
of Mahoning, a schoolhouse was erected on
the grounds of the Grove Church, a few yards
east of the old building, and in this unpreten-
tious log building the children of the settlers
received the rudiments of education. This
first school was but one story in height,
twenty feet square, and only of sufficient
height to permit the schoolmaster to stand
erect. A single door, fronting the church, af-
forded means of ingress and egress. The
chimney was at the opposite end and admitted
in its fireplace logs of a length of ten feet, to
maintain the necessary fires during the long
cold winters. A window on either side, of
small height but extreme width, admitted some
light. There was a rude puncheon floor and
seats of the same material. The desks were
simple boards fastened along the walls, facing
the windows, and were too high from the
floor for any but the more advanced students
to use.
This rude structure and the church hard by
had a vigorous and dense grove of trees sur-
rounding and overshadowing them, which
gave much protection from the summer's heat
and winter's cold. For a few years this rustic
schoolhouse was occupied by schoolmasters
and their little flocks. The teachers were
usually single men. and boarded around with
their employers in rotation, thus getting part
of the tuition fees in food and lodging, at that
time a most convenient arrangement for both
parties. Tradition fails to hand down to us
the names of the earlier of these teachers, but
the last one. Master Gibson, who unlike his
predecessors had a family and home of his
20
own, has left an impress on the pages of tra-
ditional liistory that has endured to the pres-
ent time. Many are the anecdotes related of
this old schoolmaster, but space will not per-
mit their relation. The books used in his
school were the New England Primer, embel-
lished with a quaint likeness of the "Honor-
able John Hancock. Esq., Presidertt of the
American Congress," and numerous woodcuts
of rude appearance ; Dilworth's Spelling
Book ; Fenning's Spelling Book and New
Guide to the English Tongue ; Dillvvorth's
Arithmetic ; and a useful book entitled "The
Young Man's Companion," a kind of sequel to
the others, well calculated to qualify the older
boys for a business career. The more ad-
vanced scholars read from the Bible, Milton's
"Paradise Lost," and Goldsmith's "Abridged
Histories." Although this course of learning
was brief, it was thorough, and many of the
graduates of the time wotild compare not un-
favorably with those of our present schools.
During the time Mr. Gibson taught (about
eight years) the school was quite successful,
and the number of the pupils was greater than
those of his predecessors. His pay was by
voluntary subscription: For the smaller
scholars he received eleven shillings, three-
pence, for the larger ones, fifteen shillings,
Pennsylvania currency, per quarter. These
fees were equal then to $1.50 and $2. respec-
tively. Federal money, as it was then termed.
Few of the pupils attended school for more
than two, or at the most three, winters, and
many of the boys left before the end of the
term to assist in maple sugar-making, if the
weather in the spring permitted. The demand
for labor at home often shortened the term
considerably, and not infrequently the lack of
fifteen shillings for tuition forbade a boy's
attendance for the full term.
Of the pupils of this school during Mr. Gib-
son's term tradition has preserved the names
of John, Tacob, Samuel and Harman Sechler;
Archibald, John, James and Robert Woodside;
306
COLUMBIA AND :\IOXTOUR COUNTIES
Jacob, Isaac, Ann and Mary Cornelison;
Jesse Simpson; Mary, Margaret and Charles
M. Frazer, and their cousin, Charles Frazer;
Samuel and John Huntington ; Isaac, Peter,
Samuel and John Blue; Asa, Samuel and
Charles Moore ; Abie, Josiah, Griffith and
William Phillips; Joseph and Jacob W. Maus ;
Charles Evans; John McCoy; and Jefferson
and Robert Montgomery, who came here from
Tennessee.
Except the Frazers, Sechlers and Mont-
gomerys, the pupils were too remote from the
school to go home at noon, and were obliged
to bring their luncheon with them. There was
but one intermission during the day, from
twelve to one o'clock, but in the intervals the
pupils were permitted to withdraw one at a
time. A triangular board about the size of an
ordinary book was hung from a nail on the
inside of the door, bearing on one side the
word "IX" and on the other the word "OUT."
A student held up his hand, and receiving an
affirmative nod from the schoolmaster turned
the board to "OUT" and left the room. Some-
times a boy would watch his chance when the
master was not looking and turn the board to
"IN" in order to get a chance to join the absent
one at play.
Master Gibson was a rigid disciplinarian
and ruled with the rod, but he was honored
and affectionately remembered by his pupils.
He was a useful man in his day and genera-
tion. Little is known of his family. His
daughter married a farmer residing on the
Chillisquaque. The last surviving pupil of
Master Gibson, Jacob Sechler, one of the first
children boni in Danville, died, a nonegen-
arian, on Christmas Day, 1880. From him
most of the data for these reminiscences was
gathered.
From other sources we find that another
school was built in 1793 by James Mont-
gomery, assisted by a few scattered settlers,
on the Milton and Danville road, a short dis-
tance from the present line of this county.
Montgomery himself was the only teacher
here. How long he taught, or the fate of the
building, has never been ascertained.
In 1797 another log school was built, on the
Danville-Bloomsburg road. It had neither
floor nor chimney, and the roof was of sap-
lings covered with branches, leaves and dirt.
Mr. Hewitt was the teacher, and from one of
his pupils, David Davis of \'alley township,
these details were secured.
The first school in Washingtonville borough
was built in 1806. It was a frame building,
later converted into a dwelling:. The first
teacher there was Abraham Barry, followed
by John Craven, John Aloore, a Mr. x\llen,
John Reilly, and a Mr. Hutchinson.
The principal promoters of schools in Derry
township in early times were Col. Thomas
Moorehead, Thomas Robertson and Samuel
Brittain.
The old "Center Stone Schoolhouse" in
Liberty township was built in 1823, and stood a
[irominent landmark in Montour county until
1872, when it was destroyed by an incendiary
fire. The ground was given jointly by James
Strawbridge, father of Dr. J. D. Strawbridge,
and here the Doctor received the foundation
of his education. James Lafferty, another
Irishman named Duncan, and James Aiken,
one of this State's famous rural poets, were
teachers here at dift'erent periods.
Gen. Daniel Montgomery having donated a
lot in his plat of Danville, west of ^lill street
and north of Market street, in 1802, a frame
schoolhouse, about twenty feet square and one
story in height, was erected on this ground by
voluntary contributions, in 1804. The gable
end fronted on the alley midway between Mill
and Factory streets, and there were a door
and two windows on one end, and three
windows on each side. The writing desks
were of the usual kind along the sides of the
room, and the smaller students were seated on
benches running parallel with these desks. All
of the seats were destitute of backs, and the
entire arrangement of the school fittings was
of a most inconvenient and uncomfortable
character. Andrew Forsyth, an eminent
Scotchman, a soldier of the Revolution and
an intimate friend of George Washington, be-
came the first teacher. He had lost his all in
the war and was obliged to take up school
teaching at Danville, where he died in 1814.
He taught six years in Danville and a short
time in Mooresburg.
lohn Moore, who afterwards became one
of the leading merchants of Danville, was the
next teacher here. His successor was Thomas
W. Bell, a skillful penman, who was followed
by Col. Don Carlos Barrett, the most popular
and successful educator who ever presided at
this school. Subsequently he became one of
the triumvirate in Texas, which included
Austin and Houston, the rulers of that State
during its struggle for independence. After
him came Samuel Kirkham, who wrote his
famous grammar while teaching here. Next
succeeded Ellis Hughes, a sur\-eyor, who came
from Catawissa to Danville in 1820. and after
his school term was ended was appointed
register and recorder by the governor. For
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
307
a number of years he examined the applicants
for teachers' positions for the township.
Other teachers of this period were John
Richards, Thomas Grier, Stephen Haliif, L. C.
Judson, Abraham Lille, Michael Sanders,
Michael Best, Isaac Mower, Thomas Catley
and John Porter.
In 1806 a subscription school was opened by
Mrs. Eleanor Best, who continued to operate
it until 1824. Upon the pages of her books,
which are still preserved, appear the names of
Daniel Eraser, Daniel Montgomery, Samuel
Yorks and Joseph Cornelison, as pupils. Her
terms were $1.50 per quarter, and she taught
spelling, reading and writing.
In 1 81 3 there were but three schoolhouses
between Danville and Milton, a distance of
fifteen miles, and not more than eight in what
is now Montour county. Most of these schools
were built by voluntary subscription whenever
enough children were within a reasonable
walking distance to justify the movement. On
a certain day the neighbors assembled, went to
work, and in a few hours the log schoolhouse
was ready for service.
Mrs. John Maus, assisted by her daughter
Nancy, taught a school in a building on
Market street in early times. She used to
compel the boys, as well as the girls, to sew
on patchwork quilts.
The Third ward school was erected in 1817
on land given by John Sechler. It was razed
in 1892 to make way for a brick building,
which cost $7,500.
The Daiiz'illc Academy was founded by Gen.
William Montgomery shortly prior to 1819.
He gave sixty lots towards its erection and
maintenance, these lots lying west of Alill
street and between the river and the creek.
They were donated on condition that the
Academy should be under the supervision and
control of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church,
and that one of the Montgomery descendants
should always be a trustee. The Academy
building was erected in 18 19 on the corner of
West Market and Chestnut streets, in a grove
with a number of immense maple trees. In
1855 a new and substantial brick building re-
placed the old one.
The teachers in the Academy were : Rev.
John B. Patterson, S. P. Johnson, Rev. Ed-
ward D. Yeomans, Mrs. S."W. Mills (of Mil-
ford, Conn.), E. W. Conkling, W. S. Parsons,
Joel E. Bradley, J. W. Weston, William
A. Marr (afterwards Judge of Schuylkill
county), I. C. Wynn, Benjamin F. Pratt, Prof.
Ludwig, Miss Caroline Backus and John M.
Kelso. In October, 1897, the Academy build-
ing was sold by the trustees, and is now used
as a private dwelling, owned by Mrs. John B.
McCoy.
The Danville Female Seiiiiiiary was started
in 1838. It occupied for a while the second
story of the Academy building, but it was soon
abandoned and both sexes were taught to-
gether in the one room.
The Danville Institute was fotmded by Prof.
John M. Kelso in 1857, in the Montgomery
building. For many years Professor Kelso
maintained this school, preparing many young
men for college, and numbering among his
pupils many of the present older business and
professional men of the community. Profes-
sor Kelso is now perhaps the oldest living
educator in the county. In 1S71 he closed the
Institute and took charge of the Academy,
where he continued teaching until it was closed
and the building disposed of.
The first brick schoolhouse in Danville was
built in 1834 on the corner of Pine and Bloom
streets. One of the first teachers there was
L. C. Judson, father of E. Z. Judson ("Xed
Buntline"), the story writer.
in 1838 two frame schoolhouses were built
on the plan of the brick school, 22 by s~ feet in
dimensions, and plastered. They were located
near the homes of Jacob Sidler and John Blue,
the latter now in \'alley township.
The Fourth Ward school was built some-
time after 1834. In 1914 additions to it re-
quired the removal of the bell which had hung
in the tower for thirty-five years. This was
a great loss to the residents near, who had
become accustomed to its mellow tone.
After the formation of Montour county
education received a fresh impetus, especially
in Danville, the county seat. Mahoning town-
ship at this time had three schools. West Dan-
ville, East Danville and Mahoning. The
ground for the W'est Danville school was
given by Gen. Daniel Montgomery, and for
the other two by John Sechler. These schools
were under the supervision of six trustees,
who had charge of the buildings also. The
teachers were elected by the citizens, who
came together at the call of the trustee. But
little attention was paid to the schools after
they were oi)ened, and the terms were seldom
longer than four months.
LIMESTONEVILLE INSTITUTE
.\ description of this school will be found
in the chapter on Limestone township. It oc-
cupied a substantial brick building erected in
1862. Among its teachers in the earlier days
308
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was J. Hay Brown, now chief justice of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, a young man
then just out of college, who spent a very
pleasant and enjoyable period in the educa-
tional work of this institution.
FREE SCHOOLS
In 1830 the first steps were taken in what
is now Montour county to secure a wider and
better system of general education. The
school laws then in force were very objection-
able and defective, and complaints were being
expressed on all sides. Institutions of learn-
ing displayed activity in a sporadic way,
but these efforts soon were followed by
periods of inactivity and languor. These were
some of the causes which brought about the
passage of the free school laws.
In 1834 a meeting was held at the court-
house, attended by the county commissioners,
Nicholas Gouger, Andrew Ikeler and John
Yeager, and school commissioners from six
townships. At this meeting a vote was taken
on the question of establishing free schools
and taxing the people for that purpose, but
only two of the delegates, John Patton of Ma-
honing and William Carnahan of Derry, voted
for the measure. The friends of free schools
continued to agitate the question, but accom-
plished- nothing definite until the year 1836.
On May 2d of that year another commission-
ers' meeting was held, with the following re-
sult : For free schools — Frederick F'rick,
Mahoning ; William Dale, Liberty ; James
Johnston, Derry ; Samuel Oakes, Limestone ;
and Andrew Ikeler and Iddings Barkley,
county commissioners. Against the free
school proposition only one vote was cast, that
of John Yeager, one of the county commis-
sioners. A motion to levy a tax equal to three
fourths of the county tax, for the benefit of
the schools, pre\ailed. the Mahoning delegate
voting to levy an equal tax. On May 31st of
the same year the action of the commissioners
and delegates was approved at a meeting of
the taxable inhabitants of the township of Ma-
honing, held at the home of Thomas Clark in
Danville.
The early school records are lost or de-
stroyed, but from the best information obtain-
able it is believed that the townships of Derry,
Liberty, Mahoning and Limestone accepted
the law at the same time, with a view of re-
ceiving the help of the State. After this the
schools depended mainly upon men of little
experience and education, and the laws them-
selves were but imperfectly understood by the
officials, thus preventing the success of the
movement and arousing much opposition and
adverse comment, which was not allayed until
the enactment of the law of 1854, creating a
new school officer and giving the directors ad-
ditional power to enforce the law.
In 1837 the State appropriation to the
county amounted to $696.16, distributed as
follows : Derry township, 350 taxables, re-
ceived $226.58; Liberty township, 268 taxa-
bles, $173.50; Limestone township, 121 tax-
ables, $78.32 ; Mahoning township, 341 tax-
ables, $220.76, Samuel Bond, James McMahan
and James Perry were members of the school
board of Liberty district ; and Ellis Hughes,
Benjamin McMahan, John Patton, McDonald
Campbell and Frederick Frick, of Mahoning
township.
In 1872 the report of the schools of .Mon-
tour county was as follows : Number of
schools, 28; male scholars, 1,093; female
scholars, 1,031 ; average attendance, 588; male
teachers, 6; female teachers, 21 ; average sal-
aries, male, $73.33, female, $33.38; school
buildings, 6; value, $45,000; school tax, $19,-
576.96; total revenue, $27,918.26; expenses,
$23,791.47.
As a matter of comparison the report of the
superintendent of schools in 1886 is given
below.
Schools
Anthony 8
Cooper 2
Danville 9
Derry 6
Pine Grove i
Liberty 8
Limestone 6
Mahoning 5
Mavberrv 2
Valley '..... 6
Washingtonville i
West Hemlock 3
57
Male
Female
Average
Cost Per
Pupils
Pupils
Attendance
Month Each
123
103
159
$1.06
49
36
59
•71
7-'^
780
1,008
.76
115
93
142
■93
15
12
19
1. 01
147
134
178
.81
107
93
123
1.02
118
106
166
.84
33
24
¥
.94
121
107
162
■73
23
IS
28
I.OI
5^
46
S6
.SS
1,625
1,949
2.131
.8g4-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
309
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310
COLUMBIA AND iMONTUUR COUNTIES
The Danville high school is the only one in
Montour county. The one in Derry township
was established in kjoS at Strawberry Ridge.
It was very successful, but the amount re-
ceived from the State was insufficient to sup-
port it, so the school board put it to the vote
of the taxpayers whether they were willing to
bear the increased financial burden. Circular
letters were sent out, together with voting
blanks, and the returns showed 76 votes
against the continuation of the high school,
and 36 in favor. So the school doors were
closed at the end of the 1914 term. This
leaves the Danville high school to bear the
burden alone.
The different county superintendents of
Montour have been: Paul Leidy, 1854-55;
E. W. Conkling, 1855-56; A. B. Putnam,
1856-59; \\'illiam Butler, 1859-66; William
Henn-, 1866-78; J. D. Cook, 1878; M. C.
Horine, 1878-81; F. C. Derr, 1881-84; Fred-
erick Ream, 1884-87; W. D. Steinbach, 1887-
1902; Charles W. Derr, since 1902. The
salary of the county superintendent in 1854
was $350; in 1886 it was $800; and in the
present year of 1914 it is $1,500.
The teachers of the county for 191 4. out-
side of Danville, are as follows:
Anthonv township — Grant Houghton,
James Dennin, |ohn Yeager, Helen Stead,
Susie Hartman,' George DeWald, Schuyler
Diehl, Anna Fortner.
Cooper townshij) — Florence Blecher, Ralph
Loomis.
Derrj' township— Margaret Shultz, ^lary B.
Love, Mary Springer, Elmer Cotner, Nora B.
Heddens, Clara Dietrick.
Liberty townshii>— James Curry, Herman
Shultz, Alma Raup. \Vilda Pannebaker. Rosa
Hartman, Elizabeth Robbin. Catherine Beiber,
Carlos Cooper, Margaret Barr>'.
Limestone township — Elizabeth Clapp,
Kathryn Feinour, Olive Herr, Grace Durlin,
Grace Le\'an, Louise Pollock.
Mayberry township — Ruth Fox, Mary
Robbins.
JMahoning township — Ednay Dyer, Ger-
trude Mapstone, Elizabeth Quigg, Walter W.
Wilson, Helen Seidel, Olive Madden.
\'alley townshij) — Olive Miller, Rebecca
Appleman, Alargaret Foust, Chester Balliett,
Helen Wintersteen. Esther Rogers.
Washingtonville borough — Molly Johnston.
West Hemlock township — Olive Winter-
steen, Edna Ande, Ruth Moore.
The first teachers' institute was held in Dan-
ville in 1858. Since then institutes have been
held annually and are of much value to the
teachers who attend.
Following will be found the report of the
coimty superintendent of education of Mon-
tour county for the year 1912. The report
for 1913 had not been published at the time
the data for this article were being compiled.
This report shows probably the high tide of
the schools, for there has been a reduction in
attendance and correspondingly in receipts
since that year.
A further history of the Danville schools
will be found in Chapter IX. The cause of
education has received considerable attention
in the entire county and much that is com-
mendable has been done. There is still room
for improvement, and all must realize, that the
education and training of the young are re-
sponsibilities which should rest with weight
upon all citizens; and financial considerations
should not determine the character and scope
of the educational work necessary to make
useful men and women.
CHAPTER VI
BENCH AND BAR
Danville was the county seat of Columbia
county from its organization in 1813 to the
removal in 1847. Montour county was or-
ganized by act of May 3, 1850; so that for
thirty-seven years, from 1813 to 1850, the
courts were the courts of Columbia county,
and during thirty-four of these thirty-seven
years, from 1813 to 1847, were held in Dan-
ville; from 1847 to 1850 were held in Blooms-
burg.
The early history of what is now Montour
county was so closely identified, therefore,
during these thirty-seven years with the his-
tory of what is now Columbia county that in
considering the bench and bar there must
necessarily be an overlapping in the narration
of events, and so closely was Danville asso-
ciated, in the administration of justice, with
the whole county of Columbia that it is im-
possible to give a history of the one without
giving a history of the other.
The first court of Columbia county was held
in Danville in January, 1814, in the second
story of the log warehouse on the river bank
which afterwards formed a part of the prop-
erty belonging to the Bridge Company and
later to the county of Montour. Hon. Seth
Chapman was president judge. William
Montgomery and Leonard Rupert were the
associate judges, and George A. Frick was
prothonotary, a position which he held until
1821.
All parties to this first court passed away
many years ago. Everything connected with
the first administration of justice here
was very primitive, and would provoke a smile
in these days of modem practice. The law-
yers' and judges' work was much more labori-
ous than now. There were 110 stenographers
to make up the records. Every bill of ex-
ception had to be written out in full and the
judge had to write down the notes of testi-
mony in longhand. But the legal learning and
power and keenness of many practicing at that
court, in its beginning and for many years
after, would compare most favorably with
the learning and power and keenness of those
practicing to-day. Here was the old time
courteous, affable, yet technical and precise,
lawyer.
Courtrooms were primitive, practice was
laborious, clients were few and fees small;
but brain power and legal skill, sometimes
lacking in these days, characterized the work
of both bench and bar.
Some of the lawyers present from a distance
practicing at the county seat in those early
days were Charles Hall and Charles Maus, of
Berlin, Samuel Hepburn, of Milton, George
M. Porter, Judge Thomas Duncan and Judge
Charles Huston, of Center county, James Car-
son, of Philadelphia, William G. Hurley, of
Bloomsburg, James Pleasants, of Catawissa,
Alexander Jordan, Charles G. Donnel, Hugh
Bellas and Ebenezer Greenough, of Sun-
bury.
Northumberland and Columbia counties
were in the Eighth Judicial district from 1814
to 185 1. The president judges during that
period were as follows :
Seth Chapman, 1814 to 1833. Of him
Col. John G. Freeze says, in his History
of Columbia County, quoting from a letter of
George A. Frick : "Judge Chapman had not
the brilliant talents of many of the attorneys
who practiced in the Northumberland courts
— to-wit Thomas Duncan, David Watts,
Charles Huston, Charles Hall, Ebenezer
Greenough and Hugh Bellas, but was a better
judge than many others we had in Pennsyl-
vania."
Ellis Lewis, 1833 to 1843. Judge Lewis
was born in Lewisburg, Pa., May 16, 1798.
The town was named after his father, Eli
Lewis, Esq.
In 1833 he was appointed, by Governor
Wolfe, attorney general for the State, and
later that year was appointed, by the same
governor, as judge of the Eighth Judicial dis-
trict, comprising the counties of Northum-
311
312
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
berland, Columbia, Lycoming and Union. In
1843 Judge Lewis was made president judge
of Lancaster county, and in 1851 was elected
to the Supreme bench of the State of Penn-
sylvania, becoming chief justice in 1855.
Judge Lewis was a lawyer of high ability, and
a judge honored and respected by all who
knew him. He died March 19, 1871.
Charles G. Donnel, 1843 to 1844. Judge
Donnel was born March 14, 1801, and was
appointed judge of the Eighth Judicial dis-
trict by Governor Porter, in January, 1843,
and was just becoming favorably known
throughout his district when he died, Alarch
18, 1844.
Joseph B. Anthony, 1844 to 185 1. Judge
Anthony was born in Philadelphia, June ig.
1795. In March, 1844. he was appointed, by
Governor Porter, president judge of the
Eighth Judicial district. He died at \\'illiams-
port, Jan. 10, 1851. As a Judge he impressed
all with his integrity and ability.
James Pollock, 185 i. Judge Pollock, or,
as he was better known, Governor Pollock,
was appointed judge of the Eighth Judicial
district in 185 1 and serv^ed until after the
election in that year. This was the first elec-
tion of judges under an amendment to the
constitution. Judge Pollock refused the nom-
ination and Judge John X. Conyngham was
elected president judge.
By act of April 15, 185 1, Montour, together
with Columbia, Luzerne and Wyoming coun-
ties, was formed into the Eleventh Judicial
district.
Judge Pollock was born in Milton. Pa.,
Sept. II, 1810. His parents were of Irish
descent. He graduated from Princeton in
183 1 and was admitted to practice law in
Northumberland county in 1833. His service
on the bench was very acceptable, and upon
his retirement the members of the bar of
the respective counties passed resolutions ex-
pressing in the highest terms their esteem and
respect for him. In 1854 he was elected gov-
ernor of the State and afterwards held a
number of important offices of trust under the
United States government. He was a ruling
elder in the "Old Covenanter" Presbyterian
Church at Milton. He died April 19, 1890.
John- N. Conyngham. 1851 to 1853. Judge
Conyngham was on the bench of Luzerne
county when, in 1851, Montour, with Colum-
bia. Luzeme and Wyoming, was formed into
the Eleventh Judicial district. He was presi-
dent judge when Montour was placed in the
Eighth Judicial district in 1853. and also when
the Twenty-sixth Judicial district was formed.
composed of the counties of Columbia, Sulli-
van and Wyoming. He continued to preside
over the courts of Luzerne county until 1870.
Judge Conyngham was a pure and impartial
judge and a finished lawyer. He met death
by a railroad accident, April 23, 1871.
Alexander Jordan, 1853 to 1872. When
Alontour county was added to the Eighth Ju-
dicial district Alexander Jordan was the
president judge of that district. He continued
to preside over this district and consequently
over the courts of Montour county for two
terms, ending with 1871. Judge Jordan was
well known in this county, having practiced
for many years in the early history of Colum-
bia county and while Danville was the county
seat. He was firm and positive in his con-
victions, clear in his judgment and kind and
affable in his manner.
William M. Rockefeller, 1872 to 1875.
In 187 1 Judge Rockefeller was elected presi-
dent judge of the Eighth Judicial district
and was ser\'ing as such when, in 1875,
^lontour and Columbia counties were formed
into the Twenty-sixth Judicial district. Mon-
tour county was just beginning to know Judge
Rockefeller when it was taken out of his
district and placed in the Twenty-sixth. Judge
Rockefeller was modest and unassuming in
his manner ; a genial, full-grown gentleman ;
a lawyer of the old school, who had fought
many legal battles with and against the fore-
most lawyers of his day. He was immovable
on questions of right, brave in his stand for
what was just and pure,- uncompromising
against evil, and a terror to the evildoer of
the da v. He was born in Sunburv Aug. 18,
1830, and at the age of eighty-four is still liv-
ing at Sunbury, a joy and delight to his many
friends.
\^'ILLIAM Elwell, 1875 to 1888. When
Montour county, in 1875, was placed in the
Twenty-sixth Judicial district, with Colum-
bia coimty, forming that district. Judge Wil-
liam Elwell was the president judge, having
been elected in 1862. Judge Elwell presided
with uniform satisfaction imtil 18S8, when,
on account of failing health, he resigned.
Many important and noted cases were de-
cided by him during the twenty-six years he
presided over the courts of the Twenty-sixth
district. His opinions were held in great
respect by the Supreme cotirt and his judg-
ments were rarely reversed. Judge Elwell
was a judge in everv' sense of the word. A
lawyer of wide experience, he brought to the
bench a knowledge which enabled him to grasp
the most intricate cases. Kind and indulgent.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
313
he was always ready to overlook the faults
and mistakes of the young practitioner. A
lover of justice, he tried always to be just;
an advocate of the right, his aim was always
to be right. He respected the rights of all
and he was patient in the hearing of every
cause. He hated sham and the pretender
found little encouragement in contending be-
fore him. He had great respect for the
higher courts and zealously labored to line
up his cases with their decisions ; never hesi-
tating, however, to criticize what seemed to
offend his sense of right and justice. At one
time a principle was before him which had
been ruled time after time by the Supreme
court. The integrity of the position was
doubted and he was asked to rule contrary to
the decisions of the higher court. He filed
an opinion, aligning himself with the Supreme
court and fortifying his position by their de-
cisions. The Supreme court reversed them-
selves, and consequently reversed Judge El-
well, at the cost of the appellee. Some time
after the appellee took a rule on the appellant
to show cause why certain costs in the pre-
liminary stage of the case should not be paid
by it. In arguing the matter before Judge
Elwell, it was successfully contended that the
Supreme court had reversed at the cost of
the apj>ellee, and that consequently the ap-
pellee should pay the costs in question. Judge
Elwell, still annoyed by the fact that he had
been reversed, while holding with the Su-
preme court, said, "Well, gentlemen, there is
one party that ought to pay these costs and
that is the Supreme Court."
Judge Elwell had a keen sense of humor
which sometimes cropped out in the midst
even of the most important case. He was try-
ing such a case at one time. Prof. S. N.
Walker was the official stenographer. Mr.
Walker sat at the desk, which was just below
the judge's bench. All connected with the
courts at that time knew Professor Walker's
deep aversion to tobacco in every form, espe-
cially in smoking. The reporter had a small
oil lamp burning on his desk, and like the
lamps of those days it began sending up a
column of smoke which soon rose to the
judge's bench. Judge Elwell, with that twin-
kle in his eye which to those who knew him
best betokened a flash of humor, leaning over
his desk, called out: "Mr. Walker, are you
smoking?" "No, sir," was the quick reply,
"it's my lamp." "Oh," said Judge Elwell, "I
didn't know you would even have a lamp that
smoked." And the trial went on. Judge El-
well died Oct. 15, 1895.
Henry M. Hinckley, 1888. Judge Elwell
resigned from the bench in July, 18S8, and
Governor Beaver appointed Henry M. Hinck-
ley, of Danville, as president judge of the
Twenty-sixth Judicial district. Judge Hinck-
ley was born at Harrisburg, Pa., June 2, 1850,
and attended the public schools there. He
entered the freshman class at Princeton in
September, 1870, and graduated in June, 1874.
In his class were James Scarlet, C. R. Savidge
{ior twenty years subsequently president
judge of the Eighth Judicial district), Delan-
cey Nichol (ex-district attorney of New York
City), Nevin U. Funk (of liloomsburgj,
Judge H. A. Fuller (of Wilkes-Barre),
Charles H. Bergner (of Harrisburg), William
H. Sponsler, and a number of others well
known in this locality. Judge Hinckley read
law with I. X. Grier, of Danville, and was
admitted to practice in 1875. For a number
of years he was associated, in the practice of
law, with I. X. Grier, under the firm name of
Grier and Hinckley. He presided until the
first Monday of January, 1889, when Judge
E. R. Ikeler, who had been elected in Novem-
ber, 1888, became the presiding judge of the
district.
E. R. Ikeler, 1888 to 1898. Judge Ikeler
was born in Greenwood township, Columbia
county, Feb. 27, 1S38. He read law with Col.
John G. Freeze and was admitted to the bar
in May, 1867. In 1S69 he was elected district
attorney and served during a part of the
Mollie Maguire trials. Judge Ikeler died Aug.
I, 1898.
Grant Herring, 1898. On the death of
Judge Ikeler Grant Herring was appointed
president judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial
district. Judge Herring was born May 19,
1862. He prepared for college at the State
Normal School at Bloomsburg and entered
Lafayette College in 1879, graduating in 1883.
He then studied law with Judge Ikeler and
was admitted to the bar in February, 1885.
He practiced for four years in partnership
with Judge Ikeler, and afterwards alone, ac-
quiring a large and remunerative practice. At
the election in 1898 Robert R. Little, Esq.,
was elected president judge of the Twenty-
sixth Judicial district. Judge Flerring died
Aug. 4, 1912.
Robert R. Little, 1899 to 1905. Judge
Little was born at Berwick in 1852. In 1872
he graduated from the State Normal School
at Bloomsburg and in 1873 commenced the
study of law with his father, Ephraim H.
Little. In 1875 he was admitted to the bar and
practiced in partnership with his father. Be-
314
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ginning with 1875 he served two terms as dis-
trict attorney of Columbia county. Judge
Little died I'"eb. 26, 1906.
CuARLiis C. Evans, 1906. Judge Evans
was appointed president judge by Governor
Stuart March 30, 1906, on the death of Judge
Little. Judge Evans was born in Briarcreek
township, Columbia county, Jan. 10, 1858.
lie graduated at the State Normal School, at
Bloomsburg, in 1877, and entered Lafayette
College, where he graduated in 1881. He im-
mediately entered the law office of Hon.
Simon I'. Wolverton, at Sunbury, and July
14th, 1883, was admitted to the bar of North-
umberland county. In August, 1883, he com-
menced the ])ractice of law at Berwick, where
he continued to practice until his appointment
to the bench. In the fall of 190O he was
elected for a full term to the bench of the
Twenty-si.xth Judicial district, where at this
writing he still presides.
The following have served as associate
judges from Montour county: John Cooper
and Daniel I'"ollmer; they were succeeded in
1856 by Robert Moore and Joseph Dean ; and
they in turn were followed by Peter Hughes
and James Curry.
After that the judges were not elected to-
gether, and those occupying the position have
been as follows : Robert S. Simington, James
McMahan, Thomas Butler, John I5enfield, W.
K. Holloway, Henry Divel, Dr. S. Y. Thomp-
son, Frank G. Blee, Charles A. Wagner, Lloyd
VVelliver, \V. J. Rogers, M. H. Schram, James
L. Brennan.
ATTORNEYS
Ai,EM Marr was the first lawyer to locate
in Danville. He graduated at Princeton in the
class of 1807, studied law, and came to Dan-
ville in 1813, where he established a large prac-
tice. He was a careful and industrious lawyer
and practiced for a number of years. He rep-
resented his district in Congress from 1829 to
1831. -After this service he retired from prac-
tice and removed to his farm near MiUon,
where he died.
Gkorhk a. Frick was among the oldest
members of the bar in Danville. He was bom
in 1788, was the first prothonotary of Colum-
bia county, serving from 1813 to 1821, and
practiced law many years. He died in 1872,
at the age of eighty-four.
John Cooper was born in Manchester,
England. Sept. 22, 1785, son of Thomas
Cooper, LL. D., who came to this country from
England in 1792, with Dr. Priestley. Dr.
Cooper, the father, was bom in 1759 in Lon-
don. He was a philosopher and a lawyer. In
1820 he became president of the college at
Columbia, S. C, and died in 1840. His son,
Judge John Cooper, came over with his father
in 1792. He received a part of his education
in England, commenced to read law at the age
of forty years, and practiced a number of
years in Danville. In the year 1850, he was
made associate judge of Montour county.
Judge Cooper married Mary Sperring, a
daughter of General Sperring, of Easton, Pa.
He had two children, Mary Alice and Henri-
etta Sperring, who married John G. Mont-
gomery. Judge Cooper died June 22, 1863.
Hon. Robert C. Grier was the eldest
in the family of Rev. Isaac Grier, S. T. D. He
was born in Cumberland county, Pa., March
5, 1794. His father, who taught school,
preached to three congregations and farmed,
gave much care and attention to the education
of his son Robert, who, when old enough,
assisted his father in the school until seven-
teen. Then he entered Dickinson College. In
1 81 2 he graduated with the highest honors
and for a year taught in the college. In 1814
he removed to Northumberland, where his
father had established the "Brick College."
Here he assisted his father, and on the latter's
death, in 181 5, succeeded him as principal. He
studied law and in 1817 was admitted to prac-
tice, and opened an office in Bloomsburg.
After remaining there a year he removed to
Danville, where he soon secured a large and
jirofitable practice, remaining in Danville
about fifteen years.
In 1S33 he was appointed, by Governor
Wolfe, jiresident judge of the District court
of .\lleghcny county, and presided over this
court until 1846, residing in Allegheny City
until 1848. In 1846 he was appointed, by
President Polk, justice of the United States
Supreme court, a position which he held until
1869, when he resigned on account of ill health.
In 1848 he removed to Philadeliihia, where he
resided until his death in 1870.
Judge Grier married Isabella Rose, of
Canada. They had children as follows:
Sarah Rose, the eldest, married Dr. Charles
F. Pieck, the youngest son of Paul Beck, a
I)rominent citizen of Philadelphia in the early
jiart of the last century. Mary Rose married
Aubrey PI. Smith, for some years district at-
torney of Philadelphia. Dr. AN'illiam Potter
Grier, surgeon in the United States army,
met his death in the blowing up of his steam-
1
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ROF.ERT C. GrIER
^fyy^2^u^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
315
er, filled with troops, on the Arkansas ri\er
after the close of the Civil war. Elizabeth
Cooper married Thomas B. Monroe, of Ken-
tucky, who was killed in the Civil war, and
some nine years after the death of Mr. Mon-
roe she married Dr. Edward K. Mayer, of
Wilkes-Barre. Helen married Dr. John L. Le
Conte, noted in the scientific world, having
received fifteen American diplomas and seven-
teen foreign ones. Martha married John T.
Parish, of New York City, and later Ernest de
Brulatour, of Paris, France. One daughter,
Isabella, died at the age of twelve years.
Judge Grier was a patriot of the highest
order, and, while conscientious and faithful in
the performance of every duty, he was yet
unflinchingly loyal at a time and in a position
when loyalty cost many a sacrifice. No higher
testimonial of his integrity could be given than
the following letter from President Grant,
accepting his resignation from the United
States Supreme bench :
Executive Mansion. December 15, 1869.
To the Honorable Robert C. Grier.
Sir: — Your letter dated December 11, 1869. con-
taining the tender of the resignation of your office as
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States, to take effect on the 1st day of February
next, has been received by me to-day and your
resignation is accordingly accepted, to take effect on
that date. I sincerely regret the increasing physical
infirmities which induce you to retire from the
bench, and, with the assurance of my personal
sympathy and respect, desire also to express my
sense of the ability and uprightness with which
your judicial duties have been performed. In look-
ing upon your long and honorable career in the
public service, it must be especially gratifying to
yourself to remember, as it is my agreeable duty
and privilege on this occasion thus distinctly to
recognize, the great service which you were able
to render to your country in the darkest hours of
her history, by the vigor and patriotic firmness with
which you upheld the just powers of the Govern-
ment and vindicated the right of the nation, under
the Constitution, to maintain its own existence.
With the hope that your retirement may be cheered
by the knowledge of public gratitude, as well as by
private affection, I remain
Very respectfully yours.
U. S. Grant.
JosHu.\ Wright Comly, attorney, of
Danville, was in the active practice of law
in this section of Pennsylvania for over half
a century. Born at Philadelphia, Pa., Nov.
16, 1 810, he was a son of Charles and Sarah
(Wright) Comly, and a descendant of Henry
and Joan Comly, who with their son, Henry,
came to America from England with William
Penn in 1682. They were members of the So-
ciety of Friends. Henry Comly, who was a
weaver by trade, settled in Bucks county. Pa.,
and from him and Joan, his wife, the line of
Joshua Wright Comly is traced through their
son, Henry, of Bucks county, Pa., and Agnes
Heston, his wife; their second son, Robert
Comly, Sr., and Jane Cadwallader; their son,
Robert Comly, of Byberry, Philadelphia, and
Sarah Jones, his wife; their son, Ezra Comly,
formerly of Philadelphia, and Hannah Iredel,
his wife; Charles Comly and Sarah Wright,
his wife.
Charles Comly was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, his wife of New Jersey; he died Jan.
9, 1840, she on March 4, 1879. They were
inarried Feb. 19, 1807, and eight children
were born to them, six of whom arrived at
maturity. Joshua and Seth I. were the last
survivors of the family. The latter (who
died before Joshua) was collector of the port
of Philadelphia and a leading citizen there.
Joshua W. Comly was reared in the faith
of the Society of Friends, and through all his
practice would never engage in a capital case,
always saying that he was "opposed to capital
punishment, and yet he hated to see a
scoundrel go free." He attended the
Milton Academy after the age of ten and
had as schoolmates Governors Curtin and Pol-
lock, Judge McCoy and Kirkpatrick, and his
brother, Seth I. Comly. He next attended
Princeton College, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1827. He then began the study of
law at Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa., in
the office of Samuel Hepburn, Esq. Three
years later, Nov. 17, 1830, he was admitted
to practice in the court of Common Pleas of
Northumberland county, and in 1833 was ad-
mitted to the Supreme court of Pennsylvania.
In February, 1831, Mr. Comly located in
Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, and in the fall
of 1834 settled in Danville, where he practiced
until 1882. He made law the business of his
life, practicing principally in three counties of
Pennsylvania for many years and always living
at Danville, but also traveling and having
considerable practice in other counties. He
was recognized as the "legal luminary" of
the whole section of the State in which he
practiced, the Nestor of the Montour county
bar, and his fame as a lawyer and advocate
was great for more than a generation, nearly
half a century, extending beyond the limits
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Comly was a man
of profound thought, deep learning, and of
wide scholarly attainments. His love of truth
in the conduct of life was a passion. He was
a type of true greatness in man.
.\s one of the best known and most
highly respected lawyers in this portion of the
316
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
II
State, he was always listened to with keen
interest in the Supreme court. He was
thoroughly conscientious and dealt severely
with the client who deceived him. At one
time, in the courtroom at Danville, when he
was convinced by the testimony of his oppon-
ent's witnesses that his client had misrepre-
sented his case to him, he picked up his papers
and left the counsel table with remarks more
emphatic than elegant. Air. Comly was a
lawyer with a mind keen and penetrating,
grasping with ease the points involved in a
case, and turning with wonderful power and
quickness the weakness of an opponent upon
him to his entire discomfiture. On one occa-
sion several lawyers were returning home from
the Supreme court, where Mr. Comly had
argued an appeal from a decision of Judge
Elwell, in which he had raised a new and
very interesting question. Edward H. Baldy,
Esq.. had been on the other side and was dis-
cussing, in the train, the argtnnent of the case,
when he made the remark, "Who but Josh
Comly would ever have raised that point?"
Mr. Comly's view was afterwards adopted by
the Supreme court.
Colonel Freeze, of Bloomsburg. used to tell
of an early experience of his at the bar. He
was arguing a case in which Mr. Comly had
shown a great interest, as his preceptor. Mr.
Hurley was on the other side and was argu-
ing amidst frequent interruptions by the court,
who seemed to take the opposite view. Colo-
nel Freeze said he was on his feet at the close
of Mr. Hurley's argument, ready to reply,
when he felt a huge grip on his shoulder and
heard the voice of Mr. Comly in his ear, say-
ing. "My God, John, don't try to help the
court."
Judges were first elected (instead of ap-
pointed) in Pennsylvania in the fall of 1851.
after the amendment to the constitution pro-
posed by two consecutive Legislatures had
been ratified by popular vote, the term of
every judge in 'the State expiring thereby at
the close of that year, so that every judicial
chair in Pennsylvania had to be filled at the
October election. The change was of such
importance that both political parties were im-
pressed with the necessity of placing only
the ablest men in office under the new pro-
visions, so that the revised order be given
every possible chance for a successful start.
The Democrats, who were then in the ma-
jority in Pennsylvania, had their caucus at
Pittsburg and felt the importance of the occa-
sion enough to have a separate convention for
the nomination of their judicial candidates;
the Whigs convened at Lancaster. Each nom-
inated five candidates for the Supreme court
bench, and Joshua W. Comly was one of those
honored at the Whig convention. All the
Democratic nominees were elected except
James Campbell, of Philadelphia, Judge Coul-
ter being the only successful candidate on the
Whig ticket. Air. Comly was the last sur-
vivor of the ten men whose distinguished abil-
ity was so recognized. An article by A. K.
AlcClure, in the Philadelphia Times of Oct.
2, 1894, speaks of him as "a venerable man
with frosted head and bowed imder the in-
firmities of years but still vigorous, both
mentally and physically, and with a clear cut
face clearly indicating the strongest individu-
ality. * * * His eye is still bright, and his
face is as sprightly in conversation as it was
half a century ago. He has practically retired
from his professional duties and lives a quiet
and genial life among his neighbors beloved
by all. * * * His life has been lovely in
all the best ofiices of manhood: he moves
among his neighbors today as a veteran Whig
leader of the olden times, beloved by all,
and when called to cross the dark river will
be as widely lamented as he is known."
Mr. Comly retired from the arduous duties
of his profession in May, 1882. On Dec. 20,
1892, he had the misfortune to break his leg,
but recovered from the accident. His death
occurred Feb. 13. 1897, and he is buried in
the new Alilton cemetery in Northumberland
county.
John G. Montgomery was born June 27,
1805. in Northumberland county. He was
prepared for college by his uncle. Rev. John
Biwson. and entered Washington College, at
Washington, Pa., where he graduated in 1825
Air. Alontgomery immediately after read law
with Hon. Alem Alarr and was admitted to
practice in Danville in 1827, and soon after
was appointed district attorney. In 1830 he
married Henrietta Sperring Cooper, daughter
of Judge John Cooper. Seven children were
born to Air. and Airs. Alontgomery. six of
whom reached maturity, as follows : Alice,
who married Edward H. Baldy. Esq. ; Eliza-
beth Alontgomery : John Cooper Alontgomer)' ;
Henrietta, who married Edward H. Baldy,
Esq.. after the death of her sister Alice;
Alargaret. who married John Peter Grove and
later J. C. Alusgrove. "of Philadelphia: and
Caroline.
In 1855 Air. Alontgomery was elected to
the General Assembly and ser\'ed one term.
Upon his return from that ser^-ice he was
elected a delegate to the National Democratic
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
317
convention at Cincinnati, Ohio, at which his
friend, James Buchanan, was nominated for
the presidency. In October, 1S56, Mr. Mont-
gomery was elected to represent his district in
Congress. On March i, 1857, he visited
Washington, D. C, and participated in the
inauguration festivities. He stopped at the
"National Hotel," where President-Elect
Buchanan and many others of his friends
were guests. Here Mr. Montgomery was
stricken down very suddenly and mysteriously,
it has generally been supposed as the result of
poisoning, and was brought home, where he
lingered in much pain for seven weeks
and finally, April 24, 1857, died. John G.
Montgomery was a lawyer of power, whose
services were attended with abundant suc-
cess, a man, of many good parts, a perfect
gentleman, and a kind and affectionate hus-
band and father.
Arthur W. Frick, son of George A. Frick,
Esq., graduated at Princeton in the class of
1838. He studied law at Danville and was
admitted to the bar of Montour county.
A. J. Frick, another son of George A.
Frick, Esq., was born in Danville in 1838. He
studied law with William G. Hurley, Esq., and
was admitted to practice in 1855. In Septem-
ber, 1 86 1, he entered the United States service
and served with distinction in the rank of
captain and afterwards as lieutenant colonel.
For a number of years after his return from
the army he served as deputy revenue collector
in this district. He died in March, 1915.
P.\UL Leidy stood high at the bar. He
served a term as district attorney and was
elected to fill the vacancy in the Thirty-fifth
Congress caused by the death of John G.
Montgomery.
Edw.vrd il. B.XLDV, son of Peter Baldy, Sr.,
graduated from Princeton College in the class
of 1839, before he was of age. He read law
with Joshua \V. Comly and was admitted to
the bar at the age of twenty-two years. He
practiced in Danville during his entire life and
was one of the most successful lawyers of the
county, shrewd and energetic, his reputation
extending throughout this whole section of the
State. He forged to the front rank of his
profession. He succeeded his father as presi-
dent of the Danville National Bank. Mr.
Baldy was retained in nearly all the important
cases brought in Montour county during the
time of his practice. He was a trusted coun-
selor and represented most of the industries
located in Danville and the neighborhood in all
their litigation. Mr. Baldy was three times
married. His first wife was Mary Jennison.
Their children were: Mary J., wife of Peter
Grove; Kate G., wife of Charles Watson;
Edward H., Jr.; Emily, who died young; and
William Jennison, at present a member of the
bar, and who succeeded his father as president
of the Danville National Bank. Mr. Baldy
married (second) Alice Montgomery, daugh-
ter of John G. Montgomery, Esq., and
their children were : Sarah Hurley, wife of
Dr. I. H. Jennings; Dr. John Montgomery
Baldy, a noted surgeon of Philadelphia; Alice,
who married Mr. Hartman, of Paris ; Henry
Waller, who died young; and Henrietta
Cooper Baldy. Mr. Baldy for his third wife
married Henrietta Montgomery, a sister of his
second wife. He died in 1891, at the age of
seventy years.
George D. Butler, a member of the bar,
was elected prothonotary in 1863. .\fter
serving in that position and practicing for
some time in the county he removed from
Danville, and we have nothing further of his
work.
B. K. Rhodes was born near Catawissa and
came with his father to Danville in 1825. He
attended the school taught by Ellis Hughes,
read law with John Cooper, and was admitted
to the practice of law in 1842. When the
county seat was removed to Bloomsburg Mr.
Rhodes moved to that place and remained
there until 1852, when he returned to Danville,
where he remained until his death, July 11,
1891.
WiLLi.\M C. Johnston was born in what is
now Derry township, Montour county. Feb.
14, 1818, a son of Walter and Elizabeth
Johnston, natives of Lancaster county and of
Scotch-Irish origin. Mr. Johnston received
his education in the common schools of Derry
township and Danville, as well as in those of
Milton and Lewisburg. For twelve years he
taught school, and then read law and was ad-
mitted to practice in 1839. He located in
Jerseytown for one year and then came to
Danville. In 1850 he was elected to the office
of register and recorder, which position he
held until his death, November, 1890.
I. X. Grier, son of Michael C. Grier and a
nephew of Hon. Robert C. Grier, was born in
Danville Dec. 27, 1835. He graduated from
Lafayette College in 1858. Prior to entering
college, and after graduation, he was con-
nected with the Susquehanna River Telegraph
Company, and later served as treasurer of that
company until it was merged into the W'estem
I'nion. Mr. Grier read law with Edward H.
Baldy, Esq., and with Judge John Cooper, and
was admitted to the bar of Montour county
318
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in 1861. In the early seventies Mr. Grier
formed a partnership with George W. van
Fossen, under the firm name of Grier and van
Fossen. In 1877 he formed a partnership with
H. M. Hinckley, under the firm name of Grier
and Hinckley, which partnership continued
until 1885, when he was obliged to give up the
practice of law on account of failing health.
Mr. Grier has been engaged in many of the
manufacturing interests of Danville and for
a number of years has been president of the
F"irst National I'ank of Danville.
Daniel W. R.\nk read law with Robert
Hawley, in Muncy, and was admitted to prac-
tice in 1859. Fle located at Millersburg and
carried on his profession there until August,
1 86 1, when he enlisted and entered the United
States service. Mr. Rank served with bravery
and distinction in the Union army. In 1872
he located in Scranton and resumed the prac-
tice of his profession. He remained there
until 1882, when he moved to Limestone ville,
his present residence. In 1884 he was elected
district attorney.
John Cooper Montgomery is a son of John
G. Montgomery and grandson of Judge John
Cooper. He graduated from Harvard Uni-
versity in the class of 1870, read law with
Edward H. Baldy, and was elected district at-
torney in 1872. Mr. Montgomery has retired
from practice.
H. M. Hinckley was born in Harrisburg.
Pa., and attended the public schools of his na-
tive city until 1867, when he moved to Dan-
ville. For three years he clerked in the com-
pany store of Waterman & Beaver, and in
1870 entered Princeton College, from which
he graduated in the class of 1874. He studied
law with I. X. Grier and was admitted to
practice in 1875. I" '^^77 Mr. Hinckley
formed a law partnership with his preceptor,
I. X. Grier, which partnership continued until
Mr. Grier's retirement from practice, in 1885.
In 1888 Mr. Hinckley was appointed, by
Governor Beaver, president judge of the
Twenty-sixth Judicial district, succeeding
Judge William Elwell. He failed of election
in the fall of that year and has been practic-
ing in Danville ever since.
Thomas J. Galbraith was practicing law
in Danville in the early fifties. He had read
law with Joshua W. Comly, Esq., but the
record of his admission has not been pre-
served. After some years of practice here,
Mr. Galbraith moved to Minnesota, where he
continued to practice for a while. He after-
wards returned to Danville and continued in
his profession for a mmiber of years, again '
leaving the county and moving West. '
\\'iLLiAM J. Baldy was born in Danville,
Pa., March 27, 1853. He was the son of Ed-
ward H. Baldy, Esq. ]\Ir. Baldy was educated
at the Academy and other schools of Danville
and graduated from Andalusia College, Anda-
lusia, Bucks Co., Pa., in 1873. He read law
with his father and was admitted to the prac-
tice of the law in Montour county Dec. 18,
1876. Mr. Baldy retained considerable of his
father's practice after the latter's retirement,
and succeeded his father as president of the
Danville National Bank, Oct. 2, 1897, which
position he still holds.
J.\mes Scarlet was born in Elizabeth, N. J.,
Dec. 31, 1848, a son of George and Mary Scar-
let. His father was a sea captain. James was
left an orphan at an early age, the eldest of
three sons. He came to Danville a boy, under
the care of W. W. Pinneo. and worked for
Mr. Pinneo on his farm, where the State Hos-
pital for the Insane now stands, for some
years. He afterwards learned the blacksmith's
trade with Keely & Trumbower, and while
following that trade took up a course of study
preparatory to entering college. In 1870 Mr.
Scarlet entered Princeton College and grad-
uated in the class of 1874. He studied law
with Thomas J. Galbraith, Esq., and was ad-
mitted to practice in the courts of Montour
county in 1877 and subsequently to the Su-
preme court of Pennsylvania and the United
States courts.
Mr. Scarlet was elected district attorney of
Montour county in 1882. He has formed two
partnerships in the practice of law ; one with
Henry Vincent, under the firm name of Vin-
cent and Scarlet : and the other with Frank
C. Angle, under the firm name of Scarlet and
.Angle.
Mr. Scarlet was counsel for the probing
committee investigating the Capitol graft at
Harrisburg, and when prosecutions were in-
stituted he was retained by the State to assist
in the prosecution. It was owing to his mas-
tery of the situation that the grafters were
convicted and sentenced. The United States
government retained Mr. Scarlet in a number
of investigations into certain trusts, in all
of which he showed marked ability.
Henry Vincent, son of Job and Lydia
Vincent, was born in England Dec. 25, 1844.
His father emigrated with his family to Amer-
ica in 1852 and soon after settled in Montour
county. Henry Vincent, after receiving a lim-
ited education in the common schools, at the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
319
age of ten commenced working in the rolling
mills, where he continued until he was thirty-
two years of age. Afterwards he took a
course at Columbia College, New York City,
where he graduated in 1878, and was imme-
diately admitted to the bar of New York. The
same year he returned to Danville and was
admitted to the bar of Montour county in
1879. Mr. Vincent shortly after formed a
partnership with James Scarlet, which con-
tinued for two years. Mr. Vincent then aban-
doned the practice of law and became inter-
ested in the manufacture of stoves, and when
the Danville Stove and Manufacturing Com-
pany was organized he was made president.
In 1862 Mr. Mncent enlisted in the Danville
Fencibles, Company A, I32d Regiment, Penn-
sylvania \'olunteers, and was engaged at An-
tietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville.
F. C. Angle was born Feb. 25, 1854, son of
William and Henrietta (Pursel) Angle. Mr.
Angle, after completing a course in the com-
mon schools of Danville, attended Lehigh l^ni-
versity, from which he graduated in the class
of 1876. He studied law with Thomas J. Gal-
braith and was admitted to the bar of Montour
county in 1879, after which he formed a part-
nership with James Scarlet, under the firm
name of Scarlet and Angle. After the disso-
lution of this firm Mr. Angle began to give his
attention to other business matters and subse-
quently became the owner and manager of the
Montour American. Later he established a
daily paper in the borough of Danville, called
the Morning News, which has had a rapid
growth and a large circulation.
Mr. Angle married Miss Sue Robison.
They are the parents of two sons, Theodore
and Frank Pursel.
Mr. Angle no longer practices law, but is
kept busy with his other enterprises.
Edward Sayre Gearhart, son of Mayberry
and Mary Catherine Gearhart, was born at
Roaring Creek. March 28, 1856. He re-
mained on the farm of his father, working
and attending the neighboring schools, until
he was fourteen years of age, when he moved
to Danville and entered the machine shop of
the National Iron Company as an apprentice.
After serving his apprenticeship and master-
ing his trade, in the fall of 1875 he entered
Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., and
graduated the following year. In 1876 Mr.
Gearhart entered Princeton College and grad-
uated in the class of 1880. During the last
years of his college course he read law with
Hon. John F. Hageman, master in chancery
for the State of New Jersey.
After his graduation Mr. Gearhart returned
to Danville and entered the office of Grier and
Hinckley as a student at law. In i88i he was
admitted to the bar of Montour county. Mr.
Gearhart's practice has been characterized by
careful study, thorough research and most
laborious application. He has a wide and prof-
itable clientage.
Mr. Gearhart, in the year 1886, married Ella
R. Creveling, daughter of Alfred Creveling,
president of the Glendower Iron Works.
They are the parents of four daughters, Kath-
erine (wife of George Youngman), Helen,
Marion and Evelyn.
William Kase West was born in Danville
March 8, i860, a son of George W. and Cath-
erine A. West. He obtained his education in
the public schools of Danville and at the
Bloomsburg State Normal School, after which
he assisted his father in surveying for some
time, devoting his attention also to study and
the advancement of his education. He read
law with Grier and Hinckley and was admitted
to practice in 1886.
In 1887 Mr. West was elected district attor-
ney for Montour county and in 1914 was
elected a member of the General Assembly of
Pennsylvania.
In 1891 Mr. West married Ella Patterson,
daughter of John C. Patterson. They are the
parents of three children. John Patterson,
Mary Louise and W'illiam K.
R. S. Am merman, a son of W^illiam H. Am-
merman, was born in Danville Aug. 5, 1869.
Mr. Ammerman graduated from the Danville
high school in 1886 and from the law school
of the L^niversity of Pennsylvania in 1891.
He was admitted to the bar of Montour county
in 1890 and to the Supreme court of Pennsyl-
vania in 1893, and to the Circuit and District
courts of the United States June 20, 1905.
Mr. Ammerman held the position of dis-
trict attorney in the county from 1894 to 1900.
He was borough solicitor for Danville from
1891 to 1895 and again from 1898 to 1900.
He is a Democrat, and has taken considerable
interest in Democratic politics, being elected
several times as a delegate to the Democratic
State conventions. He was on the Democratic
ticket for presidential elector in 1900; and was
a delegate to the Democratic National conven-
tion at St. Louis in 1904. He was elected to
the General Assembly in the years 1902, 1904,
1906 and ir)o8. In 1905 he was the Demo-
cratic caucus nominee for speaker of the
House of Representatives.
320
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
fl
Mr. Ammerman was married Nov. ii, 1891,
to Miss Bess Gearhart. Four children have
been born to them.
William V. Oglesby, son of Dr. James
Oglesby, was born at Danville, Oct. 13, 1874.
He attended the schools of Danville and grad-
uated in 1896 from Princeton University. In
1899 he graduated from the law school of the
University of Pennsylvania. He read law with
Robert J. Williams and S. Morris Wain, of
Philadelphia, and was admitted to the practice
of law in Montour county in 1899. Mr.
Oglesby was elected justice of the peace in
the year 1902, which position he still holds.
Charles P. Gearhart, son of C. P. Gear-
hart, was born in Rush township, Northumber-
land county, June 15, 1862. His literary edu-
cation was gained in the public schools and at
the Danville Academy. He read law with H.
M. Hinckley and was admitted to the practice
of law in Montour county in 1890. He was
elected justice of the peace in Riverside,
Northumberland Co., Pa., in 1890, which po-
sition he held until November, 1904. He was
again elected justice in 1913. Mr. Gearhart
served as district attorney of Montour county
from 1906 to 1912. He served as captain of
Company F, 12th Regiment, P. V. I., in the
Spanish- American war, and was major of the
I2th Regiment of the National Guard of Penn-
sylvania from 1899 to October, 1909. At pres-
ent he is judge advocate assigned to the 3d
Brigade, National Guard of Pennsylvania.
Charles V. Amerman, a son of Jesse Am-
erman, was born in Cooper township, Mon-
tour Co., Pa., Aug. 9, 1872. Mr. Amerman
was educated in the public schools of the
county and graduated in the class of 1890
from the State Normal School at Mansfield,
Tioga Co., Pa., and from Cornell University
law school in 1898. He read law with Hon.
Lemuel Amerman and after his decease with
the law firm of \\'illard, Warren and Knapp,
in Scranton. He was admitted to the practice
of law at Scranton in 1898 and later came to
Montour county, where he has been practic-
ing since.
IMr. Amerman was married Aug. 16, 1905,
to Flora A. Mettler. One child has been born
to these parents, Ruth A., born Nov. 23, 1906.
Thomas C. Welsh was born at Danville
Dec. 17, 1867. He attended the public schools
of Danville and graduated from the High
School in June, 1885. He attended La Salle
College and graduated from Bryant and Strat-
ton's Business College in 1887. Mr. Welsh
read law with Hon. R. S. Ammerman, and
was admitted to practice in March, 1897. He
served as district attorney from 1900 to 1902,
and was again elected to that office in 191 1,
for a term of three years.
Charles Chalfant, son of Thomas and
Eliza Chalfant, was born at Danville Oct. 4,
1855. His early education was obtained in
the common schools of Danville and he after-
wards attended Dickinson College at Carlisle,
Pa., being in the class of 1877. Air. Chalfant
published the Danville Sun, a daily paper,
for a number of years. He studied law with
James Scarlet, Esq., and was admitted to the
bar of Montour county in 1885.
On Sept. 30, 1885, Mr. Chalfant married
Gertrude Gearhart, daughter of Peter Gear-
hart, of South Danville.
In 1895 ^^■'"- Chalfant was installed grand
master of Pennsylvania, I. O. O. F. Mr.
Chalfant practiced law for some years with
marked ability. He was a young man of
many brilliant parts. In 1906 he suffered a
stroke of paralysis which has laid him aside
in the prime of life. In the midst of his in-
firmity, however, which has completely disa-
bled him for any professional work, he still
takes a keen interest in all public affairs.
B. Frances McHenrv, the only female
member of the Montour county bar, was born
at Exchange, that county, Oct. 22, 1870. Her
parents were Dr. Montraville and Dorcas F.
McHenry.
Miss McHenry attended the common
schools. Muncy Normal School and Bucknell
Institute. She read law with Ikeler and Ikeler
at Bloomsburg, and was admitted to practice
May 5, 1897, in Columbia county. Subse-
quently she was admitted to the bar of Mon-
tour county.
Ralph Kisner was born at Millville, Co-
lumbia Co., Pa., April 6, 1878, was educated
at Greenwood Seminary, Millville (a private
school under the control and supervision of the
yearly meeting of the Society of Friends of
Pennsylvania), and is a graduate of the
Bloomsburg State Normal School, and of
Peirce's business college, Philadelphia, Pa. He
read law with James Scarlet and was admit-
ted to the practice of law Oct. 15, 1900. Mr.
Kisner held the office of district attorney of
Montour county from 1903 to 1906. He has
been solicitor for the Danville school district
since 1901, and on Jan. i, 1912, was chosen
solicitor for Montour county and for the bor-
ough of Danville.
On June 19, 1912, Mr. Kisner married Han-
nah Alarie Fetterman.
Harry C. Bare, son of Jonathan P. Bare, of
Danville, read law with Edward Sayre Gear-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
321
hart, Esq., and was admitted to practice. A
short time after his admission he removed to
ButTalo, where he still resides.
L. K. MouRER read law with Grier and van
Fossen and was admitted to practice in 1874.
Mr. Mourer practiced for a number of years
in Danville, during which time he served one
term as district attorney. He afterwards re-
moved from the State.
George W. van Fossen was a Methodist
preacher, serving Trinity M. E. Church in
1872. In the year 1873 he left the church and
commenced reading law with I. X. Grier, with
whom, after his admission to the bar, he
formed a partnership under the name of Grier
and van Fossen. This partnership was shortly
after dissolved and Mr. van Fossen practiced
a few years alone. He then left town, remov-
ing to one of the Western States.
On the roll of attorneys are Oscar F. Moore,
John D. Colt and H. A. Childs, of whose work
we have no record except that the latter, H.
A. Childs, was prothonotary of the county,
beginning in 1854, and after some years re-
moved to Lock Haven.
CHAPTER VII
PHYSICIANS
The history of the medical profession of
Montour county is, like that of the profession
generally, a history of heroism and self-sacri-
fice ; the history of men who, with few excep-
tions, have brought cheer and sunshine, along
with healing and strength, into the home life
and the home development of the county.
The doctor of the earlier days fought dis-
ease single-handed and alone, as it were, so far
as human help was concerned. Few were his
books and fewer still the specific remedies,
ready at hand, for the most malignant cases.
Experience was the only teacher he had to
rely upon. To-day certain well known reme-
dies, the result of research and experience of
the past, are provided for diseases whose
presence formerly knit the brow and blanched
the cheek of the faithful family physician.
These are the days of wondrous healing and
mighty surgery. The doctor of the old school
looked into his books and consulted his chart
and surmised what was the condition of his
patient. His more fortunate brother of the
present age, with electric light, looks into the
patient and knows his condition — benefactors
both, and both deserve the benediction of the
race.
Montour county has had a long list of phy-
sicians, a number of whom have attained a
high mark in the profession.
Dr. William H. Magill located in Dan-
ville about 1818 and for over sixty years was
the leading physician in the county. He was
a graduate of the University of Baltimore and
died Dec. 19, 1889, at the age of ninety-three
years.
There were doubtless physicians in this
21
neighborhood prior to that, but the history of
the medical profession does not reveal who
they were and when they came. Among the
other older physicians were Dr. Forrest, the
grandfather of Mrs. \'alentine Best; Dr. Bar-
rett and Dr. Daniels, who were here prior to
1830; Dr. David Petrikin, who, in addition to
the practice of his profession, did much to
advance the interests of the town in a mer-
cantile and manufacturing way. He was
elected Member of Congress for two terms,
from 1837 to 1841. Among those who read
and studied with him were his son, William,
Herman Gearhart and Alexander C. Donald-
son. Dr. Bonham Gearhart settled first in
Washingtonville, but came to Danville in 1842
and was a leading physician for a number of
years. About the same time Dr. McDowell
came to Danville. We find also, about the
same period. Dr. John Murray ; and Isaac
Hughes, who lived on West Mahoning street
in the house now occupied by Dr. E. A. Curry.
Dr. Snitzler is also mentioned.
Dr. Clarence H. Frick practiced for many
years in Danville, interrupted only by his
service in the Mexican war, which is alluded
to in another chapter.
Then came Dr. James D. Strawbridge, a
native of Montour county, a graduate of
Princeton College in the class of 1844. Dr.
Strawbridge was one of the most eminent sur-
geons and physicians that ever practiced in
the county ; in fact his practice extended far
beyond the boundaries of the county, and he
was called into consultation in many critical
cases. He practiced continuously in Danville
from 1847 to i860, then for some years was
322
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
surgeon in the United States service. He was
captured and held prisoner for some time in
Richmond. In the army he soon reached the
position of surgeon of a corps. After the war
he was elected to Congress, where he served
to the entire satisfaction of his constituents
from 1873 to 1875. He practiced continuous-
ly in Danville from 1847 until 1889, interrupt-
ed only by his ser\ice in the army and in Con-
gress. He died in Danville July 19, 1890, at
the age of seventy-two years.
During the late sixties Dr. Sh.arps M. Sny-
der and Dr. E. H. Snyder practiced in Dan-
ville.
Dr. R. S. Simington located in Danville in
1854 and was a surgeon in the 14th and 93d
regiments of Pennsylvania volunteers during
the Civil war, serving with distinction. His
practice was a large and lucrative one. He
was elected associate judge of Montour coun-
ty for two terms.
Dr. George Yeom.axs, son of Rev. John W.
Yeomans, D. D., practiced for a number of
years in Danville during the sixties.
Dr. James Oglesby graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College in 1868 and immediately
commenced practice in Danville. He was a
native of Ireland, came to Danville at an early
age, and was well known in all this territory
where he soon acquired a large practice. He
was devoted to his profession and had the con-
fidence of all the community. He practiced
for over forty years, a portion of the time de-
voting special attention to the eye and its
treatment. He died Feb. 21, 1912.
Dr. Solomon S. Schultz graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1856. Dr.
Schultz was elected superintendent of the
State Hospital for the Insane, which position
he occupied until his death. He was a grad-
uate of Princeton College in the class of 1852.
A further account of Dr. Schultz and his
work will be found in that portion of the Dan-
ville chapter devoted to the State Hospital for
the Insane, and in the biographical section of
this work.
Dr. C. L. Frey for a number of years was
assistant physician at the State Hospital for
the Insane at Danville. Dr. Frey afterwards
removed to Scranton, where he has been
practicing as an eye specialist.
Dr. Alonzo Amerman was a native of the
county and a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania, in 1875. Dr. Amerman was
enjoying a large practice and was much be-
loved in the homes where he ministered when
he was suddenly called home in the very prime
of life, Jan. 19, 1886.
Dk. 1'rancis Eugene Harpel is a native
of Berks county and a graduate of Hahne-
mann Medical College, in the class of 1871.
Dr. Harpel practiced in Shamokin and in
Pennville before locating in Danville, where
at the present writing he is still engaged in
an extensive practice.
Dr. George J. Gr.^uel, a native of Prussia,
for a number of years practiced in Danville.
Dr. James Dallas Mausteller was a na-
tive of Montour county and a graduate of the
University of Pennsylvania, class of 1871. He
died Aug. 26, 1883.
Dr. J.\((ib H. Vastine was born in North-
umberland county and graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College in the class of 1858. Dr.
X'astine practiced for a number of years in
Danville and then removed to Catawissa.
Dr. Isaac Pursel was a native of North-
ampton county and graduated from the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania in 1846. He prac-
ticed in Danville until the time of his death.
Dr. Samuel Y. Thompson was born in
Danville and was a student in Long Island
Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y. Dr. Thompson had
a large practice in Montour and neighboring
counties, which he held until the time of his
death.
Dr. Jacob P. Hoffa was born in Northum-
berland county and graduated from Jefferson
Medical College in 1876. He located in Wash-
ingtonville, where he practiced until his death.
He served several terms in the Pennsylvania
Legislature.
Dr. Montravjlle McHenry was a native
of Columbia county. He graduated at Bur-
lington, Vt., in 1878, and located at Exchange,
where he practiced for a number of years.
Dr. William E. Reed was a native of Ly-
coming county, graduated from Jefferson
Medical College in 1880, and practiced for a
short time at \Miite Hall.
Dr. Hugh B. Meredith graduated at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1877, first prac-
ticed in Doylestown, Pa., and then came to
Danville as assistant physician at the State
Hospital for the Insane. After the death of
Dr. S. S. Schultz he was elected superintend-
ent of that institution, which position he still
holds. A further account of Dr. Meredith
and his professional work will be found in the
biographical sketches.
Dr. Philip C. Newbaker was born in
Dauphin county and graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College in 1869. Dr. Xewbaker
located at Washingtonville and practiced there
for a number of years before his removal to
Danville, where he is still in active practice.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
323
Dr. Newbaker has served several terms in the
Pennsylvania Legislature.
Dr. Benjamin F. Shultz was a native of
Columbia county and graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College in 1854. He practiced in
Danville from the time of his graduation un-
til his death.
Dk. Charles Delcamp was born in Schuyl-
kill county, practiced for some years in Dan-
ville, and then left the county.
Dr. J. H. Sandel is a native of Montour
county and a graduate of Hahnemann Medical
College, class of 1882. Dr. Sandel commenced
practice in Danville and removed to Schuyl-
kill and other counties, where he practiced for
some years. Lately he has returned and is
now in active practice in Danville.
Dr. Mandeville O. Greenwald, a native
of Allentown, graduated at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1872 and located at Moores-
burg, where he practiced for some time.
Dr. Henry C. R. Morrow was born in Erie
county, N. Y., and graduated at the University
of Buffalo in 1882. He located at Exchange,
where he practiced for some time. He died in
1886.
Dr. John Montgomery Baldv was born in
Danville and graduated at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1884. Dr. Baldy's practice
has been principally in Philadelphia, where he
has acquired a reputation as a skillful surgeon
and where he has treated many cases from
this county.
Dr. Michael Servetus Seip was born in
Easton, Pa., graduated from the Lhiiversity of
Pennsylvania in 1876 and for a number of
; years was assistant physician at the State
Hospital for the Insane at Danville. Some
years ago he removed to Easton, where he is
still in practice.
Dr. William Elmer Ritter was born in
Lycoming county and graduated from Jeffer-
: son Medical College in i88s. He located at
White Hall.
Dr. Eben True Aldrich was born in
' Lowell, Mass., graduated at Long Island Col-
lege Hospital, Brooklyn, in 1880. and served
for some time as assistant physician in the
State Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Nathaniel W. Voorhees was a native
of New Jersey and a graduate of the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania in the class of 1883. Dr.
Voorhees located in Danville, where he prac-
ticed for a number of years quite successfully.
Dr. John R. Kimerer was a native of
Nashville, Ohio, and a graduate of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore in
the class of 1885. Dr. Kimerer located in Dan-
ville, where he practiced for a number of years.
He married Laura Vastine, daughter of Amos
V'astine. He died a few years ago.
Dr. Daniel E. Kiess was born in Lycom-
ing county and graduated from the College of
Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore in 1886.
He located in Washingtonville, where he
practiced for some years.
Dr. David E. Shoemaker was born in But-
ler county and graduated at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, in 1886.
He located at Washingtonville, where he prac-
ticed for a number of years.
Dr. George W. Furey was a graduate of
the University of Michigan in the class of
1877. He was an eye and ear specialist.
Dr. p. S. Wykoff was a graduate of
Hahnemann College, Cincinnati, in the class
of 1883. He settled and practiced at Wash-
ingtonville.
Dr. Henry Bierman was a graduate of
Hahnemann College, Philadelphia, in the class
of 1888. Dr. Bierman practiced for some
years in Danville and then removed to Blooms-
burg.
Dr. Charles B. Mayberry was a graduate
of Harvard University in the class of 1887.
Dr. Mayberry came to the State Hospital for
the Insane at Danville as assistant physician,
where he rendered efficient service for a num-
ber of years. He was afterwards elected
superintendent of the Insane Hospital at Re-
treat, Luzerne county, which position he still
holds.
Dr. James M. Peebles graduated at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1876.
Dr. Grosvenor R. Trowbridge was a grad-
uate of the University of Buffalo in the class
of 1884 and served for a number of years as
assistant physician at the State Hospital for
the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Edwin A. Curry, a native of Danville,
graduated at the LTniversity of Pennsylvania
in the class of 1889. Dr. Curry located at
Danville, where he has acquired a large prac-
tice, having been quite successful in his pro-
fession and regarded at the present time as one
of the leading physicians in the borough.
Dr. George A. Beck graduated at the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania in 1875 and for a
number of years practiced in Danville. He
removed from Danville some years ago and
has since died.
Dr. Benjamin E. Bitler graduated from
Louisville College in 1889 and for a number
of years practiced at Washingtonville, after-
wards removing to Pottsgrove.
324
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Dr. John E. Jennings graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania in 18S7.
Dr. Augustine A. B.\ncroft graduated
from Hahnemann College, Philadelphia, in
1869.
Dr. William R. P.\ules graduated from
Jefferson Medical College in 1890 and imme-
diately commenced practice in Danville, where
he has acquired a large and lucrative practice,
in connection with which for many years he
has conducted a drug store.
De. Thomas H. Carey graduated from Jef-
ferson Medical College in 1884.
Dr. Arthur E. Elliott graduated from
Kingston College, Canada, in 1889, and for
some time was assistant physician at the State
Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Jesse E. Shuman graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1891 and lo-
cated at Jerseytown, Columbia county.
Dr. John A. E. McCuaig graduated at
Kingston, Ontario, in 1891, and for a num-
ber of years was assistant physician at the
State Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Cameron Shultz was born in Danville
and graduated from Jefferson Medical Col-
lege in 1892. He immediately commenced
practice in Danville, where he has remained
ever since.
Dr. Leslie L. Hand graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1891 and for
a number of years was assistant physician at
the State Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. William O. Smith graduated at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1878.
Dr. I. Grier Barber graduated at Jefferson
Medical College in 1877 and after practicing
for some years in Union county moved to Dan-
ville, where for a number of years he had
quite an extensive practice. He moved from
Danville to Wilkes-Barre some years ago.
Dr. W. Herbert Adams graduated at the
University of New York in 1889 and for a
number of years was assistant physician at
the State Hospital for the Insane, Danville.
Dk. Thomas B. Wintersteen was born in
Montour county, and graduated at the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania in 1899. He imme-
diately began practice in Danville, which he
continued until the time of his death some
years ago.
Dr. George A. Stock graduated from Jef-
ferson Medical College in 1898 and for a num-
ber of years has practiced in Danville.
Dr. H. Hinshillwood graduated at Hahne-
mann College, Philadelphia, in 1895, and com-
menced practice in Danville in 1904. He is
still in active practice.
Dr. Harry E. Klase was born in Danville
and graduated from the Medico-Chirurgical
College of Philadelphia in 1906. He practiced
a few years in Danville and then moved to
Jerseytown, Columbia county.
Dr. Genenieve N. Klase graduated from
the Woman's Medical College, Pennsylvania,
in 1906. She is the wife of Dr. Harry E.
Klase and practiced with him in Danville,
thence removing to Jerseytown.
Dr. Frank D. Glenn graduated from the
University of Pittsburgh in 1905 and for some
years has been an assistant physician at the
State Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Raymond J. Hauser was born in the
county and graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1910, since which time he
has been practicing in Danville.
Dr. Ralph E. Johnson graduated from the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Balti-
more, in 1894, and was assistant physician at
the State Hospital for the Insane at Danville
until he met with a tragic death at the hands
of a patient. He married, while at the State
Hospital for the Insane, Gussie Sweisfort,
daughter of Dr. John Sweisfort, of Danville.
Dr. James E. Robbins was born in Colum-
bia county and graduated at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1893, and for a number of
years has been assistant physician at the State
Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. G. M. B. Free graduated from the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania in 1884, and for a
number of years has been an assistant physi-
cian at the State Hospital for the Insane at
Danville.
Dr. E. B. Shellenberger graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1902, and
for some time has been an assistant physician
at the State Hospital for the Insane at Dan-
ville.
Dr. L. R. Chamberlain graduated from
Tefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in
1903, and is at present an assistant physician
at the State Hospital for the Insane at Dan-
ville.
Dr. L. C. Stilling graduated from the
University of Vermont in July, 1893, and for
some time was an assistant physician at the
State Hospital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Eugene Smith graduated at the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, and for some time
was an assistant physician at the State Hos-
pital for the Insane at Danville.
Dr. Gilbert Smith, a graduate of the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore,
Maryland, for some time was an assistant
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
325
physician at the State Hospital for the Insane
at Danville.
Other assistant physicians at the State Hos-
pital for the Insane at Danville, Pa., were
Dr. Theodore Diller, Dr. A. J. McL.\ugh-
LiN and Dr. Burton Massev.
Dr. Robert S. P.xtten graduated at Jeffer-
son Medical College in 1901, for several years
practiced in Washingtonville and then moved
to Danville, where he has continued to prac-
tice.
Dr. Jesse W. Gordner graduated at Jeffer-
son Medical College in 1909, since which time
he has practiced at Exchange.
Dr. Ida M. Ashenhurst graduated from
the Woman's Medical College of New York
in 1897, and for a number of years has been
the female assistant physician at the State
Hospital for the Insane, Danville.
Dr. James S. Hammers graduated from
the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel-
phia, in 1902, and for several years has been
assistant physician at the State Hospital for
the Insane at Danville.
Dr. William H. Krickbaum graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1902,
and for a number of years has been assistant
physician at the State Hospital for the Insane,
Danville.
Dr. Reid Nebinger graduated from the
Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia in
1903, and for some years was assistant physi-
cian at the Sta.te Hospital for the Insane at
Danville. He is now in general practice in
Danville.
Dr. Nita Richards graduated at the Osteo-
pathic School in 190 1 and for a number of
years has practiced in Danville, although liv-
ing in Bloomsburg.
Dr. John H. Snyder for several years has
practiced in Washingtonville.
Dr. Michael J. Maloney graduated at the
University of Baltimore in October, 1905.
CHAPTER VIII
OFFICIALS
Montour county, though very small, has
figured largely in the political life of the
country surrounding it ; and her citizens have
frequently held important and responsible
positions in national and State life.
Congressmen
The first representative in the National
Congress from Montour county was Gen.
William Montgomery, who was elected to the
Third Congress, 1793-95. General Mont-
gomery served one session and resigned. The
next representative from what is now Montour
county was Gen. Daniel Montgomery, elected
in 1806 to the Tenth Congress, 1807-09; he
served his term, but declined a reelection.
Alem Marr was elected in 1828 to the Twenty-
first Congress, 1829-31. Dr. David Petrikin
was elected and served two terms, in the
Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Congresses,
1837-41. In 1856 John G. Montgomery was
elected to the Thirty-fifth Congress, but died
before taking his seat, a victim of the noted
poisoning incident at the "National Hotel,"
Washington, D. C, at the inauguration of
President F5uchanan. Paul Leidy was elected
to fill Mr. Montgomery's place. Dr. James D.
Strawbridge was elected in 1872 to the Forty-
third Corigress, 1873-75. Rufus K. F'olk was
elected as representative to the Fifty-sixth and
F"ifty-seventh Congresses, 1898-1902. Alex-
ander Billmeyer was elected in 1902 to fill the
unexpired term of Mr. Polk.
The Congressional district in 1850 com-
prised Columbia and Montour counties. In
1857 it included Columbia, Montour and
Luzerne counties. At the present time and
for many years past the district comprises the
counties of Northumberland, Columbia, Mon-
tour and Sullivan.
State Senators
The first State senator elected in what is
now Montour county was Valentine Best, a
newspaper publisher, who was elected chiefly
through the agitation of the formation of the
new county of Montour. He succeeded well
in the work, being elected speaker of the
Senate in 1850, and through the influence and
power of that position was able to secure the
326
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
passage of the bill forming the new county.
So valuable was the work of Mr. Best in this
respect that it has been suggested that it
would have been a fitting tribute had the new
county been named Best county. The only
senator from Montour county after the re-
tirement of Valentine Best was Thomas Chal-
fant, who was elected in 1873.
Members of General Assembly
Those who have represented Montour
county in the State Legislature, as members
of the Lower House, are many, some of them
being from the other counties forming, with
Montour, the Legislative District. They are
as follows: 1852-53, M. E. Jackson, Colum-
bia and Montour counties ; 1853-54, George
Scott, Montour county; 1855-56, J. G. Max-
well, Columbia and Montour counties; 1856-
57, John G. Montgomery, Columbia and Mon-
tour counties; and the following all from
Montour county : 1857-59, Thomas Chalfant ;
1859-60, Samuel Oakes ; 1863-64, John C.
Ellis; 1867-69, Thomas Chalfant; 1869-70,
George Scott ; 1871-72, Thomas Chalfant ;
1872-73, Dennis Bright; 1873-74, Jesse C.
Amerman; 1875-76, James Cruikshank; 1877-
78, James McCormick; 1879-82, P. C. New-
baker; 1883-85, James McCormick; 1885-90,
Dr. J. P. Hoffa; 1891-94, John K. Gerringer;
1902-10, R. Scott Amnierman; 1911-15, P. C.
Newbaker; 191 5, W. K. West.
.-Issociatc Judges
The first associate judges from Mon-
tour county were John Cooper and Daniel
Follmer. They were succeeded in 1856 by
Robert Moore and Joseph Dean, and they in
turn were followed by Pet€r Hughes and
James Curry.
After that the judges were not elected to-
gether and those occupying the position have
been as follows : Robert S. Simington, James
McMahon, Thomas Butler, John Benfield, W.
K. Holloway, Henry Divel, Dr. S. Y. Thomp-
son, Frank G. Blee, Charles A. Wagner, Lloyd
Welliver, W. J. Rogers, M. H. Schram, and
lames L. Brennan.
District Attorneys
The first district attorney for the county,
from 1850 to 1853, was B. K. Rhodes. He
was succeeded, 1853-58, by Paul Leidy. B.
K. Rhodes was then appointed to fill a vacancy
and then from 1858 to 1861 H. A. Childs was
district attorney. Then followed George D.
Butler, A. C. Campbell, John Cooper Mont-
gomery, Leander K. Mowrer, James Scarlet,
Daniel W. Rank, W. K. West, R. S. Amnier-
man, Thomas C. Welsh, Ralph Kisner, Charles
P. Gearhart, and Thomas C. Welsh again, the
present incumbent.
County Commissioners
The county commissioners elected in 1850
were : Samuel Yorks, James McMahon,
Samuel Shick ; T. J. Galbraith, clerk. In 1852
Galbraith resigned and the board appointed
George W. West as clerk. The following have
been elected commissioners in the years
specified: David Yeager, 185 1; David Wil-
son, 1853; Jacob Sheep and \\'illiam Snyder,
1854; Abraham Wagner, 1856; Robert Davi-
son, 1857; William McNinch, 1858; Daniel
Ramsey, 1859; W^illiam Seidel, i860; Charles
Fenstermacher, 1861 ; Isaac Ammerman, 1862;
John Moore, 1863; John Derr, 1864; Isaac
Amnierman, 1865; James Shultz, 1867; An-
drew C. Russell, 1868: John Dildine, 1869;
William Yorks, 1870; James Woodside, 1871 ;
Peter A. Mowrer, 1872 ; Frederick Kniss,
1873; David Grove, 1874; William }. McKee,
1875 : J- '^uld, George W. Derr, W. J. McKee.
1876; Isaac Ammerman, Stephen Smith.
Frank G. Blee. 1879; Isaac Ammerman,
Frank Cr. Blee. George W. Askins, 1882;
Frank G. Blee. Isaac Ammerman, George W.
.Askins. 1885; (jeorge W. Miles. Emanuel Sid-
ler, Wellington Rote, 1888; Charles C. Rousch,
Emanuel Sidler. Wellington Rote, 1891 ; Wes-
ley Perry, John E. Roberts. William E. Boyer,
1894; H. C. Sandel, Henry Cooper, George
W. Miles, 1897; George W. Miles, Wesley
Perry, Hiram C. Sandel. 1900: Henry Cooper,
George M. Leighow, Charles W. Cook, 1903;
George M. Leighow, Charles W. Cook, George
R. Sechler, 1906 ; James Ryan, George R.
Sechler, John Coleman, 1909 : James Ryan,
William Quigg, D. C. Williams, 19 12.
George W. West was clerk from 1850 to
1876; E. G. Hoffman from 1876 to 1879; .John
C. Peifer, 1879 to 1894; George Bortz, 1894 to
1895; Horace C. Blue, 1895 to the present
time, with the exception of 19 1 2. when Jacob
C. Miller was clerk.
County Treasurers
George Mears. 1850 : Joseph Dean, 1853;
Daniel Reynolds. 1855; Frederick Blue. 1857;
Wilham G. Gaskins,'i859; Edward Morrison,
1861; Abraham Wagner, 1863; \^4lliam Mc-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
327
Ninch, 1865; Jacob Seidel, 1867; Isaac Ani-
merman, i86g; Emanuel Sidler, 1871 ; William
Madden, 1873; Bernard Dougherty, 1875;
Samuel Blue, 1878; George W. I'eifer, 1881 ;
James L. Brennan. 1884; George W. Peifer,
1887; A. H. Billmeyer, 1890; James C. Hed-
dens, 1893: George P. Cotner, 1896; P. C.
Newbaker, 1899; A. J. Steinman, 1902; S. K.
Hoffman, 1905; A. J. Steinman, 1908; S. K.
Hoffman, 1912.
Sheriffs
Daniel Frazier, 1850-53 ; Thomas Pollock,
1854; Edward Young, 1857; Frederick Blue,
i860; Edward Young, 1863; Jacob Shelhart,
1866; R. C. Russell, 1869; W. C. Young, ap-
pointed in 1870; Daniel Billmeyer, 1871 ; Ed-
ward Young, 1874; Tames N. Miller, 1877;
Jacob Shelhart, 1880;" Nathan Shugart, 1883;
James O. Frazier, 1886; Michael j. Breckbill,
"1889; C. P. Harder, 1892; Michael J. Breck-
bill, 1895; George Maiers, 1898; Michael J.
Breckbill, 1901 ; George Maiers, 1904: D. C.
Williams, 1907; William B. Startzel, 191 1 ;
John G. Waite, 1914.
Prothonotaries
William S. Davis, 1850; Hiram A. Childs,
1854: George D. Butler, 1857-66; William O.
Butler, 1866-76; Wilson M. Gearhart, 1876-88;
E. G. Hoffman, 1889-98; Jacob C. Miller,
1899-1902; Thomas G. Vincent, 1903-14;
Frank G. Schoch, appointed Aug. 5, 1914.
Clerks and Recorders
William C. Johnston was elected the first
time in 1850 and reelected repeatedly, filling
the position until his death. Wilson M. (iear-
hart was appointed to fill the vacancy, and then
William L. Sidler was elected. Mr. Sidler has
held the position ever since.
Surzryors
G. W. U'est was the first surveyor of the
county, and served continuously until about
1905. A. Cameron Bobb is the present sur-
veyor.
CHAPTER IX
DANVILLE
The town of Danville was laid out by Gen.
Daniel Montgomery in 1792. His plan com-
prised that portion of the town lying east of
Mill- street to Church street and extending
from the river to what was afterwards the
canal. His father, Gen. William Montgomery,
some ten years later, laid out that portion of
the town lying west of Mill street.
The name "Danville" was given the town
out of deference to Gen. Daniel Montgomery,
and through the partiality of his customers,
who placed the most implicit confidence in
him and reverenced him as a true friend. The
settlement of Mahoning was the center of a
large trade drawn by Gen. William Mont-
gomery's mill; Gen. Daniel Montgomery's
store, which furnished supplies to all the sur-
rounding neighborhood ; and the ferry estab-
lished by Jacob Gearhart, of Rush township,
which on the Danville side landed about Ferry
street. The people dealing with Gen. Daniel
Montgomery found it quite natural to call the
place "Dan's-town" ; and from this the transi-
tion was easy to "Dan-ville."
The town is beautifully located on the right
bank of the North Branch of the Susquehanna
river, about eleven miles above its union with
the West Branch. It nestles quietly among the
beautiful hills. Bald Top on the one side and
Blue Hill on the other, while down the river
for miles stretches the Montour Ridge. All
about it are the everlasting hills, still packed
with iron ores which the hand of an all-wise
Creator has stored ; awaiting a new day when
the demands of an advanced age shall call
them forth to be transformed into finished
products, never dreamed of by the boasted era
in which we live. God never stored hills with
riches to be left unused ; and some day, let us
hope not far distant, a busy brain and a skilled
hand will discover the key that will unlock
these mines of wealth and bring forth the
riches that have so long lain idle and uncalled
for.
In November, 1773. William Montgomery
purchased land from J. Cummings, the patent
for which bears date December, 1773. On
Nov. 26, 1774, William Montgomery pur-
328
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
chased from J. Simpson "180 acres of land on
Mahoning Creek; North side of the East
Branch of the Susquehanna, called Karkaase" ;
and on this land was laid out the town of Dan-
ville. In the fall of 1776 Gen. William Mont-
gomery moved his family to Mahoning (after-
wards Danville) permanently, and commenced
the improvement of his estate and the develop-
ment of the country.
That part of Danville east of Church street
was laid out by John Sechler. In 1776 Gen.
William Montgomery constructed the log
house that afterwards became a part of the
stone mansion which he erected, on the corner
of Bloom and Mill streets, now known as the
Russell stone house. In 1777 Alexander, his
youngest son, was born in this log house, and
seventy-one years later, in 1848, he passed
away in the same room in which he was born.
Gen. William Montgomery donated sixty
lots between Mill and Chestnut streets for the
erection and maintenance of an academy, to be
under the supervision and control of the Ma-
honing Presbyterian Church. Gen. William
Montgomery also donated the land for the
courthouse and Gen. Daniel Montgomery gave
the land for the jail.
.-Xmos Wickersham, who owned the prop-
erty to the northeast of the William Mont-
gomery tract, conveyed to the Presbyterian
Church the ground upon which the original
Mahoning church was built and which is now
occupied by the present Grove Presbyterian
church. This conveyance also included the
ground used for the old burying ground on
Bloom street.
Upon the erection of Columbia county, in
1813, Danville was made the county seat and
continued to be such until 1847.
The opening of the canal in 1832 marked
the beginning of prosperity and development
for Danville. Following this came the erec-
tion of the iron industries, the forerunners of
those vast manufacturing plants which have
been the great source of business and ma-
terial prosperity of the town.
In 1849 the borough of Danville was incor-
porated and in 1853 it was made subject to the
provisions of the General Borough law. The
borough then consisted of two wards. North
ward and South ward. In 1867, however, the
wards were increased to four and named First,
Second, Third and Fourth wards.
INDUSTRIES
The first of the industries of Danville were
the gristmill of Gen. William Montgomery, lo-
cated along what is now the old canal west
of Mill street ; the store of Gen. Daniel Mont-
gomery, located upon the premises now occu-
pied by the "Montour House"; and the black-
smith shop of John Deen on Market street,
near Ferry. These were all established prior
to 1806 and brought much trade from the
surrounding country and from the south side
and were the means of the establishment of
the post office at Danville.
In 1809 Gen. William Montgomery erected
a woolen mill in the rear of what was after-
wards the Daniel Ramsey homestead upon
.Mill street, just opposite Mulberry street. Dr.
Petrikin afterwards erected a woolen mill
between the lands later occupied by the North
Branch Steel Works and the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western Railroad Company. It was
subsequently used by Duncan Hartman as a
planing mill and later by the National Iron
Company as a spike and bolt factory. It was
burned in 1871.
The grist and plaster mill, known as the
John Montgomery mill, was erected prior to
1825 and connected with it was a woolen mill
and carding machine.
In the rear of what was afterwards the
Laubach residence there was erected a saw-
mill.
In 1839 Peter Baldy, Sr., built the old stone
gristmill on Church street which for many
years furnished a large part of the community
with flour and feed. It is now, after years of
idleness, occupied by the Metal Engineering
Company and the Metal and Machine Com-
pany.
Danville is peculiarly an iron town and from
its early years it has been engaged in manu-
facturing from iron and steel.
The first iron foundry established in Dan-
ville was that of John C. Thiel, erected in
1829. In 1830 Casper Thiel acquired control
and in the latter part of that year formed a
partnership with Samuel Bitler, Sr. In 1831
Mr. r.itler died and on April i8th of that year
Thiel failed in business. The creditors oper-
ated the plant until 1832 and then closed it.
The i)roducts of the foundry were mill
gudgeons, mold boards, plowshares, land
slides, wagon boxes, andirons, sadirons and
griddles.
The Eagle Foundry was built on the east
side of Ferry street, along the canal, in 1837,
by Moore & Stuart. Samuel Huber was the
chief molder. In December. 1838. the build-
ing burned with a loss of ten thousand dol-
lars, but was rebuilt in 1842 by Stuart. Biddle
& Llovd. A machine shop was later added
Gristmill at AIausdale, Pa., Uuilt ix iiSoo — Partially Rebuilt
Home of Glx. William Montcomlrv, Danville, Pa.
Oldest House in Montour County
I
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
329
and the manufacture of stoves, plows and
other agricultural implements undertaken.
The diflferent owners until 1887, when the
building was removed, were Moore & Biddle ;
Riddle, Moore & Company, and William
Biddle.
Simon P. Kase, in 1838, started his foundry
in a small shed on Pine street on the present
site of the First ward school building. .At
first this enterprise used horsepower to run
the machinery. In 1839 Mr. Kase formed a
partnership with L. Bergstresser and they en-
larged the ])lant, putting in a steam engine.
The products were threshing machines, stoves
and mill gearing.
In 1844 Mr. Kase built the first mill in
the town for the manufacture of merchant
iron. In 1846 he built his rolling mill, where
he installed the first "three-high" train of rolls
ever used in Danville. He operated the mills
until 1848 and then leased them to David P.
Davis, who failed to make them profitable
and they returned to the ownership of Mr.
Kase. In 1852 Mr. Kase sold the mills and the
purchaser removed all the machinery to Knox-
ville, Tennessee.
Samuel Ollis, in 1840, built a steam en-
gine factory on the premises of the Kase &
Bergstresser foundry, which was later incor-
porated into the rolling mill plant.
The National Iron Foundry was another
industry the history of which is closely iden-
tified with Danville's early years. It was lo-
cated near the Columbia Furnace and was
originally built by Peter Baldy, Sr., in the
year 1839. The first operators of the plant
were Williams, Belson & Gartley. This con-
cern failed and was succeeded by O'Connor &
Rice, who also encountered financial difficul-
ties. The plant fell into the hands of R. C.
Russell, who, after conducting it for a com-
paratively brief period, sold out to Messrs.
Hancock & Carr, who later transferred their
holdings to John Hibler. These various
changes in ownership covered a period of
twenty-five years. A former foreman of
the Eagle Foundry, Samuel Huber, in 1854
purchased the business from John Hibler. He
operated it for five years, when, in 1859, it was
destroyed by fire. Previously to the destruc-
tion of the plant, Mr. Huber had taken
Samuel Boudman into partnership. After tbe
fire Boudman abandoned the enterprise. Mr.
Huber, however, continued the business and
purchased the ground from Peter Baldy, built
a far better foundry than the one which had
been destroyed, and again embarked in the
business, successfully conducting it alone until
1868, when he took his son, J. S. Huber, into
partnership, and they continued under the firm
name of S. Huber & Son. On the 19th of
January, 1877, C. C. Huber, another son, was
taken into the firm. The title was then
changed to S. Huber & Sons. Subsequently
W. H. Huber, a third son, joined them and the
concern continued in business and prospered
greatly. This plant is now occupied by the
Montour Foundry & Machine Company,
which still manufactures the Huber plows.
Reading Iron Company
One of Danville's leading industries at the
present time is the plant of the Reading Iron
Company. These operations, although coming
into the hands of the Reading Iron Company
in recent years, have a history running back
into the early days and known in the past
under diflferent names, the property belonging
to different owners.
In 1838 what was known as Furnace No. i,
of the Danville Furnaces, was built by Eli
Trego for Carey & Hart. This was a char-
coal furnace and was located on North Mill
street beyond what was afterwards known as
the company gristmill and near the present
Philadelphia & Reading railroad crossing. In
1840 this was altered by Thomas Chambers
into an anthracite furnace. In 1844 the Mon-
tour Iron Company was incorporated, with
Thomas Chambers as president. Mr. Cham-
bers, in 1840, built Blast Furnaces Nos. 2 and
3 and operated them with anthracite coal.
These furnaces were located at the head of
West Centre street. In a short time all these
furnaces became the property of the Mon-
tour Iron Company which, in 1846, built
Furnace No. 4, which joined Furnaces Nos.
2 and 3.
In 1844 the Montour Iron Company built,
on Northumberland street. Rolling Alill No. 1,
containing thirty-seven double and single pud-
dling furnaces and ten heating furnaces. At
this mill, Oct. 8, 1845, the first T rail in the
United States was manufactured.
In 1853 the Montour Iron Company built
Rolling Nlill No. 2, containing thirty-two
single puddling furnaces.
In 1843 the above named furnaces were
leased to Benjamin Perry, Alexander Garret-
son, Cornelius Garretson and William Jenni-
son.
The first manager of the rolling mills was a
man named Harris ; but he was soon succeeded
by M. S. Ridgway, who for many years con-
tinued to manage these mills through the dif-
330
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ferent and changing ownerships. The foun-
dry and machine shop of this company were
buih in 1 830, but did not come into their pos-
session until 1852.
The Montour Iron Company gradually ac-
quired the ownership of all these operations.
Different parties at times operated them, but
always through negotiations with the company.
From 1844 to 1847 Murdock. Leavitt &
Co. operated the plant. This firm was com-
posed of U. A. Murdock, Edward Leavitt.
Jesse Oakley and Daniel W'etmore, Henry
Brevoort being the resident superintendent.
From 1847 to 1849 M. S. Ridgway, T. O.
\'an Alen, David Stroh and others operated
the works. About 1850 John Peter Grove and
John (3rove obtained the management of this
plant and contintied to operate the same until
1857-
In 1855 the Montour Iron Company issued
a mortgage, with coupon bonds, for six hun-
dred thousand dollars. John .\shenhurst,
Edwin AI. Lewis and Isaac R. Davis were
the trustees under the mortgage. On June 7,
1858, the plant was sold at sheriff's sale for
$103, subject to the mortgage of S600.000.
and was purchased bv Michael Grove, Henry
M. Fuller, E. H. Baldy and Philip Niles. On
Jan. 7, 1 86 1, the plant was sold by the trustees
under the mortgage and purchased by Isaac
S. Waterman, Thomas Beaver, Elias G. Cope,
W. B. Ridgley and George I. Waterman.
The Pennsylvania Iron Company was in-
corporated Oct. 12, i860, with Isaac S. Water-
man as president, the stock being owned as fol-
lows : Isaac S. Waterman, 7,200 shares ;
Thomas Beaver, 2,500 shares: Elias G. Cope,
100 shares ; W. B. Ridgley, 100 shares ; George
I. Waterman, 100 shares.
On Jan. 9, 1861, the purchasers of the plant
sold the same to the Pennsylvania Iron Com-
pany. This company kept this important
industry, furnace and mills, in operation dur-
ing most of the years of the Civil war. Thomas
Beaver was the resident stockholder and o\er-
seer of the whole plant ; and the whole equip-
ment was busily employed in the manufacture
of railroad iron
Waterman & Beaver conducted the com-
panv store during this period, and with mills
and furnaces, mines and store working at their
full capacity, Danville experienced its most
successful business period. In 1868 consider-
able of the stock in the Pennsylvania Iron
Company changed hands. Cadwalader G.
Alulligan came from Philadelphia and assumed
management of a large part of the work.
George F. Geisinger, who had for many years
been chief bookkeeper, Daniel Edwards, who
had been superintendent of the mines, and Dan
Morgan, who had directed the work at the fur-
naces, all became stockholders and entered
into the management of the business.
About this time a number of the stockhold-
ers of the company became interested in the
Kingston Coal Company, which in later years
proved a source of great revenue to its stock-
holders.
In 1876 Thomas Beaver disposed of his
stock in the Pennsylvania Iron Company, re-
serving, by purchase, to himself, the hand-
some mansion on the hill in which he had so
long resided. On March 30, 1880, the Penn-
sylvania Iron Company sold the entire plant
to the Montour Iron & Steel Company, a cor-
poration formed under the laws of Pennsyl-
vania with W. E. C. Coxe, president, Frank
P. Howe, general manager, and S. W. Inger-
soU, treasurer. This company for a number
of years very successfully operated the plant.
They conducted the store in connection with
the works, and once more the plant filled the
town with the busy hum of industry.
D. H. B. Brower, in his history, says: "Mr.
Howe is managing the works with general sat-
isfaction and great success. The chief oper-
ators in the various departments are Dan Mor-
gan, superintendent of the blast furnaces, who
has occupied that position for many years (he
is more particularly noted in another portion
of this book) ; M. S. Ridgway, manager; P. J.
.\dams, who has been in the machine shop
about as long as any other — and in an estab-
lishment like this long years of employment
is a proof of industry and skill: George Lov-
ett, superintendent of labor and timekeeper, a
position of responsibility requiring activity
and constant watchfulness; William Cruik-
shank, the molder (a position formerly occu-
pied by the genial Henrv- Gearhart) ; Captain
Gaskins, occupying his old place at the weigh
scales ; Joseph Bryant, at the stock sales ; and
many others filling important positions whom it
would be a pleasure to name^ A. W. McCoy
is chief clerk in the office. L. M. Mock also
holds a responsible clerkship in the principal
office. Samuel S. Gulick keeps a record in a
minor office near the machine shops. J. Boyd
(iearhart, M. G. Gearhart, John Wallize and
many engineers, heaters and workers, whose
names are unknown to the writer but whose
brains and muscles keep the works in motion,
deserve at least a passing note. The extent
of the Montour Iron and Steel Works can be
imagined by the fact that in the rolling mills,
furnaces, mines and machine shops there are
.-,>.Ai.ii-.'.;v.,.,
Bridge at Danville, Pa.
The Old Company Store, Danville, Pa.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
331
thirty-nine stationary steam engines and four
locomotives. The works are now ( February,
icS8i ) running to their full capacity, night and
day. They are crowded with orders and all
the army of iron workers have constant em-
ployment.
-J. R. Phillips looks after the heating, J. R.
Lunger takes his place at night, and John
Marks that of Ridgway. E. C. \'oris is vet-
eran among the patterns. E. O. Ridgway is
roller, and Hiram Antrim runs the flouring
mill."
After some years' association with the com-
pany Mr. Howe severed his connection and
Theodore F. McGinnis became general man-
ager.
In 1895 the company became involved finan-
cially, and Dec. 21, 1895, the entire plant, in-
cluding store and gristmill, was sold by the
sheriff and purchased by the Reading Iron
Company, who have successfully operated the
same from that time to the present. The local
superintendents and managers have been
Theodore Patterson, David Thomas, and the
present very efficient and successful manager,
H. T. Hecht.
This company has gradually cut ofT from its
business the company store and the gristmill
and has devoted its entire energy to the manu-
facture of iron.
The present plant is the Montour Rolling
Mill department of the Reading Iron Com-
pany and consists of Puddle Mill No. i, con-
taining fourteen double puddling furnaces :
Puddle Mill No. 2, containing seven double
puddling furnaces and one busheling furnace ;
one 12-inch train of rolls, one 16-inch train of
rolls and one 20-inch skelp train, seven heat-
ing furnaces, four 20-inch muck trains, three
rotarv squeezers, shears, straightening presses,
etc.
The annual capacity is 50.000 tons of mer-
chant bar iron, angles, splice plates, tie plates,
skelp iron and special shapes. The company
em])loys about 750 men. This department
also owns and operates its own machine shop,
blacksmith shop and carpenter shops, and
owns 179 tenement houses, located in the
borough of Danville, which have recently been
greatly improved.
In irjo5 the Reading Iron Company ac-
quired the plant of the Danville Rolling Mill
Company, located near the D., L. & W. railroad
tracks and above the D., L. & W. railroad de-
pot in Danville. This plant is known as Dan-
ville Puddle Mill Department and contains
eight double puddling furnaces, one train of
rolls and one rotary squeezer. Its product is
muck bar and it employs about 150 men.
Daniillc Slntctural Tubing Company
This plant is one of the great industries of
Danville. It is located in a different portion
of the town from the Reading Iron Company's
operations and far removed therefrom. It is
a large and prosperous establishment and is
the dependence of a large portion of the com-
numity, being the successor of several of the
old-time iron works of the town which in their
day were chief industries of that portion of
the town. It is a combination of the old
■'Rough and Ready," the "National Iron Com-
pany," "Hancock Steel and Iron Company,"
"Glendower Iron Works," and "Mahoning
Rolling Mill Company."
Soon after the Columbia Furnaces were
built by Grove Brothers, liurd Patterson be-
gan the erection of a building near them, with
the intention of operating a nail mill. He soon
abandoned this enterprise and the "roof on
frame-like stilts'' stood idle and useless.
William Hancock, a native of Lainesfield,
Staffordshire, England, was brought to this
country in 1844 by the Montour Iron Com-
pany, as a skilled worker in iron. With him
came John Foley, also an iron finisher of great
skill. These men for several years worked for
the Montour Iron Company. In 1847 William
Hancock and John Foley took the incomplete
building of Burd Patterson and turned it into
a rolling mill for the manufacture of mer-
chant iron. They called it the Rough and
Readv mill and in 1850 commenced the manu-
facture of railroad iron. The business pros-
]iered greatly. In 1858 John Foley retired and
William Hancock carried it on alone, but Mr.
Foley returned a few years later and again
was associated with Mr. Hancock in the oper-
ation of this mill. The partnership lasted un-
til 1866, when Mr. Foley permanently retired.
By Act of Assembly of April 10, 1867, the
National Iron Company was incorporated, with
William Hancock as president. P. C. Brink as
\ice president, and Benjamin C Welch as sec-
retary, treasurer and general manager.
In 1870 William Hancock and Alfred Crev-
eling built the first of "The Danville Fur-
naces'' and soon after they erected a second
and larger one. George W. ?^Iiles was super-
intendent of these furnaces.
In 1870 the National Iron Company put up
a new rolling mill, some distance north of the
Qriginal mill. In 187 1 these plants were con-
solidated as the property of the National Iron
332
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
Company, George \V. Miles continuing as su-
perintendent of the furnaces. John G. Hiler
was made manager of the new rolhng mill,
and Joseph H. Springer manager of the old
Rough and Ready mill.
The panic of 1873 interfered with the long
continued success of this plant and on April 2,
1873, the National Iron Company was adjudi-
cated a bankrupt and Andrew H. Dill, Esq.,
was made its assignee.
The plant of the National Iron Company
was sold by Andrew H. Dill, Esq., March 2,
1874, and purchased by Edward Crompton,
who the same day conveyed it to the Hancock
Steel & Iron Company, a corporation com-
posed of a number of the Hancock heirs.
Dr. J. D. Gosh was president ; Benjamin G.
Welch, secretary, treasurer and general man-
ager. This company was in existence but a
few months when the mortgage, made by the
National Iron Company to James Pollock and
Benjamin G. Welch, trustees, was foreclosed
and the plant sold Aug. 9, 1879, to Alfred
Creveling.
The Gleiidower Iron Works was incorpo-
rated Aug. 2. 1879, with Alfred Creveling as
president, Henry Levis as treasurer and
George W. Allies as general manager. Alfred
Creveling immediately conveyed to the Glen-
dower Iron Works the whole of the prop-
erty sold to him under the mortgage of James
Pollock and Benjamin G. Welsh, trustees, and
once more the works were started and for a
considerable time made things busy in that
portion of the town, in the manufacture of
rails and skelp iron.
A large mortgage had been placed by the
Glendower Iron Works upon this plant, and
in 1885 default was made in the interest and
the mortgage was foreclosed, the property
being sold, Sept. 19, 1885, to H. S. Pierce,
for $29,000. Mr. Pierce sold the property,
Dec. 14, 1886, to I. N. Grier. The Mahoning
Rolling Mill Company was incorporated Jan.
13, 1887, with Abram S. Patterson as presi-
dent. I. X. Grier at once conveyed the prop-
erty to this corporation and the Mahoning
Rolling Mill Company operated the plant un-
til i8<)3. On Dec. 26th of that year a receiver
was appointed for the company and the plant
was operated for some time by different les-
sees, first bv Frank H. Buhl; in 1896 by C. H.
Frick, lessee: in 1897 by F. P. Howe; in 1898
by Howe and Polk; and finally, Feb. 17, iSqS,
the plant was sold to F. P. Howe, Rufus K.
Polk, Mary E. Frick, Thomas J. Price and
William G.' Pursel. known as "Howe & Polk."
During these operations, after the mill had
gone into the hands of the receiver, structural
tubing was manufactured under patents held
by William C. Frick and Thomas J. Price.
This enterprise proved very successful and
very profitable, and in 1902 a patrnership was
formed, composed of Thomas J. Price, Dan
M. Curry, Mary E. Frick and William G. Pur-
sel. In 1903 the interest of Mary E. Frick was
purchased by Thomas J. Price, Dan M. Curry
and William G. Pursel, who continued the part-
nership under the name of Danville Structural
Tubing Company.
Mr. Curry died in 1906, after which Thomas
J. Price and William G. Pursel acquired the
entire interest, and they have since conducted
the business. The plant produces structural
tubing of special shapes for bedsteads, spring
mattress sides, agricultural implements, trol-
ley bracket irons, fence posts, etc.
The business at present is most successful,
after a long and persistent contest, and the
people of Danville congratulate themselves
that at last this important property has been
placed on a firm and lasting basis and prom-
ises employment for years to come to those
who depend upon the plant for their liveli-
hood. The property has been greatly im-
proved, and in its entire operation, when run-
ning full, employs about four hundred men.
Co-opcrath'c Iron and Steel Works
The Co-operative Iron and Steel Works
was incorporated in 1870. A majority of its
stockholders were practical workmen and at
once entered into the employment of the
company. The corporation bought six acres
of land of Jacob Sechler, adjacent to the canal
on East Market street, opposite Foust street,
and at once commenced the erection of the
mill, which was completed in November. 1871.
The main building of the plant was 75 by 153
feet. It housed eight puddling furnaces, one
series of 18-inch rolls, which derived motive
power from an engine of 100 horse power. A
neat brick office building added attractiveness
to the plant.
Perry Deen was the first president, and L.
K. Rishel, secretary and treasurer. The di-
rectors were John Grove, Wilson M. Gear- ■
hart, Samuel Mills. M. D. L. Sechler, A. J. ,
Ammerman. L. K. Rishel, Perry Deen, J. C. '
Rhodes, Peter Baldy, Jr., D. M. Reese. E. J. ■
Curtis. Later Peter Baldy, Jr., became presi-
dent. Tohn D. Williams was general manager
of the mill and Samuel Mills was boss roller.
In November, 1883, the name was changed
to the Danville Steel Company. This com-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
333
pany failed in 1883 and Grove, Grier & Com-
pany, a limited partnership, became the pur-
chasers of the property and operated the plant
until i88().
The North Branch Steel Company, incor-
poratetl June 9, 188'), took over the plant and
operated the same until 1899, when the Dan-
ville Bessemer Company was incorjx)rated and
at once began operating the plant and building
a steel plant in connection with it. A large
amount of money was spent in the erection of
the new buildings and fitting them up for the
manufacture of steel. The plant, however,
was never operated as a steel plant, and the
buildings erected were dismantled and remain
a monument to the wonderful power of the
steel trust.
For some little time a part of the prop>erty
was devoted to the manufacture of shovels,
under the management of James L. Barber.
On April 5, 191 1, the property was sold at
sheriff's sale and purchased by Thomas J.
Price, as trustee for a number of the business
men in Danville. Subsequently a portion of
the property was leased to the Pennsylvania
Brake Beam Company, which for a niunber
of years has operated the same under the man-
agement of E. M. Applebaugh.
The site of the old Danville Furnaces was
subsequently sold to Howe & Samuel, who
have erected their new mill thereon.
Grove's Furnaces
Among the iron works of the earlier days
were the Columbia I'umaces, operated by the
Grove Brothers. These brothers were such in
more than name. There was a close bond be-
tween them that united them in business as
well as in family life. There were five broth-
ers: Michael J., John Peter, John, Jacob W.
and Elias. Michael J., John Peter and John
were the three that were most active in the
Danville business. Jacob W.. somewhat later,
came to Danville ; but Elias remained in
Lebanon county, where they had all been resi-
dents.
In 1840 these brothers bought a furnace
that had been built by George Patterson in
1839. This they operated very successfully
and in 1844 built what was called the "Little
Furnace." In i860 they built, alongside of the
others, a very large furnace with modem im-
provements, bringing the capacity up to 12,-
000 tons a year. The Grove Brothers' Fur-
naces ranked high in the quality of iron pro-
duced. For many years they were an impor-
tant industry of the town. They were located
at the end of East Jilahoning street, where also
a large and commodious brick office was
erected.
John Grove and R. M. Grove, sons of Mich-
ael J. Grove, were much interested in the iron
business and contributed greatly towards the
success of the same in the latter days of the
operation of these furnaces.
The Grove brothers built the handsome resi-
dence on the hill beyond the Philadelphia &
Reading station, where they resided until their
deaths. This mansion passed into the hands
of John R. Bennett, who married a daughter
of John Peter Grove; and who, at his death,
left it to his widow (a second wife).
The Grove Furnaces were shut down in
1 891 and subsequently were dismantled.
Dani'ille Iron Works
This plant was familiarly known, in the
days of its operation, as the "Cock Robin"
mill. It was built in 1873 by William Faux
and was located on the canal and Church
street. The business had a checkered career,
but Mr. Faux was a man of indomitable en-
ergy and was able to keep his mill going even
through the trials and vicissitudes of the panic
of 1873. It gave employment to a large num-
ber of men and it was with regret that, in 1877,
the entire plant was removed to Pueblo, Colo.
Twenty-eight railroad cars were used in its
transportation. Later it was moved to
Denver.
Danville Stove & Manufacturing Co.
The Danville Stove & Manufacturing Com-
pany was incorporated Aug. 7, 1882, with a
capital of $20,000. This has been increased
from time to time until at present the author-
ized capital has reached the sum of $345,000.
The first president of the plant was Henry
\'incent ; the first secretary and treasurer,
James Foster. The present officers are Wil-
liam B. Chamberlin, president ; William L.
McClure, treasurer; Alexander Foster, secre-
tary and general manager.
The company manufactures a complete line
of wood and coal stoves, ranges, hot air fur-
naces and gas stoves ; the product being mar-
keted in all sections of the United States and
a good portion exported. The total yearly
output of stoves is 26,000, the value of which
ranges from $300,000 to $350,000. The num-
ber of molders engaged at present is 102 ;
other employees, 96. The average yearly pay-
roll in the past two years has been $150,000.
334
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Although having two destructive tires dur-
ing its history, the company has rebuilt bet-
ter and more securely than ever before and
now has a series of almost fireproof buildings,
admirably fitted for their various purposes.
Dain'ille Nail & Manufacturing Co.
The Danville Nail & Manufacturing Co.
was incorporated in 1883, and at once erected
a large mill and other necessary buildings, and
immediately commenced operations. The
plant produced muck bar, nails and tack iron.
The tremendous capacity for one item alone,
that of nails, during the early days of the in-
dustry was 900 kegs per diem. The initial
number of machines for the production of nails
was fifteen. Four years later it had increased
to eighty. By the ist of January, 1887, one
hundred had been installed and gas was being
used in the process of manufacture.
This plant was the first user of electric
light produced in the community. It was first
used in the plant during the month of Novem-
ber, 1886. At that time the officers were: D.
M. Boyd, president: R. M. Grove, treasurer;
William C. Frick, secretary and general man-
ager.
In 1889 this plant produced 52 kegs of rail-
road spikes in a day's work. The directors
then were : D. M. Boyd, R. H. Wooley, R. M.
Grove, David Clark, James Cruikshank. E. C.
Voris, T. O. Van Alen, W. C. Frick, J. L.
Riehl. The officers were : William C. Frick,
president; R. M. Grove, treasurer; John E.
Hill, secretary.
In i8go this company became involved finan-
cially and the plant was closed down, being
soon sold by the sheriiif to the Copley Iron
Company, of Pittsburgh, Robert C. Neal, of
Tyrone, and L. S. Wintersteen, of Blooms-
burg, for $47,000.
In 1892 it was started up after a year of idle-
ness and ran a few months, but in 1893 it was
finally closed.
In 1905 the Reading Iron Company acquired
this plant and have operated it ever since that
date.
Danville Iron Foundry
The Danville Iron Foundry was built in
1872 by Daniel De Long, along the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad. It was 56
by 84 feet in dimensions, and the capacity was
seven tons at a heat. With its blacksmith and
pattern shops, it was one of the best plants in
Danville at that time. The products were
stoves, plows and other agricultural imple-
ments.
Enterprise Foundry & Machine Works
The Enterprise Foundry & Machine Works
were located on Ferry street between the canal
and Mulberry street, on the site of the present
stone works of Thomas L. Evans & Sons.
They were first erected in 1872 by James
Cruikshank, J. W. Moyer, Robert Moore and
Thomas C. Curry, under the firm name of
"Cruikshank, Moyer & Company." In the fall
of 1873 the whole structure, with its contents,
was destroyed by fire. In the succeeding year
the works were rebuilt and for a number of
years were carried on successfully and profit-
ably by this firm.
About 1880 Robert Moore withdrew from
the firm, but the business continued to be car-
ried on by Cruikshank, Moyer & Company.
These partners were practical men, Mr. Cruik-
shank being the foundryman and Mr. Moyer
and Mr. Curry being first class machinists
and splendid workmen. Heavy castings were
the principal products of this foundry. In
1892 this plant was sold to W. G. Pursel, after
a long term of idleness; and again, in 1897, it
was sold to Dan Curry and Forbes Vannan.
Danville Foundry & Machine Cotnpany
This company was incorporated in 190O and
has one of the few foundries in the State for
the production of ornamental and utilitarian
castings for structural purposes. In these days
of exclusive concrete reinforced buildings,
there is a demand for castings suitable for
decorative purposes and at the same time of
practical use, which will harmonize with the
fireproof construction now adopted in almost
all buildings of commercial character. To
this demand the Danville Foundry & Machine
Company caters almost exclusively, although
many other classes of castings are also pro-
duced.
This plant was formerly a part of the Na-
tional Iron Company's works and was con-
ducted in connection with the operation of
that plant. The title to this property passed
with the difl^erent conveyances of the National
Iron Company's property, until it became
vested in the present owners. The old build-
ing formerly used by the National Iron Com-
pany is now the machine shop, and the pattern
shop occupies the upper floor. A number of
new buildings have been erected, making the
plant one of the most complete in this section
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
335
of the State. The erecting shop and the
foundry are complete in every respect. The
machinerv' in the machine shop and part of
the pattern shop is operated by steam engines,
the balance of the plant being operated by
electricity, with individual motors on the saw
and the planer and in the erecting shop.
The class of material manufactured includes
building fronts, fire escapes, elevator inclos-
ures, stairways, grills, window guards and
bank inclosures. all of the most delicate filigree
work in wrought iron.
All this requires the services of fourteen
pattern makers of exceptional skill. The pat-
terns are made in wood, aluminum, brass,
plaster and wax. In the drafting room are
five draftsmen ; fifty men are employed in the
erecting room ; sixty in the foundry ; twenty
in the machine shop; as well as a number of
helpers in the shipping and packing depart-
ments.
The officers of the company are: T. J.
Price, president and treasurer; C. E. Haupt,
vice president ; Irvin \'annan, general man-
ager; C. L. Foulk, assistant manager; E. W.
Peters, secretary; Paul .\. \'annan, electrical
engineer.
The foremen of the departments are : Albert
Behrens, erecting department ; W. K. Lunger,
machine shop; .\rthur H. Foulk, pattern shop;
C. E. Haupt, foundry; George Lunger, ship-
ping department.
Ho'ii'c & Samuel
Frank P. Howe and Frank Samuel have
operated in Danville for some twenty years,
manufacturing low phosphorus muck bar. Len-
til within the last year their operations were
carried on in the puddle mill of the Danville
Structural Tubing Company. Within the last
year they purchased, from Thomas J. Price,
trustee, a portion of the property formerly
of the Danville Bessemer Company, and have
erected a large mill of their own. This mill is
built on the site of the old Danville Furnaces
and is a modem puddle mill of structural steel.
Eight large furnaces have been installed, mak-
ing this the most modem and complete steel
plant in this part of the State.
Two new industries have, within a short
time, been started in the old stone grist mill
on Church street. One is the Metal Engineer-
ing Company, which manufactures corrugated
pipe ; and the other is the Metal & Machine
Company, which manufactures oil cups. These
are both new enterprises, but seem to promise
satisfactory results in the near future.
Silk Mill
In 1894 Mr. F. Q. Hartman came to Dan-
ville, looking for a site upon which to erect
silk mills. The situation in Danville pleased
him and in 1896 he commenced the erection
of mills on Water street on the site of the old
tannery. The mill was about completed when
a cyclone damaged it to the extent of over
eight thousand dollars. However, this simply
caused a delay, and in January, 1897, the ma-
chinery was first started.
The building is a brick 50 by 115 feet, two
stories in height, and was erected by F. Q.
Hartman, Incorporated. At the time of the
first operation there were 65 employees, and
they controlled 6,000 spindles in the produc-
tion of silk yarn from the raw material, im-
ported from Italy, China and Japan.
The mill was called Mnemoloton, from its
situation opposite the Blue Hill on the south
side of the Susquehanna river. During the
year 1897 the number of employees had in-
creased to 120 and the number of spindles to
26,000. In the following year it became neces-
sary to build an addition 53 by 145 feet, three
stories in height, to accommodate the increas-
ing trade; and the number of employees was
increased to 300.
The Ontiora Silk Mill was built on the
Bloom road, just outside of the borough line,
in 191 2. It is a one-story brick building 53
by 100 feet. Fifty-five hands are employed
and the payroll for the year averages about
$20,000. The annex at Riverside was built in
1907 and employs about no hands.
In 1914 Mr. Hartman severed his connection
with these mills and sold his interest to Jou-
voud & Lavigne, of New York. Mr. J. F.
Lavigne has moved to Danville and expects to
give his personal attention to the management
of these works.
Knitting Mills
The Susquehanna Knitting Mill was a
branch of the Wyoming Valley Knitting Mill,
Bloomsburg, Pa., of which Thomas West was
the owner, and was located on West Centre
street, in the old Flat schoolhouse. Clark Kern
was local manager. This mill contained 32
knitting machines of modern make and the
product was silk hosiery. The mill was after-
wards removed.
336
COLUMBIA AXD .MOXTOUR COUNTIES
Other mills in the same location at different
times have been the Equitable Knitting Mills,
and. started within a few months, the U'cona
Knitting Mill, established by John Kern, Clark
Kern and Lincoln Fenstermacher.
The Danville Knitting Mill was established
in 1898 in the brick building erected on Church
street. This mill was afterwards purchased
by John H. Goeser, who operated it for some
time, and in 191 1 the Xaiii-Trah Knitting &
Spinning Company entered into possession of
the same and have conducted it to the present
time.
Helm's Suspender Factory
This factory was established in 1882 and
was operated until about 19 10. It was first
located on Mill street and then was removed
to Pine street, and for a time was one of the
important industries of the town.
About the same time the Xovclty Suspender
Company was operated by Simon Dreifuss &
Son, located in the .Montgomerj- building. This
company carried on an extensive business for
a number of years.
Danville Milling Company
The Danville Milling Company is composed
of George A. Fry, Charles J. Lawrence and
John A. Dietz, and for a number of years has
operated the company gristmill on Xorth Mill
street, near the Philadelphia & Reading rail-
road crossing. This inill is a five-storj' brick
building of large size, is fitted with modern
roller process machinery, and is operated by
electricity.
Steam Laundries
Danville has two steam laundries: The
Montour, operated by Ralph Hodge and Har-
vey K. Gerringer, is located on Ferr\- street
in a new concrete building. The Danznllc
Steam Laundry is located on the corner of
Ferry street and the canal and is operated by
\V. E. Kase. Both seem to be doing a good
business.
Block &■ Benzbach conduct a pants factory,
located in the old company store building, cor-
ner of Mill and Centre streets. This company
manufactures boys' trousers and does a large
business, employing 141 girls.
Brickyards
The first brick made in Danville was manu-
factured at the yards of Birkenbine. situated
on the site of the present company store build-
ing. Birkenbine later located his yards on the
canal above town.
Other brickmakers of early times were
Charles White, S. Gibbs, John Turner, Jacob
Sechler's Sons, and Biddle, Chambers & Com-
pany.
John Keim at present operates the only
brickyards now located in the town.
Planing Mills
About 1867 Levi Berger built a large plan-
ing mill along the canal just east of Mill
street. This mill did a large business until it
was destroyed by fire. \'ons Haigh and
Gregg, in 1869, erected a large planing mill
along the canal at Pine street. This mill did
an extensive business for a number of years.
NEWSP.\PERS
]\Iany newspapers have been published in
Danville during the years of its existence, be-
ginning at an early day and continuing to the
present time. There have always been news-
papers, not always containing news, and yet
eagerly sought after by large portions of the
community.
The early history of these papers is very
meager. Xo files were kept and even the
names of the earliest ones are almost forgotten.
The first paper published in Danville was
The Columbia Gazette, edited by George
Sweeney in 181 3. One copy of a paper called
The Express, dated 1818, was in later years
in the possession of D. H. B. Brower. This
paper was established in 1815 by Jonathan
I.odge and was afterwards published by Lodge
& Caruthers.
Judge Cooper seems to have derived much
pleasure and profit from editing and writing
for some of these early papers. The IVatch-
man was established in 1820 by George
Sweeney, who conducted it for eight years,
his chief occupation being a wordy war with
Judge Cooper. This paper was published at
the corner of Market and Ferr>' streets, in a
building on the site of the present residence of
Dr. Simington's family.
D. H. B. Brower says of these early papers:
"They were mainly reprints of foreign and
domestic news, except when Judge Cooper and
George Sweeney pointed their sharp goose-
quills at each other."
On July 15, 1828, the first copy of The Dan-
ville 'intelligencer was issued by \'alentine
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
337
Best, who had bought out The JJ'atchmait.
The sheet at first had but six columns, but in
1840 he increased it to seven. The price was
two dollars a year, and it came out on Tuesday
of each week. The paper on which it was
printed was strictly local, being made by
Sharpless, of Catawissa. Mr. Best put up a
sign in front of his office, bearing a picture of
Benjamin Franklin, with this motto: ■"Where
liberty dwells there is my country."
The Intelligencer was always a Democratic
organ and was very ably edited, the proprietor
seeming always to be on the winning side. In
1850 Mr. Best was elected to the State Senate,
for the purpose of forming the county of
Montour from Columbia. In accomplishing
this object he did not let party lines interfere,
and often voted with the opposing party for
the purpose of accomplishing the separation.
He succeeded in being elected speaker and
forced the division through with great opposi-
tion.
Mr. Best died Oct. 28, 1857, and for a time
his wife conducted the paper, Oscar F. Kepler
doing the editorial work. A number of promi-
nent Democrats then bought the paper and
installed J. S. Sanders as editor. He con-
tinued editing the paper from 1858 to 1862
and then moved to Berwick. His successor
was Thomas Chalfant, who followed in the
footsteps of Best, being an able editor and a
good business man. Air. Chalfant died in
1899 and was succeeded by his son, Charles
Chalfant, who started The Daily Sun in 1883.
In igo2 Rufus K. Polk bought the Intelligencer
and the Sun. He discontinued publishing the
Sun. but the Intelligencer continued to exist
until 1907. The last publisher was D. A. Lutz.
F. C. Angle finally purchased The Danville
Intelligencer and discontinued its publication.
The Danfille Democrat was established in
1840 by Charles Cook. During the presidential
campaign of 1844 he published a German
paper, called the Danville Anceigcr, which pro-
moted the cause of the National Democrats.
In 1864 Mr. Cook sold his paper to Joel S.
Bailey, who ran it a short time.
The Montour American- was founded in
1855 ^^y D. H. B. Brower, who sold it in 1839
to George .\yers, of Harrisburg, who changed
the name to Montour Herald. The same year,
however, Brower purchased it back and re-
stored the name, and conducted it until 1864,
when he sold it to Joel S. Bailey. Bailey suc-
ceeded, in the short time he held it, in combin-
ing it with the Democrat, without changing the
name.
Dr. Brower repurchased the paper and car-
22
ried it on successfully as a Republican organ
until 1871, when he sold it to W. H. Bradley
and Lewis Gordon, for $5,000 cash. In 1876
Joel E. Bradley bought Gordon's interest, W;
H. Bradley selling his interest to Edward C.
Baldy. In 1878 Edward C. Baldy sold his
interest to W. B. Baldy, and in 1883 William
B. Baldy became sole proprietor. He died in
1893 and the paper w-as sold to John Bennett
and W. C. Frick, for $2,000. In April, 1895,
the paper was sold at sheriff's sale and pur-
chased by Frank C. Angle, who still continues
to publish it.
The Medium was started in 1871 by D. H.
B. Brower as a semi-weekly, and published for
a year. It was then sold to the Danville Pub-
lishing Company, which changed the name to
The Independent : it had a life of only nine
months.
The Mentor was started in 1873 and pub-
lished for a year. It was published by Richard
W. Eggert, b. H. B. Brower, John Lesher and
William McCarty.
The Danville Record was started in 1876 by
A. P. Fowler, with D. H. B. Brower as editor.
After two years the office passed into the
hands of James Foster, Henr>' \'incent and
\'ictor A. Lotier, w^ho changed the name to
The National Record. Lotier became sole
owner in 1879 and conducted the paper until
1881, when he changed it to The Daily Record.
This publication had but a short life, soon
passing away.
The Gem. at one time the narrowest col-
umned paper in the United States, was first
issued May 30, 1885, in the old warehouse on
the canal near Mill street. Richard W. Eggert
was the editor. Eggert was a strange character
and his personality was read in the paper,
which, however, became a success, at one time
having a circulation of over 1,500. In 1903
he sold his paper to George Edward Roat, who
still publishes it in the basement of the City
Hall. This paper has always been non-political
and contains a vast amount of local news.
The Montour County Democrat was bom
Sept. 23, 1895, fathered by Walter O. Green.
This is a Democratic organ and some of its
articles are very keen and penetrating. Mr.
Green takes great interest in local affairs and
does not hesitate to use his paper in commend-
ing or unfavorably criticising, according to his
own judgment.
The Morning News was started in Septem-
ber, 1897, by "Frank C. Angle. F. M. Got-
walds, who was formerly associated with
Thomas Chalfant on the Intelligencer, became
the city editor. Under this management the
338
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
paper has steadily gained in circulation. It is
now the only daily in Danville.
CHURCHES
The religious sentiment of Danville has al-
ways been very pronounced. From the early
days there have been churches where many
earnest and devoted people gathered for wor-
ship. It has been our aim to write the history
of these churches : but the surprising fact that
has developed is, that there is so little knowl-
edge of the early history of the churches
among those connected therewith. A few
churches have had some devoted member or
pastor who has spent much time and labor in
gathering together historical facts, and these
have helped much. Where there is little given
of certain churches, it is because little has been
preserved. The different sketches are given
about in the order of time of the organization
of the churches.
Mahoning Presbyterian Church
On Sept. 8, 1775. Amos Wickersham con-
veyed three acres and seven perches of land
in Mahoning township, Northumberland coun-
ty, to John Simpson, Robert Curry, Hugh Mc-
W'illiams and John Clark, trustees of the Pres-
byterian congregation of Mahoning. This in-
cluded the land on Bloom street on which the
church afterwards stood, and the space occu-
pied by the old graveyard, now covered by
Memorial Park.
There is no evidence of an organized con-
gregation until 1785. The period which elapsed
between the date of the deed and the latter
date was one of war and its direful conse-
quences. The Indians carried on a warfare
that drove the women and children to the pro-
tection of the forts. Horrible massacres are
recorded, notable among them being that of
Wyoming, in July, 1778. So great was the
danger, and so unfitted the conditions for so-
cial and family life, that Gen. William Mont-
gomery, who had brought his family from
Chester county in 1776 and placed them in the
log house he had built for them adjoining the
site of the stone house he afterwards erected
(now known as the Russell home), removed
them to their former home until 1780.
Under such circumstances little religious
work could be done, and less public worship
carried on : but the Indians could not kill the
religious desire of the heart, nor drive out the
longing for public meeting with the Lord and
Master. So we find a paper circulated in
1785, bearing the following heading: "We.
the subscribers, do promise to pay, or cause to
be paid unto , who is appointed col-
lector hereof by the members of the Congre-
gation of Mahoning, the several sums annexed
to our names, in four quarterly payments, the
first thereof on demand, and the other three
payments successively at three months each
afterwards, for the purpose of supporting the
preaching of the Gospel in this congregation.
Witness our hands this ist day of October,
1783." The blank for the collector's name was
not filled in.
\\'e do not know the number of the member-
ship of the congregation at this time; there
were about forty subscribers to this paper.
The congregation doubtless was scattered over
a wide territory, but in those days it was a
common experience to walk eight or ten miles
to attend church. Those were the days when
no hardship was too great to undertake for
the purpose of divine worship ; men and
women sat for an hour or more listening to
the preaching of God's word : children were
brought up on such religious diet ; there was
no clamoring for twenty-minute sermons, and
the clocks in those days were placed on the
outside of the church that the people might
know when to go in, instead of on the inside
to tell them when to go out. The family cen-
sus could be accurately taken in the church,
and the boys and girls sat in the family pew.
Danville was laid out by Gen. Daniel
Montgomery seven years after the founding
of the Mahoning congregation ; the Revolu-
tionary war had come to a close only two
years before that congregation was organized.
There was no regular pastor in those days, the
services being held as often as it was possible
to find some one to conduct them. The
preacher of those days never died from nerv-
ous prostration and never knew what a
vacation was. Some idea of his work may be
gathered from the instructions given Rev.
Isaac Grier by the Assembly of 1792, which
authorized him to "missionate" in this region:
"He is to begin at Northumberland, in the
State of Pennsylvania, and proceed from
thence up the West Branch of the river as far
as the settlements extend ; then traverse the
country until he arrives at Tioga Point : thence
up the Chemung to the Cayuga lake, or wher-
ever he may fall into the route of the other
missionaries. In fulfilling his duty as a mis-
sionary he is to preach the Gospel in season
and out of season, and be diligent in catechiz-
ing and instructing the youth in the general
principles of religion wherever he goes," etc.
In the spring of 1786 two appointments were
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
339
made for Mahoning, Mr. Wilson to preach the
second Sabbath in June, and Mr. Linn the
third Sabbath in August. In 1790 Rev. John
Bryson was called to the neighboring churches
of Chillisquaque and Warrior Run, and from
this date he preached occasionally at Mahoning
until a pastor was secured.
The Presbytery of Huntingdon was formed
out of the northern portion of the Presbytery
of Carlisle in 1794. From this date until the
organization of the Presbytery of Northumber-
land, seventeen years later, the Mahoning
Church appears on its rolls. Late in 1798
John Boyd Patterson, a licentiate of the
Presbytery of New Castle, visited the churches
of Derry and Mahoning. This visit resulted
in a call to him from these churches to be
their pastor, which he accepted. On an old
church register we find this note: "Sept. 6,
1799. Arrived at Mahoning and took lodging
with General Montgomery at $66.67 per an-
num." The whole salary promised by the
two churches was $466.66, one half of which
wis paid by each church.
Rev. J. B. Patterson was of Scotch-Irish
descent. He was born in Lancaster county in
1773, graduated at the University of Pennsyl-
vania, and studied theology under Rev. N. \V.
Sample, of Strasburg. He was pastor of this
church from 1799 to 1832.
Just when the old log church was built is not
definitely known. It was constructed from
hewn timbers and was used by the congrega-
tion as a place of worship for nearly forty
years. It was enlarged from time to time, as
occasion demanded, until the structure as a
whole formed a letter T. At first the seats
were rough slabs, resting upon blocks or stones,
yet no one died of a broken back therefrom.
Rev. R. L. Stewart, D. D., in his history of
-Mahoning, says of this old church :
"Just below the high pulpit was a platform
with a breastwork in front, in which stood the
precentors or clerks — sometimes called 'fore-
singers' — who 'lined out' the verses of the
Psalm and 'raised the tune' for the congrega-
tion. In the central aisle was an open hearth
or prepared space, where usually, in cold
weather, a charcoal fire was kindled. Foot-
warmers were carried to the church also for
the women and children. These were the only
appliances used for the comfort of the wor-
shippers in winter until the year 1817, when
two stoves were purchased and set up. In the
summer boys approaching manhood came to
church in their bare feet, while their staid
fathers frequently appeared in hunting jackets
or in their shirt sleeves."
Two services were held on the Sabbath, with
an intermission of an hour. At the first com-
munion in the old church, June 29, 1800,
twenty-two new members were added to the
thirty-seven already recognized. In 1807 the
membership was 100, and in 1830 it was 201.
In 1826 the old log house of worship was
taken down and a substantial brick church
built upon its site. The old building was
removed to a site on the Jersey town road and
converted into a still-house, operated by a
Presbyterian elder. But let it be recorded in
justice to those old days, that this ancient
house of God was rescued from the devil; the
still-house was turned into a blacksmith shop,
occupied by a saintly smith, who often used
it again as a place of prayer.
In the spring of 1831 Robert Dunlap, a
graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary,
was called as assistant pastor, being ordained
and installed on June 14th. The following
spring Rev. Mr. Patterson resigned from
Mahoning, but continued as pastor of Derry
Church until his death. May 8, 1843. He was
buried in the old graveyard in Danville, and
the congregation of Mahoning erected an
appropriate monument over his grave, as a
token of their affectionate remembrance. The
Presbytery entered a resolution upon the
minutes of that year in which Mr. Patterson
was described as "a man of good talents and
acquirements, a sound and pious preacher, a
judicious counselor, cautious in forming in-
Itimacies, but firm in his friendship, almost
proverbially prudent, mild in manners, and
one who scarcely ever, if at all, had an
enemy."
After the resignation of Mr. Patterson, Rev.
Robert Dunlap became the pastor, serving for
almost six years. On Feb. 8, 1837, he ac-
cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian
Church of Pittsburgh. The highest tribute
that could be paid was shown to this beloved
pastor in that seven years after he removed
to Pittsburgh — the Mahoning Church sent him
a unanimous call to return ; a novel and un-
usual proceeding in those days. This call
staggered this faithful man of God, but he
felt compelled to decline it.
Rev. David M. Halliday, D. D., was called
as pastor Feb. 12, 1838, and entered upon his
labors the same month. Dr. Halliday's min-
istry was marked by large additions to the
church. In the five years and five months
that he was pastor 162 members were added
to the congregation, the membership at the
close of his pastorate numbering 270. During
Dr. Halliday's ministry the congregation was
340
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
incorporated under the title of the "Mahoning
Presbyterian English Congregation." The
first board of trustees under this incorporation
consisted of these nine men : William Donald-
son, John Cooper, Paul Leidy, Alexander
Montgomery, William H. Magill, Samuel
Yorks, John C. Grier, Jacob Hibler, Michael
C. Grier.
Dr. Halliday severed his connection Oct.
4, 1843, on account of ill health, and after a
vacancy of nearly two years a unanimous call
was extended to Rev. John W. Yeomans,
D. D., who accepted and was installed Jan.
II, 1846. During the ministry of Dr. Yeo-
mans the church increased steadily in member-
ship, until in the year 1850 it reported a
maximum of 325 communicants. This period
was one of prosperity to the town also, which,
owing to the development of the iron industry,
grew from a quiet village to a busy manufac-
turing center.
Dr. Yeomans was born in Hinsdale, Mass.,
Jan. 7, 1800. He was a graduate of Williams
College and of Andover Theological Seminary.
In the spring of 1841 he accepted the presi-
dency of Lafayette College, from which posi-
tion he came to the Mahoning Church. Dr.
Yeomans was one of the leading Presbyters
of his generation. In i860, while pastor of
the Mahoning Church, he was elected modera-
tor of the General Assembly. He was a
scholar of rare attainments and an authority
on ecclesiastical law. a preacher whose ser-
mons impressed, and who was listened to with
keen interest.
To keep pace with the growing community
and congregation at this time there arose the
urgent necessity for the erection of a more
commodious church edifice. The church was
located beyond the growing portion of the
town and the weekly prayer meetings were
held in the southern part of the town, part of
the time in the Academy building, and then
in a storeroom fitted up for that purpose, on
the present site of the Opera House ; later in
what was called the "lecture room," on Ferry
street, opposite the present Friendship engine
house. After careful consideration and de-
liberation the congregation voted to abandon
the old church and remove to the southeast
corner of Mahoning and Ferry streets, and
in the spring of 1853 the new building was
commenced. On the 23d of June. 1854, the
congregation abandoned the old site and com-
menced to worship in the new building, which
was dedicated Nov. 16, 1854, the sermon being
preached by Rev. \\'illiam Plummer, D. D., to
an audience that filled the house.
This change of location was the act of the
congregation, and was felt by them to be the
best solution of the problems that confronted
the church. Still there was a large and respect-
able minority from the north side of the town
who regretted giving up the old site, which
had many happy memories ; consequently, after
worshipping in the new edifice for about a
year, a movement was made to organize a new
church, to go back to live in the old home. The
official record of the Presbytery is as follows:
"Certain papers were presented to the Pres-
bytery by a committee appointed by a portion
of the members of the church and congrega-
tion of Mahoning, praying for the organization
of a second Presbyterian church in that place,
to be called the Mahoning Presbyterian Eng-
lish Congregation, North."
The members of the committee were heard
on the subject. In the afternoon session of the
same day the petition was granted, and a
committee appointed to organize a congrega-
tion to be named as designated in this paper.
An interesting account of the proceedings of
this Presbyterial committee is given in a num-
ber of the Danville Intelligencer, published
Nov. 2, 1855 :
"At a late meeting of the Northumberland
Presbytery Rev. Isaac Grier and Rev. D. J.
Waller were appointed a committee to organize
a new Presbyterian congregation in Danville,
in conformity to a petition presented, asking
for said organization. This organization took
place in the old Presbyterian church building
on Wednesday last (Aug. 31), when there was
an appropriate sermon delivered by the Rev.
Isaac Grier. Samuel Yorks, Sr., Michael C.
Grier, Benjamin McMahon, David Blue and
H. D. Sechler were elected elders of the new
North Mahoning Presbyterian church. We
are pleased to observe that the new organiza-
tion has been made without the slightest
opposition from the members of the Mahoning
Presbyterian English congregation, who now
worship in the new church building erected in
1853, ''"d finished last year. Now let each
congregation endeavor to excel in good
works."
Dr. Yeomans continued to minister to the
old congregation until 1863. His ministry was
greatly blessed by God. Its stamp is still
visible on lives unborn at his death, verifying
the words given in the vision to John on
Patmos : "Write, blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith
the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labours ; and their works do follow them."
Dr. Yeomans died June 22, 1863.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
341
After a vacancy of nearly two years, Rev.
U'illiani E. Ijams was chosen pastor. He was
ordained and installed May 2, 1865. Great
spiritual blessings were enjoyed by the church
during the brief ministry of this beloved
brother. In the two and a half years of his
pastorate ninety-two persons united with the
church. This pastoral relation was dissolved
Sept. 17, 1867.
The next pastor was Rev. Alexander B.
Jack, a man of wonderful pulpit power, a
poetic genius, and of warm, sympathetic heart.
A Scotchman with all the brilliancy and some
of the weaknesses of his race, Mr. Jack's
power as a preacher may best be described
in the words of Dr. McCosh, of Princeton,
uttered after hearing him for the first time:
"I never heard a man that took me back to
the days of the Covenanters as he did."
Mr. Jack commenced his labors in January,
1869, and served until June 28, 1874. During
his pastorate the present manse, opposite the
church on Mahoning street, was built, at a
cost of $10,000; and in that manse was born
his son, Robert Bonner Jack, at this writing
the much beloved pastor of the First Presby-
terian Church of Hazleton, Pa., to which his
father ministered immediately after leaving
Danville.
Mr. Jack was succeeded by Rev. Thomas R.
Beeber. who commenced his labors July 4,
1875. During the first year of Mr. Beeber's
pastorate fifty-three persons united with the
church. His whole term was marked by earnest,
devoted and self-sacrificing labor on his part.
When he began his labors the session consisted
of A. G. \'oris, Patterson Johnson and Josiah
Reed. Mr. Beeber advised an increase in the
members of the session, and Dr. S. S. Schultz,
Dr. James Oglesby and H. M. Hinckley were
elected to serve as ruling elders, in addition
to the three first mentioned. Mr. Beeber was
called to the Second Church of Scranton, and
closed his labors at Mahoning April 20, 1880.
On Oct. I, 1880, Rev. Robert Laird Stewart
was called as pastor. Mr. Stewart had just
returned from a long visit to the Holy Land,
and brought to his work not only a ripe ex-
perience in pastoral work, but all the benefits
and practical knowledge that came from
— those holy hills,
Over whose acres walked those blessed feet.
Which nineteen hundred years ago were nailed,
For our transgressions, on the bitter cross.
Under Mr. Stewart's pastorate not only was
the church built up spiritually, but the church
building was greatly improved and enlarged.
In 1882 Thomas Beaver, an honored member
of the church who always delighted in doing
large and generous things for it, presented to
the congregation a large Hook & Hastings pipe
organ, placed in an annex behind the pulpit
built for its reception. Changes and additions
were also made to the Sunday school rooms,
which added much to the church's ability to
carry on an aggressive work. In 1889, through
the generosity of Thomas Beaver and Mrs.
.\bigail A. Geisinger, most extensive improve-
ments were inaugurated by which the whole
interior of the audience chamber was changed,
the total cost being about thirteen thousand
dollars. These were completed in 1890 and
the church opened again on April 13th of that
year with a sermon by Rev. Robert F. Sample,
D. D., of New York City, and a most inter-
esting talk by Sheldon Jackson, that wonderful
home missionary to our western land, and
later to our north country. Rev. Mr. Stewart
terminated his ministry in 1890 and accepted
a professorship in Lincoln LTniversity.
In 1891 Rev. \Mlliam I. Steans began a
pastorate that did much to advance the inter-
ests of the church. A bright and gifted
preacher, he had a jovial and winning way
that took with the masses. It seems as if the
walls of this Zion must still reverberate the
laughter and optimism of this servant of God.
During his pastorate four new members were
added to the session, David Shelhart, Reuben
I'.. X'oris, Samuel Bailey and Howard B.
Shultz. It was during the ministry of Mr.
Steans that the East End Mission was estab-
lished in the town. The history of this mis-
sion will be found in a separate article. Mr.
-Steans resigned his charge in 1902 and soon
after accepted a call to the Presbyterian
Church of Westfield, N. J., where at this time
he is still ministering.
Rev. James E. Hutchison began his ministry
in the Mahoning Church in 1903. Many ac-
cessions were made to the church during his
pastorate, and three additional elders were
elected, namely: Dr. J. E. Robbins, John M.
Sechler and J. E. Moore. Mr. Hutchison
resigned in 1907 and Rev. James Wollaston
Kirk. D. D., the present pastor, entered upon
his ministry the same year.
During Dr. Kirk's pastorate the church
property has been much improved. The
church building and the manse have been re-
painted, electric light has been introduced into
both buildings, and the auditorium and Sunday
school rooms have been handsomely repainted
and decorated. Mrs. Abigail A. Geisinger
1
342
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
contributed handsomely towards defraying the
expenses of this work. The church was re-
opened for public worship Oct. 12, 1913. the
rededicatory address being delivered by Rev.
Robert Bonner Jack, of Hazleton.
The present elders of the church are: David
Shelhart, Howard B. Shultz, Dr. J. E. Rob-
bins, J. E. Moore and H. M. Hinckley. Those
who have served as elders from the organiza-
tion of the church, not including the present
session, are : William Montgomery, Sr., Jacob
Gearhart, John Montgomery. William ^lont-
gomery, Jr., Paul Adams, John Emmett, Hugh
Caldwell, Daniel Montgomery, James Oglesby,
M. D., James Donaldson, Richard Matchin,
Samuel Yorks, Sr., Michael C. Grier, Alex-
ander Montgomery, John Bowyer, Jacob
Shultz. Archibald G. Voris, Paul Leidy,
Josiah Reed, Patterson Johnson, Benjamin W.
Pratt, S. S. Schuhz, M. D., Samuel Bailey,
Horace G. Furman, Reuben B. Voris, John
M. Sechler.
The Mahoning Church has sent into the
ministry the following sons : Rev. W. B. Mont-
gomery, Rev. Samuel Montgomery, Rev. John
Montgomery, Rev. Edward D. Yeomans, D.
D., Rev. Isaac A. Cornelison, D. D., Rev.
Alfred Yeomans, D. D., Rev. John Boyd
Grier, D. D., Rev. George Yan Alen, Rev.
James C. Russell, D. D., Rev. Robert Bonner
Jack, Rev. John Essington Miles, Rev. Ray-
mond H. Wilson, Rev. John Patterson Lundv,
D. D.
St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist system of pastoral succession
is not conducive to accurate historical records.
It is generally known that the Methodist was
the second religious organization in Danville,
but there seems to be no accurate record of
the exact time of its formation. The first
appointmeiU of a minister to the congregation
here by the conference was made in 1791.
The settlement here was then included in
the Xorthumberland circuit, which extended
from Xorthumberland town up the North
Branch of the Susquehanna to the Wyoming
valley, and up the West Branch to Great
Island. Two or three ministers only sup-
plied this vast territory, which included what
are now the charges of Williamsport, New-
berry, Muncy, Milton, Northumberland,
Mifflinburg, Lewisburg. Catawissa, Blooms-
burg, Berwick, Orangeville, Bloomingdale,
Sunbury and portions of Center county. The
territory covered some three hundred miles
and the circuit rider made it in about six
weeks. Those were days of strenuous work.
There was not much time for study, e.xcept
that of nature, and no time for meditation
and communion, except on horseback. The
preacher's only vacation was a change of
scenery and congregations. Those were days
of foundation work, and how well that work
was done is shown by the Methodist spires
that all over that great stretch of territory now
point to heaven, like so many monuments to
the faithfulness and untiring energy of the
formative circuit rider.
The appointments of 1791 name Richard
Parrott and Lewis Browning as the supplies
for this large circuit. A complete list of the
names of the pastors who supplied the circuit j
in which Danville was included from 1 791 to '
1845 will be found in the chapter on "Religious I
Denominations" in the fore part of this |
volume, and will not be repeated here. '
There was no church building in those early
days, and public worship was held in the homes
or other buildings of the devoted members.
We quote from a historical sermon preached
by Rev. Hiles C. Pardoe, Dec. 14, 1884:
"The preaching place was first the dwelling
house of Judge Jacob Gearhart : afterwards
the barn, and then the meeting-house erected
in 1828. \Vho composed that class we cannot
say. Mr. Gearhart was fifty years of age
when Bishop Asbury stopped there, an ex-
horter, and intelligent and grand old-fashioned
Methodist ; taking some of his Presbyterian
friends and going out into the new settlements
to hold revival meetings. His wife was also
a member, and their home was long the itiner-
rants' lodge. Their son John was a prominent
and exemplary member for fifty years; quiet,
unobtrusive and capable ; his last words were.
'I am passing over Jordan.' His wife, 'Aunt
Sophia,' was converted under the ministry
of Benjamin Paddock, and united with the
church at fourteen, and for sixty-nine years
by lips and life told the story of Jesus' love.
* * * The early organization at Gearhart's
accounts for the lateness of the organization at
Danville. This had been a village since 1776,
the Methodists worshipping across the river.
In 1812 the Shamokin Circuit was formed,
which took in the appointments west of the
Susquehanna. The first class ever formed in
Danville was in 181 5, and consisted of William
Hartman, Mary Hartman, George Lott and
wife, Samuel Steele, and Susannah Donald-
son. It was a feeble beginning, but splendid
material out of which to form a society. These
persons threw open their homes for prayer
and class meetings, and made the place of the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
343
Lord's feet glorious with songs and testi-
monies. Others soon united with them, and
the society increased in numbers."
Up to 1804 Danville and the circuit in which
it was placed belonged to the Philadelphia
Conference. In that year a transfer of the
entire district was made to the Baltimore Con-
ference. Three years later the district was
reassigned to the Philadelphia Conference. In
1810 it was included in the Genesee Confer-
ence, with which it was associated for ten
years. In 1820 it was again assigned to the
Baltimore Conference. In 1846 Danville was
erected into a station, and from that time it
received the ministrations of its own pastors.
Aiter worshipping for a number of years in
private homes the congregation then occupied
an old schoolhouse on Church street called
The Old Fort, situated between the old stone
mill and Mahoning street. On special occa-
sions the courthouse was used for religious
services. Bishop Asbury preached there at
one time, as did also the famous Lorenzo
Dow at another. The latter was a great occa-
sion, and people crowded to hear this gifted
man. He preached in the afternoon in the
courthouse and in the evening in the Union
(later the Episcopal) church. He also
preached twice the following day.
In 1839 a brick church was erected, the
building committee consisting of Lyman
Sholes, William Hartman and George B.
Brown. This church was built on a lot con-
veyed by Gen. Daniel Montgomery to the trus-
tees, the present site of the high school build-
ing. On Nov. 10, 1839, this church was dedi-
cated, Rev. John Miller, presiding elder,
preaching the sermon.
The first quarterly meeting was held in Jer-
seytown May 21, 1836, the representatives
from Danville being: Ellis Hughes, recording
steward ; William Hartman, and Lyman
Sholes. Danville had three classes at this time,
led by William Hartman, Ellis Hughes and
Lyman Sholes. A single page of Ellis Hughes'
class book contains the following names : Wil-
lamina M. Hughes, Mary Hartman, Francis
Ruch, Frances Ruch, William Whitaker and
wife, Nancy Huston, William Morrison, David
Frees and wife, Ann Tomison, Sarah England,
Mary Best, Ann D. Hughes, Ellen Hughes,
Isaac Ammerman, Charles Sholes, Mary
Primer, Joseph Hiles, Isaac Ranck. Catherine
Evans, Mary Linn, Susannah Phillips, James
Frieze, Samuel Schrock, Samuel Bowman,
Mary Miller, Merritt and Mary Hyatt. Mary
Rush, Mary Cornelison and George B. Brown.
In 1837 John Patton and Charles Sholes be-
came class leaders.
In 1839 Samuel Alexander was licensed to
exhort and George W. Forrest and Merritt
Hyatt became class leaders. In 1840 the con-
gregation was incorporated. In 1841 there
were five classes, led by William Hartman,
Thomas Woods, Edward Finney, George D.
Leib and George W. Forrest. This same year
Irvin H. Torrence was licensed to exhort, and
in April, 1842, licensed to preach.
In 1846 there were seven church classes, led
by Edward Finney, Mr. Patton, Charles
Sholes, Thomas Woods, G. W. Griffith, G. W.
B. Clark and Samuel Coulston. These classes
were held in the dwelling houses of Henry
Harris, William Deshay, William Hartman,
Ellis Hughes and Thomas Woods. Rev. John
Guyer was pastor at this time.
In 1847 R^^'- P- B. Reese was pastor, and
during his term the subject of building a new
church was agitated. There was a diversity
of sentiment, but a vote taken in writing from
each member decided in favor of a new build-
ing by a large majority. The building com-
mittee appointed consisted of Messrs. Reese,
J. T. Heath, Thomas Woods, George B. Brown
and Ellis Hughes, and they awarded the con-
tract to Anthony Whitman, March 11, 1848,
for $5,400. The cornerstone of this new
church, at the corner of Mahoning and Pine
streets, was laid July 22, 1848, by the Alnemo-
loton Lodge of Masons; two lodges of Odd
Fellows, the Sons of Temperance, Order of
United American Mechanics and Danville
Beneficial Society participating.
In this year of 1848 a new charter was ob-
tained. At this time there was no choir and
no organ. Henry Long and John Simmons
were officially requested to assist John Patton
in "raising the tunes."
The new trustees for 1849 were W. R. Gear-
hart, D. C. Hartman and James Cousart. In
the same year Rev. Thomas Mitchell was pas-
tor, and that year the new church was com-
pleted and dedicated. Rev. Jesse T. Peck, pres-
ident of Dickinson Seminary, preaching the
sermon. Mr. Mitchell remained until 1851,
and during his pastorate a glorious revival took
place. Then followed Rev. Joseph France,
pastor from 185 1 to 1852, during whose term
the bell was installed which still rings out the
call to worship. Then came as pastors Revs.
James Brads, 1853-54; Thomas M. Reese,
1855-56: William Wilson, 1857-58; and Wil-
liam Harden, 1858-59. Revivals of great in-
terest occurred during the ministry of each of
344
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
these pastors. During the term of Rev. Joseph
France, April 27, 185 1, while the Presiding
Elder was offering prayer, preparatory to
administering the Lord's Supper, the church
was struck by lightning, one woman being
killed.
In 185 1 Joseph Flanagan, Joseph Hartman
and Joseph Lorimer were appointed class lead-
ers. Succeeding Rev. William Harden came
Revs. P.. B. Hamlin, 1860-61 ; J. H. C. Dosh,
1862-63 : A. M. Barnitz, 1864-65. On March
I, 1865, the East Baltimore Conference held
its session in this church. Bishop Baker presid-
ing. There was much excitement at this meet-
ing of conference. The trustees at the request
of the conference threw "Old Glory'' to the
wind from the belfry, and festooned the vesti-
bule with flags. On the reading of a dispatch
announcing the defeat and capture of General
Early the enthusiasm burst forth in the singing
of the doxology, "Praise God, from whom all
blessings flow."
In 1866 Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, D. D.,
was pastor, and in 1867 Dr. Reiley and Rev.
J. H. McCord ministered to the congregation.
A long continued revival in North Danville,
under the leadership of Rev. Mr. McCord, re-
sulted in a large ingathering and the founda-
tion, afterwards, of Trinity Methodist Church.
During this period the church building was
thoroughly repaired.
Rev. Francis Hodgson, D. D., succeeded Dr.
Reiley and ministered to the congregation
from 1868 to 1 87 1. On March 10, 1869, the
Central Pennsylvania Conference met in this
church. Bishop Scott presiding. Distin-
guished visitors to this conference were Dr.
R. L. Dushiell, Chaplain C. C. McCabe and
William L. Harris. In i86g the name of St.
Paul was given to the church.
In 1870 Rev. Samuel Creighton began a pas-
torate destined to win the respect, reverence
and love of an appreciative congregation. He
ministered until 1873, with the assistance of
Rev. A. S. Bowman in 1872.
Rev. Findley B. Riddle became the pastor in
1874 and served through 1875. Then followed
Revs. William A. Houck, 1876-78: T. Max
Lantz, 1879-81 ; H. C. Pardoe, 1882-84.
G. M. Shoop was made president of the
board of trustees in 1874, and held the posi-
tion for many years. The official board in
1884 was as follows: Thomas Wards, G. M.
Shoop, Thomas Curry, Joseph Hartman, C.
Laubach, G. P. Raidabaugh, Charles Lim-
berger, Robert H. Morris, Jacob Harris, W.
L. Antrim, Dr. F. Harpel, Joseph Flanagan,
W. Y. Cruikshank, Jacob Ward and lohn R.
Rote.
Rev. Richard llinkel became pastor in 1885
and served until 1887. In 1888 Rev. Findley
B. Riddle returned, and served until 1890.
Rev. Ezra Yocum, D. D., became pastor in
1891 : he was followed in 1892 by Rev. J. B.
Shaver, who remained until 1895 ; and he in
turn was succeeded by Rev. George D. Pene-
packer, who impressed the whole community
with his power as a preacher.
In 1899 Rev. B. F. Dimmick, D. D., became
pastor. He at once started most extensive re-
pairs to the church. The old brick building,
which had long stood some distance from the
building line, with a yard around it, was made
to assume modern shape and architectural pro-
portions, at a cost of about $14,000. A large
stone tower and a beautiful stone front were
erected, bringing the building out to the pave-
ment, and with stately entrances and beautiful
stained glass windows, giving the church a
commanding appearance, and making it one of
the most beautiful and complete houses of
worship in the Conference.
After Dr. Dimmick came Rev. H. C. Har-
mon, who served as pastor from 1901 to 1903.
After Mr. Harmon, Rev. S. B. Evans minis-
tered to the congregation during 1904 and
1905. In 1906-07 Rev. M. K. Foster, a saintly
man of the old school, watched over this flock
with fatherly care. In 1908 Rev. William Brill
was pastor. Rev. G. .S. Womer followed Mr.
Brill, and ministered in 1909-10. Rev, Joshua
K. Lloyd became pastor in 191 1 and served
through 1912. He made many friends in the
community, who were shocked in this year,
1914, to hear of his sudden death.
In 1913 the present pastor, Rev. E. H. Wit-
man, began his work, and is much respected
for his earnest consecration and fidelity to
duty.
There is no better way of closing this sketch
than with the words of Rev. H. C. Pardoe, in
his historical sermon:
"We do not throw an undue halo about the
past, nor worship at the shrine of the olden
time; only give the past its meed of praise;
and make it the stepping stone to something
higher and better."
Pine Street Lutheran Church
The first authentic record of this church
goes back to about 1820. There was a Lu-
theran Church in what is now Mahoning town-
ship about which there are some scraps of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
345
history, but nothing showing a continuous
work. One named Shelhart, whether minister
or not is not disclosed, visited this region in
the interest of the Lutheran Church. There
seems to have been some sort of organization
among these few people as early as 1803, and
Rev. Johann Paul Frederick Kramer seems to
have been a pastor among them.
In 1810 Rev. J. F. Engel took charge of the
work, and continued until 181 6. In 1820 the
nucleus of what is now the Pine Street Lu-
theran congregation was gathered, nourished
and developed by Rev. Peter Kistler, who at
the time was pastor of nearly all the Lutheran
churches in Columbia county and the north-
western part of Northumberland county. Rev.
Mr. Kistler labored until 1825. After his
labors ceased a movement was made to build
a union church, joined in by several congre-
gations, prominent among which were the Lu-
theran and the Protestant Episcopal denomi-
nations. This church was completed Oct. 2^.
1829.
In 1830 Rev. Jeremiah Shindel of Blooms-
burg began to fill regular appointments with
the Lutheran congregation in the new church.
He gathered the scattered members into a
congregation and in a short time had forty
members enrolled. About this time an un-
fortunate dispute arose between the Lutheran
and the Episcopal congregations about the oc-
cupancy of the new church. The Episco-
palians claimed the exclusive right. As a con-
sequence Rev. Mr. Shindel withdrew his peo-
ple to the courthouse, where they continued
for some time. He served the congregation
for about six years, when he accepted a call
to Lehigh county.
The congregation had no pastor for several
years, hence the members became scattered.
They then connected themselves with the Cata-
wissa charge and Rev. William J. Eyer served
them once a month for a year and a half.
Rev. E. Aleyers then became pastor for six
months, and after that time the church was
without a pastor until 1843, when Rev. Elias
Swartz was installed. This godly man found
the conditions very discouraging. He could
count only about twenty members, many of
the former members having gone to other
churches, and in other ways deserted the
church of their fathers. The first move of
the pastor was to hold a series of meetings
imploring divine help and gathering anew the
congregation. God blessed these meetings and
forty or more were received into the com-
munion of the church. After a year's work
the pastor, as well as the congregation, felt
the need of a permanent church home, a meet-
ing was called, and the following committee
was appointed to superintend the building op-
erations: John Reynolds, William G. Miller,
Thomas Ellis, Samuel Gulick and William
Sechler.
The church was erected, and is the present
brick home of St. John's Lutheran congrega-
tion on East Market street. It was dedicated
under the name of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Danville, in January, 1845. The
ministers officiating were Revs. Elias Swartz,
William J. Eyer and Jacob Smith. Rev. Mr.
Swartz served the congregation until 1845,
when he accepted a call to Manchester, Mary-
land.
The congregation was then connected witli
the Milton charge, being served by Rev. Mr.
Rauthrauft" every two weeks for a period of
nine months. This arrangement, being very
inconvenient for both pastor and people, was
discontinued, and Rev. M. J. Allen was called
to the pastorate, entering upon his labors in
1846. This pastor served the congregation
until 1848, when he accepted a call to Sunbury
and Northumberland. His successor was Rev.
P. Willard, who at the time of his call was
acting agent of the theological seminary at
Gettyslnirg. The charge then in addition to
Danville included Shamokin and Back \'alley.
Rev. Mr. Willard entered upon his work in
February. 1850. At the time conditions were
discouraging, both temporal and spiritual. No
deed had been secured for the church lot, and
the congregation was in the condition that
could be expected after having a pulpit vacant
for some years. It was not long until the new
pastor had secured a deed for the church lot,
and at the first communion, in February, 1850,
saw the attendance of 162 communicants. A
series of meetings followed the communion
season, at the end of which lOO more were
added to the church, in fulfillment of the words
of our Lord, "Ask. and it shall be given you ;
seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you."
A lot of ground was purchased at the close
of 1850, and laid out in cemetery lots. In the
beginning of 1853 ^ parsonage was purchased.
The congregation was thoroughly united and
working in unison, and the result was what
it always is under such conditions, "the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be
saved."
In 1854 the congregation outgrew this
church ; the conditions necessitated a move-
346
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
nient to erect a more commodious house of
worship. A resolution passed the congrega-
tion to erect an English Lutheran church, but
this aroused a strong opposition on the part of
the German element. The question of a suita-
ble site also caused much division in the con-
gregation, which was almost equally divided
between a site on the south and one on the
north side of the town, with a slight leaning
towards the north side. A lot was purchased
on the north side, but the excitement con-
tinued. It is a significant fact that the church
records contain the statement that the pastor
preached his farewell sermon May ii, 1856,
after a pastorate of over six years.
In Julv, 1856, the congregation, in connec-
tion with the Back \'ailey congregation, called
Rev. M. J. Stover, who entered upon the work
Sept. 28, 1856. At the first communion under
the new pastor but 115 communicants at-
tended. The question of a new building was
again agitated, and the old feeling was again
aroused. The movement was pushed forward,
however, and on May 4, 1858, the cornerstone
of the present Pine Street Lutheran Church
was laid, and in February of 1859 the congre-
gation occupied the basement. Rev. Mr.
Stover resigned in i860, to take effect on the
1st of September.
The problem that had confronted the con-
gregation for several years was solved, but
as is so often the case at the cost of a division,
which ultimately resulted in another Lutheran
church in Danville. After Rev. Mr. Stover
left, came Rev. E. Huber, who served but six
months, and was followed by Rev. P. P. Lane,
who remained two years. During the latter's
term the church was completed and dedicated.
The next pastor was Rev. E. A. Sharrets, who
ministered two and a half years. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. George M. Rhoads, who labored
with much acceptability for four years. Mr.
Rhoads married, during his pastorate, Miss
Harriet Reynolds, of Danville, who at this
writing survives him.
For two years after the departure of Mr.
Rhoads Rev. Uriah Graves ministered to the
congregation. On Dec. 14, 1873, Rev. M. L.
Shindel became pastor of the church, and
served it with all the zeal, earnestness and
conscientiousness of the true disciple of Jesus
Christ which he was, until his death. Mr.
Shindel's pastorate was long and faithful. His
congregation seemed to be his children, and
like a loving parent he nurtured and cared for
them. He could say as the beloved John said :
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my
children walk in truth." The congregation
loved Mr. Shindel, and pastor and people la-
bored together for the upbuilding of the
church and the cause of the Redeemer. Mr.
Shindel resigned May 7, 1906, owing to age
and infirmities, but the congregation refused
to let him go, made him pastor emeritus, and
elected Rev. Lloyd W. Walter as pastor's
assistant, on May 27lh. But the aged pastor
did not long remain with them, for on Aug.
4th of the same year he passed to his reward.
Rev. Mr. Walter served the congregation
with zeal and energy for three years, resign-
ing July 12, 1909. From then until the com-
ing of the present pastor. Rev. J. H. Mussel-
man, services were held in the church by Rev.
D. B. Floyd.
Rev. J. H. Musselman was installed Nov. i,
1909, and has done much for the church since
his arrival in this field. In this year of 1914
the church has been completely repainted and
remodeled, the interior being frescoed and a
number of memorial windows placed. A new
pipe organ was installed, electric lighting
adopted, and an innovation in the church fit-
tings made, that of a hardwood floor, carpets
being dispensed wath as unsanitary. The total
cost of the work was upwards of $7,000. Six-
teen years before, the furniture of the church
had been replaced, and this was allowed to
reinain, being given the necessary repairs and
revarnishing. The completed church was
opened in 19 14.
The otificers of the church in 1914 are: El-
ders— S. Werkheiser, Charles Hauver, Ellis
Raup, S. A. McCoy. Trustees — Joseph Breit-
enbaugh. Arthur Lawrence, Jacob Fish,
George B. Jacobs. Deacons — John W. Eyerly,
Joseph Divel, Robert Farley, F. G. Schoch.
Christ's Memorial Protestant Episeopal
Church
Prior to 1828 there was no Episcopal
Church in this locality. There had been occa-
sional gatherings in the homes, and there was
public worship in the courthouse. Rev. James
DePui of Bloomsburg for some time prior to
1828 officiating every alternate Sunday at
these public services. At that time a move-
ment was started to build a union church, the
Lutheran and Episcopalian congregations be-
ing the prime movers in this attempt. They
succeeded in their efforts, and on Oct. 23,
1828, the cornerstone of the church was laid,
the completed structure being opened on Oct.
23, 1829.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
347
For some time this Jjuilding was used by
the two congregations, Rev. James DePui be-
ing the rector of the Episcopal congregation
and Rev. Jeremiah Shindel the Lutheran pas-
tor. The lot upon which the church was built
was donated by Gen. Daniel i\Iontgomery, and
is the site of the present massive Christ's
Church. The original building is said to have
cost some $4,000.
The union scheme did not last long. There
were some differences between the two congre-
gations, the Episcopalians claiming the exclu-
sive use of the building. The Lutherans finally
withdrew and worshipped in the courthouse
until they built their first church. From this
time (probably about 1835 or 1836) the build-
ing was in the exclusive possession of the
Episcopalians.
Rev. James DePui was rector from 1829 to
1832. In the latter year Bishop Onderdonk
visited this ])arish and confirmed four per-
sons. The church was then without a rector
for some months. Rev. Benjamin Hutchins,
rector at Bloomsburg, officiating irregularly.
In November, 1833, Bishop Onderdonk or-
dained to the ministry, in this church, Rev.
Isaac Smith. Mr. Smith began his work as
rector of the parish Feb. 23, 1834, but re-
mained only eight months. In January, 1834,
the first Sunday school was organized, with
six teachers and forty-nine scholars. In 1836
the church was incorporated, the incorporators
being Peter Baldy, George A. Frick, Daniel
Pursel, Jr., Jonathan Pursel, E. F. Greenough,
David Petrikin, David Phillips, LeGrand Ban-
croft, John Clayton.
On Feb. i. 1835, R^^'- George C. Drake be-
came rector of this parish, in connection with
Bloomsburg, Sugarloaf and Jerseytown, he
agreeing to preach at Danville on alternate
Sundays in the afternoon. Mr. Drake found
only six resident communicants : Miss Agnes
Petrikin, Peter Baldy, David Phillips and wife.
Miss Rebecca Reynolds and Ephraim Scott.
In August, 1837, Rev. Alfred Louderback,
a deacon, took charge of this parish in connec-
tion with Sunbury, and served the congrega-
tion at Danville until 1841. "Upon entering
his ministry he found no font, no surplice, nor
gown : no organ, nor leader in music, and no
lights." The congregation was very small,
but the rector was faithful, and endeavored to
hold his little charge true to their faith. The
town was growing and the church began to
grow also, and when Mr. Louderback resigned
in 1841 he "left the parish in a far better con-
dition than he took it, with the list of com-
nuniicants more than doubled."
In 1842, for six months. Rev. Robert M.
Mitcheson was the rector of this church and
reported ten families, one baptism, sixteen
conununicants and forty-five members of the
Sunday school, with an increasing congrega-
tion.
Rev. Milton C. Lightner, deacon, began his
ministrations in the parish Oct. i, 1842. The
church from this time seemed to start afresh
in the Lord's work. As the result of seven
months' work that minister reported twenty-
eight baptisms, fifty -seven confirmed, sixty-
six communicants and eighty-three in the Sun-
day school.
In May, 1844, the first lay deputies repre-
sented the parish in the Sixtieth convention.
These were Peter Baldy, Sr., Eli Trego and
Edward H. Baldy. During the year a bell
was placed in the tower, the gift of Peter
Baldy, Sr. At this time a communion service
was presented to the parish by the ladies of
St. James' Church, Philadelphia.
In 1845 a new roof was put on the churcli
and an organ placed in the gallery. This was
said to have been the first organ ever placed
in a Danville church. Its cost was $675. In
184O the interior of the church was repaired
and repainted, the chancel altered, a new pul-
pit, altar and lectern placed therein, the pews
were reconstructed, and a new heating appara-
tus and lamps installed. In 1847 there were
reported seventy-five communicants.
In 1848 Mr. Lightner resigned and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Joseph I. Elsegood. The
church in 1850 suffered considerable loss in
membership by removals from the town. Mr.
Elsegood resigned in August, 185 1, and was
succeeded by Rev. Rolla O. Page on Dec. 1st
of that year.
In 1852 the rectory was presented to the
])arish by Peter Baldy, Sr., who was so gen-
erous in his gifts and so timely in their selec-
tion. Mr. Baldy the same year presented the
parish the ground for a cemetery. In 1853
considerable repairs were again made, and
other improvements added, including a new
fence.
In February, 1855, Rev. Edwin N. Lightner
became the rector of the parish. This was
the beginning of a long and blessed ministry.
He served until 1870, for fifteen years, a
period most trying and eventful. Four years
of that time were years of war drums and bat-
tle flags : fathers and sons and brothers were
enlisted from the homes and churches of Dan-
348
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ville. Many were the benedictions pronounced
over them as they departed, and earnest and
pleading were the prayers that went up to the
Father's throne in Heaven for their safety
and their speedy return. Frequently were the
church services disturbed by the ringing of
the old courthouse bell, summoning the citizens
to meet to provide ways and means to sustain
the government in its hour of trial. \\ omen
met to make bandages and other necessaries
for the boys at the front, and children gath-
ered with them to pick lint to stanch the blood
of the wounded.
Through all this period, with its trials and
its intense bitterness and excitement, Rev.
lidwin N. Lightner stood as a beacon light,
pointing men, women and children to the path
of duty. Loyal, brave, bold and clear-headed,
he did much to guide the action and mold the
thought of the community. With no uncer-
tain tone did his pulpit proclaim the patriot's
duty and teach the Christian citizen the claims
of country and of God. The writer takes
great pleasure in pausing a moment to bear
personal tribute to the high Christian char-
acter and exalted patriotism of this holy man
of God. Impressions were made upon him
by the words and actions of this earnest
preacher that will last while life endures. De-
voted to his church. Mr. Lightner was not
narrow or bigoted : he recognized with a lib-
eral spirit the good in every follower of Jesus
Christ, and was ready to join hands with his
Christian brethren in all good work for God
and the community. He was a favorite in the
town, and many of all denominations listened
to and enjoyed his preaching. A sermon
preached by him just after the assassination of
President Lincoln, when the conspirators were
being captured and tried, is well remembered.
His text was: "Though hand join in hand,
he shall not be unpunished."
The writer may be pardoned for dropping
for a moment the pen of the historian and re-
cording his own humble opinion that the pres-
ent prosperity and success of Christ Church,
Danville, is in a great measure due to the de-
vout spirit and consecrated life of Edwin N.
Lightner. These were the days when form
was subservient to spirit, and was but the
vehicle which conveyed to Heaven the long-
ing desires and the consecrated thoughts of
the true child of God.
The lay deputies to the convention of 1856
were Peter Baldy, Sr., John Turner and John
O'Conner. In 1857 the church was repaired,
within and without, at a cost of about $2,500.
During Mr. Lightner's term the salary of the
rector was raised from $600 to $1,200. In
1863 the church was enlarged by adding a
recess chancel, and installing a new organ,
the whole costing $4,500. A reopening service
was held Dec. 13, 1863; Bishop Stevens
preached and administered communion and
confirmed twentv-two persons.
On Sept. 8, I'S/O. Rev. John Milton Peck
became rector of the parish, and for some thir-
teen years served the congregation. Peter
Baldy, Jr., was the faithful organist, giving
liberally of his time and means to the church
and its work, and devoting his wonderful en-
ergy to building up and maintaining a choir.
A number of important events characterized
the rectorship of Mr. Peck.
In November, 1880, Peter Baldy, Sr., died
and by his will left the sum of $5,000 to be
invested and the interest paid for the support
of the preaching of the gospel in Christ's
Church : also the sum of $500 to the Sunday
school, the interest of which was to be used
for that work. He also left this provision, by
a codicil in his will: "T also bequeath to my
executors the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars
to be appropriated by them for any memorial
they may see fit to erect the memory of their
parents."
At once the executors proposed to the
church corporation to erect a new church,
demolishing the old one and building on its
site. This was agreed to, and the last serv-
ices were held in the old church April 19, 1881.
The cornerstone of the new church was laid
with imposing ceremony June 24, 1881.
Between the years 1880 and 1881 Rev.
Charles F. Sweet was assistant rector, and
after him Rev. John London.
In January, 1883, Rev. George Breed was
called to the rectorship of the parish. He
served but one year, resigning in January,
1884. During this year the new church was
dedicated. Right Rev. Marc Antony DeWolf
Howe, bishop of the diocese, ofificiating.
In the spring of 1884 Rev. George C. Hall,
who had formerly served Shiloh Reformed
QTurch of Danville, as pastor, became rector
of this parish, and remained until 1886.
Rev. James Maxwell followed as rector, and
in the short time he labored he won the re-
spect and confidence of a large portion of the
community. He left in 1889.
In March, 1889, Rev. William R. Mulford
was called to the rectorship, and for five years
did faithful and earnest work. He resigned
in 1894, and the parish remained vacant for
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
349
over a year until Rev. Simon P. Blunt became
rector, holding that position until 1899. In
that 3'ear Rev. Erskin Wright became rector
and served until 1902. He was followed the
same year by Rev. Edward Houghton, who
served until 1912, when he was succeeded, by
Rev. Henry S. Smart.
Mr. Smart's ministry covered less than a
year. He was followed by Rev. Walter C.
Clapp, the present rector.
Christ ^lemorial Church is a building of
enormous and massive architecture, built of
native limestone of varied tints, with Ohio
stone for the traceried windows. The build-
ing is cruciform in plan and occupies almost
the entire plot of 100 square feet. It contains
a nave, aisles, transepts, chancel and space
for clergy, choristers and organ. A massive
tower rises from the intersection of the nave
and transept, supported on immense piers, and
surmounted by a pyramidal spire, at the base
of which are the dormers bearing the clock
faces. An octagonal turret gives access by
stairways to the ringing chamber of the
chimes. The total height of the tower is 150
feet. The nave and transepts will accommo-
date about 600 persons.
The church measures 100 feet from east to
west, and very nearly the same across the
transepts from north to south. The nave and
aisles are 44 feet in width, the transepts 30
feet, the sanctuary 26 feet. Room is allowed
in the choir for about forty singers and twelve
of the clergy.
The style of the church is English-Gothic
of the fourteenth century. There are no
wooden window frames, the glass being leaded
in the stonework of the jambs. The east win-
dow is of tracery and contains a representa-
tion of the scene of the crucifi.xion in the cen-
ter, with the annunciation and the resurrection
on either side. The great rose window on the
west end contains a figure of the Lord, sur-
rounded by the four evangelists and the four
major prophets. The other windows are of
ornamental stained glass.
The internal efifect of the edifice is solemn
and churchly ; the exterior forms a picturesque
group, massing around the central tower,
which gives the keynote to the whole compo-
sition, and from its situation and elevation
forms a prominent landmark of the town.
Grove Presbyterian Church
When the congregation of the Mahoning
Presbyterian Church voted to abandon the old
church on Bloom street and build on the new
site, corner of Mahoning and Ferry streets,
there was quite a large minority who were
opposed to the change, but who respected the
views of the majority and went with them to
the new church. But the congregation had
worshipped a little less than a year in the new
church when the homesick feeling of this
minority grew so acute that a movement was
made to organize a new church to go back and
occupy the old home. Consequently, at a meet-
ing of the Presbytery held in Lock Haven on
Oct. 2, 1855, the following action was taken:
"Certain papers were presented to Presby-
tery by a committee appointed by a portion of
the memliers of the church and congregation
of Mahoning, praying for the organization of
a second Presbyterian church in that place,
to be called the English Mahoning Presby-
terian Congregation, North." The prayer of
this petition was granted.
Thus the "Mahoning Presbyterian English
Congregation, North," was organized. The
name was in 1864 changed to the Grove Pres-
byterian Church, and as such it appears on the
church records.
After the formation of the new church the
congregation renovated the old building in
the grove, which was reopened for divine serv-
ice Jan. 2, 1856. The first pastor was Rev.
C. J. Collins, who was ordained and installed
Dec. 31, 1856. . Mr. Collins was a ripe scholar
and an eloquent preacher. He ministered dur-
ing a period that tried men's souls — the time
when the question of htmian slavery divided
homes and churches ; a time when the dark
clouds of civil war overshadowed almost every
community ; and loyalty to country and to
flag was the condition by which men were
judged. Mr. Collins was patriotic to the last
drop of blood, and his sermons were charac-
terized by loyalty and adherence to the flag.
As an illustration of the intense feeling at the
time, the writer well remembers, as a boy,
listening to a sermon preached in the early
si.xties in the old brick church in the grove by
Rev. Thomas Hunt, familiarly called "Pappy"
Hunt, a noted Presbyterian minister and great
temperance lecturer, who in the midst of a
sermon on "Predestination" exclaimed: "My
friends, I would sooner go to heaven riding
on a rail than stand "Jimmy' Buchanan's
chances of getting there."
Mr. Collins resigned in 1865, and was suc-
ceeded in 1866 by Rev. J. Gordon Carnachan,
D. D. Dr. Carnachan will long be remembered
for his wonderful ability and his strength as
350
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
a sermonizer. He resigned in i86g and ac-
cepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of
Meadville, Pennsylvania.
In 1869 Rev. R. H. \'anPelt became the
pastor, and served the congregation for five
years. He was of a quiet, retiring disposition,
but an earnest and devoted pastor, who did
much to build up the church spiritually. Dur-
ing his ministry, in 1873, the present beautiful
stone church was erected on the site of the
old brick building. The necessities of the con-
gregation compelled this, and at a cost of
some $60,000 this house of worship was
erected, designed for the spiritual activities
of generations to follow. Rev. Mr. VanPelt
resigned his charge before the completion of
the new church.
Rev. William A. McAtee, D. D., succeeded
in 1874. The following year the new church
was dedicated, and has been a source of great
joy and power to the congregation. Dr. Mc-
Atee served this congregation until 1879, and
fed it with the strong meat of the gospel, not,
however, withholding the milk from the weak
ones.
Dr. McAtee resigned in 1879. and in 1880
was succeeded by Rev. John Boyd Grier,
D. D., a worthy son of the old church and the
youngest son of M. C. Grier, an elder in both
the old and the new churches. Dr. Grier was
a scholar of rare ability and a preacher of
much power. He labored until 1883, and was
succeeded the same year by Rev. J. M. Si-
monton.
Rev. Mr. Simonton was a minister strong
and decided in his views ; earnest and con-
scientious in his work, kind, gentle and sym-
pathetic in his manner : with a faith that ena-
bled him to carry on his work despite domestic
afflictions and severe trials. He resigned in
1888, after a pastorate of five years, and his
departure from the community was regretted
by a large circle of friends. The same year
Rev. Elliott C. Armstrong was called and
entered upon the work.
Mr. Armstrong was a preacher who drew
large congregations, and by his scholarship and
oratorical power soon ranked high in the Pres-
bytery. His work in the Grove Church was
soon made manifest, both in the membership
of the church and in its financial condition. In
1890 an addition was built to the church which
gave greater facilities to the Sunday school,
and later the church was repaired and redeco-
rated, all at a cost of some $6,000. Mr. Arm-
strong labored zealously until 1892, when he
accepted a call to the Third Presbyterian
Church of Williamsport, where he still labors.
In 1892 Rev. William A. McAtee, D. D.,
returned to the pastorate of the church and
for ten years again endeared himself in the
hearts of a loving people. Dr. McAtee was
every inch a man; on all questions of public
interest he always took a stand, and everyone
knew where to find him. He took a lively
interest in everything pertaining to the public
welfare, and was always a safe and correct
adviser. Strict, he was always charitable;
positive, he was always kind ; learned, he was
always humble ; looked up to in the com-
munity, he was always affable. He died sud-
denly in 1902 in a New York hospital, fol-
lowing an operation. His death was a great
surprise to the community, and his loss was
deeplv felt.
In '1903 Rev. W. C. McCormack. Ph. D.,
was chosen pastor and entered upon his work.
He was an enterprising preacher and an in-
dustrious student, and did faithful work in
the church. During his pastorate the church
was again remodeled. This artistic house of
worship stands in the midst of a beautiful
grove, and house and grove have always been
objects of the greatest care on the part of the
congregation, who are justly proud of their
temple and its history. No pains and no ex-
pense have been spared to preserve and beau-
tify and adorn this house of God.
Dr. McCormack resigned in 1910, and Sept.
1st of the same year Rev. W. K. McKinney,
Ph. D., the present pastor, entered upon his
work, being installed Nov. 10. Dr. McKin-
ney has taken the Master's command liter-
ally, and has gone out to gather in the outside
world. His work among men has been nota-
ble, and the large class of workingmen he has
gathered around him testify to God's faithful-
ness in fulfilling His promises.
A large and melodious pipe organ was dedi-
cated April 26, 1914, by Professor Wallace,
of Reading, who gave two recitals on the Mon-
day following its dedication.
The present session of the church is as fol-
lows: Rev. W. J. McKinney, Ph.D., moder-
ator: Dr. J. H. Sandel, clerk; Robert J. Pegg,
William E. Flick, Frank W. Magill, Thomas
R. Williams.
Those who have served as elders from the
date of organization, not including the pres-
ent session, are: Benjamin McMahon, Sam-
uel Yorks, Sr., Michael C. Grier, H. B. D.
Sechler, David Blue, William C. Young, Sam-
uel Yorks, Jr., Joseph Diehl, Robert Cathcart,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
351
Isaiah W. Salmon, Andrew F. Russell, George
M. Gearhart, W. L. McClure, M. Grier Young-
man, Thomas Rogers, George W. Vandine,
A. H. Grone, H. G. Salmon. D. M. Boyd.
Shiloh Reformed Church
The congregation of Shiloh Reformed
Church was originally part of the Danville
charge, which consisted of four congregations,
Catawissa, St. James (Mahoning), Danville
and Mausdale. In May, 1893, the consistory
of Shiloh Reformed Church made overtures
to the Wyoming Classis, Eastern Synod, to
divide the charge, constituting Shiloh a sepa-
rate charge. This request was granted and
this article will deal with the one congregation.
The original organization was effected dur-
ing 1856 by Rev. George Wolff and Rev. A. G.
Dole. These men, together with Rev. \Y.
Goodrich, were a committee appointed to work
up the interest of the Reformed Church at
Danville and Mausdale. For a time previous
to organization the services were held in the
courthouse. How many of the early churches
worshipped in the courthouse ! The first
elders elected were Ulrich Houser and Samuel
Antrim. The deacons were Cyrus Heller and
Peter Mowrer. The congregation at that time
numbered fourteen, only one of whom.
Thomas Cole, survives in 1914.
Rev. D. \\'. Wolff was the first pastor, serv-
ing the church from Sept. i, 1856, to the late
fall of 1861. During his pastorate the Maus-
dale church was built and the Shiloh church
commenced. This is the present comfortable
quarters of the congregation on Bloom street.
Sir. Wolff had practical religion. He helped
to build the church with his own hands, going,
it is said, with the men to the Xorth Mountain
to pick out the timbers used in the structure.
He spent part of the week in building the
church and the other part in building the Sun-
day sermons, and neither suffered because of
the other. Like Paul, this brother could have
said: "For laboring night and dav, because
we would not be chargeable unto any of you,
we preached unto you the gospel of God."
Air. Wolff left before the house was com-
pleted.
The building committee who superintended
the erection of the church was composed of
the pastor. Rev. D. W. Wolff, Jacob Sechler,
Jr., Peter Foust, Cyrus Heller and D. P.
Diehl. When Mr. Wolff' left the congregation
numbered twenty-seven.
Rev. J. W. Steinmetz became pastor in
April. 1862, and labored until October, 1875.
During this period there were two years — •
1869 and 1870 — when Mr. Steinmetz was
financial agent for the Theological Seminary
at Lancaster, Pa., and during that time Rev.
W. A. Gring and Rev. George W. Snyder
were supplies.
Mr. Steinmetz found one of his first duties
was to push the building through to comple-
tion. There were formidable difficulties in the
way. The congregation was largely in debt
and business conditions were unsettled. But
in such emergencies God always has a servant
on hand to do his bidding; and here Elder
Peter Foust advanced the money necessary to
the completion of this House of God. On Dec.
21, 1862, the church was dedicated to the wor-
ship of Almighty God, the sermon being
preached by Rev. H. Harbaugh, D. D. At the
end of 1863 the congregation numbered si.xty-
two. In 1869 the parsonage was built at a
cost of $2,675. The building committee con-
sisted of Rev. J. W. Steinmetz, Charles Fen-
stermacher, Hiram Antrim and Thomas Cole.
At the close of Mr. Steinmetz's pastorate, the
membership was 189. Mr. Steinmetz had a
pleasing personality; a delightful German ac-
cent; possessed a gifted mind and executive
ability that did much to build up this church
in temporal affairs : and a spirituality that did
much to develop it in love and devotion to
the Master he so earnestly served.
In the spring of 1876 Rev. G. C. Hall be-
came pastor and continued to serve the church
as such until the fall of 1878. In 1884 Mr.
Hall returned to Danville as rector of Christ
Memorial Church.
Rev. W. C. Schaeffer succeeded Mr. Hall
in December, 1878, and remained until May,
1884. During his pastorate the church was
remodeled for the first time. Mr. Schaeffer,
after leaving Danville, became a professor in
the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania.
In November. 1884, Rev. J. A. Peters, D. D.,
became pastor and continued as such until
March, 1891, when he resigned to accept the
presidencv of Heidelberg University, Tiffin,
Ohio.
Rev. D. S. Dieff'enbacher followed as pastor
in June, 1891, and served until January, 1893,
when he died. In September, 1893, Rev. C.
B. Alspach became pastor, serving until Janu-
ary, 1896. From July, 1896, until November,
1899. Kev. W. E. Bushong labored as pastor.
Rev. George E. Limbert became pastor in
March. 1900. and labored with much accept-
352
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ance until May, 1905. He then resigned to
accept a call as pastor of Trinity Church, Al-
toona, Pa., where he ministered for two years,
dying there in the prime of life and in the
midst of a career of usefulness. During Rev.
Mr. Limbert's pastorate in Danville, the
church was repapered and painted, new car-
pets were purchased, and the congregation was
entirely freed from debt.
Rev. Joseph E. Guy began his ministry in
November, 1905, and remained pastor until
191 1. During his ministry the membership
numbered 365.
The present pastor. Rev. J. N. Bauman, be-
gan his work here in 191 1. During his minis-
try an addition has been placed upon the rear
of the cliurch. a pipe organ and electric lights
installed, steam heat made to replace the stoves
of the past, hardwood floor laid in the audi-
torium, four additional stained glass windows
have been placed in the church, and the in-
terior has been frescoed. New carpets have
been laid in the auditorium and classrooms
and a new and handsome altar was presented
to the church by Dr. J. Sweisfort. A new
reading desk was purchased by the Christian
Endeavor Society and the pulpit chairs were
recovered. The total cost of these improve-
ments was over $10,000. every cent of which
was at once paid, though the congregation is
composed of persons in moderate financial
circumstances. It is worthy of note that the
Ladies" Aid Society of the church paid for the
steam heat and the pipe organ, two considera-
ble items in the cost of the improvements.
The church is a fine brick building, with the
addition in the rear, and originally cost $20,-
oco. To this must be added the value of the
additional work.
The present membership is 370 and that of
the Sunday school 366. The officers of the con-
sistorv are: Rev. I. N. Bauman. pastor; el-
ders.'Dr. J. Sweisfort. W. H. Orth, D. N.
Dieffenbacher, Alfred Diehl : deacons, W'il-
Ham Kocher, Fred Diehl, John Dietz, H. J.
Lobach ; trustees. William Sunday and H. C.
Heller.
The superintendent of the Sunday school is
D. N. Diefifenbacher ; assistant superintendent.
Fred Diehl : secretary. Ralph Lewis : treasurer.
Alfred Diehl.
Trinity Luihcrau Cliurch
In 1859, following the determination of the
Evangelical Lutheran congregation to build
the new church on Pine street, the Trinity
Lutheran congregation was organized. Those
forming this organization seceded from the
parent congregation dissatisfied with the choice
of location for the new church.
The church building of this congregation is
located on the corner of East Market and
Church streets. It was erected in 1861 at a
cost of $35,000. It is a handsome brick
structure of impressive proportions and was
originally built with an imposing spire 125 feet
high. But a severe storm that passed over
Danville some time in the sixties demolished
this spire and it was never rebuilt.
The first pastor of the church was Rev.
D. M. Henkel. who was succeeded by Rev.
Mr. Cornman. Rev. Mr. Anspach and Rev. M.
C. Horine.
Mr. Horine is remembered in this com-
munity for his learning and ability and his
fraternal spirit, joining with his ministerial
brethren in all things designed for the good
of Zion. While pastor of this church, from
1878 to 1881, Mr. Horine was county superin-
tendent of public schools of Montour county,
the duties of which office he performed with
entire satisfaction to the public.
Following Mr. Horine the pastors have
been: Rev. J. R. Groff; Rev. C. K. Drum-
heller; Rev. W. E. Roney, from 1890 to 1900;
Rev. L. D. Ulrich, from 1900 to 1910; and
Rev. J. L. Yonce, who commenced his pas-
torate in 1910, and at this writing is still the
pastor.
In 1893 a fine pipe organ was placed in the
church. In 1909 the church building was
greatly improved and was rededicated.
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church of Danville was
organized Nov. 29, 1S42. with ten members.
The names of these members are: John
Price, Harriet Taylor. Mahala Quigg. Ruth
Conover. Catherine Potter. Mary Lomason,
Martha Brown. Sarah Ann Lunger, Ann Per-
rin, Lydia Snyder.
After organizing the congregation wor-
shipped in the courthouse for over a year,
meantime erecting a frame church on Pine
street near the river. This church was ded-
icated Jan. 5, 1844. The congregation con-
tinued to grow until 1863. when it became
necessary to erect a new church building. The
old building was removed and the new church
built upon its site. This church was dedi-
cated in 1863.
The pastors of this church, in consecutive
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
353
order, have been as follows: Rev. J. S. Mil-
ler, 1843 to 1847; Rev. William F. Bunker,
1847 to 1848; Rev. J. H. Worrell, 1849 to
1850; Rev. D. A. Nichols, 185 1 to 1852; Rev.
Ira Foster, 1854 to 1856; Rev. O. L. Hall,
1858 to 1859; Rev. A. B. Still, i860 to 1861 ;
Rev. Theophilus Jones, 1862 ; Rev. G. W.
Scott. 1863 to 1865 ; Rev. J. S. Miller, 1867 to
1870: Rev. John Mostyn, 1871 to 1873; Rev.
W. W. Willis, 1873 to 1875; Rev. Joel E.
Bradley. 1876 to 1880; Rev. G. T. Street, 1880
to 188^; Rev. J. Green Miles, 1883 to 1887;
Rev. Philip Berry, 1888 to 1889 (died while
pastor); Rev. J. A. Aldred, 1890 to 1892;
Rev. A. B. Bowser, 1892 to 1901 ; Rev. L. B.
Twichell, 1901 to 1903 ; Rev. John Sherman,
1904 to 1908. In July, 1909, Rev. A. J. Irey,
D. D., the present pastor, entered upon his
work.
Watkins Evans is church treasurer, W. G.
Reese is superintendent of finance, and David
J. Reese is superintendent of the Sunday
school. Frank M. Herrington has held the
position of chorister for more than twenty
years with much acceptance. The trustees are
David J. Reese, John M. Vastine, Charles O.
Meyers and W. W. Davis. Charles M. John-
son was clerk of the congregation for fifteen
and a half years and was succeeded by Charles
W. Gross.
In 1913 steam heat was introduced into the
church and in 1902 electric lights were in-
stalled. At this time new pews of circular
form replaced the straight back benches of
the old time, and a steel ceiling was built about
ten feet below the old ceiling. The old gallery
in the rear of the auditorium was also torn
out and the audience chamber much beautified.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church
Prior to 1868 the St. Paul Methodist Epis-
copal Church had so increased in numbers
that it was difficult to seat the congregation.
In 1867 Rev. J. H. McCord was assistant pas-
tor to Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, D. D. Mr.
McCord took charge of a mission work on
Welsh Hill, in North Danville, which was
carried on in a little chapel called the "McCord
Chapel." This was a little frame building
used for Sunday school purposes by a number
of devoted St. Paul people.
Rev. Mr. McCord held revival services in
this chapel and the result was a large ingather-
ing. This great increase of membership, and
the fact that the new members were mostly
from the north side of town, led to the organ-
23
ization in 1868 of a new congregation called
the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
A lot was purchased from Michael Wallize,
at the corner of Center and Ferry streets, di-
rectly opposite St. Joseph's Roman Catholic
church; and the cornerstone of the new build-
ing was laid by Bishop Simpson July 4, 1869.
On Dec. 19, 1869, the completed basement of
the church was dedicated with appropriate
ceremonies. Bishop E. R. Ames presided in
the morning, Chaplain C. C. McCabe in the
afternoon, and S. W. Thomas at night.
Rev. J. H. McCord was pastor of the new
church in 1868 and 1869. Rev. A. M. Creigh-
ton followed Rev. Mr. McCord in 1870, and
Rev. George W. van Fossen followed him in
I 87 I and 1872.
In 1872 the church building was completed.
It is a brick structure with a large and com-
modious Sunday school and lecture room on
the first floor, a fine and roomy audience
chamber on the second floor. The cost of the
new edifice was $30,000. The congregation
was made up mostly of laboring men and their
families. Hard times came on and a heavy
debt rested upon the new congregation. Mr.
Thomas Beaver had been a liberal contributor
in financing the church, but still the debt
pressed heavily upon the people. At length,
in the year 1874, it was sold by the sherifl:' for
a debt of $8,000. Thomas Beaver bought it
at that figure and subsequently sold a half in-
terest to Rev. I. H. Torrence, donating the
other half to the congregation. Indebtedness
still pressed hard upon the people and again
the sherifif, in the year 1877, sold the interest
of the congregation, Thomas Beaver again
buying it. To the credit of these noble people
be it said that they beat down this indebtedness
until in the course of time it was entirely ex-
tinguished.
Rev. A. W. Guyer was pastor during 1873
and 1874, and he was followed, in 1875 and
1876, by Rev. J. P. Moore. In 1877 Rev. B.
F. Stevens was pastor. In 1878 the pastorate
was vacant and the pulpit was supplied by Rev.
Irvin H. Torrence.
The pastors since have been : 1879 to 1882,
Rev. P. P. Strawinski: 1882 and 1883. Rev.
D. H. Shields: 1884 and 1885, Rev. B. P.
King : 1886, 1887 and 1888, Rev. Joseph Hun-
ter : 1889, Rev. Joseph Hunter was succeeded
by Rev. George W. Stevens. He in turn was
succeeded by Rev. G. M. Klepfer, who re-
mained in charge from 1890 to 1893. W. P.
Eveland was pastor in 1895 and 1896. He
was followed by Rev. O. D. Heck, from 1896
354
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
to 1901. Rev. N. E. Cleaver followed from
1901 to 1906. Rev. L. D. Ott followed, from
1907 to 1909, and he was succeeded in 1909
by Rev. C. C. Snavely, who continued to be
pastor until 191 1, he being succeeded by Rev.
Alexander Scott, who has been pastor since
1912.
During the pastorate of Rev. P. P. Stra-
winski the congregation purchased the inter-
est of Rev. I. H. Torrence in the church
building, thus freeing themselves from debt.
In 1900 the church was remodeled and the
tower raised. The church property is valued
at $25,000, and the parsonage, which was pur-
chased some years ago, is valued at $2,500.
In the fall of 191 1 the church building was
repainted and repapered and electric lights in-
stalled. In the year 1914 a pipe organ, valued
at $2,500, was installed, one half of the cost
being paid by Andrew Carnegie and the rest
of the money collected by the people. This
organ was dedicated June 7, 1914, Rev. J. B.
Stine, D. D., district superintendent, preach-
ing the dedicatory sermon.
In the early part of the year 1913 an official
board was organized according to the pro-
visions of the church discipline, the board
consisting of the trustees, stewards, Sunday
school superintendent, president of the Ep-
worth League, superintendent of the Junior
League and president of the Ladies' Aid So-
ciety.
The official board for 1914 was as follows:
Rev. Alexander Scott, president; P. J. Keefer,
Arthur Fry, W. R. Rice, Howard Klinger, G.
W. Kean, J. B. Lloyd. Henry Grove, David
Grove, M. L. Bloom, trustees ; S. F. Ricketts,
H. H. Gerringer, D. Roderick, A. M. Robin-
son, G. W. Kear, Mrs. Clara Young, Mrs.
John Bookmiller, Mrs. Calvin Diehl, Mrs.
Florence Baylor, William Snyder, James
Hodge, W. B. Snyder, Helen Kelly, Mrs.
Elizabeth Peifer, John Roundsley, P. J.
Keefer, stewards. The superintendent of the
Sunday school in 1914 was W. B. Lunger.
This has been a hard working congregation
and deserving of great credit for the work
which has been done and for the manner in
which the Master's Kingdom has been ad-
vanced in that portion of the town. They
have ever been true to the motto placed upon
the church building when it was erected :
"Ever welcome to this House of God are
strangers and the poor."
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
The German speaking portion of the Lu-
therans organized into a separate body after
the division in 1856, when the new church
was built on Pine street. This new organiza-
tion purchased the old church building on East
Market street in 1858 and repaired it, and for
many years have used it as a place of worship.
Rev. William Eyer was first called to the
pastorate, and served until his death in 1874.
In 1875 Rev. J. W. Early became pastor of
this church, in connection with Mahoning and
Lazarus Churches, in other parts of the coun-
ty. He was succeeded, about 1885, by Rev.
J. R. Grof?. Mr. Groff was succeeded by Rev.
D. H. Fogleman. Subsequent pastors have
been Rev. George W. Fritsch and Rev. W. M.
Geiger.
Emanuel Evangelical Church
Services were held at intervals in Danville
by the pastors of the Evangelical denomina-
tion previous to 1867. In that year H. A.
.Stokes was appointed to serve the mission at
this place. He remained two years and estab-
lished a small congregation, but did not suc-
ceed in building a house of worship, services
being held in Thompson's Hall.
In 1869 Rev. E. H. Davis was made pastor,
and his efiforts were of great benefit to the
little band of Christians constituting the local
representatives of this denomination. He
succeeded in collecting a sufficient sum to
warrant the construction of a church, and in
the fall of 1871 the present frame building,
situated at the corner of East Front and Iron
streets, was dedicated, having been com-
menced in 1869. There is no record of the
names of the first members, but many of them
are still living at this writing.
The succeeding pastors of the church have
been as follows: Rev. W. E. Detweiler. 1872;
Rev. \Y. H. Buck, 1875 ; Rev. R. W. Raida-
baugh, 1876; Rev. R. S. Orwig, 1877: Rev.
George Hunter, 1880; Rev. Z. Hornberger,
1881; Rev. J. M. Brader. 1882; Rev. A. S.
Baumgardner, 1885; Rev. H. A. Stokes, 1888;
Rev. J. F. Dunlap, i8qi ; Rev. S. S. JMumey,
1894; Rev. J. Womelsdorf, 1895: Rev. J. G.
\\1iitmire, 1897: Rev. J. F. Hower, 1898;
Rev. E. B. Dunn. 1902: Rev. Harry Minsker,
1006: Rev. W. N. Wallis. 1907; Rev. C. D.
Moore, 1912: Rev. C. E. Allison. 1914, the
present pastor.
During the pastorate of Rev. H. A. Stokes
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
355
the church was improved and a strong advance
made along all lines of work.
Rev. Z. Hornberger, during his pastorate,
was editor and publisher of the "Temperance
Star," which for a time was a strong factor
in the temperance work in Montour county.
Some of the early elders of this church were
Joseph Hummer, Charles Siegfried, David
Evans and Christian Ernst. The present trus-
tees are J. R. Long, T. R. Evans, J. C. Dim-
mjck, C. A. Ranck, E. L. Ranck, John Krum.
Immanuel Baptist Church
Immanuel Baptist Church was organized in
1892 by Rev. A. B. Still from members of the
First Baptist Church. This congregation at
first used the building of the Welsh Baptists
on Spruce street, but in 1893 purchased the
property at the corner of Church and Walnut
streets. In that year they built a brick church,
the architect being John H. Brugler, and the
cost of the structure was $3,500; some $1,500
was paid for the lots. This church was dedi-
cated Aug. 19, 1894, Rev. J. W. Crawford be-
ing the first pastor. Froin that time — 1894 —
until 1906 the congregation was without a
pastor. After 1906 no regular services were
held in this church.
At one time the congregation numbered six-
ty-two, but the membership decreased until in
April, 1908, the survivors dissolved the con-
gregation and sold the property for sufficient
to cancel all indebtedness and leave some re-
maindei-, which was devoted to charitable pur-
poses. The last trustees were George Hun-
lock, Thomas Mills, William James and \\'al-
ter Keller.
U'clsli Congregational Church
Several churches of this nationality, under
different denominational control, have existed
in the past in Danville. The first and princi-
pal one was the Welsh Congregational Church
built in 1844 on Chambers street, the pastor of
which for many years was Rev. J. B. Cook.
After Mr. Cook's death worship in this church
was abandoned and subsequently the building
was turned into a dwelling house.
The Welsh Calvinistic Church was erected
in 1845 on Little Ash street. This congrega-
tion disbanded many years ago, and the church
subsequently burned.
Welsh Baptist Church
The Welsh Baptist Church was built in 1870
on Spruce street. The first pastor was Rev.
John S. Jones. The congregation was small
and finally disbanded.
The church is still standing, and for a num-
ber of years was used each Sabbath by the
Danville Bible Class.
.Ifricaii Methodist Episcopal Cliiirch
The first house of worship of the colored
folks of Danville was located on Yorks' Hill.
.•\t present they occupy the brick church on
A\'alnut street built by the Immanuel Baptist
congregation. The congregation is quite
small.
B'nai Zion Synagogue
The Jewish people of Danville built a frame
schoolhouse in 1853 and in November, 1854,
obtained a charter for their congregation, un-
der the name of B'nai Zion. The charter
members were: A. Levi, Jacob Loeb, Lewis
Lang, Moyer Lyon, Jacob Weil, Solomon
Maier, Jacob Maier, Jacob Levi, Sandel Drei-
fuss, Feis Blum, Simon Ellenbogen.
The congregation worshipped in the school-
house until the new synagogue was built in
1 87 1. This new building was dedicated with
appropriate ceremonies. Rabbi Jastrow, of
Philadelphia, conducting the dedicatory serv-
ices. The procession was formed at the house
of the president of the congregation, and pro-
ceeded in order, bearing the appropriate sym-
bols of the Jewish religion, according to the
instructions given to the children of Israel. At
the portico of the synagogue Miss Bertha Eger
presented the keys to the president with a neat
and pertinent address, to which the president
made an apt reply ; when he unlocked the door
the procession, followed by the crowd, en-
tered the audience chamber and witnessed
the ceremonies of the dedication. Rabbi Jas-
trow preached an eloquent sermon, highly
appropriate to the occasion. Rev. Mr. Nus-
baum, the teacher in charge, closed with a
brief address and ended the interesting cere-
monies of the day.
The first rabbi or teacher in charge of the
congregation was Rev. Mr. Friendlich. The
next was Rev. Emanuel Obenheim. He was
a man of extensive learning, not only in the
German and Hebrew, but also in English. He
was a good speaker and a writer of ability,
and frequently contributed to the current lit-
erature of the day. He was followed by Rev.
Mr. Hommer. Rev. Mr. Heilbrenner w'as the
next and he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Bran-
356
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
dise. After these came Rev. Simon Gerstman,
who was also a fine scholar, well versed in the
English language, and who wrote on various
subjects. After him came Rev. Mr. Nusbaum,
and he was followed by Rev. Mr. Newmark.
Then followed Rev. Aaron Posman and Rev.
Adolph Mayer. They were succeeded by Rev.
F. W. Jesselson and Lewis Schreiber, who at
present ministers to the congregation. The
present officers are: President and treasurer,
Simon Dreifuss; secretary, Samuel Bloch ;
trustees, R. L. Marks, Harry EUenbogen and
Joseph Heim.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, on the
corner of Center and Ferry streets, had its
beginning as a mission established by Rev. J.
P. Hannigan, in 1847, when the frame church
on Center street, near the Philadelphia and
Reading railroad, was built. In the years
since the building of the new church this has
been used as a hall for church and church
society meetings.
In 1857 the parish purchased the lot which
is the site of the present church from Joseph
Diehl. The erection of the building com-
menced in 1866 and the structure was finished
three years later. It is of brick, 61 by 117
feet, and surmounted by a spire 105 feet high,
capped by a cross. In 1880 the bell was placed
in position, and has always been faithfully
used in summoning the congregation to the
various services.
This edifice long has housed a large congre-
gation, comprising, as far back as twenty-five
years ago, 2,200 communicants, together with
a large Sunday school.
A number of years after the erection of the
church the rectory was built adjoining, on
Ferry street, and later the property adjoining
on the corner of Ferry and Bloom streets was
purchased for a convent and school and has
been occupied as such ever since.
Among the rectors who have officiated as
the head of St. Joseph's Church may be men-
tioned Revs. J. P. Hannigan. Joseph O'Keefe,
Hugh P. Kenney, Michael Sheridan, Edward
Murray, Arthur !\IcGinnis (who died while
in service here), Thomas ]McGovern (after-
wards Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg)
and Rev. M. J. O'Reilly (who died in 1908).
The present rector is Rev. Arthur J. McCann.
St. Hubert's German Catholic Church
Just before the breaking out of the Civil
war, in the fall of 1859, the number of Ger-
man Catholics in Danville and vicinity had
increased to such an extent as to warrant the
formation of a parish. Prior to this time the
German Catholics worshipped or attended
Holy Mass in old St. Joseph's Catholic Church
on Center street, near the railroad. In Sep-
tember, 1859, Anton Goeser, the father of
John H. Goeser, who was commonly called
the father of St. Hubert's congregation, along
with a number of other German Catholics,
after a meeting held in old St. Joseph's Church
applied to Rt. Rev. Bishop James F. Wood,
of Philadelphia, for permission to build a new
church, called St. Hubert's German Catholic
Church. This permission was granted and
Rev. John B. Bach, pastor of the German
Catholic Church at Williamsport, who at-
tended to the wants of the German Catholics
at Danville once a month, encouraged the
young congregation and was the first to sub-
scribe ten dollars towards the new church.
The stanch charter male members of the
new congregation were : Anton Goeser, Jacob
Dietrich, John Winter, Sr., Peter Dietrich,
John B. Kinn, Jacob Schuster, Joseph Oesch-
ger, John Horst, William Muller, Gottlieb
Kaufman, John Dietz, Henry Sporer, Charles
Frank, John Amer Foin, Martin Eckert,
George Kinn, Andrew Buser, Lewis Kin-
zinger, Jacob Klein, Peter Klein, John Klein,
George Klein, John B. Lamine, Joseph Dus-
man, Andrew Schroth, Casper Effinger, Joseph
Becker, Matthias Lennartz, Diebold Dietrich,
George Sporer, Peter Mintzer, John Woll,
John L^delhofen, Diebold Westerich, Peter
Kinn, Peter Krotz, Nicholas Weber, John
Gerstner, Frank Lechner, Joseph Heiter,
.\dam Heiter, Peter Zeigler, Adam Gehringer,
John Frederick, Matthias Singler, Sylvester
Vogt, Nicholas Hofer, Peter Gross, Peter
Schneider, Nicholas Gerlach, John Wingen-
bach, Ludwig Figles, Ignatius Kiemer, Theo-
dore Espelding, Lawrence Hawk, Peter Koch,
Wendelin Beyers, George RodenhofTer, Sr.,
Anton Weitzel, John Banks, Anton Deininger,
Frank Nied, and others.
The lot on which the church was built was
purchased from Edward Baldy, Esq., for
$625. Work on the foundation of the struc-
ture began in the spring of i860. Many mem-
bers of the parish assisted in digging the cel-
lar. After the foundation walls were fin-
ished, work on the building was stopped on
account of the war and lack of means. In
the spring of 1863 the brick work was begun
on the new church. The builders were Nicho-
las Hofer and Benjamin Vastine. The corner-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
357
stone was laid on or about Oct. i8, 1863, by
Rev. J. Marshall, who at that time was pastor
at Williamsport. When the brick walls were
about completed and ready for the timbers a
heavy wind storm blew them down, and the
whole had to be rebuilt.
The new church was dedicated June 26,
1864, under the pastorate of Father Koch.
John H. Goeser was organist and the servers
at Holy Mass were J. C. Foin and Peter Buser.
The service of Rev. Father Bach, of Williams-
port, ended in 1861. He was succeeded by
Rev. John B. Frisch, of Ashland, who occa-
sionally officiated during the year 1861. In
1862 Rev. M. Muhlberger, pastor at Milton,
took charge of the Danville mission, as St.
Hubert's was then called, and regularly at-
tended the same until May, 1863. In Decem-
ber, 1863, Rev. Joseph J. Koch became pastor
at Milton and also of St. Hubert's at Danville.
The building committee in charge of the new
building consisted of Anton Goeser, William
A. Muller, Jacob Dietrich, Jacob Schuster.
The church continued under the charge of
the pastor at Milton until 1869. In that year
Rev. J. B. Frisch was appointed resident pas-
tor of St. Hubert's. After a few months, on
account of age and illness. Rev. Father Frisch
resigned, and in June, 1869, Rev. F. X.
Schmidt took charge. Father Schmidt was
much beloved by the congregation and did
good work among his people. In the fall of
1 1872 he was succeeded by Rev. Clement
'' Schlueter. During the pastorate of Father
Schlueter the Sisters of Oiristian Charity took
charge of the schools. The venerable Sister
Catherine was Superioress and held that po-
sition for twenty-five years. In the fall of
1878 Rev. F. X. Schmidt returned to St. Hu-
bert's and ministered to the congregation until
he was transferred to St. Joseph's Church,
Lancaster, in September, 1888. Rev. Charles
Koch then took charge of St. Hubert's, and
under his ministry the rectory on Bloom street,
opposite the church, was purchased. In
March, 1895, Rev. James Huber became pas-
tor and for eight years ministered to the con-
gregation. In his pastorate the convent or
Sisters' house was enlarged, the silver toned
bell placed in the tower, and other extensive
improvements made. On October i, 1903,
the present rector. Rev. J. C. Foin, became the
priest, and under his pastorate the parochial
school building was erected, and dedicated
Feb. 14, 1906. The new parochial school is a
thoroughly modern, fine brick structure of two
stories, built in the rear of the church. Its
dimensions are 45 by 60 feet. The first floor
contains two schoolrooms and a stairway lead-
ing to the second story, where there is one
large schoolroom. The total cost of these im-
])rovements was $8,250, of which John H.
Goeser contributed $5,350. The other mem-
bers of St. Hubert's Church were also very
generous in contributing' toward these im-
provements.
Mahoning Methodist Chapel
The Mahoning Methodist Chapel, known as
the "White"' Church, on the Bloomsburg road
two miles east of Danville, was long used by
that denomination particularly for revival
services. It was built in 1848 and for a time
was part of the Buckhorn charge. In late
years it was a mission attached to Trinity
Methodist Church of Danville. In 1912 it be-
came so dilapidated as to be beyond repair ;
it was therefore torn down and the land sold
Ijy the church organization.
East End Mission
The latest religious organization in Dan-
ville is the East End Mission, situated at the
upper end of East Market street in a region
where there are no churches.
This mission was established in February,
1902, by the Mahoning Presbyterian Church,
in pursuance of the following resolution unan-
imously adopted by the session of that church,
Jan. 7, 1902 :
"The Session authorizes the establishment
of a mission school under its auspices, in the
east end of town, and appoints H. M. Hinck-
ley superintendent of that work, and author-
izes him to organize said mission."
The purpose of this mission was to carry
the gospel out into those portions of the town
not reached by any church organization, and
to teach men, women and children the Word
of God, and inspire a love for that Word and
its study. It was especially intended to reach
that class of men who are strangers to the
church and to gospel influences ; in short, to
do good to that large outlying class who never
come within the reach of the gospel, those in
the highways and hedges whom the Master
said should be compelled to come in.
The work commenced on the third floor of
the Ammerman three-story brick building on
East Market street. The success of the move-
ment justified the purchase of a lot adjoining
the brick building on the west and the erection
358
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of a chapel. This building was dedicated in
June, 1908. A tablet placed on the front of
the building gives the purpose and object of
the work. It reads as follows :
"East End Mission chapel. A chapel dedi-
cated to the work of helping men, women and
children to a better and a purer life and where
a free seat and a cordial welcome await all ;
the most humble and the most sinful, and
where the teaching shall always be Jesus Christ
the crucified."
On July 5, 1907, the session of the Mahon-
ing Presbyterian Church adopted the follow-
ing resolution :
"Resolved, that the Resolution passed Janu-
ary 7th, 1902, by the Session of the Mahoning
Presbyterian congregation, Danville, Pennsyl-
vania, authorizing the establishment of what
is known as the East End Mission be rescinded
and that from now on the said congregation
be no longer responsible in any way for the
work and support of the said East End
Mission."
The work of the mission, from its organiza-
tion, was self sustaining, and no part of its
cost was ever paid by the Mahoning Church.
From July 5, 1907, the work has been carried
on independent of any church organization and
has been nobly helped by people of all denom-
inations. The interest in the work has in-
creased each year and many have been helped
to a higher and better life.
In the year 191 1, when it became necessary
to enlarge the building, the walls were torn
out and new classrooms added, furnishing
comfortable quarters to a large and growing
primary school as well as to intermediate
classes.
The property has cost some $3.cxx). a large
portion of which has been contributed by the
citizens of the town who have realized the
good work that is being done to a class of
people heretofore neglected.
Services are held every Sunday afternoon
at 2 :oo o'clock and on Tuesday evening at
7:45-
HOTELS
The earliest and most famous of the old
taverns of Danville was the Rising Sun, a red
frame house at the foot of Mill street, with a
large walnut tree before the door.
The Ferry Tavern was first occupied by
George Barnhart.
The Jackson Tavern, on Mill street near
Mahoning, was conducted by \\ illiam Clark,
a Revolutionary soldier. His sign bore the
likeness of General Jackson, at that time a
hero of the public.
The Cross Keys Tavern stood on the river
bank on the site of the present Bryan resi-
dence. It was first occupied by Airs. Jemima
Donaldson, and in the days before 1832 was
the principal inn of the town. Other pro-
prietors of the old tavern were William Colt,
John Moore, E. N. Doan, C. D. Wharton and
Elias Howell.
Another prominent resort in those early
days of Danville's history was the Franklin
Court, an old-time cafe, which was the scene
of many interesting events. It stood on the
spot now occupied by M. H. Schram's hard-
ware store.
Hcddcns House
The Heddens House, near the courthouse,
was built by Philip Goodman in 181 8. He had
previously kept the old Pennsylvania House.
His card in the town paper was inserted as
follows :
PHILIP GOODMAN
1
informs his friends and the public that he has com-
menced keeping tavern in his new brick house, sign
of the
Golden Globe,
Mill Street, in the town of Danville, two doors
South of the Court house, where by his attention and
superior accommodation as to house room and
stabHng, he hopes to merit a share of the public
patronage.
Danville, July 9th, 1818.
The house was occupied by Mr. Goodman
for several years, but the building of the house,
together with a line of stages operated by him
to Pottsville, swamped him financially. He
moved to Owego. N. Y., where he afterwards
died.
In 1836 William Henrie purchased the
hotel. He made a number of improvements
and changed the name to Union Hall Hotel,
the name being suggested by his son, Arthur,
a brave young soldier who died soon after the
war. Mr. Henrie successfully conducted the
hotel for thirty-five years. It enjoyed great
popularity under his administration.
Joshua W. Comly boarded at this hotel for
some thirty-seven years. In 1886 the hotel
was purchased by J. C. Heddetis and the name
changed to the Heddens House. Mr. Heddens
is still the proprietor of this hotel and enjoys
a large share of the public patronage. The
hotel is noted for its good meals.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
359
River-viezv Hotel
Danville House
This hotel has been known by various names.
It is a hirge frame structure on the corner of
Mill and Front streets, near the river bridge
and convenient to the courthouse. John
Gulick first opened it as a hotel, under the
name of the Farmers' Hotel, in 1812, having
bought the property from Daniel Montgomery.
Philip Goodman conducted this hotel for some
time prior to 1818. In 1829 John Gulick sold
it to John Rhodes, who repaired it and changed
the name to Pennsylvania House.
John Rhodes died in 1852. \'arious parties
kept the house prior to i860; among them was
George W. Freeze. In 1866 it was kept by
Charles Savage; in 1868 by Mr. Lindner; and
in 1870 by Joseph M. Gerringer. In March,
1872, James V. Gillaspy took charge of the
house and conducted it with marked success
until a few years ago. In March, 1880, the
name was changed to the Revere House. Mr.
Gillaspy was a good landlord and his hotel
was well patronized, especially by those com-
ing from the country in attendance upon court.
.-\ few years ago the hotel came into the hands
of Sharpless M. Dietz, who enlarged and re-
paired it and is the present proprietor.
In the days of the stagecoach and the toll
bridge its location was an admirable one to
catch the traveler's eye.
Its present name is the River-view Hotel.
Montour House
In i860 the site of the Montour House was
an orchard. At the corner was a small, two-
story house, which marked the location of the
first store in Danville, which was conducted by
Daniel Montgomer)'. In 1834 it was opened
as a hotel by Samuel Brady. In 1846 G. M.
Shoop leased the property, put a third story
on it and changed the name from Brady
House to Montour House. Subsequently it
was occupied by W. G. Gaskins, Cornelius
Garretson, Smith, Kramer, Kirk and Jones.
About 1859 James L. Riehl bought it and
conducted it personally until his death in 1902,
after which it was operated by his nephew,
Samuel B. Cressman, and at his death by his
widow.
In 1904 E. T. Linnard bought the hotel, and
conducted it for several years. The next
owner was E. N. Smith, of Chicago, and in
1910 it was purchased by O. P. Rockefeller, of
Sunbury, the present proprietor. It has always
been the principal hotel of Danville.
This hotel was situated at the corner of
Market and Ferry streets on the present site
of the Thomas Beaver Free Library. It was a
large brick building and was first the home of
John Deen, Jr., who opened a hotel there in
1848 and occupied it until 1861. Mr. Deen was
quite a popular host and built up an extensive
patronage. He was succeeded by George W.
I-"reeze. In 1863 Charles M. Savage became
proprietor and in 1866 Wolf & Wilhelm.
These were in turn followed by John Whit-
man, Heim & Snyder, Wilhelm Brothers,
Charles Wilhelm, Lewis Sticker, George F.
Snyder and Charles Funston.
In 1887 the property was purchased by
Thomas lieaver and the building was taken
down to make way for the Thomas Beaver
Free Library.
Farmers' and Drovers' Hotel
This hotel was started in 1855 by John Hare
on the corner of Mill and Hemlock streets. It
is a three-story stone building, with a brick
front. John Ludwig conducted it until 1867
and then William M. Williams purchased it
and changed the name to the White Horse
Hotel. In 1 88 1 William C. Williams took
charge for his father and conducted the hotel
until 1891. During this time the father died
and in the division of the property Airs. Eliza-
beth Titel, a daughter, inherited the hotel as
her share. It is now used as a private dwelling.
Hotel Peifer
This hotel is on the corner of Mill and
Spruce streets. It was formerly the Dough-
erty House, and then for a number of years
was kept by James O. Frazier. It is now
conducted by Clarence Peifer.
City Hotel
Prior to the year 1823 there stood on the
site of the present City Hotel a small log
house, in the kitchen portion of which the post-
office of that day was kept. In that year
Joseph Comelison, a blacksmith, tore down
"the old hut and put up a two-story frame
house, which he occupied as a dwelling until
1839. That year he made some necessary
alterations and then opened to the public the
White Swan Hotel. Some will remember the
old sign in front of the hotel with a picture of
a white swan upon it.
360
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mr. Cornelison kept this hotel until his death
in 1852, when his son, Jacob, succeeded him
and was the proprietor until his death in 1865.
It was afterwards kept by William Smith and
others until 1870, when Adam Gerringer pur-
chased it. In 1872 Mr. Gerringer moved the
White Swan building to the rear and erected
the present brick hotel, calling it the City
Hotel.
This hotel was next conducted by John K.
Gerringer, a son, who in 1895 sold it to Robert
Moyer. Other proprietors of this hotel have
been Swope, Mengel, Theodore Moyer and
Oliver Drumheller, of Sunbury, who pur-
chased it and changed the name to Hotel
Oliver, and for a number of years conducted
a first-class hotel.
It was carried on for a short time by Irvin
A. Snyder, who was succeeded by Frank G.
Peters. He was proprietor for several years
and was in turn succeeded by Grant Fenster-
macher, the present proprietor.
Baldy House
This house was built in 1870 by Peter Baldy,
Sr., on Mill street, between Market and Ma-
honing. It was at first a brick dwelling house,
but was afterwards converted into a hotel and
opened by William C. Williams in April, 1891,
with Lewis C. Thornton as clerk. The man-
agement has continued the same to the present
time, and the hotel is comfortable and con-
venient and as well kept as any in the town.
Union Hotel
The Union Hotel was built by William
Buckley on Mill street near Mulberry. It was
afterwards purchased by Lewis Titel, who
conducted it for many years and who died
while proprietor of the hotel. It is at present
conducted by John Tooey.
PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTIONS
State Hospital for the Insane
The tract upon which the State Hospital
for the Insane at Danville is built was orig-
inally the property of Gen. Daniel Montgom-
ery, who by his will devised it to his son,
Daniel S. Daniel S. Montgomery devised
the same to Margaret S., his daughter, who
married W. W. Pinneo. The property was
conveyed by deed from W. W. Pinneo, execu-
tor of Margaret S. Pinneo, to the State. It is
situated about one mile northeast of the
borough of Danville, in Mahoning township.
On April 13, 1868, the Legislature passed
an act for the establishment of this institu-
tion and appointed a locating commission
composed of Dr. J. A. Reed, superintendent
of the Dixmont Hospital for the Insane; Dr.
Traill Green, of Easton; and Dr. John Cur-
wen, superintendent of the State Hospital for
the Insane at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
After visiting twenty-one counties in the
district for which the hospital was intended,
and viewing a number of proposed locations,
it was decided to purchase this tract of 250
acres from the Pinneo estate. The price paid
was $26,600, the citizens of Danville contribut-
ing $16,000 of that amount. In May, 1868,
Dr. S. S. Schultz, of Harrisburg, was ap-
pointed superintendent and gave his best ef-
forts to the erection of this building and after-
wards to its opening and operation. Dr.
Schultz superintended the construction of the
main building, the cornerstone of which was
laid Aug. 29, 1869, by Governor Geary, the
address being made by Dr. Isaac Ray, of Phila-
delphia. It was opened for the reception of
patients in October, 1872, and the first patient
was admitted Nov. 6th of that year. There
were four wards on each side, with accommo-
dations for 120 patients each. The work of
construction proceeded steadily thereafter,
wings being built on either side, and the whole
structure being completed as originally
planned, Aug. 7, 1879. The estimated capac-
ity then was 350 of each sex. The center
building is 202 feet deep, the building prof)er
1,143 fsst in length, the height ranging from
three to five stories. The wings contain about
350 rooms each.
On March 5, 1881, a fire broke out in the
first section, adjoining the center building,
originating on the second floor in a dust flue,
in a room used for storing fire hose and the
standpipe connected with the general water
supplies, and open from cellar to roof. The
section was unused at the time, the patients
having been moved to the new wing, and
painters were making repairs. Before ade-
quate connections could be made with hose and
neighboring standpipes, the cornice and roof
and timbers became involved and the fire for
a time was inaccessible. The fire extended
both ways, destroying all the female quarters
and the administration building, as well as
one quarter of the male wards, leaving two
sections only. There were 220 male patients
at that time in the hospital and the inmates
were removed without casualty, though in the
confusion nine of the men escaped the care
i,M^:^
#>
i }
Froxt Law x
State Hospital i-ok tiii: Ixsam;, 1 ) ax\ii.i.i:. Pa.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
361
of their keepers ; some returned in a few days
and others made their way to their homes.
There were 172 female inmates. They were
temporarily taken care of in the outbuildings
until they were removed to the Harrisburg
and Warren hospitals. The sum of $209,-
1 16.01 was realized from the insurance and at
once the work of rebuilding was commenced,
important improvements and changes being
introduced. Iron beams and brick arches
were used for walls constructed between sec-
tions, and the floor of each section was fire-
proof. Large bay windows were added to all
the rebuilt wards.
The entire center building was remodeled
on a fireproof basis, somewhat less in depth
than the old building, a one-story kitchen
placed in the rear of it, beyond which is con-
nected a two-story building containing store
rooms and a sewing room. The first-floor
section of the main hall of the wings occupied
by patients was made fireproof, as was the
ceiling of the top story. The entire center
building was rebuilt from the foundation and
greatly improved throughout, and was ready
for occupancy early in 1884. These structural
alterations were not expensive, but added
greatly to the good purposes of the building
itself. The chapel is large and beautiful and
seats 600; it is also used as a lecture room
and is furnished with a piano and organ.
The building contains every department
necessary to an institution where so many
unfortunates find a home, offices, bathrooms,
dining-rooms, kitchens, storerooms and many
others.
Four new buildings have been added from
time to time, as legislative appropriations
could be secured ; an Acute building, contain-
ing a reception ward, connected with which
is a complete hydrotherapeutic department for
the treatment of disturbed or acute cases ; a
donnitory for the treatment of epileptics ; and
an Infirmary building to care for the sick,
bedridden or more or less helpless cases ; these
buildings being for both sexes and about
doubling the original capacity of the institu-
tion. In connection with the female infirmary
an up-to-date operating room, with necessary
adjuncts, has been installed.
The lavatory system of the main building
has been entirely renovated by the addition of
four buildings, placed outside, but connected
with the wards, thus giving a complete sani-
tary system and increasing the capacity of
this section 164 beds, at an actual cost of
about $12,000 to the State. Other buildings
necessary to the conduct of the institution,
and gradually added, are : A home for
women nurses, a building containing four
separate apartments for married heads of de-
partments, and a building used as living
rooms, containing forty-two beds, for the
care of regularly employed male employees.
The laundry has been extended from time
to time and equipped with the most modern
machinery.
A new power house, fully equipped with
boilers and necessary adjuncts for heating
and power, has been installed, changing the
former gravity system of heating to a low
pressure vacuum system, and in connection
with this building an electric light plant, sub-
stituting electricity for gas lighting, pre-
viously installed.
A mechanical filter plant for the filtration
of the drinking water, and a sewage disposal
plant for purification of sewage, have also
been added.
Without detracting an iota from the high
character and eminent fitness of those in
charge of this noble institution; those whose
devotion and labor of love can never be re-
warded by any financial remuneration ; it is
only fitting to say that, which everyone who
knew the hospital and its development in its
earlier days will readily assent to, this great
and beneficent institution, with all its mighty
influences for good, and all its agencies for
the alleviation of mental sufi^ering and its
ministration to the "mind diseased," is a fit-
ting monument and a lasting tribute to the
ability, high Christian character, faithful de-
votion to duty, economy and self abnegation
of Dr. S. S. Schultz, its first superintendent.
Never was there a fitter selection or one more
splendidly adapted to the delicate and difficult
work required than that of Dr. Schultz. He
was an eminent physician, and an earnest
Christian man who carried his Christianity
into all the daily duties of life, as they re-
lated either to himself or to his State. He
was particular and precise in all the details of
building, and the administration of his tnist
in every respect. He was honest and consci-
entious to a penny in the use of the State's
funds : and no grafter ever dared asked him,
"What's in it for me ?"'
Warm-hearted and sympathetic, while he
felt the pulse of a patient he also read the
suffering and the intense longing and the con-
stantly changing desires of a clouded brain ;
and with the drugs he prescribed he also, with
gentle hand and fitly chosen words and equally
refined manner, touched a spot that all the
apothecary's art could never reach.
362
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The Master sat patiently at Jacob's well
and broke the bread of life to a poor and sin-
ful female. How like his blaster it was for
him, when taking his daily rounds among his
unfortunate patients and meeting a poor, de-
mented woman, whose delusion was that her
food was poisoned, to sit gently down beside
her and win her to confidence by himself eat-
ing from her humble bowl. Dr. Schultz com-
manded the respect and reverence of all w^ho
labored under him, the trust and love of all
his patients, and the unbounded confidence
of the entire community in which he moved.
The elements were
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up.
And say to all the world, this was a man !
After Dr. Schultz's death his first assistant.
Dr. Hugh B. Meredith, succeeded him as
superintendent, and has held that responsible
position ever since. An account of Dr. Mere-
dith and his professional work will be found
in his biographical sketch.
The present hospital staff is as follows :
Superintendent and physician, FI. B. Mere-
dith, M. D. ; assistant physicians. James E.
Robbins. AI. D.. William H. Krickbaum,
M. D., E. S. Shellenberger, M. D., Tames S.
Hammers, M. D., Frank D. Glenn" M. D.,
L. R. Chamberlain, M. D., G. B. M. Free,
M. D. ; woman physician, Ida Ashenhurst,
M. D. ; surgeons, Reed Bums, AI. D.. Gran-
ville T. Matlack, M. D. ; dentist. I. H. Jen-
nings, D. D. S. ; ophthalmologist. J. J. Brown,
M. D. ; superintendent of nurses. Henrietta
Y. McCormick ; steward, Howard B. Schultz ;
clerk, William H. Orth ; druggist, Harvey
Frank ; housekeeper, Mrs. Kate D. Rhoades ;
supervisors. Thomas Swank, Mrs. J. B. Jor-
dan; musician. Edith Benford.
Trustees : William Field Shay, president ;
William F. Lowry, secretary ; I. X. Grier,
Esq. ; Robert J. Pegg; Olin F. Harvey, M. D. ;
Herbert T. Hecht; Edward Brennan ; Samuel
D. Townsend ; Theodore Reitmeyer.
Thomas Beaver Free Library
This institution, which has contributed so
much to the happiness and to the intellectual
advancement of the whole community, had its
inception in an efifort to build an addition to
the Mahoning Presbyterian Church which
w^ould give increased facilities to young men
for mental development. In the spring of
1886 the pastor of the Alahoning Church.
Rev. Robert L. Stewart, together with some
of his workers, felt that it would be a source
of great benefit to the work among young
men if rooms could be provided in the church
building, where young men could gather in
the evening and be supplied with reading mat-
ter that would be elevating and helpful in the
formation of Christian character. There was
no Young AIen"s Christian Association at that
time in Danville, and indeed no other place
under Christian influence where young men
could gather.
Mr. Thomas Beaver, who had so much at
heart the interests of the young men of the
town, was appealed to for help in carrying out
this project. Mr. Beaver at once took a deep
interest in the matter and looked the ground
over at the church, with a view to the erection
of such an addition to the building as would
accomplish the object sought after. Before,
however, any definite plan of building had
been formed, or the movement put on a prac-
tical basis. Air. Beaver had carried the plan to
a much larger and broader scope than any-
one else had dared dream of. A few days
after the meeting on the church grounds Air.
Beaver came to one of the parties interested
and handed him the following paper :
"Reading rooms and Library .Association.
"Trustees of AI. E. P." (Alahoning English
Presbyterian) "Church to nominate ])resident.
Official Board of St. Paul's vice president,
Shindel, Lutheran, secretary.
"Board of Directors to be nominated by St.
Peter's Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Grove,
Trinity. German Lutheran. German Reformed,
Evangelical, Welsh, on a tie the president to
have the casting vote. Officers to lie ex-officio
members of the Board.
"No books to be taken from the Library.
"Each of the above named directors to have
the right to name which of their church papers
and reviews shall be taken. Politics must, as
far as possible, be excluded, yet one or more
of the organs of the various political parties
shall be taken. Among the monthlies. I would
suggest the North American Review, Popular
Science Alonthly, Atlantic, the Century and
Lippincott's. .'American Edition of the Edin-
burgh, Westminster and Blackwood's ; one
copy of the London Weekly Times. I would
exclude all the denominational reviews. I will
(provided the foregoing formula can be satis-
factorily arranged so as to secure harmonious
and united action") donate the Chamberlin
house for the purpose and $2,000 to form the
nucleus for the Librarv and an endowment of
S20.000. ($20,000. Catawissa Preferred —
$i-3,S0.1
"An entrance fee of 2^ or ^o cents a family
Old Academy Building, Danville, Pa., in 1880
Thomas Beaver Free Lip.karv and Y. M. C. A. Bl:ilding, Danville, Pa.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
363
per annum should Ije charged to provide for
gas and fuel."
The Chaniberlin house mentioned in the
above paper was the large stone mansion built
by William H. Chamberlin, Mr. Beaver's son-
in-law, on Bloom street, now owned and oc-
cupied by Edward S Gearhart, Esq.
While the projectors of this movement were
recovering from their surprise at the sudden
enlargement and development of their plan,
some objection was made in the neighborhood
of the Chamlicrlin house to its use for such a
public purpose : and Mr. Beaver, learning of
this objection, at once changed his plans and
authorized Rev. R. L. Stewart to secure an-
other location.
Dr. James Oglesby had at that time an op-
tion for the purchase of the corner then oc-
cupied by the "Danville Hotel." corner of
Market and Ferry streets. Mr. Stewart at
once secured from Dr. Oglesby this option and
immediately Mr. Beaver closed the negotia-
tions and purchased the property. Mr. C. S.
Wetzel was employed as architect and a brick
building of moderate proportions was planned.
The thought was to provide quarters for the
young men on the third floor. There were
many objections to this plan, among the most
potent the fact that few young men, not spe-
cially interested, could be induced to climb to
the third floor to avail themselves of the
limited advantages that such quarters would
afiford them. Matters thus stood uncertain at
the laying of the cornerstone of the building,
July 5, 1886.
General (afterwards Governor") Beaver, a
nephew of Mr. Thomas Beaver, was present
at the laying of the cornerstone. He was very
prominently connected with the Young Men's
Christian .Association movement in the State,
and very closely identified with the movement
for the uplifting and betterment of the young
men of Pennsylvania. He at once saw the mis-
take of attempting to help young men on the
third floor. He presented the objection to his
uncle and secured an interview between Mr.
Beaver and Rev. S. A. Taggart, who was the
State secretary of the Young Men's Christian
Association at that time, the result of this in-
terview being a plan to join to the library
buikhng a separate building for the Young
Men's Christian Association.
In accordance with this arrangement the
character of the structure was changed and a
building of cut stone substituted for the brick
building at first contemplated. Aluch credit
is due to the architect, Mr. C. S. Wetzel, at
whose suggestion many important changes
were made in the original plan, each change
increasing the efficiency of the building and
adding to the beauty and charm of its archi-
tecture. Rev. S. A. Taggart, the State secre-
tary of the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion, did much to enlarge and complete the
plans for the Y. M. C. A. annex. The build-
ing was dedicated and handed over to the
trustees Aug. 29, 1888. The program of the
dedicatory services was as follows :
OPENING CEREMONIES
of the
THOMAS BEAVER FREE LIBRARY
at
DANVILLE, PA.,
on
^\'ednesday, August 29, 1888,
in the
OPERA HOUSE
at
DANVILLE, PA.
CITIZENS' DEMONSTRATION!
A PUBLIC PAR.\DE WILL CE HELD AT lO o'CLOCK.
Order of March.
Company F, 12th Regt. N. G. P.
Goodrich Post, No. 22, G. A. R.
Friendship Fire Company, No. i.
Washington Fire Company, No. 2.
Continental Fire Company, No. 3.
Good Will Fire Company, No. 4.
Business Men and Citizens.
Distinguished Visitors.
Route of Parade.
The line will form on Mill and Market streets, pro-
ceed to the Beaver Mansion and escort Mr. Beaver
and guests over line of march to Opera House.
FIRE WORKS ON RIVER
Opposite Pine Street, at 8 o'clock P. M.
EXERCISES IN OPERA HOUSE
WILL BEGIN AT II A. M.
Music Strickland's Orchestra
Prayer Rev. T. L. Edzvards, of Kingston, Pa.
Transfer of Library to Trustees
Rev. John DeWitt, D. D., of Cincinnati, Ohio
Response on Behalf of Trltstees
Judge H. M. Hinckley
Music Strickland's Orchestra
BENEniCTiON Rev. Robert L. Stewart
President of the Day. Dr. S. S. Schultz.
On Thursday evening a Mass Meeting will be held
in the Opera House, in the interest of the Y. M. C. A.,
at 8 o'clock.
COMMITTEES.
General Citiaens' Committee.
T. O. Van Alen. President.
Chas. Chalfant, Secretary.
364
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Committee of Arrangements.
Messrs. G. M. Shoop, David Clark, S. A. Yorks, Jas.
Cruikshank, Geo. B. Brown, Dr. S. S. Schultz.
Finance Committee.
Messrs. John E. Hill, H. L. Gross, W. Kase West.
Committee on Resolutions.
Messrs. Clias. Chalfant, Jas. Scarlet, H. M. Hinckley,
W. M. Gearhart, A. J. Frick.
Committee on Notification.
Messrs. S. A. Yorks, J. E. Hill, W. K. West.
Committee on Music.
Messrs. W. C. Johnston, M. L. P'isher.
Chief Marshal.
A. J. Frick.
» Aides.
Messrs. John Sweisfort, C. P. Hancock, Chas.
Chalfant, Wm. G. Kramer.
The trustees named by Mr. Beaver at the
time of the dedication of the hbrary were as
follows: H. M. Hinckley, President, Ma-
honing Presbyterian Church ; S. ,'\. Yorks,
Grove Presbyterian Church ; Wm. J. Baldy,
Christ Memorial Church, vice president ; Wil-
son M. Gearhart, Secretary, St. Paul's M. E.
Church; Henry Vincent, Trinity M. E.
Church ; Joseph Johnson, Evangelical Luth-
eran Church ; William E. Gosh, Trinity Luth-
eran Church ; Jonathan Sweisfort, Shiloh Re-
formed Church ; Lewis Rodenhoffer, St. Jo-
seph's R. C. Church ; W. F. McCormick,
Emanuel Evangelical Church ; John Purpur,
St. John's German Lutheran Church ; James
Bateman, Welsh Congregational Church ;
Samuel Goldsmith, B'nai Zion Synagogue ; F.
M. Herrington, First Baptist Church.
These buildings were erected at a cost of
between one and two hundred thousand dol-
lars. A. G. Voris was the builder. An en-
dowment was left for the support of the
library, but in the present time, through de-
preciation of securities, it is scarcely adequate
to carry on the work and provide for improve-
ments. The first year the library contained
six thotisand books.
The dimensions of the building are 48 by 78
feet. A strip of lawn separates it from the
annex. The library building rises three stories
from the pavement. The frontage of the
structtire recedes five feet from the building
line of the street, with the first floor level
rising four feet above the street level, and
presents a perspective of a massive base har-
monizing with the somewhat broken lines of
its elevation. The building is constructed of
light gray stone, which is trimmed with
granite. The Scotch granite columns used in
the e.xterior construction add much to the
architectural appearance of the structure.
Marble tiling and stone newels mark the sub-
stantial interior of the library, which is spa-
cious in distances and arranged in perfect con-
formity to the usage of such an institution.
To the rear of the Library is the annex
building, which was leased to the State Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association for the use of the local Asso-
ciation, for a long period at a nominal rent
per year. This addition occupies a frontage
on Ferry street of "o feet and is attached to
the library building by a covered passage way.
The exterior finish of the Y. M. C. A. build-
ing is the same as that of the adjoining library
building.
The first librarian was Miss Mollie Wetzel.
She was succeeded by her niece. Miss Mary
Wetzel, now the wife of J. R. M. Curry. Miss
Jennie Bird was elected librarian in 1909 and
still holds that responsible position. Her as-
sistant at the present writing is Miss Margaret
Lovett.
Thomas Beaver, the donor of this free
library, was a man of warm and generous im-
pulses. He was always studying some method
of doing good and took much pleasure in
spending his money freely for the public wel-
fare and the happiness of other people. Dan-
ville has been the recipient of much that is
substantial from his hand, but no more endur-
ing monument could be erected than the free
library that bears his name ; and through the
years to come many who never knew Thomas
Beaver, but who have been helped and in-
spired and refreshed at the fountain of knowl-
edge that he erected, will bless his memory
and testify to his wisdom and generosity.
Thomas Beaver was born Nov. 16, 1814. in
Perry county. Pa., son of Rev. Peter and
Elizabeth (Gilbert) Beaver. He came to Dan-
ville in 1857 and from that time for many
years was associated with the thrift and in-
dustry and development of Danville. Mr.
Beaver was married Jan. 23, 1838, to Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Robert B. and Cassan-
dra (Berryhill) Wilkins. Their children,
though not born in Danville, came here at an
early age and were identified with the people
of t)anville until they married. The family
consisted of: Emily, married to William H.
a
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COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
365
Chamberlin; Arthur, married to Miss Alice
Diehl, daughter of Joseph Diehl; Alice, mar-
ried to William H. Browne, a prominent attor-
ney of Philadelphia ; Laura, married to Rev.
John DeWitt, D. D., professor in Princeton
Theological Seminary ; and Elizabeth Stewart,
married to Lemuel E. Wells, of New York.
The only members of this family living at the
present writing are Mrs. Brown, residing in
Philadelphia; and Mrs. Lemuel E. Wells, now
residing in Danville.
Young Men's Christian Association
There had been an organization of the
Young Men's Christian Association long prior
to the building of the Library and the Y. M. C.
A. building. In 1872 an Association was or-
ganized in the Mahoning Presbyterian Church,
and the following officers were elected : Presi-
dent, Samuel G. Butler ; vice president, John
Sweisf ort ; secretary, John R. Rote ; librarian,
H. H. Yorgy. The first managers of that
Association were: James M. Coulter, William
McCormick, C. F. Lloyd, John Sweisfort, C.
P. Brad way.
After some years this Association was aban-
doned and at the time the new building was
erected there was no Association in existence.
The experience of most Young Men's Chris-
tian Associations is that an Association labors
for some years in building up an organization
until a building becomes a necessity. The ex-
perience of the Danville Association was just
the reverse. A building was erected and then
an Association had to be made to fit it. This
was more difficult than the ordinary experience.
However, an organization was effected soon
after the building was completed, and has been
maintained to the present time. It has had its
ups and downs, especially its downs. At times
the possibility of abandoning the work stared
the Association in the face.
At last, however, in 191 2, Mrs. A. A. Geis-
inger came to the rescue and at a total cost of
$32,000 so enlarged and improved the build-
ing that the Association was able to offer much
greater advantages to young men than ever be-
fore. The gymnasium was enlarged, a bowling
alley was added and a swimming pool was in-
stalled. The building was opened with ap-
propriate exercises July 27, 1913.
The present general secretary is James A.
Blyth. and the physical director Gustave
Lindner.
The general secretaries since the erection of
the building have been : F. H. Townsend, J.
T. Gillison, H. E. Dodge, George R. Waters,
Walter A. Edwards, W. D. Laumaster, George
B. Bernhard, Samuel Miller, H. A. Messier,
James A. Blyth.
George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital
Built upon a terrace at the foot of the range
of hills that bound Danville upon the north,
this handsome modern hospital occupies one
of the commanding viewpoints for which the
town is famous. From this elevation the en-
tire valley in which lies the industrial borough
of Danville may be viewed. On the right the
bold crest of "Baldtop" rears its majestic
form ; with the high summit of Montour ridge
stretching down the river; in front are to be
seen the turrets of the old but still beautiful
Grove mansion, and beyond in the distance is
the cluster of great buildings that form the
State Hospital for the Insane; while spread
out to view between are the homes and fac-
tories of the town for which this beneficent
building was constructed.
The inspiration for this magnificent hospital
came through the desire of Mrs. Abigail A.
Geisinger to perpetuate the memory of her de-
parted husband, George Francis Geisinger,
who was one of Danville's most substantial
and useful citizens. No more enduring and
utilitarian memorial could have been con-
ceived than an institution to relieve suffering
and extend the lives of those of the citizens
of Danville whose means are insufficient to
pay for the services of specialists, or who need
the prompt attention of skilled surgeons at the
moment when life hangs by only a thread.
It was during the early part of September,
1912, that Mrs. Geisinger purchased the tract
of five acres, part of the Magill estate, upon
which the hospital now stands ; and in October
following she bought nine more acres adjoin-
ing, in order to prevent encroaching residences
shutting oft' the charming view from the oc-
cupants of the building. The street upon
which the building fronts was graded and the
name of Pleasant avenue given it. This street
is parallel with the Bloomsburg road and in a
section that for many years has been unoccu-
pied by buildings. It is expected that a subdi-
vision of which the town may well feel proud
will soon be laid out surrounding the hospital.
Planning for the Future. — Before the
plans were drawn for the hospital Mrs.
Geisinger selected a committee, consist-
ing of Dr. J. M. Baldy, W. L. McClure
and Thomas J. Price, to cooperate with the
architect, John H. Brugler. in the preparation
of the plans. This committee visited Phila-
366
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
delphia and other cities, with the view of ob-
taining information as to the most modern
methods of construction and operation of hos-
pitals and sanitariums. The committee finally
selected a set of plans modeled in part after
the hospital at Huntingdon, in the county of
that name, a building which has long stood as
the finest example of a modern hospital.
These plans were, however, modified to suit
the conditions in Danville, and greatly im-
proved by radical changes which were neces-
sary in view of the rapid development of sani-
tation during the past few years.
The plans were approved on Jan. 23, 1913,
and on April 21st of that year the contract for
the construction of the hospital was awarded
to the Shamokin Lumber & Manufacturing
Company for the sum of $160,000. This com-
pany in turn awarded the contract for the
stone work to T. L. Evans' Sons, of Danville.
The plans, however, have so enlarged, and
such additions have been made to the original
design, that the whole at completion will have
cost more than $300,000.
Breaking the Ground. — The first event
of note in the erection of the buildings
which form the hospital was the break-
ing of ground on May i, 19 13. A large
number of persons assembled on the spot se-
lected, on that morning, and at exactly 9 130
Mrs. Geisinger stuck the spade into the ground
and lifted out a portion of earth — the first
operation of the many required to complete the
work of erection. So enthusiastic was the
benefactress of the structure that she not only
broke the ground but had lifted out three
spadefuls before she realized the action. Rev.
James Wollaston Kirk was present on this oc-
casion and offered prayers before and after
the ceremony of breaking grotmd, also reading
the 127th Psalm. Rev. Robert B. Jack also
offered prayer, and made an address.
Laving the Corner Stone. — The most
ceremonious event in the history of the
hospital was the laying of the corner-
stone, which occurred at high noon, Sept. i,
1913. It w&s strictly a Masonic event and
participated in by the Grand Lodge of the
State and many subordinate lodges from
near-by towns. Over three thousand persons
attended the ceremonies and the occasion was
made one of the historic events of Danville.
A procession was formed and marched to
the appointed spot in the morning. It was
led by R. W. Grand Marshal William G. Pur-
sel, of Danville Lodge, No. 224. Following
him came R. ^^^ Grand Master William L.
Gorgas, Deputy Grand Master Louis .\. V\a.-
tres. Senior Grand Warden William L. Sidler,
Junior Grand Warden Frederick A. God-
charles, Grand Treasurer F. W. Magill, Grand
Secretary ]\L Grier Youngnian, Grand Chap-
lain Rev. Edgar R. Heckman, Deputy Grand
Secretary Martin H. Schram, Grand Deacons
William J. Rogers and Joseph Divel, Grand
Stewards George E. Wilbur and Elias S. Mil-
ler. Grand Pursuivant George Maires, Grand
Tyler W. Charles Haney, Grand Sword
Bearer \\'illiam V. Oglesby. Next came the
following subordinate lodges in line according
to seniority : Benton, No. 667 ; Sunbury, No.
632; Mahoning (Danville), No. 516; Berwick,
No. 462 ; Orangeville, No. 460 ; Elysburg, No.
414; Northumberland, No. 404; Watsontown,
No. 401: Bloomsburg, No. 265; Milton. No.
256 ; Danville, No. 224 : Sunbury, No. 22.
The ceremonies of laying the cornerstone
were most impressive and were followed by
an earnest and most eloquent address by Rev.
Robert Bonner Jack, pastor of the First Pres-
byterian Church, Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
It is of interest to note that the regalia used
on the occasion by the Grand Lodge possessed
much historical interest, having been used at
the laying of the cornerstones of the State
Capitol at Harrisburg, the Masonic Temple at
Philadelphia, Christ's Memorial Church at
Danville, and the Thomas Beaver Free
Library at the same place. .Mthough worn
and faded, the regalia appeared in good con-
dition and to members of the fraternity ac-
quainted with its history brought up many
cherished recollections.
The articles placed within the cornerstone
were as follows: Photograph of George
Francis Geisinger, son of Commodore David
Geisinger, U. .S. N. Photograph of Abigail A.
Geisinger. daughter of Isaac and Abigail Cor-
nelison. Photograph of John H. Brugler. the
architect of the buildings. Photographs of
the Cornelison and Geisinger homes. Repre-
sentation of the completed hospital, according
to the plans of the architect. Personal records
of Mr. and Mrs. Geisinger, and a number of
newspapers and coins.
The Buildings. — The instructions given the
architect and committee by Mrs. Geisinger
were to make the hospital and subordinate
buildings as complete and artistic as modern
methods could design, and the result is an
ideal institution in construction, equipment and
furnishings. It may be trtithfully stated that
as completed no other structure or group of
hospital buildings, with a capacity of seventy-
five patients, can approach the George F. Gei-
singer Memorial Hospital in completeness of
A.ssi;.\ii;l.\(;e at thi-: Lavkw; uf tiii-: L'i irnkkstu-NK
Mrs. George b'. Giusingek Urlakinc, Gruuxd for the Hospital
i
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
367
detail or newness of fittings. Not the smallest
item was omitted to make it the superior of
any existing similar institution, either in Amer-
ica or Europe, and those who have had the op-
portunity of visiting the institutions of this
character in other parts of the world are
unanimous in approving the verdict of superi-
ority given this hospital.
The site is an ideal one, combining the ad-
vantages of elevation, light, air and ventilation.
Upon this ground are erected five buildings
of uniform design, built of gray limestone
from Cleveland, Ohio, and light-toned pressed
brick from Clarion county. Pa. These build-
ings consist of the main hospital structure,
combined boiler-house and laundry, a home
for the nurses, a garage and stable, and the
incinerating plant. The main building has been
designed on the pavilion plan, having a central
three-story structure, with wings projecting
east, west and north. In the east and west
wings are to be found the wards for patients
and accessory rooms for serving them. Be-
tween the central building and the wings are
connecting glass "solaria," or sun rooms for
treatment by the healing effect of light. The
wards are for the accommodation of adult pa-
tients, while the first floor of the north wing
is set aside exclusively for the children.
The sub-basement, entirely below ground,
is for the accommodation of the plumbing and
drainage pipes and for storage purposes.
Above this is the semi-basement, but three
feet below ground, well lighted by many win-
dows. Here are to be found the clinical,
pathological, bacteriological and medical re-
search laboratories. Occupying two large
rooms will be the X-ray department, the equip-
ment of which is not surpassed by any other in
the land. Tn another section is the elaborately
equipped department of hydro-therapeutics,
fitted with hot and cold sprays, showers and
electric light cabinets. There are also the
Nauheim baths and all the necessary apparatus
for the treatment of cases by water and elec-
tricity. The receiving and accident rooms are
also upon this floor, being easy of access from
the main ambulance entrance. Here also are
located the dental and orthopedic departments
and the drug laboratories and storage rooms.
A separate department, having its exit and
entrance entirely outside the building, will be
set aside for the treatment of contagious and
infectious diseases, and is so built as to be
easily and quickly fumigated.
Ascending one comes to the main floor, en-
trance to which is had by means of a short
flight of stone steps guarded by six massive
Corinthian columns. Upon either side of the
entrance are the main otfice, the offices of the
superintendent and the chief nurse, the library
and the w-aiting room. From here radiate the
five wards of the institution, each of which is
a separate unit, having its own separate ward
nurse's office, diet kitchen, bathroom and
service rooms. All of the wards are comfort-
ably furnished, heated, lighted and well venti-
lated. On the second floor the wards are the
same as the first, and in addition there are a
number of private rooms for the treatment of
special cases, which can be made en suite.
Three of the large rooms on the first floor can
be thrown into one. thus providing a lecture
hall or meeting room for medical societies, or
for giving scientific or lantern exhibitions.
On the second floor of the north wing is lo-
cated the operating suite, consisting , of two
operating rooms, a sterilizing room, an m-
strument room, an etherizing and recovery
room, and the surgeons' dressing room. In
planning this department every effort was
made to make it as modern as possible, and
the fittings are the most complete that science
could design or money purchase. On this floor
and projecting over the front of the building
is a large solarium for the use of private pa-
tients, inclosed with glass and scientifically
ventilated and heated. Another department
on this floor is devoted to maternity cases ex-
clusively.
The wings of the hospital building are two
stories in height, but the central administra-
tion part is continued up another story. Upon
this floor are located the large and handsome
dining-room, appropriately furnished and sup-
plied with a large number of small round
tables ; the kitchen ; the nurses' dining-room ;
and the apartments of the superintendent and
resident physicians and surgeons. All of the
cooking is done by gas. to avoid dust and
smoke. The object in placing the kitchen upon
the top floor is to eliminate entirely the odors
of cooking so often characteristic of the best
hospitals.
Running through the center of the main
building is an automatic elevator of sufficient
size to carry a wheeled bed or stretcher. Be-
sides this there are freight and food elevators,
all electrically controlled and entirely auto-
matic, being operated by push buttons. The
entire institution is cleaned by the vacuum
process through pipes leading from machines
in the sub-basement.
Training School. — To the west of the main
building is the training school home for the
nurses, a department operated separately from
'T
368
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the hospital proper. It is three-story, fire-
proof, and has space for thirty single rooms
for the inmates. On the first floor are the
apartments of the head nurse, the library,
reading room, and a classroom for the nurses
in attendance. Three of the larger rooms are
so arranged as to permit being thrown into one
by the opening of folding doors, thus afford-
ing a spacious lecture room. All the necessary
apparatus for lantern slide projection and lec-
tures will be found here.
Garage. — To the north of the main build-
ing is located the garage for the housing of
the automobile and horse-drawn ambulances.
Room is also found here for three cars of the
attending physicians. One end of the build-
ing is partitioned ofi:' for the use of horse-
drawn vehicles, out of sight and sound of the
automobiles. On the second floor are the
rooms of the male help of the hospital build-
ings. Here also is a reading room supplied
with reading matter and comfortably fur-
nished for the use of the male help.
Near the garage is located a small brick in-
cinerating building, where all refuse and dan-
gerously infecting matter are burned.
Pozvcr-house. — All the heating and power
come from a brick building ninety feet to the
north of the main building, connected with it
by a tunnel high enough to walk through, in
which are suspended the pipes for steam,
water and refrigeration. Thus the slightest
leak will at once be detected and stopped.
In the boiler room are three lOO-horsepower
tubular boilers, the steam pumps and other
apparatus necessarj' for so large a heating
plant. Connecting with this room is the con-
crete coal bin. with a capacity of 200 tons. In
a separate room is the cold storage plant, the
refrigerating machinery and an ice making
machine. From this room is pumped the
chilled brine which cools the refrigerators in
the different kitchens and supplies chilled wa-
ter to the drinking fountains.
The upper floor of the power-house is de-
voted mainly to the laundry. Here are steam
washers, mangles, ironing machines and a
drying room, equipment equal to many of the
most modem laundries of the State. Here is
also located a high-pressure steam sterilizing
apparatus, for the cleansing of infected
clothing.
The entire institution is lighted by both gas
and electricity, the latter being generated in
the powerhouse. In addition a system of
inter-communicating telephones is installed, to-
gether with call-bells and telephone connec-
tions with the outside sen-ice lines.
The surrounding grounds will be con-
verted into a beautiful park, the greenery of
which will be most restful to the eye of the
convalescent. In this work the most noted
landscape gardeners have been called upon.
George F. Geisinger, in whose memory
this hospital is erected, was born in Hing-
ham, Mass., in September, 1821, and was a son
of Commodore David Geisinger, of the United
States Navy. He completed his education in
Boston, and went at an early day to Baltimore,
where he engaged in mercantile business. In
1844 he accompanied his father on a pleasure
trip abroad, returning to Baltimore two years
later. In 1847 he went to South America,
where he spent five years. Coming back in
1849, he went to California. Subsequently
Mr. Geisinger was in Philadelphia, acting as
his father's secretary at the Naval Asylum
until 1854. In June, 1855, he came to Dan-
ville as bookkeeper for the Grove Brothers,
who were operating the plant now the prop-
erty of the Reading Iron Company. When
the Grove Brothers ceased to operate Mr. Gei-
singer entered the employ of their successors.
Waterman & Beaver, with whom he remained
for twenty-four years, meantime becoming a
member of the firm. Later he acquired an
interest in the Kingston Coal Company, which
has been a source of great profit. Mr. Gei-
singer was married to Abigail A. Cornelison
June 7, 1865. He died Nov. 16, 1883. (See
biographical section.)
POST OFFICE
The Danville post office was opened for the
use of the public about 1801, in a frame build-
ing which stood on the site of the Rhodes
home. Before 1806 residents could only send
letters to, or receive them from, friends or
business men by the help of chance travelers
who happened to be going to or coming from
the places of address. W'hen after a long time
the mail did come, was sorted, and to be
found at a certain place, the postage, which
was 25 cents, was in many instances a burden
which sorely troubled the people to whom it
was addressed. Often days elapsed before the
mail could be lifted from the office.
The first postmaster at Danville was Gen.
\\'illiam Montgomery, who was appointed
April I, 1801. He was succeeded April i,
1803, by his son. Daniel Montgomery. The
postmastership remained in the Montgomery
family until July i, 18 13, when Rudolph Sech-
ler was appointed. He continued in office until
NuRSiJS* Home — George F. Geisixgeu ]\Iemorial Hospital
Laving the Cornerstone — George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital
l_Li.'i£^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
369
Nov. 24, 1820, when James Loughead was ap-
pointed, and he held the office for fourteen
years. On Feb. i, 1834, Dr. David Petrikin
took charge of the office, under appointment,
and retained it until March 21, 1837, when he
handed it over to John Best, who had been ap-
pointed as his successor. Mr. Best was suc-
ceeded, March 25, 1841, by Sharpless Taylor;
and he was succeeded, Nov. 9, 1842, by Alex-
ander Best. Mr. Best located the office at his
residence on Mill street. On April 11, 1849,
Gideon M. Shoop was appointed to succeed
Alexander Best, and he served as postmaster
until Nov. 26, 1852, when he was followed by
Thomas C. Ellis, who held the position until
Sept. 21, 1853, when Thomas Chalfant was
appointed; he filled the position until May 28,
1861, when Andrew F. Russell was appointed.
The post office at that time was located in
the building on Mill street now occupied by
Fred W. Howe as a clothing store. Mr. Rus-
sell held the office of postmaster until April 16,
1867, when he was succeeded by Ogden H.
Ostrander, who served until April 5, 1869. At
the latter date Charles W. Eckman was ap-
pointed postmaster, and by various reappoint-
ments held the position until Dec. 5, 1885,
when Thomas Chalfant was again appointed,
by President Cleveland. In the meantime the
post ofiice had been removed to the Opera
House block and was located in the room
afterwards occupied by the People's Bank.
Thomas Chalfant retained the position dur-
ing the administration of President Cleveland
and was succeeded, Jan. 28, 1890, by Alex-
ander J. Frick. But President Cleveland,
being again elected, appointed Thomas Chal-
fant, June I, 1894, and Mr. Chalfant remained
in the position during the balance of the Cleve-
land administration and until Feb. 15, 1899,
when Thomas J. Price was appointed. Mr.
Price was succeeded, March 18, 1902, by
Charles P. Harder, whose services extended
until June 2"], iqo6, when he was succeeded by
William L. Gouger. In the meantime the post
office had again been moved and was nov^' lo-
cated in its present quarters in the Elks' build-
ing, corner of Mill and Mahoning streets.
Mr. Gouger held the position until June 29,
1914, when Thomas G. \'incent. the present
postmaster, was appointed.
Free delivery was introduced into Danville
in December, 1892. \\. the present writing
there are seven rural routes out of Danville.
The post offices of Alontour county, outside
of Danville, are : Exchange, Grovania, Maus-
dale, Mooresburg, Ottawa, Strawberry Ridge
24
(two routes), Washingtonville and White
Hall.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
River Bridge
Bridge companies seem to have been a neces-
sary evil in the days gone by. They were never
popular and ofttimes were instruments of great
oppression, and were always a barrier in the
way of the boy who wanted to cross to the
opposite side and did not have the necessary
means to pay the toll. When once the State
opened the way to free the communities from
the burden of bridge tolls these communities
were not slow to take advantage of the pro-
visions of the law, and now but few, if any,
toll bridges exist.
In January, 1828, the Danville Bridge Com-
pany was chartered to build a bridge across the
Susquehanna river. Daniel Montgomery was
president, James Loughead, treasurer, and
lohn Cooper, secretary. The managers at that
time were John C. Boyd, William Colt, Peter
Baldy, Sr., William Boyd, Andrew McRey-
nolds and Robert C. Grier. The bridge was
completed in 1829 and Daniel Hoffman was
made the first toll gatherer, at a salary of $65
per year. Prior to the 14th day of ^ilarch,
1846, eleven dividends had been declared upon
the stock. Upon that day the bridge was car-
ried away by a flood. Daniel Blizzard was
carried down on a fragment of the bridge and
was rescued with great difficulty near the old
stone house. After this flood there were no
dividends declared until 1863.
After the bridge was taken away, in 1846,
a movement was immediately made to replace
it and a contract was made with David N.
Kownover, who completed his work in a very
short time and the river was again spanned by
a bridge.
This second bridge stood the awful on-
slaught of flood and storm in 1865, when the
water rose four feet above the record of the
highest flood preceding. But in 1873, on St.
Patrick's Day, it was swept away in the flood,
when the Catawissa bridge was carried down
and forced against it.
A third bridge was at once built by the
Smith Bridge Company, of Ohio. This was a
fine structure, with foot walks on either side,
protected from the driveway by high board
partitions which broke the force of the storms
of winter and sheltered from the blazing sun
of summer.
370
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
In 1893 proceedings were instituted to free
this bridge under the provisions of an act of
Assembly. Viewers were appointed, who re-
ported in favor of the taking of the bridge by
the counties of Montour and Northumberland,
and fixed the damages at $32,000. This award
was appealed from and the case was removed
to Clinton county for trial. A jury returned
a verdict for $36,722.38.
This placed the Danville bridge upon the
free list, to the delight of a people who felt
that they had long been imposed upon. The
toll gatherers had been Daniel Hoffman, Ru-
dolph Sechler, E. Mellon, Isaiah S. Thornton
and Joseph Hunter.
The following table shows the toll rates in
1828:
Cents
Six-horse team 62^2
Five-horse team 5°
Four-horse team 37/4
Three-horse team •. 31/4
Two-horse team 25
One-horse Dearborn or gig l8j4
One horse and rider I2}4
One foot person 3
Cattle, each 4
Sheep and hogs, each i
Clergymen preaching in town Free
Churchgoers Free
Funerals and attendants Free
In later years these tolls were largely increased.
In 1904, on the 9th of March, this third
bridge was swept away by a tremendous ice
flood. The counties of Montour and North-
umberland at once instituted proceedings for
the erection of a new bridge by the State, and
the present beautiful and substantial bridge
was the result. It is about a quarter of a mile
in length and bears an immense traffic to and
from the south side. It is maintained by the
two counties of Montour and Northumberland.
IVaterzi'orks
The question of supplying Danville with
water was earnestly debated for a long time
and various plans had been proposed. Some
favored a reservoir on a high point and the
forcing of the water from the river by power-
ful engines. Others, who favored a reservoir,
insisted on bringing the water from Roaring
creek in pipes passing under the river bed;
while others, again, were inclined to connect
with the waterworks at the State Hospital for
the Insane.
On March 26, 1867, an act was passed pro-
viding as follows : "That Thomas Beaver, Dr.
R. S. Simington, William H. Magill, W. W.
Pinneo, John Grove, Thomas Chalfant, Isaac
X. Grier, Jacob Snyder, Jacob Loeb, Paul
Leidy and Dan Morgan, of the Borough of
Danville, in Montour County, be and they are
hereby appointed commissioners, who, or a
majority of them, are hereby authorized to es-
tablish a company, by the name, style and title
of the Danville Water Company, to be located
in the Borough of Danville, in the County of
Montour, for the purpose of supplying the
inhabitants of the Borough of Danville afore-
said with a sufficient supply of pure and whole-
some water from the Susquehanna river, or
such other source as may be deemed most suit-
able and convenient ; said company to have a
capital not exceeding $50,000, to be divided
into 2,500 shares of $20 each ; which company
shall be organized, managed and controlled
under and in accordance with the provisions of
the Act of Assembly passed the nth day of
March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hun-
dred and fifty-seven, entitled, 'An Act to pro-
vide for the incorporation of Gas and Water
Companies.' "
The formation of this company was never
completed, but the luovement brought to a head
the various propositions in regard to supplying
the town with water, and communications were
received explaining the character and success
of the "Holly System," then recently intro-
duced by the Holly firm at Lockport, New
York.
The borough council took up the subject,
and whilst all urged a water supply, the coun-
cil was about equally divided between the
Holly System and a reservoir. Finally a com-
mittee, consisting of George W. Reay, J.
Sweisfort, William Buckley and M. D. L.
Sechler, was appointed to investigate the
subject.
March 23, 1872, an act of the Legislature
authorized the borough of Danville to establish
waterworks, and among other things provided
that A. G. Voris, Dan Morgan and John C.
Rhoades should be water commissioners, for
the purpose of supervising and overseeing the
construction, maintaining and managing of
said waterworks, the first of whom was to hold
his office for the term of one year, the second
for two years and the last named for three
years; atid providing further that thereafter
the burgess and town council should appoint
annually a person as water commissioner, to
hold his office for the term of three years; and
authorizing further the burgess and towri coun-
cil to borrow such sums of money as might be
I
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
371
necessary-, not exceeding, in the whole, the sum
of $125,000, and to issue, in payment thereof,
coupon bonds of the said borough, in sums
not less than $50, bearing a rate of interest
not exceeding eight per centum per annum.
This act further provided that all moneys re-
ceived from the negotiation of said bonds, to-
gether with all water rents, income or profits
from the waterworks, should be kept apart
from the other moneys of the borough and
should be designated the water fund and
should be expended only in the construction,
maintenance and repair of said works or in
payment of the interest and principal of the
said bonds.
In April, 1872, the committee appointed by
council visited I^lmira, Buffalo, Binghamton,
Rochester, Auburn and other cities where the
various plans were in operation. A majority
of this committee was at first opposed to the
"Holly System," but after a full investigation
they unanimously reported in its favor. Pre-
vious to this an election had been held at the
courthouse, to ascertain the popular sentiment
upon this question. There was a large ma-
jority in favor of water, but owing to some in-
formality the result was not satisfactory.
After a warm contest in council the Holly
System was adopted by the casting vote of
Burgess Oscar Ephlin, and the contract was
accordingly made with the Holly Company, at
Lockport, N. Y. The final vote on adopting
the Holly System was as follows : For the
Holly Works : George W. Reay, William
Buckley, Jacob Schuster, George W. Miles, J.
Sweisfort, M. D. L. Sechler, and Oscar Eph-
lin, burgess. Against: George Lovett, Sam-
uel Lewis, James L. Riehl, Henry M. Schoch,
Hickman Frame.
The waterworks were located on the river
bank in the First ward, just west of the river
bridge. The engines and pumps installed were
of great power. A filter was constructed some
distance out in the river, and the water from
thence forced through metal pipes through
every portion of the town, not only supplying
water for private use, but proving a great
safeguard in case of fire.
As originally installed the works had a
capacity of two million gallons in twenty-four
hours. There were two engines, each of 150
horsepower, two powerful rotary pumps, and
a gang of twelve piston pumps. Ten miles of
pipe were at once laid and alDOUt one hundred
fire hydrants installed. The pipe was laid by
S. Krebs & Company under a contract for
$87,500. The contract for the engines and
pumps, with the Holly Manufacturing Com-
pany, at Lockport, N. Y., was for $36,000. In
1880 the council had a well sunk in the river
fifty feet in length, five feet wide and ten feet
deep. After this well was located, the filter
in the river was abandoned.
The water plant is maintained with great
efficiency, and is deemed, even at the present
day, to be able, through increased pressure of
which it is capable, to drown out any serious
conflagration which might occur.
In 1 891 two fine Worthington duplex pumps
were installed, having a capacity of three mil-
lion gallons. In 1896 a new filter plant was
installed, and in igoo an annex to the water-
works was completed.
In 1913 the sedimentation basins were com-
pleted and the filters enlarged and improved ;
and it is believed by those who are well in-
formed that the Danville water system has few
superiors in the State.
Electric Light
Away back in 1854 a charter was obtained
from the State to enable Danville to enjoy the
luxury of gaslight. The company purchased
land and began carrying out the purpose for
which it was organized. It was not long
before Henry P. Baldy, or, as he was better
known, Captain Baldy, controlled the gas com-
pany, and for years furnished the light for the
homes and business places and the streets of
the town.
Many will remember the dim lights upon
the streets, the flickering flame in the home
antl the store, and above all the many tilts with
the meter man, whose figures could never lie.
Many felt, in those days, as many have since
felt, that the meter reader is like the one who
was refused admittance by the lady of the
house, on the ground that he was intoxicated.
"That's the reason I'm sent, mum, ' was the
rejily, "I can see double.''
It was with feelings of joy and yet mingled
with some misgivings that a welcome was
given the electric company which turned its
footsteps towards Danville. The promise of
lietter lights and no more meter trouble ap-
pealed to the simple-hearted householder, as
visions of pushing a button danced through
his mind. It is well we do not always know
the drawbacks and hindrances, and the cost
and mental disturbances, that lie in the wake
of coming improvements. Our anticipations
might be dimmed. But the electric light man
came, and his coming marked an era in the
life of the town.
The Standard Electric Light Company was
372
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
incorporated in 1899 ^^'^ under its charter
electric light was furnished the people of Dan-
ville. This company was composed of capi-
talists from Wilkes-Barre and other places,
and took over all the former operations along
this line. Later The Columbia and Montour
Electric Company purchased the interests of
all other companies and now supplies light in
Danville, as well as in Bloomsburg, Berwick
and other neighboring towns.
The borough of Danville, however, in the
year 1906, erected a municipal plant for street
lighting, and with this plant, as well as The
Columbia and Alontour Electric Company's
plant, turning on the light in the town, there
should be very few deeds of evil.
Mctnorial Park
A great ci\ic improvement was made in
Danville in 1907 and 1908 in the laying out
and comjjletion of Memorial Park. The site
of this park was the old Presbyterian ceme-
tery, which at that time was in a most dilapi-
dated condition. Here was a spot of tender
memory, the resting place of the dead for
one hundred years and more. The friends
of those interred there had either themselves
been numbered with the departed or had re-
moved from Danville, and consequently many
graves were neglected and many stones had
become defaced or had disappeared entirely.
What was to be done with this silent city of
the dead ? No better answer could have been
made than was made, to erect it into a Me-
morial Park. So a number of public-spirited
citizens agitated the removal of the cemetery
and subscriptions were taken up to defray
the expense. Many bodies were removed, but
a large number of the gravestones still re-
maining were laid flat and coxered with earth,
to raise the grade of the park. The old Petri-
kin cemetery, situated beside the Presbyterian
burying ground, was treated in like manner,
and so also the portion located on the west of
the Presbyterian ground, which was partially
under the Philadelphia & Reading railway
tracks. The work of removal and grading was
done under the direction of the trustees of the
Grove Presbyterian Church. Thomas T- Rog-
ers, I. X. Grier, M. Grier Youngman, James
F. Magill, J. B. Gearhart, T. W. Bartholomew
and Alexander Foster.
The Mahoning Presbyterian Church, in
whose name was the title to this ground, trans-
ferred all right and title to the Grove Pres-
byterian Church. Over four hundred graves
were found that still contained the remains of
those who had been early residents of the
community.
At the time the park was first discussed, the
veterans of Danville urged the erecting of a
monument to their departed comrades. Sub-
scriptions came in rapidly. The county com-
missioners appropriated $s,cxDo, and in the
spring of 1908 the present granite obelisk was
completed. This monument was dedicated at
the same time that the park was thrown open
to the public, ]\Iay 30, 1908. It is an obelisk
JT, feet in height, surrounded on four sides
by figures, of an infantryman, an artilleryman,
a cavalryman, and the Goddess of Peace, re-
spectively. Four granite balls, three feet in
diameter, are placed at the corners of the base.
Two castiron cannon, relics of the Civil war,
stand on guard near the monument. The park
is provided with seats, has many beautiful
flowers, and is kept in neat condition by the
borough, into whose charge it was given May
18, 1908.
The flagstaff and flag used on holiday occa-
sions were donated by Frank E. De Long.
The flag is 15 by 25 feet, and the steel pole is
70 feet high.
River Front Park j
This park was established beside the water- 1
works in 191 2 and in the following year a
fountain was placed in the center of the plot,
the cost of which was raised by public sub-
scription. Concrete walks have been laid
through this park, flowers planted, and seats
placed therein ; and already it has become a
popular resort, especially in the warm summer
evenings. This park, together with the long
concrete walk built by F. Q. Hartman along
the river bank, will be part of a park system
whereby the whole front of the river bank at
Danville will become a public promenade in-
stead of an unsightly dumping ground.
Market Square Park
Another park has been established on Mar-
ket Square, extending from Ferry street to
Christ Memorial Church. The grounds have
been beautified and an electrically lighted
fountain, the gift of William G. Shoop, was
installed in 1913.
BOROUGH OFFICI.ALS
Danville was erected into a borough by act
of General Assembly. Feb. 7, 1849. The first
burgess was Dr. William H. Magill. The first
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
373
town council was composed of five members,
as follows : George S. Sanders, George Bas-
sett, Valentine Best, Frank E. Ruch, Edward
H. Baldy. The first council meeting was held
in the office of Edward H. Baldy, and the first
business transacted was the election of Mr.
Baldy as clerk of the body. Edward Young
was chosen street commissioner at a salary
of twenty dollars a year, and Thomas Jamison
was chosen constable.
On the 24th of December, 1849, the council
passed a resolution, making application to the
State Legislature for the erection of a new
county, to be called Montour, with the county
seat at Danville. It was also resolved to fur-
nish the new county with necessary buildings.
On the 29th of March, 1850, the new coun-
cil was organized. Dr. William H. Magill was
reelected burgess and Valentine Best was re-
elected as a member of the council. The new
members were Dr. Isaac Hughes, George B.
Brown, Thomas Woods, William Morgan.
Valentine Best was chosen clerk and M. C.
Grier was elected treasurer.
The following have since served as burgess
and councilmen during the years indicated ;
1851 — Thomas Chalfant, burgess; James
F. Deen, John Rockafeller, J. C. Rhodes, A. F.
Russell, councilmen. 1852 — Thomas Jamison,
burgess; George S. Sanders, John Deen, Jr.,
G. W. Boyer, George W. Bryan, councilmen.
1853 — Joseph D. Hahn, burgess; Daniel Ram-
sey, P. Hofer, David Jones, James Gaskins,
councilmen. 1854 — Robert Aloore, burgess;
John Deen, Jr., John Turner, William Han-
cock, James G. Maxwell, Robert McCoy, coun-
cilmen, 1855 — William Henrie, burgess;
Smith B. Thompson, David Jones, Isaiah S.
Thornton, Frank E. Ruch, Isaac Ammerman,
councilmen. (By this council a census was or-
dered, which was afterwards reported to coun-
cil, showing the population to be 5,247.) 1S56
— David Clark, burgess ; Jacob Sechler, John
Best, John Arms. William Mowrer, Paul
Leidy, Esq., councilmen. 1857 — Jacob Seidel,
burgess ; Jacob Sechler, Charles Leighow,
Joseph R. Philips, Samuel Hamor, John Pat-
ton, councilmen. 1858 — Dr. Clarence H.
Frick, burgess ; William Mowrer, David Jones,
Gideon Boyer, George S. Sanders, Frederick
Lammers, councilmen. 1859 — Christian Lau-
bach, burgess; D. N. Kownover, Joseph Diehl,
B. K. Vastine, D. M. Boyd, William Cook,
councilmen. i860 — J. C. Rhodes, burgess;
William Cook, W. G. Patton, B. K. Vastine,
Emanuel Houpt, Michael C. Grier, council-
men. 1861 — E. C. Voris, burgess ; Reuben
Voris, David James, Joseph Flanegan, Wil-
liam Morgan, D. M. Boyd, councilmen. 1862
— Isaac Rank, burgess; Jacob Aten, William
Mowrer, Charles W. Childs, David Grove,
James L. Riehl, councilmen. 1863 — B. K.
\'astine, burgess; James L. Riehl, William
Twist, William Lewis, John G. Hiler, John
Rockafeller, councilmen. 1864 — E. W. Conk-
ling, burgess; James L. Riehl, John G. Hiler,
Joseph Diehl, C. Laubach, William Lewis,
councilmen. 1865 — John G. Thompson, bur-
gess; Henry Harris, Dan Morgan, D. DeLong,
William Henrie, Jacob Aten, councilmen.
1866 — Dr. R. S. Simington, burgess; Dan
Morgan, Francis Naylor, D. DeLong, William
Henrie, Charles H. Waters, councilmen. 1867
— George Bassett, burgess ; James Cornelison,
John A. Winner, C. W. Childs, William Hen-
rie, David Clark, James Kelly, Samuel Lewis,
M. D. L. Sechler, Joseph Sechler, Thompson
Foster, John G. Thompson, E. Thompson,
councilmen. Previous to the election the bor-
ough had been divided into four wards, the
First, Second, Third and Fourth. Before that
time there had been two wards, the South and
the North, with five members of council, each
elected for one year. The change provided for
four wards and twelve councilmen, three from
each ward, one third of them to serve for one
year, one third two years and thCjOther third
three years, and also provided for the election
of one councilman each year from each ward.
The following indicates those elected each
year:
1868 — Robert McCoy, burgess; James L.
Riehl, C. S. Books, George W. Reay, David
(jrove, councilmen. 1869 — A. J. Ammer-
man, burgess ; William Henrie, J. S. Vastine,
John R. Lunger, Franklin Boyer, councilmen.
1870 — D. S. Bloom, burgess; William Buck-
ley, Hickman Frame, M. D. L. Sechler, Sam-
uel Lewis, councilmen. 1871 — Thomas Max-
well, burgess ; H. M. Schoch, G. W. Miles,
(jeorge Lovett, Jacob Sweisfort, councilmen.
1872 — Oscar Ephlin, burgess; George W.
Reay, Henry Vincent, Jacob Schuster, J. L.
Riehl, councilmen. 1873 — Edward Young,
burgess ; William Buckley, N. Hofer, Joseph
W. Keely, Thomas Coxey, councilmen. 1874
— J. R. Philips, burgess ; James Vandling,
James Auld, W. D. Williams, David Clark,
councilmen. 1875 — Charles Kaufman, bur-
gess ; M. D. L. Sechler, William T. Ramsey,
1. R. Philips, T- W. \'on Nieda, councilmen.
1876— Henry M. Schoch, burgess; J. D. Wil-
liams, David Ruckle, \\'illiam K. Holloway,
William R. Williams, councilmen ; Isaac Am-
merman was chosen at a special election to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of
374
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
.1
James Auld, who had become county commis-
sioner. 1877 — William C. Walker, burgess;
David Clark, C. A. Heath. A. li. Patton. John
A. Wands, councilmen. 1878 — James Foster,
burgess ; J. W. Keely, Stephen Johnson, James
Welsh, Thompson Foster, councilmen. 1879
— ^James Foster, burgess ; William Angle, one
year; P. Johnson, three years; S. Trumbower,
Jacob Goldsmith, H. B. Strickland, Lewis
Rodenhoffer, one year. 1880 — Joseph Hunter,
burg-ess ; William Angle, William Keiner,
Hugh Pursel, Nicholas Hofer, councilmen.
1881 — Joseph Hunter, reelected burgess; A.
G. Voris, P. Keefer, Henry L. Gross, James
Welsh, councilmen.
William G. Gaskins was clerk to the council
for twenty years and was succeeded by Capt.
George Lovett in 1874. In 1879 J. Sweisfort
was chosen clerk and he was succeeded by
Charles M. Zuber. Among the street commis-
sioners were Emanuel Peters, Daniel McClow,
William C. Walker, Oliver Lenhart and Mr.
Faux. The street commissioner is also ex-
officio collector of the market tax, and pre-
sumedly a sort of inspector of that institution.
1882 — Joseph Hunter, burgess; B. R. Gear-
hart, S. A. Yorks, D. B. Fetterman, F. C.
Derr, councilmen. 1883 — S. Y. Thompson,
burgess ; J. K. Geringer, Hugh Pursel, Henry
Divel, David Grove, councilmen. 1884 — S. Y.
Thompson, burgess; H. M. Trumbower, J. H.
Montague, W. K. Holloway, H. A. Kneibler,
coimciimen. 1885 — Joseph Hunter, burgess;
Jacob Moyer, George Edmonson, George
Maiers, Edward Hofer, councilmen. 1886—
Joseph Hunter, burgess ; John W. Sheriff, W.
C. Walker, Henry L. Gross, S. A. Yorks,
councilmen ; clerk of the town council, Adolf
Steinbrenner ; attorney, James Scarlet ; treas-
urer, George P. Brown ; surveyor, George W.
West ; high constable, Dan Low ; street com-
missioner, J. R. Philips ; chief of fire depart-
ment, W. W. Davis ; chief of police, W. S.
Baker.
From 1886 the records are incomplete and
some of them are entirely gone. The bur-
gesses who have served from that time are
as follows: Joseph Hunter served until 1893
or '04 and was succeeded by Thomas J. Price.
Mr. Price, in 1897, was succeeded by James
Foster. In 1901 John A. Moyer was elected
burgess, but died shortly after and Albert
Kemmer was appointed, but served only a few
days and was succeeded by William G. Pursel,
first by appointment and then by election. Mr.
Pursel was succeeded, in 1906, by William J.
Rogers, who, in 1909, was succeeded by A. C.
Amesbury. In 1913 George B. Jacobs, the
present burgess, was elected.
The councilmen at the present time are :
First Ward — Edward Purpur, J. R. M. Curry,
Samuel C. Rebman. Second Ward — John L.
Morgan, William lies, William G. Reese.
Third Ward — James Finnegan, E. W. Peters,
Clarence Price. Fourth Ward — James P.
Connolley, John Peckworth, William J.
Pickens.
SCHOOLS
A sketch of the Danville Academy and the
Danville Institute will be found in Chapter V,
on schools of Montour county. For twenty
years the schools of the borough and of the
balance of the county have been under sepa-
rate management.
In 1895 J. C. Houser was elected borough
superintendent, taking the care of the borough
schools out of the hands of the county super-
intendent. Mr. Houser held this position
until 1901, and was succeeded by U. L. Gordy,
who held the position until 1907. In that
year the present superintendent, D. N. Dief-
fenbacher, was elected, and has served during
all of the period since.
The present list of teachers, with their
schools, is as follows :
High school, corner of Mahoning and Pine
streets — J. C. Carey, principal ; language, J. C.
Carey; science and mathematics, J. H. Gas-
kins ; English, Katherine Bennetts ; history
and mathematics, Fred W. Diehl ; commercial
branches, F. W. Magill.
First Ward school, in high school building
— Fifth and si.xth grades, Alice Guest ; fourth
grade, Winifred Evans ; third grade, Helen
Tooey ; second grade, Martha Keim ; first
grade, Jeannette Pickard; janitor, Howard
Reppert.
Second Ward school. East Front street —
Rachel Goodall, principal ; seventh and eighth
grades, Rachel Goodall; fifth and sixth grades,
Mary C. Welsh; fourth grade, Jennie Scott;
third grade, Elizabeth Gulick ; second grade,
Anna Lloyd; first grade, Alice Smull ; janitor,
J. H. Woodside.
Third Ward school, corner Bloom and Pine
streets — Alice Bird, principal ; eighth grade,
Alice Bird ; seventh grade, Tillie James ; sixth
grade, \'erna Reed; fifth grade, Marie Roney;
fourth grade, Annie Henrie; third grade,
Greta Udelhofen ; second grade, Harriet
Boudman ; first grade, Jennie Lawrence ; jani-
tojr. Charles Ware.
Fourth Ward school, corner Centre and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
375
Vine streets — M. L. Bloom, principal ; seventh
and eighth grades, M. L. Bloom; fifth and
sixth grades, Prudence Blizzard ; fourth
grade, Mrs. Jennie Moore; third grade, Ruth
Frick ; second grade, Harriet Fry ; first grade,
Sara Wilson ; janitor, Calvin Eggert.
Welsh Hill school — First, second and third
grades, M. C. Madden; janitress, Annie An-
derson.
Teacher and supervisor of drawing, Vir-
ginia O. McQuiston ; attendance officer, W. E.
Young.
BANKS
Danville National Bank
^^K This bank is the successor of the Bank of
^^Danville, which was chartered by special act
i] of the Legislature, approved April 9, 1849.
At a meeting held Nov. 9, 1849, at the "Mon-
tour House," the following directors were
elected: Peter Baldy, Sr., William H. Ma-
gill, George A. Frick, William Jennison, Wil-
I liam Donaldson, Lewis Vastine, M. C. Grier,
all of Danville; Thomas Hayes, Lewisburg,
Pa. ; Jacob Cook, Muncy, Pa. ; William C.
Lawson, Milton, Pa. ; Jacob W. Smith, Selins-
grove. Pa. ; John Sharpless, Catawissa, Pa.,
and John K. Grotz, Bloomsburg, Pa. At a
meeting of the directors held Nov. 26, 1849,
Peter Baldy, Sr., was elected president. On
Dec. i8th, following, George A. Frick was
elected cashier. The president's salary was
$300 a year and the cashier's $800.
On Feb. 19, 1850, when the bank opened
for business, the paid-up capital was $100,360.
In September, 1S51, the capital amounted to
$150,000. In February, 1854, it was $200,000.
On Oct. 13, 1856, Peter Baldy, Sr., resigned
from the presidency and was succeeded by his
son. Edward H. Baldy. On April 22, 1862,
George A. Frick resigned as cashier, and
David Clark was elected.
On April 15, 1865, 1,865 shares out of 2,000
were voted to change the institution to a na-
tional bank. A charter was applied for. and
the Bank of Danville has since been con-
ducted as a national bank.
On Oct. 17, iSgi. Edward H. Baldy re-
signed, owing to failing sight and hearing,
and on the 20th of that month the directors
elected David Clark president and George M.
Gearhart cashier. In December, 1893. Mr.
Clark died and the board (Jan. 17, 1894)
elected Robert M. Grove, who had been vice
president, president of the bank. On July 17.
1897. George M. Gearhart resigned the office
of cashier and M. Grier Youngman was
elected in his place. On Aug. 9, 1897, R- M.
Grove resigned the presidency, and on Oct.
2d William J. Baldy, Esq., was elected presi-
dent, he being the third of his family to hold
that high position.
In 1850 the bank's deposits were $5,016;
at the present they are $1,450,000. The paid-
up capital is now $200,000; surplus, $150,000,
and total resources, $2,000,000. The present
officers are William J. Baldy, president; D. R.
Eckman, vice president; M. G. Youngman,
cashier; Frank Jamison, assistant cashier.
Directors: William J. Baldy, Alexander Bill-
meyer, D. R. Eckman, William G. Pursel, E.
A. Curry, Frank C. Angle, and Thomas J.
Price.
The fine building in which this bank is now
housed is its own and was completed in 1882.
It is a two-story granite structure, with a solid
granite floor inside. The interior is finished in
an artistic manner, harmonizing with the tone
of the building.
First National Bank
This was the three hundred and twenty-
fifth bank organized in the national system,
the organization taking place Jan. 25, 1864.
The original capital, $75,000, was increased
Feb. 3, 1865, to $150,000.
The first directors were: Samuel Yorks,
Jr., Christian Laubach, Charles Fenster-
macher, George F. Geisinger, Fred Pifer, Wil-
liam Yorks, Gilbert H. Fowler.
The members of the present board of di-
rectors are : J. B. Cleaver, O. E. Cotner, I. X.
Grier, Alex. Foster, H. T. Hecht, W. L. Mc-
Clure, Sam Mowrer, W. H. Orth, John F.
Tooley, C. G. Van Alen.
The presidents have been as follows :
Samuel Yorks, Jr., Jan. 25, 1864, to Aug. 27,
1879; Christian Laubach, Sept. 2, 1879, ^'^
Jan. 18, 1881 ; Thomas Beaver, Jan. 18, 1881,
to May 22, 1883 ; D. M. Boyd, May 22, 1883,
to Sept. 15, 1898; B. R. Gearhart, Sept. 15,
1898, to March 28, 1904; I. X. Grier, since
March 28, 1904.
The cashiers have been as follows : W. A.
M. Grier. Jan. 25, 1864, to April i, 1867 ; A. P.
Fowler, April i, 1867, to April i, 1870; B. R.
Gearhart, April i, 1870, to Sept. 15, 1898; S.
A. Yorks, Sept. 15, 1898, to Dec. 4, 1901 ;
W. L. McClure, since Jan. 16, 1902.
The capital stock is $150,000; surplus and
profits, $300,000 ; assets, $2,032,000 ; amount
of dividends paid since organization of the
bank, $687,750.
376
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The People's Bank
This bank was organized in 1903, with a
capital stock of $50,000. John Benfield was
president; J. H. Cole, vice president; J. B.
Watson, cashier. In 1910 this bank closed its
doors and William G. Pursel was appointed
receiver. Its depositors were all paid. At
the time of its closing J. B. Watson was
president, and W. P. Jones cashier.
A bank which afterwards paid its depositors
oft and went into orderly liquidation was
opened in 1871 in the room subsequently oc-
cupied by the New York Tea Store.
FIRE COMPANIES
A fire company was organized in Danville
in 1830, but there are no records of the mem-
bership or officers, and it is doubtful whether
they ever operated as a fire company to any
extent.
Friendship Fire Company No. i was organ-
ized in 1841. Before the laying of the water
mains, the company had a steam fire engine.
Its first hand engine, built in Philadelphia in
1796, could throw a stream for 170 feet. It
is still kept as a relic of the old hand engine
days. It was repaired in 1848 and a new hand
engine bought. At that time the town was
divided into two fire wards, East and West.
The first officers were : C. H. Prick, presi-
dent ; Charles C. Lloyd, vice president ; H. P.
Baldy, John S. Wilson, W. H. Ollis, W. H.
King, engineers ; Paul Leidy, secretary ; David
King, treasurer; P. Baldy, W. Donaldson, W.
Colt, Valentine Best, E. B. Reynolds, man-
agers. The membership of this company at
present is seventy-seven. The officers at the
present time are: William V. Oglesby, presi-
dent : John L. Jones, vice president ; John G.
Waite, secretary ; John L. Russell, treasurer ;
H. E. Trumbower, foreman. This company
now has an automobile hose and chemical
truck.
Washington Fire Company No. 2. organized
in 1859, has a home on Market street, in the
Second ward. In 1872 this company num-
bered eighty, and at that time owned one first-
class hand engine, two hose carriages and a
thousand feet of hose. The officers then were :
William Williams, president ; Charles Twist,
secretary ; George Kinn, treasurer ; Thomas
Coxey, foreman ; Richard Merrell, hoseman.
The present membership of this company is
T07. The officers are : A. C. Roat, president ;
David Evans, vice president; George W. Rob-
inson, secretary; Wesley Hollabaugh, treas-
urer; Joseph Weidman, foreman.
Continental Fire Company No. j was or-
ganized in 1863, and its home is on Mill street,
in the Third ward. In 1872 the membership
was eighty. The equipment then owned con-
sisted of one hand engine, two hose carriages
and 800 feet of hose ; and the officers at that
time were : President, Hugh Dougherty ;
vice president, M. Scully; Philip Brennan,
secretary ; P. McCaffrey, treasurer ; James
Grimes, foreman. The present membership
is thirty-two. Its officers at present are :
Edward Leamy, president ; John Pickens, vice
president ; Charles McDermott, secretary ;
Michael Burke, treasurer; Ralph Huntingdon,
foreman.
Good Will Hose Company No. 4 was or-
ganized in 1890 and is located in the Fourth
ward. Its present membership is forty-three.
Its officers are : William lies, president ;
Millard Mitchell, vice president; Jesse Milroy,
secretary; John Mitchell, treasurer; Edward
lies, foreman.
In 1908, in Mahoning township, adjoining
the borough, there was organized a Rescue
Fire Company, which possesses a chemical
engine that has been used effectively in a num-
ber of fires in the borough. There are six-
teen members at present. The president is
William Shultz, Jr. ; secretary, Harry Kessler;
treasurer, William Kessler; foreman, James
Faux.
REMINISCENCES
John Frazer removed from Danville in
1 83 1, and on the fiftieth anniversary of his
departure he jotted down his recollections.
The picture he recalls of the people of that
distant day is very interesting. The follow-
ing is the substance of his recollections :
"The population of the village was then 740;
the buildings numbered eighty ; most of these
were dwelling houses on Water, ^larket and
Mill streets. They were bounded by the river.
Church street, Sechler's run and Factory
street; these limits were very much less than
the present area of the borough. They were
chiefly frames, but many of the primitive log
buildings yet remained. The brick buildings
were the courthouse, Goodman's Tavern, Dr.
Petrikin's and Mr. Prick's residences and Mr.
Baldy's store. Subsequently many brick
structures were erected, all, or nearly all, of
which remain.
"The pursuits of the citizens were confined
to the ordinary mechanical trades, the profes-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
377
sions, and, for so small a population, a large
amount of merchandising. There was scarcely
a germ of the manufacturing interest which
has grown to be of such vast importance since
that day. About 1S17, on Market street, near
Pine, William Mann manufactured nails in a
primitive way by hand. The bars or hoops of
nail iron were cut by a machine worked by a
treadle with the foot, and by a second opera-
tion the heads of the nails were formed by a
blow or two with a hammer; by unremitting
industry, I suppose a workman could produce
as many nails in a month as one can now, by
the aid of machinery, in a single day. And
this simple, modest manufacture was the pre-
cursor of the immense iron manufactures of
the present time, which has earned for the
place a high reputation excelled by few in
that industrial pursuit, and it has been the
cause of the rapid increase of the population
of the place, so that it now more than equals
all the residue of the county.
"The nucleus of the settlement, around
which the accretion of population was subse-
quently gathered, was American, originating
during the last two decades of the last cen-
tury by emigration from southeastern Penn-
sylvania, southern New Jersey, Sunbury and
Northumberland. To these were added, from
time to time. European emigrants — chiefly
Germans, British, Irish and Swiss, a few
French and Dutch, possibly some Danes and
Swedes. Of British emigrants up to that
date I do not recollect a single Welshman,
although they soon after became a most im-
portant element of population employed in the
iron manufacture. These apparently dis-
cordant elements soon yielded to the potent
attraction of association, so that early in the
present century the homogeneity of the young
and vigorous community was assured. Seldom
did any people enjoy a more happy harmony.
This uniformity extended both to religion and
politics. They derived their revealed theology
from the Bible, as expounded by the followers
of Calvin and Knox ; their moral theology
from the Presbyterian pulpit, the Westminster
catechism, and. to no inconsiderable extent,
from Milton's 'Paradise Lost,' which was re-
ceived as a commentary by some, as a sup-
plement by others. With what awe they read
"Of Providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate ;
Fixed fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute.
" 'Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress' was also a
work of great authority. The libraries were
very limited ; neither Aristotle, nor Pliny, nor
Buffon were in demand ; but Misop's Fables,'
'W'eems' Life of Washington,' 'Cook's Voy-
ages,' and 'Riley's Narrative' were among the
most popular books for miscellaneous read-
ing. 'Shakespeare's Plays' were placed on the
index c.vpurgatorius by some, and few advo-
cated their general use. The venerable Dr.
Nott, who was president of Union College
for the unprecedented term of sixty-two years,
used to say to the students : 'If you want to get
a knowledge of the world and human nature,
read the Bible ; but if you will read any other
books, read Homer and Shakespeare. They
come nearer Moses and Paul than any others
I am acquainted with.' 'Fox's Book of Mar-
tyrs' was esteemed a much more suitable book
for youthful readers than the great English
bard ; they were also allowed that most capti-
vating of boys' books, "Robinson Crusoe.'
"All were not Calvinists ; yet, under the
wise and judicious pastorate of that good and
faithful shepherd. Rev. John B. Patterson,
ever honored for his blameless life and un-
ostentatious piety, they were kept within one
fold and one baptism until the close of his
long ministry. He was occasionally aided by
pastors from neighboring towns. I can now
recall the names of Rev. Messrs. Dunham,
William .Smith, Nicholas Patterson, Isaac
( irier. John Bryson, and Hood.
"The Rev. William B. Montgomery and his
wife, iicc Jane Robinson, of the Presbyterian
Church, the devoted missionaries to the Osage
Indians, had recently departed for Union Sta-
tion, the scene of their labors, which then
seemed to us tenfold more remote than Japan
does now, and took a longer time in journey-
ing thither. For more than thirty years they
labored there, under great privations, until
they both fell victims to epidemic cholera.
"For a number of years the followers of
Wesley increased in number, and through the
zeal and labors of William Woods, William
Hartman, William Whitaker, of the village.
Judge Jacob Gearhart, of Rush township, and
others, a church was established about 1815.
It was supplied by itinerant preachers. Of
these. I can now only recall the name of Rev
George Dawson. There was a local preacher,
Simons by name, who occasionally exhorted
and preached at his own house, on Market
near Church street. I well remember the ap-
pearance of these devoted itinerant preachers
in their journeys around the circuit, with their
jaded horses, their portmanteau and umbrella
tied on behind their saddle, and hat covered
with oil cloth to protect it from the storms,
and their extremely plain garb, such as I saw
Lorenzo Dow wear at a subsequent date.
378
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
"The Catholics, now so numerous, were
scarcely known as sectaries, Michael Rafferty
and Francis Trainor being the only two I can
recollect. The Rev. Mr. Kay, a Socinian or
Unitarian, preached at times, but without mak-
ing proselytes. The Rev. Mr. Shepherd, a
Baptist of the Campbellite portion of that sect,
preached occasionally. He was an eloquent
and popular divine. There were a number of
Lutherans, to whom Rev. Mr. Kesler, from
the vicinity of Bloomsburg, preached at long
intervals. The Episcopalians were not nu-
merous, and it was suggested that they and
the Lutherans unite and form a union church ;
but this was impracticable, and the former
erected, own, and occupy the church edifice
on Market street, on ground included in what
at an early day was called Rudy's woods.
These sectaries were all destitute of church
buildings except the Grove Church. This was
the spacious log church built more than forty
years before the time of which I write, in
the form of a T, and was amply large for the
congregation. Besides the sects named I can
recall none others of that date. The old log
church had recently been demolished, and F.
Birkenbine was building a brick church edifice
under a contract with James Donaldson, Rob-
ert Curry, Robert C. Grier, Herman Sechler
and John C. Boyd, the trustees, for the con-
sideration of $1,775.
"The social relations of the community were
eminently pacific and cordial, doubtless pro-
moted by the matrimonial unions between
members of the several very large families of
some of the early emigrants. The Montgom-
erys, of whom there were two brothers —
Daniel Montgomery, the elder, and his
brother, Gen. William Montgomery, whose
sons were Gen. Daniel, Col. John, and Alexan-
der. The son of the senior Daniel Montgom-
ery was Judge William ^Montgomery. The
Woodside family was a large one, consisting
of Thomas, Archibald, John, James. Daniel,
William and Robert ; of the Moores — Asa,
John, Abner, Burrows, Samuel, Charles, An-
drew Y., Edward S., and several daughters ;
of the Mauses — George, Elizabeth, Philip,
Susan, Samuel, Lewis, Charles, Joseph and
Jacob W. ; of the Sechlers, I recollect Rudolph,
George, John, Jacob, Samuel and Harmon.
At a later date came Mrs. Cornelison and her
children: Joseph, WilHani, Jacob, Isaac, Cor-
nelius, James, Ann and Mercy ; of the Whit-
akers — John, Thomas, William H., Irwin,
Jane, EHzabeth, Polly, Nancy. Fanny and
Juliana ; William Wilson, the long time justice
of the peace, with a large family of eleven
children and their descendants, now number-
ing about one hundred. There were also the
Clarks, Gearharts, Gaskinses, Blues, Rishels,
Phillipses, Diehls, Sanderses, Fousts, Frazers,
Donaldsons, Willitses and Brewers.
"Many of the pioneer customs still pre-
vailed. Manufactures of the most pressing
necessity were found in almost every house-
hold ; the spinning wheel for tow and flax ; the
big wheel, as it was called, for woolen yarn.
These were woven in the place, and made into
clothing at home, and most of the villagers
and their children were clad in these domestic
suits. The tailor and shoemaker itinerated
here and in the vicinity and were almost con-
stantly employed. A dwelling without a de-
tached bake oven would have been deemed
incomplete ; there were no bakers by profes-
sion, and of necessity each housewife was her
own baker. The Franklin stove and the six-
plate stove were still in use; the ten-plate
stoves had recently been introduced and were
a great improvement on the former, as much
so as the palace cook and heater are upon the
latter. Our stoves were then manufactured
by Mr. Hauck, and bore the legend, John
H.vucK, Catazvissa Furnace; and it was one of
the mysteries that troubled the brains of the
boys, how it ever got there in iron letters, as
much as did the effect of the music of Or-
pheus, which "drew iron tears down Pluto's
cheek.'
"By industry and frugality the people lived
in comparative comfort, paid their preacher
and schoolmaster promptly, and their printer
as soon as convenient, thereby preserving a
good conscience and securing peace of mind.
"The schoolmaster was abroad. Thomas
Grier taught a classical school and prepared
boys for college. Stephen Halft' also taught
a private school, and Rev. Mr. Painter was
principal of the Danville Academy, then a new
institution. The predecessors of these were
Master Gibson, who taught in the old log
schoolhouse near the first edifice of the Grove
Church ; Messrs. Andrew Forsythe, John
Moore, Thomas W. Bell, Don Carlos Barret,
an eminent teacher; John Richards; Samuel
Kirkham, the distinguished grammarian, and
Ellis Hughes, a most competent and success-
ful educator, favorably remembered by many
of his pupils still living.
"The houses were then chiefly on Water,
Mill and Market streets, and, with scarcely
an exception, had gardens attached to them,
with a portion of each allotted to flowers. The
Damascene rose. Guelder rose, flowering al-
mond, peony, narcissus, lilac, lily, pink, and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
379
other familiar floral productions were wont to
ornament it and make it "unprolitably gay.'
The boys, after school hours, often reluctantly,
tried their 'prentice hands at horticulture, and
the most onerous part of their labor was the
removal of the water- worn stone, rounded by
attrition in bygone antediluvian ages, in
oceanic currents. They abounded on Market
street lots and other elevated portions of the
village. Doubtless by this time a succession
of youthful gardeners have removed them
all and made horticultural pursuits less la-
borious.
"Amongst other amusements the boys en-
joyed skating, sledding, sleighing, nutting,
trapping, fishing, playing ball, bathing in the
river and in the Mahoning; in the latter, west
of Factory street, hard by a buttonwood or
sycamore, \<'as a famous bathing place. I'ly-
ing kite and playing marbles in the spring,
were not forgotten. All these afforded them
the needed recreation from study and labor.
"But I must not omit the muster days of
the military. The old Rifle Blues was one of
the oldest, if not the oldest, volunteer military
organizations of the county. The Light
Dragoons, Captain Clarke, were the admira-
tion of all the boys of the place, and their
parades were gala days. The Columbia
Ciuards was a fine company of infantry, num-
bering over sixty, commanded by Capt. James
Carson. The train band, Captain Yorks, was
also one of the institutions of that day. The
regimental musters were generally held at
Washingtonville, and drew together crowds of
spectators to witness their grand maneuvers,
discuss politics and tavern dinners.
"The Watchman was then the only news-
paper. George Sweeny, the veteran editor,
was its proprietor. He had published the Co-
lumbian Gazette in 1813, which was succeeded
by the Express, by Jonathan Lodge in 1815,
and afterward by Lodge & Caruthers. The
Watchman was established in 1820. It was
published on Market street, east of Ferry, and
had a sign in front of the office, upon which
was painted the head of Franklin with the
legend from Milton, 'Where liberty dwells,
there is my country.' There were then few
painted signs in the place, and this one was
very conspicuous. Although the Watchman
was not half the size of the American, it was
esteemed a grand journal, and had great in-
fluence in the politics of the county. It was
made up chiefly by copy from other papers,
and seldom contained editorial articles. Read-
ers were not so exacting then as in these
latter days.
"The politics of the village, like those of
the county, were largely Democratic. What
Democratic principles were I had no very defi-
nite idea, but had a vague impression that
they were just the reverse of Federal princi-
ples, and I suppose that this negative definition
quadrated with the ideas of the dominant
party. State politics absorbed the attention
of politicians and banished from their minds
national politics to an extent that must have
gladdened the hearts of those stolid politicians,
the States' rights men. I remember how a
villager pertinaciously urged the nomination
of General Jackson for governor, and he hon-
estly believed that the gubernatorial honor was
the highest that could be conferred upon the
old hero.
"The members of the bar were few in num-
ber. Ebenezer Greenough had recently re-
moved to Sunbury. Judge Grier, from his
profound legal attainments and fine scholar-
ship, stood at the head of his profession.
Alem Marr, the pioneer lawyer, was a good
classical scholar and a graduate of Princeton.
He represented the district in Congress in
1829. LeGrand Bancroft was district attor-
ney. The other members were George A.
Frick, William G. Hurley, John Cooper, James
Carson and Robert McP. McDowell. A short
time subsequently John G. Montgomery, Paul
Leidy and Joshua W. Comly were added to
the number. All of them are deceased ex-
cept the latter.
"The medical men were not numerous. The
first in the place was Dr. Forrest, the grand-
father of Mrs. Valentine Best ; his successor,
Dr. Barrett ; his, Drs. Petrikin and Daniels.
At the period of which I write there were also
Drs. McDowell and Magill. The latter was
then a young practitioner in the beginning of
his long and successful career, and now re-
mains, beyond the age of fourscore years, the
honored head of the profession, which has in-
creased fourfold since he became a member
of it. And now Danville began to rear med-
ical men of her own. Herman Gearhart and
Alexander C. Donaldson were initiated into
the profession under the tuition of Dr. Petri-
kin. At the same time Samuel Montgomery
and Matthew Patterson were divinity students.
John Martin was a law student in Air. Marr's
ofiice, and subsequently practiced in Clearfield
county.
"Gen. Daniel Montgomery was the first
merchant, but, having acquired a fortune, was
now residing on his fine farm a mile or two
above town. His cousin, Judge William
Montgomery, an old citizen, was now the
380
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
oldest merchant, with his store at the corner
of Mill and Market streets and his residence
on the opposite corner. He bore his full share
in the burden of improving and bettering the
condition of his fellowmen ; was one of the
pillars of the church and founder of the first
Sunday school when many others, if not op-
posed to it, aided it only in a perfunctory way,
and he lived to see it permanently established.
Peter Baldy, though still a young merchant,
was engaged in an extensive business and dealt
largely in grain. He commenced in the old
log building which had been occupied by King
& Hamilton ; from thence, he removed to his
well known store on Mill street, where he
continued his business for half a century,
when he retired, having accumulated a for-
tune. The other merchants were John Moore,
John Russell and William Colt, all old and
esteemed citizens ; and William Bickley, Boyd
& Montgomery, John C. & Michael C. Grier,
and Michael Ephlin, who had more recently
engaged in business. Mr. Longhead had re-
tired from business to devote his time to the
postoffice, and Jeremiah Evans had recently
moved to Mercersburg.
"The old Cross Keys Tavern, kept by Mrs.
Jemima Donaldson, was the best in the county,
and it is doubtful whether it has been sur-
passed to this day. The Union Hotel, the first
three-story brick building and the best one in
the place, was built and kept by Philip Good-
man. John Irwin kept a tavern, corner of
Market" and Ferry streets ; and the most an-
cient hostelry of them all, the Rising Sun, the
old red house at the foot of Alill street, with
the walnut tree at the door, and its crowd of
devotees of Bacchus who made it resound with
"Midnight shout and revelry,
Tipsy dance and jollity.
"The Ferry Tavern, by George Barnhart,
where I often hurried by, fearing the sound of
the fiddle, judging that old Satan could not be
far distant from the violin, thus condemning
that first of musical instruments, from its asso-
ciation with much that is vile. Then there was
the Jackson Tavern, Mill street near Mahon-
ing, by William Clark, a soldier of the Revo-
lution, with the likeness of General Jackson
painted on its sign, thus superseding that of
Washington, as the latter in its day had re-
placed that of George III, tempori parendum.
The taverns then had a monopoly of retailing
intoxicating liquors, dealing them out by the
gill ; and rye whisky was the chief liquor used,
and doubtless was less hurtful than the vil-
lainous compound now sold under that name.
Some who then indulged in 'potations pottle
deep' nevertheless attained a great age ; when
any one of them was warned against indulg-
ing too freely in it, as it was a slow poison, he
replied that he was aware of that, for he had
been using it sixty years and it must be very
sloiv. The coft'ee houses, now destitute of
coffee, the saloons, groceries and other refined
modern drinking places, were then unknown.
In addition to these taverns, Mrs. Spence kept
a boarding house, and had for her guests
some of the most respectable people of the
place.
"Amongst the active and industrious citi-
zens were the blacksmiths. John Lunger was
one of the earliest, and had a shop on Ferry
street. John Deen's smithy was on Market
near Ferry street, where by many and well
directed blows he hammered out a fortune,
loseph Cornelison's was on Mahoning near
Mill street.
"George McCulley was one of the pioneer
carpenters and removed to Ohio, near
Wooster, where some of his descendants still
reside. Daniel Cameron, a worthy Scot and
the great pedestrian who walked from Harris-
burg to Danville in a day without deeming it
any great exploit, was a skillful carpenter and
builder. Adam Schuyler and George Lott
were also engaged in that business.
"The chairmakers were William Hartman,
who was also a wheelwright, and the brothers
Kirk. William Mann was also engaged in that
calling for a year or two.
"Shoemakers — William Woods, Gideon
Mellon, Henry Sanders, Thomas Wiley.
"Tailors — \Villiam M. Wiley, who removed
to Harrisburg; William Whitaker, Amos E.
Kitchen. William Ingold was a vagrant work-
man who plied his needle at the houses of his
employers, and was noted for his quips and
quirks and idle pranks, whereby he amused and
often astonished the boys of the village.
"Honest John Reynolds, from Reading, was
the veteran" hatter, who for long years sup-
plied men and boys with hats. Martin Mc-
Collister was a more recent and very skillful
workman.
"Thomas Blackwell carried on the fulling-
mill and sawmill near what is now the junc-
tion of Mill and Bloom streets.
"The first brewer was Richard Matchin.
The citizens of that day were not, as we
now phrase it, educated up to a due appre-
ciation of that beverage, consequently it
proved less profitable than brewing lager,
weiss and buck beer at the present time.
"George Wilson was the first cabinetmaker,
\
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
381
and some of his substantial old-style furniture
has survived to the present day. Burrows
Moore was long engaged in the same business.
"The Scotch weavers had been famous in
the early days of the settlement. Of those
who were engaged in the business fifty years
since I can now only recall the names of Chris-
topher Smith and Peter Goodman. The latter
was a most respectable and industrious Ger-
man from the fatherland.
"Coppersmiths and tinners — Alexander
Wilson, James Wilson, John C. Theil.
"Watchmaker and jeweler, Samuel Maus.
"There were several saddlers — Alexander
Best, Hugh Flack, Daniel Hoffman, and pos-
sibly others.
"Rifles were in demand, and had always
been much used by the pioneers. These were
supplied by Samuel Baum and George Miller ;
the son of the latter succeeded him and still
continues the business.
"Of public functionaries, we had but few,
and their removals were few and far be-
tween. In the language of an eminent states-
man, it might then have been truly said : 'Few
die and none resign.' Judge Seth Chapman
was long the presiding judge of our courts.
He was a man of moderate legal attainments,
yet he made a good presiding officer. He was
assisted by his associates, Judges Montgomery
and Rupert. George A. Frick was prothon-
: otary, having been appointed to that office
by Governor Snyder in 1S13.
"William Wilson, Rudolph Sechler and Jo-
seph Prutzman were the justices of the peace;
Andrew McReynolds, sheriff : Daniel Came-
ron, constable. Mr. Sechler was also register
and recorder. James Loughead, a dignified
yet popular gentleman of English origin, was
postmaster, and held the office for the long
term of fourteen years, twice as long as any
other with one exception. The office was first
established in 1806, Judge Montgomery being
the first one appointed, and held his commis-
sion from President Jefferson, and filled the
office for seven years. This just and pious
man discharged this trust, as he did all others,
to the entire satisfaction of the government
and the community. He was succeeded by
that other faithful public servant, Rudolph
Sechler, who held it for a like term of seven
years, until Mr. Loughead's af)pointment. I
never knew a more honest man than Mr. Sech-
ler. With him it was innate. He could not
be otherwise than honest. His countenance,
his actions, his words, in short everything
, about him, proclaimed his sterling integrity ;
and what gave a charm to it, he was quite
unconscious of his being more honest than
other men. Of his large number of connec-
tions I never knew one whose integrity was
called in question. It is highly gratifying to
know that in the seventy years the otffce has
been in existence, there has never been a de-
faulter to the national government, and that
all of the thirteen incumbents of the office
have diligently and faithfully discharged the
trust reposed in them.
"One of the eccentric characters of the vi-
cinity was Mr. Finney, who died ten or twelve
years subsequent to the period of which I
write, almost a centenarian. He was a man
of gallantry, a kind of Beau Nash of more
than eighty, with a peculiar child-like tenor
voice, who delighted to play the gallant with
the young ladies of the village, and drive them
around the place and vicinity in his old-style
chaise. Robin Finney, as he was always
called, from his great age and attention to the
fair sex, was a great favorite with them, and
was well known to the people of that day.
His chaise and one owned by Gen. D. Mont-
gomery and one by Judge Montgomery, were
the only pleasure carriages of that kind in the-
county. The old-time carriage of Philip
Maus, which attracted the attention and ex-
cited the wonder of the village urchins, and
the more modern carriage of General Mont-
gomery, were the only pleasure carriages of
that style. Traveling on horseback was then
the proper thing for both sexes, old and young,
gentle and simple, and its general disuse is to
be regretted.
"Abe Brown was an African, or an Ameri-
can of African descent, and the only one in the
place. He had been a mariner, and after he
came here was a servant to Mr. Loughead. He
immigrated to Mahoning county, Ohio, where
by industry and frugality he acquired a com-
l^etency and enjoys the respect of the com-
munity where he resides. Jack Harris was an
octoroon, a fine looking lad, and so nearly
white that he might pass for an Anglo-Ameri-
can. Though not darker than a brunette, the
rude boys persisted in calling him Black Jack.
These boys attended the schools and were
treated with justice.
"The great flood of 1817, usually called the
.\ugust flood, surrounded the place so that,
for the time, it became insular. The only ap-
proach was by boats. I saw the bridge over
the brook on the road, then an extension of
Church street, float away with a man on it
who secured it before it reached the river.
"The inhabitants were supplied with flour
from the mills of John and Alexander Mont-
382
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
gomery and Joseph Maus, all propelled by the
water of the Alahoning. Farmers in the vi-
cinity took their grain in sacks to the mills;
the miller ground it for a toll of one-tenth.
Except for the Baltimore, Philadelphia, or
Reading markets, it was seldom put up in
barrels. Steam power had not been intro-
duced in the place or neighborhood, except at
Boyd's mill, which was then a new one on the
left bank of the river above town.
"Whisky was the Archimedean lever that
moved the world. Contracts could not be
made or performed without its potent aid. The
merchant kept it on his counter, for his cus-
tomers would not purchase goods without it.
It was indispensable at musters and elections.
The farmers' fields could not be cultivated
without its use as a motor. Mr. Robinson, in
the vicinity, offered the laborers who were
employed in his harvest fields extra pay if they
would dispense with it, but they refused. The
temperance cause was advocated by its friends,
but its opponents, numerous, defiant and vio-
lent, determined that their liberties should not
be subverted by a few fanatics who were
worse than the Federals.
"The half century just closed has been an
eventful, almost a marvelous one. In 1826 we
had no railways, telegraphs, typewriters, gas,
petroleum, no canals, iron furnaces, forges,
rolling mills ; no bridge over the river, no fire
engines of any kind, nor many other indis-
pensable improvements, deprived of which we
would speedily retrograde to what we were at
that period. The population has increased
more than tenfold, and Danville has kept
pace with the rest of the world, and shown
an energy and perseverance worthy of her,
notwithstanding the many depressions and
conflicts incident to her position as a great
manufacturing center. Her numerous sons,
dispersed throughout the great West, and in
other portions of our vast republic, now in
exile from her borders, look with pride upon
her onward course in material prosperity, and
her commendable progress in religion, morals,
and science, the social virtues and the ameni-
ties of life, which they trust may continue,
and enable her, for all future time, to main-
tain her elevated position in the good old
Commonwealth."
Great Day
D. H. B. Brower gives the following remi-
niscence :
"One of the great popular demonstrations in
Danville was the last rally of the Republicans
on the eve of Lincoln's second election. It
was on Saturday, the 5th of November, 1864.
"The procession was arranged and con-
ducted by Chief Marshal Lieut. Dennis Bright,
assistant marshals, W. E. C. Coxe, William
Aten, O. H. Ostrander, Lieut. E. W. Roderick,
Dr. George Yeomans, Stephen A. Johnson,
Maj. Charles Eckman, Lieut. M. Rosenstein.
"The magnificence of the immense caval-
cade, the numerous banners, flags and taste-
ful decorations, with the martial strains of
.Stoes' silver cornet band and Sechler's brass
band, gave the demonstration a brilliancy un-
surpassed by any other in the annals of
Danville. The most gorgeous spectacle in the
magnificent pageant was the triumphal car,
containing a charming representative of the
Goddess of Liberty, and a lady, in full cos-
tume, representing each State of the L^nion.
The Goddess of Liberty was robed in the na-
tional colors. Her head was adorned with a
brilliant tiara, she bore a stafif surmounted
with a liberty cap, and occupied an elevated
position on the car. She acted her part with
peculiar grace, eliciting the universal admira-
tion of the thousands that witnessed the in-
spiring scene.
"The ladies representing the States were
tastefully adorned in red, white and blue — ■
dresses white, sashes red, and caps blue, orna-
mented with a star, and surmounted with a
beautiful white plume, tipped with red. Each
lady wore a badge across the breast, upon
which was printed the name of the respective
.State she represented. Each bore a small flag,
and they were seated in a triumphal car, deco-
rated with evergreens in the most artistic man-
ner, while the goddess occupied the center of
the group, elevated on a pedestal. Messrs.
Derr and Von Nieda acted as ensigns. This
was truly the chef d'oeiivre of the great occa-
sion, and on the route elicited the heartiest
cheers, waving of handkerchiefs, flags and
every other token of delight.
"While the storms of hail and driving snow
deterred many from participating in the cere-
monies of the day, it not only proved the pa-
triotism but gave a character of heroism to
the ladies as they braved the storm and waved
their starry flags amid the falling snow. The
following is the list of ladies, with the State
each represented : Goddess of Liberty, Miss
Lou. Hill ; Pennsylvania, Mollie Magill : New
York, Emma Butler ; Ohio, Melissa Brown ;
Indiana, Clara Rockafeller ; Illinois, Ella
Painter: \\^isconsin, Lydia Housel ; Iowa,
Lillie Cook: Maine. Clara Beaver; New
Hampshire, Clara Faux ; Vermont, Kate
L...... „.
HrUs, Mary Gulick ; Texas, Alollie J. Waples ;
North Carolina, Emma A. Laubach ; South
Carolina, Libbie Rank ; Georgia, Gussie Pratt ;
Louisiana, Fanny Bordner; Kentucky, Emma
Woods ; Tennessee, Ruth Basset ; Maryland,
Alice Rockafeller; Alabama, Martha B. Lau-
bach; Missouri, M. W. Beaver; Virginia, Lib-
bie Faux; California, Mary Gibbs; Missis-
sippi, Malinda Cleaver; Florida, Laura
Flanigan; Rhode Island, Aggie Easton ; Mich-
igan, Abbie Bright; Oregon, Emma Sechler;
Delaware, Ada Pratt; New Jersey, Ella
Heath ; West Virginia, AHce Wilson ; Nevada,
Mary Brobst; Minnesota, Annie M. Hefler;
Arkansas, Harriet Garrett ; Kansas, Mary
Bealand. Territories — • Nebraska, Hannah
Eger; Colorado, Mary Lovett; Washington,
Mary A. Thomas ; Dakota, Emma A. Brower.
"Another attractive feature in the proces-
sion was the ladies on horseback. Miss Pitner
was dressed in red, Miss Jennie Koons in
white, and Mrs. D. Gearhart in blue ; Misses
Mary Appleman, Mary Pursel and Lucy
Everett, all skillful riders, occupied a promi-
nent place in the cavalcade.
"The procession was one of great length,
including carriages and wagons filled with
voters, as well as ladies. The wagons were
handsomely decorated with wreaths, flags and
banners.
"When the procession arrived on the
grounds the meeting was organized with the
following officers : President, Thomas Beaver,
Esq. ; vice presidents, William Hancock, Isaac
Rank, John Grove, John Titley, G. M. Shoop,
Rev. Mr. Bamitz, William Twist, Dr. William
H. Magill, George A. Frick, Thompson Foster,
Charles C. Baldy, Rev. John Cook, Joseph
Diehl, W. H. Hassenplug, Dan Morgan,
Samuel Ware, Charles Hock, Philip Maus,
Cornelius Styer and others ; secretaries, Wil-
liam Lewis, T. O. Van Alen.
"The addresses delivered by Hon. William
H. Armstrong and Clinton Lloyd, Esq., of
Lycoming, were eloquent. Mr. Lloyd is one of
the most effective speakers in the State. Mr.
Armstrong is known as a man of marked
ability, and his address was one of great
power, and was delivered amid the plaudits
of the vast assemblage.
"In the evening many buildings were illu-
minated and tastefully decorated. Fireworks
added to the brilliancy of the scene and the
enthusiasm was unbounded. Thus ended one
of the memorable days in the annals of Dan-
ville. The Democrats also had a brilliant
demonstration in that campaign ; but I can
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
383
find no record of particulars, or I would take
pleasure in transcribing them for this page."
Tlie Great Hoax
One incident of the past that attracted
much comment from all parts of the country,
and the mention of which even now will bring
a smile to the face of the gravest of the "old
timers," is the visit to Danville of the bogus
Japanese embassy, in i860.
At that time the Japanese commissioners
came to America to return the visit of Com-
modore Perry, bringing the treaty that had
been negotiated with them, in a varnished
box. A large escort attended the commis-
sioners and the occasion of their arrival at
Washington was made one of great pomp.
A choice coterie of the residents of Dan-
ville decided to organize a fake embassy of
their own, send bogus telegrams to the town
and hoax the citizens into believing the am-
bassadors were coming hither. They staged
the affair for July 4th, and so well did they
carry out the program that most of the popu-
lation were convinced of the reality of the
visit. They had costumes prepared, arranged
for the burgess to erect a reviewing stand,
and had out the fire department and several
bands. The Catawissa railroad train was
halted at Sechler's run and the masqueraders
boarded it. On their arrival at Danville they
were met by the authorities and escorted
around the town, finally stopping at the re-
viewing stand, where addresses were made by
both sides. The pretended Commodore Foote,
who was supposed to accompany the embassy
as interpreter, addressed the crowd in Eng-
lish. The speech of the burgess was trans-
lated into German by the commodore, by the
other interpreter into Greek, and then re-
peated to the embassy. So well did the affair
proceed that for days it was difficult to con-
vince the townspeople that the whole thing
was a farce. One prominent citizen wanted
Thomas Beaver to start up the iron works for
the benefit of the commissioners, even though
the day was a holiday.
Among the participants were : David Clark,
Charles Cook, Dr. Simington, Dr. George Yeo-
mans, Peter Baldy. W. W. Hays, Isaac X.
Grier, John and Samuel Hibler, Col. Samuel
Strawbridge and Robert Adams.
There are some places in a community that
one can never forget ; places around which
memory has hung a chain that will not loosen
or break. Sometimes that memory is but a
384
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
boyish fancy, sometimes a hallowed associa-
tion, sometimes a milestone on the road of
life, and sometimes an uplift that has changed
the whole current of one's life.
The old company store of Waterman &
Beaver was an institution in which one had
admirable facilities for studying human na-
ture, and in which one could always learn.
This store was built in 1844, and the business
was conducted by a number of individuals
and firms connected with the iron works.
Among these were T. O. Van Alen ; Comly,
Grove & Company, and Waterman & Beaver.
It was during the management of the latter
that the store reached the height of its business
success. The building was 175 feet in depth,
with a front of 90 feet, and in the sixties was
packed with goods, cellar, main floor, second
floor and garret. The store was conducted in
four departments, dry goods, groceries,
hardware and shoes. In addition there was a
tailoring department, a gristmill and a tinshop.
In its busiest time there were employed forty
or more clerks and the annual sales were as
high as $500,000.
Those who dealt at this store could purchase
anything from a loaf of bread to a silk dress,
or from a shoestring to the hardware finish-
ings of a new house. The ist of the month
was always a notable day, all regular custom-
ers laying in a month's supply of staple goods,
and the long counters were lined with cus-
tomers three rows deep. Clerks and custom-
ers were on friendly terms and many were the
jokes that passed back and forth.
How there come trooping before one the
faces — Sam Antrim, Johnny McCloud, Charles
Childs, Samuel Ross, Jacob Rhodes, Jap Gear-
hart, Archie McLean, Bill Breeze, Joe Murray,
Johnny Cook, Bob Chamberlain, Park Alex-
ander, John Hunt, Leander Mowrer, Hiat
Matchin and Charlie Hinckley, in the grocery
department ; William H. Hassenplug, Johnny
Gaskins. Charlie Beaver, Ed. Swartz. Sam
Boyer, John Ricketts, Gus Woods and Henry
Schoch, on the dry goods side ; Joel Hinckley,
A. W. Beaver and M. G. Thornton, in the
hardware department ; and in the office W. K.
Holloway, Ike Crewitt, Lew Rodenhoffer,
Harry Crossley, Alex. Diehl, Jacob Miller,
R. M. Cathcart, Benjamin W. Pratt and Gobin
Hofifman ; in the tinshop, Frank Everhart; and
then Silas Alexander, the mail carrier.
To the roll call how few now answer, but in
those busy, thrilling, strenuous days, oh, how
happy and contented, from 7 o'clock imtil 7,
six days in the week. Over all was the watch-
ful eye of Thomas Beaver; and yet there
never beat a kinder heart nor lived one more
in sympathy with the trials and longings and
vicissitudes of the laboring man.
In the company store one learned that
wealth and prosperity, position and influence,
were not antagonistic to poverty and humble
means ; but that the humbler leaning on the
arm of the wealthier could be lifted into a
higher plane and induced to lead a better life.
Mr. Beaver helped more than one poor,
weak, struggling soul to a higher and truer
life. There were sports, innocent and harm-
less, yet of a nature not to be forgotten. Alex.
Diehl never forgot the apple butter in his
boot; nor Joe Murray the day he burst the
shot bag. Jap Gearhart will always remem-
ber the flood in the cellar when the drowning
rats sought shelter on his friendly neck. And
everybody will remember old Nash, the col-
ored watchman, who used to preach to the
saints on Zion's Hill. The old store has gone
and the busy hum of its trade has been
silenced. But the old scenes will live and
abide while memory is enthroned.
Oh, how cruelly sweet are the echoes that start.
When Memory plays an old tune on the heart.
During the days of the war news was
eagerly sought, and the coming of the daily
papers was watched with great interest. A
place of general resort was the bookstore of
George B. Brown, on Mill street, corner of
Penn, and opposite the "City Hotel." There
was always a fair-sized congregation gathered
there in the afternoon, waiting the coming of
the daily papers. This gathering, while wait-
ing for the papers, listened eagerly to discus-
sions on the war, and after the war was over,
to many opinions on the political situation.
Mr. Brown was well read on current afifairs
and when he could not start anyone else in a
discussion he was always equal to the emer-
gency. Many times the fate of the nation was
settled in this place of general resort ; but as
often that fate was unsettled by some con-
trary individual who would not agree with the
arguments advanced, nor accept the con-
clusions generally adopted. Frotn the fall of
Sumter to the surrender at Appomattox the
stirring events of the war were discussed, and
impressions were made that have never been
forgotten. Those were days of deep anxiety
and the papers were eagerly read to relieve
the intense strain ; and when the news of bat-
tles fought was displayed in great headlines,
oh, the eager search for the names of the
killed and wounded and missing. Danville
had a large number of boys at the front, and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
385
much anxiety was felt for their welfare. And
then, when the war was over and the boys re-
turned, many were the tales of heroism and
the stories of camp and march that were re-
lated to eager listeners in the old bookstore.
Air. Lirown, often busy during the day in his
dentist shop adjoining the store, never missed
the newspaper hour nor the conferences that
were held over the nation's atTairs, while
awaiting the arrival of Billy Smith's 'bus, or
other conveyance, bringing the ever welcome
news sheets.
Most of the participants in those gather-
ings have passed to the other side. The old
building has been changed, counters and book-
shelves have been removed, and in their place
electric lamps and modern devices for lighting
and heating are displayed. The front has
been cut down and changed, but around it still
there clings the old memory that no mechanic's
hand can ever efface ; and the old faces that no
lapse of time can ever remove.
Another place of special interest to a num-
ber of what were once young men was the
second floor of the building now removed,
known latterly as the Vincent block, but for-
merly the Elisha Reynolds building, corner of
Mill and Mahoning streets. Here, in the
period from 1867 to 1870, were located a
Young Men's Reading Room and Library and
Debating Society. Thomas Beaver had con-
tributed a number of books and quite a library
had been collected. Many of the young men
of the town belonged to this association, and
here were laid the foundations of many a
young man's future. Weighty problems were
discussed, many debatable questions, it was
thought, were settled for all time by unanswer-
able arguments. Futures of eminence and dis-
tinction were dreamed of and air castles of
rare size and wonderful beauty were built.
But aside from the effervescence of youthful
fancy, there came from that room enlarged
ideas, study of characters, knowledge of one's
self and shaping of views that can never be
forgotten. There are those living to-day who
still look back upon those days of youthful
energy and exuberance, and with Whitcomb
Rilev exclaim :
Oh, the olden, golden glory of the days gone by.
There are doubtless many other places of
special interest in the town, around which
center many pleasant and hallowed recollec-
tions ; but all cannot be crowded into this
chapter. It would, however, not be fair to
close the chapter without a reference to the
place where sleep so many of those who once,
with busy hands and brains, toiled and budded
that we might enjoy the result of their work.
Perhaps too often we neglect the spots where
rest the population of the past. A trip through
the cemeteries of the town, reading on the
gravestones the names of many who were the
bone and sinew of our town, the brains and
inspiration of the past, is always profitable.
There are those whose brawny muscle and
sturdy character for so many years made pos-
sible the smoking stacks and the busy hum of
our works of industry. There are those whose
strength of mind and busy brain and .stalwart
character were the foundation and strength
and defense of our town. There are those
whose depth of piety and devout consecration
and earnest religious fervor have erected the
church spires and made possible in our midst
the religious life that has been the uplifting
and saving power of this community. There
are the silent ranks of the departed soldiery ;
those who once, with patriotic step and flushed
face and set lip, carried to glorious victory
the flag, now their winding sheet. There is
the vast unnumbered host, the common people
of the past, the main reliance and strength
and power of all the years gone by ; naines
forgotten here, but recorded in the book, some
time to be opened before the great Judge of
all the earth. There they all lie, not dead but
sleeping, the Danville of the past. They are
part of us and their resting place is a spot of
special interest. They and the living of to-
day have made the history which is here
recorded. Much has been omitted, much im-
perfectly written ; but the actors, living and
dead, in this history of a century and a quar-
ter, have lived well their part and budded
deep and strong for posterity.
CHAPTER X
TOWNSHIP FORMATION
The territory included within the boundaries
of Cokimbia and Montour counties originally
comprised the townships of Augusta and
Wyoming, of Xorthumberland county, in
1772. In 1784 what is now Montour county
was formed into Turbut township, named
after Turbut Francis, a land speculator, who
owned most of the area included in this
county.
Mahoning township was formed in 1775 out
of part of Turbut township. Chillisquaque
township was erected in 1786 out of parts of
Turbut and Mahoning townships. Derry
township was formed in 1786 out of Turbut.
Those portions of Chillisquaque and Tur-
but townships reannexed to Columbia county
by the act of Januar}-, 18 16, were erected into
Liberty and Limestone townships in the same
year.
]\Iadison was made from part of Derry in
1 81 7. Valley was made from parts of Ma-
honing and Derry in 1839. Anthony was
struck off the upper end of Derry in 1847 and
named after Judge Anthony of the court
which formed it. \'alley was first called
Baldy township, but eight years later was
given its present name.
The final organization of Montour county
in 1850 caused a rearrangement of the town-
ships, which was not permanent, however.
The new county then contained Franklin, Ma-
honing, \'alley. Liberty, Limestone, Derry,
Anthony, Roaringcreek, and part of Montour,
Hemlock and Madison townships. Part of
Madison and parts of Hemlock and Montour
townships were renamed Cooper township.
In 1853 the county line was rearranged and
Roaringcreek, Franklin, Madison and part of
Hemlock were restored to Columbia county,
part of Hemlock being retained and formed
into West Hemlock township. Part of Mon-
tour township was taken and renamed Cooper,
and part of Franklin lying west of Roaring
creek was called Mayberry. This arrange-
ment has continued to the present time.
Summarizing the matter, the townships
forming Montour county in 1914 were erected
as follows: Mahoning, 1775; Derry, 1786;
Liberty, 1816; Limestone, 1816; Valley, 1839;
Anthony, 1849; Cooper, 1853; Mayberry,
1853: West Hemlock, 1853.
This brief record of the formation of the
divisions of Montour county is reviewed here
as a matter of convenience to the reader, in
order that the dates and origin of the town-
ships may be readily ascertained without re-
ferring to the separate sketches.
CHAPTER XI
ANTHONY TOWNSHIP
This township was named after Judge grew to manhood. He purchased six hundred
Joseph B. Anthony, who was the presiding acres of land, which later passed to the owner
ship of Charles Mowrey. Colonel Clark had
won his title by service through the Revolu-
tionary war and in his time was known as an
eminent patriot, as he is known to the present
time through tradition. Colonel Clark was
Dauphin county, Pa., where he was born and present at the signing of the Declaration of
386
judge of the courts of the district when it was
formed, in 1849. It was originally a part of
Derry township.
One of the earliest settlers in the vicinity
Col. Robert Clark, who moved from
was
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
387
Independence and wore his chevrons proudly,
as they were won through his bravery at the
front.
WHITE HALL
This place acquired its name from the White
Hall Hotel, built in i8iS by John F. Derr,
and rebuilt in 1849-50 by Ferdinand Ritter,
who had great ambitions to make it a popular
resort for travelers along the main road
through the town. He engaged Samuel Brug-
ler of Jerseytown, a brother of John H. Brug-
ler, the architect of Danville, to embellish it,
and the result of his work is seen still in the
beautiful carvings, which he employed for dec-
oration all over the front of the building and
on the massive doorway. These carvings are
works of more than ordinary artistry, and
could well be placed in some museum for pres-
ervation. The building is now occupied by the
owner, John McWilliams, as a residence. De-
cay has damaged the old inn and lack of paint
has caused the carvings to disintegrate badly.
John Fruit, the first settler at White Hall,
was a native of Ireland. Locating in the
township some time during the closing years
of the eighteenth century, he shortly after
his arrival started a store, using some of the
space of his home for the purpose of dis-
playing merchandise. This pioneer later
erected a small frame structure which he de-
voted exclusively to the sale of merchandise,
of the variety usually found in the small
country store of the time. In 1810 John Fruit
sold his establishment to John Frederick Derr,
who conducted it for thirty-one years. In
1841 William McBride acquired an interest in
the business, and upon the death of Mr. Derr,
which took place in 1853, Mr. McBride and
his son, J. S. McBride, continued the estab-
lishment until 1864, when a new building was
completed and the stock transferred thereto.
Upon the decease of his father, J. S. McBride
assumed the business and conducted it for
many years.
Another firm which transacted a mercan-
tile business during the early years of White
Hall, which was then known by the name of
"Fruitstown," was Ely & Mover. A store
which was maintained for six years was estab-
lished in 1841 by Neal McCoy. Letters ar-
rived at and departed from "Fruitstown"' by
means of a pony mail, which reached that
point after traveling a circuitous route from
Catawissa. The first mail carrier who handled
the mail and the pony was a boy by the name
of Jacob Dyer. In 1820 the tiny settlement
assumed the dignity of an individual post-
office, which was presided over by a man
named Biddle. Succeeding this official, whose
given name has become lost in the cycle of
time, was John F. Derr, who remained in
charge until 1855, when William McBride be-
came postmaster. Seven years later John
Crawford was appointed to the position, and
in turn was followed by his son, G. W^ Craw-
ford, who later was replaced by J. S. Mc-
Bride. The present postmaster is J. B. De-
Wald. He and George Hill and Lewis Smith
are the present storekeepers.
The first blacksmith shop at White Hall was
established by Daniel Dildine, an Irishman,
who was one of the early settlers of the place.
The first place of shelter was opened by An-
drew Schooley. This hostelry which gave
"entertainment for man or beast" was known
as the Red Horse Hotel, and occupied the site
where the brick store now stands. The old
hotel was torn down to make room for the
store building. Following Andrew Schooley
as the manager of the establishment was David
Ely, and he was succeeded by Ferdinand Rit-
ter, who came from Berks county, and
eventually rebuilt the White Hall Hotel.
I
EXCHANGE
This interesting rural village received its
name in 1840. At that time the settlement
consisted of the Crownover mill and a few
houses. An ancient log schoolhouse located
across the creek added a certain dignity to
the pretensions of the community. John Cald-
well erected the first brick structure, which
later passed to the ownership of Patrick
Dennin. The first postmaster of the hamlet
was Gersham Biddle. The present one is
Boyd E. Stead, who is a merchant also.
The first hotel at Exchange was opened
some time in 1839 or 1840 by Walter John-
ston, who subsequently gave it up and moved
to Jerseytown. His son, William C. Johnston,
was later elected register and recorder of
Montour county. William Craig was one of
the original settlers at Exchange and his de-
scendants, John and Alexander Craig, were
prominent factors in the development of the
community. .Another early settler was James
McKee. In the records and traditions of Ex-
change is mentioned one John Bull, who main-
tained a hotel at "the top of the hill." His
descendants long have passed from the ken
of human recollection. His place was still
standing as the nineteenth century drew to a
388
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
close, but as a place of entertainment it had
been closed for years.
One of the prominent families of Exchange
was that of Patrick Montague, who lived
above the hill. Another well known resident,
David Wilson, lived to be over eighty years
of age. Charles Clark, who lived to a very
ripe old age, lived with his family a short
distance north of Exchange. Mr. Clark was
the first merchant of the community, building
and opening a store in 1838. For a time he
was a boarder at the hotel which was con-
ducted by Walter Johnston.
The Odd Fellows have long maintained an
established foothold in this community. Ex-
change Lodge, No. 898, I. O. O. F., has had a
long and useful history. It was organized in
1874 with Isaac Acor, noble grand; A. H.
Litchard, secretary ; and Daniel Liebe, treas-
urer. They have a fine meeting hall and a
good membership in 19 14.
Exchange Grange, No. 65, Patrons of Hus-
bandry, also have a substantial frame hall and
a large membership in this agricultural com-
munity.
Among the prominent men of the county
was Hon. Lloyd \\'. Welliver, member of the
Legislature and for many years postmaster
at Exchange. He held the latter office under
three presidents, turning it over to his daugh-
ter in 1894 when he took his seat in the Legis-
lature; later he was associate judge of
Montour county.
Exchange is the only place in the county
outside of Danville which boasts a bank. It
seems strange to note a fine brick banking
house near a corner of the two main streets of
a tiny village, with a stretch of forest on one
hand, the new St. James Catholic Church on
the other, and a few rural homes along the
opposite side of the road. The Farmers' Na-
tional Bank was chartered in 1906, with a
capital of $25,000. The present deposits
average $50,000, and- the institution has a good
surplus. James S. Brannen is president ; A. H.
Litchard, vice president ; and James F. Ellis,
cashier.
Exchange has a population of about eighty,
two stores, kept by Boyd E. Stead and Thomas
Dennin, the hotel of William Houghton, the
gristmill of Charles J. Yagel, and two black-
smith shops.
A planing mill was at one time operated
by W. H. Dildine, but was destroyed by fire
in 1912 and not rebuilt.
Comlv is a small settlement in the north-
western part of the township. The only
storekeeper there is John Smith.
RELIGIOtJS
One of the landmarks of the county and
the oldest Presbyterian Church outside of
Danville is Derry Church, which was given
to Anthony township when the partition oc-
curred, because of its location well within the
new township's territorial boundaries. In 1802
a little pine-log schoolhouse. a short distance
from the Derry Church, was erected. The
structure was of the most primitive character,
having a dirt floor, in the center of which was
built a fire in extremely cold weather. A gal-
lery was erected in the interior of the school-
house, but the stairway to the gallery led up
from the exterior of the building. On one
side of the gallery was a rough pulpit, and in
front a space was boarded up and resembled
a rough wooden box, contrived for the use of
the choir. The pupils of the school came from
far and near, daily traversing the trails and
little traveled highways that led to and from
the adjoining sparsely settled communities.
Students were enrolled in this school from
comparatively great distances, from homes
that would now lie in Columbia, Northumber-
land, Luzerne and Lycoming counties.
This church was probably organized by the
Donegal Presbytery not later than 1792. It
is mentioned in the records of the Presbytery
of Carlisle, which was founded in 1786, as
though Derry Church had existed before the
Presbytery itself. In common with all the
older churches of this Presbytery, the origin
of Derry is rather mythical.
William McVickar and Thomas Adams
were prominent in the first church of Anthony
township. They assisted in the organization
of the institution and were numbered among
its first elders. Rev. Asa Dunham, the first
Presbyterian minister here, preached under
the trees. His title of "Father" showed the
great affection that his people had for him.
The first regular pastor, in 1799, was Rev.
John B. Patterson, who performed the func-
tions of minister, father and friend to the
members of this little congregation, in connec-
tion with Mahoning. In 1831 he severed his
connection with Mahoning and thenceforth de-
voted his time to Derry Church. After min-
istering to his congregation for forty-four
years he passed away in their midst, and was
laid to rest in the Presbyterian graveyard at
Danville. Mr. Patterson was succeeded by
Rev. John H. Rittenhouse, who came
from near Milton. Soon after his in-
stallation as pastor of the church the new
leader commenced to agitate the question of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
389
a new church, and his activity in this matter,
together with the etiforts of his congregation,
brought about a cuhnination of their endeavors
several years later. While standing in front
of a new church which he had been asked to
dedicate at Washingtonville, even as the con-
gregation was assembling to hear his address,
this popular clergyman dropped dead. This
occurred in 1853, and Rev. John Thomas suc-
ceeded to the pastorate, followed by Rev. John
Johnson and Rev. G. A. Marr, who resided in
Northumberland county. In the years since
the services here have been few and far
between.
Numbered among the early parishioners of
the old Derry Church were James Biggins,
Col. Robert Clark (the eminent and courage-
ous Revolutionary war veteran ) , William Mc-
Cormick, James Barber, Thomas Barber,
Andrew Sheep, Samuel Brittain, Joseph Hen-
derson, James Lowrie, Joseph Hendershott,
Gersham Biddle, James Pollock, Thomas
Morehead, John Carr, John Allen. James C.
Sproul, Thomas Adam, James McVickar,
John Russell, John Craig, William Pegg,
Samuel Hutchinson, Charles McKee, James
Simington, Robert Shearer, Thomas Foster,
Thomas Robinson. John Blee, and Mr. Mc-
Hord. They worshiped at the Derry Church
through the passing years until 1832, when
the first church was erected in Washington-
ville.
The old and historic church was torn down,
a fact that is greatly regretted because of its
associations with the past, and was replaced
by the present structure, which was dedicated
in 1846. Derry Church at present is in a fair
state of preservation, the congregation this
year having placed concrete steps at the front
and repaired the building. Rev. William Gem-
mil, a retired pastor of Milhille, preaches here
in the summer every two weeks. Three men,
M. C. Sheep, V. C. Shultz and W. B. Shultz,
constitute the trustees, elders and entire male
membership of the church. An endowment
pays for the upkeep of the cemetery, while
the church is in the care of the three men and
their women folks. The choir loft has been
boarded up, and the remainder of the church
is as primitive as at the date of its con-
struction.
The first regular services of St. James' Epis-
copal Qiurch, located at Exchange, were held
in the middle forties. They were conducted
by Rev. Milton Lightner, who had previously
preached at the grave of Stephen Ellis, one
of the original settlers, and the first of that
name to move to the vicinity. Just before he
passed away, Stephen Ellis had signified his
intention of bequeathing $200 towards the
construction of a church, "should there ever
be a disposition to erect such a building."
Actual building of an edifice of worship was
started in 1848, on land purchased for that
purpose. Bishop Alonzo Potter laid the cor-
nerstone, and the duty of ofiiciating at the
dedication of the structure fell to him later in
the same year. Rev. Milton Lightner and
others took part in the ceremonies in connec-
tion with that event. Other contributors to
the building fund were William Ellis, Stephen
Ellis (son of Stephen Ellis, deceased), Catha-
rine Ellis, Jane, William, Isabella, Ellen and
John C. Ellis, Milton Lightner and Amos
Heacock.
Rev. Milton Lightner ministered to the
needs of the congregation for ten years. Suc-
ceeding him was Rev. Edwin N. Lightner, who
served the congregation from Danville. Fol-
lowing him was Rev. Mr. Elsegood, who in
turn was succeeded by Revs. Fury, William
Page, Albra Wadleigh, Rollin H. Brown,
Abram P. Brush, Baldy Lightner (son of Mil-
ton Lightner), Frank Duncan Jadow, Frank
Canfield, William Johnson, David L. Fleming,
and others. The cost of the church building
was over $1,300. The first officers were Wil-
liam Ellis, Stephen Ellis, John C. Ellis, Amos
Heacock, vestrymen, and William Ellis and
Amos Heacock, wardens.
In 1910 the church was completely rebuilt,
owing to its dilapidated condition, the floor
having sunk six inches at a meeting which
filled the church one Sunday. The present
value of the structure is $3,500. The services
here are held at intervals of two weeks by Rev.
Mr. De \\'itt, of Muncy. The membership
consists of about fifty persons.
The White Hall Baptist Church was erected
in 1858. Its original cost was about $1,500,
and the first preacher to deliver a sermon and
minister to the religious requirements of the
little congregation was .\ndrew F. Shanafelt.
The money needed to construct the edifice was
solicited and obtained in other ways by Wil-
liam McBride, Eftie Derr and A. Holden, who,
tradition states, were most actively assisted
by all the residents of the vicinity. The first
officers of the church were William McBride
and George Supplee, deacons, and A. Holden
and William McBride, trustees. The church
building is still in a good state of repair, and
the congregation is served by Rev. Henry C.
Munro.
390
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
White Hall at one time supported a Primi-
tive Methodist Church, but it long ago passed
into oblivion.
New Bethel Evangelical Church stands on
the hill a short distance west of White Hall.
It is a frame building, erected in 1887, and the
congregation is served by pastors from Wash-
ingtonville.
St. James' Roman Catholic Church congre-
gation was organized in 1888, by Rev. Michael
J. O'Reilly, of Danville. In December of
that year a frame church, 30 by 40 feet, built
at a cost of $1,700, located about two miles
from the village of Exchange, was dedicated
to St. James. The congregation was small,
but devoted, and served by the rectors
of the Danville Church. In 1900 Father A.
M. Feeser, rector of the Convent and Home
of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Danville,
took personal charge of the Exchange Church.
In 1909 the present church was built in the
village, at a cost of $7,000, and dedicated Oct.
20th of that year by' Bishop J. W. Shanahan,
of Harrisburg.
SCHOOLS
John Rea was the first school teacher in
White Hall. His class assembled in a frame
structure which occupied the site of the pres-
ent brick school building.
Exchange Hall and school was built and
opened to the public in 1874. The building
cost $1,300, and was erected under the super- j
vision of Stephen C. Ellis, Patrick Dennin and
Dr. McHenry, who acted as a building com-
mittee. The first teacher to serve in the school
was Augustus Truckmiller. The hall has
long been tenanted by various fraternal orders 1
and was originally owned by twenty-eight
stockholders who invested in and constructed
the edifice.
The first school in Church Hill district. No.
6, was built in 1849, ^""^ was subsequently
torn down to be replaced by a more modern
structure.
The school directors of Anthony township
are Patrick Dennin, Samuel Hilner, Levi Fort-
ner, Allen Watson, William Ellis.
CHAPTER XII
COOPER TOWNSHIP
This is one of Montour county's smaller
townships. Its southern boundary is the
river, and on the east is the dividing line be-
tween Montour and Columbia county. The
soil of the township is rough, the contour hilly,
and its greatest natural resource, perhaps, the
mineral deposits. Iron ore and limestone
have been found in abundant cjuantities.
North of Grovania lie Limestone kilns, active
years ago, but comparatively idle since the
cessation of the operations of the Grove Iron
Works at Danville several decades ago.
It is popularly supposed that the first resi-
dents of the township were a family by the
name of Krum, a number of whose descend-
ants are still living in the township. The
Fousts and Cromleys, also, are mentioned as
being the original settlers of the district.
t^ROVANI.V
This little settlement grew up around the
quarries of limestone operated in former times
by Grove Brothers for their furnaces in Dan-
ville. The limestone stratum here dips very
abruptly and the workings are far into the
depths of Montour Ridge. A tunnel was
formerly used to deliver the stone at the track
of the Catawissa railroad, but is now aban-
doned. The quarries are only partially worked
now.
.\fter the closing of the furnaces at Dan-
ville the property of Grove Brothers was sold
in partition to James E. Reichert. After
Reichert's death Alonzo Mauser leased the
quarries and later bought them. He is now
the only operator at Grovania, but other work-
ings are in use near here by Charles Summers
and Calvin Kastner.
The abandoned powerhouse of the Colum-
bia & Montour Electric Railroad Company is
located at Grovania, and is now used for stor-
age purposes, since the power for that line has
been brought from Harwood.
The storekeeper and postmaster at Gro-
vania is C. D. Garrison. The fine farm and
dairy of T. E. Hyde is located near the town,
just on the line of Columbia county. Between
Hyde's farm and the village is the station of
the Philadelphia & Reading (once the Cata-
wissa) railroad.
At the extreme western end of the town-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
391
ship is the settlement of Ridgeville, which
sprang up in the days of the old stage road
to Danville, and then sank into gradual decay
when the coach was superseded by the rail-
road, the track of which runs some distance
south of the spot. Ridgeville once boasted
a tavern to accommodate the traveler.
RELIGIOUS
Upon the summit of a hill south of Gro-
vania, embowered in the remnant of a noble
forest, stands a small brick church. Wide-
flung doors on either side of the front give
invitation to enter, and within dim quiet in-
clines the wayfarer to rest and pray. Upon
a stone tablet let into the front under the
eaves are these words : "St. Peter's Kirche.
Erechtet 1856," in German text. Behind the
old church is the burying ground, wherein
lie the remains of many of the forefathers
of eastern Montour and western Columbia
counties.
This church is used alternately by the
Lutheran and Reformed denominations.
St. James' Church, at Ridgeville, was built
about the same time as St. Peter's and the
history of the latter is that of the former.
SCHOOLS
There are four schools in this township,
most of them being located on the sites used
since the first establishment of the public
school system here. The school directors of
the township are Jacob M. Shultz, Alfred
Blecher, E. W. W'elliver, Edward Cashner.
Benjamin Buck.
CHAPTER XIII
DERRY TOWNSHIP— WASHINGTONMLLE BOROUGH
This is one of the oldest townships and set-
tlements of Montour county. A Mr. Brittain,
whose given name has been lost in the span
of time between the past and present, was the
earliest settler in the territory that later be-
came Washingtonville. His son, Nathaniel
Brittain, lived to the ripe old age of four-
score years and more on the old family place,
and the legal papers that he often exhibited
with ])ride to his friends and neighbors indis-
putably proved his title to the family home-
stead. .Another very early settler was Jacob
Shultz, who in 1790 settled in what is now
Limestoneville, from which place he moved to
Derry township after a tenancy of one year.
He died in 1804, and was buried in Derry
Church graveyard. During this year an epi-
demic of typhoid fever broke out in the com-
munity and carried off many people. Another
very early resident of Washingtonville was
Matthew Calvin. No trace of his posterity can
be found in the modern annals of the com-
munity. He built the old frame mill which was
a landmark in the early days of the village;
twice the structure was devastated by fire and
as often rebuilt. Another pioneer was Joseph
Hutchinson, who settled near Washington-
ville in the earliest times. Another was
William A. McCormick, father of James Mc-
Cormick. who afterwards received honors
from his native county. William Shaw was
another settler at that time ; his daughter
Margaret was the wife of William A. Mc-
Cormick. James McCormick was a colonel of
militia, served two terms in the State Legis-
lature, and his descendants are among the
prominent families of Derry township in 1914.
In 1812 a sawmill, the first in the township,
was erected by John Steinman, who selected
a site half a mile above the Billmeyer place.
A little later in the same year another mill
was built, by John Auten, who after experi-
menting for two years found business good
enough to add a gristmill to his lumber enter-
prise, and at the same time erected a house.
The gristmill long has passed from the ken of
man and the sawmill followed it into oblivion.
John Wilson was another early settler of
the conmiunity. He located near the Bill-
meyer place, and died on the farm which he
purchased. Stephen Ellis and his wife
Eleanor (Cunningham) were also pioneers of
the township, emigrating to the vicinity from
Donegal. Ireland. A son, Stephen, was born
to them in their new home on May 15, 1807.
W.\SHINGTOXVILLE BOROUGH
Washingtonville and Danville are the oldest
settlements in Montour county. This is the
only borough in the county outside of Danville,
the date of its charter being April 28, 1870.
392
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The first burgess was H. C. Snyder, and
Joseph B. Seidel, Andrew C. ElHs and James
A. Miller were the first councilmen. The first
known settlement of Washingtonville antedates
the war of the Revolution. Among the early
buildings of the community were the Bosley
water, grist and sawmill, built prior to 1788.
The structure which housed these industries
was destroyed by fire in 1826, and subse-
quently another building was erected. This
mill formed the nucleus of a fort which was
built to alford protection to the residents of
the few homes which had sprung up in the
vicinity. The fort was locally known as
Brady's fort, although State historians define
the blockhouse as "Boyle's Fort." Portholes
were pierced in its walls, and for a while a
small howitzer was mounted within the inclos-
ure. This armament gave protection to the
settlers who fled to the shelter of the fort at
the approach of savage bands of red men. The
fort was named after two Revolutionary
heroes, Samuel and Hugh Brady, and the
name of "Boyle's Fort," as mentioned in the
histories of the State, is apparently a mistake.
A great famine afifected this and many other
localities of the State in 1788. Philip Maus
purchased a quantity of grain in that year
from John Montgomery, who inhabited Para-
dise farm, and delivered it to the Bosley mill.
At the time the place was called Washington.
From old records it is ascertained that in 1788
Samuel Smith, Adam Hempleman and Robert
Rogers were settlers in the village, and their
wants were relieved by the grain secured from
Paradise farm, which they obtained from the
mill. The ownership of this business later
passed from the hands of Bosley to Samuel
Hutchinson, who eventually became a leading
man of the community and its principal prop-
erty owner. He successfully conducted the
mill for a number of years and also owned
and managed a large farm in the vicinity.
Mr. Hutchinson was a virile man, with un-
usual intelligence, and had strong and inde-
pendent views on all subjects, particularly that
of religion. Through his generosity the Pres-
byterians of the village received a donation of
land upon which, in 1832, they erected a Pres-
byterian church. Samuel Hutchinson, a son,
is also identified with the early life of Wash-
ingtonville. He taught school, and later re-
moved to a larger sphere of activity in
Huntingdon county, becoming a lawyer and
eventually being elected to Congress. Before
achieving that honor the younger Hutchinson
had served his Commonwealth from the
judicial bench.
The first postmaster at Washingtonville was
Mathew Calvin, and the first physician was
Dr. Newcombe. The first hotel in the place
was built and conducted by one Allen, who
before the Revolution realized the possibility
of the occasional traveler passing through the
community. Robert Walker was the first
blacksmith. He was an excellent mechanic
and evolved the Walker plow, an agricultural
utility which became celebrated in that day
and time. His industry and enterprise re-
sulted in the building of a foundry and fac-
tory for the manufacture of plows and kin-
dred products. Eventually he moved to Lan-
caster, where he died. Nathaniel Spence was
the first merchant of the place. Succeeding
him was William McCormick, a native of Ire-
land, who later rose to considerable promi-
nence in the village.
The question of where the old Washington-
ville fort stood is a matter of some uncer-
tainty. Some think that the site was located
across the creek, adjacent to the present
borough limits, while others contend that it
stood just back of what is now Front street,
between Church and Water streets, within
the borough limits.
The first schoolhouse was built after the
Revolution came to a close. The structure
was a square pen of unhewn logs, and light
and air were provided for by the omission
of a log when the structure was erected.
The building was roughly thrown together
and in every sense primitive and typical of
the pioneer days. Early in the nineteenth
century Washingtonville had achieved con-
siderable distinction as an important place,
and was included in the route of the mail
stage as it passed through the county. In
1838 four hotels and four stores were doing
business there. The leading business men
of the time were James and David McCor-
mick,. sons of William McCormick ; Neal Mc-
Coy, son of Robert, and the fimi of Grim,
Derr & Dye.
The Washingtonville mills are now oper-
ated by L. C. Cooper and Jacob W. Keefer.
The postmaster is Elmer Cotner. The store-
keepers are Eves & Diehl, Charles Gibson,
C. L. Cromis, T. B. Yerg and G. K. Hed-
dens.
The Excelsior Hotel was started in 1837 by
James T. Heddens, who conducted it for for-
ty-four years. After his death his wife,
Fannie, kept it until 1906, when E. E. Fry-
meyer bought it, and is still the proprietor.
The hotel was burned in 1891, but at once
rebuilt. Mrs. Heddens was one of the most
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
393
popular hotelkeepers in the county, and her
house saw many a party of diners from Dan-
ville and Bloomsburg.
The other hotels of the town are kept by
William Snyder and A. L. Heddens.
The woodworking shop of James Stacker,
for many years a well known landmark on
the road at the outskirts of Washingtonville,
was totally destroyed in October, 1909.
Stecker had accumulated many fine and rare
specimens of wood and had hundreds of fine
tools, all of which were lost. He never re-
built the shop.
The town hall here was built in 1908. For
a number of years the authorities used a large
meat refrigerator for a lockup. This is said
to be the origin of the word "cooler" as re-
ferring to a jail.
The old covered wooden bridge across the
creek was removed in 1908 to make way for a
steel one.
The societies of Washingtonville are : Wash-
ington Camp, No. 365, P. O. S. of A. ; Derry
Lodge, No. 759, I. O. O. F. ; Washingtonville
Tent, No. 13, K. O. T. M., and the Knights of
the Golden Eagle, the latter organized in
1891 with twenty-seven members.
STRAWBERRY RIDGE
This village is a station on the Susquehanna,
Bloomsburg & Berwick railroad, a branch of
the Pennsylvania road running from Watson-
town to Berwick, and quite a settlement has
grown up. The place has a Grange Hall, Re-
formed Church ( Rev. A. F. Dreisbach,
pastor), blacksmith shop, the store and post
office kept by Mrs. Emma Mowrer, a store
kept by A. H. Snyder, a flourishing creamery,
a grain elevator and a hotel.
Trinity Reformed Church is located next to
the hall on a hill. It is of brick, with
a wooden steeple, and was built in 1868.
The cemetery attached is cut in half by the
public road. The building occupies the site
of the Union Church built in 1818 by the
Reformed and Lutheran congregations.
The church was repaired and rededicated
in 1907, during the pastorate of Rev. William
Kohler, at a cost of $1,200. The congrega-
tion is now served by Rev. A. F. Dreisbach,
who also series the Dutch Hill or Heller con-
gregation in Columbia county.
billmeyer"s park
This place is a short distance east of Wash-
ingtonville, on Mad creek. It consists of a
preserve for game of over twenty-five acres.
Here Alexander Billmeyer has an inclosure
within which are over two thousand squirrels,
twenty elk, seventy-five deer and many wild
turkeys. He allows no one to hunt on the
place, but the entire tract is free to the pub-
lic as a park. Many visitors come from dif-
ferent sections to see the herd of elk and
other animals, which are shown by attendants.
In addition to the preserve Mr. Billmeyer has
one of the largest farms in the county, in a
high state of cultivation.
For twenty-seven years A. E. Seidel of
Derry township has been training hunting
dogs, and in that time has trained an average
of thirty dogs a season. These animals come
from all over the Union and their value runs
into the thousands of dollars.
religious
That famous pioneer preacher. Rev. J. B.
Patterson, an exponent of the Presbyterian
creed, was stationed at Washingtonville and
had charge of the Derry Church and
the Washingtonville Church, the latter being
the first combined schoolhouse and church in
this immediate section of the State ; the build-
ing was a log structure, built in 1802, of most
primitive design and equipment. This good
man died in the community in which he
labored and the memory of his sterling char-
acter, purity of thought and unselfishness of
action has been handed down in the annals of
the community, and is now cherished and re-
vered by the descendants of his parishioners.
The present Presbyterian Church, a brick
structure, was built just after the Civil war,
and its erection was the natural evolution of a
growing congregation founded on faith and
probity. The first organization was made in
1849. and the present brick church was built
in 1865. Revs. L. F. Brown, Owen Reber
and Charles Hifner were some of its pas-
tors. At present the pulpit is vacant.
The Lutheran and Reformed congregations,
organized in 1812 in Derry township, with
thirty members, built Zion Church in partner-
ship, at a cost of $360, in 1818. The building
was located at Strawberry Ridge. In 1850
the two denominations separated, the Luth-
erans building a church at Washingtonville
in 1 85 1, at a cost of $1,600. At present this
church has 450 members, and is served by
pastors from the chiirch at Turbotville, North-
umberland county. It adheres to the old
branch of the church — the General Council.
In 1908 tlie church was almost rebuilt, being
394
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
rededicated in that year. At present there is
no regular pastor here, the pulpit being sup-
plied at irregular intervals.
Washingtonville Methodist Church was
built in 1852, and rebuilt and rededicated in
1889. The pastors changed almost every year
in this denomination, so many of the names
of the former pastors of this church are not
on record. Some of those known are : Revs.
Albert H. Albertson, Milton L. Hess, Ed-
ward Jackson, J. E. Bassler and Thomas M.
Phillips. The present pastor is Rev. L. A.
Remley, the membership is eighty, and the
value of the church is $3,900.
SCHOOLS
The combined schoolhouse and church men-
tioned above was the first institution of learn-
ing in this township. Columbia Seminary was
a private school at Washingtonville, taught for
some years by D. M. Barber, between 1838
and 1850.
The school directors of Washingtonville
are: B. S. Dieffenbacher, Joseph B. Seidel,
George W. Miller, Hiram P. Cotner, A. L.
Heddens.
The school directors of Derry township
are : George P. Cotner, A. E. Seidel, Charles
E. Shires, John Hoffman, \\'illiam Lobach.
CHAPTER XIV
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
It is thought that Col. Thomas Strawbridge,
originally of Chester county. Pa., was among
the first settlers in the territory which is now
known as Liberty township. He was a vet-
eran of the Revolutionary war and among his
neighbors bore a reputation for conspicuous
bravery and a high order of citizenship. He
arrived shortly after his marriage to Margaret
Montgomery, a sister of Gen. \Mlliam Mont-
gomery, who removed to Danville at about
the same time as his brother-in-law. Colonel
Strawbridge established a tannery in the
township, the first in this section of the State.
Another family chose this vicinity as a
home. The McWilliams purchased land in
1 77 1 from John Moore, whose property was
located where Mooresburg now stands. The
family consisted of Robert McWilliams, his
three sons, Hugh, John and Robert, and one
daughter, Jane, who had married Robert
Curry, in Ireland. One of the sons, Hugh,
was killed by the Indians in 1775. Robert
Curry also met death at the hands of the
treacherous redskins. Jane Curry, who was
born Feb. 8, 1773. was the first white child
born in this section of the country, between the
north and west branches of the Susquehanna.
One of the earliest records of the township
is the deed which transfers ^2(jy2 acres of
land from the Penns. This parcel was located
northwest of Mooresburg. The title was
changed again in 1806, when it was purchased
by Robert Finney, who improved it and re-
sided there until he died, in 1839. Finney
became known throughout this section becaiise
of numerous eccentricities and steadfast
penuriousness. He remained a bachelor to
the day of his death and was noted for oddity
in attire, manner, speech and habits. He paid
for the big farm by threshing wheat with an
old flail, a handmade afifair, a long hickory
pole, cut and bent, with the regulation heavy
end to separate the kernels from the chaff.
Tradition says that he resided in an old out-
building on the place, and in severe weather
oft'ered the comfort of his living quarters to
such beasts of the field as he owned. The
story is told that while eccentric, miserly, and
holding himself aloof, the old fellow, on the
coldest winter day, would take himself to Dan-
ville and bring back armfuls of straw to make
comfortable his kine.
The Billmeyers were notable arrivals in the
locality. From the very beginning of their
residence here they were known as frugal,
sincere and simple people, enterprising and
prosperous. The first sawmill in the region
was erected by John Steinman, who chose
a site half a mile from the Billmeyer home-
stead, on Chillisquaque creek. The building
was erected in 1812, and later he added a
turning lathe. In 181 2 John I'Kuten built
another sawnfill, below there, and two years
later he added a gristmill. The lumber for
the gristmill and for his home was worked up
in his first establishment. A more modern
mill in due course replaced the sawmill, but
the hand of time has long effaced the grist-
mill.
John \\'ilson purchased land near the Bill-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
395
meyers. His property comprised 175 acres,
which he worked until declining years and
death removed him from the sphere of activ-
ity.
George Wagner, a weaver, located m the
township, and industriously supplied the in-
habitants with the materials used in the wear-
ing a])parel of the times. Other settlers were
fames and John McMahan, noted Revolution-
ary soldiers ; and John and Peter Simington,
who fought in the War of 181 2.
MOORESBURG
This village was laid out in 1806 and was
named in honor of the Moore family, who
fii-st settled here. The area of the town plat
was thirteen acres, and the first building was
the homenvhich Stephen Moore built. Stephen
was 'a descendant of one of three brothers,
John, Joseph and Andrew Moore, who accom-
panied William Penn on the good ship "Wel-
come,"" which arrived at American shores in
1762. They were members of the Society of
Friends, and Stephen was a grandson of John,
one of those adventurous argonauts. He died
at his home Jan. 20, 1813.
The Mooresburg pottery was established in
1857. The last owner was J. F. Ack, in 1901.
The Mooresburg gristmill is operated by
Ephraim Bower, and is fitted with modern
machinery and run by steam.
The hotel here is kept by Richard B. Lat-
shaw. W. G. Ford runs a store and the post
office, and B. \\'. James is another storekeeper.
LIBERTY FURNACE
This was the third charcoal furnace built
in the county, and was the work of John
Trego, an old-time ironmaker, who erected it
in the summer of 1839 for Burd Patterson &
Co.. of Pottsville. It was first leased by
James and William Trego, who ran it till
1841, the product being about twenty-eight
tons of iron per week. In 1841 it was leased
by the Maus Brothers, who did not make a
success of the works, and in 1844 it was al-
tered to use anthracite by Lieb & Trego, and
for a time produced a good grade of iron.
But the competition of the Danville furnaces
and the exhaustion of the nearby ore beds
made its suspension imperative about 1850.
It is now only a ruin of stone.
RELIGIOUS
Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church, the old-
est of that denomination in the northwestern
part of the county, was established in 1773
and joined with Warrior Run Church under
the care of Rev. John Bryson. After the
withdrawal of that pastor many of the fami-
lies moved away and the church gradually de-
clined. The first church building was a log
one, and the second, a frame, was built in the
early fifties. In 1886 it was served by Rev.
H. G. Finney, from Mooresburg. At present
it has been abandoned.
Mooresburg Presbyterian Church was or-
ganized in 1829, the pastors serving here
being supplies from other churches near. The
present pastor is Rev. R. P. Howe. The first
church was of stone, built in 1834, 35 by 48
feet, the building committee being John Hop-
per, Robert Adams and Abner Moore. The
present church was built in 1907 and is of
brick.
The Methodist Church at Mooresburg was
built in 1834 of stone, the building committee
being John Douty, Jonathan Rishel, Robert
Alexander and Conrad Dieft'enbacher. In
1882 the church was entirely rebuilt. The
congregation is served by pastors in the Dan-
ville district.
Follmer Evangelical Lutheran Church is lo-
cated on the northwest edge of the township,
and was built in 1859. It is a large two-story
brick building, with a cemetery opposite it,
across the road. It is served occasionally
from Danville.
Center Lutheran Church is located in the
southwest end of the township, and was built
in 1885. The cemetery beside it is of much
greater age. Rev. Paul Haymas, of Dewart,
Northumberland county, is the pastor. Cen-
ter school house is located beside it.
SCHOOLS
Old Center stone school was built in 1823
and stood as a landmark until 1872, when it
was destroyed by incendiary fire. The ground
on which it was built was given jointly by
James Strawbridge and others. James Aiken
and James Lafferty were the first teachers
there.
There are eight schoolhouses in this town-
ship, all of them on old sites. The school
directors for 1914 are: W. A. Cornelison,
Edward H. Robinson, Frank S. Hartman,
William C. Starner, Christopher Springer.
A FINE BRIDGE
One of the county works of benefit to the
public is the fine reinforced concrete bridge
396
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
across Chillisquaque creek at the Jackson
Billmeyer dam in this township, which was
constructed in 1914 by Reimard Brothers.
The bridge is 80 feet long, a fine sample of
modern concrete work, and cost $2,3cx). It
will probably last as long as some of the mon-
uments which were erected in the county dur-
ing late years. In former times bridges were
constantly in need of repairs and renewals,
the cost of which came from the taxpayers'
pockets and went into the ever open palms of
greedy contractors. The concrete bridges
which Montour county has built over many of
the streams throughout the county may cost
more at first, but they will be extremely eco-
nomical in the long run.
CHAPTER XV
LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP
Limestone was originally part of Derry
township and was erected into a separate com-
munity in 1816. Its broad and fertile fields
constitute one of the richest agricultural sec-
tions of the county. A noted settler of Lime-
stone was Henry Gibson, who was a surveyor
by profession. Joseph Gibson, one of his
great-grandsons, was the oldest resident in
1886. The Gibson family were remarkable
for their longevity : Henry Gibson, a grandson
of the original Henry, and the father of
Joseph, lived to the ripe old age of eighty-two
years, eight months, passing away in i860.
The Gibsons were not only locally prominent,
but their influence and reputation extended to
many sections adjacent to the vicinity where
they lived. The Balliets, another early fam-
ily of Limestone, were descended from ancient
lineage. They could trace their ancestry back
to the Crusaders. The first of their ances-
tors to arrive in America reached AUentown,
Pa., in 1749, and later a branch emigrated to
Limestone. Probably the next oldest settlers
of Limestone were the Davises. who came to
America in 1754. The Gougers were also
among the early settlers of the vicinity, and
the name of John William Gouger descends to
modern times as an example of pioneer citi-
zenship and manhood. Jacob Shultz was a
pioneer of Limestone and a soldier of the war
of 1 81 2 and passed away in the township
where much of his life was spent. Among the
other early settlers were the Follmers, one
descendant of which family served the county
as associate judge.
LIMESTONEVILLE
The village of Limestoneville was founded
in 1835, through the erection of a dwelling and
store by Daniel Smack. The establishment
was a pretentious one for the time and place.
and the ambition of the owner to found a
community was given full sway. The next
thing added to the settlement was a blacksmith
shop, and after it was erected the enterprising
])ioneer secured a smith to conduct it. He
built a shop for a tailor and another one for
a shoemaker and placed men in charge. His
energy extended further and in a more phil-
anthropic direction, when the construction of a
Methodist church was begun. Upon its com-
pletion Daniel Smack organized a congrega-
tion which filled the frame building, and the
fulfillment of his ambition — that of building
a town — was reached, when a brick school-
house augmented the other utilities of the
community. A hotel was opened by a German
who had come to the village. Later Balliet
& McCormick entered into a commercial
rivalry with Daniel Smack which terminated
when the partners purchased his interests,
lock, stock and barrel, as it were, and not only
became proprietors of the Smack store, but of
the community itself. This mercantile busi-
ness they conducted with success until 1848,
when they sold out to Jacob Weidenhamer.
From those early days Limestoneville has
grown to be a pretentious and thrifty village
of comfortable residences and such public
conveniences, including a post office, as accrue
to a place of its size.
California Grange, No. 942, P. O. H., has
a hall in Limestoneville. The storekeepers
are C. L. Johnson and Charles H. Lahr & Co.
The first steam sawmill in the township was
built in 1888 by Ellis Croniley at Limestone-
ville. It is not now in use. John Schalter
built a chop mill in 189^, and it is now oper-
ated by John N. Herr.
Ottaiva is a small station on the Pennsyl-
vania road in the extreme northern end of the
township. The postmaster and storekeeper
there is D. R. Rishel.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
397
RELIGIOUS
The congregation which worshiped in the
frame Methodist church built by Daniel
Smack was served for some years by resident
pastors, then by the pastors at Washington-
ville, and finally abandoned and sold for a
private residence in 1878.
Paradise Reformed Church was built in
Limestoneville in 1854. In 1914 the pastors
from Pottsgrove, Northumberland county,
have been holding the infrequent services
there.
SCHOOLS
Limestoneville Institute was established in
1862 in a substantial brick building. It was
a classical high school, under the care of W.
D. Weidenhamer, president ; Rev. Lucien Cort,
secretary ; A. S. Wagner, treasurer ; and David
Davis, trustee, for an association of stock-
holders. The school opened with a goodly
number of attendants, and with Rev. Lucien
Cort as the principal. His successors were :
Professors Alden, J. Hay Brown, present
chief justice of the Supreme court of Pennsyl-
\ania. William G. Ritter, Charles S. Albert,
J. E. Shadle, J. P. Bergner, William Pullen
and W. B. Shedden. The latter was the last
instructor, in 1889, the school being closed be-
cause of lack of attendance and support.
The school directors of this township in
1914 are: William S. Bogart, G. M. Dye,
Charles Hoffman, William F. Geiger, John
N. Herr.
CHAPTER XVI
MAHONING TOWNSHIP
The names of the taxable citizens of Mahon-
ing township assessed during the year of 1798
have been handed down to the present time
through a record which was made by Philip
Maus. tax collector for the township in that
year. The territorial limits of the present Ma-
honing are a great deal smaller than the town-
ship was in the closing days of the eighteenth
century, and consequently the list, which is
given below, contains names of citizens who
lived in communities now bearing a different
name. In fact, this list includes about all of
the then residents of the entire county of Mon-
tour, and a part of Columbia county as well.
The names are: Paul Adam, James Burk,
Robert Biggers, John Bogart, Daniel Barton,
Elisha Barton, Cornelius Bogart, Abraham
Bogart, Stephen Brown. Peter, Frederick and
Michael Ijlue, Thomas Boyer, John Clark,
James Conifran, Isaac Calden, Duncan Cam-
eron, Widow Curry, George Caldwell, John
Caldwell. John and William Cox, William
Cornelius, Widow Cameron (grandmother of
Hon. Simon Cameron), Andrew Coughran,
John and Thomas Davis, Samuel Erwin, John
Enrit. Sr.. and Jr., John and Daniel Frazer,
Michael Hille, Hugh and Thomas Hughes,
David Inawalt, James Getplin, James Kermer,
David Kerr, John Moore, Philip Maus, John
Miller, William Montgomery, Alex. McMiUen,
Benjamin Martin, William Martin, Aaron and
Daniel Pew, Daniel Phillips, Robinson, Leon-
ard Rupert, James Rabe, John Stewart, James
Sample, John Seigler. Michael Sundes, Jacob
X'anderbilt, Gilbert \'orhigh, John Woodward,
John Wilson, Joseph Williams, Thomas Wil-
letts, John Young, Alexander Seliman, Har-
man Zulic. In this list, the single men are sep-
arated from the married men, and the former,
who were mostly young taxpayers, are given
as follows : George Maus, Isaac Budwan, Mike
Saunders, John Cook, Samuel Enrit, Jacob
Sechler, Alexander McGee, William Richard.
David Steele, Jacob Groff', Widow Campbell
(a young widow it is supposed), Jonathan D.
Sargeant, Michael Bright. William Clark,
Widow Duncan, Daniel Heisher, Abel and
Daniel Reese, Aaron Long, George Miller,
Evan Owen, David Phillips, Widow Zimea,
Thomas Robinson, Alexander Berrj'hill, Wil-
liam Ross, Abner W'ickersham, Dennis Leary,
James Hunter. George Fant, John Buel, Cada-
wallader Zowns, Samuel Pleasants.
When Danville was made a borough and
separated from this township the area was still
further diminished. Being composed mostly
of immense hills, and with Danville for a near
neigiibor, the township of Mahoning has had
few happenings to chronicle in its history. In
this township are the Danville and Mahoning
Poor Farm and the State Hospital for the
Insane, a description of which will be found
elsewhere.
Mcclianicsz'ille. a settlement of workmen
along the Bloomsburg trolley line, is the site of
the Ontiora silk mill, built in 1911.
398
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Here also stood the "White" Methodist
church, which was torn down' in 1891. A
description of this church is found in the
church chapter of Danville.
The Odd Fellows, Catholic, and German Re-
formed cemeteries are within the limits of
Mahoning township.
Many of the iron mines of the owners of the
big Danville furnaces, which produced abun-
dantly for a long period, were within the limits
of this township.
SCHOOLS
The most interesting of the schools of this
township is the Mahoning schoolhouse,
built before the formation of the county of
Montour, on land donated by Jacob Sechler.
The old frame building is now replaced by a
brick building of large size.
The school directors of this township are:
William T. Dyer, Hurley Baylor, Lloyd Bay-
lor, Landas Gass, Alfred Diehl.
CHAPTER XVII
MAYBERRY TOWNSHIP
This division of Montour county was
formed in 1853, and is almost completely
separated from the rest of the county by the
Susquehanna river. It projects southward like
a tongue between Columbia and Northumber-
land counties, and could well have been given
to either one in the days of separation and dis-
sension.
The territory of which this township is
formed was originally a part of Franklin town-
ship, in Columbia county, and was swapped
back and forth between the two counties dur-
ing the division until it finally landed in the
hands of Montour officials.
The township received its name from one
of its chief citizens, Mayberry Gearhart, a de-
scendant of William Gearhart, one of the ear-
list settlers of the district. The contour of the
land is broken and hilly. Narrow levels, which
follow the course of the Susquehanna, mark
some of the territory, while mountainous ele-
vations rise in the north end and extend south
through almost the length of the township
limits. Sharp Ridge rises near the eastern
boundary and extends in a southerly and
southwesterly direction to the center; the
ascent of this ridge is gradual and the top
is comparatively level. Along the ridge is
the main road leading from Danville, running
across the north end of the township, along
the river to Roaring creek, and then turning
south passes out of the township at the south-
west corner.
The first settler of this section was John
Cleaver, a Quaker who came from Chester
county in 1783 and settled near the mouth of
Roaring creek, at the site of the present grist-
mill. Others who settled at this spot were
William Gearhart and Daniel Brobst. Brobst
was the first blacksmith and Cleaver built the
predecessor of the present mill. John Mensch
was an active factor in the German colony.
Among others to settle, become prominent and
then drift to other places was Charles Boone,
who came from Berks county, and settled and
improved the place that later passed to the
ownership of William (iearhart. After living
there several years he moved back to Berks
county. A physician. Dr. William Boone, built
a home half a mile up the creek; after living
there for some years he migrated to Ohio,
and there was killed. Another settler, J.
Nought, built a house a mile further up the
creek. Peter Osman moved in and built in
the section that is now the north part of the
township. The exact date of Vought's arrival
is not known, but it is supposed to have been
some time during the last part of the eight-
eenth century.
Mayberry township contains no villages or
towns within its limits. The roads are very
poor and hilly and the inhabitants \i\e in semi-
isolated points, which cannot be dignified even
with the name of settlements. The only post
office established in this section was that at the
mouth of Roaring creek, called Howellville
after the first postmaster, W. B. Howell, in
1895. The railroad station of the Pennsyl-
vania here is called after the creek.
The scenery at the mouth of Roaring creek
and for some distance above is of great beauty.
Here the creek makes a turn like the letter S
and falls from one ledge to another in a
series of beautiful cascades. The ledges are
broken off short in places. The county
bridge across the creek is an old wooden
covered structure, built upon a foundation of
the rock ledge, which is pierced just beneath
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
399
it by a deep gorge, making an ideal location for
the causeway. This spot is a jiopular resort
for picnic parties and anglers.
This section was settled soon after the Cata-
wissa valley was populated. In 1783 John
Cleaver, a member of the Society of Friends
from Chester county, came here while on a
visit to friends at Catawissa and decided to
buy land on the north side of the Susquehanna.
He was deterred from this by the great flood
of that year, which covered the lands he had
selected, so he took instead a tract on the
hills west of Roaring creek, near its mouth,
on the south siile of the river. He brought his
family here the following year, built a home,
and the third year erected a mill on the bank
of the creek. He built the dam on a rock ledge
about half a mile above the mouth of the creek,
anchoring the woodwork to the rocks by means
of iron bolts. When this dam was replaced in
191 1 by a concrete one the old work was still
in a good state of preservation.
This mill passed into the hands of Welling-
ton Cleaver after the death of his father,
Jesse, and is now in the possession of Henry
E. Bohner. The old building is still in use,
but a modern turbine wheel has replaced the
old wooden overshot one. The concrete dam
is one of the best examples of this class of
work in the county, while the forebay has also
been concreted for a short space between the
edge of the hill and the mill. The old mill-
race, blasted from the solid rock, needed no
repairs or im])rovement. One turbine of 35
horsepower operates the machinery, and the
addition of other turbines could develop over
125 horsepower. The mill is fitted with mod-
ern roller process machinery and the output is
twenty-five barrels of flour daily.
The most important industry in this section,
as well as in the county, was the Roaring Creek
Furnace, which to a great extent contributed
to the development of the iron works of Dan-
ville. All that remains of the old plant
now is the heap of slag, which many of the
summer visitors think is part of the natural
rock formation, so completely has the story
of the old furnace passed from memory.
Another industry of the past was the saw-
mill of R. Davison, at the mouth of Little
Roaring creek, now abandoned. The grist-
mill of Jacob Swank, in the western edge of
the township, on the same creek, about the
center of the territory, is now owned by Peter
S. Cromley.
RELIGIOUS
The first church in this township was the
Methodist, built in 1856 almost in the center
of the township. There is also an old ceme-
tery opposite, one of the oldest in the south-
ern part of the county. The church is sup-
])lied from Elysburg, Northumberland county.
Rev. T. F. Rijjple is the present supply.
Vought's Church cornerstone was laid Aug.
15, 1837. the building committee being: John
\'ought, Thomas P. \'astine, Peter \'ought,
and Jesse W'eikle. \'alentine V'ought was
the builder. It was owned by the Lutheran
denomination. On Nov. 3, 1907, the corner-
stone of the present church was laid, and Sept.
27, 1908, it was dedicated. Rev. J. W. Shan-
non was then and is now the pastor. The last
building committee consisted of : H. H. Swank,
J. M. Vought. J. W. Vastine, Isaiah Vought,
John Klingnian, P. S. Crossley.
SCHOOLS
There are two school districts in this town-
ship, of which the population is but 215 souls,
and the same number of schools. The first
schoolhouse was built before the Methodist
church, and was for a time used also for
religious services. The present schools are all
new buildings.
The school directors for 1914 are: Isaac
Adams, Henry E. Bohner, William H.
Fahringer, Christopher X'ought, Walter
Vought.
CHAPTER XVIII
VALLEY TOWNSHIP
It is thought that the first settler into the
vicinity of what is now known as \'alley town-
ship was PhiHp Maus, the founder of the fam-
ily whose members for many generations have
been such factors throughout this portion of
the State. He purchased a plat of land located
on Mahoning creek in May, 1769, which was
the earliest date that it was possible to obtain
a clear title to land that had been purchased
from the Indians, and which included a great
area in this section. At the close of the war
of the Revolution, Philip Maus, together with
his son and two carpenters, made plans to visit
his purchase. The little party first appeared
in the settlement at the mouth of the Mahon-
ing, which had just been founded by Daniel
and William Montgomery, and from there ]Mr.
Maus proceeded to the site of his new home.
With the aid of his son and the carpenters the
pioneer built the first log cabin in V^alley town-
ship. It was located on the right bank of the
stream. He proposed to clear away a small
tract of woods near his humble home, but
prowling Indians prevented an immediate con-
summation of that plan and the tools which
he had provided for that purpose were, to-
gether with other personal possessions, finally
buried, in order to preserve them from the
savage foe. Philip Maus has left recollections,
which he intrusted to his friend John Frazer
to write. From these memoirs is gathered
what is probably the most reliable account of
the killing of Robert Curr)% as follows :
"Two years previously," in May, 1780,
Robert Curry and his wife, traveling on horse-
back from Northumberland, on the way to
their little farm on the Mahoning, when about
midway between the two places, were attacked
by savages. He was killed and scalped and
his skull broken to fragments with their
tomahawks. She was taken prisoner. Her
hair was long and jet black, which they greatly
admired. They told her she was a "much
pretty squaw," and that they would not hurt
her. They traveled until night, when they en-
camped. They then tied her hands and feet
with hickory bark. Soon they were in a pro-
found sleep, when she cut the bark from her
wrists and ankles. She had concealed a pair
of scissors about her person which, fortu-
nately for her, escaped their vigilant search
when she was first made captive. She fled
from their camp as fast as possible, but they
soon missed her and, lighting torches, pursued
her in all directions. She concealed herself
in the top of a fallen tree. They passed over
the trunk of the tree and, as they did so, cried
out: "Come on, squaw, we see you. Come
out, pretty squaw, we see you !" After some
time spent in fruitless search they abandoned
it, broke up their camp before daylight, and
pursued their journey. She then returned to
the remains of her murdered husband, and
gathering up the pieces of his skull in her
apron took them to her house, which she
reached the next day. The agony and deep
distress of this poor woman may be con-
ceived, but the pen utterly fails to describe
them.
A fragment of a letter from Mrs. Maus,
dated "Northumberland, 1783," is so full of
interest that a portion of it is reproduced:
"Your brother George likes this place very
well. When you come, do not fail to bring
100 White Chapel needles and two or three
ounces of thread suitable for sewing calico
and homespun linen. Give my love to your
grandpa and grandma, and tell her I wish her
to come with you and see us ; we will arrange
for her journey to Lebanon and back. You
will see Rev. Stoy's palace. Tell her the
Peninton's house up Race street is nothing
to compare to it and Dr. Stoy lives only
seventy-five miles from us. * * * Tell
the girls that Susy and the young girls here
take a canoe and go into the river fishing here
by themselves ; the river is as clear as a spring
and not half a yard deep. This is a most
beautiful and picturesque place. We have
the wild deer not half a mile from us, skipping
about the hills where the boys go to fetch ;
the cows. '
"Your loving mother,
"Frances Maus."
400
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
401
In 1793, Philip Maus built his sawmill, and
for years cut the lumber for every building
that was erected in the neighborhood. The
limestone that was found in abundant quan-
tities in the neighborhood formed another
natural resource to construct the homes of
the settlers, and as Danville grew into a flour-
ishing industrial community proved a great
source of supply for her iron furnaces. Seven
years later this sturdy pioneer built a flouring
mill, which for its day was an imposing struc-
ture. An anecdote covering his experiences in
digging the mill-race has descended to the
present time. One portion of the work was
being done by the Catholics, and the other
by the Protestants, and such was the factional
feeling that the proprietor had to take posses-
sion of the clubs and shillalahs of the con-
tending elements in order to prevent blood-
shed. Tradition has it that eleven barrels of
whiskey were consumed during the progress
of the work, which apparently was a com-
munity afi'air, and the whiskey was contributed
because the new mill was to be a public con-
venience.
Early in the days of their settlement the
Maus family cultivated two acres of flax, and
took the product to a Scotch family in the
hamlet, who did much of the neighborhood
weaving. From the flax was woven the linen
cloth which made their summer clothing. Their
heavier winter garmenture was obtained from
the wool clipped from the backs of the sheep
that they raised. Before the era of wool and
flax, cured and dressed animal skins provided
their clothing. During the long evenings of
winter the Maus family, by the light of lard
oil lamps, perused the literature of the day.
which, so far as their library was concerned,
consisted of such works as "Cook's Voyage,"
Weems's "Life of Washington," the works
of Oliver Goldsmith — the "Deserted Village,"
"X'icar of Wakefield" — and even "Don
Quixote." It is stated that on rare and festive
occasions, Maus senior would add to the en-
joyment of the reading by apportioning the
dramatis personae amongst them. \\"hen the
Maus family fortunes had grown to the point
-that justified the acquisition of a family car-
riage, one of the style of Louis XIV. was
purchased, and its arrival in the valley created
a profound sensation among the neighbors.
This vehicle is thought to have been the first
one of its kind imported into the vicinity of
what is now Montour county.
One of the first neighbors of the Maus
family was Samuel Music, who soon became
known to the community as a Godly man and
an excellent citizen. He was subject, how-
ever, to periods of moroseness, and when in
that mood was exceedingly grufif and brusque
to all. His neighbors understood him, even
in the grimmest of tempers, and his roughness
of speech was a source of amusement to them.
The poorhouse farm of this township was
established a few years after Danville and
Mahoning had established similar institutions.
The gristmill at Mausdale has not been run-
ning for several years. The building erected
by Philip Maus is still in use and is a substan-
tial stone structure, which bids fair to outlast
the present generation.
The Valley Furnace was built in 1846 by
the sons of Philip Maus. It used anthracite
and was operated by them for many years
very successfully.
The present postmaster at Mausdale is
Elmer Renn, and the storekeeper is Edwin S.
Delsite.
Arthur Mourer and George Artman operate
sawmills in diflFerent parts of the township,
but the timber is now practically exhausted.
RELIGIOUS
Straub's Lutheran Church in Frosty valley
is a very old organization, dating from the
last years of the eighteenth century. It has
a brick building and the services are held by
pastors from Danville.
St. John's Reformed Church at Mausdale
was dedicated Feb. 12, 1858. and in 1892,
after extensive repairs, was rededicated. Some
of the pastors here, who had several other
churches in their charge, have been: Revs.
F. H. Fisher, 1893; Charles D. Lerch, 1907;
J. E. Stamm, 1908; J. W. Albertson, 191 1;
F. W. Brown, 1912 ; I. W. Bean, 1913-14.
SCHOOLS
This township has five good schools, most
of them built within the last twenty years.
The school directors for 1914 are: Frank
Hendricks, N. E. Sidler. Andrew Steinman,
A. H. Weitzel, Edward X'olkman.
CHAPTER XIX
WEST HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP
This division of Montour county was
erected in 1853, after the controversy with
Columbia county had been settled. The sur-
face of the township is extremely hilly, but
all of it is now in cultivation. The east branch
of Mahoning creek passes through the north-
ern part of the township.
r)ne of the early settlers in West Hemlock
township was George Crossley, who built a
home about a mile south of the point known
as New Caledonia. He had a family, but his
descendants long ago left the neighborhood.
Michael Sandel, who raised a large family,
was next in order as a pioneer. Another early
arrival in the community was Burtis Arnwine.
who built a house in the southern part of
the township.
NEW COLUMBI.\
The village of New Columbia, in West
Hemlock township, at one time had ambitious
aspirations for its future. Located on the
Bloomsburg stage route, the residents looked
forward to a healthy growth and material
prosperity. But the Catawissa railroad, which
later was absorbed by the Philadelphia &
Reading, went by another route, and the only
effect that its building had on the community
was to deprive it of the periodical visit of the
stagecoach. St. Peter's Church and cemetery
and a cluster of residences still mark the vil-
lage, and the inhabitants have long given up
the expectation that the community will un-
dergo any sudden metamorphosis.
New Columbia was destined by its founders
to be a village of no mean size, but circum-
stances willed otherwise, and it is now scarcely
a settlement. The fine roomy residence of
Charles Deighmiller stands beside the church,
and there are several empty and dilapidated
cottages ranged along the road north of it.
These constitute the "town" of New Columbia.
Sweyioda post office was established here in
1895, with E. C. Crim in charge. It is now
abolished.
At Stycr's Corners is located the farm of
that family, which they call "Clover Hill." C.
F. Styer, the present owner, has developed the
place into a fruit farm. He has many varie-
ties of apples, peaches, pears and small fruits,
and combines with this work the raising of
fine swine and poultry.
RELIGIOUS
St. Peter's Union Church at New Columbia
was built in 1825 by the Presbyterian, Luth-
eran and Reformed denominations. The first
Presbyterian pastor was Rev. Asa Dunham,
and it was part of the Briarcreek charge for
some years. At present the congregation of
sixty-six members is without a pastor. The
Lutherans and the Reformed members have
united and are in charge of Rev. Allan Cham-
berlain of the Buckhorn Church.
The first church building stood in the center
of the cemetery, which is called Swenoda.
Here are the graves of many of the older pio-
neers of the county, as well as those of soldiers
of the Revolution, the war of 18 12 and the
Civil war. In 1870 the old church in the
burying ground was razed and the present one
built, across the road. It is a fine brick build-
ing, of imposing appearance, standing on the
top of the hill and overshadowing the few
houses around it. In the rear are two large
sheds for the shelter of the teams of the wor-
shipers, ample space being provided for sev-
eral hundred vehicles and horses.
I->osty \'alley Methodist Church is located
in the center of the township. The congrega-
tion worshiped in a schoolhouse near by until
i86g, when a frame church was built on the
road from Bloomsburg to Mooresburg, three
miles from r.uckhom. The trustees are Henry
Hodge, William McMichael, John Gulliver,
Samuel Runsley, William Pooley. This
church has been served for many years by
pastors from Danville and Buckhorn.
SCHOOLS
There are three schoolhouses in West Hem-
lock township. In 19 14 the school directors
were: L. C. Shultz, William E. Moore, J. H.
Tanner, Lloyd Moore, W. W. Laubach.
402
y^^^^-i^,^-^^.uk.^^^^^-^-^^^
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHARLES ROLLIN BUCKALEW, the
twenty-eighth representative from Pennsyl-
vania in the United States Senate in order of
election, served a term in that body in the
sixties, and also as a writer of authority on
representation and the Constitution of I'enn-
sylvania has a permanent place in the political
annals of the State. He was a member of the
Pennsylvania Legislature for several terms,
before and after his service in the national
body, and was considered one of the ablest
leaders in the Democratic party in his days,
his public career covering a period of over
forty years.
Mr. liuckalew inherited his strength of
character from ancestors of independent po-
litical tendencies, as the early history of the
family well shows. They were of Scotch
origin, the Buccleuchs (Buccleughs) of the
clan Scott, and one or more of the name — in-
cluding the ancestor of Charles R. Buckalew
— accompanied the train of loyal Scotchmen,
who went with Mary. Queen of Scots, when
she establishetl herself in France. Li that
country the family became Huguenots, and
the name took the form of Bucleau. Three
generations of the ancestors in the line here
under consideration remained in France,
where Francis and Gilbert Buckalow (as the
name was spelled during the early part of their
residence in the New World ), the first to come
to America, were born. They came to this
country in 1665, probably because of religious
persecution.
Francis Buckalow, from whom Charles R.
Buckalew traced his descent, was (it is said)
born in 1640, located first on Long Island, and
later moved to the eastern part of New Jer-
sey, settling near South Amboy, where he died.
According to the family records his death oc-
curred in 1750. which would make him no
years old. He and his brother were married
in this country, and Gilbert wrote the name
Boileau.
Samuel Buckalow, son of Francis, was born
in 1696 near South Amboy, and as he lived to
the age of ninety-six years, dying in New
Jersey in 1792, the tradition about his father's
age may be fact. His w-ill, which came into
the possession of his great-grandson, John M.
Buckalew, dated April 12, 1781, devises to his
"trusty and well beloved son John" a certain
tract at the place mentioned (all his lands),
and states that it was bequeathed to Samuel
by his brother Francis. Samuel married Mary
Campbell. The elder of their two sons. An-
drew, received by the w'ill mentioned "the just
and lawful sum of ten shillings," and John
was appointed sole executor. No reason is
given for the strange disposition of the prop-
erty, and it is not known whether Andrew had
been previously provided for or not.
John liuckalew, as he spelled the name, was
born April 14, 1743, in South ,\mboy, removed
to what is now the site of Muncy. in Lycoming
county. Pa., in the seventies, shortly after his
marriage, and it is supposed was there en-
gaged at his calling of millwright and miller.
He purchased a tract of three hundred acres
and carried on farming there. On Feb. 8,
1776, he was appointed a member of the Com-
mittee of Safety for Turbut township, North-
umberland county ( under Franklin's central
committee at Philadelphia), and he was asso-
ciated with the famous Capt. "Jim'' Brady,
was a member of the militia and took his turn
doing scouting duty. As his brother-in-law was
away fighting he had to remain home to pro-
tect both families. A couple of years later,
in 1778 or 1779, he was obliged to remove be-
cause of the Indian troubles and John Bucka-
lew went to Harford county, Md., settling at
403
404
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Rock Run, where, it was said, he "ground
flour for the Continental army" without pay.
At any rate, he had a contract with the Con-
tinental Congress to grind grain for the army,
and an old unpaid account of nearly seven
hundred dollars is still in existence. Return-
ing to Pennsylvania in 1785, he made his home
on Chillisquaque creek in Northumberland
county, and after a few years' residence there
went in 1796 to Little Fishing creek, where he
erected a gristmill. In 1816 he removed thence
to a smaller farm on Huntington creek, in
Fishingcreek township, Columbia county,
where he died July 3, 1833. In 1773 he mar-
ried Maria McKinney, who was born Oct. 5,
1754, of Scotch-Irish parentage, daughter of
Mordecai McKinney, of Hunterdon county,
N. J., and sister of Capt. John McKinney, a
Revolutionary soldier, who served with dis-
tinction and after the w-ar removed to Ken-
tucky. Airs. Buckalew died Nov. 25, 1829.
Her father followed them into the wilderness,
and went to Harrisburg when the Indians be-
came troublesome. Five sons and seven
daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. John
Buckalew, of whom Sarah married William
Collins, of Chester county, Pa., and moved to
the Mississippi valley, in Illinois, where she
died in 1843; Nancy is deceased; Rachel mar-
ried Samuel Earl, of Huntington, Luzerne
county ; Rebecca married Daniel Woodward
and I second) Rev. Epaphros Wadsworth :
Elizabeth married Jacob Ogden and resided
in Luzerne county ; Amos, who was a lumber-
man, died in Middletown, Pa., at a compara-
tively early age ; John M. is mentioned below ;
James was the ancestor of Louis W. Bucka-
lew, mentioned elsewhere in this work.
John McKinnney Buckalew, one of the five
sons, was born Dec. 17, 1786, on Chillisqua-
que creek. He learned his father's trade at
Catawissa. and worked at it for a few years,
acquiring a competency as a miller, farmer and
lumberman. In 1808 he bought a large tract
of land in Fishingcreek township (later owned
by his sons Perry and John M.) and removed
thereon, spending the rest of his life on that
place, where he died Nov. 15, 1859. In 1813
he married Martha Funston, who was born
in 1789, near Bethlehem, Pa., daughter of
James and Lucinda { Perry ) Funston, and
died in Luzerne county Jan. i, 1840. Of the
nine children born to this marriage four died
in childhood, the survivors being: William,
born Nov. 11, 1816, died on the homestead
Sept. (S, 1864: Perry, who owned part of the
farm, was born Jan. 30, 1820, and died Jan.
4, 1888; Charles R. is mentioned below; ]\Ia-
hala B., wife of Benjamin C. Hess, of Fish-
ingcreek township, was born Sept. 17, 1823;
John M. is mentioned below.
Charles Rollin Buckalew, si.xth child in the
family of John M. and Martha (Funston)
Buckalew, was born Dec. 28, 1821, in Fish-
ingcreek township. He received an academic
education, and in his young manhood taught
school and clerked in a store. He took up the
study of law and was admitted to the Colum-
bia county bar in August, 1843 — only eight
months after attaining his majority. In De-
cember, 1844, he settled at Bloomsburg and
began practice, in which he engaged with such
success that he was not only one of the most
eminent men of the profession in his own
county, but one of the leading lawyers
throughout his section of the State. Public
recognition of his ability came soon after his
entrance to practice. In 1845 he was ap-
pointed deputy attorney general for Columbia
county ( a position corresponding to that of
district attorney now), and though only a youth
served acceptably until 1847, when he re-
signed. In 1850 he was elected to the State
Senate, for a term of three years, and re-
elected in 1853; and in the summer and fall
of 1854, between sessions of the Legislature,
he acted as commissioner to exchange the rati-
fications of a treaty with Paraguay. A few
months later he was a candidate for I'nited
States senator as the choice of the leaders of
his party, but the Know-Nothings had made
such inroads in the Democratic majority which
had controlled the Pennsylvania Legislature
from the beginning of the century that he was
able to get but twenty-eight votes out of a
total membership of 131 ; and the other can-
didates, of whom Simon Cameron was one,
were equally unsuccessful, Cameron leading,
though not with sufficient support to secure his
election, the convention adjourning without
making a choice. In November, 1856, Mr.
Buckalew was elected a presidential elector,
and supported James Buchanan, who was his
personal friend. In 1857 he w-as honored with
the chairmanship of the Democratic State
committee, and as such conducted the last
successful gubernatorial campaign the party
was to have for i quarter of a century, he him-
self, at the election, Oct. 13, 1857, being chosen
for a third term to the State Senate, from the
district composed of Columbia, Montour,
Northumberland and Snyder counties.
On June 14, 1858, Mr. Buckalew was com-
missioned, by President Buchanan, minister
resident to Ecuador, and he resigned his posi-
tions in the Senate and as member of the com-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
405
mission appointed to revise the penal code of
the State, to accept, fihing his new post for
three years, until relieved July lo, 1861. Dur-
ing that period he resided with his family at
Quito. Meantime the political complexion of
Pennsylvania had undergone a change, and the
Democrats had a poor showing for a while.
But as there was a strong element among con-
servative Republicans which did not approve
of the emancipation proclamation, then loom-
ing on the horizon, the party recruited unex-
pected strength on account of the peculiar
situation, and the fall election of 1862 gave
the Democrats a majority of one in the As-
sembly. Mr. Buckalew was candidate for
United States senator the January following,
and though there were other candidates of his
party the confidence and respect he enjoyed
won him unbroken support, and he was elected
on the 13th by the majority of two (one Re-
publican voting for William D. Kelley), suc-
ceeding David VVilmot, who filled the last two
years of the term for which his former oppo-
nents, Simon Cameron, had been elected in
1857, resigning to enter Lincoln's cabinet.
Cameron was again Mr. Buckalew's opponent.
It was unfortunate that, with all his ability,
Mr. Buckalew should have gone to the Senate
at that particular period. He finished his
term, serving until 1869, but the brilliant rec-
ord for which his constituents had hoped was
not realized, a fact which has always been
attributed to the peculiar circumstances pre-
vailing. He was a loyal supporter of the
Union cause, but he was one of a handful of
Democrats when both branches of Congress
were controlled by the radical element of the
Republican party, and while he did his duty
faithfully he took little part in the debating
and made no attempt to force his ideas upon a
body so obviously out of sympathy. It is not-
able that in one of the few addresses he made,
Feb. 21, 1865, on the "Basis of Representa-
tion," he referred to the fact that he had pre-
viously refrained from speech making, sup-
posing that "while the passions of the coimtry
were influenced by the war, reason could not
be heard," and expressed regret that "ques-
tions pertaining to the war still occupied the
attention of Congress to the exclusion of those
connected with economy, revenue, finance,
ordinary legislation and the administration of
justice — cjuestions which require intelligence,
investigation, labor and the habits of the
student."
That he himself was of a studious disposi-
tion was shown in his argument for changing
the basis of representation as it then existed,
his statistical details showing the ratios of
representation in the Senate possessed by the
East, West and South being incontrovertible
evidence in favor of his position. In 1872 he
published a volume on "Proportional Repre-
sentation," edited by Col. John G. Freeze ; in
1877 contributed an article on the same sub-
ject to Johnson's Cyclopedia, and in 1883 is-
sued an elaborate work upon the Constitution
of Pennsylvania.
His service in the United States Senate
over, Mr. Buckalew was returned to the State
Legislature at the next election, Oct. 12, i86g,
for a fourth term in the State Senate (rep-
resenting Columbia, Montour, Northumber-
land and Sullivan counties), where he became
the recognized leader of his party. In 1872
he was the Democratic nominee for governor,
and was defeated by Hartranft. The same
year, at the election of delegates to the Con-
stitutional convention of 1872-73, he was
chosen to represent Columbia county and took
an active and infiuential part in the delibera-
tions of that body, which resulted in the pres-
ent constitution of the Commonwealth.
Though his greatest honor was undoubtedly
his election to the L^nited States Senate, Mr.
_ Buckalew's greatest service of permanent
value was in this connection. In 1876 his
name headed the Democratic State electoral
ticket. On Nov. 2, 1886, he was elected a
representative to the Fiftieth Congress, the
district comprising the counties of Columbia,
Montour, Carbon, Monroe and Pike, with
parts of Lackawanna and Luzerne, and re-
elected two years later, his last term expiring
March 3, 1891. This closed his public career.
Returning to his home at Bloomsburg, he spent
his remaining years in the enjoyments of home
life and the friendships formed during sev-
eral decades of activity, and he died there in
his seventy-eighth year, Alay 19, 1899. On
May 3, 1886, he was elected president of the
Bloomsburg & Sullivan Railroad Company.
A paragraph written by one of his intimate
friends throws considerable light on Mr.
Buckalew's personality :
"Charles R. Buckalew was one of the ablest
men of the Democratic leaders of his time.
He was not an organizer, he had little or no
knowledge of political strategy, and was en-
tirely unfitted for the lower strata methods of
modern politics. He came to the (State) Sen-
ate in 1852 hardly known outside of his own
district ; he was singularly quiet and unob-
trusive in manner, and never in any way
sought to exploit himself. He won his posi-
tion in the party solely by the great ability he
406
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
possessed, his practical efficiency in legislation,
and the absolute purity of his character. He
was ordinarily a cold, unimpassioned speaker,
but eminently logical and forceful."'
On Feb. 13, 1849, ^^^- Buckalew married
Permelia Stevens W'adsworth, who was born
Feb. 16, 1827, daughter of Epaphros and
Charlotte ( Stevens ) W'adsworth, and died
Feb. 26, 1903. She came of distinguished
New England ancestry, being a direct descend-
ant of Capt. Joseph W'adsworth, of Charter
Oak fame ; of Governor John Webster ; and of
other notables conspicuously identified with
the Colonial history of Connecticut. Of the
two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buckalew
the son, Warren Jay, born Dec. 20, 184Q, died
Nov. 2, 1882; Alice Mary, the daughter, is
the wife of Levi Ellmaker Waller, of Wilkes-
Barre, Pennsylvania.
CAPT. JOHN McKIXXEY BUCKA-
LEW, late of Fishingcreek township, Colum-
bia county, was born there Oct. 17, 1826. in a
house near the homestead he afterward occu-
pied. The youngest of the family born to
John M. and Martha (Funston) Buckalew,
he was a typical representative of the race
to which he belonged, of great strength and
large build, being over six feet in height and
weighing more than two hundred pounds.
He attended public school in his native town,
and after reaching manhood became interested
in lumbering, which he followed throughout
his business career. In 1862 he enlisted a
company at Harrisburg, of which he was com-
missioned captain Oct. 30th. and which became
Company A of the 178th Pennsylvania \'olun-
teer Regiment ; he commanded the company
until he received his honorable discharge, in
July, 1863.
Though his early education was none too
thorough Captain Buckalew had studious
tastes and became quite a scholar, and his ex-
cellent judgment, coupled with intellectual
gifts, gained him success in business. Wide
reading and an excellent memory made him
an authority on local history, a fact so well
recognized that when the Legislature author-
ized the compilation and publication of the
"History of the Frontier Forts of Pennsyl-
vania," Governor Pattison appointed him a
member of the corps assigned to the work — to
locate the sites of the old forts used in Colo-
nial days. This territory was between the north
and west branches of the Susquehanna, and
included Sunbury. He performed his part
of the task with characteristic thoroughness,
the manner in which his part of the work was
prepared and written exciting much favor-
abel comment.
Captain Buckalew belonged to Ent Post, G.
A. R., of Bloomsburg ; Lodge Xo. 234. I. O.
O. F., of X'ew Columbus, Luzerne county
(past noble grand) ; A\'ashington Lodge, No.
265, F. & A. M., Bloomsburg: Bloomsburg
Chapter, Xo. 218, R. A. M. ; Mount Moriah
Council, Xo. 10, R. & S. M. ; Crusade Com-
mandery, Xo. 12, K. T. ; Orient Conclave, Xo.
2, Red Cross of Constantine ; and Caldwell
Consistory, S. P. R. S., thirty-second degree,
Bloomsburg. Politically he was an ardent Re-
publican.
In 1861 Captain Buckalew married Delilah
K. Creveling. daughter of Andrew S. and
Theresa Creveling and sister of Rev. S. A.
Creveling, a Methodist Episcopal minister.
Mrs. Buckalew's father was a farmer in Fish-
ingcreek township. Captain Buckalew died
April 30, 1 9 10.
THOMAS BEAVER, deceased, benefactor
of the free library and Young Men's Chris-
tian Association in Danville, and to whom the
development and prosperity of the Montour
Iron & Steel Works are principally due, was
born Xov. 16, 1814, in Pfouts \'alley ( now
Perry county). Pa., and was a son of Rev.
Peter and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Beaver. His
ancestors on both sides were German, the
father's family coming to this country in 1741
and settling in Chester county, and the
mother's in 1755 and settling in Franklin
county, both in this State.
Peter Bea\er, father of Thomas, was born
Dec. 25, 1782, in Franklin county, studied for
the ministry, and was ordained in 1809 at
Elkton, Md., by Bishop Asbury, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He married
Elizabeth (Gilbert, whose grandfather was a
native of Germany, of English descent, his
father having been one of the Duke of Marl-
borough's men at the battle of Blenheim. The
Gilberts located in Lebanon county. Pa., but
later moved to Dauphin county, where Mrs.
Beaver was born. Rev. Peter Beaver and his
wife had the following children: George, who
married Catherine Long; Samuel, who mar-
ried Maria Lemon ; Jacob, who married Ann
Eliza Addams ( their son Gen. J. A. Beaver
was a veteran of the Civil war) ; Jesse, who
married Marv Ann Schwartz ; Thomas : Peter,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
407
who married Eliza G. Simonton ; Sarah, who
married Aaron Nevius ; Eliza ; Catherine, who
married Archibald Greenlee; and Mary, who
married Henry Miller, of Lewdsburg^. After
a lifetime of service for Christianity Rev.
Peter IJeaver passed away in 1849.
Thomas ISeaver had few educational ad-
vantages in youth, being obliged to leave
school in his thirteenth year, but he utilized
every spare moment of his time in later life
to acquire knowledge. This lack of oppor-
tunity for an education in his childhood was
the chief motive which caused him to provide
the library for the use of the citizens of Dan-
ville, forever free of cost. In April, 1827,
Thomas left home to work on a farm for $2.50
a month and in the winter of that year he en-
tered the store owned by his brother Samuel
and Judge Black, at Milford. The business
being removed to Perry county the following
spring, he followed it and remained about a
year at the new location. He next served for
a year in his father's store at New Berlin,
Union county, and then returned to Newport
to take charge of the business of Judge Black,
who was then the sole owner of the store.
The growing boy's close application to busi-
ness brought on a severe illness, so through
the kindness of the superintendent of the
Pennsylvania canal, General Mitchell, he ob-
tained a place in the store of Rev. Jasper
Bennett, at Willianis])ort. There he remained
for two years, and his mercantile knowledge
and ability were so well developed at that
earlv age that he was sent by stagecoach to
Philadelphia to make large purchases of
goods. In 1833 he formed a partnership with
Peter Nevius in general merchandising at
Lewisburg, remained there until 1835, and
then took charge of his brother Samuel's
place at Millerstown, conducted under the
firm name of J. & T. Beaver.
Feeling a strong desire to better himself,
Mr. Beaver wrote to three of the largest firms
in Philadelphia for a position. Reed & Son,
one of the most stibstantial, answered with a
letter dissuading him from his project, but
Bray & Barcroft wrote that they would give
him a position and would be glad to make his
stay pleasant. He accordingly went to Phila-
delphia in March. 1837, and entered the em-
ploy of the firm, and so well did he take
advantage of the opportunities offered in the
city that in 1840 he was made an equal
partner. From that date until 1857 he
was connected with the firm as partner.
In the latter year he was offered the posi-
tion of trustee for the creditors of the
Danville Iron & Steel Works, in company with
I. S. Waterman, William Neal and Washing-
ton Lee. He succeeded in placing the works
on a firm financial foundation, and in 1S59
united with I. S. Waterman to purchase the
interests of the creditors, for some years suc-
cessfully operating the plant. In 1876 he sold
out his interests and retired.
On Jan. 23, 1838, Mr. Beaver was married
to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert B. and Cas-
.sandra (Berryhill) Wilkins, of Harrisburg,
born April 20, 1817. They had seven chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy, the others
being: Emily, born Oct. 4, 1840, married
William H. Chamberlin, of Lewisburg, and
had eight children, Jesse, William, Thomas,
John, Elizabeth, Mary, Emily and Laura;
Arthur, born Sept. 17, 1842, married Alice
Diehl; Alice, born Oct. 12, 1844, married
William H. Browne, of Philadelphia, and
had three children, Elizabeth, Charles and
Thomas; Laura, born Jan. 18, 1846, married
Rev. John DeWitt, professor of church his-
tory in Lane Seminary, Cincinnati ; Elizabeth
Stewart, born Feb. 9, 1853, married Lemuel
E. Wells, of New York, and had three chil-
dren, Thomas, Christian and Lemuel S. Mrs.
Beaver passed away Dec. 27. 1884. Mr.
Beaver died May 19, 189 1, and they are buried
at Lewisburg.
In 1886 Mr. Beaver gave $100,000 to the
Danville Public Library, as a memorial to him-
self and wife, and in the following year the
building was completed. It is a lasting and
useful momument to two of the town's most
eminent citizens. Besides this gift, Mr.
Beaver left an endowment of $50,000 for the
support of the library and Y. M. C. A. He
also gave $30,000 to Dickinson College, to
assist poor boys in obtaining an education.
PHILIP EUGENE MAUS, now living in
retirement at the beautiful old Maus home-
stead in Valley township, is a descendant of
the celebrated family whose history is in-
separably associated with the opening up and
advancement of Montour county from its
earliest days of civilized occupation. Maus-
dale, in Valley township, a small village less
than two miles from Danville, the county
seat, perpetuates the name in the section where
the Mauses have been most numerous, and
where the family has been represented con-
tinuously for a period of almost one hundred
and fifty years.
Frederick Maus, the emigrant ancestor,
came from Zweibrucken, Prussia, about thirty
408
COLUMBIA AND ^fOXTOUR COUNTIES
miles from the Rhine. He married Susanna
Weaver, and their children were : Philip,
Daniel, Frederick, Charles, Matthias, and
three daughters.
Philip Maus, a native of Prussia, born in
1 73 1, came to the New World with his parents
in 1741, the family landing at Philadelphia,
where they settled. He attended school there,
and soon learned to write and speak Eng-
lish fluently, as well as German. In 1750 he
was apprenticed to learn stocking manufac-
turing, and within five years he had estab-
lished himself in the business, in which he
met with substantial success, continuing it
for about twenty years, until the troubles in-
cident to the progress of the Revolutionary
war made it necessary for him to suspend
operaftions. During the war his familiarity
with the business enabled him to be of great
service, for he was an earnest upholder of the
Colonial cause and made many sacrifices in
its interest. His means were ample for the
time, and he invested largely in furnishing
clothing for the soldiers, taking his pay in
Continental money, of which he had between
forty and fifty thousand dollars when it be-
came worthless. The late Philip F. Maus,
one of his descendants, father of Philip Eu-
gene Maus, had baskets full of this old cur-
rency (most of it is now in the possession of
P. E. Maus). A letter written by Philip
Maus during this period, and still preserved,
is of interest in this connection :
Philadelphia, 9 Octo, 1776.
Mr. Samuel Updegraff. Sir ; — By tlie bearer. Mr.
Joseph Kerr, I send you the ballance of the price of
8 doz pairs of buckskin breeches, I bought of you,
having paid you ig in advance, the ballance being
£143 3s. vvhicli he will pay you on delivering him the
goods. If you have any more to dispose of he will
contract with you for them, and I shall be glad if
you and him can agree. Your humble servant,
Philip M.\us.
Incidental to his activities during the Rev-
olution .Mr. Maus formed the intimate ac-
quaintance with Benjamin Franklin and Rob-
ert Morris which lasted to the end of their
days. Of Mr. Maus's three brothers, Fred-
erick, Charles and Matthew, the last named
became prominent as a surgeon during the
Revolutionary war, serving throughout the
conflict, was with General Montgomery on
his expedition into Canada, and when the
General fell before Quebec aided Colonel Burr
in carrying away his body. One Daniel Maus
was in Washington's army.
Several years before the Revolution Philip
Maus had invested some surplus capital in
600 acres of land in what is now Montour
county, in the rich and fertile section of Val-
ley township. The patents, from Thomas and
John Penn, are dated April 3, 1769, among
the earliest issued from the county, as soon
as it was possible to obtain titles in the new
Indian purchase, which included all this part
of Pennsylvania. The proprietaries reserved
a perpetual quit rent of twopence per acre,
which was paid until the Commonwealth com-
pensated the P'enns and became the proprie-
tor of the lands. At the time Mr. Maus made
the contract this tract was on the outer fringe
of the settlements, and no improvements were
made on the property until after the Revolu-
tion. When the war ended his fortune had
been so reduced, by the stoppage of his regular
business and the unfortunate deterioration of
Continental currency, with which he had been
paid for the material which he bought to make
garments for the army, that he turned his at-
tention to his land, and as soon as peace and
safety permitted brought his family hither.
With the brief exception mentioned below, it
was his home for the next thirty years. Dan-
ville was an incipient town, then called Mont-
gomery's Landing, founded by the brothers
Daniel and William .Montgomery a few years
before, and consisting of a few log cabins
occupied by half a dozen families, nearly all
from southeastern Pennsylvania and western
New Jersey. Breeches, moccasins and hunt-
ing shirts of leather were generally worn, and
all the surroundings and conditions of living
were exceptionally primitive. The Maus
tract, stretching along the northern base of
Montour Ridge, with the Mahoning creek
flowing through it, was overgrown with tim-
ber and brush. It was typical of the man
and his custom of doing things systematically
that when he and his son Philip came to pre-
pare the home he brought two carpenters with
him from Philadelphia, and his cabin was the
first erected in what is now Valley township.
It stood on the right bank of the stream, half
a mile above the homestead, and nearly half
a mile from the present stone mill. He and
his son Philip commenced to clear the forest
immediately around the house preparatory to
cultivating the land, and he intended to have
the other part of the tract cleared. But the
Indian troubles commenced before any great
progress had been made, and as there were
no provisions for protecting the settlers here
they were compelled to go to Northumber-
land. Articles they could not conveniently
carrv, tools, implements, etc., were buried to
secrete them from the Indians, and Mr. Maus
rented his place, the tenants agreeing to take
COLU.MBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
409
possession as soon as the cessation of the
Indian hostihties would permit. This ar-
rangement was probably made in Northum-
berland at the fort, as these men came on ac-
cording to contract and set vigorously to work.
.\fter a brief stay at Northumberland the
Mauses went to Lebanon, where they lived
for a year, thence returning to Northumber-
land for three or four years, after which they
again ventured to settle on the Mahoning. It
is supposed Philip Maus was the first perma-
nent settler in what is now \ alley township.
Many of the mcidents of the early days are
best recorded m his recollections, which by
reason of his intelligence are regarded as au-
thoritative. Mr. Maus built a sawmill, which
was operated by the waters of .Mahoning
creek, and there for years the lumber for
nearly every building erected in the surround-
ing country" was cut. The mill and other im-
provements were the attractions which brought
together the settlers, whose homes formed
the nucleus of what is now Mausdale. In the
year iSoo he erected his flouring mill, a stone
building imposing for the times, and which
is still standing, apparently as sound and dura-
ble as ever. The following, taken from a his-
tory of the county published a quarter of a
century ago, is so highly typical of the times
and so interesting a part of the Maus his-
tory that it is worthy of repetition :
"His experience in digging his mill-race
was varied, one portion being dug by the Cath-
olics and the other by the Protestants; and
several times Mr. Maus had to take posses-
sion of the clubs and shillalahs of both par-
ties to prevent their being used over bloody
heads. This was called their amusement, and
by way of explanation of these theological
discussions it may be stated that these men
consumed eleven barrels of whiskey while at
the work and play of digging the mill-race.
"The experiences of the Maus family are
a graphic illustration of what were the sources
of pastime and work of a respectable, intelli-
gent and well-reared people. Only when they
had raised their sheep could they clothe them-
selves in woolen goods in the winter. For
summer they made linen goods of the flax
they raised.' They were completely thrown
upon their own resources. Woolen or linen,
the men wore 'hunting shirts' much after the
style to be seen in the pictures of Daniel
Boone. The Maus family cultivated, early,
two acres of flax. There was a Scotch family
in the settlement that did most of the weav-
ing. Before the era of wool and flax they
dressed deerskins and hides of other animals.
and of these made clothing. Rabbit-skin caps
were quite an elegant luxury at one time.
We are told that in the Maus home during
the long winter evenings, by the light of
lard oil iron lamps, they read books of devo-
tion, 'Cook's Voyages,' Weems's 'Life of
Washington,' and then, oh, rare treat, they
sometimes took turns and read Goldsmith's
'Deserted Village,' 'Vicar of Wakefield,' and
even 'Don Quixote.' These were read aloud,
and sometimes Mr. Maus would contribute
immeasurably to the enjoyment by apportion-
ing the dramatis pcrsonae among them.
"When the family reached the possession
of an ample fortune a family carriage was
purchased ; it was of the style of Louis XIV.
Nothing ever created a greater sensation in
the valley than the arrival of this family car-
riage. It is said to be the first in what is
now Montour county. The two Montgomerys
had a gig each, and these three were the
only pleasure carriages in the country for
miles around."
A fragment of a letter from Airs. Maus
dated "Northumberland, 1783," is so full of
interest that we give all that part of it con-
tained in the torn portion of the original let-
ter, as follows :
Your brother George likes this place very well.
\yhen you come do not fail to bring too White
Lhapcl needles and two or three ounces of thread
suitable for sewing calico and home-spun linen.
Ciive my love to your grandpa and grandma, and
tell her I wish her to come with you and see us ;
we will arrange for her journey to Lebanon and
back. You will see Rev. Stoy's palace. Tell her the
Peninton's house up Race street is nothing to com-
pare to it and Dr. Stoy lives only seventy-five miles
from us. * * * Tell the girls that Susy and the
young girls here take a canoe and go into the river
fishing by themselves; the river is as clear as a
spring and not half a yard deep. This is a most
beautiful and picturesque place. We have the wild
deer not lialf a mile from us, skipping about the
hills where the boys go to fetch the cows.
Your loving mother,
Fr.\nces M.\us.
Philip Maus married Frances Heap, a na-
tive of England, "a most estimable wife,
mother and friend,'' and children were born
to them as follows: George, 1759; Elizabeth,
1761 ; Philip, 1763; Susan, 1765; Samuel,
1767 (watchmaker and jeweler at Danville,
in 1831) ; Lewis, 1773; Charles, 1775; Joseph,
1777; Jacob, 1781.
Joseph Maus was born in Lenape in Octo-
ber, 1777, and was about eight years old when
the family settled in what is now Valley town-
ship, Montour county. In 1808 he married
Sally Montgomery, daughter of John Mont-
gomery, of Paradise farm, and they had two
410
COLU-MBIA AND .MOXTOL'R COUNTIES
children: Philip F., born Sept. 27, 1810; and
John M., born in 1812, who in 1822 married
Rebecca Gray, born in 181 2. Joseph Maus
died July 26, 1867, his wife surviving until
May 20, 1872.
Philip F. Maus was born Sept. 27, 1810, in
X'alley township, was a farmer and miller at
Mausdale all his life, amassing a handsome
competence, and died at Danville, July 3, 1S91.
In May, 1838, he married Sarah Gallagher,
a native o'f Lycoming county, Pa., of Scotch-
Irish and German extraction, daughter of
William and .Margaret Gallagher, early set-
tlers of that county. Six children, four sons
and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Maus, all dying in infancy but Philip Eugene.
When the first building of the Grove Pres-
byterian Church (once called the Mahoning
Presbyterian Church), a log structure, was
erected, the logs were scored and hewed by
George Maus, Isaac Boudman and Thomas
Hughes. This building was used up to 1826,
when a larger one was put up. The congre-
gation was organized in 1785. and among the
families connected with it, many of whose
descendants have continued to worship in the
old church, we find mentioned the Mauses and
Montgomerys.
Philip Eugene Maus was born May 22,
1852, on the homestead farm in \'alley town-
ship. He began attending school in Danville,
where he was a pupil at the Kelso Institute,
and also went to the Chambersburg academy
(under Dr. Shoemaker), and to the Tusca-
rora academy for three years. He commenced
business on his own account as a lumber
dealer, but came home to assist his father on
account of the latter's health, becoming book-
keeper and business manager, and they con-
ducted the flour and feed mill together for
some time. Then the son took over the busi-
ness, which he carried on alone for a period of
ten years, retiring at the end of that time
and renting the mill. Like the members of
this family generally, he has been a strong
influence for progress in his community, up-
holding high standards of citizenship and in
the regular round of his ordinary duties assist-
ing in the advancement of the general wel-
fare. He is a Knight Templar Mason, be-
longing to Blue Lodge No. 224 and Calvary
Commandery No. 37. Politically he is a Re-
publican.
In 1878 Mr. Maus married Mary R. Lein-
bach of McEwensville, Northumberland Co.,
Pa., who is of German descent, being a daugh-
ter of John B. and Mary (Dunkel) Leinbach,
of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Maus live at
the old Maus home, one of the oldest and
most beautiful residences in Alontour county.
CHARLES P. HANCOCK, a dry goods
merchant of Danville, was born in that
borough Feb. 5, i860, son of William and
Mary (Reay) Hancock. The Hancock fam-
ily is of English extraction and considerable
prominence in both Great Britain and the
United States.
The paternal grandfather resided at Laines-
field, Stafl:ordshire, England, for many years,
engaged as a clerk at the Spring Dale Iron
Works, located near Bilston, England, for a
long period. Later, becoming an e.xpert ac-
countant, he branched out and served many
important concerns. His two sons, James
and William, both came to the United States,
locating at Danville, Montour Co., Pa., but
James returned to his native land, his stay in
Danville being limited.
William Hancock, father of Charles P.
Hancock, was born in Lainesfield, Stafford-
shire, England, about 1812. Growing up in
the iron trade he became an expert as stock
taker and iron finisher, and his ability along
these lines was widely recognized. When the
Montour Iron Works of Danville came into
existence it was to carry out the ideas of
some of its organizers that pig iron could be
manufactured with anthracite. A rolling
mill was built in 1844, with A. J. \^oris as
general builder and Henry Brevoost as super-
intendent. While these men were capable in
their several lines, it was necessary to secure
the services of e.xperts to carry out the pro- i
posed experiments. In order to secure them
a man was sent to Sunderland, England, and
brought back with him two of the best men
in their line, \\'illiani Hancock and John
Foley. In 1844 these two men arrived at
Danville, and taking charge of the plant be-
gan operations at once. Their experiments
resulted in the production of what is known
as the T rail, now universally used. The U
rail had been the only thing of its kind in use
prior to the discovery of the experts at the
Montour Iron Works, but the new invention
was so much its superior that it supplanted
the U rail, and was put into general use all
over the world.
These rails were thereafter made under
the personal supervision of Mr. Hancock, who
had charge of the straightening and finishing,
and in this capacity he established himself in
railroad circles as a man of unusual ability
and expert efficiency. In 1847, with John
Folev, he formed the firm of Hancock &
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
411
Foley, buying a mill erected by Bird Patter-
son, which they operated under the style of
the Rough and Ready Rolling :\Iill, manu-
facturing merchant iron. The tirm continued
to carry on the plant until 1850. when they
merged it into a rail mill under the name of
Glendower Iron Works. Being practical men.
their success was assured from the start, and
when he had an opportunity, eight years
later, William Hancock bought out the other
stockholders, becoming the sole proprietor,
feeling that he had made an excellent invest-
ment. Until 1S67 he continued to operate this
plant. In that year the National Iron Com-
pany was formed, with him in the e.xecutive
chair, and it succeeded to the ownership of
the Glendower Iron Works.
y\r. Hancock's energy was so great that it
had to be expended along dififerent directions,
and in 1870 he and a Mr. Creveling built a
furnace, which a year later was absorbed by
the National Iron Company. The latter
operated the furnace in conjunction with its
plant until the death of Air. Hancock, in 1872.
Two years later, in 1874. the heirs of Mr.
Hancock's estate bought out the entire prop-
erty under a mortgage sale, organizing the
Hancock Iron & Steel Company, believing it
only fair and- just to give his name to the en-
terprise that was the outcome of his years of
steadfast endeavor and consummate abilit\-.
Probably he was responsible for much of the
development in the iron industry in Pennsyl-
vania, and certainly a large amount of credit
is due him for what he accomplished for him-
self. In addition, however, he was prominent
in many ways, for his active brain was able
to grasp at possibilities and develop them
into certainties, and he gave valuable advice
upon many occasions. For years he was a
director of the Danville National Bank,
strengthening that institution by the use of
his name and prestige. Upright and honor-
able to a marked degree, he never counten-
anced anything that was in the least unstable,
and his death was a public calamity. When
he died he had a handsome residence in pro-
cess of erection, on Market street, being built
of \'ermont granite and stone, which was
completed by his son, Charles P. Hancock,
who is now living in it. Mr. Hancock was
brought up in the Church of England and
naturally connected himself with the Episco-
pal Church upon coming to Danville, holding
membership in Christ Church at Danville.
The first wife of Mr. Hancock was Isabella
Emerson, whom he married in England. She
passed away at the age of thirty-six years.
having borne him the following children:
Sarah, who is the wife of Benjamin G.
Welsh; Elizabeth J., who is the widow of J.
D. Gosh, AI. D., of Danville; Isabella, wife
of Harvey B. Crane; Cornelia P., who mar-
ried S. A. York, of Danville; and William J.,
who died when thirty-two years old.
William Hancock was married (second) to
Alary Reay, born near Birmingham, England,
daughter of John Reay, also a native of Eng-
land. The three children of this marriage
were Charles P., George AI. and Mary M., the
latter marrying F. W. Watkin. Air. Han-
cock was later married (third) to Alary Jones
and they had three children: Harry f., fane
E.. and Augusta R. (who became the wife of
John L. Lane ).
Charles P. Hancock was brought up at
Danville, and received his educational train-
ing in its excellent public schools. Desiring
to receive a practical business training he
went into the firm of Cleland, Simpson &
Taylor as a clerk, continuing with this con-
cern until its removal to Scranton, Pa., when
he resigned and went into business on his own
account, establishing in 1883 what was known
as the Globe Store, in the building formerh-
occupied by his old firm. Since then his Ijusi-
ness has grown to such an extent that he
requires larger quarters, and has added other
lines, also founding what became the largest
retail dry goods establishment at Sunbury,
Pa., which he sold in 1910.
Air. Hancock has not confined himself to
commercial lines, for he was one of the pro-
motors of the independent telephone line
owned by the Montour & Columbia Telephone
Company ; the Danville & Sunbury Transit
Company, which he founded in 1897, serving
it at the present time as secretary and treas-
urer ; the Danville & Bloomsburg Street Rail-
way Company ; the Danville Knitting Alills
Company ; the first silk mill to be organized
in this section, as well as various other enter-
prises which he believed would work out for
the general betterment of existing conditions.
A man of public spirit. Air. Hancock has
rendered valuable service as president of the
town council and as member of the school
board, a member of the Board of Trade, and
he has held a number of the lesser offices
within the gift of the people. Air. Hancock
is also interested in financial matters, both
as a stockholder and director of the Danville
National Bank. Like his father he is a mem-
ber of Christ Alemorial Church at Danville,
and for a long period has been one of its
412
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
vestrymen. For years he has been connected
with Mahoning Lodge. No. 516, F. & A. M.,
Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. ^1., Calvary
Commandery, No. 37, K. T., Caldwell Con-
sistory, and the ]\lystic Shrine, as well as
the Elks.
On Feb. 29, i888, ^Ir. Hancock was mar-
ried to Adda L. Krebs, a daughter of Simon
Krebs, and five sons have been born to this
union: William K., Charles (who died in in-
fancy), John, Robert G. and \\'alter E.
Simon Krebs, father of Mrs. Hancock, was
born in Germany April 10, 1839, a son of John
and Catherine Krebs. John Krebs was born
in Germany in 1809, and came to the United
States in 1855, locating at Tamaqua, Schuyl-
kill Co., Pa., spending the remainder of his
life there, and dying at the age of ninety-three
years. For some time he farmed, but he also
conducted a vinegar plant and manufactured
wine.
Simon Krebs. son of John Krebs, lived in
Germany until he was fifteen years old. at
which time he was brought to the United
States by his parents. He learned the car-
penter's trade, and developed into a contractor
of note, among other contracts carrying out
that of building the Danville waterworks (at
a cost of $165,000), and in conjunction with
his son-in-law. Charles P. Hancock, built the
Danville & Sunbury street railway. Formerly
a resident of Danville, he moved to Somer-
set, Pa., where he has been president and
superintendent of the Listic Mining & Manu-
facturing Companv.
In 1865 Mr. ' Krebs married Harriet
Swartz, a daughter of Jacob Swartz, a mer-
chant of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Both the Hancock and Krebs families have
exerted a powerful influence, along varied
lines, in the development of ]\Iontour county
and adjacent sections, and those who spring
from either ought to feel pride in what their
forebears have accomplished. Not only have
Mr. Hancock and Mr. Krebs enriched them-
selves, but they have brought outside capital
into this region and given employment to
hundreds of the residents of their several
communities. aiTording the means for up-
right, decent living.
ISAAC X. GRIER, who during his active
years was one of the leading attorneys of
Danville and Montour county, and prominent
in many business enterprises, was born in
that borough Dec. 27, 1835, and is a son of
Michael C. and Isabella (Montgomery) Grier.
He is a great-grandson, on the maternal side,
of Gen. William Montgomery, who took a
prominent part in the Revolutionary war, and
whose son, Daniel, was the founder of Dan-
ville.
Col. John Grier, paternal great-grandfather
of Isaac X. Grier, was of Scotch-Irish ex-
traction, and together with many other Prot-
estants came to America about the year 1740.
He was a farmer, and resided below Cham-
bersburg. Pa.
Rev. Isaac Grier, S. T. D., son of Col. John
Grier, was the first minister on the west
branch of the Susquehanna river. He was
pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Northum-
berland and also in Clinton county, and for
several years was president of the old "Brick
College'' at Northumberland. His death oc-
curred in 1812 or 1813. He married Eliza-
beth Cooper, daughter of Rev. Dr. Thomas
Cooper, pastor of the Middle Spring Presby-
terian Church, who organized a company at
the breaking out of the Revolutionary war,
and was for a time attached to the staff of
General Washington as chaplain. Among
their children were: Robert C, who became
by appointment of President Polk, in 1846,
a justice of the Supreme court of the L^nited
States, and served as such until his resigna-
tion, in 1870: Thomas C, principal of the
Danville Academy, who died comparatively
young: Rev. Isaac. D. D., a graduate of
Princeton University and pastor for over
fifty years of the Presbyterian churches of
White Deer. Lycoming county, and Buffalo
Crossroads, Union county; John C, who first
settled in Danville, where he conducted a mer-
cantile business until about 1846. then a resi-
dent for a few years of Wilkes- Barre, Pa.,
later removing to Peoria, 111., where he died,
leaving several sons and daughters (a name-
sake of his, John Grier Hibben, is now presi-
dent of Princeton University) ; William N.,
who graduated from \\'est Point about 1836,
and was stationed at various frontier forts
up to the beginning of the Civil war, being at
that time colonel of the ist Regiment, U. S.
Cavalry, later commissioned brigadier gen-
eral; Alartha. who became the wife of the
late Gen. Robert Orr, of Kittanning. Pa. :
Jane, wife of William Hibler, of Wilkes-
Barre, Pa. ; Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Dr.
Thomas C. Strong, for more than fifty years
pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church at Flat-
bush, Long Island : Margaret, wife of Henry
Sproul, of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; and Michael
Cooper.
Michael Cooper Grier, son of Rev. Isaac
Grier, was a merchant in early life, and later
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
413
became superintendent of the North & \\'est
Branch Telegraph Company, afterwards part
of the Western Union lines. He died Dec.
25, 1879. He was one of the most honored
and influential laymen in the Synod and Gen-
eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church,
and was greatly esteemed for his philanthropic
nature and public spirit. He married Isabella,
daughter of Alexander Montgomery, and they
have had seven children, five of whom grew
to maturity: W. A. M., of Brooklyn, N. Y. ;
Rev. Dr. John B., a Presbyterian minister ;
H. J., wife of John C. Youngman, a Kansas
banker; Mary G., wife of Edwin C. Ely, of
Peoria, 111. ; and Isaac X., of Danville, Penn-
sylvania.
Isaac X. Grier, the second son, received
his early education at the Danville Academy,
which was a flourishing private school up to
about 1856. and afterwards graduated from
Lafayette College. Easton, Pa., in 1858. Be-
fore entering college he had learned teleg-
raphy with the North & West Branch Tele-
graph Company, and after graduation he
again entered their employ, opening a num-
ber of offices and instructing the operators
at various places. Later he served as treas-
urer of the company until it was merged into
the Western L^nion system. During this time
Mr. Grier was also reading law in the office
of Edward H. Baldy, Esq., and in i86i he
was admitted to practice in the courts of
Montour and adjoining counties, and in the
United States courts. He continued in the
practice of law until 1885, when, owing to ill
health, he was forced to retire from the ac-
tive work of his profession. He was a notarv
public from 1862 until 1880. In addition to
his legal work he had large business interests,
being a member of the firm of Markle, Grier
& Co.. who from 1870 to 1872 conducted a
railroad iron rolling mill at Danville ; later
he served as director of the North Branch
Steel Company, Danville Bridge Company,
and Mahoning Rolling Mill Company. He
gave up much of his work in the eighties,
thereafter devoting himself principally to his
personal interests and the care of a limited
number of clients. Mr. Grier has been promi-
nently connected with the First National Bank
of Danville since its organization ; he became
a director in 1880 and has been president
of the institution since 1904.
Mr. Grier has always used his influence
for the best interests of Danville in the pro-
motion of large public enterprises, and it was
due to his efforts in great measure that the
State Hospital for the Insane was located
near that city. He was made one of the
trustees some years ago, and is still hold-
ing that position.
In 1865 Mr. Grier married Emma W. Por-
ter, youngest daughter of Hon. James M. Por-
ter, of Easton, Pa., a lawyer of State-wide
reputation and secretary of war during Presi-
dent Tyler's administration, and for a time
president judge of the Northampton-Lehigh
Judicial district. Mr. and Mrs. Grier have
had two children: J. M. Porter, who gradu-
ated from Lafayette College in 1888, and was
about to be admitted to the bar when he died ;
and Isabella Montgomery, widow of Rufus
King Polk, a native of Tennessee, a descend-
ant of the family which gave two generals
and one president to the country in different
periods. Mr. Polk was a resident of Dan-
ville, engaged in the management and part
owner of several of its iron industries, dying
in 1902, while a member of Congress from
this district.
Rev. John Boyd Grier, D. D., of Danville,
Pa., a retired minister of the Presbyterian
Church, was born in that town Aug. 26, 1843.
and is a brother of Isaac X. Grier, above
mentioned.
He was given an excellent education, and
considerable of his own life work has been
of an educational character. In his early
manhood he was principal of Wellsboro (Pa.)
Academy for one year, and for the same
length of time of the academy at Chestnut
Level. Lancaster county. He prepared for
the ministry at the \\'estern Theological Semi-
nary, Allegheny. Pa., attending from 1864 to
1866, and from 1867 to 1869. For four years
succeeding he was at Lafayette College. Eas-
ton, Pa., as professor of modern languages.
Advised by that eminent philologist, Francis
A. March, Dr. Grier prepared a volume, pub-
lished b\' Lippincott & Co., entitled ".Studies
in the English of Bunyan."
Dr. Grier has had unusual advantages of
travel, having spent in all four years abroad.
In 1874 he took charge of the church at Law-
renceville. Pa., where he was stationed vm-
til 1879. After that he was located at Jack-
sonville. Fla.. for one year. In 1881 he was
called to the Grove Presbyterian Church at
Danville, remaining for four years, until the
close of 1884. He then became pastor at
Lewisburg, Pa., beginning his duties there in
1883 and filling that pulpit until 1889. In the
latter year he delivered the commencement
oration at Lafayette College, and was honored
with the degree of D. D. by that institution.
414
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
After that he made his home at Elkland,
Tioga county, Pa., for a few years.
In 1887 Dr. Grier married Susie Parkhurst,
daughter of Joel and Martha Parkhurst, of
Elkland, Pa. Mrs. Grier died in 1891. at
Geneva, Switzerland. Nine years later Dr.
Grier married Mary Thrush Ely, of Peoria,
111., daughter of Thaddeus and Louise ( Fris-
by ) Ely, the former engaged in the banking
business in that city.
Dr. Grier is a member of the Franklin Lit-
erary Society, and the Phi Kappa Sigma fra-
ternity. His work in the church and in the
field of education has been of the highest
value, and he is recognized as one of the lead-
ers of thought in a community where the name
of Grier is synonymous with mental ability
and high moral character.
RUFUS KING POLK, at the time of his
death representative in Congress for the Sev-
enteenth district of Pennsylvania, and part
owner and manager of the Structural Tubing
Works, of Danville, was born -Aug. 23, 1866,
at Columbia, Maury Co., Tenn. He was a son
of Gen. Lucius E. Polk, an officer of the Con-
federacy, and a grand-nephew of James Kno.x
Polk, eleventh president of the United States,
whose remains lie beside those of his wife
upon the capitol hill in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thomas Polk, great-grandfather of Rufus
K. Polk, was a native of Mecklenburg county,
N. C, and was one of the signers of that
famous declaration of independence which
antedated the Colonial one by more than a
year. His son, Col. William Polk, was the
grandfather of Rufus K. Polk, and served in
the war with England which resulted from the
two declarations of the tax-ridden Colonies
who desired to relieve themselves of the yoke
of the mother country. James K. Polk, presi-
dent of the United -States, was another son of
Thomas Polk.
Lucius E. Polk, father of Rufus K. Polk,
was a cotton planter before the Civil war in
Arkansas and Tennessee. During that great
struggle he attained the rank of brigadier
general, as did his brother Leonidas. Lucius
E. Polk was conspicuous for his bravery, and
in his last engagement was left beneath his
horse in front of LInion breastworks which his
regiment had attempted to carry. He was
thought at the time to be dead, but later was
rescued, badly injured, his injuries causing
his death Dec. i, 1892, at Ashwood, Tenn.
He married a granddaughter of James Jack-
son, whose palatial residence. "The Forks,"
was famed throughout the South for its
princely hospitality to visitors of Florence,
.\la. Four sons and one daughter came to the
union of these two noted families, and Rufus
K. Polk was one of them.
Rufus K. Polk attended the schools of
Maury county, seven miles from Columbia,
Tenn., and at the age of seventeen entered
Lehigh L^niversity, at South Bethlehem, Pa.,
from which institution he graduated in 1887
with the degree of bachelor of science. Hav-
ing an offer of the position of chemist at the
Montour Iron & Steel Company, Danville,
Pa., he took a post-graduate course at Lehigh
in chemical and mechanical engineering, for
one year, after which he entered upon his
duties in the rolling mills. He served as as-
sayer for that company until June 15, 1890,
when he went to Ohio to assume charge of
the furnaces of the Hocking Valley Iron &
Coal Company. Remaining in Ohio but a
year, he then returned to Danville to take the
superintendency of the North Branch Steel
Company, which he held for seven years.
During this time he was rapidly developing
in business ability, and the pleasing personal-
ity for which he was so marked became more
evident. On Feb. 17, 1898, he assisted in or-
ganizing the firm of Howe & Polk, successors
to the Mahoning Rolling Mill Company, and
their establishment later became the present
Structural Tubing Works. Under the man-
agement of Mr. Polk the works rapidly devel-
ojjed into one of the chief industries of Dan-
\ille, at the time of his death employing four
hundred and fifty men.
Mr. Polk's talents were too versatile to be
confined to the iron business, so in i8go he
bought an interest in the Danville Sun and the
Intelligencer, of both of which he later became
sole owner. He discontinued the Sun on Jan,
I, 1902, and then became half owner of the
Morning Neics. Such was his success that it
would seem sufficient for a man of ordinary
caliber, but Mr. Polk was not content with the
honors of an ironmaster and a newspaperman.
He took a position on the board of water com-
missioners of Danville, serving from Septem-
ber, 1884, to lanuary, 1902. It was due to his
efforts that the town became the possessor of
the excellent filtration plant it now uses.
In the spring of i8(>S, when the Spanish-
.■\merican war broke out, Mr. Polk left his
business interests, his family and his asso-
ciates in Danville to enlist in Company F, 12th
Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers, becoming
lieutenant, and later one of the stafif of Gen-
eral Gobin. He had come of a line of soldiers
and had promised his brothers to enlist in any
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
415
service for his country, should circumstances
require it. And well did he keep that vow.
He served until the muster out and then re-
turned to take up the ties of home and the
cares of business. Such was his popularity
that almost immediately after his return he
was unanimously elected on the Democratic
ticket to represent the Seventeenth district —
composed of the counties of Columbia, Mon-
tour, Northumberland and Sullivan — in the
Fifty-sixth Congress. Although the district
had been represented by a Republican, his ma-
jority was nearly two thousand. In 1900 he
was reelected by an increased majority of
nearly fifteen hundred, but refused the nomi-
nation for the third term owing to pressure of
business, which would interfere with his work
for his constituents.
The bluest blood of the South flowed
through his veins and he was all that is under-
stood Iiy the expression "a true Southern
gentleman." From his paternal ancestry he was
entitled to membership in the Order of the
Cincinnati, founded by officers of the Revolu-
tionary war. The medal of this society which
he wore was given only to male descendants of
the original members of the order, and was
inherited by successive generations. Mr. Polk
was also a member of the University Club of
Philadelphia, the Moneta and Penn Social
Clubs of Danville, the Elks and the Masons.
In the latter connection he belonged to Mahon-
ing Lodge, No. 516; Royal Arch Chapter No.
239; Calvary Commandery, No. "57; and Irem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
He was also an honorary alumni trustee of
Lehigh University. His church connection
was with Christ Episcopal Church, Danville,
of which he was vestryman four years.
Mr. Polk's death occurred at Philadelphia,
March 3, 1902, and the funeral was held at
Danville the Saturday following. It brought
together an assemblage of notable men never
before seen in the town, and the obsequies
were marked by a degree of honor seldom
shown even to men of prominence. Besides
the committees formally representing both
houses of Congress there were a number of
other members of that body: the secretary of
the navy was represented ; General Gobin and
his stafl:' were present ; Hon. William Jennings
Bryan, with whom Mr. Polk was well ac-
quainted, took advantage of the fact that he
was in this section of the State and came to
pay his respects; and many of Pennsylvania's
most prominent men were in the throng. All
these and more were represented in the beauti-
ful floral ofl:erings, among which were tributes
from the Howe & Polk employees, Howe and
Samuels employees, the Penn and Moneta
Clubs, survivors of the 12th Regiment, Penn-
sylvania \'olunteers, and the Sunbury Lodge
of Elks. The Moneta club kept open house
during the day to look after the Congressional
committees and others from out of town, and
during the funeral the stores and other places
of business along Mill and Bloom streets
closed out of respect for the deceased. The
pall bearers were selected from among the
emjiloyees of the tube works, which were shut
down for the day. The employees attended in
a body, for Mr. Polk was a friend to rich and
poor alike. "In the humble walks of life
where humanity learns to appreciate sympathy
and kindness such as R. K. Polk had to give
he was not forgotten and men vied with each
other in the tributes paid to his memory.
. Each individual cherished some affec-
tionate memory of the deceased, and as he
turned away from the bier there was in his
look and manner that to indicate he was a
mourner at heart." The remains were laid to
rest in Fair Mew cemetery at Danville.
In 1892 Mr. Polk was united in marriage to
Isabella Montgomery Grier, only daughter of
I. X. Grier, of Danville, who survives him and
lives in that town. To this union were born
five children : Emma, Porter, Isabella, Sarah
and Rebecca. Of these all are living but
Sarah.
LUTHER B. KLINE, M. D.. one of the
oldest resident physicians of Catawissa, and
for many years prominent in the medical as-
sociations of Columbia county, was born Dec.
24, 1842, in Rush township, Northumberland
Co., Pa. He is a son of Harmon G. and
Mary (Bassett) Kline, natives of Pennsyl-
vania, and of German-Scotch descent.
Isaac Kline, the Doctor's grandfather,
came from New Jersey to Upper Augusta
township, Northumberland county, and there
resided until his death. By his wife, Eliza-
Ijeth (DeWitt), he had six children: Jerusha,
wife of John Mettler : Eleanor, wife of Sam-
uel Reeder: Sarah, wife of Isaac HofTman ;
Isaac D. : Harmon G. : and one that died at
the age of fourteen years.
Harmon G. Kline, father of Dr. Kline, was
a farmer in Northumberland county, near
Sunbury. He was born there Aug. 30, 1818,
and died in March, 1902. He married Mary
Bassett, who was born April 10, 1821, daugh-
ter of Luther Bassett, of Phillipsburg, N. J.,
and died Sept. 27, 1914. They had nine chil-
dren : Luther B., mentioned above ; Elisha
416
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
B., who died in ]\Iav, i86g; Elizabeth C,
widow of Harry C. W'allize: George JiL, who
married Alda Van Buskirk ; Margaret, wife
of I. L. Bender ; David C, who married Laura
Smith ; Isaac Clinton ; J. Simpson : and Es-
tella, wife of WilHam S. Hall, of Easton.
Luther B. Kline was reared on a farm up
to the age of eighteen, meantime attending the
common schools and the Sunbury Academy,
his teacher at the latter institution being Hon.
Simon P. Williams, later a member of Con-
gress. In the fall of 1865 Luther B. Kline
entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadel-
phia, from which he graduated March 10,
1867, with the degree of M. D. He at once
came to Catawissa to practice and has re-
mained there ever since.
On Sept. 14, 1870, Dr. Kline was married
to Desdamona W. Sharpless, daughter of
Jesse K. and Mary M. Sharpless, of Cata-
wissa, and they had four children : Mary
M., born Dec. 25, 1872, died at the age of
eight years; Benson died when two months
old; Charles S., an attorney, is residing in
Catawissa; Grace E. keeps house for her
father. Mrs. Kline died March 3, 1904, and
was buried with the rites of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, of which she had been a
member. Her husband and children are at-
tendants at the same church.
Dr. Kline is a member of Catawissa Lodge,
No. 349, F. & A. M., of the County and State
Medical Societies, and of the American Medi-
cal Association. He is secretary and treasurer
of the Columbia County JNIedical Society and
editor of the monthly issued by that organi-
zation. He is now medical inspector for the
schools of Catawissa, and Beaver. Roaring-
creek and Franklin townships, and has served
as school director for seventeen years.
MORDECAI WILLIAIM JACKSON, late
of Berwick. The Jackson family has been
one of the most prominent and enterprising
of Berwick and the vicinity for nearly a cen-
tury. Its members have contributed in a
high degree to the domestic, social, religious,
industrial and political development of the
community. Of this family, none has accom-
plished more than Mordecai William Jackson.
His father, Joel C. Jackson, was a native of
Goshen, N. Y., and of English descent. He
w^as married Jan. 10, 1814. to Elizabeth
Doan, a sketch of whose family appears
elsewhere in this work. She was a native of
Chester county, Pa., of Quaker ancestry,
which settled in the southeastern part of the
State. The main qualities which gained Mr.
Tackson his enviable position in the com-
munity can be traced to his English-Quaker
parentage. Joel C. Jackson came to Berwick
early in the nineteenth century, and resided in
that town until his death, which occurred in
1850. He was buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
where his wife was also interred. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812.
Mordecai W. Jackson was born in Berwick,
Pa., June 25, 181 3, and received an education
in the public schools of the locality which,
while not extensive, was such as the country
then afforded, and the basis for subsequent
self-culture of considerable extent. At an
early age he entered the employ of a merchant
in Berwick as clerk, and in this position gained
an insight into the fundamental principles of
business which laid the foundation for the
success he later achieved. In 1840, in con-
nection with George Mack, he started a foun-
dry for the manufacture of plows, plow cast-
ings, kettles and other articles of a kindred
nature, which found a ready market among the
farmers of the locality. This partnership
lasted three years, when Mr. Jackson pur-
chased the interest of Mr. Mack and formed
an association with Robert McCurdy which
continued for three years. In 1849 Mr. Mc-
Curdy sold his interest to Mr. Jackson, who
then effected a partnership with William H.
Woodin, the firm being known as Jackson &
Woodin. During its continuance the business
greatly increased, and in order to meet the
demands of a growing industry several new
departments were added, among them sections
for the building of cars and the manufacture
of miscellaneous supplies for railroads. Thus
was founded the business which in 1872 was
incorporated into the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company. After the incor-
poration of this company M. W. Jackson
served on the executive committee, where his
thorough knowledge and business foresight
made him of exceptional value. Through his
untiring energy and business integrity, in con-
nection with Mr. Woodin, he acquired a
reputation which was country wide, and gave
large impetus to the great companies that suc-
ceeded them. Later the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company was merged into the
American Car and Foundry Company, which
concern is the largest of its kind in the world.
A description appears elsewhere in this work.
In the financial development of Berwick,
Mr. Tackson occupied a very prominent posi-
tion." For many years he was president of
the First National Bank, in which institution
his wise, conservative counsel was most val-
uable. He was for a number of years a
director and the superintendent of the Lacka-
0^-
OT^-I^
:tc^,v--->^
T>un^J_Ih:^-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
417
wanna & Bloomsburg railroad, which sub-
sequently became a part of Ihe Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western railroad system. He
was deeply interested in various other enter-
prises of the town and was one of the largest
landowners in the section. He engaged large-
ly in agriculture, and such was his astuteness
in the management of his farms that he may
be considered a pioneer in the important dis-
tinction between extensive and intensive farm-
ing. His success was the direct habit of mix-
ing thought with labor. His political affilia-
tions were with the Republican jiarty, and
while not an office seeker he was appointed
associate judge by Governor Beaver. He was
an intelligent partisan, and made important
contributions of time and money to the ad-
vancement of his party.
Mr. Jackson was connected throughout his
lifetime with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He held various official positions in the church,
and in addition rendered invaluable services
in the matter of its business management and
was its most liberal supporter. In the organ-
ization and conduct of the Mountain Grove
Camp Meeting Association he was an influen-
tial and conspicuous figure.
In 1839 ^'^^- Jackson was married to Mar-
garet Gearhart, a granddaughter of Judge
Gearhart, of Northumberland county. Pa.
Seven children were born of this union, of
whom three died in childhood. Those sur-
viving to maturity were : Clarence Gearhart,
who married Elizabeth Seybert ; Jane Bow-
man, who married Dr. John Elliott, of North-
umberland ; Frank Reese, who married Alice
Amerman, of Danville ; and Margaret Emily,
who married Benjamin F. Crispin, Jr., of
Philadelphia. In 1903 Mr. Crispin died, and
Mrs. Crispin was married in 1907 to Rev.
Richard H. Gilbert, D. D., of Berwick, Pa.
In 1871 Mrs. Margaret (Gearhart) Jackson
died, and in 1877 Mr. Jackson married Mrs.
Mary (Shulze) Gotwalt. a niece of Gov. J.
Andrew Shulze, of Pennsylvania. One child
was born of this union, Mary Woodin, who
married Joseph Borches, of Knoxville, Ten-
nessee.
Mordecai \\'. Jackson was a man of un-
questioned honesty, a firm believer in the prin-
ciples of truth and righteousness, and his long
and eminently useful life was an exemplifica-
tion of his beliefs. To no other single in-
dividual does the town of Berwick owe more
for its development and prosperity. His
lamented demise occurred Julv 18, 1894.
There was an affecting incident in connection
with the obsequies which unmistakably illus-
trated the high esteem in which he was held
by his townsmen and employees. When the
funeral cortege was about to leave the dwell-
ing for Pine Grove cemetery the horses were
detached from the hearse, and loving hands,
actuated by alTectionate sympathy, drew it to
the place of interment where his honored re-
mains rest in peace.
JESSE BOWMAN YOUNG, one of the
talented family which has been so closely con-
nected with the history of Berwick, was bom
July s, 1844, ill that town. When a young
man he enlisted in the Union army, served
three years, and when discharged was cap-
tain in the 84th Pennsylvania \'olunteers. He
was graduated from Dickinson Seminary in
1866 and from Dickinson College in 1868.
He at once entered the ministry of the Metho-
dist Church, and served as pastor of a num-
ber of churches in central Pennsylvania. He
accepted a call to the Grand Avenue Church
at Kansas City, and on the death of Dr. B. J.
Fry became the editor of the "Central Chris-
tian Advocate." In this important position
he remained for eight years, when he again
entered the ministry, accepting the pastorate
of the Walnut Hill Church in Cincinnati,
where he remained for eight years. He then
went to Jacksonville, Fla.. where he remained
four years, as pastor of the .Snyder Memorial
Church. Thence he was transferred to the
North Indiana Conference, where he soon
asked for retirement. His request granted,
he went to Chicago, where he passed the re-
mainder of his life.
Dr. Young did a very large amount of lit-
erary work of permanent value. His war
experiences lay at the foundation of "What a
Boy Saw in the Army," and his participa-
tion in the conflict at Gett}'sburg gave pe-
culiar inspiration to his last book, "The Bat-
tle of Gettysburg." A number of religious
books, as well as several volumes of fiction,
came out of his well stocked storehouse. Dr.
Young was a member of the .Grand Army of
the Republic, and deeply interested in it. He
died July 30. 1914, in Chicago, survived by
five children, of whom Miss Anne Spotswood
Young is on the editorial stafl:' of the Sunday
school publications of the Methodist Church,
and Miss Helen Minchell Young on that of
"The Christian Advocate." The only son,
Jared W. Young, is president of the J. W.
Young Manufacturing Company of Chicago.
Aliss Adda Young is an instructor in elocu-
tion in New York City. Miss Lucy Young
resides at home in Chicago.
418
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
JUDGE ROBERT R. LITTLE, late of
Bloomsburg, was one of the eminent lawyers
of Columbia county, holding a leading position
at the bar for years. He had served several
years as president judge of the 26th district of
Pennsylvania, made up of Columbia and Mon-
tour counties, and commanded to an unusual
degree the esteem and confidence of the pub-
lic and of his fellow members in the legal
fraternity. Judge Little was born May 30,
1852, at Berwick, Columbia county, son of
Ephraim H. and Eliza (Seibert) Little, and
belonged to a family which has been in this
country from Colonial days, his great-
grandfather, George Little, having been a
native of Connecticut, where he passed all
his life. He served throughout the Revolution
as a soldier from that State.
George Little, the Judge's grandfather, was
born in Connecticut, and when a young man
located in Delaware county, N. Y., subse-
quently removing to Bethany, Wayne Co.,
Pa., where he carried on a tannery for several
years. He finally settled at Montrose, Sus-
quehanna Co., Pa., where he died in 1851,
aged seventy. He was a tanner and furrier
by trade, but during the latter years of his
life was a merchant, being thus engaged at
Montrose. He married Mary Esterbrook, by
whom he had si.x children, as follows : George
S., a merchant of Loraysville; Ralph B., of
■Montrose ; William E., of Chicago ; Ephraim
H. ; Robert R., of Tunkhannock, Pa. ; and
Mary L. Grover, of Jacksonville, Fla. All of
the sons were lawyers except George A.
Ephraim H. Little was born in Delaware
county, N. Y., March 23, 1823, and was ten
years old when the family moved to
Montrose, Susquehanna Co., Pa., where he
grew to manhood. In his eighteenth year he
began to read law with his brother, Ralph B.
Little (then a member of the firm of Loeb
and Little, of Montrose), who was an eminent
lawyer and the preceptor of Justice J. B. Mc-
Collum, a distinguished jurist. At the age
of twenty years he took what money he pos-
sessed and started West for Chicago, by way
of the Great Lakes. By good fortune he
managed to catch the last boat to make the
trip that season, and the journey was a long
and tedious one, as the boat was greatly de-
layed by the roughness of the water, which
caused a number of accidents. Upon arriv-
ing in Chicago, which was then a mere hamlet,
he found himself with but twenty-five cents
in his pocket, and forty miles from his des-
tination, Joliet, 111. The latter part of his
journey was to be made by stage, and realizing
that he did not have enough money to pay
his fare, he offered the quarter to the driver
in consideration that he haul his trunk to the
desired place. This the stage driver refused
to do, saying: "No, I will carry you and your
baggage and you can pay me at another time."
Landing in Joliet, Mr. Little again took up
the study of law, and in 1845 was admitted
to the bar in Grundy county. 111. Soon after-
wards he purchased the Joliet Sentinel, on
credit, and conducted it for six or eight
months. He then sold out and removed to
.Morris, which a short time previous had been
made the county seat of Grundy county. 111.
Me was the first lawyer to locate there. He
continued his practice with much success for
a few years, when he met with an accident,
his gun being discharged accidentally while
he was hunting prairie chickens, which caused
him the loss of an arm. The knowledge of
surgery at the time being limited he was
finally compelled to submit to amputation of
the injured arm. This reduced his physical
strength greatly and he determined to get out
of that malarial section of the country, acting
on his physician's advice.
In 1847 Mr. Little returned East, and the
next year opened a law office at Tunkhan-
nock, in 1849 locating at Beach Haven, Lu-
zerne Co., Pa., where he was appointed
weighmaster at Weigh Lock, on the Pennsyl-
vania canal. The canal was under the control
of the State, and it had been customary for
boats to be run on Sunday, but Mr. Little,
true to the Christian influences under which
he had been reared, refused outright to per-
form his labors on the Sabbath. The boatmen
were wroth and petitioned for his removal,
but the governor of the State refused to re-
move him and the canal was thereafter closed
on Sundays. He held the position two years,
and while there made the acquaintance of
Eliza Seibert, whom he married Dec. 10, 1850.
The spring after they moved to Berwick, Co-
lumbia Co., Pa., where he lived until his
removal to Bloomsburg in April, i860. He
there engaged in the practice of his profession,
and continued with the best of success until
1893, when he retired and moved upon his
farm, a tract of 135 acres just outside the cor-
porate limits of Bloomsburg.
As a lawyer he was unexcelled and his opin-
ion was frequently sought by other prominent
attorneys on intricate legal problems. He was
a Democrat in his political affiliations, and
served three terms as district attorney, to
wh'ch office he was first elected in 1856. Ris-
ing to a place of prominence in the profes-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
419
sional world, he commanded the respect and
the esteem of the entire community. He was
an active and consistent member of the Bap-
tist Church, and held many of the church
offices. To his marriage was born one child,
, Robert R. Mrs. Little died June lo, 1890,
and Ephraim H. Little died June 10, 1900 —
just ten years apart to a day.
Robert R. Little was eight years old when
his parents moved from Berwick to Blooms-
burg, and there he was reared, receiving a good
education in the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, from which he was graduated in 1872.
He subsequently entered the University of
Rochester, at Rochester, N. Y., and then at-
tended Hamilton College, at Clinton, N. Y.
In 1873 he entered his father's office and ap-
plied himself with such diligence as to be able
to pass the bar examination two years later.
He immediately became his father's partner,
and they practiced under the firm name of
E. H. and R. R. Little until the former's re-
tirement. The Judge subsequently practiced
alone, and had a large and profitable clien-
tage among the leading citizens and business
men. A man of great energy and indomitable
will, he was untiring in the prosecution of
every case he undertook. He was elected dis-
trict attorney of Columbia county for two
terms, serving from Jan. i, 1878, filled out
two terms as county solicitor, and was also
solicitor for the borough one term. On Nov.
8, 1898, he was elected president judge of
the 26th district, which position he was hold-
ing at the time of his death, which occurred
Feb. 26, 1906, at Bloomsburg. where he is
buried, in Rosemont cemetery. His death was
regarded as a public loss, for he had been in-
timately associated with various phases of the
life of the community. lie was a trustee of
the Bloomsburg State Normal School, a mem-
ber of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. &
A. M., and was connected with the Baptist
Church. He was a popular worker in the
Democratic party and had served as chair-
man of the standing committee in Columbia
county.
On Oct. 15, 1878, .Mr. Little married De-
borah T. Tustin, a daughter of Rev. J. P.
Tustin and Catherine A. Nicely, of Blooms-
burg, and she survives him, continuing to
make her home in lUoomsljurg. The follow-
ing children were born to this marriage: (i)
Henry Joseph, a graduate of the department
of veterinary science of the University of
Pennsylvania, married Mabel Rogers, of
Muncy, Pa., and has three children, Robert
George, Rebecca R. and Elenora T. (2) Jo-
siah T. was formerly located at the Union
stockyards, Lancaster, Pa., as assistant to Dr.
Johnston, and is now taking a course as vet-
erinarian in the University of Pennsylvania.
He married Carola Gunton, of Bloomsburg,
and has one son, Llewellyn G. (3) Catherine
T. is a member of the class of 1915, Blooms-
burg State Normal School.
FRED TAYLOR IKELER, son of EHjah
R. and Helena (Armstrong) Ikeler, was born
in Bloomsburg Aug. 12, 1870. He was a pupil
of the local public schools, graduating with
high honors. The ne.xt step in his education
was taken when he enrolled as a student at
the Bloomsburg State Normal School. Upon
the completion of his course in that institu-
tion he became a student in Lafayette College,
Easton, Pa., from which he graduated in 1890.
Thus before the young man had attained his
majority he had passed through three phases
of educational activity, assimilating the
knowledge that was to be the basic foundation
for a future career. Through inherent ability,
and by virtue of a striking legacy of talent,
with which he was endowed by being his fa-
ther's son, the youth had long considered fol-
lowing the law as a profession. This desire
had been instilled into his heart from the days
of childhood, when from his father's knee
he had watched the panorama of the courts
of the county. Over thirty years later the
example set by Fred Taylor Ikeler was fol-
lowed by Stewart Ikeler, his own son, whose
diminutive figure has already become a fa-
miliar sight in a more modern courthouse.
It was natural, therefore, that the young
graduate should turn to the practice of the
profession for which he had been preparing.
The year following his graduation from La-
fayette College he was admitted to the bar of
Columbia county. From that beginning Mr.
Ikeler has attained a position in his profession
that ranks him among the leading attorneys
of the State. His legal practice, extending to
every section of the Commonwealth, is now
so extensive that he has been compelled to
abandon criminal work altogether. Through
the passing years his reputation as a resource-
ful lawyer, gifted with an argumentative and
analytical mind, a keen and most eloquent
tongue, together with an intimate and most
minute familiarity with the ramifications of
legal procedures, has steadily increased, and
his practice of the present day is almost
wholly devoted to the interests of many of
the larger corporations of the time. Among
his clients are numbered the Delaware, Lack-
420
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
awanna & Western Railroad Company, the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company,
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, the
Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Com-
pany, the Lehigh \'alley Coal Company, the
American Car and Foundry Company, the Le-
high Coal and Navigation Company, and a
great many other concerns, smaller perhaps
in size, but varied in scope, which are dis-
tributed in various localities throughout the
State.
The relinquishment of criminal practice was
but the evolution due to his specializing on
corporate law. Mr. Ikeler, however, has for-
saken his resolution in this matter when occa-
sion warrants, as when prosecution against
some personal affiliation has arisen, going into
the criminal courts and by the brilliancy of
his masterly defense acquitting a client. He
is known throughout this great State as an
attorney. His utterances before a court of
justice are tinged with the bitterest satire, the
most profound truths, and the essence of cor-
rect jurisprudence.
Political preference came to Mr. Ikeler
early in life. He served as solicitor for his
native town four years, twice being named to
that appointive office by the councilmen of
Bloomsburg. Later, through the suffrage of
his townsmen, he represented his district in
the legislative halls of the State. The en-
croachments of a growing practice necessi-
tated, however, a strict attention to clients,
and long ago Mr. Ikeler withdrew as a can-
didate for public office, although he is and
has been mentioned as the logical successor
to Charles C. Evans, the presiding judge of
Columbia county, whose incumbency of that
elective office expires at the end of 1916. Mr.
Ikeler was appointed president of the recently
discharged commission appointed to investi-
gate certain phases of the granting of liquor
licenses in Columbia county, his fellow mem-
bers being Hon. H. M. Hinckley, George E.
Elwell, A. W. Duy and H. Mont. Smith. He
and his associates fulfilled the functions of
that position in such a manner as to win the
applause of the community.
During his past career, and still occasion-
ally, through the desire to do some institution
a favor, or to conform to a personal request,
Mr. Ikeler has appeared on the lecture plat-
form. As a lecturer, he has been a factor in
many past political campaigns, and consist-
ently has lifted his voice for Democracy in
local and State activities.
As an example of personal magnetism, one
citation of what Fred Taylor Ikeler can ac-
complish is sufficient. He assembled a Men's
Bible class in the First Presbyterian Church
of Bloomsburg. That class of religious or-
ganization had not then achieved its present
vogue. The Ikeler Bible class, as it began
to be known, therefore was essentially small
at its inception. But the drawing powers
of its leader's eloquence, his broad humanity
and sincere teachings, soon attracted scores
of men, of various denominations, to the or-
ganization. Many came who were not in
the habit of attending church, until the mem-
bers numbered over two hundred. The fame
of this class spread. At each meeting, through
the sterling truth and Christianity preached
by Mr. Ikeler, an immeasurable amount of
good was accomplished, and while business
conditions causing protracted absences from
Bloomsburg eventually led to the termination
of his connection with the class, many of his
former students still are marked with the im-
press of his utterances.
When Vance Criswell McCormick, Demo-
cratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania,
and A. Mitchell Palmer, Democratic candi-
date for United States senator, appeared in
Bloomsburg in the spring of 1914, Mr. Ikeler
presided as chairman of the meeting at the
courthouse. He knew neither of these gen-
tlemen. His speech of introduction will be
long remembered as one of the finest orations
that had ever been delivered within the con-
fines of the courtroom. It received a sus-
tained and continuous ovation, and as Mr.
Ikeler turned away, his duty done, both candi-
dates rose to their feet and greeted him, a
perfect stranger, with the utmost cordiality
and gratitude for his masterly effort.
A member of the Columbia County Bar
Association, and actively interested in the ad-
vancement of that organization, a member
also of the State and National Bar Associa-
tions, as an attorney Fred Taylor Ikeler heads
the Columbia county bar, and his townsmen
watch and will watch his future career with
the utmost pride, as his achievements have
always reflected credit on his native
community.
JUDGE ELIJAH R. IKELER passed
away Aug. i, 1898, while serving the tenth
year of his term as presiding judge of the
courts of Columbia county, to which high
office he was elected in 1888. His elevation
to the supreme office of the county at the
hands of the people came at the termination
of a long and useful period of active public
life. Judge Ikeler was typically a production
COLUMBIA "AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
421
of Columbia county. He was born in Green-
wood township on Feb. 27, 1838, and was a
descendant of an honored old family of Ger-
man extraction which had emigrated to this
county from New Jersey, and which was a
branch of the Ikeler family that had come
to America in 1760. Joseph Eggler (as the
name was then spelled), the great-grandfather
of Elijah R. Ikeler, upon his arrival in this
country settled in Belvidere, N. J. His occu-
pation was farming, and he died in that State.
At the outbreak of the Revolution he promptly
enlisted with the Colonists, and throughout
that historic conflict unselfishly rendered serv-
ice to his country.
Andrew J. Ikeler, a son of Joseph, was
united in marriage to Christina Johnson, and
the young couple migrated to Columbia county
from New Jersey, covering the entire dis-
tance on horseback, and likewise bringing
with them their personal effects. To Andrew
J. and Christina Ikeler, and their exodus to
Greenwood township, the Columbia county
branch of the Ikeler family owe their exist-
ence. Mr. Ikeler took over about one thou-
sand acres in the sparsely settled township,
which is still owned by their descendants, and
on this tract he and his wife passed the re-
mainder of their days. The death of Andrew
J. Ikeler occurred in 1854, at which time
he was eighty years of age. His wife Chris-
tina survived him twelve years, and at the
age of ninety-three passed away in 1866. Their
bodies were buried in the family plot on the
old homestead property, in a little hallowed
burying ground, at a romantic spot. During
his day Mr. Ikeler attained great prominence
as a citizen of his locality. He held many
public offices in his community and in the
county, among which was that of county
magistrate in or about the year 1835. For
a long time he was a colonel in the militia, and
he raised a regiment for the war of 1812
and personally led it to the battlefield.
(In another account it is stated that William
Ikeler was the name of the founder of the
Columbia county branch of the Ikelers. Will-
iam Ikeler also came from New Jersey and
settled on a farm that was later occupied by
George Ikeler, the date of the latter's oc-
cupancy being given as approximately one
hundred and twenty-five years ago. His wife's
name was Barnhart, and their issue were four
children: Andrew, William, Elizabeth and
Barnabas, all but the last named settling in
Greenwood township. Andrew was born
April 18, 1773. He married Christina Ann
Johnson, who was born in 1774, and was the
daughter of Isaac Johnson, who came from
New Jersey. "Andrew J. Ikeler and his wife
Christina," says this other account, "had six
children, Elizabeth, William J., Margaret,
Isaac, Andrew J., and Johnson H., all of whom
settled in Columbia county." He died on Nov.
24, 1850, and she on Dec. 29, 1865. Mr.
Ikeler was a Democrat, served as a commis-
sioner and supervisor, held other township
offices, was a colonel of the militia and was
called out during the war, but returned after
ten days' service, as he was not required. He
was not a member of any church, but was a
liberal contributor to the support of religious
work.)
Isaac Ikeler, son of Andrew J., died in
1S84 at the age of eighty years. He married
Mary Taylor, a native of New Jersey, who
passed away in 1879, aged sixty-five years.
Their bodies were interred in Rlount Pleas-
ant township, Columbia county. Isaac Ikeler
was widely known and eminently respected as
a successful farmer. Elijah R. Ikeler was the
son of this worthy couple. He was reared
in the township of his nativity and received
the common education which the schools of
that vicinity afforded. At the age of sixteen,
he entered Greenwood Seminary, an institu-
tion of learning located in Alillville. When
FJijah became older he learned the trade of
miller, serving his apprenticeship in the place
which has been a milestone on the pathway
of his education. He eventually purchased
this business, which he conducted until he
was almost thirty years of age. In 1865 the
young man moved to Bloomsburg. A year
prior to that date he had approached the late
Col. John G. Freeze, and had registered with
him as a student of law. On April ist of
the year that he came to town he started his
association in the office of Colonel Freeze.
Two years later young Ikeler, who had not
yet reached his thirtieth year, was admitted
to the Columbia county bar. Two years
previous to his admission he had purchased
the Columbia Democrat, and had consolidated
that publication with the Star of the North,
designating the allied sheets as the Democrat
and Star. A year later he sold out his interest
in this publication. During the Civil war Mr.
Ikeler actively supported tlie Union cause.
In 1869, by the suffrage of his townsmen,
and by virtue of the record which had been
attained by the comparatively young attorney,
Mr. Ikeler was elected to the office of district
attorney of Columbia county. In his official
capacity he figured prominently in the notable
Molly Maguire trials. Later, when Hon.
422
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Charles R. Uuckalew had completed his wise
articles of incorporation for the town of
Uloomsburg (which at this date has the only
charter of a Pennsylvania incorporated town
and whose government is administered under
those ordinances), Elijah R. Ikeler was chosen
treasurer of the young municipal venture.
Meanwhile, aside from associating in an enter-
prise that ultimately resulted in the formation
of the Farmers' National Bank, that strong
and prosperous institution of the present day,
Mr. Ikeler was devoting himself to the up-
building of a practice. His loyal friends ral-
lied to his support as soon as they became
aware of his ability and sterling characteris-
tics, and his legal acumen drew a great volume
of business. Mr. Ikeler attained his status
as an attorney through an unusually high con-
ception of the duties of his profession. The
wide range of his technical knowledge of prac-
tice and the manner in which he executed
deeds of trust eventually brought their own
reward. In 1888 Elijah R. Ikeler was elevated
to the honor of presiding judge, a responsi-
bility which he tilled with the utmost faith-
fulness to the interests of justice. The hand
of death touched him before his term of serv-
ice was completed and he was gathered to his
fathers, who, with him, had done so much for
the county — if only through the examples of
paternal duty and probity and wholesome
lives.
On ]\Iarch 23, 1863, Mr. Ikeler had married
Helena Armstrong, a daughter of Ephraim
Armstrong, of Bloomsburg, a descendant of
the notable Philadelphia family of Ritten-
houses. She survived her husband until April,
1913, passing away in Bloomsburg, greatly
mourned. Two children survive this union,
Fred Taylor Ikeler, the subject of the intro-
duction of this monograph on the Ikeler fam-
ily, and Frank A. Ikeler.
Fr.xnk a. Ikeler was born in Bloomsburg
Aug. 21, 1868. He enrolled in the various
local schools, and after graduating entered
the Bloomsburg State Normal School. At the
completion of his studies in that institution
Mr. Ikeler joined his brother, Fred Tavlor
Ikeler, at Lafayette College, and realizing the
opportunities and requirements of his native
town, undertook the study of banking and
finance. As the result of his studies Mr.
Ikeler, upon the completion of his course, was
tendered the position of cashier by the officials
of the Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg,
which his father had been greatly instrumental
in organizing. This offer he accepted and ful-
filled the responsibilities of the berth with the
utmost satisfaction to the executive board.
yAt this time Mr. Ikeler held the reputation of
being the youngest cashier of any national
banking institution in the United States. He
later resigned and took up the study of law,
and on Sept. 24, 1894, was admitted to the
bar of Columbia county. For several years
thereafter he was associated with his brother
in a successful law partnership. His earlier
experience in the banking business later as-
sisted him in his chosen profession. It resulted
in a connection with the First National Bank
of Bloomsburg. He succeeded to the position
of cashier of that strong institution upon the
resignation of E. F. Carpenter from that place
of trust, and is still serving the bank in that
capacity, having entirely relinquished the prac-
tice of law.
On March 23, 1898, Mr. Ikeler married
■Mary Millard, of Centralia, and one son, Fred,
came to bless that union.
The members of the Ikeler family, through
past loyalty to county tradition and advance-
ment, represent the type of ideal citizenship
and motherhood. Their mark on the develop-
ment of the county has been that of con-
sistent progress, and while but two descend-
ants, Frank and Fred, and their boys now re-
main, the achievements of this later genera-
tion are in line with the record established
by their ancestors of an earlier time.
DANIEL MONTGOMERY BOYD, de-
ceased, was one of the men to whom Montour
county owes a debt of gratitude for his share
in its development and prosperity. He was
always identified with the enterprises that
made this section prominent in an industrial
way and his keen insight into the future was
of great value in placing the industries of Dan-
ville on a firm financial foundation.
The Boyd family in this county was
founded by William Boyd, who, with his
brother Thomas, came to America in 1732
from County Armagh, Ireland. They were
of Protestant belief and of Scotch-Irish de-
scent. William Boyd settled near the "Half-
Way House," in New Garden township, Ches-
ter Co., Pa., and according to old records was
appointed justice of the peace under King
George. He served in that capacity for the
rest of his life, also being a member of the
Provincial council, his name last appearing
on the records in 1761. Later he removed to
the village of Oxford, where he died in 1767.
He was a member of the Faggs Manor Pres-
byterian Church. His children were : James,
John, William, Jane, Mary and Hannah.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
423
John Boyd, grandfather of Daniel M., was
apprenticed to a tanner, and soon after his ap-
prenticeship ended enlisted in the war for
independence, served the colonists' side with
distinction, was honorably discharged in 1782,
and was afterward appointed general of the
1st Brigade, 3d Division, of the Pennsylvania
State Militia, by the governor. He married,
Dec. 18, 1782, Mary, daughter of James
Cowan, of Chester county, and they had these
children : Jane, Joseph, William, James, John
C, Mary, Hannah and Eliza. After his mar-
riage he established a tannery at West Fal-
lowfield, Chester county, which he conducted
until his death. He was at one time a mem-
ber of the Legislature, and he attended the
Presbyterian Church, of which he was a rul-
ing elder.
John C. Boyd, father of Daniel M., was
born at West Fallowfield, Chester county, and
grew to manhood on the home farm, helping
his father in the tannery. On May 18, 1820,
he married Hannah, daughter of Gen. Daniel
Montgomery, the founder of Danville, moved
to that place and entered the business of store-
keeping. His wife having received from her
father the farm now known as "Boyd's" he,
in 1824, sold out his store and retired from
merchandising to cultivate the homestead. He
erected on it a large and artistic mansion and
added to the farm until it comprised almost
nine hundred acres, most of it under cultiva-
tion. With the assistance of his sons and his
father-in-law he promoted the Danville &
Pottsville railroad, built a furnace at Shamokin,
and was interested in other projects of public
utility. After a life of more than average
usefulness he died on Aug. 18, 1849, at the
age of fifty-si.x. His children were: Mary L.,
wife of William Neal, proprietor of the Neal
Furnace at Bloomsburg ; Daniel Montgomery,
named after his grandfather ; Hannah Eliza ;
James, who married Louise, daughter of Rev.
J. W. Yeomans ; James Alexander, who mar-
ried a Miss Titus, of Philadelphia; Chris-
tianna, wife of Col. William McClure; and
Joseph C, who married Anna, daughter of
William Butler, of Danville.
Daniel Montgomery Boyd was born on the
old homestead, in Rush township, Northum-
berland county, two miles from Danville. He
was the second child in the family. He ac-
quired most of his education in the Danville
Academy, founded by Gen. William Mont-
gomery, his great-grandfather. After gradu-
ation he went to Pottsville and entered the
coal business. Soon his capacity for organiza-
tion became evident and he was associated
with the opening of the Shamokin coal basin,
built the first improved coal breaker, con-
structed railroads, and was one of the promi-
nent operators of the day. In 1862 he went
to Havre-de-Grace, Md., and started a line
of vessels in the coal shipping trade, plying
from that port to the South, but in 1881 he
was obliged to retire, because of ill health,
and returned to Danville. Recovering some
of his vigor he interested himself in the prin-
cipal industries of the town, becoming presi-
dent of the First National Bank and of the
Danville Nail Company. He was also presi-
dent of the board of trustees of the State
Hospital for the Insane, but resigned when
declining health prevented his active* partici-
pation in its affairs. In the winter of 1897-98
he was seized with a severe attack of the
grip, from which he never fully recovered,
his death occurring July 4, 1899.
Mr. Boyd was twice married, first to Caro-
line, daughter of Samuel Bockius, of German-
town, Pa., in 1869. After her death, in 1878,
he married Ida, daughter of Joseph W. and
Esther A. (Sloan) Cottrell, the former a pros-
perous merchant of Columbia, Pa. By this
union he had two children : Daniel Montgom-
ery, deceased ; and Elsie M. Mr. Boyd and
his family were all members of the Presby-
terian Church, of which he was a trustee. He
was a member of the Republican party all
his life.
SAMUEL WIGFALL, of Bloomsburg,
president of the Bloomsburg & Sullivan Rail-
road Company, has been associated with that
company for over twenty years, in his present
capacity since 1904. There is scarcely any
one enterprise of similar magnitude which has
had greater local value than this road. Bring-
ing new life and possibilities to the towns
along the route, affording transportation fa-
cilities for the agricultural and manufactured
products of the vicinity, and a means of com-
munication long desired by the people of this
region, it has been a success from the very
beginning and the steady patronage it has al-
ways received is sufficient to show how desir-
able and popular a convenience it has been.
Mr. Wigfall has proved an able executive, and
his business qualities have won him deserved
recognition in his adopted home. He is a
native of Philadelphia, born Sept. 2, 1866,
and his father, Samuel Wigfall, spent all his
active life in that city, where he was con-
nected with the First National Bank. He died
April 2, 1885. To him and his wife Mary L.
(Jackson), who survives him, were born two
424
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
sons, Samuel and E. Newton, the latter now
connected with the house of John T. Lewis
& Bros., of Philadelphia.
Mr. Wigfall's grandfather, also named
Samuel, was engaged in the hardware busi-
ness at Augusta, Ga., for some time, later
settling in Montgomery county, Pa., where he
died.
Samuel W'igfall jwssed his youth in Phila-
delphia, obtaining his education in the public
schools, and when a young man was employed
as a runner for the First National Bank there.
He remained with that institution until he
came to Bloomsburg, June Si, 1889, here be-
coming secretary and treasurer of the North
Mountain Lumber Company, with which con-
cern he continued until it dissolved, in the fall
of 1892. Since January, 1890, he has been
connected with the Bloomsburg & Sullivan
Railroad Company. This company received
its original charter from the State Dec. 27,
1883, the promoters being C. R. Buckalew
and Col. John Jamison, of Bloomsburg. Capt.
H. J. Connor and Silas McHenry secured the
right of way the entire length of the road.
The first ground for the road was broken
at the bridge a short distance north of Orange-
ville in August, 1886, and the work went for-
ward under the direction of John A. Wilson,
of Philadelphia, constructing engineer, and
James C. Brown, of Bloomsburg, surveying
engineer. It was substantially constructed and
the same policy has been continued to the pres-
ent, the company being noted for its high
standards of maintenance and efficiency. The
road was completed to Benton in 1887, on
July 4th of which year the first train left
Bloomsburg for Orangeville, carrying a large
delegation of officials and stockholders. It
was completed to Jamison City in 1888. It is
twenty-nine miles long, the route lying
through the beautiful and historic Fishing
creek valley, connecting the territory along
the Susquehanna river with the North moun-
tains. There are many highly productive
farms in this section and agricultural interests
have expanded notably as one direct result
of the advent of the railroad. The industrial
centers along the line, Light Street, Orange-
ville, Forks, Stillwater, Benton, Coles Creek,
Central and Jamison City, have felt the im-
petus which convenience of transportation has
given their activities, and many thriving busi-
ness plants have been located in those com-
munities because of the desirable opportuni-
ties the railroad has brought within the reach
of investors. The road traverses a beautiful
section, a delightful region for fishing or hunt-
ing, and ideal spots for camps and recreation
are numerous. Eight passenger trains a day
are run, four each way, and two to four extra
freight trains to Berwick by way of the Paper
Mill. The road uses the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western depot at Bloomsburg, and
connections are made with the principal pas-
senger trains on that road as well as the Phila-
delphia & Reading, and at the Paper Mill,
with the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Ber-
wick. The head office of the company is at
Market and Sixth streets, Bloomsburg, near
the D. L. & W. depot. About fifty men are
employed in all departments, and the present
officers are : Samuel Wigfall, president ; H.
T. Dechert, vice president; George A. Ritter,
secretary and auditor; W. C. Snyder, treas-
urer and superintendent ; W. C. Fortune,
supervisor. Mr. Fortune, Conductor J. W.
Scott and Engineer James Carey have been
with the company from the very beginning.
Capt. H. J. Connor was secretary and treas-
urer until his death, May 30, 1912.
Mr. Wigfall's time has been devoted prin-
cipally to his responsibilities as head of the
Bloomsburg & Sullivan Railroad Company,
but he has also had other local interests, and
he is a director of the Bloomsburg National
Bank, treasurer and director of the Industrial
Building & Loan Association since its incor-
poration in i8c>i, and a director of the Blooms-
hurg Water Company. He is a member of
the Episcopal Church, and a Republican in
political sentiment.
On Feb. 4, 1891, Mr. Wigfall married
Helen R. Belfield, of Philadelphia, and they
have one daughter, Elizabeth, who was born
in August, 1901.
COL. JOHN GOSSE FREEZE, late of
Bloomsburg. Honored and remembered
chiefly for his long connection with the Co-
lumbia county bar, at which he practiced for
over sixty years, a simple recount of the duties
which occupied Colonel Freeze aside from his
profession shows that he was much more than
a successful lawyer. However, a mere recital
of his achievements in the law and in the activ-
ities of the community would suggest the large
place he filled in its life but give no adequate
idea of the accomplishments which made his
career remarkable for more than its length.
Though he attained his eighty-eighth year he
was still maintaining his association with sev-
eral trusts he was reluctant to relinquish in
spite of his age. He had withdrawn from
legal practice two or three years before, how-
ever.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
42£
Born Nov. 4, 1825, in Montoursville, Ly-
coming Co., Pa., at the mouth of Loyalsock
creek, John G. Freeze was a member of an old
family of German descent, originally settled
in New Jersey, and established in this part
of Pennsylvania by his grandfather, Peter
Freeze, who located in Northumberland
county with his wife and family soon after
the Revolutionary period. He lived and died
at Tuckahoe, that county, and was a farmer
by occupation. He was a soldier during die
Revolution, being enrolled in the body of
Colonial militia known as the "Jersey Line."
James Freeze, son of Peter, learned the
trade of miller and followed the business for
many years of his long life, dying at Blooms-
burg at the age of eighty-two. His wife.
Frances (Gosse), passed away at the age of
seventy-five. They are buried in Rosemont
cemetery, Bloomsburg.
John Gosse Freeze had the best educational
facilities this region aiTorded in his day. Be-
sides attending the common schools he had the
privileges of private schools at Turbotville
and Greenwood, the Milton Academy and the
Danville Academy. His father, holding ideas
on early training much in advance of popular
opinion in his time, also engaged private
tutors for him. so that the boy received an
excellent classical training. After a brief ex-
perience as a school teacher young Freeze
turned to the law, commencing to read with
Joshua W. Comly, at Danville, in 1846. On
April 19, 1848, he was admitted to the Colum-
bia county bar at Bloomsburg, and for over
sixty years following was one of the foremost
legal practitioners in the county, retiring from
practice only a short time before his death.
On the eighty-seventh anniversary of his
birth, however, the Colonel was in court, and
handed in a petition of the Lehigh Valley Coal
Company. On that occasion he received the
congratulations of the court.
Though a prominent figure in county af-
fairs, and influential in politics, Colonel Freeze
held few public offices, but it is significant
that he was frequently called to positions
whose duties carried grave responsibilitv,
their proper performance being of vital in-
terest to his fellow citizens. In 1863 he took
the office of register and recorder of Colum-
bia county and filled it for two successive
terms, a period of six years. In 1872 he was
chosen a member of the Constitutional con-
vention, but resigned in favor of Hon. C. R.
Buckalew. He served on Governor Bigler's
staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel, by
appointment, hence his title.
Regarding his ability and reputation as a
lawyer it is easy to form an opinion of Colonel
Freeze by the importance of the cases intrust-
ed to him, the great value of property involved
and the standing of his clients themselves. In
the earlier part of his legal career he was lead-
ing counsel on one side or the other in many
of the suits concerning land titles, the famous
ejectment cases involving the ownership of
coal lands in the lower part of the county,
notably the celebrated Biggs-Doebler and
Longenberger-McReynolds cases, which be-
gan in 1863 and were continued, in one place
or another, until 1885. Judge Elwell was then
presiding over the courts of Columbia county,
and his sense of equity and broad familiarity
with the legal questions involved were so thor-
oughly known and trusted that many cases
from other districts were certified here to
have the benefit of his able ruling. Hence
Colonel Freeze was brought into contact with
the most eminent legal advisers of other coun-
ties, who retained his services as associate
counsel in the weightiest cases — such men as
Wolverton of Sunbury, Ryan and Hughes,
and George F. Baer of Reading. His own
practice extended beyond the limits of Colum-
bia as he gained recognition by his skillful
handling of difiicult situations. In the famous
Molly Maguire trial of 1877, he had charge
of the defense, and though Hester, Tully and
McHugh were convicted and hanged the
Colonel always held to his conviction that
Hester was only technically guilty of the mur-
der of Alexander \V. Rea. It was character-
istic of him that he never fought a case on
technicalities, and though he was faithful and
conscientious about availing himself of every
advantage to the interest of his own clients he
preferred to win his cases on their merits and
through his extensive knowledge of the law,
the application of which he knew so well. A
shrewd adviser, he was equally capable as an
advocate in court. Though he was a formid-
able opponent his distaste for trickery made
him an honorable foe, and his fairness, coupled
with unfailing courtesy, gained him a popular-
ity which never waned. He had neither scorn
nor impatience for young and inexperienced
lawyers, to whom he was always generous and
kindly, and among his colleagues he was
looked upon as a most desirable associate.
For many years there was scarcely a session
of the Supreme court at which he did not
have business which required his presence.
On April 28, 1905, Colonel Freeze was the
guest of honor at a complimentary banquet
arranged by members of the bar of Columbia
426
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and -Montour counties, in honor of the fifty-
seventh anniversary of his admission to the
bar. Even then he was the "Nestor" of the
Columbia county bar, its oldest member and
for twenty years the president of the Bar
Association. The legal fraternity of both
counties was well represented, and there were
lawyer guests from other counties present, as
well as men prominent in business and other
circles. It was an appreciation such as few
men experience, and Colonel Freeze was
deeply touched.
Any movement designed to improve mental
or moral standards in the community, or which
marked advancement, had his support, if in-
deed he was not a leader. Educational proj-
ects especially had his sympathetic interest
and support. In 1866 he was one of the group
which organized the Bloomsburg Literary In-
stitute, which has since been merged into the
Normal School, and from that time until his
death he was almost continuously associated
with the management of the institution, which
has played so large a part in the development
of the borough in more respects than one. He
was one of the trustees in the early days, when
the board was responsible financially, its mem-
bers often advancing the money to settle bills
in order to keep the school running ; and he
was still holding that position at the time of
his death. To the end of his days he was a
trustee of the public library, which office he
had filled for many years, and he had also
been vice president of its board of directors.
He was president of the Bloomsburg Bridge
Company, president of the Rosemont Cem-
etery Company.
With all his obligations Colonel Freeze
found time to indulge his literary tastes and
add to his acquirements. At one time he
was one of the editors of the Columbian, be-
ing qualified by his intimate acquaintance with
local political conditions, as well as by his
intellectual attainments, for that position. As
a local historian also he acquired considerable
reputation, his history of Columbia county
being undoubtedly the best written and con-
sidered the standard of authority and an ex-
haustive work of reference on the subject.
His literary productions include a number of
graceful poems, and he published one or two
collections of verses, his largest work, "A
Royal Pastoral," being a volume of over
three hundred pages. He also published the
"North American Book," and a number of
pamphlets on various subjects. He was the
historian of the Bloomsburg Centennial cele-
bration, held in 1902. He was a member of
the Pennsylvania Historical Society.
In religious connection Colonel Freeze was
a member and vestryman of St. Paul's Epis-
copal Church, a member of the standing com-
mittee of the diocese of Central Pennsylvania,
and chancellor of that body for twenty years
or more, in that capacity being legal adviser
to the bishop. The tower on St. Paul's church
is a monument to his liberality.
In 1854 Colonel Freeze married Margaret
Walker, of Lancaster county. Pa., daughter
of Robert Walker, of Lancaster. She pre-
ceded him to the grave, as did also all of the
five children born to this union. Mrs. Freeze
was also a member of St. Paul's Church.
After a life of singular usefulness, whose
activities have proved a far-reaching influence
in promoting the interests of his fellow men,
he passed away July 8, 1913. A man of un-
selfish ambitions, his labors "not only brought
honors to himself but ennobled the circles in
which he moved." His death occurred at his
home on Center and Third streets, Blooms-
burg, due to the infirmities of age. Short
private services were held at the house for the
relatives, and a public service at St. Paul's
Episcopal Church, Rev. Mr. Musser officiat-
ing. Interment was in Rosemont cemetery.
GEN. WELLINGTON H. ENT (de-
ceased) was serving as prothonotary of Co-
lumbia county at the time of his death, and
though he passed away in his prime was one
of its well-known citizens. His distinguished
services in the Civil war brought him high
promotion and honors. General Ent was
born Aug. 16, 1834, at Light Street. Colum-
bia county, son of Peter and Sarah Ent, who
had five sons, all of whom served in the Union
army during the Civil war ; only one was sur-
viving in 1887, Uzal H. Ent, of Bloomsburg.
Wellington H. Ent began his education in
the common schools, later attended at Will-
iamsport. Pa., and commenced reading law in
Bloomsburg. afterwards taking a law course
at the University of Albany. N. Y., from
which institution he was graduated May 25,
i860, in the same class with Postmaster Gen-
eral Vilas. At that time Reuben A. Walworth
was president, and Ira Harris, Amasa J. Par-
ker and Amos Dean instructors. Mr. Ent was
admitted to the bar of his native county in
September, i860, and on Dec. 5th received
the governor's appointment as notary public.
However, his personal interests were soon for-
gotten for his country's need. In June, 1861,
he went to Harrisburg as first lieutenant of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
427
a volunteer company, and was there chosen
and commissioned captain of Company A, bth
Pennsylvania Reserves. His subsequent pro-
motions for gallant services, worthy of spe-
cial note, in the three years of his army life
gained him considerable renown and were a
credit to the State. After the battle of An-
tietam he was promoted to major, Sept. 21,
1862 ; after Fredericksburg to lieutenant colo-
nel. May I, 1863, to rank from Alarch 26th;
after Gettysburg to colonel in July, 1863,
ranking from Alay 23d ; to brigadier general.
United States \.olunteers, March 13, 1865,
for gallant conduct at the battles of the Wil-
derness. Spottsylvania Court House, and
Bethesda Church, Va., in which latter engage-
ment he was wounded ; his favorite war horse,
"Uilly" (which died Sept. 15, 1884, at the age
of twenty-nine years, si.x months), had a por-
tion of his fetlock shot off during the thickest
of the fight there, but received no other in-
jury. At this battle General Ent's regiment
was three times outflanked and compelled to
retreat, and on each occasion Billy's whin-
nying served as a signal to rally the men.
General Ent served in the 3d Brigade, Mc-
Call's Division, Pennsylvania Reserves, Sept.
16, 1861 ; reconnoitered beyond Dranesville,
Va., Oct. 19-21, and took part in the battle
at Dranesville,. Dec. 20, 186 1. In 1862 he was
with the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, ist Corps,
Army of the Potomac, taking part in the ad-
vance on Manassas, March loth, advance on
Falmouth, May 2d, ordered to Peninsula, June
13th, with 3d Brigade, Seymour's Division,
5th Corps, guarding supplies at Tunstall's
Station, Va., and in the action near by at
Whitehouse, June i4th-29th. On July 4th
he was transferred to the ist Brigade, 3d Di-
vision, 1st Corps, and ordered to reinforce
the Army of Virginia with that command in
August ; was in the engagements at Gaines-
ville, Aug. 28th ; Groveton, Aug. 29th ; Bull
Run, .-\ug. 30th : South Mountain, Sept. 14th ;
Antietam, Sept. i6th-i7th; Fredericksburg
(where he was in command of the regiment),
Dec. iith-i5th. He was in Burnside's second
campaign, Jan. 20 and 24, 1863 ; with the 22d
Corps in defense of Washington, Feb. 7th to
June 25th, and with the ist Brigade, 3d Di-
vision, 5th Corps, June 28th. He was at the
battle of Gettysburg, July 2d-4th ; Bristoe Sta-
tion, Va., Oct. 14th; New Hope Church, Nov.
26th ; Mine Run, Nov. 26th-30th ; Wilderness,
May 5th-7th: Spottsylvania, May 8th-i2th:
was in command of the 3d Brigade, 3d Di-
vision, 5th .\rmy Corps, May 10, 1864; at
Spottsylvania Court House, May I2th-20th;
Hanover, May 23d and 26th; North Anna
river. May 24th-27th ; and Bethesda Church,
May 30th.
General Ent surveyed and laid out the first
"signal camp"' in the army (General Fisher,
of Philadelphia, being placed in command of
same), and himself served for a time in the
signal corps. He was mustered out June 11,
1864. On June ist he had been appointed cap-
tain and brigade paymaster, ist Brigade, 9th
Division, \'. C. P., and on Sept. 28, 1864,
the governor appointed him to visit the Army
of the Potomac to receive the soldiers' votes
for the presidential election.
General Ent's experiences in the army were
not only those of arduous duty but dangerous
and thrilling. He had two horses shot under
him, and at Dranesville the heel of his boot
was shot off. During the battle of the Wilder-
ness he was without food for three days and
four nights, except for the berries he gathered.
On Feb. 22, 1863, he wrote to Capt. C. H. Pot-
ter, Assistant Adjutant General, Hertzleman's
Corps, as follows: "Sir — I have the honor
to represent that I have been in the Prince
Street Hospital, Alexandria, Va., since the
loth inst., most of the time dangerously ill,
and request that an order be issued allowing
me to be transferred to Washington City to
report to Dr. Clynsier for medical treatment.
Most respectfully your obedient servant.
Wellington H. Ent, Major Sixth Regiment,
P. R. N. C."
.-\fter his return from the army General
Ent continued to make his home in Columbia
county, being employed for some time in an
iron furnace at Light Street. In 1868 he was
nominated for surveyor general of Pennsyl-
vania, but suft'ered the general fate of his
party that year. In 1869 he was elected protho-
notary of Columbia county, and died Nov.
5, 1871, before the expiration of his term. He
made an honorable record, and was one of the
most respected officials of the county. He
was made a Knight Templar April 19, 1864,
and at a regular conclave of Crusade Com-
mandery. No. 12, the following resolutions
were presented and unanimously adopted:
Where.\s, Providence has seen fit to remove by
death from our .Asylum our late esteemed Sir
Knight Wellington H. Ent, and aUhough no word or
deed of ours can now avail our brother who has
been called to appear where the righteousness of
Jesus Christ alone can secure everlasting life, yet
in respect for the memory of one who was zealous
in the advancement of the interests of our order,
we do resolve : That in the humble submission of
God's will we deplore the loss of a worthy officer
of our commandery and a beloved member of our
order.
428
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Resolved, That in this dispensation of our Creator,
while we commit to His merciful hands the dis-
embodied spirit of our brother with hope that he
may have joined, in tlie precious blood of our
Savior, an entrance into the blessed regions of light
and life eternal, yet we remember that as Knights
Templars we are again admonished that in the
midst of life we are in death, and that it is our
duty ever to persevere in the path of honor, truth
and integrity.
Resolved, That to the family of the deceased we
tender our deep sympathy in their bereavement, and
may the God of the widow and the orphan give
them strength to bear up under the trials which
tlieir loss may occasion.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be
presented to the widow, and another to the news-
papers for publication. In testimony whereof we
have hereunto set our hands and seal of this com-
mandery to be aflixed at Bloomsburg, Pa., this 22A
day of December, 1871.
C. F. Kn.\pp, Recorder.
Thomas E. Geddis,
Rudolph H. Ringle,
John Thomas.
On Jan. 14, 1869, General Ent was married
to Mary E. Petrikin, daughter of Dr. William
H. and Sarah A. (Snyder) Petrikin, and
granddaugliter of Plon. Daniel Snyder. They
had one daughter, Anna M.
Ent Post. G. A. R., of Bloomsburg, was
named in honor of (ieneral Ent.
JAMES TURNER FOX, D.D.S., president
of the First National Bank of Catawissa, ex-
associate justice of Columbia county, and a
proininent dentist of the borough, was born in
Greenwood township July 2, 1847. He is a
member of the famous Fox family of Penn-
sylvania, whose ancestor was of English ex-
traction.
George Fox, great-grandfather of Dr.
James T. Fox, emigrated from England to
America, settling in Shamokin township,
Northumberland Co., Pa., where he farmed
for a tiiTie, and later moving to Berks coimty.
He had six children : Joseph, Matilda. Susan,
Rachel, Polly and Jacob.
Jacob Fox, grandfather of Dr. Fox, was
born in Berks county, where he learned the
trade of stonemason. At an early stage of
his career he came to Catawissa, where he
obtained the contract to build a church. On
the completion of the contract he decided to
remain, and buying a farm entered upon agri-
cultural life, plying the stonemason's trade in
the intervals between harvest and seedtime.
He died in 1851, his wife having preceded
him by fifteen years. He married Rachel M.
Mclntire, and to them came children as fol-
lows: William, Plannah (wife of Isaac Ir-
win), Mary E., Price, Jacob, James and
Daniel.
Daniel Fox, father of Dr. James T. Fox,
was a farmer and school teacher in Cata-
wissa and Greenwood townships, where he
taught in the subscription and public schools
in the winter and farmed in the summer. His
home was in Greenwood township, where he
(lied in 1849, still in the prime of manhood,
lie married Jane Morris, who died March 26,
1878, at Shenandoah City, Schuylkill Co., Pa.
Jatnes Turner Fox and his brother John C.
were twins, and but one year old when their
father was taken by death. The widowed
mother was compelled to face the world alone,
and bravely took up the task, and the result
of her work and training is to be seen in the
career of her son. When he was five years
old she moved to Hemlock township, remain-
ing there two years, then going to Jerseytown
and later to Millville. Her boy attended the
public schools at Millville and Jerseytown, and
the Millville Academy. On leaving school
he took up the study of dentistry, completed
the course required, and began practicing in
the summer and teaching school in the winter,
continuing thus until 1880. In 1886 he located
in Beaver township, where he practiced his
profession, moved thence to Bloomsbtirg,
where he inade his home for three years, and
finally came to Catawissa in 1893.
Opening an office on Main street, he soon
built up a large and lucrative practice, in 1898
taking his only son, John C, into partnership,
under the firm name of J. T. Fox & Son. In
])olitics Judge Fox has always been a loyal
Democrat, supporting the principles of the
old and new leaders, and has served as a mem-
ber of the Democratic Coutity committee.
While residing in Beaver township he was tax
collector, also school director, assessor and
auditor, and served as justice of the peace for
eight years. In 1886 he was elected a member
of the State Legislature, and again in 1S88,
during his two terms being a member of sev-
eral important cominittees. In 1897 he was
elected associate judge of Columbia county,
havitig for his colleagues President Judge
Ikeler and Associate Judge Millard. He
served a full term of five years and in 1902
was reelected, serving until 1907, in company
with Judges Little and Evans, Kurtz and
Krickbaum. Altogether he was on the bench
for ten years.
Judge Fox was school director of Cata-
wissa township for nine years, and during that
time held the office of treasurer of the board.
For many years he has been a director of the
COLUAIBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
429
i'irst National Bank of Catawissa, served as
vice president two years, and upon the death
m 1910 of S. D. Kinard was elected president,
a position which he still holds. Judge Fox
is a member of the Methodist Church at Cata-
wissa, and belongs to the P. O. S. of A. and
the K. of P. He married June 10, 1871, Lydia
Ann Fisher, daughter of Jacob and Sarah
Fisher, of Beaver township. Mrs. Fox is a
woman of refinement and good taste and de-
voted to her home and family. They are the
parents of six children: Minnie Elmerta, wife
(if Bowman Cortright, has four children, Ruth,
.Martha, Lydia and John Cortright; Frances
.\dora is the wife of Charles E. Smith, clerk
for the county commissioners at Bloomsburg,
and has one child, Christina ; Sarah E., wife
of Charles M. Harder, postmaster of Cata-
wissa, has one child, Catherine ; Mary Rachel
is at home; Elsie J. married James M. Rhawn,
son of W. H. Rhawn, a lawyer of Catawissa;
John Concer is mentioned below.
John C. Fox, D.D.S., son of Judge Fox and
partner with his father in the practice of den-
tistry at Catawissa, was born in Beaver town-
ship March 4, 1877, and educated in the public
schools of the borough. He began the study
of dentistry under his father in 1894, entering
the Philadelphia Dental College, whence he
was graduated in 1898 with the degree of
D.D.S. Returning from college he became as-
sociated with his father in business. He is
a young man of great promise, following
closely in the footsteps of his father. He be-
longs to the Reformed Church and to the
Knights of the Golden Eagle. On Dec. 26,
1900, he married Anna May Roberts, a native
of Catawissa township, and daughter of \Vill-
iam Henry and Ellen (Roth) Roberts. They
have two children, Alarjorie Jean and John
Roberts.
John C. Fox, twin of James T. Fox, lives in
Hailey. Idaho, where he has a general mer-
chandise and millinery business.
SOLOMON S. SCHULTZ, M.D., late of
Danville, was a native of Berks county. Pa.,
born July 5, 1831, and died Sept. 27, 1891. He
was the youngest son of Jeremiah and Mary
S. Schultz, both of whom were natives of
Berks county.
The Doctor's first paternal ancestor in this
country was Rev. Christopher Schultz. his
great-grandfather, who landed in the New
\\'orld Sept. 22. 1734, then sixteen years old
and a fugitive from religious persecution in
Silesia. Young as he was, he was a fine
scholar, and became subsequently an able theo-
logian, leader and organizer of men. Cer-
tainly there is not often found an instance
more completely verifying the phrase "born
to command." He was the organizer and
leader of the religious body to which he be-
longed, the Schwenkfelders, in this country.
He wrote a catechism, a constitution, a large
compendium of their religious doctrines, and
made the collection for their hymn book used
by the fugitives. The theological works of
this divine and temporal leader are yet, in
much of their entirety, incorporated in the
church formulas of his denomination. His
son David was the Doctor's grandfather.
On the maternal side the first emigrant to
come to this country was George Schultz, the
great-great-great-grandfather, who came to
America in 1734, in the twenty-fourth year of
his age. He was a brother of Rev.
Christopher.
Jeremiah Schultz, father of Dr. Schultz,
was born June 7, 1797, and died Feb. 3, 1874.
The mother was born Sept. 5, 1798, and died
Feb. 2, 1873. Their children were: Henry,
born June 16, 1821 ; Edward, born June 20,
1824; John, born Sept. 6, 1828, and Solomon
Schultz.
Solomon Schultz Schultz was reared and
educated in his native county until he was
fourteen years old, when he went to school
at Washington Hall, IMontgomery county.
From there he went to the academy in Allen-
town, Pa., which has since become Muhlen-
berg College, where he remained one year;
then studied a short time at Freeland Sem-
inary, .Montgomery county, after which he
entered Princeton College, New Jersey, where
he graduated in 1852. Following his gradu-
ation he taught school for a short time until
he began the study of medicine with Dr. Dan-
iel D. Detwiler, of Montgomery county. After
careful preparation he entered the University
of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1856.
Immediately upon leaving the university he
opened an office for the practice of medicine
in -Allentown, where he met with flattering
success. But soon an opportunity offered for
him to pursue the natural bent of his mind,
and he accepted a position in the State Hospi-
tal for the Insane at Harrisburg, as assistant
physician, remaining there until 1861. He
then made the tour of Europe, where he spent
one year studying the hospitals and public
institutions of Germany, England and France.
In the meantime war was raging in his native
land, and he hastened his return and entered
the army as acting assistant surgeon ; and as
assistant surgeon and surgeon of Pennsyl-
430
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
vaiiia \olunteers, and assistant surgeon and
surgeon of United States Volunteers, he re-
mained in the service to the close of the war.
He served with the 75th and 23d Pennsylvania
Regiments, and as executive officer and sur-
geon in charge, successively, in general hospi-
tals at Harrisburg, Pa., Covington, Ky., Mad-
ison, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio. Here he re-
signed as superintendent of hospitals at the
close of the war in 1865. He then returned to
Harrisburg, and was in active practice frorn
1865 to 1868, when he was appointed by the
commissioners of the hospital to come to
Danville and take charge of the construction
and the superintendency of the Danville Hos-
pital, and from the commencement of the
work on the building until his death he was
its efficient and able superintendent, to the
great advantage of the State in its vast ex-
penditures here, and to the blessing of the
poor unfortunates who were dwellers in this
benevolent home. That part of his profes-
sional career in which Dr. Schultz became
best noted commenced with his connection
with this office, and his history and that of the
institution, the conscientious care he gave to
all its wards, are practically one and the same.
His death was regarded as an irreparable loss.
Dv. Schultz married Sept. 23, 1872, Hannah
L. Magill, daughter of William H. and Mary
(Montgomery) Magill, and a granddaughter
of Gen. Daniel Montgomery. Mrs. Magill
was born May 6, 1805, and died Jan. 7, 1882.
They had two children : Edward Magill, born
July 22, 1873, who is now engaged in the
brokerage business in Philadelphia ; and Will-
iam Magill, M.D., born Feb. 15, 1878, now a
medical missionary in China.
Dr. Schultz was an honored member of the
Presbyterian Church, and the committee on
resolutions of the session passed the following
unanimously Oct. 23, 1891 :
"It is with sorrow we cannot express that
we record the death of Dr. S. S. Schultz on
Sept. 2-j, 1 89 1, who for many years was a
faithful and devoted member of this church
and for over eleven years a member of this
session, and because we knew him and loved
him and can attest to the interests of our
church we desire to place on record an ex-
pression of our appreciation of his worth as
a man, one of efficiency as a ruling elder. Dr.
Schultz was called by the State and entrusted
with arduous duties and high responsibility
which occupied his time and filled his heart,
yet ever was active in the work of the church,
and ready to respond to her every call of duty.
Upon all his official life he stamped the im-
press of a pure, simple, honest and consistent
Christian life. He loved the institution to
which he gave the best and busiest years of
his life. He loved the work and responsible
though it was which devolved upon him as the
head of that institution, yet above all he loved
the Church of God and delighted to sit in
the Sanctuary where in the providence of God
he was led years ago to enroll his name as a
ruling elder. He was intelligent, thoughtful,
wise, kind, active, generous and devoted, and
in the council of the church we deeply feel
his loss. His vacant chair, his hushed voice,
his absent form all sadden, but our hearts
are thankful that so precious a memory is
ours, and that for years past this church has
felt the power of his life, and for years to
come will look with love upon the beautiful
record of his devoted service.
- "Therefore, Resolved, that this paper be
placed upon the records of this session and a
copy forwarded to the family of our devoted
brother, who are assured of our deep sym-
pathy with them in this their bereavement.
"H. M. Hinckley,
"Clerk."
JAMES LAWRENCE BRANNEN, pres-
ident of the Farmers' National Bank, of Ex-
change, Montour county, is a native-born citi-
zen of that place who has made a substantial
name for himself as one of the leaders in the
public life and financial affairs of his section.
He is at present associate judge, to which
honorable position he was elected in 191 1,
and he has many other evidences of the high
esteem in which he is held by his fellow citi-
zens. Mr. Brannen was born at Exchange,
.■\nthony township, July 21, 1855, and is of
Irish extraction. His grandparents, John and
Julia (McGuire) Brannen, lived and died in
Ireland.
James Brannen, father of James Lawrence
Brannen, was born in 1803 in County Meath,
Ireland, and lived in that country until eigh-
teen years old. He then came to America,
the passage from Liverpool to New York tak-
ing eight weeks and three days — not an un-
usually long voyage in the days of sailing ves-
sels. \\'hen he landed he had but $7.50 in
money, and he had neither friends nor ac-
c|uaintances to make his start in the New
World any easier. Coming directly to Penn-
sylvania, he found work on the canal at Nan-
ticoke Falls, beginning with Barnum & Brown,
by whom he was employed one year. Thence
he went to Pottsville, Pa., where he became
employed on the Schuylkill railroad, then in
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
431
course of construction. He was at Port Clin-
ton when the engine used in the construction
of the road arrived there, hauled by six horses
from Philadelphia, and was put on to fire this
engine, thus having the honor of having been
the first fireman on the first engine used in
Pennsylvania. He was so employed for one
year, and then went to work on the repairs
of the railroad as section boss on three miles
of road. He next bought a canalboat and was
for two years engaged in the coal carrying
trade from Port Clinton to Philadelphia, his
boat being hired out, and he himself employed
by the company. After two years he ran his
own boat for two years more, and then bought
another boat, and for twenty-one years he was
in the carrying trade with them on the canal,
being one of the first to take a boat to New
York. At one time he worked for Stephen Gi-
rard. After leaving the canal, Mr. Brannen
settled in Anthony township, Columbia county,
and bought 268 acres of land from the Glen
property, to which he added from time to
time until he owned four farms, comprising
about 700 acres, besides other property — the
largest land holding farmer in his township.
In his later years his sons farmed his property
for him. He was a highly reputed as well as
prosperous resident of Anthony township,
took considerable interest in the welfare of
the locality, and even held minor offices, serv-
ing as school director, overseer of the poor
(eight years) and roadmaster. Politically he
was a Democrat. He was a remarkable man
physically as well as intellectually, living to
the age of nearly ninety, his death occurring
April 30, 1891. He is buried in St. James'
Roman Catholic Cemetery, Exchange.
In 1834 Mr. Brannen married, at Port Car-
bon, Pa., Hanora Meehan, a native of County
Tipperary, Ireland, daughter of Patrick Mee-
han. Mrs. Brannen died Oct. 4, 1S67, aged
forty-nine years, nine months, eight days, and
was buried in St. James Catholic cemetery at
Exchange. She and her husband were both
devout Catholics, bringing their children up
in the same faith. They had a family of
eight : Judith, deceased ; Mary, deceased :
Catherine, deceased ; John, deceased ; William,
deceased ; Annie Hannah ; James L. ; and
Patrick Francis, deceased. James L. Brannen
and his sister Annie H. Dennin own all the
estate and have stocked the woods with pheas-
ants and squirrels.
James Lawrence llrannen had the early
advantages ofi'ered by the ])ublic schools
in his locality, afterward attending the
academy at Turbotville, Pa., and the State
Normal School at Bloomsburg, where he was
a student for thirty-two weeks. He then
taught school for two terms in Anthony town-
ship, following that with another period of
study, at Binghamton, N. Y., where he at-
tended the Lowell Business College, gradu-
ating May 23, 1878. He learned telegraphy
there and took an all-around business course.
He lived at home on the farm until twenty-
three years old, in 1879 removing to Dan-
ville to take charge of the "Hudson River
Hotel" as proprietor. He conducted that
house for four years, during which time his
active political career began with his appoint-
ment, in 1882, by Ciovernor Pattison, as
chairman of the Democratic county commit-
tee, which position he held one year. He also
served on the State committee one year. In
1883 Mr. Brannen was candidate of his party
for the office of county treasurer, receiving
every vote cast in the convention, and being
elected by a majority of '/']'/, he and Dr.
Simington receiving the greatest number of
votes at that election. Mr. Brannen held the
position for one term, giving the thorough
satisfaction for which he has been noted in
his discharge of all public duties intrusted to
him. Then he returned to Exchange, where
in February, 1886, he reopened the hotel orig-
inally known as the "E.xchange Hotel." It
was not afterward operated as a hotel until
Mr. Brannen took charge, and he carried it
on successfully for fourteen years. For a
number of years Mr. Brannen has given his
attention principally to the aff'airs of the Farm-
ers' National Bank, at Exchange, established
Oct. 19. 1906, of which he was an organizer,
and he has been president throughout the pe-
riod of its existence. Alfred H. Litchard is
vice president, and James F. Ellis cashier.
The directors in 1912 (report Oct. 14, 1912)
were: Marks Graham, D. R. Rishel, William
Brannen, William S. Ellis, James F. Ellis, R.
S. .\mmerman, J. N. Herr, VVilliam C. Hough-
ton, James L. Brannen, A. H. Litchard and J.
Harvey Litchard. The capital stock is
$25,000, and the liabilities and resources were
$102,620.43 ^t that time. The bank is estab-
lished in its own building, a modern brick
structure 20x40 feet in dimensions.
'Mr. Brannen's high standing in the com-
munity is well deserved. He has a practical
knowledge of finance in its relation to local
conditions gained in wide experience. He is
the owner of 850 acres of farm land. He is
still giving his services to his fellow citizens
in public work, having been elected associate
judge in 191 1. He was secretary to the county
432
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
judges. His religious connection is with St.
James Catholic Church, and socially he holds
membership in Aldora Grange, P. O. H., and
in the Woodmen of the World.
On March 25, 1879, Mr. Brannen was mar-
ried, at Milton, Pa., to Hannah M. Smith, who
was born in Anthony township, Montour
county, daughter of Jonas and Mary A. (Bit-
ler) Smith, who subsequently moved to Hazel-
ton, Barber Co., Kans. They are now de-
ceased. Mr. Smith was a farmer and cattle
dealer.
CHARLES C. EVANS, President Judge
of the Twenty-sixth Judicial district of Penn-
sylvania, is a native of Columbia county and
was born Jan. 10, 1858, in Briarcreek town-
ship.
The Evans family is of Welsh extraction,
the great-grandfather coming to this country
from Wales in the latter part of the eighteenth
century and settling in Briarcreek township.
James Evans, the grandfather, a millwright by
occupation, was born in Columbia county in
17OQ. He built most of the gristmills in the
neighborhood, some of which are still stand-
ing. Two children, Francis, still living, and
Anna, who died in her sixteenth year, were
born to him. His own death occurred in 1879.
The village of Evansville takes its name from
this family.
Francis Evans was born in Briarcreek town-
ship, July 13, 1828, and followed farming as
an occupation until 1885, when he retired,
moving to Berwick, where he now makes his
home. In 1852 he married Jane Lamon, a
daughter of James and Hannah ( Spear)
Lamon, both natives of Donegal, Ireland. The
following children were born to this union :
Annie M., who married Henry Wiederhold,
now residing at .A.tlantic City, N. J. ; Helen A.,
who married M. B. Kantz, now deceased;
Charles C. ; James L. ; LilHe B., who married
Dr. James C. Bloomfield, now residing at
Athens, Ga. ; and Grace G., who married
Percival Currin, of Berwick.
Mr. Evans is the senior elder of the Presby-
terian Church of Berwick, having served for
more than half a century. He is associated
with the financial interests of the town, having
been a director of the First National Bank
since its organization in 1854.
Charles C. Evans was reared on the farm
and began his education in the public schools
of the home district. In 1874 he entered the
Bloomsburg State Normal School, which he '
attended for two years. In the winter of
1876-77 he taught the Martzville public school
in Briarcreek township, and in the fall of 1877
matriculated at Lafayette College, Easton,
Pa., from which institution he was graduated
in June, 1881. The next month he became a
law student in the office of Hon. Simon P.
Wolverton, of Sunbury, with whom he read
law, being admitted to practice in the courts
of Northumberland county July 14, 1883.
Subsequently he was admitted to the bar in
Columbia and Luzerne counties, and on Aug.
23, 1883, he opened an office in Berwick,
where for more than twenty years he enjoyed
a rather large and lucrative practice.
On March 30, 1906, Mr. Evans was ap-
pointed President Judge of the Twenty-sixth
Judicial district, and the succeeding fall was
elected for a term of ten years. Known
throughout the district as a careful, pains-
taking student and a tireless worker, consci-
entious in his decisions, which have been uni-
formly affirmed, and by thorough performance
of duty without fear and without favor, he has
won the merited confidence of the people.
On Feb. 23, 1888, Mr. Evans was married
to Annie Windle Sloan, youngest daughter of
Morris C. and Emily (Pursel) Sloan, of
Bloomsburg. Their children are : Morris
Sloan Evans, a graduate of Lafayette College,
as a civil and mechanical engineer, now in the
employ of the American Car and Foundry
Company, in the mechanical department ; and
Charles Clarke, a student at Lafayette College.
Mr. Evans is a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
FRANK P. PURSEL, the leading dry
goods and general merchant at Bloomsburg,
has attained his substantial position in the
business world through his own efforts and
is an honored as well as successful citizen of
his town. He began in the old-fashioned way,
working for others until he had enough fa-
miliarity with the business and knowledge of
local trade demands to qualify him to start
for himself. Though conservative in some
respects, he has proved himself one of the
most progressive men in Columbia county in
the installation of up-to-date business methods,
not only accommodating his own patrons, but
also establishing a standard for the others in
the same field in this section.
Mr. Pursel belongs to an old family of Co-
lumbia county, being a descendant of Jona-
than Pursel. who lived in New Jersey before
settling in Pennsylvania, in the latter part of
the eighteenth century. The Pursels are of
Scotch-Irish origin. Jonathan Pursel located
in the Frosty valley, in what is now Hemlock
c^ (f
C-i-^,
:Y
Til or N FCl.iiD'V IONS
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
433
township, Columbia county, on the farm after-
wards owned by his grandson, James Depew
Pursel. He cleared the land he took up, and
devoted the remainder of his active years to
its improvement. His first wife, Nancy
( Kitchen), was the mother of all his children.
He passed his closing years on the Depew
Pursel farm. To quote from an earlier ac-
count (1887) : "The farm on which Sylvester
lives was owned by his maternal ancestor,
whose name was Green, and who later sold it
to his son-in-law, Daniel Pursel. Shortly after
this he died, and the wife of Jonathan Pursel
dying about the same time also, the two old
people inarried, and lived on the Depew Pursel
farm."
Daniel Pursel, son of Jonathan, was born
Dec. 19, 1771, learned the trade of blacksmith,
and also engaged in farming. Though he
started life a poor man, by industry and hard
work, and with the help of a capable and de-
voted wife, he prospered and succeeded in
accumulating a competence. From his father
he bought the farm where his son Sylvester
passed all his life, and in 1816 built the stone
house upon that place. He also acquired own-
ership of the farm now owned by his son
Isaac G. Pursel. He was a man of high
character, a member of the Episcopal Church
at Bloomsburg, and one of the respected citi-
zens of his community. His death occurred
Feb. 17, 1854. Daniel Pursel married Mary
Green, who was also from New Jersey, and
who survived him, dying during the Civil war,
aged ninety-one years, one month. A year
before, though ninety years old, she had knit-
ted a large number of stockings and mittens
for the soldiers. Daniel and Mary (Green)
Pursel are buried in the Rosemont cemetery
at Bloomsburg. Of the twelve children born
to them one died in infancy, and the others
were born as follows : John, Jan. 22, 1793
(died at the home of his son in Montour
county when ninety-three years old) ; Dennis,
Dec. I, 1793 (died aged ninety-one years) ;
Jonathan, Dec. 20, 1795 (died in Canada) ;
Robert, May 9, 1799 (settled in Michigan and
attained very advanced age) ; Daniel, Aug.
5, 1 801 (died at an advanced age) : Hester,
Jan. 4, 1804 (married Samuel Kahler and died
in Lycoming county) ; William, April 9, 1808
( lived in Montour county and reached a great
age) ; Ann, June 30, 1810 (married a Wert-
man, lived in Ohio and died when very old) ;
.^bigai! Maria, March 10, 1813 (married
Frank Plartman. and died in Bloomsburg) ;
Isaac G., Sept. 8, 1815; Sylvester, Oct. 11,
1818.
Isaac G. Pursel, born Sept. 8, 181 5, was the
grandfather of Frank P. Pursel. He followed
farming in Hemlock township, where he
passed his active years, spending the end of
his life in retirement at Buckhorn, Columbia
county, where he died Feb. 19, 1898, in his
eighty-third year. His wife, Mary (Wilson),
died March 21, 1876, aged sixty years, four
months, eighteen days, and they are buried
at Bloomsburg. Three children were born
to them : Wellington B., Thomas Wilson and
Dennis.
Wellington B. Pursel, son of Isaac G., was
born in Hemlock township, Columbia county,
Dec. 3, 1836, and died Nov. 15, 1864, in his
twenty-eighth year. On March 24, 1859, he
married Sarah E. Patterson, daughter of
James and Sarah (Eves) Patterson, and she
survives, making her home at Bloomsburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Pursel had two children, Frank
P. and Georgiana.
Frank P. Pursel was born Feb. 3, 1863, in
Hemlock township, Columbia county, and
there obtained his early education at public
school. Later he was a student for a time
in the State Normal School at Bloomsburg,
hut he was still very young when he com-
menced work as a clerk in the grocery store
of T. W. Conner at Bloomsburg. Afterwards
he was similarly employed by Mr. Hartman,
with whom he remained for a considerable
period, and then entered the establishment of
I. W. .McKelvy, one of the oldest merchants
in the town. By faithful work and intelligent
attention to his duties he received promotion
to the head of the dry goods department, tak-
ing full charge of that end of the business.
He continued in AIcKelvy's employ for four-
teen years, at the end of which time he and
Samuel H. Harman bought the business for
themselves, conducting it under the firm name
of Pursel & Harman. They were associated
for five years, until Mr. Pursel purchased Mr.
Harman's interest, and has since been doing
business alone. He has a fine three-story and
basement building, 46 by 112 feet in dimen-
sions, at the corner of Main and Market
streets, and an addition for warehouse pur-
poses 28 by 40 feet. Mr. Pursel carries a
comprehensive and well assorted stock of dry
goods, shoes, furniture, crockery, groceries,
etc., and his patrons appreciate the excellent
service to be had in his establishment, where
their accommodation is always the foremost
consideration. Mr. Pursel anticipated the
satisfaction which the introduction of many
of the new features would give to his custo-
mers, and the store is not only a credit to his
434
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
enterprise, but to the community whose sup-
port has made his endeavors worth while.
On Feb. 27, 1900, Mr. Pursel married Vida
Miller, daughter of C. W. and Cora (Eshle-
man ) ^liller, of Bloomsburg, and they have a
family of four children : Elizabeth, Frank,
Charles and Margerie. In religious connec-
tion 'Mr. Pursel is a Presbyterian, and socially
he holds membership in the B. P. O. Elks at
Bloomsburg.
DORANCE R. RISHEL, of Ottawa, the
leading business man of northern Montour
county, has gained this creditable and substan-
tial position through his own efforts and is
one of the influential citizens of his section.
He was born March 4, 1875, '" Mahoning
township, near Danville, at what is known as
Frogtown, son of Peter Rishel.
The family is an old one in these parts.
Martin Rishel, great-great-grandfather of
Dorance R. Rishel, was a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary war, and shortly after its close came
to Mahoning township, in what is now Mon-
tour county, taking up about two hundred
acres of government land from which he
cleared the farm where he passed the re-
mainder of his life. The farm is still owned
in the family (by J. C. Rishel, a son of George
W. Rishel), a deed for part of it being at
one time held by George W. Rishel, grandfa-
ther of Dorance R. Rishel. Martin Rishel
was a farmer and most of his descendants
have followed the same vocation.
Solomon Rishel, son of Martin, was born in
1799 in Mahoning township, and married
Sarah Harpine, a native of Berks county.
Pa., whose father, David Harpine, was a
colonel in the Revolution.
George W. Rishel was born July 24, 1825,
within half a mile of the place in Mahoning
township where he made his home for so many
years, grew up on the farm, and received his
education in the subscription schools conducted
in the locality. Then he began farming on
his own account, carrying on stock growing as
well as general agriculture, so successfully
that he acquired the ownership of two well
improved farms in Montour county, as well
as three houses and lots in the town of
Mechanicsville, near Danville. He died when
about eighty years old. at the old homestead
of Solomon Rishel, in Mahoning township.
He lived on his own farm almost to the end
of his days. Mr. Rishel was not only enter-
prising in the management of his own affairs,
but took a leading part in local movements,
particularly church work, serving as class
leader, steward, trustee and Sabbath school
superintendent in the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which his wife was also an active
member. He was a Republican in his political
convictions.
In 1847 ^I""- Rishel married Susanna Cou-
sart, daughter of Hugh Cousart, and of Eng-
lish and Irish origin, and they had children
as follows : Peter, mentioned below ; Sarah J.,
wife of Alfred Thompson, a farmer; James
C, a house plasterer, living on the old home-
stead in Mahoning township ; William E. ;
Elizabeth A., wife of ■Michael L. Leighow, a
railroad man ; H. Clarence, farmer and dairy-
man ; George W., a farmer; Charles H.;
Arthur F., in Union county, Pa.; and Ella
\'irginia, deceased.
Peter Rishel, son of George W. Rishel, was
born at Mechanicsville, near Danville, and died
-April I, 1912, at Jerseytown, Columbia county.
He followed farming, in 1881 moving to Maus-
dale, where he was so engaged for several
years, at the end of that time settling in
.\nthony township, where he remained six
years. Then he bought the home and a farm
at White Hall which he operated for nineteen
years, shortly before his death moving to Jer-
seytown. He married Margaret Roberts, a
native of Mahoning township, daughter of
David Roberts, and she survives him, living
at Jerseytown. Seven children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Rishel : William, who is on
the old home place; Dorance R.; Essie, wife
of James Wesley Campbell, of Danville; Roy,
of South Danville, an insurance man; John, a
merchant at Jerseytown, married to Nellie
Kraemer : Joseph R., a coal and grain dealer at
Turbotville, Pa. ; and George, who lives with
his mother at Jerseytown (he married a Hart-
ranft).
Dorance R. Rishel obtained a good common
school education in the home neighborhood,
and soon after leaving school located at Ottawa
station, Montour county, where he has proved
a highly successful business man. He learned
telegraphy and in 1895 became station agent
and operator for the S. B. & B. Railway Co.,
also acting as express agent, for all of which
he received a salary of fifteen dollars a month,
out of which he had to pay board. He is still
station agent. But he was thrifty and on the
alert for business opportunities, and about a
year after locating at the station he began
the handling of coal, hay and grain, as well
as various other farm products, buying and
shipping. In 1898 he bought the general mer-
cantile business of William Gearhart, which
he has since continued, and in connection with
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
435
which he has the post office, having been post-
master since 1896, succeeding Mr. Gearhart.
Mr. Rishel has been continuously widening his
interests and taking advantage of good open-
ings for trade and he has erected an elevator
with a capacity of 15,000 bushels, one of the
largest in the county, using timber from his
own land in its construction ; he has also a
modern coal dock, with a capacity of about
five hundred tons. He is engaged in dealing
in farm implements, and is the owner of two
large farms, aggregating 250 acres in Lime-
stone township. His numerous activities have
naturally made him concerned about the bank-
ing facilities in this section and he is now a
director of the Farmers' National Bank of
Exchange (organized in 1907), which he
helped to organize. He was also active in or-
ganizing the Turbotville Bank in 1910, and
is one of its directors ; the bank is in a pros-
perous condition. Mr. Rishel is still a young
man, and the success he has achieved in the
twenty years of his active business career is
enough to show that there are still many op-
portunities for men of ambition and energy.
He has also been prominent in the administra-
tion of local public atifairs, having served sev-
eral terms as school director and for three
years as township treasurer. He was elected
on the Republican ticket.
On Nov. 22, 1897, Mr. Rishel married Jenny
Everitt, who was born May 10, 1877, a native
of Northumberland county. Pa., daughter of
Asa and Anna (Muffley) Everitt, and they
have one daughter, Ruth, born Nov. 22, 1898,
now attending Dickinson Seminary, at Wil-
liamsport.
Mr. Rishel is known as one of the best
marksmen in Pennsylvania, and he has some
fine trophies of which he is very proud. Three
times at State shooting tournaments he has
tied with competitors. He has a large collec-
tion of birds and other game which he has
secured in his home vicinity, among them
a black bear which he himself killed.
JA.MES LEE HAR]\L\N is one of the
prominent business men of Bloomsburg, being
president and general manager of Harman &
Hassert (Inc.), with which concern he has
been associated for twenty-five years. His
father, Peter S. Harman, was one of the
founders, and from the first it has been one
of the leading industrial plants of the city.
The family is of German extraction, Jacob
Harman, the great-grandfather of James Lee
Harman. having been born in Alsace. Com-
ing to America in 1770 with his brother Con-
rad, of whom we have no further record, he
landed at Philadelphia and thence proceeded
to Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., later moving
to Mit'fiin township, Columbia Co., Pa., where
he died ^lay 12, 1823. He served in the war
of the Revolution at various times, between
1777 and 1782, taking part in the battles of
Brandy wine and Germantown. His enlist-
ments were from Northampton. By occupa-
tion he was a farmer and tanner. He married
Elizabeth, daughter of Conrad Lysingring, of
White Hall township, Northampton county,
and had two sons, Samuel and George.
George Harman, grandfather of James Lee
Harman, was an early settler of Columbia
county. He was a native of Westmoreland
county. Pa., born June I, 1793, and settled in
■Miffiin township, Columbia county, in 1833,
afterward moving to Orangeville, where he
died Jan. 6. 1876. in his eighty-third year.
In early life he learned the trade of tanner,
and followed it for many years, and he passed
his later days in retirement, having acquired a
comfortable competence. He married Mary
Knorr, and they had children, Peter S., Harry,
James, John, Jacob, Louisa, Maria, Sallie,
Rebecca and Phoebe.
Peter S. Harman was born June 5, 1831,
in MifHin township, Columbia county. When
but thirteen years old he commenced his ap-
prenticeship to the trade of molder, serving
with Louis H. Maus, of Bloomsburg, and
after completing his term traveled through the
West, working as journeyman. Then he
worked three years in Philadelphia, and in
1 861 began business on his own account in
Mahanoy City, Pa., opening a foundry and
machine shop which he operated for three
years. Removing to Bloomsburg at the end
of that time he entered into partnership with
Benjamin F. Sharpless, and they continued
in business together for four years under the
name of Sharpless & Harman, conducting a
foundry and machine shop. Two years after
the close of this association Mr. Harman
joined George Hassert. and they established,
in 1875, the car building and machine business
still carried on under the name of Harman
& Hassert, now an incorporated concern, pur-
chasing a tract of land formerly known as the
Barton farm, upon which they erected a build-
ing 50 by 60 feet and began the manufacture
of the Eclipse cooking stove and heater, and
the ]\Iontrose plow. They also did custom
work, and by 1879 their patronage was in-
creasing so rapidly that they were obliged to
add to their facilities to enlarge the capacity,
buying more land and putting up a large addi-
436
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
tion in 1880. They were then employing from
twenty to thirty hands. At that time they
added the manufacture of mining cars and
castings to the old lines, turned out all kinds
of machinery for opening and operating
mines, and established a complete repair
shop, repairing threshing machines, etc. The
foundry has a frontage of 300 feet on the
south end of East street, near the Delaware &
Lackawanna railroad, and is 300 feet deep.
Sixty men are employed regularly, and a large
amount of work is turned out, the methods of
production and product being kept strictly up-
to-date. Mr. Harman and Mr. Hassert both
being practical mechanics as well as good man-
agers, the business has always had the bene-
fit of experienced and skillful supervision, and
all the work has been up to the highest stand-
ards. Mr. Harman continued his connection
with the foundry until his death, which oc-
curred Oct. 15, 1899. After his wife's death
a few years later the business was incorporated
as Harman & Hassert (Inc.), and their son
James Lee Harman, who had been associated
with his father from 1888, became president
and general manager, which relations he has
since sustained. The plant is the largest of
its kind in Bloomsburg.
Mr. Harman was a self-made man, and
was as enterprising and progressive in every
respect as he was in the promotion of his own
interests. He was always concerned for the
welfare of the town and the general good, and
gave practical proof of his spirit when the
elevator works failed, being one of the first
to invest money to start same running again.
Employment was then given to a large number
of men and business interests were materially
benefited. He served four years as president
of the borough council of Bloomsburg, and
three years as councilman. He was originally
a Whig in politics and a Republican from the
formation of the party, and in religious con-
nection a member of the Episcopal Church.
Fraternallv he was a Mason, belonging to
Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of
which he was a past master ; he was a past
high priest of Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218,
R. A. M. : past T. I. G. master of Mount
Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & S. M. : past
eminent commander of Crusade Commandery,
No. 12, K. T. ; and V. (i. treasurer of Zerub-
babel Council, P. of J., sixteenth degree.
On June 29, 1856, Mr. Harman married
Rebecca Freeze, daughter of James and
Frances (Gosse) Freeze, the former one of
the early millers of Bloomsburg. To this mar-
riage were born nine children, two of whom
died young, Frank Freeze when five years old
and Howard Feton at the age of three, the
others being : Grace, the wife of Daniel Butler;
Fanny, wife of William E. Hartman ; Jennie,
who wedded Amos H. Stroh ; James Lee;
Mary ; John G. F., former district attorney
of Columbia cotmty; and Paul Zahner, who
was educated at the Bloomsburg State normal
school. The family home was on Iron street,
Mr. Harman having bought a lot of John Pen-
man on which he built a handsome residence.
The mother of this family died July 5, 1902.
James Lee Harman was born at Bloomsburg
April 23, 1867, and there received his early
education in the public schools. Subsequently
he studied four years at the Bloomsburg State
Normal school. Having decided to enter his
father's field of work, the molder's trade, he
served a regular apprenticeship. He then took
a course in business college at Scranton, Pa.,
graduating in 1888, after which he entered the
office of Harman & Hassert's establishment,
becoming bookkeeper. He continued to be
associated with his father in business tmtil
the latter's death, since when he has had charge
of same as president and general manager.
He is one of the most successful business men
in Bloomsburg, where his keen intelligence
and strong qualities are much appreciated.
Mr. Flarman is the owner of a farm convenient
to Bloomsburg and spends much time in the
scientific cultivation of that property, in which
work he finds pleasant recreation. He is a
high Mason, belonging to Washington Lodge,
No. 265, F. & A. M., of which he is a past
master : to Bloomsburg Royal Arch Chapter,
No. 218: Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, R.
& S. M. (of which he was T. I. G. M.) : Cru-
sade Commandery, No. 12, K. T. ; Enoch
Grand Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree,
Scottish Rite (of which he was T. P. G. M.) ;
Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S. (thirty-second
degree), of which he has been grand treas-
urer; Oriental Conclave, No. 2, of which he
has been treasurer; the Craftsman Club of
Bloomsburg; and Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N.
M. S., of Philadelphia. He takes a prominent
part in the activities of these bodies. In church
connection he is a true Episcopalian.
On May 28, 1895, Mr. Harman married
Jessie Kimble, daughter of Smith W. and
Sarah (Howell) Kimble.
MILTON J. HESS. D. D. S., was for over
twenty years a successful dental practitioner at
Bloomsburg, but is now giving all his time to
business, principally lumber interests and the
management of the estate of his brother,
COLUAIBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
437
Harvey W. Hess. He was born July 7, 1862,
at Mifflinville, Columbia county, and is a son
of the late Aaron W. Hess, of that place.
Dr. Hess is a descendant of a family of
Swiss origin founded in this country by
Samuel Hess, who came to America with a
colony of his countrymen in 1712. He settled
at what is now Pequea, Lancaster Co., Penn-
sylvania.
Jeremiah Hess, great-grandfather of Dr.
•Milton J., brought his family to this section
from one of the lower counties of Pennsyl-
vania, settled at Beach Haven, Luzerne
county, and followed farming and the trade of
stonemason. He died there and is buried in
the graveyard at Wapwallopen. His children
were: John, Abraham, Jacob, William, Jere-
miah, and several daughters.
Jeremiah Hess, grandfather of Dr. Milton
J., was born at Easton, Northampton Co., Pa.,
and was a boy when he moved with his parents
to Luzerne county, settling in Salem township.
He learned milling, and followed it for eight
or nine years, acquiring a mill property at
Wapwallopen. This he traded for a farm in
Salem township and later bought another tract
there, part of which he sold, upon which he
continued to live the remainder of his life.
At the time of his death this farm was owned
by his son John. Jeremiah Hess followed
farming, and although he lived retired from
active work the last twenty or twenty-five
years of his life continued to oversee the cul-
tivation of his land. He died there in 1877,
when eighty-si.x years old, and is buried at
Beach Haven, as is also his wife Mary. They
were members of the Reformed Church, in
which he took an active interest. He was
twice married, the first time to Mary Fenster-
macher, daughter of Philip Fenstermacher.
She was a native of Luzerne county, and
died on the farm in 1857, at the age of sixty-
two. About two years later Mr. Hess mar-
ried a widow, Mrs. Ruckle, who died shortly
after him. Thirteen children were born to the
first union, of whom ten reached maturity,
viz.: Philip; Susan, wife of John Fenster-
macher ; John ; Mary, who married Thomas
Brader; Jeremiah M., who married Maria
Pohe; Nathan; Aaron W., father of Dr. Mil-
ton J. Hess, of Bloomsburg ; Elizabeth, wife
of Charles Hill; Reuben, the only one of the
family now living ; and Catherine, who mar-
ried Reuben Hill (deceased, cousin of Charles)
and died at Dixon, Illinois.
Aaron W. Hess was born Nov. 30, 1827, in
Luzerne county, Pa. He made his home and
worked with his parents tmtil the age of
twenty-one, and from that time until twenty-
five worked at home in the winter and boated
in the summer on the canal from Wilkes-Barre
to Baltimore and Philadelphia. He had a boat
built, of which he was the owner, and with
which he was engaged during the time men-
tioned in the lumber and coal carrying busi-
ness. He married, Jan. 2, 1855, in Beaver
township, Columbia county, Esther Bitten-
bender, a native of Luzerne county, daughter
of Jacob and Catherine (Nuss) Bittenbender,
the former of whom is buried near Shamokin
and her mother at Nescopeck, Luzerne county.
I'or the first two years of their marriage Mr.
I less and his wife lived on his father's farm
in Luzerne county. The year after his mar-
riage he discontinued work on the canal and
sold his boat. On removing from Luzerne
county he located in Mifflin township, Colum-
bia county, where he had purchased a farm
of 113 acres. There he lived for eight years,
and then removed to Mainville and took charge
of the hotel afterwards conducted by Mr. Lon-
genberger, which he had also purchased. The
ne.xt s])ring, 1867. he sold both the farm and
hotel and moved to Mifflinville, where he
bought the hotel property which he owned and
conducted until 1888, when he retired. Mr.
Hess owned thirty-five acres outside the cor-
poration, besides ten or twelve acres in lots
and residence pro])erty in Mifflinville, and a
house and lot in Mountain Grove. In politics
he was a Democrat, and he served as over-
seer of the poor for two years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Aaron W. Hess were born
six children, two of whom died in infancy ;
Clara Adora is the wife of A. W. Snyder, a
prosperous general merchant at Mifflinville ;
Harvey W. is mentioned below ; Milton J. is
mentioned below ; and George W., who learned
the jewelry business at Hazleton, is in Blooms-
burg ( he married Victoria Brown, daughter
of William Brown, and sister of J. C. Brown,
the well known postmaster at Bloomsburg).
The mother of this family died in 1903. She
was a member of the Lutheran Church, to
which some of the family belong. The father
died March I, 191 1, and is buried at Mifflin-
ville. He was one of the most enterprising
men of the locality and prominent in business
afi'airs for years.
Milton J. Hess obtained his preliminary edu-
cation in Mifflinville, later attending Wyoming
Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., where he took
both the academic and business courses. For
some time thereafter he was employed at home,
with his father, and then he clerked in a gen-
eral store at Hazleton for one year. For a
438
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
time he studied dentistry with Dr. Ervin, of
Catawissa, and then entered the Philadelphia
Dental College, from which he was graduated
in 1 888. He at once started practice in
Eloomsburg, where he followed his profession
until 1909, establishing a large patronage. He
belongs to the Susquehanna Dental Associa-
tion and to the Pennsylvania State Dental As-
sociation. Since the death of his brother
Harvey he has abandoned practice to devote
all his time to the brother's estate and his own
business interests, the demands of which have
been increasing steadily of late years. He is
the owner of two valuable farms, one of 220
acres, the other of 140 acres, which he has
stocked, and gives his personal management
to their operation. One of the farms is the old
Appleman place. Since the death of his
brother he has been a director of the Blooms-
burg National Bank, taking the latter"s place
on the board. On June i, 1912, he was ap-
pointed a trustee of the Bloomsburg State
Normal School, succeeding R. E. Hartman.
He is also a trustee of the Methodist Church
of Bloomsburg, in whose work he takes an
active part, and socially he is a Mason, holding
membership in \Vashington Lodge, No. 265,
F. & A. M., Caldwell Consistory, and Irem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
On Aug. 18, 1887, Dr. Hess was married
to Minnie A. Winterstine, daughter of Joseph
O. and Lydia (Wolf) Winterstine, and they
are the parents of three children : Miriam
graduated from the local high school and in
191 1 from the Bloomsburg State Normal
School: Helen graduated from the same in-
stitutions, finishing her course at the Normal
in 1910; Esther also graduated from the high
school and Bloomsburg State Normal School,
class of 1912. The daughters are all engaged
in teaching school, Miriam and Helen in the
Hoboken (N. J.) schools, and Esther in
Bloomsburg. The family home is on Fifth
street, Bloomsburg.
H.VRVEY Wilbur Hess, late of Mifflinville,
was one of the well known business men of
central Pennsylvania. He was born at Mifflin-
ville April 28, i860, and received a common
school education at that place. When a young
man he went to Hazleton, Pa., where he
learned the jeweler's trade with Stephen Engle.
His intelligence and aptitude soon obtained
for him the position of salesman and advertiser
for a patent engraving machine. Some time
later he became manager of the oil plant of
T. C. Bright & Co., shippers and dealers in
oil, continuing in this position until the firm
merged with one of the large combinations.
Then he engaged in the lumber business, in
which he was particularly successful, having
large mills in Columbia and surrounding
counties. He was both a manufacturer and
dealer on a large scale, handling railroad and
mining supplies, and also acquired extensive
interests in other lines. He was one of the
organizers of the Bloomsburg National Bank
and was a member of its first board of direc-
tors, continuing to serve as such until his
death. He also held stock in other banks in
this locality. At one time he owned one of the
finest stock farms in this part of the State,
a tract of about two hundred acres lying near
Mifflinville, part of the farm of his father-in-
law, William Keller, selling this property to
a Wilkes-Barre company. Though still in his
prime at the time of his death, which occurred
in October, 1909, Mr. Hess had accumulated
a very large estate, which is now managed by
his brother, Dr. M. J. Hess.
Mr. Hess married Carrie E. Keller, daugh-
ter of William and Margaret (Bowman)
Keller, and two children were born to this
union, both of whom died young. Mr. Hess
was buried at Mifflinville, where his widow
continues to make her home. He was a mem-
ber of the Lutheran Church.
RILEY L. KLINE, one of the most repre-
sentative men of Berwick, Columbia county,
and a power in the Bower Memorial Church,
was born Feb. 17, 1861, near Mordansville,
Columbia Co., Pa., on a farm owned by his
grandfather, Phillip Kline.
William W. Kline, father of Riley L. Kline,
was born Sept. 4, 1831, near Hornellsville,
Steuben Co., N. Y., a son of Phillip and
Charity (Dildine) Kline. Phillip Kline,
grandfather of Riley L. Kline, was born in
Greenwood township, Columbia Co., Pa., and
there received a common school education.
Soon after his marriage to Charity Dildine,
who was born in August, 1808, at Orangeville,
Columbia Co., Pa., he moved to New York
State and engaged in general farming. He
cleared a farm out of the forest in Steuben
county and could relate many experiences with
the tribe of Indians in that part of the State.
Later on in life he moved back to Mordans-
ville, Columbia county, where he lived until
his death, which occurred in 1880. He and his
wife had the following children: James was
accidentally killed in a collision on the road
while returning from a campmeeting, and he
is buried in Greenwood cemetery in Green-
wood township : William W. married Phoebe
E. Reichard ; Margaret married William
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
439
Karchner, and has the following children,
Lloyd, Boyd, Elmer, Alveretta and Riley ;
Lloyd Paxton Kline married Theressa Kester,
who died having no children, and he later mar-
ried Alveretta Kester, by whom he had the
following children, Oram, Floyd and Ivan
(they are now living at Woodbury, N. J.). In
politics Phillip Kline was a Republican, but
he never aspired to public preferment, devot-
ing himself to his private affairs rather than
those of his community, although he at all
times took a creditable interest in those move-
ments which tended towards the betterment of
existing conditions or the general moral up-
lift.
William W. Kline, one of the children of
Phillip Kline, was also a- farmer by occupa-
tion. He spent some of his active years near
Buck Horn, in Hemlock township, Columbia
county, where he owned a farm of one
hundred acres on which he carried on gen-
eral farming. By experimenting he found that
fruit growing was profitable, and devoted con-
siderable attention thereto, becoming enthusi-
astic upon apple and peach culture. His
death occurred, after a long and useful life,
June 14, 1910. His wife, Phoebe E. Donohoy,
was born March 9, 1839, and lived prior to her
marriage in Madison township, Columbia
Co., Pa. When two weeks old she was adopted
by the family of John Reichard. The name is
sometimes spelled Donohue. Two of her
brothers were among the first engineers on the
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad
during the early sixties, and ran between
Northumberland and Scranton, through Col-
umbia county, on the Bloomsburg division.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. William W.
Kline were as follows : Lydia C, born Sept.
13, 1863, married Charles W. Nuss, and they
have the following children, Raymond,
Howard, Floyd, Earl, Charles, Glenn and
Hazel; Ida M., born July 12, 1865, married
Willits B. Kester, and has two children, Veda
and Zoe; Nora B. was born Dec. 26, 1873;
Riley L. is mentioned below. In political faith
William W. Kline was a Republican, but like
his father he never aspired to public honors.
The Methodist Episcopal Church held his
membership and received his faithful support.
Riley L. Kline was educated at the Chris-
tian schoolhouse in Madison township until the
family moved to Hemlock township, when he
attended the Leidy school. With the removal
of the Klines to the vicinity of Buck Horn he
was given the advantages of attendance at
Buck Horn high school, and was graduated
therefrom. On April i, 1880, he moved to
Berwick, and began working for the Jackson
& Woodin Manufacturing Company in the
wood car shop, under Abram Cortright, fore-
man, and Charles H. Zehnder, general superin-
tendent. After four years at Berwick Mr.
Kline's parents moved back to the farm, but
he continued in Berwick for a year. He then
joined them on the family farm, and taking
a teacher's preparatory course at the Blooms-
burg Normal School fitted himself for teach-
ing, and in 1886 taught the McMahan's school,
near Shafl:er's bridge, just outside Bloomsburg,
for one term. Going back to Berwick, he re-
entered the employ of his old company as
cellar clerk in their general store and was
rapidly promoted, owing to his efficiency and
faithfulness, becoming head of the hardware
department, and also head of other depart-
ments. With the formation of the Berwick
Store Company he was put at the head of
the credit department, which responsible office
he still retains, having held it since 1898. For
twelve years he has been one of the directors
of this company.
Riley L. Kline was married Sept. 8, 1887, to
Alice Walton, who was born in Salem town-
ship, Luzerne Co., Pa., a daughter of Morris
and Caroline Walton. Mr. and Mrs. Kline
have had the following family: Harry R., born
June 14, 1888, at Berwick, was married on
Feb. 28, 1912, to Margaret Brobst, and they
have a daughter, Ruth ; Beulah G. was born
Oct. 3, 1890, at Berwick; Ruth G. was born
June 21, 1893, at Berwick; Russell W., born
Dec. 25, 1897, died Oct. 2, 191 1, and was
buried m Pine Grove cemetery. Politically
Mr. Kline has usually voted with the Prohibi-
tion party in national and State affairs, but is
an independent voter when he knows the char-
acter of the candidate. He is conscientious in
his conviction that the licensed liquor traffic
is the great problem before the people to-day,
and that many other troublesome questions of
State will begin to adjust themselves when
once this "offspring of hell" is wiped off'
the American map. So no candidate, either
national or municipal, need hope to receive his
vote or support unless he stands against the
open saloon. Mr. Kline has not confined him-
self to this phase of good work only, for he has
given his services to the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association both as a member and an
officer, having been a director of the organiza-
tion at Berwick for twenty-six years ; this
branch was but two years old when he asso-
ciated himself with it. The Bower Memorial
Church, of Berwick, has received both material
and spiritual aid from Mr. Kline which has
440
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
assisted it most ettectually, for he is Sunday
school superintendent, trustee and member of
the official board. A man of strong convic-
tions, he is never backward in living up to or
expressing his sentiments, and his influence
for good cannot be easily overestimated.
JAMES SCARLET, a prominent attorney
of Montour county, was born in Elizabeth,
N. J., Dec. 31, 1848, and is a son of George
and Alary Scarlet, the mother of Scotch-Irish
ancestry. His father was a sea captain and of
English birth. James was the eldest of three
sons, and was taken under the care of W. W.
Pineo at the age of twelve. Air. Pineo brought
him to Danville, where the boy worked on the
Pineo farm for three years. He then was
apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, at which
he became e.xpert and earned a comfortable
living in the town. It was while he was thus
engaged, working at the trade, that Miss
Mary Grier, daughter of M. C. Grier, who was
always interested in capable and ambitious
young men, took a deep interest in young
Scarlet and drew out many of the latent talents
that he developed in later life.
The results of his labor with his hands
were insufficient to gratify the ambition of
the young man, whose active brain sought a
more extensive field for the ability of which
even at that early day he had given evidence.
Together with Judge H. M. Hinckley, of Dan-
ville; Judge C. R. Savidge, of Sunbury; and
Rev. John D. Cook, of Renovo. then youths
in the town of Danville, Mr. Scarlet took up
an e.xtcnsive course of study, with a view to
entering college. With steadfast attention and
perseverance they studied by night, after the
toil of the day had ended, reciting their les-
sons before J. M. Kelso, then professor of
the Danville Institute. Together they passed
the necessary examinations and entered
Princeton L'niversity in the fall of 1870,
graduating from that institution in the class
of 1874.
James .Scarlet at once began to read law
in the office of Thomas J. Galbraith, Esq., and
in 1877 was admitted to practice before the
bar of Montour county. He was admitted to
the Supreme court of Pennsylvania in 1885,
and to the Supreme court of the L'nited States
at a later date. He practiced in Danville for
the most part, taking his chances with the
companions of his class in the legal profes-
sion, often pitted against them, and finally his
evident merits forced him to the front in the
profession. His remarkable gift of oratory
caused him to be often called upon for ad-
dresses on important occasions, and his grasp
of difficult questions of law put into his hands
much of the legal business of the county.
In 1882 Mr. Scarlet was elected district at-
torney for Montour county, serving until the
end of the term. In 1885 he was nominated
on the Republican ticket for the State Legis-
lature, but defeated, the county being strongly
Democratic. He was also a candidate on the
same ticket for judge of the Twenty-sixth dis-
trict, against Robert R. Little, but was de-
feated by a small majority. He was selected
as attorney for the committee which investi-
gated the Capitol graft case in igio-ii, and
later was appointed attorney for the prosecu-
tion of the grafters. He was also given charge,
at diiferent periods, of cases in which the dif-
ferent trusts were prosecuted by the United
States government. In all of these cases he
gained honor and renown.
Mr. Scarlet was elected as delegate from
this district to the Republican National con-
vention of 1908, which nominated William
H. Taft to the presidency, and there he sec-
onded the nomination of Philander C. Knox
for that high position, though without avail.
In 1883 James Scarlet was united in mar-
riage to Lizzie G. Lyon, the daughter of
Moyer Lyon, of Danville, and they have one
son, Jaines, Jr., residing at home.
Not only is Mr. Scarlet a keen lawyer, an
able politician and a successful business man,
but 'he is a fine conversationalist, well read,
and keeping up a keen interest in all ques-
tions of local and national character. He has
a fine library in his home, which is one of
the oldest houses in Danville, being the first
dwelling built of brick there, and he has fitted
up the interior with furnishings entirely in
harmony with the character and tastes of the
occupants. His collection of engravings and
pictures is one of the best in Danville, and
the genial glow of the lights from this home
are bright spots in the eyes of passers along
the main business street of the town.
Mr. Scarlet takes delight in outdoor life
and is a keen fisherman and hunter. He sel-
dom goes upon an expedition without return-
ing laden with trophies, and to be his partner
in a hunting trip is a favor much sought by
his many friends.
James Scarlet is a man of brilliant intellect,
with a warm, sympathetic heart, readv to di-
vide his last dollar with sufl^ering humanity ;
an opponent who always commands respect
at the bar, but one ah^ays ready, when the
contest is over, to forget the blows given and
f-
-..
uY
AfT."- ■
\:-
T 1 1. C F N
WS ;
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
441
received and to live again in peace with his
opponents.
Mr. Scarlet is not a member of any so-
cieties. He and his family are attendants of
the Mahoning Presbyterian Church at Dan-
ville.
JOHN C. RUTTER, Jr., formerly editor
of the Scmi-Jl'eekly Democratic Sentinel and
of the Daily Sentinel, of Bloomsburg, and
president of the Sentinel Printery, now pro-
prietor of Putter's Printing House, is a busi-
ness and newspaper man of Columbia county
whose activities have been productive of un-
common good in his community. He is enter-
prising in the conduct of his own affairs, as the
prosperity of his various interests indicate,
and a citizen whose usefulness in promoting
the general welfare has placed him among the
most valued residents of his borough.
The Rutters are of English origin, Joshua
Rutter, great-grandfather of John C. Rutter,
Jr., having been a native of England. Coming
to this country with his brother Thomas (who
became a merchant at Baltimore around 1790
or earlier), he located on a farm near the city
of Baltimore. He was married probably near
Baltimore, and his wife, Elizabeth, was a
native of Sweden. They reared a family of
four children, two sons and two daughters,
John, Thomas, Margery and Mary.
Thomas Rutter, son of Joshua and Eliza-
beth, was born about 1792, on the homestead
farm, and died in 1848, near Chester, Dela-
ware Co., Pa., at the age of fifty-six years.
By occupation he was a farmer. He married
Sarah Baker, daughter of John and Lydia
(Marks) Baker, the former of whom was a
plasterer, and followed that trade all his life
at Brandywine Hundred, Newcastle Co., Del.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rutter
were : John C. ; Elizabeth, who married Daniel
Crowther (he died first) ; ]\Iargery, Mrs. Holt
(he died first) ; Mary, Mrs. Taylor; William,
who died young ; Joshua, who was interested
in cotton works in Delaware ; and Thomas,
who died in youth. The mother lived to ad-
vanced age, dying at Chester, Pa., when aged
eighty-seven years.
John C. Rutter, son of Thomas, was born
Dec. 12, 1826, near Wilmington, Del., and re-
mained at home until fourteen years old. going
to public school meanwhile. Then he went to
live with his grandmother at Newcastle, Del.,
there contmuing to attend school until he was
' seventeen. He then found employment as a
clerk in \\'ilmington, and there began reading
medicine when about twenty-one years old.
in the office of Dr. Caleb Harlan. He grad-
uated at what was then known as the
Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania
(now Hahnemann College, Philadelphia),
March 3, 1855, ^^^ the following May located
for practice at Bloomsburg, where he made
his permanent home, acquiring a large patron-
age— the largest up to that time ever held by
any physician there. His professional and per-
sonal popularity continued throughout a long
and busy career. He is still living at Blooms-
burg. He was the first homeopath to engage
in practice in Columbia county, and the only
one for twenty-five years. With unusual
facilities for observation of the needs of the
people, he formed well grounded opinions on
the judicious methods of administering afl:'airs
atiecting the general welfare, and supported
and encouraged all sound measures for im-
proving conditions. He was an advocate of
temperance, and in politics associated with the
Democratic party. For many years he served
as a member of the board of pension ex-
aminers.
On Aug. 26, 1848, Dr. Rutter married Jane
Clayton, of his native place, daughter of John
and Ann (Perkins) Clayton, the latter of
whom died in 1857 '■'' Delaware. Mr. Clayton
remarried, and moved to Monroe county, Pa.,
where he died in 1875, near Stroudsburg, aged
about seventy years. He was a carpenter and
followed his trade in Brandywine Hundred
and \\'ilmington, Del. Eight children were
born to Dr. and Mrs. Rutter: Lamartine mar-
ried Lydia Rodemoyer (both now deceased)
and settled near Bellefonte, Pa. ; Henry
Harlan, at one time editor and proprietor of
the Hughesville, Pa., Mail, and later of the
Muncy Democrat, in Lycoming county, and
member of the State Legislature in 1894-95,
married Eva Cloud; Everett Webster is a
physician, located at Freeland, in Luzerne
county. Pa.; Mary Ellen is the widow of Dr.
D. W. Conner, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; Adah
Louisa is the widow of Newton W. Barton ;
Margaret remained at home; Rachel M., de-
ceased, was the wife of Dr. C. B. Frantz ; John
Croghan is mentioned below. The family at-
tended St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Blooms-
burg.
John C. Rutter, Jr., was born at Blooms-
burg, July 2, 1862, and received his education
there, attending public school and later the
State normal school. When seventeen years
old he became an apprentice in the Columbian
Printing House, at Bloomsburg, and served
his full time. Then he went to Freeland,
Luzerne county, where he clerked in a drusr
442
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
store for nearly a year, after which he secured
employment as a compositor on the Wilkes-
Barre Record. Several months later he
formed a partnership with A. S. Hottenstine,
with whom he published the Economist, a
weekly newspaper, at Milton, Pa., for about
one year. Thence he returned to Bloomsburg,
in 1886 taking a positior? as compositor on the
Democratic Sentinel, of which he became man-
ager shortly afterward, holding that position
for thirteen years. Meantime the Bloomsburg
Daily was started, under his management also.
He retired from his connection with these
papers in 1899, in which year he was elected
register and recorder of Columbia county, an
office he continued to fill for six years. Dur-
ing this period, on Jan. i, 1904, he purchased
the Democratic Sentinel and Bloomsburg
Daily, changed the weekly to a semi-weekly,
and carried on the establishment successfully
for two years and five months, selling out at
the end of that time. Soon afterward, in
August, 1906, he founded Rutter's Printing
House, an up-to-date job plant, the ownership
of w-hich he has retained ever since. In July,
1909, he was made president of the Sentinel
Printery and editor of the Semi-JVcekly Demo-
cratic Sentinel and the Daily Sentinel, and he
carried on the papers successfully until March,
1914, when he retired from newspaper work.
His influence as editor was used conscien-
tiously for the furtherance of many worthy
projects for the advancement of conditions in
this section, and Mr. Rutter is highly respected
for the high standards he has upheld and the
courageous position he has taken on all vital
questions. He was one of the directors of the
Bloomsburg school district for a period of
nine years, and has been a notary public for
the last twenty-three years.
On Feb. 17, 1887, Mr. Rutter married Har-
riet Neal McKelvy, daughter of Dr. J. B.
McKelvy, and they are the parents of six
sons : J. B., who is a lieutenant in the United
States navy, married Sept. 2, 1914, Irma Mc-
Closkey, of New York City; R. C, a civil en-
gineer, is now in San Diego, Cal. ; J. Clayton
is a student at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y.,
preparing for the ministry ; George M. has
been appointed as midshipman at the Naval
Academy at Annapolis, Md. ; Louis and Wil-
liam are attending school.
VASTINE. Abraham Van De Woestyne,
with his wife and their three children, viz.,
John, Catherine and Hannah, left Holland in
the seventeenth century and crossed the ocean
on a sailing vessel, landing in New York (then permission to hold
New Amsterdam) in 1690. They soon crossed
over into New Jersey. About the time Wil-
liam Penn founded Philadelphia they came
into Pennsylvania. In 1696 we find them in
Germantown, Pa., where the daughters,
Catherine and Hannah, joined the Friends.
John Van De Woestyne, son of Abraham,
was born in Holland May 24, 1678, and came
to America with his father, and records show
him living in Germantown in 1698, where he
owned real estate. In that year he purchased
several tracts of land from one Jeremiah Lang-
horn, in Hilltown township, Bucks Co., Pa.,
whither he moved in 1720, being one of the
pioneers in that county. He was very influen-
tial in the opening of roads there. There he
erected a granite dwelling along the pike lead-
ing from Philadelphia to Bethlehem. It stood,
as was the custom in that day, with its gable
to the road, fronting south, at a point two
miles north of Line Lexington and four miles
southwest from Sellersville, Bucks Co., Pa.
The name John Van De Woestyne appears on
a number of official papers and documents on
record in Bucks county ; it is found on many
petitions pertaining to roads and improve-
ments in Hilltown township. On these peti-
tions the name is spelled Van de Woestyne.
John Van De Woestyne died at Hilltown Feb.
9, 1738. His wife, Abigail, survived him some
time. They were the parents of five children,
as follows: (i) Abraham, born May 24, 1698,
died in October, 1772, in Hilltown. He mar-
ried Sarah Ruckman, and they were the
parents of five daughters: Abigail, married to
Andrew Armstrong: Ruth, married to James
Armstrong; Mary, married to Robert Jame-
son ; Rachel, married to Hugh Mears ; and
Sarah, married to Samuel Wilson. Thus far
we have been unable to learn anything about
their descendants. (2) Jeremiah, born Dec.
24, 1 70 1, died in Hilltown in November, 1769.
He and his wife Debora were the parents of
one son and two daughters : Jeremiah died in
New Britain, Bucks Co., Pa., in April, 1778
( his wife's name was Elizabeth ) ; Martha mar-
ried John Louder ; Hannah married Samuel
Greshom. (3) Benjamin, born July 9, 1703,
died Aug. 17, 1749. (4) John died Feb. 9,
1765, in Hilltown, Pa., unmarried. (5) Mary,
born March i, 1699 (?), married a Mr. Wil-
son and removed to South Carolina.
Benjamin Vastine, son of John and Abi-
gail, was the progenitor of the family in
Northumberland county. Pa. He became a
member of the Friends Meeting and at one of
the meetings held in Philadelphia requested
in his house.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
443
About 1738 he married Mary Griffith, and
their union was blessed by the birth of seven
children, as follows: Hannah married Emer-
son (or Erasmus) Kelly ; John married Rachel
Morgan ; Abraham married Elizabeth Wil-
liams; Benjamin married Catherine Eaton (he
died in September, 1775) ; Jonathan married
Elizabeth Lewis ; Isaac married Sarah Mat-
thews ; Amos married Martha Thomas.
The name Van De VVoestyne has changed
gradually, first to Voshne, then to Vashtine
and lastly to Vastine. It has also been written
Van Styne. The name in Dutch meant forest,
hence the early settlers often called John
\'an De Woestyne "Wilderness."
Jonathan Vastine, fourth son of Benjamin
and Mary (Grififith) Vastine, with his nephew
Peter, who was also his son-in-law, came to
Northumberland county, Pa., where they pur-
chased two large farms, the former about six
hundred acres (which later Valentine Epler
owned) and the latter three hundred acres
near that of his uncle. The original deeds
for Jonathan Vastine's land are in the posses-
sion of Mrs. Elisha Campbell, at South Dan-
ville. Jonathan, like his father, was a mem-
ber of the Society of Friends. He was a
farmer, and built a house on his farm. He
died about 1830-33, and is buried in the old
Quaker burying ground at Catawissa, Pa.
About 1770 he married Elizabeth Lewis,
daughter of John and Anna Lewis, and to
them were born five sons and three daugh-
ters: (i) Benjamin married Elizabeth Van
Zant and their children were as follows :
Lewis v., who married Martha Boone and had
Hannah (Mrs. Dudley Andrews), Margaret
(Mrs, Jacob B. Gearhart), Rachel Jane, Eliza-
beth (Mrs. John H. Morrall), Matilda (Mrs.
Abraham Gulick), Sarah, Martha, William B.,
Lewis B. and George; Mary, who married
Samuel Boone ; Ann, who married Isaac Wol-
verton ; and Rachel, who married John M.
Housel. (2) Ann married Thomas Robbins.
(3) Hannah married Peter Vastine, son of
Benjamin Vastine. (4) Mary married Wil-
liam Marsh. (5) John married Catherine
! Osmun. (6) Jeremiah married E. Reeder, and
their children were : Mary, who married C.
Fisher ; Margaret, who married D. Robbins ;
Lourissa, who married William Leighaw (or
Leighow), and Thomas, who married Eliza
Reeder and had children Catherine and Eliza-
beth. (7) Thomas died unmarried. (8) Jona-
than married Nancy Ann Hughes.
John Vastine, second son of Jonathan and
Elizabeth (Lewis) Vastine, inherited a por-
tion of his father's farm, and in 1833 built
what to his descendants is known as the "stone
house," now owned by G. P. Savidge. He
married Catherine Osmun, and to them were
born four sons and three daughters : ( I )
Elizabeth, the eldest, died at the age of seven-
teen years. (2) William is mentioned below.
(3) Amos, born in 181 3, married Susan Lerch,
and died Nov. 15, 1889. His principal busi-
ness was farming, but at one time he was en-
gaged in the mercantile business at Paxinos.
He owned some six hundred acres of land,
which he tilled, and also had large real estate
interests in Alount Carmel. He was one of
the promoters of the Mount Carmel Savings
Bank, of which he was president from its
organization until his death ; was also one
of the organizers of the Shamokin Township
Fire Insurance Company and was treasurer
of the same at the time of his death. Polit-
ically he was a Republican, and he filled the
office of county commissioner from 1871 to
1874. Mrs. Vastine was the daughter of Felix
Lerch, one of the pioneer settlers of Mount
Carmel. Mr. and Airs. Vastine were the
parents of the following: Felix, who died
young ; John, who married Kate Bird ;
Thomas, who married Lizzie Haas, and has
children, Amos and Hattie ; Catherine, who
married E. S. Persing (children, Anna, Sadie,
Amos and Susan) ; and Hattie, who had two
children (Amos and William) by her first hus-
band. Oliver Reed, and married for her second
William Metz. (4) Margaret married Charles
Heffley and they were the parents of three
children. Elizabeth (married Harvey Robbins
and had children Margaret, Charles and
Joseph), Harriet and George W. (married
Emma Persing and had children, Harriet and
Harvey). (5) Sarah Ann married Robert C.
Campbell and was the mother of Abram (died
unmarried), John L. (unmarried, lives in Dan-
ville, Pa.), James C. (married Margaret Met-
tler), and Margaret C, Hannah J., Isabella
A. and Sarah Alice, all four of whom died
unmarried. (6) Thomas Prine, born in 1808,
married Lanah Vought, and they had chil-
dren : John Wellington, who married Emma
Fisher ; Catherine and Matilda, both un-
married ; Rosanna, who married George W.
Miller and was the mother of Gussie M.,
Florence V., Daniel O. and Ruth A. (7) John
began the study of medicine at the age of
eighteen, in Jefferson Medical College, Phila-
delphia, Pa., and graduated at the age of
twenty-one years, dying shortly afterward, in
his twenty-second year.
William Vastine, son of John and Catherine
(Osmun) Vastine, married Jan. 24, 1833,
444
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Salome
(Reed) Hnrsh. He was twenty-one years old
when they settled on the farm then owned
by his father-in-law, later descending to his
wife. In 1843, in line with the custom of his
forefathers, he built himself a house, which is
now the property of his granddaughters,
Katherine M. and Ellen E., daughters of
Simon and Elizabeth (Faux) \'astine. He
was a large landowner, cultivating between
four hundred and fifty and five hundred acres.
In religious faith he was a member of the
Lutheran Church, and politically he was a
Whig. He died in 1859, his widow in 1890.
To Mr. and Mrs. \'astine were born six sons
and two daughters : ( i ) Amos is fully men-
tioned elsewhere in this work. (2) Jacob H.
is mentioned below. (3) Hugh Hursh, born
July 22, 1838, married Susan, daughter of
Wilson Mettler, and followed farming
throughout his life, operating three farms in
Rush and Gearhart townships, Northumber-
land Co., Pa. They had children : Wilson
M., Elizabeth B. and Hugh Spencer (married
Sarah Mettler). (4) Simon owned two large
farms in Rush township, including the home-
stead property previously mentioned. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Faux, daughter of William, and
their children are Katherine M. and Ellen E.
(5) Ezra, born in 1843, upon reaching his
majority joined his brother Amos in buying a
farm, disposing of his interest the following
year and later buying another, which he also
sold. In 1876 he bought the farm now known
as the Ezra Vastine estate and in 1877 built
on it the brick house. In the spring of 1895
he removed to Danville, Pa., residing on West
Market street. He died Feb. 24, 1896, and
was buried in a lot beside his parents in a
Lutheran cemetery in Mayberry township,
Montour county. He was a successful farmer,
and at the time of his death was a director
of the Danville National Bank. He married
Sarah C, daughter of Robert and Bethia
(Banghart) Davidson, and to them were born
two daughters, Bethia and Sara Mary. (6)
Elizabeth Ann married James Oglesby, M. D.,
of Danville, Pa., and had two children, George
Bell (deceased) and William V. (an attorney
of Danville). (7) Daniel and (8) Ellen died
before reaching the age of twelve.
Jacob LIursh Vastine, M. D., second son of
William and Elizabeth (Hursh) Vastine, born
April 2, 1836, attended the common schools of
his native township, later going to Danville
Academy and Shamokin Collegiate Institute.
He taught school in his native county for two
years. Then he took a course at Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, from which in-
stitution he was graduated in 1858. For a
time he practiced in Numidia, Columbia Co.,
Pa., later removing to Danville, Alontour
county, where he was located five years, and
finally, in 1883, settling in Catawissa, Columbia
county, where he died Jan. 2, 1904. His widow
still resides there. He was president of the
First National Bank of Catawissa until his
death. This bank was organized and char-
tered in 1 89 1, taking over what was known as
the Catawissa Deposit Bank, whose first presi-
dent was M. G. Hughes ; George M. Tustin
was cashier and his brother, A. L. Tustin, also
held that position for a time. Dr. J. H.
\astine was the first president of the First
National Bank, and upon his death S. D.
Rinard succeeded to the presidency. When
he died J. T. Fox was elected, and is still
serving. In November, 1893, William M. Vas-
tine, son of Dr. J. H. Vastine, was made
cashier, and has filled the position success-
fully and satisfactorily ever since. In Novem-
ber, 191 2. the other officials were Luther Eyer,
vice president ; directors, C. E. Kreisler,
lawyer; Karl Reifsnyder, druggist; W. H.
Roberts, retired farmer; Dr. J. M. Vastine,
physician ; Wilson Rhoads. farmer, of Roar-
ing Creek.
In October, 1861, Dr. Vastine married
.^arah Hughes, daughter of George and Nancy
( Harder) Flughes, of Catawissa, and they
had children as follows : Henrietta Hughes
married Asa Spencer, of Philipsburg, Pa., and
has two children, Muriel Lee and Sarah
Hughes; Elizabeth died when one year old;
George Hughes, AI. D., is mentioned below;
William Alayberry is mentioned below ; Jacob
Marion, M. D., is mentioned below; Harriet
B. married Horace C. Booz, of Ardmore, Pa.,
and has two children, Horace C, Jr., and
Donald Vastine ; Sarah Hughes married
Ralph Roy Griffith ; C. Alder, who lives at
Catawissa. married Mabel Thomas and they
have two sons, Thomas Hursh (now eight
years old) and Spencer (aged six).
George Hughes \'astine, M. D., was born
Nov. 6, 1867, and died at his home in Cata-
wissa March 30, 1913. He received his
literary education in the Danville Academy,
Catawissa schools, Bloomsburg State Normal
school and Susquehanna University, from
which he was graduated in 1887. He then
entered the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania! from which he was
graduated in 189 1, spending the winter of
1891 and spring of 1892 in study at Heidel-
berg and \'ienna. Returning to this country
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
445
he located at Mainville, Pa., where he prac-
ticed five years, after which he practiced at
Catawissa until his death. He was a member
of the Columbia County Medical Society, and
well known professionally and personally
throughout Columbia county. He married
Nellie Pfahler, and is survived by one son,
Jacob H.
\\iLLi.\M M.WBERRY \'astine was bom
July 30, 1871, at Numidia. Columbia Co., Pa.,
attended Danville Academy and public school
at Catawissa, and later entered Pennsylvania
College, at Gettysburg, Pa., from which in-
stitution he was graduated in June, 1893. He
has ever since been connected with the First
National liank of Catawissa, of which he has
been cashier since November of that year.
This has been his principal business interest,
and he is a director of the local shoe manu-
facturing company. He has served two terms
as school director, and is now filling his second
term as councilman of the borough, in the
administration of whose affairs he has taken
an influential part. Politically he is a Repub-
lican, in religious connection a member of St.
Matthew's Lutheran Church.
Mr. Vastine is well known in the fraterni-
ties, particularly in his Masonic associations,
being a member of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349,
F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ;
Catawissa Chapter, No. 178, of which he has
been treasurer since 1910; Crusade Com-
mandery, K. T., and the Council, both of
Bloomsburg; Caldwell Consistory (thirty-
second degree), of Bloomsburg: the Crafts-
man Club of Ijloomsburg : and Irem Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre. He has
passed all the chairs in the local K. G. E.
lodge, and has been treasurer of that body
since Feb. 4, 1902; and he is a past grand
of Lodge No. 60. I. O. O. F., of Catawissa.
On Aug. 10, 1 891, Mr. ^^astine married
Elizabeth L. Kostenbauder, daughter of
George L. and Lucy (Manley) Kostenbauder,
and they have one son, Douglass H., born Dec.
23, 1898: a daughter, Harriet Boone, died in
infancy.
J.ACOB M.KRiON Vastine, M. D., son of Dr.
Jacob H. Vastine, was born in Numidia. Col-
umbia Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 1874. After attend-
ing Danville Academy and public school at
Catawissa he became a student at the Pennsyl-
vania State College, from which he was grad-
uated with the degree of B. S. in 1896. He
then matriculated at the Aledico-Chirurgical
College, Philadelphia, completed the course in
1899, and spent more time specializing on the
eye, ear, nose and throat. He has since been
engaged in successful practice at Catawissa,
where he has become prominent in his pro-
fession, being a past president of the Columbia
County Medical Society and a member of the
State Medical Society and the American
Aledical Association. He belongs to the Sigma
Alpha Epsilon fraternity of State College, and
also has social connections with the I. O. O. F.,
K. G. E. and B. P. O. Elks, holding his mem-
bership in the last named at Bloomsburg. He
is a member of the Lutheran Church. Since
January, 1912, Dr. Vastine has been a director
of the First National Bank of Catawissa. and
of the All Wear Shoe Company, manufacturers
of women's and children's shoes, of Cata-
wissa.
On Ajjril 20, 1904, Dr. Vastine married
Catherine Sharpless, daughter of G. H. and
Ella (Schnick) Sharpless, of Catawissa. They
have one child, Dorothy Sharpless, born in
1906.
MAUS. The celebrated Maus farm in
\'alley township, Montour county, famous for
its fine springs, is now owned by Mrs. Cath-
erine Bachman (Maus) Jones, daughter of
David Maus, and widow of Horatio C. Jones,
of Philadelphia. The history of the Maus
family is inseparably associated with the
opening up and advancement of Montour
county from its earliest days of civilized oc-
cupation. Mausdale, in Valley township, a
small village less than two miles from Dan-
ville, the county seat, perpetuates the name
in the section where the Mauses have been
most numerous, and where the family has
been represented continuously for a period of
almost one hundred and fifty years.
Philip Maus, a native of Prussia, born in
1 73 1, came to the New World with his parents
in 1741, the family landing at Philadelphia,
where they settled. He attended school there,
and soon learned to speak and write English
fluently, as well as German. In 1750 he was
apprenticed to learn stocking manufacturing,
and within five years he had established him-
self in the business, in which he met with sub-
stantial success, continuing it for about twenty
years, until the troubles incident to the prog-
ress of the Revolutionary war made it neces-
sary for him to suspend operations. During
the war his familiarity with the business en-
abled him to be of great service, for he was
an earnest upholder of the Colonial cause and
made many sacrifices in its interest. His
means were ample for the time, and he in-
vested largely in furnishing clothing for the
soldiers, taking his pay in Continental money,
446
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of which he had several thousand dollars
when it became worthless. The late Philip
F. Maus, one of his descendants, had baskets
full of this old currency (it is now in the pos-
session of P. E. Maus). A letter written by
Philip Maus during this period, and still pre-
served, is of interest in this connection:
Philadelphia, 9 Octo. 1776.
Mr. Samuel Updegraff, Sir: — By the bearer, Mr.
Joseph Kerr, I send you the ballance of the price of
8 doz pairs of buckskin breeches I bought of you,
having paid you £9 in advance, the ballance being
£143 3s. which he will pay you on delivering him
the goods. If you have any more to dispose of he
will contract with you for them, and I shall be glad
if you and him can agree. Your humble servant.
Philip Maus.
Incidental to his activities during the Revolu-
tion Mr. Maus formed an intimate acquaint-
ance with Benjamin Franklin and Robert
Morris which lasted to the end of their days.
Of Mr. Maus's three brothers, Frederick,
Charles and Matthew, the last named became
prominent as a surgeon during the Revolu-
tionary war, serving throughout the conflict,
was with General Montgomery on his expe-
dition into Canada, and when the General fell
before Quebec aided Colonel Burr in carry-
ing away his body. Daniel Maus was in
Washington's army.
Several years before the Revolution Philip
•Maus had invested some surplus capital in
600 acres of land in what is now Alontour
county, in the rich and fertile section of Val-
ley township. The patents, from Thomas and
John Penn, are dated April 3, 1769, among the
earliest issued from the county (as soon as it
was possible to obtain titles in the new Indian
purchase, which included all this part of Penn-
sylvania), and the proprietaries reserved a
perpetual quit rent of twopence per acre,
which was paid until the Commonwealth com-
pensated the Penns and became the proprietor
of the lands. At the time Mr. Maus made the
purchase this tract was on the outer fringe of
the settlements, and no improvements were
made on the property until after the Revolu-
tion. When the war ended his fortune had
been so reduced, by the stoppage of his regu-
lar business and the unfortunate deterioration
of Continental currency, with which he had
been paid for the material he bought to make
garments for the army, that he turned his
attention to his land, and as soon as peace
and safety permitted brought his family
hither. With the brief exception mentioned
it was his home for the next thirty years.
Danville was an incipient town, then called
Montgomery's Landing, founded by the broth-
ers Daniel and William Montgomery a few
years before, and consisting of a few log
cabins occupied by a half dozen families, near-
ly all from southeastern Pennsylvania and
western New Jersey, Breeches, moccasins
and hunting shirts of leather were generally
worn, and all the surroundings and conditions
of living were exceptionally primitive. The
Maus tract, stretching along the northern base
of Montour's ridge, with the Mahoning creek
flowing through it, was overgrown with tim-
ber and brush. It was typical of the man and
his custom of doing things systematically that
when he and his son Philip came to prepare
the home he brought two carpenters with him :
from Philadelphia, and his cabin was the first '
erected in what is now Valley township. It
stood on the right bank of the stream, nearly
half a mile above the present stone mill and
homestead. He and his son Philip commenced
to clear the forest immediately around the
house preparatory to cultivating the land, and
he intended to have the other part of the tract
cleared. But the Indian troubles commenced
before any great progress had been made, and
as there was no provision for protection for
the settlers here they had to go to Northum-
berland. Articles they could not conveniently
carry, tools, implements, etc., were buried to
secrete them from the Indians, and Mr. Maus
rented his place to Peter Blue, Frederick Blue
and James Stutfelt, who agreed to take pos-
session as soon as the Indian hostilities would
cease. This arrangement was probably made
in Northumberland at the fort, as these men
came on according to contract and set vigor-
ously to work. After a brief stay at North-
umberland Mr, Maus then went to Lebanon,
where they lived for a year, thence returning
to Northumberland for three or four years,
after which they again ventured to settle on
the Mahoning, It is supposed Philip Maus
was the first permanent settler in what is now
Valley township. Many of the incidents of
these early days are best recorded in his recol-
lections, which by reason of his intelligence
are regarded as authoritative, Mr. Maus
built his sawmill, which was operated by the
waters of Mahoning creek, and there for years
the lumber for nearly every building erected
in the surrounding country was cut. The mill
and other improvements were the attractions
which brought together the settlers whose
homes formed the nucleus of what is now
Mausdale. In the year 1800 he erected his
flouring mill, a stone building imposing for
the times, and which is still standing, appar- j
ently as sound and durable as ever. The fol- j
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
447
lowing, taken from a history of the county
pubhshed a quarter of a century ago, is so
highly typical of the times and so interesting
a part of the Maus history that it is worthy
of repetition ;
"His experience in digging his mill race
was varied, one portion beitig dug by the
Catholics and the other by the Protestants;
and several times Mr. Maus had to take pos-
session of the clubs and shillalahs of both par-
ties to prevent their being used over bloody
heads. This was called their amusement, and
by way of explanation of these theological
discussions it may be stated that these men
consumed eleven barrels of whiskey while at
the work and play of digging the mill race.
"The experiences of the Maus family are
a graphic illustration of what were the sources
of pastime and work of a respectable, intelli-
gent and well-reared people. How completely
were they thrown upon their own resources !
Only when they had raised their sheep could
they clothe themselves in woolen goods in the
winter. For summer they made linen goods
of the flax they raised. Woolen or linen, the
men wore 'hunting shirts' much after the style
to be seen in the pictures of Daniel Boone.
The Maus family cultivated, early, two acres
of flax. There was a Scotch family in the
settlement that did most of the weaving. Be-
fore the era of flax and wool they dressed
deerskins and hides of other animals, and
of these made clothing. Rabbitskin caps were
quite an elegant luxury at one time. We are
told that in the Maus home during the long
winter evenings, by the light of lard oil iron
lamps, they read books of devotion, "Cook's
Voyages,' Weems's 'Life of Washington,' and
then, oh, rare treat, they sometimes took turns
and read Goldsmith's 'Deserted Village,'
'Vicar of Wakefield,' and even 'Don Quixote.'
These were read aloud, and sometimes Mr.
Maus would contribute immeasurably to the
enjoyment by apportioning the dramatis per-
sonae among them.
"When the family reached the possession
of an ample fortune a family carriage was
purchased ; it was of the style of Louiv XIV.
Nothing ever created a greater sensation in
the valley than the arrival of this family car-
riage. It is said to be the first in what is now
Montour county. The two Montgomerys had
a gig each, and these three were the only
pleasure carriages in the county for manv
miles around."
A fragment of a letter from Mrs. Maus
dated "Northumberland, 1783," is so full of
interest that we give all that part of it con-
tained in the torn portion of the original let-
ter, as follows :
Your brother George likes this place very well.
When you come, do not fail to bring 100 White
Chapel needles and two or three ounces of thread
suitable for sewing calico and home-spun linen.
Give my love to your grandpa and grandma, and
tell her I wish her to come with you and see us ;
we will arrange for her journey to Lebanon and
back. You will see Rev. Stoy's' palace. Tell her
the Penintori's house up Race Street is nothing to
compare to it and Dr. Stoy lives only seventy-five
miles from us. * * * Tell the girls that Susy
and the young girls here take a canoe and go into
the river fishing by themselves ; the river is as clear
as a spring and not half a yard deep. This is a
most beautiful and picturesque place. We have
the wild deer not half a mile from us, skipping
about the hills where the boys go to fetch the cows.
Your loving mother,
Frances M.\us.
Philip Maus married Frances Heap, a na-
tive of England, "a most estimable wife,
mother and friend," and children were born
to them as follows: George, 1759; Elizabeth,
1761 ; Philip, 1763; Susan, 1765; Samuel,
1767 (he was a watchmaker and jeweler at
Philadelphia, in 1831); Lewis, 1773; Charles,
1775; Joseph, 1777; Jacob, 1781.
Lewis Maus, born in 1773, bought an ex-
tensive tract of land in Valley township (in
what is now Montour county), at that time
all a wilderness. He ran the first keel bot-
tom, boat on the Susquehanna. His wife,
Catherine Bachman, was of French descent,
and her father was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary war; the gun he carried passed into
the possession of his grandson, Andrew Jack-
son Maus. The Bachmans were also an old
Pennsylvania family. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
Maus had ten children, nine of whom grew
to maturity, among them being David D. and
Andrew Jackson, the latter the youngest of
the family.
David D. Maus was born at the old home-
stead now owned by his daughter (.Mrs. Jones)
in October, 181 8. By trade he was a machin-
ist, and with his brother, Lewis H. Maus,
built the first threshing machine in this part
of the State. He also followed farming. Mr.
Maus married Agnes Shoemaker, who was
born in May, 1833, in Hughesville, Pa., daugh-
ter of Jacob and Marjory (McCoimell) Shoe-
maker, of Muncy, this State; Mr. Shoemaker
was a farmer and also engaged in milling.
Mrs. Maus died Nov. 19, 1895, Mr. Maus
Feb. 12. 1898. They had only one child,
Catherine Bachman. born Nov. 26, 1862, at
the place where she now lives, the widow of
Horatio C. Jones. She received an excellent
448
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
education, and taught school in Valley town-
ship for a number of years, from 1887 to
1S99.
Horatio C. Jones was born in Phila-
delphia, Pa., Oct. 9, 1861, and came of an
old Quaker family, one of the oldest in that
city. They were of titled stock in Europe.
■Mark Thackeray Jones, of Philadelphia,
grandfather of Horatio C. Jones, married
^lary Conway, who belonged to a family of
distinguished Irish patriots, associates of
Robert Emmet, who suffered banishment.
Rev. Edward C. Jones, father of Horatio C.
Jones, was a clergyman of the Episcopal
Church, and he was a noted writer of his
day.
Horatio C. Jones was only nine years old
when his father died, and though he began
work quite young had excellent educational
advantages, attending Andalusia College, at
Philadelphia, also a military school at Bur-
lington, Pa. His parents had planned to have
him enter the ministry, but he preferred busi-
ness, and when fifteen years old commenced
to do office work in the Bank of the Repub-
lic, at Philadelphia, remaining in the same
employ until his death, Dec. 31, 1886, at which
time he was holding the position of general
ledger bookkeeper.
On Sept. 16. 1882, Mr. Jones married
Catherine Bachman Maus, and they had three
children, of whom but one survives, Horatio
P., born Nov. 28, 1884, at Camden, N. J. ; he
resides with his mother at the old Maus home-
stead, managing the agricultural work. Grace
Ashton and Catherine Pearson died in infancy.
Mrs. Maus lived on Broadway, Camden,
N. J., and later moved to Sharon Hillr- Dela-
ware county. Pa., near Philadelphia, returning
to the Maus homestead in the spring of 1887.
Mrs. Jones taught school in Valley town-
ship from 1887 to 1899, but she has since
given her time to the care of the old Maus
homestead, which is in a highly cultivated con-
dition. She is interested in dairying, having
twenty-six head of fine stock, registered
Guernseys. The fine springs on this place,
which have been known throughout this sec-
tion for over one hundred years, have been
profitably exploited for the last four years,
the water being sold for table use. The resi-
dence which Mrs. Jones occupies was built
by the family, and the old log part, still stand-
ing, is 102 years old. The family has one
of the largest collections of relics of ancient
days owned in Montour county, and Mrs.
Jones has numerous relics, papers dating back
over a century, etc., which she preserves in a
substantial glass case. The old Maus farm
has many associations of interest in the de-
velopment of the county. The old Franklin
furnace, built in 1845 by Samuel R. Wood,
was on this property.
Mrs. Maus reared her family in the Epis-
copal Church, 5he being a member of Christ
Memorial Episcopal Church, Danville. The
Mauses generally have been associated with
the Republican party.
II. Al. HINCKLEY, attorney, Danville, was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., June 2, 1850. a son
of Joel and Theodosia (Graydon) Hinckley.
His mother was a native of Harrisburg, of
Scotch-Irish origin. His father was born in
Vermont, a direct descendant of Elder Wil-
liam Brewster, of the "Mayflower."' Mr.
Hinckley is the only survivor of eight chil-
dren. He began his education in the common
schools of Harrisburg, and subsequently en-
tered Princeton College, where he graduated
in 1874. While in college he studied law, and
after graduation entered as a student the law
office of I. X. Grier, and was admitted to
practice in 1875.
In 1874 Mr. Hinckley married Amelia S.,
daughter of Mayberry and Catherine Gear-
hart. Mrs. Hinckley's parents were members
of the Society of F"riends and of German
descent. The following children have blessed
this union : Sarah G. ; John Maclean : Eleanor
G., wife of Charles F. Zimmerman, of
Lebanon, Pa. ; Edna, now deceased ; and
Elizabeth S., member of the faculty of the
State Normal School at Bloomsburg. Mr.
Hinckley and his family are Presbyterians,
members of the Mahoning Presbyterian
Church, in which he has been an elder for
thirty-four years. For nearly twenty-three
years Mr. Hinckley was superintendent of the
Sunday school of the Mahoning Church. He
is now conducting the East End mission, an
institution established for the uplifting and
betterment of men and women.
Mr. Hinckley is a Progressive Republican.
In 1888 he was appointed by Governor Beaver
as president judge of the Twenty-sixth Judi-
cial district, composed of the counties of Mon-
tour and Columbia. He served until January,
1889, when he resumed practice.
M. GRIER YOUNGMAN, cashier of the
Danville National Bank and one of the most
prominent of the younger citizens of that
borough, was born at Ilazleton. Pa.. May 30,
1871, being a son of Maj. John C. Youngman,
a banker of that city, and Hannah Jane Grier.
r
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
449
When he was eleven years of age his parents
moved to Wilson, Kans., where at the age of
fifteen he was taken into the employ of his
father as bookkeeper and clerk in the Bank
of Wilson. He rapidly acquired a thorough
knowledge of the banking business, and in
January, 1891, came to Danville as bookkeeper
for the Danville National Bank. On Nov. 21,
1894, he was elected assistant cashier, and on
July 15, 1897, was elected cashier, and con-
tinues at present to discharge the responsible
duties of that office. He has also served as
president of the board of trustees of the
Thomas Beaver Free Library, treasurer of
the Danville State Hospital, and treasurer and
manager of the Consumers' Gas Company.
He is now a director of the local Y. M. C. A.,
a trustee of the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, and a member of the board of trustees
of the Grove Presbyterian Church.
On Oct. II, 1894, Mr. Youngman was mar-
ried to Anna M. Gearhart, daughter of Bon-
ham R. and Mary Louise (Yorks) Gearhart,
Dr. McAtee, pastor of Grove Presbyterian
Church, Danville, performing the ceremony.
They have three children : Mary Louise, John
Bonham and Emma Margaret. Mr. Young-
man is a past master of Mahoning Lodge, No.
516, F. & A. M., past high priest of Danville
Chapter, No. 229, R. A. M., past commander
of Calvary Commandery, No. j^J, K. T.. Di-
vision Commander of the Eighteenth Divi-
sion of the Grand Commandery of Knights
Templar of Pennsylvania and a member of
Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-
Barre.
Mr. Youngman's father, the late Maj. John
C. Youngman, shortly after the Civil war
came to Danville and entered the employ of
the First National Bank. Later he went to
Hazleton as an ofiicer of the Pardee, Markle
& Grier bank. About that time he was mar-
ried to Hannah J. Grier, daughter of Michael
C. Grier. Besides M. Grier there were five
children in the family, the others being :
George C, cashier of the Turbotville National
Bank; John M., of Chicago; Mary G., wife
of Prof. G. C. L. Riemer, of Lewisburg, Pa. ;
Jean, of Elwyn, Pa. ; and Emma P., of Dan-
ville.
GEORGE M. GEARHART, deceased, was
best known in Danville through his associa-
tion with the Danville National Bank, with
which he was connected from 1864, for many
years as cashier and assistant cashier. Mr.
Gearhart belonged to an honored old family
of Northumberland county, Pa., where he was
29
born March 18, 1841, in Rush township, son
of Bonham R. and Elizabeth S. (Boyd)
Gearhart.
The Gearharts have been numerous and
prominent in Northumberland county since
shortly after the close of the Revolutionary
war, and one township of the county has been
named in their honor. Two brothers, Jacob
and William Gearhart, came to Northumber-
land county about 1790, the former settling in
what is now Gearhart township, the latter in
Rush township.
Jacob Gearhart was born in 1735 in Stras-
burg, then a city of France, now belonging to
Germany, and came to the New World when
a young man, landing at New York in 1754.
He soon crossed over into Hunterdon county,
N. J., where he made his home for many
years. When the Revolution broke out he
was among the first to offer his services to
his adopted country, enlisting in 1775, in the
Hunterdon county volunteers, with which he
served as a private. A man of brave and
fearless spirit, he was soon promoted to en-
sign and later to captain of the 2d New Jersey
Regiment, and stood so high in the confidence
of his superior officers that he was one of the
two New Jersey men chosen by Washington
to take charge of the crossing of the Dela-
ware on the eventful night of Dec. 25, 1776,
when the Hessian camp at Trenton was at-
tacked. The other was Captain Van Tenyck.
After the crossing had been eft'ected the boats
were placed in their charge, with orders to
destroy them should the expedition prove a
failure. Captain Gearhart also took part in
the battle of the Brandywine and spent the
hard winter of 1777-78 with Washington at
Valley Forge. At the close of the war he
returned to his old home in Hunterdon
county, N. J., but a few years later he joined
the tide of emigration which took many west-
ward from New Jersey into Pennsylvania and
from the eastern counties of Pennsylvania
farther out. Between 1785 and 1795 many
families from that region settled in what are
now Rush and Gearhart townships, Northum-
berland county, among them those of Capt.
Jacob Gearhart and his brother William. In
1 781 the former came West on a prospecting
tour, and he brought his family out later. In
1790 (another account says 1782) the Captain
and his family left Hunterdon county by
wagon train. Late one afternoon they came
to a deserted Indian hut close by a fine spring,
on the farm now owned by Mrs. I. H. Tor-
rence, a great-granddaughter of the Captain,
and decided to camp for the night. When
450
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the land was examined in tlie morning it was
found to be fertile, and the water was so
abundant and of such good quality that the
old warrior determined to found his home on
that site. He purchased land along the Sus-
quehanna from Kipp's run to Boyd's run, one
mile back from the river, all of it at that time
a dense forest. With the aid of his sons he
began to clear and till the land, and after
clearing a portion on a small blutf overlooking
the beautiful Susquehanna river he erected a
small frame house which is still standing,
though more than a hundred years old, and
is one of the old landmarks of the vicinity. It
is still owned by his descendants ; it was oc-
cupied by William F. Gearhart, who died in
1905. Captain Gearhart set out an orchard
which was completely destroyed by a hail-
storm in 1846. He acquired 1.500 acres, 200
of which he cleared. In 1813, after an active
life of seventy-eight years, Captain Gearhart
died, and his wife, Catharine Kline, survived
him a few years. They had a family of eleven
children, namely: Jacob, born in 1763, who
died in 1841 ; Herman, born in 1765, who
died in 1835; George, mentioned below; Wil-
liam, born in 1776, who died in 1854; Charles,
born in 1783, who died in 1863; John, bom
in 1788, who died in 1858: Isaac; Benjamin;
Elizabeth ; Mary ; and Catharine.
George Gearhart, son of Capt. Jacob and
Catharine (Kline) Gearhart, was born in what
is now Hunterdon county, N. J., and he be-
came a prosperous farmer and landowner.
He had a beautiful farm one mile from River-
side, along the bank of the Sus(|uehanna river
one mile south of the bridge, now forming
part of South Danville. It was a present
from his father to him at his majority, and
there he lived all his life. He erected many
Iniildings there, and as he prospered pur-
chased more land, at his death owning be-
tween three hundred and four hundred acres
along the Susquehanna. He was twice mar-
ried, his first wife being Acsah Runyan. who
died when a vnung woman, the mother of four
children: Bonliam R., Benjamin (who moved
out West), Eliza and Rebecca (married Wil-
son Mettler). His second wife was Phoebe
Lott, by whom he had three children : Achie,
George and Herman.
Bonham R. Gearhart. M. D., son of George
Gearhart, was born March 11. 181 1. on his
father's homestead in Rush township, and
there received his early education, later at-
tending acadeniv at Danville. He read med-
icine with Dr. H. Gearhart, of Bloomsburg,
and took a course at Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, from which he was graduated.
For two years Dr. Gearhart practiced at Sun-
bury, and he was subsequently in W'ashing-
tonville and Turbotville (1839-1844) before
settling at Danville, where he was in suc-
cessful practice to the close of his life. He
was one of the most popular physicians of his
day, and his death, which occurred May 9,
1855, when he was in his early forties, was
widely mourned. He died of pneumonia.
Dr. Gearhart married Elizabeth Steel I'.oyd,
daughter of William and Eliza (Steel) l!oyd[
of Danville, and granddaughter of William
Boyd, the founder of the family in America.
He was a colonel in the Revolution, and was
later promoted to general in the militia. Mrs.
Eliza (Steel) Boyd was the niece of General
Steel, of the Revolution. Mrs. Gearhart sur-
vived the Doctor many years, dying Jan. 21,
1904, at the advanced age of eighty-seven
years, eight months, twenty-nine days. They
were the parents of a large family, viz. : Wil-
liam Boyd, born Oct. 8, 1839, who lives at
No. 9 East Market street, Danville, married
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Butler, and
they have had children, Elizabeth Boyd and
Mary Atta, the former the wife of R. Scott
.\mmerman and the mother of four children,
Robert Boyd, William Edgar, Elizabeth Chris-
tine and Dorothy Atta; Acsah, born March
18, 1841. died April 3, 1841 ; George M. was
born March 18, 1841, on his father's birthday,
in the same room where his father was
born; Bonham R. was born May 20, 1843;
James B., born Oct. 26, 1844, died May i,
1846; Jasper Boyd, born Oct. 26, 1845. who
lives at the corner of Bloom and Walnut
streets, Danville, married (first) Florence
Yorks and after her death, Mrs. Margaret
(Thompson) Gearhart, and has one daugh-
ter, Emma G., Mrs. Fisher ; Alexander Mont-
gomery, born in Danville July 26, 1846, died
April 24, 1901, for many years station agent
at Danville for the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railway Company, married Martha
McCoy, daughter of Robert and Eleanor
( \'oris) McCoy, and they had two children,
Nell Bonham and Jasper (the daughter mar-
ried William L. McClure and had three chil-
dren, Harold Russel, Donald C, and Mont-
gomery) ; M. Grier, born in December, 1849,
is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
George M. Gearhart received a good educa-
tion in the public schools at Danville, grad-
uating from the high school. He learned the
drug trade with ]\Iichael C. Grier, and, as
the telegraph office was in the same store, he
learned telegraphy and subsequently was train
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
451
dispatclier at Kingston, Pa., on the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western railroad. He was so
engaged until 1864, when he moved to Dan-
ville and became teller in the Danville Na-
tional Bank, serving in that capacity for
twenty-seven years, during which time he
thoroughly familiarized himself with the
banking business and banking methods. He
was thus well qualified for his next step in
life, assuming the duties of cashier of the
bank, which position he held in a highly sat-
isfactory manner until 1896, when he was
obliged to give up work on account of ill
health. Mr. Gearhart spent some time in re-
tirement, but recuperated to such an e.xtent
that he was able to do work about the office
and acted as assistant cashier until his death,
which occurred March 9, 1910. It was re-
garded as a distinct loss to the community
where he had been active in financial circles
for so many years. He was possessed of ex-
cellent business ability, and was decidedly
successful in the management of his affairs,
owning his beautiful residence on Market
street and considerable other property in the
town. He had many excellent traits of char-
acter, and no citizen of Danville ever had
more friends or was held in higher esteem
than Mr. Gearhart. He was treasurer and
secretary of the Danville Bridge Company,
and served on the school board for three years.
He was a member of the Grove Presbyterian
Church, of which he was an elder.
In 1865 .Mr. Gearhart married Cordelia E.
Clark, who was born April 19, 1842, at Potts-
ville. Pa., and survives him, continuing to
'make her home at Danville. Three children
were born to this marriage: David C, born
Nov. I, 1866, died May 26, 1870; Charles
Willets. born July 15, 1871, a graduate of
Lehigh University, was for a time electrical
engineer at the power house of the Brooklyn
bridge, later in the electrical supply business
]at Brooklyn, N. Y., and is now with the
Berkely Construction Company, New York
(he married Louise M. Rodman, and their
children are Louisa, Georgianna and Rod-
man) ; Eleanor Clark, born Nov. 13, 1873, is
the wife of Frederick C. Kirkendall, of
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (president of the Times-
Leader Publishing Company), and has three
children, Fred Charles, Eleanor and Cordelia.
D.wiD Clark, father of Mrs. Cordelia E.
Gearhart, was born Jan. 31, 1814, at Cata-
^vissa. Pa., son of John and Jane (Clark)
Clark. The parents were not related, though
bearing the same name. The ancestors on
ooth sides were early settlers of Pennsylvania.
John Clark was a saddler by occupation. He
and his wife had a family of seven children,
of whom David, the youngest, long survived
the rest. He attended school in his native
town and passed his early manhood there, be-
ginning work as clerk in a store. After being
thus engaged for a few years he became a
merchant on his own account, keeping a gen-
eral store until 1845, when he was elected
justice of the peace. Soon after this, how-
ever, he changed his residence to Danville,
in 1846, where in 1850 he became associated
actively with the Danville National Bank, of
which institution he was one of the founders.
His first position in the bank was that of
teller, from which he was promoted to as-
sistant cashier, and in 1864 he became cashier.
Subsequently he was elected president of the
bank, and served in that capacity until his
death, which occurred Dec. 17, 1893, in his
eightieth year. Though most of his time and
attention was devoted to the bank he had in-
terests in various other local enterprises,
among them the nail works, of which he was
a director. He was elected burgess of the
borough, discharging the duties of that posi-
tion to the satisfaction of all concerned, and
was highly esteemed in every relation of life.
Politically he was a Republican, fraternally
a Freemason. He attended the Alahoning
Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Clark married Eleanor Gearhart, who
was born in 1819, daughter of William Gear-
hart and granddaughter of William Gearhart,
brother of Jacob Gearhart. She died in Octo-
ber, 1842, the mother of one child, Cordelia
E. (Mrs. Gearhart). For his second wife
Mr. Clark married Desdemona Wadsworth,
of Catawissa, and had two children: Mary,
wife of William C. Frick ; and William Mc-
Gill, who died young.
William Gearhart, brother of Capt. Jacob
Gearhart, was born in Strasburg, Germany,
and came to America in 1754. He settled in
Hunterdon county, N. J. When the Revolu-
tionary war broke out he enlisted in the
Hunterdon county militia and was promoted
to ensign. After the war, about 1790, he
came to Northumberland county and pur-
chased a large tract of land to the southeast
of his brother Capt. Jacob Gearhart's tract,
settling in Rush township. In New Jersey he
married Eleanor DeKnight, and they became
the parents of four sons and three daughters,
as follows: William, Aaron, Tobias, Jacob,
Elizabeth (Mrs. Amens), Ann (Mrs, .A.mens)
and Mary (Mrs. Lamberson).
Williarn Gearhart, son of William, was
452
COLUMBIA AND .MOXTOUR COUNTIES
f
born in New Jersey, married Sarah Boone,
and had children as follows: Mayberry, born
in 1813; Harriet. 1S15 (married Lewis
Yetter ) ; Juliann, 1818 (married Samuel
Darder) ; Eleanor, 1819 (married David
Clark) ; Amelia, 1821 (married G. M.
Shoop).
EDWIN ADAMS CURRY, M. D., physi-
cian of Danville, Montour county, is a mem-
ber of the fourth generation of his family in
the county, where the Currys have always
maintained high standing. They have been
especially prominent in the iron manufactur-
ing industry, which has brought considerable
wealth to the community and made possible
much of the advancement evidenced in the
condition of the borough and the prosperity
of its institutions.
Robert Curry, the Doctor's great-grand-
father, was one of the earliest settlers of this
part of Pennsylvania. He was born in the
North of Ireland June 9, 1741, and educated
in the schools of his native county, where his
father was a well-to-do linen manufacturer.
He came to America in 1772, settling on Ma-
honing creek, in what is now Valley town-
ship, Montour Co., Pa., and there followed
farming. He was killed and scalped by the
Indians June 9, 1780. He was a Presbyterian
in religious belief, served as trustee of his
church, and was one of the first to give his
money and influence toward the propagation
of the gospel in these parts. He married Jane
McWilliams in Belfast, Ireland, and four
children were born to them : James, who was
born in Ireland, grew to manhood and set-
tled in Ohio ; Robert, who settled on the north
branch of the Susquehanna river; William,
who settled on the home place in Valley town-
ship, Montour Co., Pa. (he married Jane
Moore and they were the parents of Hon.
James Curry) ; and Jane, the first white child
ijorn between the north and west branches of
the Susquehanna river, who married Robert
.McWilliams. The sons were well-to-do far-
mers, noted for their honesty and integrity.
Robert Curry, the son of Robert mentioned
as having settled on the north branch of the
Susquehanna river, was the grandfather of
Dr. Edwin Adams Curry. He was a farmer
by occupation.
Thomas Cousart Curry, son of Robert Cur-
ry and a grandson of Robert Curry, the pio-
neer, was born in 1830 on the old homestead
of his parents in Northumberland county.
Pa. He came to Danville in 1849. and had
two sisters who also made their home in the
town; his brother Robert lived in an adjoin-
ing county; his brother Hugh in Michigan,
and William in Kentucky. Thomas C. Curry
was a machinist by trade, and he became en-
gaged in that line of business as a member
of the firm of Cruikshank, Mayer & Co., own-
ers of the property and business of the Enter-
prise Foundry & Alachine Shops, on Ferry
street, Danville, which they conducted for
many years. After selling his interest in this
concern Mr. Curry lived retired the rest of
his days, dying in September, 1910, at the
age of eighty years. He gave strict attention
to his business affairs, but took the interest of
a public-spirited citizen in the general welfare,
and served as school director and member of
the council. He married Phoebe Ellen Mus-
selman. who was born July 21. 1833, and died
Jan. 24, 1906, in her seventy-third year. Of
the children born to them seven survive,
namely: Mrs. Elizabeth C. Fisher; Hugh C.,-
of Riverside, Pa. ; William M., an attorney,
of Scranton, Pa. ; Thomas C, a machinist, of
Sunbury, Pa.; John R. M.. of Danville;
Ralph, and Edwin Adams. The late Daniel
M. Curry, of Danville, a prominent iron man-
ufacturer, was also one of the sons.
Edwin Adams Curry was born June 2, 1863,
in Danville, where he received his early edu-
cation in the public schools. Later he took a
classical course at Dickinson College, Carlisle,
Pa., after which he entered the medical de-
partment of the University of Pennsylvania,
from which he was graduated in May, 1889.
This was followed by a year's work in the
city hospital at \\'ilkes-Barre, and since 1890
he has been in general practice at Danville.
He is a member of the Montour County Med-
ical Society, the Pennsylvania State ^ledical
Society and the American Medical Associa-
tion, and has been honored with election to
the presidency of the first named. His high
reputation, both in his profession and per-
sonally, is well deserved. In spite of the du-
ties of an extensive practice he has given some
time to local affairs, having served eleven
years as school director, in which office he has
done valuable work, his facilities for observa-
tion qualifying him particularly well to judge
of the needs of the community. He is a di-
rector of the Danville National Bank. Frater-
nally the Doctor holds membership in the B.
P. 0. Elks (Lodge No. 754. Danville) and
the Masons, in which latter he has attained
the thirty-second degree and is a Shriner.
In 1893 Dr. Curry married Ella May
Haupt, of Danville, and they have one child,
Phoebe.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
453
Daniel M. Curry, son of Thomas C.
and Phoebe (Musselman) Curry, was born
Sept. 25, 1861, in Danville, where he passed
all his life. He received a public school edu-
cation and learned the trade of machinist
which he continued to follow, as employe and
owner of works, all his life. He was first in
business as partner with F. H. Vannan, in
association with whom lie carried on a ma-
chine shop and foundry for thirteen or fifteen
years. Mr. Vannan retiring at the end of
that period, Mr. Curry purchased his share,
becoming sole owner of the business, which he
continued to conduct for four or five years.
In i<j02 he was associated with Messrs. Price
& Pursel in the organization of the Danville
Structural Tubing Company, and remained a
member of that concern until his death, June
10, 1906. This last named concern was and
is still one of the largest employers of labor
in Danville, and Mr. Curry's services in es-
tablishing its affairs upon a solid basis were
highly appreciated by his partners, who still
carry on the business. He was considered one
of the notably successful men of the borough.
Mr. Curry was a Knight Templar Mason,
belonging to Calvary Commandery, No. ^J ;
he was a past master of Blue Lodge, No. 224,
F. & A. M., and a member of Danville Chap-
ter, No. 239, R. A. .M.
FORBES HARLEY VANNAN is now
living retired at South Riverside, but still re-
tains large interests at Danville, Montour Co.,
Pa. He was born at Glasgow, Scotland, Nov.
24, 1837, a son of James and Mary (Binning)
Vannan.
James Vannan was in early life a chemist.
Coming to the United States in 1842, he
learned the machinist's trade at Carbondale,
Pa., where he worked until 1864, the year of
his removal to Scranton, Pa. There he worked
until his retirement and continued to reside
until his death, which occurred when he was
eighty-one and a half years old, as he was
born Oct. 31, 1806, at Alloway, Scotland,
and died March 23, 1888. He had married at
Bathgate, Scotland, on Jan. 25, 1830, Mary
Binning, born at Bathgate, July 24, 1805, who
died Aug. 2, 1847. Mrs. Vannan and the
children remained in Scotland for three years
after Mr. \'annan came to this country, wait-
ing until he had firmly established himself.
They had the following family : Mary Hut-
ton Eaton, who was born at Bathgate, Scot-
land, Oct. 3, 1830; James, born at Glasgow,
Scotland, Feb. i, 1834; Joseph Binning, born
at Laurieston, Scotland, Jan. 20, 1836;
Forbes H., and Thomas Binning, born at Glas-
gow, Scotland, Nov. 14, 1839. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Vannan was mar-
ried May 25, 1849, to Mrs. Janet Craig Bry-
den, of Carbondale, Pa. She died and is
buried at Forty Fort, Luzerne county.
Forbes Harley X'annan grew up at Car-
bondale, where he attended the public schools.
He learned the trade of machinist in the D. L.
& W. railroad shops, where he was employed
for nine years, following which he went on
the road for a year as an engineer. He was
then with F. K. Haine, working for the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company (Erie division)
as foreman of the machine shops at Lock
Haven, Pa., for six months, when he became
foreman for Charles Graham at Kingston, Pa.,
and so continued for eight years. For the next
eight years he was superintendent of the Wy-
oming Valley rManufacturing Company at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and in 1879 came to Dan-
ville to enter the employ of Waterman &
Beaver, in their iron works, as master me-
chanic. Later, when the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Railroad Company bought this plant, Mr.
\'annan continued with the latter for seven
years. He was with the South Scranton mill
at Scranton, Pa., as master mechanic for one
year, and was afterward with the North
Branch Steel Company and the Mahoning
Rolling Mills Company as an engineer at Dan-
ville, until his retirement therefrom, in 1908.
Meantime, in association with Daniel M. Cur-
ry, !Mr. Vannan bought the foundrj' and ma-
chine department of the old Mahoning Roll-
ing Mills Company, but after a few years sold
his interest to Mr. Curry. However, when
the latter died, Mr. Vannan and Thomas J.
Price took over the shops and incorporated
the Danville Foundry & Machine Company,
of which he has since been president.
Mr. \'annan designed and built the first
locomotive constructed at Wilkes-Barre, while
he was the head of the Wyoming \'alley Man-
ufacturing Company. His wise and capable
supervision of the men under him always
gained their confidence and respect, and while
he was superintendent at Danville, in 1881,
his men evinced their friendship by present-
ing him a watch, which he cherishes to this
day.
On Dec. 15, 1859, Mr. Vannan mar-
ried Emeline Albright Parr, of Scranton, Pa.,
who was born at Belvidere, N. J., in May,
1841, daughter of William and Caroline (Al-
bright) Parr. Mr. Parr was an iron molder.
Mrs. Vannan died at South Danville, Aug.
31, 191 1, the mother of children as follows:
454
COLU.MBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Irvin. born Oct. 12, i860, in Scranton, who
is general manager and mechanical engineer
of the Danville Foundry & Machine Company
at Danville; George, born June 4, 1862, who
died Sept. 2, 1863, in Scranton, Pa.; and Wal-
ter, born Dec. 26, 1866, who is at home.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church
holds Mr. Vannan's membership and receives
generous support from him. In 1867 Mr.
Vannan joined the Masons, and has contin-
ued an enthusiastic member ever since. He
is now the only living charter member of
Kingston Lodge, No. 395, F. & A. M
COL. CHARLES WESLEY ECKMAN,
now deceased, was a noted man in every
avenue of life. He was born June 27,
1837. at Punxsutawney, Pa., where he re-
ceived the meager educational advantages of
its public schools at that day. He was first
educated to more peaceful fields. His youth-
ful days were spent on a farm which never
lost its attractions. An an early date he
came to Danville, Pa., to reside with an uncle.
At the age of nineteen years, Garfield-
like he trod the towpath of the now abandoned
Pennsylvania canal and became a boatman.
At the tocsin of Civil war he enlisted, be-
coming a private in Company H, 93d Regi-
ment of Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers,
and for a time was lost as a private soldier
in the ranks of the Union army. But only for
a time, for the retiring boy climbed rapidly
from the musket way up into the shoulder-
straps of military distinction.
As a Union soldier his term of seiTfice was
long. He enlisted at Danville. Pa.. Sept. 15,
1861. and constantly continued in the service
until he was mustered out at Danville, Va.,
June 2-/, 1865. As already stated, his rise
was rapid. He was promoted on the field
twice in a single day for meritorious services,
and at the close of the war he was in command
of the 1st Brigade of the 2d Division of the
6th Corps of the Army of the Potomac —
said to have been "The finest corps that ever
faced a foe." He was assigned to the head of
his corps (6th) at the grand review of the
Army of the Potomac at Washington, D. C,
after the sunset at Appomattox. He was then
tendered the rank of brigadier general in the
regular army service, which he declined with
the modest remark that he had "seen enough
of war." He was wounded three times in the
battle of the Wilderness, but he never left the
field until the end of that long and doubtful
struggle. At the battle of Cedar Creek he had
two horses shot under him in less than twenty
minutes and was himself almost mortally
wounded in the side by a bombshell that tore
the head oft' his horse and the pommel off his
saddle. He led that matchless charge up
iMarye's Heights at Fredericksburg and re-
ceived special recognition from President
Lincoln.
He took part in the following battles fought
by the Army of the Potomac : Siege of York-
town, \'a., April, 1862; Williamsburg, Va.,
Mav 5. 1862; Fair Oaks, \'a.. May 31, 1862;
Malvern Hill, Va., July i, 1862; Chantilly,
Va., Sept. I, 1862; Antietam, Md., Sept. 17,
1862; Fredericksburg, \'a., Dec. 13, 1862, and
Marye's Heights, \'a. ; Salem Heights, Va.,
May 3, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-3, 1863;
Rappahannock Station, Va.. Nov. 7, 1863 ;
Mine Run, Va., Dec. 2, 1863; Wilderness, Va.,
■Alay 5-6, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House,
\'a., ^lay 12-13. 1864; Cold Harbor. Va.,
June 1-2, 1864; before Petersburg, Va., June
18. 1864; Fort Stevens, D. C, July 17, 1864;
Charlestown, \'a.. Aug. 21, 1864; Bunker Hill,
\'a.. Sept. 13, 1864; Opequan, \'a., Sept. 19,
1864; Flint Hill, Va., Sept. 21, 1864; Fishers
Hill, \'a., Sept. 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, Va.,
Oct. 19, 1864; Winchester, Va., Oct. 19, 1864;
before Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865 ; be-
fore Petersburg, \'a.. April 2, 1865; Sailor's
Creek, \'a., April 6, 1865; Lee's surrender,
April g, 1865.
At the close of the Rebellion Colonel Eck-
man returned to Danville, Pa., where he was
engaged in the mercantile business for the
term o'f three years. In 1866 he. with other
business associates, purchased the Danville
Oil Refinery, which he operated for about
three years. Meantime he was also engaged
in other business pursuits. In 1869 he was
appointed postmaster of Danville, Pa., which
position he held continuously for seventeen
and a half years. He then removed to the city
of Reading, Pa., where he resided for about
one year, thence removing to the city of Har-
risburg, Pa., where he first became the super-
intendent of the Lochiel Iron and .Steel \\^orks
and afterward superintendent of the Coleman
blast furnace at that place. He then returned
to Danville. Pa., where he became a manager
of the Danville Bessemer Steel Company.
C)n July 3. 1866, Colonel Eckman married
Sophia Starker Gearhart, a daughter of May-
berry and Mary Catherine Gearhart. and who
still resides at the Roaring Creek home. Three
children also still survive him : Miss Katha-
rine G. Eckman, who resides at home; Miss
Elizabeth Boone Eckman, a graduate of the
Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, former-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
455
Iv superintendent of the Bryn Mawr Hospital,
and of the Good Samaritan Hospital at Lex-
ington, Ky. ; Hester R. Eckman, now the wife
of George W. Darby, of the city of Harris-
burg, Pa., and who, in turn, have two chil-
dren, Elizabeth and Christine Darby.
Declining years lured Colonel Eckman back
to the soil, and he spent his last years in his
Roaring Creek home. The roar of a mountain
stream called another Cincinnatus back to the
plough. His home life was ideal. To know
him there was to love him. He had no ene-
mies. His friends were everywhere. In van-
ishing army circles they still affectionately
call him "the old war horse of the 93d" — the
regiment of four tlags. The camp of the
Sons of Veterans at l3anville, Pa., still bears
his honored name. He was the soul of honor
and the badge of integrity. He never left a
duty and he never betrayed a trust. He was
a modest man. The world never saw his
scars. He told no story of matchless conflict.
For years he suiifered in silence the renewed
pangs of Cedar Creek and then there fell on
his wasted brow the breath of the eternal
morning. He died May 3, 1906, regretted by
all who ever knew him and to all of whom
his life is still a gentle memory.
"Sedgwick," his faithful steed, has long
since ceased to graze along the shady hillside.
A bridle without a rein and an old saddle,
once flecked with blood and foam, still hang
empty on memorial walls. But his magnifi-
cent sword — the gift of his soldiers — is still
as spotless as his life. Time has tarnished
neither. In the City of the Silent he sleeps
as modestly as he lived. His monument is
a reunited nation.
Colonel Eckman was a Freemason, belong-
ing to the blue lodge and commandery at Dan-
ville, and to the chapter at Bloomsburg. He
also held membership in the G. A. R. post at
Danxille. He was acti\e in politics for years,
working long and effectively in the interest of
the Republican party, in which his influence
did much to shape local atifairs. He was
brought up in the .Methodist Episcopal Church.
Colonel Eckman was a grandson of John
Eckman, a native of New Jersey, who settled
with his family at Kline's Grove, Northum-
berland Co., Pa., where the family is still
represented. -He was a farmer all his life.
Isaac Eckman, son of John, and father of
Colonel Eckman, was born Nov. 8, 1809, '^^
Northumberland county, and died Nov. 3,
1874. He was a carpenter by trade and also
followed farming.
Mrs. Sophia Starker (Gearhart) Eckman
continues to make her home on the old place
in Mayberry township before mentioned,
where she was born Jan. 31, 1846, daughter
of Mayberry and Mary Catherine (Nixon)
Gearhart. Her godmother was a Mayberry,
of the family which at one time had such ex-
tensive holdings of land in that part of Mon-
tour county named in their honor.
The Gearhart family, to which Mrs. Eck-
man belongs, has been numerous and promi-
nent in Northumberland county since shortly
after the close of the Revolutionary war, and
one township of the county has been named
in their honor. Two brothers, Jacob and
William Gearhart, came to Northumberland
county about 1790, the former settling in what
is now Gearhart township, the latter in Rush
township.
William Gearhart, brother of Capt. Jacob
Gearhart, was born in Strasburg, Alsace-Lor-
raine ( now part of Germany ) , and came to
.\merica in 1754. He settled in Hunterdon,
N. J. When the Revolutionary war broke
out he enlisted in the Hunterdon county mili-
tia and was promoted to ensign. After the
war, about 1790, he came to Northumberland
county, Pa., and purchased a large tract of
land to the southeast of his brother, Capt.
Jacob Gearhart's tract, settling in Rush town-
ship. In New Jersey he married Eleanor
DeKnight, and they were the parents of four
sons and three daughters, as follows : William,
Aaron, Tobias, Jacob, Elizabeth (Mrs.
Aniens), Ann (Mrs. Aniens) and Mary (Mrs.
Lomison).
William Gearhart, son of William, was
i)orn in New Jersey, married Sarah Boone,
and had children as follows : Mayberry. born
■May 26, 1813; Harriet, 1815 (married Lewis
Yet'ter) ; Juliann, 1818 (died Nov. 8, 1910,
aged ninety-two years) ; Eleanor, 1819 (mar-
ried David Clark), and ,\melia Douglass, 1821
(married Gideon M. Shoop).
Mayberry Gearhart, born !\Iay 26. 1813,
was a prominent man in the township which
was named in his honor. In his early life he
was a school-master and singing teacher, and
in his later manhood, as a farmer, he was one
of the most successful and substantial citi-
zens of his neighborhood. His remarkable
constitution enabled him to withstand the
trials and hardships which beset the husband-
man of fifty years ago. and such was the con-
fidence imposed in his integrity his neighbors
all considered his word as good as his bond.
He possessed an excellent memory, and his
recollections of the old training days and the
early history of this section of the State were
456
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
highly entertaining to all who were permitted
to listen to him when in a reminiscent mood.
His death occurred Aug. 5, 1893. On Feb.
18, 1845, Mr. Gearhart married Mary Cathe-
rine Nixon, who was born June 20, 1827, and
died Jan. 19. 1883. They had a family of
seven children, as follows : William G., de-
ceased, married Margaret Thompson, of Dan-
ville ; Sophia S. is the widow of Charles W.
Eckman ; Clarence Frick, deceased, married
Malissa Bird (whose father was the founder
of Sliamokin, Pa.), and they had two chil-
dren, Minnie Hinckley (married Elton Meade,
of Lincoln, Nebr. ) and Magdalen (married
Gustav Peter, of York, Nebr., and has one
child. Stein) ; Amelia became the wife of
Henry M. Hinckley, of South Danville, Pa. ;
Edward Sayre, who lives in Danville, married
Ella Creveling, and their children are .Mary
Catherine, Helen Sophia, Marian and Evelyn
Regina ; Elizabeth Boone is the wife of Wil-
liam Vastine, of Danville, and George S., who
lives at Catawissa, married Harriet Louisa
Yetter, and has one child, William Lewis.
The mother of this family, Mrs. Mary
Catherine (Nixon) Gearhart, was born at
Morristown, N. J., and was of Puritan de-
scent, the only daughter of James and Sophia
(Starker) Nixon. Her father was an ex-
tensive contractor and assisted in building the
Morris canal. Mrs. Gearhart was only a child
when he died, and her early training devolved
entirely upon her mother, who was regarded
as a woman of sterling character and remark-
able powers of mind. When Mrs. Gearhart
was ten years old her mother moved with her
to Easton, Pa., where they remained three
years, and then moved to Columbia county,
where she resided until her marriage to Mr.
Gearhart, at which time she made her home in
Roaringcreek, continuing to reside there un-
til her death.
FRANK R. JACKSON, late of Berwick,
was one of the ablest men of his generation
there. As one of the managers of the Jackson
& Woodin Manufacturing Company, whose
plant at Berwick became one of the branches
of the American Car and Foundry Company
in 1899, and president for several years of the
First National Bank at Berwick, he had a
foremost place in the financial and manufac-
turing activities of the place.
Mr. Jackson was born in Berwick Nov. 10,
1850, son of M. W. Jackson. He was edu-
cated in the schools of Berwick, Williamsport
and Mechanicsburg, Pa., and when of age
became interested in the Jackson & Woodin
^Manufacturing Company, becoming one of
the active managers of the concern. He was
also part owner of the Jackson Iron Company
in Union county. Pa. .\fter serving as a
director of the First National Bank until 1903
he was then elected president, which position
he continued to fill until his death.
On Sept. 3, 1873, Mr. Jackson was married
to Alice Amerman, of Danville, Pa., a member
of one of the leading families of that section.
One child was born to this marriage, Katharine
E., now the wife of Henry P. Field, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Jackson served as treasurer of the
County Agricultural Society and was for years
one of the trustees of the Y. M. C. A. of
Berwick. Besides taking an active interest
in the development of the business of his
native city he was a contributor to all other
afifairs that had for their object the betterment
of Berwick. He was a member of the Metho-
dist Church. In politics he was a Republican,
and a firm believer in and liberal supporter
of the policies of the party.
Mr. Jackson died June 23, 1909. Mrs. Jack-
son passed away May 25, 1899, and they are
buried at Berwick.
HON. DENNIS BRIGHT, late of Dan-
\ille. was during his active years one of the
most prominent merchants of the borough,
and though he lived retired for several years
before his death he retained his interest in
various enterprises. He was also in the public
service some years, and in every association
won and retained the respect and admiration
of those whose lives touched his. His pros-
perity was the result of intelligent application
to whatever he undertook, his popularity the
reward of just dealings with all his fellow
men. He belonged to a family of German
and French extraction established in this
country by his great-grandfather, Michael
liright, who came here from the Palatinate
almost two centuries ago.
Michael Bright was born in Christianstadt,
Germany, May 6. 1706, son of John Bright.
Coming to America in October, 1726, at the
age of twenty years, when the Province of
Pennsylvania consisted of three counties,
Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester, he located
in Chester county. In 1728 he located at
SchaefTerstown, Chester county, one of the
oldest towns in the State, and there he became
an extensive landowner. He married Mar-
garet Simon, a daughter of Jacob Simon, and
to their union were born the following chil-
dren: Jacob, born .\pril 13, 1729; George m
<y^ j^^. . >^
i.J.1^-"-" '
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
457
June, 1 73 1 ;, Micliael, Nov. 24, 1732; Cath-
erine, April 6, 1734; John, Jan. 20, 1736;
Peter, May 13, 1738; David, Aug. 9, 1740;
Maria, Aug. i, 1742; Sally, June 7, 1745; and
Christian, April 6, 1747.
Michael Bright, son of Michael, was born
in Lebanon county, Pa., and was a saddler
by trade. At an early day he located in
Reading, Berks Co., Pa., where he kept one
of the first hotels and was a very large land-
owner. In 1760 he built a residence on the
comer of Fifth and Washington streets, and
there lived until his death, in 1814. His first
marriage was to Sarah Stoner, by whom he
had two children, Michael and Jacob. His
second union was to Mrs. Catherine Brower,
and their union was blessed with four chil-
dren: Sarah, born Nov. 11. 1769; David;
Peter; and John, who died in infancy.
David Bright was born in Reading, Aug.
5, 1771, and took up agricultural work upon
reaching manhood. He also followed team-
ing and did considerable building in and about
that city, being one of its most enterprisiu":
citizens. On Jan. ij. 1793, he married
Catherine Hottenstien, who lived to the age
of eighty years, and they became the parents
of the following children : Sally, born Dec.
25, 1793, who married M. Yeager; Michael,
born Aug. 16, 1795; Abbie, born Jan. i, 1797.
who married George Fisler ; William, born
Sept. 2, 1798, who married Susan Lora ;
Catherine, born Feb. 19, 1800, the wife
of John Green; Peter, born Nov. 21, 1801 ;
John, born Dec. 5, 1803; David, born Dec. 25,
1808; Aaron, born July 8, 1809, who married
Maria Miller; and Francis, born Sept. i. 1812.
Peter Bright was born Nov. 21, 1801, at
Reading, and early in life moved to Valley
township, Montour county, where he pur-
chased the farm which his son Dennis after-
ward owned. There he carried on general
farming and became one of the foremost men
of that section. He erected new buildings on
the propert}', and made many other improve-
ments, opening up a limestone f|uarry, from
which he supplied limestone to the Danville
furnaces. He also burned considerable lime,
and was a very energetic and prosperous busi-
ness man. He died at the age of eighty-one
years. In December, 1827, he married ^Iary
Evans, who was of Welsh origin, a daughter
of Philip and .Ann Elizabeth (Van Reed)
Evans. Her ancestors settled in Chester
county. Pa., as early as 1730. Eleven children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bright : Rebecca,
who married Emanuel Sidler ; Abner and
David, who died at an early age ; Hiram, who
married Rhoda A. Butler, and lives in the
State of Indiana; Evans, deceased; Dennis;
Albert, deceased; Penina, of Danville; Philip,
deceased; Abbie, the wife of William Achen-
bach, and Mary, deceased. Hiram and Mrs.
Achenbach, the latter a resident of Glad-
brook, Iowa, are the only survivors.
Dennis Bright was born March 22, 1839,
on the old homestead in \alley township, and
obtained his primary education in the dis-
trict schools. Then he walked three miles
back and forth daily, that being the distance
from his father's farm to Danville, in order
that he might further his education by a
course in the Danville Academy. He next
entered Greenwood Seminary, where he re-
mained for two years, following which he
became a student in the Pittsburgh Com-
mercial College, where he received a business
education, graduating in 1856. Returning
home, he assisted his father in the labors of
the farm until 1861, when he removed to
Lafayette, Warren Co., Ind., which was the
home of one of his brothers. Upon the com-
mencement of hostilities in the Civil war he
determined to enter the service, and on April
20, 1861, he enlisted in the 15th Indiana \'ol-
unteer Infantry, for three months. The regi-
ment was held in Indianapolis by Governor
Morton until the expiration of that term, and
when the call for three years' men was made
he reenlisted. on June 14, 1861, becoming first
sergeant of Company A, of the same regi-
ment. The regiment's first engagement was
at Rich ^lountain, W. \'a., where, having put
the enemy to rout, the regiment was gi\en
orders to pursue them in their retreat. At
Elkwater the retreating regiment turned and
made a bold stand, and in the engagement
which followed Mr. Bright was wounded i)y
a musket ball passing through his ankle, dis-
abling him to such an extent that he was pre-
vented from active service until the following
spring. He was then ordered to his regiment
and was promoted to a captaincy on the statif
of Brig. Gen. George D. Wagner, his brigade
having been transferred from West \'irginia
to the army of General Buell in Kentucky for
the investment of Fort Henry and Fort
Donelson. Having figured in the capture of
these two important points, the brigade joined
the army of General Grant in Tennessee, and
at the battle of Pittsburg Landing Captain
Bright received an injury in his wounded
ankle and was incapacitated for further active
duty. He was detailed to garrison and pro-
vost duty, and after a service of two years
was lionorably discharged. Immediately
458
COLUMBIA AND MUXTOUR COUNTIES
thereafter he received an appointment as an
assessor of internal revenue. Governor
Geary subsequently appointed him lieutenant
colonel of the 8th Division. National Guard
of Pennsylvania.
Locating in Danville Mr. Liright, in com-
pany with Col. Charles Eckman. purchased
the plant of what became known as the
Atlantic Oil Refining Company, which was
established by John Heller and Charles
Shultz. From the crude oil they refined il-
luminating oil and lubricating oil in large
([uantities and did a very extensive business.
In 1872 they disposed of this business to
Bailey & Welsch. Mr. Bright, having heard
nothing for some jxars of his brother Philip,
who had gone to California, crossed the con-
tinent to search for him and found that he
had been robbed and murdered. Returning
one year later he bought the hardware estab-
lishment of \'an Alen & Company, which
business he continued to carry on for fifteen
years, first at the \'an Alen place on Mill
street. When the opera house was built he
moved the business to that building, where he
remained until he sold out to E. J. iloore.
After the death of his mother he became
owner of the family estate in Valley town-
ship, including the limestone quarries con-
nected therewith. He owned a winter home
and orange grove in Marion count}'. Fla.,
where he spent the winters for several years
before his death. His home at Xo. 132
]\Iarket street. Danville, is a fine brick resi-
dence, and the site commands an excellent
view of the Susquehanna river, as well as
beautiful mountain scenery.
In 1872 Mr. Bright was elected a member
of the State Legislature, and he had the honor
of being the first Republican to represent his
district in that body. He died Sept. 17, 1910.
and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at
Danville.
In Februarv. 1872. Mr. Bright married
Lucy M. Reay. who was born Sept. 8, 1843,
in the suburbs of Birmingham, England,
daughter of John and Mary (Summerfield)
Reav. }ilr. and Mrs. Bright had no children.
SAMUEL JAMES WELLIVER. of Dan-
ville, has long been one of the best known men
in the hardware trade in and around that bor-
ough, where he founded the wholesale es-
tablishment now known as the Welliver Hard-
ware Company.
Mr. Welliver was born in Montour county
Feb. 3. 1841. son of Abraham and Martha
(_\\'inder) Welliver, natives of Pennsylvania.
whose ancestors were among the early set-
tlers of the State. The grandfather was an
early settler in Columbia county. Abraham
Welliver was a shoemaker by trade, and
worked at farming all his life.
Samuel J. \\'elliver attended the common
schools and later Greenwood Seminary, at
^Millville, Columbia Co., Pa. His first occu-
pation was teaching school, which profession
he followed for six years. He then came to
Danville, and in company with his brother,
William R., established a book and stationery
store. Two years later they merged this
business into a general store, which they car-
ried on for several years, when Samuel J. Wel-
liver sold his interest to his brother and sub-
sequently took charge of the hardware store
of Charles H. Waters, until the latter's death.
He then conducted the store for the widow
and was also with Mr. Waters" successor one
year, at the end of that time entering the
hardware business on his own account, in
1875. A year later he formed a partnership
with James McCormick which lasted for seven
years, when Mr. Welliver bought out Mr.
McCormick's interest and in 1883 formed an
association with Mr. J. H. Cole, establishing
the firm of Welliver & Cole, who conducted
the business for the next seven years. Then
Mr. Welliver purchased iMr. Cole's share, and
in 1894 the Welliver Hardware Company was
incorporated with a capital of $25,000, which
in 1896 was increased to Sioo,ooo. This con-
cern has high standing in the trade all over
this section of the State. For five years Mr.
Welliver conducted a hardware store at Xan-
ticoke. Pa., which he had established, selling
same to his son.
In 1865 Mr. Welliver enlisted in Company
I, 104th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry,
with which he served until the close of the
war. principally as clerk in the provost mar-
shal's office. At the close of the war he was
deputized to administer the oath of allegiance.
He has served his fellow citizens in Danville
as member of the board of health. He is a
Democrat and has acted as judge of election.
In 1866 Mr. Welliver married Elizabeth
Best, who is of English origin, daughter of
Simeon Best. They have had eleven children,
of whom four died in childhood, the others
being: Warren W.. ^lary Martha, Bertha,
Lulu. Harry, Jessie J. (deceased) and
Frances. Mrs. Welliver is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Wel-
liver belongs to the Baptist Church. He is a
member of Lodge Xo. 109. I. O. O. F., of
Danville.
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
459
WARREN W. \\ELLI\'ER, proprietor of
the wholesale and retail hardware establish-
ment in Danville whicli he conducts under his
name, and also a director of the Welliver
Hardware Company, a wholesale concern,
bears a name which has long been associated
with tlie hardware trade in this part of Penn-
sylvania. He is one of the most progressive
merchants in the borough, a fact to which his
up-to-date store and stock testify.
Mr. Welliver was born in Danville July 23,
1866. son of Samuel James W'elliver, and ob-
tained his education in the public schools of
the borough. When only fourteen years old
he started a modest business of his own, sell-
ing paints, oils, leather, etc., and a year later
he went to work for his father in the hard-
ware business. In 1884 he was sent to Nanti-
coke to manage the store of Welliver & Cole
(his father and J. H. Cole), and after he had
been there three years he bought the inter-
est of Mr. Cole, from which time the business
was continued under the name of S. J. Wel-
liver & Co. In 1887 Air. Welliver bought his
father's interest and changed the name to the
Welliver Hardware Company. He remained
at Nanticoke until 189.^, when he returned to
Danville and entered the wholesale trade, in
which he has since been interested. In 1894
the \\'elliver Hardware Company was incor-
porated, with a capital of $25,000, which in
1896 was increased to $100,000, and W. W.
Welliver became secretary and general man-
ager, continuing his connection with the con-
cern in that capacity for a period of sixteen
years, until he resigned, in iQio. He is still
one of the directors, however. When he
severed his active connection with the Welliver
Hardware Co.. he acquired by purchase the
sole ownership of the wholesale and retail
hardware business then being conducted by
the firm known as S. J. Welliver"s Sons Com-
pany, which he has since carried on under the
name of W. \\". Welliver. In 1910 he made
extensive additions to the store occupied by
this com])any, the building being now 25 feet
wide and 500 feet deep. The stock is large
and includes complete assortments of all the
lines carried, affording patrons the widest
choice, and all the modern appliances and fit-
tings are to be found here. Mr. Welliver
knows the business from the ground up, and
he not only aims to supply the needs of his
customers, but to offer them goods in ad-
vance of their demands, suggesting the up-to-
date productions of the trade and giving them
the benefit of his knowledge of what is in the
market.
Mr. Welliver married Elizabeth Lewis, of
Pittston, Pa., and to them was born one child,
Dorothy. In 1894 .Mrs. Welliver died, and
Mr. Welliver has since remarried, his second
union being to Grace I. Irland, of Danville,
daughter of James M. Irland, the photog-
rapher. Mr. Welliver belongs to the Mahon-
ing Presbyterian Church, and socially he holds
membership in the B. P. O. Elks ( Lodge No.
754) and Masons, Mahoning Lodge, No. 516,
F. ,Jt A. M., Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A.
M.. and Calvary Commandery, No. 2,7, K. T.,
all of Danville.
James McMahan Irland, father of Mrs.
Welliver. was born Sept. 23, 1846, in North-
umberland county, Pa., son of John M. and
Amanda (-McMahan) Irland. His parents
were of S'-otch-Irish stock, and settled early
in Pennsylvania. James M. Irland was reared
to farming, and was engaged at such work un-
til his enlistment in the Union army, Aug.
17, 1864. He became a member of Company
E, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was in the
senice until the close of the war. At Wood-
bury. Tenn., he was captured, but paroled a
short time later. Mr. Irland has been engaged
in business as a photographer at Danville
since 1866. He married Lucy F". Maxwell, of
Carbondale. Pa., daughter of Robert and
Jane (Douglas) Maxwell, the former a mer-
chant. Airs. Irland died Dec. 12, 1898, the
mother of four children : Grace I., wife of
Warren W. Welliver, of Danville ; Robert D.,
a physician, of Kansas City, Mo. ; Thomas C,
agent at Danville for the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & W'estern Railway Company, and
Helen C. wife of Paul A. Vannan, an elec-
trical engineer, of Elyria, Ohio. Air. Irland
is a member of Lodge No. 754, B. P. O.
Elks, of Danville, and the Alahoning Presby-
terian Church.
EDWARD PURPUR, vice president and
superintendent of the Nam-Trah Knitting &
.Spinning Company, of Danville, Alontour Co.,
Pa., was born in that place Alay 29. 1873. son
of Frederick and Louisa (Horwart) Purpur.
Frederick Purpur was with the Philadel-
phia & Reading Iron Company as a puddler
for some years, and later with the Alahoning
Rolling .Alills Company as timekeeper and
puddler boss, so continuing imtil his death,
which occurred Nov. 28, 1898, at Danville,
when he was sixty-two years old. His widow,
now eighty years of age, still makes her home
at Danville.
Edward Purpur was educated in the pub-
lic schools of his native borough, and began
460
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
his business career as an office boy for the
Mahoning RolHng Mills Company. Later he
learned patternmaking, which trade he fol-
lowed for ten years. In order to learn the
knitting business he entered the employ of the
Danville Knitting Mills Co. as a clerk, and
was later made superintendent of the plant,
holding that responsible position until 191 1,
when upon the organization of the Nam-Trah
Knitting & Spinning Company he became
vice president and superintendent.
Mr. Purpur has been quite prominent in
municipal affairs, serving three years as
borough auditor, and is now councilman from
the First ward, having been elected to that
office for a term of four years, in 191 1. He
was trustee of the Thomas Beaver Public Li-
brary for some years, and for one year was
chief of the fire department.
On April 26, 1905, Mr. Purpur married
Lillie M. Allgaier, a daughter of Frederick
and Catherine (Bausch) Allgaier, her father
a shoe manufacturer of Danville.
Mr. Purpur belongs to Beaver Lodge, No.
132, Knights of Pythias: to the Heptasophs,
and to Danville Lodge, No. 754, B. P. O.
Elks, serving as secretary of the latter organ-
ization. He still holds his membership in the
Friendship Fire Company of Danville. He
and his family belong to Christ Memorial
Episcopal Church.
The Nam-Trah Knitting & Spinning Com-
pany was organized in 191 1 with John H.
Goeser as president ; Edward Purpur, vice
president ; David J. Reese, secretary, and F.
Q. Hartman, treasurer. It is capitalized at
$40,000, and the building owned by the com-
pany is 40 by 80 feet in dimensions, three
stories in height, and built of brick. Employ-
ment is given to one hundred persons. This
corporation is the outgrowth of the Danville
Knitting Mills Company, manufacturers of
men's half hose, established in 1897.
REV. EDWIN H. WTTMAN, pastor of
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church in
Danville, was born in E'loomsburg, Pa. He
received his early educational training in the
public schools of Bloonisburg and was sub-
sequently tutored by the late Prof. J. W.
Ferree, an eminent educator of his day, and
a member of the faculty of the State Nor-
mal School at Bloomsburg. .Afterwards he
became a student in the State Normal School
preparing for the profession of teaching, and
for five years thereafter ser\ed as a teacher
in the public schools of Bloomsburg and vicin-
ity. From 1880 to 1882 he was the general
secretary of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation in W'ilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1882 he entered the Central
Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church held at Lock Haven,
Pa., and has served the following charges in
Pennsylvania: 1882, Benton; 1883, West
Shamokin; 1884-85, Duboistown ; 1886-88,
Osceola Alills; 1889, Ramey ; 1890-92, West
Clearfield; 1893-97, Roaring Spring; 1898-
99, Patton; 1900-01, Ashland; 1902-03, Fat-
ten: 1904-05, Austin; 1906-07, Jersey Shore;
1908-10, Bellwood; 1911-12, Curwensville;
1913-14, St. Paul's, Danville.
In 1884 Mr. Witman married Miss Lilian I.
Edgett. To this union two children were
born : Eleanor Ewing Witman, now wife of
Rev. James McKendree Reiley, at present re-
siding at State College, Pa. ; and Mary Corinne
Witman, now Mrs. Howard A. Ryder, of
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
CHARLES H. ZEHNDER, now living re-
tired at Allenhurst, N. J., was one of the
prominent figures in the industrial develop-
ment of Berwick, for some time president of
The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com-
pany, whose business has been absorbed by
the American Car and Foundry Company.
Mr. Zehnder was born April 16, 1856, in
Northumberland county, Pa., of German
descent, his grandfather having come to this
country from Germany early in the nineteenth
century. He was a miller, and followed the
trade nearly all his life. For some years he
resided at Rupert, Columbia county. The
father of Charles H. Zehnder, also a miller
by trade, spent most of his life in Columbia
and Montour counties, and eventually settled
at Danville, in the latter county.
Charles H. Zehnder was given a public
school education, and in 1874 became a clerk
in the Danville National Bank. He remained
with that institution until October, 1878, when
he went to Harrisburg, for three months hold-
ing the position of assistant secretary of the
Y. M. C. A. Then for four months he was
general secretary for the association at Norris-
town. Pa., resigning on account of ill health.
During 1879 he became private secretary to
Colonel Jackson, of The Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, car builders, at
Berwick, being so engaged until Colonel Jack-
son's death. Then he served Mr. C. R.
Woodin in a similar capacity for some time,
until elected secretary of the company, and
in December, 1885, the duties of superintend-
ent of the plant were added to his responsi-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
461
bilities. In 1892 he became president of the
company, resigning from that office in 189O.
In the year last named Mr. Zehnder became
president of the Dickson Manufacturing
Company, of Scranton, and during the five
years he filled that position assisted in organ-
izing the Allis-Chalmers Company, who took
over the machinery building interests of the
Dickson corporation. In 1902 Mr. Zehnder
formed the Allegheny Orr & Iron Company
of \'irginia, which acquired three blast fur-
naces and valuable iron ore lands, and after-
wards, when this property was sold, he trans-
ferred his interest to the bituminous coal and
coke regions of West Mrginia, where he be-
came president of the Austen (\V. \'a.) Coal
& Coke Company. Mr. Zehnder is at pres-
ent vice president of the Scranton Bolt &
Nut Company, of Scranton, Pa., which he and
his two brothers organized, and he is a di-
rector of the Equitable Life Assurance So-
ciety, Empire Steel & Iron Company, of Cata-
saqua. Empire Trust Company of New York
and L'nion National Bank of Philadelphia.
He is a member of the American Institute of
Mining Engineers, American Society of Me-
chanical Engineers, Union League Clubs of
New York and Philadelphia, as well as the
Lawyers' Club, New York.
While at Berwick Mr. Zehnder was very
active in the Y. M. C. A. work, for a time
acting as president of the local association,
and he was managing trustee during the erec-
tion of the building there, afterwards serving
as one of the managers.
GARRICK MALLERY, at one time vice
president of The Jackson & Woodin Manufac-
turing Company, at Berwick, predecessors of
the American Car and Foundry Company, was
born in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co.,
Pa. Garrick \'. Mallery, his father, a nati\e
of Jetiferson county, N. Y., was living in Cum-
berland county, Pa., at the time of his death
in 1X64. He was a nephew of Judge Garrick
Mallery. who lived for a time at VVilkes-
Barre, and afterwards was judge of Berks
county, and for many years a resident of Phil-
adelphia.
Garrick Mallery was reared and educated
in Mechanicsburg. Coming to Berwick in
July, 1864, he entered the store of Jackson &
Woodin, as clerk, which position he held until
Jan. 5, 1865. He was then promoted to book-
keeper of the firm, and retained that position
until the organization of The Jackson &
Woodin Manufacturing Company, in 1872,
when he was made treasurer. He was re-
tained in that capacity until December, 1882,
when he was made vice president. In 1889
he left Berwick, and has since resided at
Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.
Mr. Mallery married in October, 1872,
Helen A. Hoyt, a native of Columbia county,
and they had four children, viz. : Ernest, de-
ceased ; Garrick, Jr. ; Helen Pauline, and Law-
rence R. Mr. Mallery and all the family are
members of the Presbyterian Church.
CHARLES EDWARD HAUCK, associate
judge of Columbia county, and one of the
foremost citizens of this section of Pennsyl-
vania, belongs to an old family of the State.
The first of whom we have record was Jona-
than Hauck, his great-great-grandfather, who
was born in Berks county, Pa., and settled in
Columbia county in the early days. By occu-
pation he was a miller, and he also ran the
old forge at Mainville. He died in Columbia
county.
Peter Hauck, son of Jonathan, was bom
at Mainville, and settled down to farming in
Beaver township, Columbia county, where he
died. He is buried in the churchyard at Har-
ger's Union Church in that township. The
following children were born to him and his
wife Elizabeth (Michael): George W., now
living in Beaver township; Sallie, Mrs. Bride-
bender; Eliza, Mrs. Bridebender; Hattie, Mrs.
Frey ; Mary, Mrs. Bason; and John.
John Hauck, son of Peter, was born in
Beaver township, Columbia county, where he
followed farming. For about eight years he
was also in the employ of the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company as bridge car-
penter. He died upon his farm in Beaver
township Nov. i, 1910, aged seventy-five
years. He was a man well known and much
respected in his community, having served his
fellow citizens eleven years in the capacity of
school director, as well as in other public
ofifices. Politically he was a Democrat, and in
religious connection an active member of the
Lutheran Church, which he served as deacon.
He married Emeline Singley, daughter of
John Singley, of Beaver township, and to them
were born children as follows : Peter H., who
is now a resident of Pottsville, Pa. ; Charles
Edward ; and Francis F., a farmer of Beaver
township.
Charles Edward Hauck was born June 25,
1870, in Beaver township, where he had the
educational advantages afforded by the public
schools. Later he furthered his studies in
the Bloomsburg State Normal School, and at
the Scranton business college, graduating from
462
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUXTIES
the latter institution in 1894. For the next
ten years he was in the employ of the Hooven
Mercantile Company, at Sunbury and Wilkes-
Barre. I'a., at the end of that period returning
to the old Jlauck homestead in Beaver town-
ship, Columbia county, which he now owns.
He is one of the third generation of Haucks
to which this property has belonged. His
tract contains seventy-two acres of cleared
land and thirty-eight acres of woodland, and
is in a desirable location about ten miles south-
east of Bloomsburg. Since his return to his
native county Mr. Hauck has been quite ac-
tive in the local government, and has served
his township as school director, overseer of
the poor and in other offices. Oil Nov. 8,
191 1, he was elected associate judge. Natur-
ally fitted for positions of trust, his experience
in public posts of responsibility has strength-
ened his qualities and ripened his judgment,
and he has been very successful in the admin-
istration of his local offices. He is a Demo-
crat, a member of the Grange, and belongs
to the Lutheran Church, in whose work he
has been active from the age of sixteen years.
He served as Sunday school superintendent
at Sunbury and Wilkes-Barre, and is now
holding that position at Bloomsburg.
Mr. Hauck married Mary lireisch, daugh-
ter of John and Polly ( Fetterolf ) Breisch,
and they are the parents of eight children :
Harold J., Hubert A., Leah Irene, Catherine
A., Ruby E., Onille E., and Mary E.
BOYD H. DODSON was born Sept. 13,
1861. in the vicinity of Fairmount Springs,
Luzerne Co., Pa., and was given common
school advantages. He has been engaged in
the lumber business and contracting through-
out his business career, for many years as
head of a prosperous concern at Berwick,
where he resides. Mr. Dodson has been pub-
lic-spirited in furthering the development of
Berwick since he became a resident of the
borough, and his assistance has been recog-
nized and appreciated by his fellow towns-
men, who place much importance upon the
influence his encouragement has in local af-
fairs. His social connections are with the
Freemasons, Royal Arcanum and Knights of
Malta at Berwick, and in religion he is asso-
ciated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On political questions he is a Republican.
Mr. Dodson married Sarah Hess, daughter
of Joseph O. and Helen (Cole) Hess, of
Sugarloaf township, Columbia county, and
two children have been born to them : Martha
E. and Phyllis Olga.
The Dodson family is of old PennsyKania
stock, and Mr. Dodson's immediate ancestors
have all been farmers. His grandfather, Jo-
seph B. Dodson, a native of Northampton. Pa.,
settled in Union township, Luzerne county,
where he owned a tract of eight hundred
acres. He cleared all this land of the timber,
ran a sawmill, and engaged extensively in
farming. The old log house in which he had
his home is still standing there. He was a
man of energy and force of character. In
politics he was a ^^'hig. His wife. Susanna
(Bennetj, was from the Wyoming valley,
and their children were as follows : Dr. Wil-
liam B. died in Philadelphia at the great age
of ninety-three years ; Richard married Rhoda
Goss; Dr. Elijah married Rachel .\ddleman;
Jesse S. and Joseph B. are mentioned below;
Esther married John \'an Horn; Olivia mar-
ried Elijah Santee ; Elizabeth married a Mr.
Watson ; John married Susanna.
Jesse .S. Dodson, born in 1803 in L'nion
township, Luzerne county, obtained his ediica-
tion in the common schools there. He spent
all his life farming, on his father's land in
that township, where he held a high position
among his neighbors. By his marriage to
Lucinda Wynings he had a family of nine
children : Cordelia, who married Alonzo .\dle-
nian; Dr. D. W., who married Annie \'incent;
B. F., who married Eva ; Anna ; Sarah E.,
who married Clarence Brader (he is buried
at Nanticoke) ; Boyd H.; J. B., who married
Lola Hontz (he is buried at Harveyville) ;
Emma, Mrs. Nichols ; and A. L., wdio married
Bertha Remaley.
loseph B. Dodson, son of Joseph B. and
Susanna ( Bennet ) Dodson, was born June
4, 1804, in Union township, Luzerne county,
where he had a common school education. He
followed agricultural pursuits on his father's
property, which was divided, Joseph clearing
part of a 160-acre portion. Moving to Hun-
lock township, Luzerne county, he passed the
remainder of his life there, dying in 1893,
and was buried at Sangertown, in that town-
ship. Originally a Whig in politics, he sub-
sequently became a Republican, and took an
active interest in the questions of the day
and in local affairs, serving his township as
tax collector. He belonged to the Methodist
Episcopal Church. A large family was born
to his union with Martha Parks, daughter of
Toseph and Martha Parks, of Union township,
viz. : William married Lucinda Sauber ; Alex-
ander married Rachel Davenport; Catherine
married Patrick Morton ; Chester married
Amelia Owen ; Charles married Tulia Daven-
COLU.MBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
463
port and (second) Emma Roberts; Susanna
married Hiram Croop and (second) Harry
Grozier; Lafayette married a Aliss Winters
and Marietta Brown ; Mary married Wilson
Wolfe; Frederick married Mary; Jonathan
married a Alears ; Olivia married Joseph
Mathers ; Franklin died young.
HARRY STERNER, recognized as one of
the leading building contractors of lilooms-
burg and vicinity, is a member of the fourth
generation in his family to engage in that busi-
ness in Columbia county.
Abraham Sterner, his great-great-grand-
father, was of German extraction. At one
time he lived in the Wyoming valley in Penn-
sylvania, but the Indians, who were friendly
towards him, warned him to leave, and ht
moved to Lehigh county, Pa., where the rest
of his life was passed. He was the father
of .Abraham, George (who died at Allen-
town) and Nicholas (who died at Allentown).
Abraham Sterner, son of Abraham, was
born in 1789 in Lehigh county, and came
thence to Columbia county. After a short
stay he moved to Luzerne county, this State,
where he cleared land in what is now Nesco-
peck. Returning to Columbia county he set-
tled at h'spytown, where he engaged in boat-
building. He had learned the carpenter's
trade, and he subsequently followed it at
Bloomsburg, Columbia county. The re-
mainder of his life was spent in Colum-
bia county, and he died at Bloomsburg
when past eighty years old, in 1870. He
was interred in the old Methodist burial
ground. His wife's maiden name was Seiple,
and they had children as follows : Catherine
lived to be over one hundred years old ;
Lydia became Mrs. Ketner; Susan married
Nathan Kinley ; Mary died in Columbia
county ; Solomon died in Michigan ; John S.
was the grandfather of Harry Sterner.
John S. Sterner was born in 1814. and died
in 1894. Like his father he learned the trade
of carpenter, and he followed brickmaking
and farming in addition to contracting. In
the latter connection he became well known
as one of the most important men in his line,
and he erected all the best buildings put up
in Bloomsburg in his day, being engaged in
business there from 1837 until his retirement.
All the best residences, the first normal school,
the Exchange hotel and many other structures
of note were of his construction, and he ac-
quired a high reputation as a skilled mechanic
and conscientious builder. He lived retired
some time before his death, which occurred
when he was past eighty. He is buried in
Rosemont cemetery. His wife, Juda
(Trump), also of Columbia county, was born
in 1 810, and died in 1896. They had the
following family : William E. ; James C. ;
George W., born April 2, 1846, who died in
Bloomsburg (he was a prominent citizen of
Columbia county, having served six years as
register and recorder and three years as county
commissioner) ; Emma, who married Thomas
(jorey ; and Charles, a carpenter, who is liv-
ing in Bloomsburg.
William E. Sterner, father of Harry
Sterner, was born Nov. 7, 1840, in Orange
township, Columbia county, and learned the
carpenter's trade under the direction of his
father, who was a most competent instructor.
He has followed it for many years in Blooms-
burg, also engaging in contracting. For
some time he was in the brick manufacturing
business, turning out over one million bricks
a season at his plant and supplying a large de-
mand in Bloomsburg and vicinity. He has
been one of the active business men of the
place, of which he is one of the old residents,
and he erected his fine home there at the
corner of West and Fifth streets, in 1887.
From February, 18^)4, until after the close
of the Civil war Air. Sterner was in the Union
service, being a member of Company B, 103d
Regiment, Pennsylvania X'olunteer Infantry,
of which he was second lieutenant. He re-
turned home in July, 1865.
Mr. Sterner married Delilah Fowler, and
they ha\-e four children : Ella, wife of Elwood
Christman : Mattie, wife of Lafayette Leffler;
h'annie, wife of E. P. Smith ; and Harry.
Harry Sterner, son of William E. Sterner,
was born Dec. 17. 1868. at Bloomsburg, and
received his education in the public schools
and in the Bloomsburg State Normal School.
For five years, from 1887 to 1892, he was at
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., learn-
ing the business of making horse collars, after
which he went to Philadelphia, remaining in
that city until 1895. Returning to Blooms-
burg, he made only a short stay, going to El-
mira. N. Y., where he was located until 1897,
in which year he came back to Bloomsburg
and engaged in carpenter work with his father.
In 1903 he began contracting and building on
his own account, and after two years thus
engaged became employed at the carpenter's
trade on the Tustin mansion and Science Hall,
of the State Normal School. In 1908 he
formed a partnership with Air. Gersinger, un-
der the name of Gersinger & Sterner, but this
association has been dissolved and Air.
464
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Sterner has been carrying on business on his
own account since. He is a member of the
Friendship Fire Company.
Mr. Sterner married Margaret E. O'Neal,
daughter of Thomas J. and Mary (Reinhart)
O'Neal, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland coun-
ty, and they have three children : Maria, who
is now studying music at the Bloomsburg
State Normal School; and Eugene and Mar-
garetta, who are attending public school.
The family are Presbyterians in religious asso-
ciation. Politically ^Ir. Sterner is a Democrat.
COL. CLARENCE GEARHART JACK-
SON was bom in Berwick, Pa., March 25,
1842. He was a son of M. W. and Margaret
(Gearhart) Jackson. At the age of fourteen
he entered Dickinson Seminary, at Williams-
port, Pa., where two years later he graduated
with the highest honors of his class. He then
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa.,
where at the age of eighteen he graduated at
After his college career
the head of his class.
Hartranft. In 1879 he was honored with an
appointment by Governor Hoyt, making him
quartermaster general, which office he held at
the time of his death. He was chosen as a
delegate to State and national conventions and
took an active part in the management of his
party.
He was vice president of the Jackson
Woodin Manufacturing Company, president
of the rolling mill, a director of the First Na-
tional Bank, and a member of the firms of
Jackson, Woodin & Jackson, bankers, and
Jackson Bros. & Crispin. He was a trustee of
Dickinson College and of the State Normal
School at Bloomsburg. He was a director of
the schools of Berwick and a trustee of the
Methodist Church, all of which positions he
filled with great credit and unusual ability.
On Feb. i, 1866, Mr. Jackson was married
to Elizabeth Seybert, who bore him two chil-
dren, Henrietta M. and Jane B.
IMr. Jackson was one of the substantial busi-
ness men of Pennsylvania and one of the
he returned home, where he remained during prominent members of the Republican party,
the eventful period covering the beginning of His wide acquaintance, his liberal views and
the Civil war. At the age of twenty years he his political acumen made him one of the
felt that it was his duty to aid his country, and chief advisers of the party, and he was promi-
entered its service Aug. 2, 1862, as second lieu- nently mentioned for the highest office in the
tenant of Company H, 84th Regiment, Penn-
sylvania Volunteers. On Jan. 2d of the fol-
lowing year he was promoted to first lieutenant
and passed safely through many sanguinary
battles. At Chancellorsville he was captured
by the enemy and taken to Libby prison, where
he remained many months, but not without
making a daring attempt at escaping. He with
his companions succeeded in getting away
from the prison to the country, but was cap-
tured and brought back. Later he was ex-
changed and appointed to a captaincy, serving
in that capacity until the close of the war. At
the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded
and again taken prisoner, and returned to the
prison from which he had been released but a
short time before. His stay, however, was
short, for he was included among six hundred
officers who were taken to Charleston and
placed under the fire of the Federal cannon
that thundered on them from Fort Moultrie.
From Charleston they were taken to Columbia
and placed in a guarded field, with no roof
to shelter them, and where they dug under-
ground cells for themselves. He was finally
exchanged and returned home to engage in a
more peaceful occupation.
In 1870 Mr. Jackson was appointed major
on the staff of General Osborne and later pro-
moted to colonel on the staflf of Governor
gift of the State.
WILLIAM S. FISHER, farmer, P. O.
Mainville, Columbia Co., Pa., was born on
the Fisher homestead in Main township, Co-
lumbia county, on March 7, 1836, a son of
John and Juda (Kiefer) Fisher.
The F""isher family is of German origin,
being descendants of Johann Michael Fischer,
who came to this country in 1746 and located
in Berks county. Pa., whence has sprung a
powerful family with widespread connections.
Henry Fisher, son of Henry and Susanna
(Ruth) Fisher, of Heidelberg township,
Berks Co., Pa., the grandfather of William S.
F'isher, moved to Columbia county in 1821.
He settled in what is now Main township, buy-
ing a tract of land comprising 400 acres. He
married Elizabeth Bastuss, also born in Berks
county, and both are buried in the Fisher cem-
etery in Main township. Mr. Fisher gave the
land for the church behind which the cemetery
lies, and in compliment to him it was given his
name. Henry Fisher was among the pioneers
of this district and was recognized as one of
its leading men. He and his wife had children
as follows : John, Henry. Solomon, Jonathan,
Elizabeth (who married Benjamin Kercher),
Maria (who married John Deemer), Cath-
erine (who married Christ Fegley), Alice
C2£ct^.
■4^.M^i^
t^'i'-*-.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
465
(who married John Fensterniacher), Bebbie
(who married Philip Fegley), Nancy (who
married Samuel Kercher), Susan (who mar-
ried Conrad Bredbenner), and Mary (who
married Jacob Hinterliter).
John Fisher, son of Henry Fisher, was a
native of Berks county, and was brought to
Columbia county by his parents. He operated
the Fisher homestead until his death. He
married Juda Kiefer, a daughter of Daniel
Kiefer, of Berks county, and both are buried
in the Fisher Church cemetery in Main town-
ship. They had the following children : Dan-
iel, William S., James, Henry, Catherine (who
married Daniel Miller), Eliza (who married
William Mosteller), Esther (who married
John Shipe), and Mary (who married Martin
Nuss).
William S. Fisher received his educational
training in the private schools of his neigh-
borhood and in the Dickinson ■ and Millville
Seminaries. For a few years following the
completion of his studies Mr. Fisher taught
school, but later devoted all of his time to
farming in Main township. He was a Lu-
theran in religious faith and an active worker
in his church. He served as clerk of the
church and Sunday school superintendent
for twenty-five years and was instrumental in
the erection of the present church edifice at
Mainville. A talented musician, he was for
many years the leader of the church choir,
and during his leisure hours also taught sing-
ing school. A man of more than usual abil-
ity, he led an upright Christian life and sought
to use his talents for the benefit of others.
Politically he was a Democrat, and served as
school director of his district for years. In
1861 he married Mary Margaret Breisch, of
Columbia county, who survives him and lives
at No. 370 East street, Bloomsburg, Pa. Mr.
Fisher died Jan. 26, 1912, aged seventy-five
years, and is buried in the Fisher cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher had the following chil-
dren: George A.; Horace M. ; John L. ;
Emerson T., who died at the age of nineteen
years ; William C. ; Fannie, who married W.
C. .Stevenson and resides in Berwick, Pa. ;
Sadie R., who died unmarried ; Pearl J., who
married Hurley Sidler and lives in Philadel-
phia; Irene, who married Roy Beaver and
lives in Main township ; and Bertha, who
married John Reedy and resides in Wilkes-
Barre, Pennsylvania.
George A. Fisher, of Hartsville, Pa.,
son of William S., was born on the homestead
in Main townshjp on Jan. 14, 1862. He ob-
tained his education in the schools of his dis-
trict and at the Bloomsburg State Normal
30
School. After graduating in the elementary
course in 1884 he taught school in Main and
Beaver townships for three years. He was
married Dec. 27, 1887, to Hettie Hartzel, a
daughter of Joseph and Matilda Hartzel, of
Main township. Following his marriage he
took up farming in Main township for three
years, moving thence to Philadelphia, where
he engaged in the dairy business for ten years.
Subsequently he purchased a dairy and poul-
try farm near Hartsville, Pa., a suburb of
Philadelphia, where he now resides and is en-
gaged in high-grade dairy and poultry
farming.
HoR.vcE M. Fisher, of Plainfield, N. J.,
son of William S., was born on the homestead
in Main township on July 14, 1863. He ob-
tained his education in the common schools of
his district and became a telegraph operator
in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company. In the year 1883 he
resigned and took a course at the Bloomsburg
State Normal School and a commercial course
at a Philadelphia business college. On leaving
school he entered the service of the Chesa-
peake & Ohio Railroad Company at Lexing-
ton, Ky., as stenographer, being subsequently
promoted to a more lucrative position with the
same company at Richmond, Va. He resigned
this position to accept a similar one in the
traffic department of the Rome, Watertown &
Ogdensburg Railroad Company in New York
City, under Traffic Manager L. A. Emerson,
being afterwards promoted to chief clerk. Hs
remained with this company until the road was
sold to the New York Central System, when
he was appointed auditor of the R. W. & O.
Fast Freight Line in Boston, Mass. In the
meantime Mr. Emerson took charge of the
traffic department of the Central Vermont
railroad at St. Albans, Vt., and at once sent
for Mr. Fisher to take charge of the claim
department of that road. In 1894 Mr. Emer-
son resigned to accept the appointment of
general traffic manager of the South Carolina
& Georgia railroad, in Charleston, S. C, and
telegraphed Mr. Fisher to join him there,
placing him ultimately in charge of both
claim and traffic departments. He remained
with Mr. Emerson in Charleston until 1899,
when the road was sold to the Southern Rail-
way System. Although ofl:'ered a position with
that company in Washington, D. C, he de-
clined, and came to New York City, accepting
a position as private secretary to Hon. xA.ugtist
Belmont, banker and capitalist.
On Sept. 12, 1899, Mr. Fisher married Ellen
Chapman Black, of Charleston, S. C, daugh-
ter of Samuel Chapman and Mary Jenkins
466
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
(Mikell) Black, both of Scottish descent. Mr.
Fisher remained with Mr. Belmont during
the construction of the great New York sub-
way (underground railroad). In 1903 he was
elected secretary of the Rapid Transit Subway
Construction Company, organized to construct
the subway, and in 1904 secretary of the In-
terborough Rapid Transit Company, organ-
ized to operate both the subway and elevated
railroads of New York City. In 1905 he was
elected secretary of the New York & Queens
County Railroad Company, controlling the
railroads in the Borough of Queens, and in
1906 secretary of the Interborough-Metropoli-
tan Company. During 1907, 1908 and 1909
he was elected a director of all of the above
companies, as well as secretary of the Subway
Realty Company. Subsequently, in 1910, 191 1
and 1912, he was elected, in addition to the
above positions, secretary of the New York
Railways Company, a director of the Metro-
politan Securities, New York Transportation
and Fifth Avenue Coach Companies, and sec-
retary and director of a number of subsidiary
companies composing part of the New York
Railways System.
Mr. Fisher is a member of the Montauk
Club, Brooklyn, the Country, Park and Park
Golf Clubs, Plainfield, N. J., and the Pennsyl-
vania Society of New York. He recently pur-
chased the homestead in Main township, and
aside from his other duties is interested in
scientific farming and in raising the standard
of the schools in that district. Politically he is a
Democrat, although of independent tendencies.
John L. Fisher, of Bloomsburg, Pa., son
of William S., was born on the homestead in
Main township, Aug. 23, 1867. He received
his education in the district schools of his
neighborhood and fitted himself for agricul-
tural pursuits. In 1895 he married Belle
Yohe, of Mifflinville, Pa., and began farming
in Main township, later purchasing the farm
and bringing it to a high state of cultivation.
In 1909 Mr. Fisher sold his farm and moved
to Bloomsburg. purchasing and rebuilding the
property at No. 370 East street, where he now
resides. Having retired from business, he has
again become interested in the study of more
advanced agricultural methods, and is devot-
ing a great deal of his time to experimenting
along these lines and in promoting other
measures tending towards the betterment of
the community in which he lives.
Politically, Mr. Fisher is a Democrat and
has served as school director, auditor and jus-
tice of the peace, and fraternally he belongs to
the P. O. S. of A. and the Owls organiza-
tions.
William C. Fisher, of Brooklyn, N. Y.,
son of William S., was born on the home-
stead in Main township on July 7, 1883. He
was educated in the public schools of his dis-
trict and Bloomsburg State Normal School,
which latter school he entered in 1901, graduat-
ing in 1904 in the regulation course, ancl in 1905
in the college preparatory course. During his
course in the normal school he was promi-
nent in all branches of athletic sports, includ-
ing football, basketball, track and gymnastics,
winning the all-around individual athletic
championship in 1905. He entered Syracuse
University in the fall of 1905, taking up the
course of mechanical engineering, and gradu-
ated in the class of 1909. During his course
at Syracuse University he played football
four years on the 'Varsity team, and was
chosen for the All- American team in 1908.
Me was also a member of the 'Varsity basket-
ball team and navy crew for four years, row-
ing in all the races during this period. He
was chosen captain of the 'Varsity crew for
ihe spring of 1908, having been a member of
the crew which won the inter-collegiate cham-
pionship the previous year, defeating Cornell,
Columbia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and
( jeorgetown at the Poughkeepsie regatta. Mr.
Fisher is also a graduate of the Brooklyn
Polytechnic Institute, class of 191 1, in elec-
trical engineering. He is a member of the
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, the Monx Head
Senior Society, the Senior Dinner Club, the
Tau Delta Sigma Engineering Society of
Syracuse University, and the Alumni Associa-
tion of New York. Since his graduation
from the above institutions he has been con-
nected with the Flatbush Gas Company,
Brooklyn, N. Y., and now occupies the posi-
tion of assistant superintendent. He is a mem-
ber of the National Electric Light Association,
secretary of the Technical Society of Brooklyn
L'nion Gas Company, and a member of the
Park Club, Plainfield, N. J., and of the Penn-
sylvania Society of New York.
REV. HENRY FUNK was born near '
Hagerstown, Md., May 7, 1816, and was des-
tined from childhood for the ministry. He
was educated in the public schools of Hagers-
town and at Marshall College, Mercersburg,
Pa., from which institution he graduated in
1841. He immediately entered the theological
seminary of the Reformed Church, spending
altogether about nine years in the two institu-
tions. He was licensed to preach and first
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
467
served for six months the lioonesboro charge,
during the absence of its regular pastor.
In the fall of 1844 he was called to Blooms-
burg as assistant English pastor to Rev. D. S.
Tobias, in the Bloomsburg charge, and on Dec.
8th following he was installed as pastor at
Orangeville, Pa., by Rev. E. Kieti'er and Rev.
Dr. Henry Harbaugh, the committee appointed
by the Susquehanna classis. He served ac-
ceptably this large field, which at that time
consisted of a number of congregations,
widely separated, for ten years, giving all of
his time and energy to the work, arranging
it is said a sermon for each day of the month,
a task, in addition to long rides on horseback
in inclement weather, too severe for one of
his physique. His life of self sacrifice came
to an early end, by his death on April 16,
1855, and he was laid to rest in the cemetery
of the Reformed Church at Hagerstown, Md.
His wife, Matilda (Snyder) Funk, was a
daughter of Daniel Snyder, Sr., one of the
early settlers of Bloomsburg, and Mary Mick-
ley Snyder, a granddaughter of John Jacob
Mickley, who brought the Liberty Bell from
Philadelphia to Allentown Sept. 22,, 1777;
they had but one child, Nevin U. Funk.
Nevin U. Funk, son of Rev. Henry and
Matilda (Snyder) Funk, was born at Blooms-
burg. Pa., Feb. 11, 1852. He was educated
at the Bloomsburg Literary Institute (subse-
quently merged into the Bloomsburg Literary
Institute and State Normal School) and at
Princeton University, from which institution
he graduated in 1874 with the degree of Bach-
elor of Arts. In the succeeding year he took
up the study of the law, attending lectures'
at the Columbia Law School : and afterwards
read law in the office of Hon. Charles R.
Buckalew, of Bloomsburg. In 1877 he was
admitted to the bar of Columbia county, and
since that date has developed a large and lu-
crative practice. Besides being a tine lawyer,
Mr. Funk is a good business man, and is
closely identified with some of the principal
institutions of the town of Bloomsburg. He
is one of the charter members and one of the
three surviving original directors of the Farm-
ers' National Bank of Bloomsburg. In 1890
he and several others organized the Blooms-
burg Land Improvement Company, which pur-
chased a large farm adjoining Bloomsburg
on the east, laying same out into streets and
lots, upon which have since been built many
fine residences and large factories. He was
one of the ten charter members, a director
and secretary of the Irondale Electric Light,
Heat & Power Company, which subsequently
became merged into the Columbia & Montour
Electric Company. He is also a member of
the board of trustees of the Bloomsburg Lit-
erary Institute and State Normal School.
In 1881 Mr. Funk was married to Mary
L. Elwell, daughter of Judge William and
Mary (Thayer) Elwell. They have had four
children: Nevin Elwell Funk, Marie Amelia
Funk, Henry E. Funk and William E. Funk,
the last named deceased. Mr. Funk is a mem-
ber of the Reformed Church at Bloomsburg,
and has been an elder, trustee and treasurer
continuously since 1877. He is a Democrat,
and has served several times as a delegate to
the State conventions of his party.
CHARLES S. KLINE, a leading attorney
of Catawissa, Columbia county, was born
March 23, 1876, son of Dr. Luther B., grand-
son of Harmon G., great-grandson of Isaac
and descendant of Herman Kline, the last
named the founder of the family in America.
Herman Kline emigrated to America in
the early part of the eighteenth century and
settled in Hunterdon county, N. J., where
he bought considerable land. It is said that
he was rich, and generous to his less fortunate
neighbors. He reared a large family of sons
and daughters. The date of his death is not
known.
Isaac Kline, son of Herman, came to Penn-
sylvania in 1799 and settled in Augusta town-
ship, Northumberland county, near the site of
the village of Klinesgrove, on the road lead-
ing from Sunbur}' to Danville, at the line of
Upper Augusta and Rush townships. In this
locality he bought four or five hundred acres
of land, which was nearly all forest, made a
home and raised a family of two sons. He
died in 1818 at the age of ninety years; his
wife, Margaret, preceded him to the grave by
three years.
Isaac Kline (2), one of the sons of Isaac,
was born in Northumberland county and lived
on his father's farm all of his life. He mar-
ried Elizabeth DeWitt, and they had a large
family of children, whose names have not
been preserved.
Harmon G. Kline, the other son of Isaac,
was born in Rush township Aug. 30, 1818, and
like his father was a farmer, at Klinesgrove.
He was very active in the Methodist Church
and contributed largely to its support. In
1 841 he married Mary, daughter of Luther
Bassett, a native of New Jersey and a resi-
dent of Sunbury, Northumberland county, for
seventeen years before her death. Mr. and
Mrs. Kline enjoyed over fifty years of wedded
468
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
life before his death, which occurred five
years after their removal to Sunbury. She
died Sept. 2j, 1914, aged ninety-three years,
five months, seventeen days, at Sunbury. Her
health was remarkable, and her mental facul-
ties unclouded up to the time of her death,
though she had a paralytic stroke the June
preceding.
They were the parents of nine children, sev-
eral of whom have become noted in educa-
tional and medical circles, viz.: (i) Luther
B. is mentioned below. (2) Elisha B. gradu-
ated from Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport,
Pa., studied law and was prepared for admis-
sion to the bar just before his death. (3)
Elizabeth Cecilia, a graduate of Dickinson
Seminary, married H. C. Wallize, of Klines-
grove. (4) George M., also educated at Dick-
inson, is now a merchant at Winfield, in Union
county. (5) Margaret Eleanor, also a grad-
uate of Dickinson, widow of I. Lewis Bender,
resides with her son, Prof. Harold \\. Bender,
of Princeton University. (6) Dr. David C.
attended the Bloomsburg Normal School,
Dickinson Seminary and Hahnemann Medical
College, from which he was graduated in 1883,
and now practices in Reading. He is an ex-
president of the Homeopathic State ^Medical
Society. (7) I. Clinton, a graduate of Blooms-
burg Normal, L'nion Seminary, Bucknell
Academy and Lafayette College, has practiced
law in Sunbury since 1894. (8) J. Simpson,
who studied at Lafayette College, is an attor-
ney of Sunbury. (9) Rachel Estelle is the
wife of Prof. William S. Hall, head of the
Department of Mining and Engineering at
Lafayette College, Easton. Mrs. Mary (Bas-
sett) Kline was survived by thirteen grand-
children and six great-grandchildren.
Luther B. Kline, M.D., father of Charles
S., was born in Rush township, Northumber-
land Co., Pa., Dec. 24, 1842. He resided on
the farm of his father until his eighteenth
year, attending the country schools. After
that he taught a small school and then took
a course in the Sunbury Academy. In the
fall of 1865 he entered Jefiferson Medical Col-
lege, Philadelphia, from which he was gradu-
ated in Alarch, 1867. The following April
he came to Catawissa, where he has gradually
built up an extensive practice. In 1870 he
married Desdemona W., daughter of J. K.
and Mary M. Sharpless, and they became the
parents of four children : Charles S., Grace
E., and two who died in childhood. Mrs.
Kline died in 1904. She was a member of the
Methodist Church, to which Dr. Kline also be-
longs. He is connected with Catawissa
Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M., the Royal Arch
Chapter and Scottish Rite bodies. He has been
school director, is a member of the County
Medical Society, and was vice-president of
the State Medical Society in the years 1910-11.
Charles S. Kline attended the public schools
of Catawissa, spent one year in Susquehanna
L'niversity, attended Dickinson College as a
member of the class of 1901, and in 1903
graduated from Dickinson Law School. He
read law in the office of W". H. Rhawn. He
was admitted to the bar in May, 1903. While
at college he took a strong interest in ath-
letics, and was also prominent in the Phi
Delta Theta fraternity. He is a member of
the Alethodist Church and is connected with
several Masonic bodies. On Sept. 7, 1910,
Mr. Kline married Laura, daughter of George
Seymore and Anna Ploughman (Sharpless)
Gilbert. Mrs. Kline graduated from the
IMoomsburg State Normal School in 1895 and
for several years was a successful teacher in
the public schools of Catawissa. She is a mem-
ber of the Episcopal Church.
George Seymore Gilbert, father of Mrs.
Kline, was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., and
died in Catawissa in 1912. He came to this
part of Pennsylvania as a surveyor on the
line of the Catawissa railroad, and was made
the first station agent at Rupert. He also
carried on a mercantile business. He was a
member of the Episcopal Church and of the
Masonic fraternity. His wife, Anna Plough-
man, daughter of John Sharpless, was a de-
scendant of the Sharpless family of Bolton
Manor. Leicestershire, England. Harriet
Sharpless and her cousin, members of this
family, were noted nurses in the days of the
Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Kline are also re-
lated to the Harder family, the ancestors of
which came from Haarlem, Holland, and set-
tled in New York in 1616. Three of the
Harders fought in the Revolution and two
others were practicing physicians in this State
in early Colonial times.
JOHN R. TOWNSEND has had so active
a part in the various movements which have
worked together for the promotion of the best
interests of Bloomsburg that the results of
his efforts can hardly be estimated at the
present time. His work is recognized and
appreciated by his fellow citizens, who have
been encouraged to cooperate in many projects
of importance to the town because of their
confidence in his judgment of their relative
value. As chief executive for three successive
terms he gave the most conscientious atten-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
469
tion to the administration of his duties, and his
live interest in local affairs has abated in no
degree since his retirement from the office,
his influence being as potent and as carefully
exercised as ever. Broad-minded and far-
sighted, he has shown thorough sympathy
with the most progressive conservators of
Bloomsburg's resources.
Mr. Townsend is a native of Gloucester-
shire, England, born in 1840. He has been
a resident of Bloomsburg since 1871, his fa-
ther and uncle settling here some years pre-
viously. In 1891 he opened a merchant tailor-
ing business in the First National Bank build-
ing, continuing there until 1908. when he
moved to his present location, which property
he owns. Mr. Townsend's connection with
the civic affairs of Bloomsburg began in 1888
with his election to the school board, of which
body he continued to be an efficient member
for the next nine years — three terms of three
years each. In 1902 he was elected president
of Bloomsburg, which is the only town in
the State of Pennsylvania where the president
of the town council is also mayor, and he was
twice reelected, holding the office for three
successive terms. Such unqualified indorse-
ment of his policies and personal exertions
requires no comment. Of his special achieve-
ments, the success of the Bloomsburg Centen-
nial may be cited as an example. He served
as chairman of the Centennial committee,
without pay. The celebration was held during
the first year of his administration, and he is
given credit for being the "backbone" of
the whole plan. Though there are many who
predicted its failure he carried it through
triumphantly, and the town had anniversary
exercises appropriate and adequate to the oc-
casion— a bright spot in her history. When
the memorable flood of 1904 damaged the un-
prepared town he acted promptly in the relief
and aid work and as chairman of the relief
committee gave his services ungrudgingly to
raising and disbursing the funds so generously
placed at his disposal. For the last twenty
years he has been serving as a State trustee
for the Bloomsburg Normal School, and in
that capacity, as well as during his member-
ship on the board of education, has rendered
important service to the promotion of educa-
tional affairs. He is also president of the
board of directors of the public library, of
which he was one of the earliest advocates,
and he has always been one of its ablest sup-
porters. For some time he has been the repre-
sentative in Columbia county of the State
Forestry Commission.
As one of the most trustworthy figures in
local business circles he was for a number
of years president of the Board of Trade, in
that position working assiduously to attract
new industries to the town. He is a director
and president of the Bloomsburg Industrial
Building & Loan Association, which has been
a great benefit to the town.
Mr. Townsend has been an ardent Demo-
crat and participated in the workings of the
party for many years. In 1893 he was elected
county chairman, serving two terms as such,
and his work during the campaign of Gov-
ernor Pattison was most effective in bringing
out a large Democratic vote. Fraternally he
is a prominent Mason, a past master of Wash-
ington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. ; past high
priest of Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218; past
eminent commander of Crusade Commandery,
No. 12, K. T. ; and past commander in chief
of Caldwell Consistory. He was one of the
untiring workers who secured the erection
of Caldwell Cathedral, and served as a mem-
ber of the building committee. Mr. Town-
send is a leading member of St. Paul's Church,
which he has served as vestryman for years.
Mr. Townsend was married in England to
Elizabeth Derrett. Of the four children born
to them. Louis John is deceased ; Harry Will-
iam. Emma Jane and Joseph Leon are mar-
ried, and the two sons are in business with
their father. Joseph L. Townsend, the young-
est son, is following in the footsteps of his
father as an interested worker in town affairs.
Having been elected president of the town
council, on the Republican ticket, he served
as such for two years, 1910 and 191 1. He is
now a member of the school board, to which
body he was elected in 191 1 for a term of
six years.
HIESTER VANDERSLICE WHITE,
lawyer and business man, Bloomsburg, was
born near that city, in Orange township, June
27, 1858, eldest son of John McMurtrie and
Tacy E.( \'anderslice) White. The father was
the eldest son of William and Jane (McMur-
trie) White, and grandson of Peter White.
The Whites were among the early English
colonists in New England, and the branch of
the family here under consideration moved to
New Jersey and came thence to Pennsylvania,
settling in the Briar creek. Fishing creek and
Huntington creek valleys. Here they inter-
married with the Hidlays, Omans and Brit-
tains. The McMurtries, who were of Scotch
extraction, settled in the vicinity of Belvidere.
470
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
N. J., and have a creditable Revolutionary war
record.
Captain Richardson, one of the ancestors
of yir. White in the maternal line, was com-
missioned by the king of England to take
charge of Crown lands in and near Philadel-
phia. His daughter Tacy married Thomas
\'anderslice, and their son Joseph married
Rebecca Hiester, daughter of Capt. John Hies-
ter, who purchased large tracts of land near
the intersection of Big and Little Fishing
creeks in 1803. In 182 1 his son-in-law, Joseph
V'anderslice, came with his family from Potts-
town and settled on this land, building a
log house where \V. P. \'anderslice now lives.
The war and political records of Pennsyl-
vania show that the Hiester and Vanderslice
families took an active part in shaping the
early history of the Commonwealth. John
Hiester Vanderslice, son of Joseph, was born
in Chester county. Pa., and married Catherine
Melick, a native of Columbia county, whose
family came to this section from New Jersey.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hiester Vanderslice are
buried in the \'anderslice graveyard in Hem-
lock township, this county. They were the
parents of Mrs. Tacy E. (Vanderslice) White.
Peter White, great-grandfather of Hiester
Vanderslice White, settled in Columbia county
previous to the year 1800, first in the vicinity
of Orangeville, whence he moved about 1806
to Scott township, in the neighborhood of
Light Street. He was a farmer, and bought
the farm on the edge of that village in recent
years owned by the Hartmans. He passed the
rest of his life there, he and his wife both
dying on that place, and they are buried at
Light Street. His death occurred when he
was comparatively a young man, and his
widow, Elizabeth (Brittain). survived some
twenty years. They had a family of thirteen
children, of whom we have the following
record : Harry, the last surviving member of
the family, was a farmer, residing in Indiana ;
Mary Maud married a Mr. Garrison, a farmer
of Salem township, Luzerne county ; Zebeth,
who was a farmer, resided in Michigan ; John,
a farmer, was a resident of Richland county,
Ohio : Joseph married Lydia Ann Robbins ;
William was a farmer : Samuel followed agri-
cultural pursuits in Richland county, Ohio ;
Peter also made his home in Richland county,
Ohio; Catherine was the wife of Samuel
Oman, who was a farmer in Mount Pleasant
township, Columbia county ; Sarah was the
wife of Samuel Melick, also a farmer of
Mount Pleasant township ; Elizabeth married
a Mr. Emerson, a farmer of Indiana ; Isaac
was a farmer and lime burner in Scott town-
ship ; Henry was a resident of Indiana.
William White, son of Peter, was born in
1803 in what is now Orange township, Co-
lumbia county, and lived with his parents un-
til his marriage. He then bought a farm
about a mile north of Light Street, partly
cleared and improved to some e.xtent. After
about twenty-five years' residence there he
bought another farm, adjoining his first pur-
chase, and removing to that place passed the
remainder of his life there, dying Feb. 18,
1879. He erected new buildings on this prop-
erty. His holdings comprised five' farms.
Mr. White was married in Columbia county
to Jane McMurtrie, who was born near Bel-
videre, in Warren county, N. J., daughter of
Abraham McMurtrie, who died in that State,
as did also his wife; he followed farming
there until the latter part of his life, when
he engaged in milling. Twelve children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. William White, of
whom Elizabeth M. married J. D. Alelick, of
Muncy, Pa., a traveling salesman ; Mary mar-
ried George Conner and lived in Centre town-
ship, Columbia county ; John McMurtrie is
mentioned below ; Abram M. settled in Wood
county, Ohio ; Isaiah S., in Orange township,
Columbia county ; Samantha A. married Peter
Evans and lived near Rupert, Columbia
county ; W. Pierce is living in Almedia, Co-
lumbia Co., Pa. ; Anna Margaret was the
widow of Alen Van Liew, and died at Light
Street; M. Alvaretta married A. P. Howell;
Sarah Jane, deceased, was the wife of Howard
Grimes ; the other two were deceased before
1887. The mother of this family passed away
in 1871.
John McMurtrie White was born Dec. 30,
1833, in Orange township, Columbia county,
was reared there, and remained at home with
his parents until over twenty-three years old.
After that he was occupied for several years
in the cultivation of one of his father's farms,
in 1868 buying the farm in Centre township,
near Light Street, to which he moved three
years later. At the time he purchased the
place there was a tannery in operation there,
and he rented the same for several years and
then sold it. His attention during his active
years was given to farming, in which he was
very successful. He has held various offices
in his township, in politics supporting the
Democratic party. He and his wife, who now
live at Nescopeck, Pa., belong to the Pres-
byterian Church.
On Feb. 10, 1857, Mr. White married Tacy
E. Vanderslice, who was born in Columbia
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUXTIES
471
county, and they became the parents of five
■children: Hiester V'andersHce, WilHam Le-
Roy, Clara, Hattie and John.
Hiester Vanderslice White received a thor-
ough preliminary education, attending the pub-
lic schools, Orangeville Academy and the
Bloomsburg State Normal School. Meantime,
when but fifteen years old, he began teaching
school, continuing to follow that profession
until ready to enter upon his life work. Hav-
ing read law, with Col. John G. Freeze, he was
admitted to practice at the Columbia county
bar in December, 1881, and on Jan. i, 1882.
became associated with his preceptor in the
firm of Freeze, Eyerly & White, this partner-
ship terminating in 1884, after which Mr.
White continued practice alone. He bought
the valuable law library of Colonel Freeze.
In the year 1885 Mr. White established the
grain and milling business of H. V. White &
Company, at Bloomsburg, and has been presi-
dent and general manager of its successor,
The White Milling Company, since it was
incorporated in 1900. He is president of the
Business Men's Association of Bloomsburg
and interested in every organization and un-
dertaking that will vitalize and improve his
town and community. He is a charter member
of the Royal Arcanum Council at Bloomsburg;
was a member of the Pennsylvania State Board
of Agriculture from 1897 to 1903 ; is a life
member of the Columbia County Agricul-
tural, Horticultural and Mechanical Associa-
tion, of which he was secretary many years;
is president of the Pennsylvania Millers' State
Association ; and has been a trustee of the
Pennsylvania State College since 1886, devot-
ing much of his time and thought to its wel-
fare, serving for many years on the executive
committee, the advisory board, the legislative
committee, the bookkeeping committee and the
building committee. In 1913 he was commis-
sioned milling and cereal expert for the Penn-
sylvania Department of Labor and Industry,
and at present is chairman of a committee to
prepare a code of "rules and regulations gov-
erning the type of buildings, machines and
equipment for mills, grain elevators and ware-
houses."
The various responsibilities to which he has
been called indicate sufficiently the progressive
trend of Mr. White's makeup. His effective
work in all those connections shows a breadth
of comprehension and insight possible only
to the fearless thinker who has the vigorous in-
tellect which sees the greatest possibilities in
any undertaking and has the courage to at-
tempt their realization. His advanced position
in the milling industry is another indication of
his keen sense of live issues typical of the day.
Mr. White is a Presbyterian in religious views
and a Democrat in politics.
Mr. White married Jan. 3, 1884, Clara Elisa-
beth Aikman, daughter of Levi and Elisabeth
(_Ohlj Aikman, of Cabin Run, in Briar creek
valley, near Bloomsburg. They have one
daughter, Elisabeth Aikman White, born April
2, 1893.
The Aikman family, who were among the
early settlers in Briar creek valley, were of
Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock. The Ohls,
who were of German extraction, came from
Pottstown in 1804 and settled on the land
owned by the Hiesters. Henry Ohl, who
served in the Revolutionary war with Capt.
John Hiester, came as caretaker for the Hies-
ter lands and built his first home near where
Frank Aloore now lives. He died in 1840,
and is buried in the soldiers' circle, in Rose-
mont cemetery, at Bloomsburg.
GEORGE E. HASSERT, superintendent
of the Harman & Hassert Company, of
Bloomsburg, Pa., was born Jan. 3, 1867, in
that city, and is a son of George Hassert. The
family is of German descent.
George Hassert was born in Reichensachsan,
Hesse Cassel, Germany, Nov. 5, 1824, son of
George and Ehzabeth (Wagner) Hassert. He
learned the trade of millwright, and at the
age of twenty entered the German army, serv-
ing for six years and participating in battles
of the war with Denmark. In 1848 he was in
the regular army at Baden engaged in the sup-
pression of the rebellion, being stationed at
Carlsruhe. He was wounded by sabre strokes
in the chin and forehead at the storming of
Fort Dabbelar, Denmark. Upon leaving the
army he came to America, locating at Phila-
delphia, where he worked at his trade for five
years. Afterwards, in 1856, he came to
Bloomsburg and worked at his trade until
1875, when he formed a partnership with Peter
S. Harman and began business in a room 50
by 60 feet in dimensions, manufacturing plows
and stoves and doing custom foundry work. In
1879 Harman & Hassert enlarged the foundry
and were employing thirty men. At Mr. Has-
sert's death in 1899 the plant had grown to be
one of the largest in the town. He was a mem-
ber of the Lutheran Church, and a Democrat
in politics.
Mr. Hassert was married in Philadelphia,
Feb. 12, 1854, to Magdalena Decker, a native
of Germany, born in Baden July 15, 1829, who
came to America when twenty-four years old.
472
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
and survived her husband for fifteen years
less one day, her death occurring in October,
1914. From the time they moved to Blooms-
burg Mr. and Mrs. Hassert occupied the same
house, at the corner of Fourth and Catherine
streets, where all but one of the children were
born, and where she died after an illness of
almost a year. "In her death Bloomsburg
loses one of its finest old women, and one loved
by all who knew her. From childhood she was
a consecrated member of the Lutheran
Church." A day or two before her death her
pastor said: "Her life has been a beautiful
one; her death will be a joyous going to her
home on high." She was buried in Rosemont
cemetery. Six of the children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Hassert survive, the son Henry being
deceased. The living are : Charles W., Annie,
Elizabeth, Emma, Ella and George E. The
sons and Miss Anna are in Bloomsburg ; Mrs.
W. K. Armstrong lives in Sunbury ; Mrs. E.
W. Sleppy, in Northumberland; Mrs. C. W.
Erath in Wilkes-Barre.
George E. Hassert received most of his edu-
cation in the public schools of Bloomsburg,
after graduation entering the Kingston busi-
ness college for a complete course. Returning
to Bloomsburg he entered the foundry of his
father, serving an apprenticeship of three years
in the machine shop, after which he was taken
into the office of the firm (Harman & Has-
sert). Upon the death of his father George
E. Hassert acted as manager of the shops
for three years, and in 1902, when the firm
was made a corporation, he became superin-
tendent, the position he now holds.
In July, 1887, George E. Hassert was united
in marriage to Sarah M. Wilson, daughter of
Rev. Henry and Sarah Mercy Wilson, the
former a Methodist minister. Mrs. Hassert
was born March 3, 1869. To ^Ir. and Mrs.
Hassert have been born four children ; Eunice
Lenora, born July 19, 1888, died in infancy
and is buried in Rosemont cemetery ; George
Lee, born Aug. 25, 1894, is a graduate of the
Bloomsburg Normal and now a student at
State College ; James W. was born Sept. 6,
1901 ; Robert Edwin was born Aug. 16, 1909.
]\Ir. Hassert is a Democrat, but has held no
offices. He was reared under the teachings
of the Lutheran Church, but is now an at-
tendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Bloomsburg.
JAMES C. BROWN, for over twelve years
postmaster at Bloomsburg, has long been one
of the foremost citizens of Columbia county.
Associated with local interests in various con-
nections, public and private, he has had his
part in the making of the history of his adopted
borough, where he has made his home since
1868. His family has been in the country for
one hundred and seventy-five years, and in
Pennsylvania since the latter part of the
eighteenth century, the emigrant ancestor set-
tling first on Long Island, and moving thence
to Warren county, N. J. The Browns are of
English descent.
James Brown, great-great-grandfather of
James C. Brown, was born Nov. 12, 1716, in
England, and coming to this country in 1736,
when a young man, lived first on Long Island.
On a fly-leaf of an old Bible belonging to the
Brown family he wrote: "England is my na-
tive land and Long Island my home." It is
dated 1736. He moved to Warren county, N.
J., near Hainesburg, where he owned a large
tract of land, extending three miles along the
Pawlins Kill from Columbia to Hainesburg.
He died Aug. 9, 1784. On July 25, 1745, he
married Sarah Allison, born July 18, 1721, and
they are buried in Warren county, N. J. Their
six children were born as follows : John, June
25, 1746 (died Sept. 24, 1819) ; James, May 5,
1750; Martha, Nov. 15, 1753; Sarah, April 10,
1757; Daniel, May 3, 1762; Charity, April 15,
1765. All but John lived and died in New
Jersey.
John Brown, son of James, born June 25,
1746, was a blacksmith by trade, and as such
served in the American army, in the Revo-
lutionary war, shoeing horses and repairing
guns in camp besides doing the regular duties
of a soldier. He married Mary M. Brugler.
who died Oct. 3, 1793, in Warren county, N.
J., and his second marriage, on Oct. 21, 1794,
was to Mrs. Margaret Haines, widow of
Henry Haines, ^ir. Brown owned consider-
able property in New Jersey, and built a stone
house with the date. 1789, above the door.
This is still standing and in use ; until re-
cently it was owned by a Mr. Brugler, one of
his descendants, who has sold it to the Dela-
ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Company. Disposing of his property in New
Jersey, 5lr. Brown came to Pennsylvania with
his family in 1795, first purchasing a large
tract four miles east of the town of Mifflin-
ville, in Columbia county. Finding this un-
suitable for farming he sold it and bought
about five hundred acres adjoining Mifflin-
ville, in Mifflin township, what was later
known as the Rosebud farm, for which he
paid about four thousand dollars. There Mr.
Brown continued to reside until his death,
which occurred Sept. 24, 1819. He was one
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
473
of the leading men of his section in his day.
He built a grist and saw mill along what was
known as the Ten-Mile run, and followed
milling and farming. For many years he was
a justice of the peace, being elected in 1808,
and serving until his death. He was treasurer
of the Nescopeck Bridge Company at Ber-
wick, Pa., as is shown by a share of stock. No.
105, dated Aug. 6, 1814, which came into the
possession of his great-grandson, Hiram H.
Brown, of Scott township, Columbia county.
His five children were all born to his first mar-
riage, namely: James, born Sept. 10, 1773
(died June 4. 1820); Samuel; Mary and
Elizabeth, twins, born ]\Iarch 30, 1782, the
former of whom married Joseph Otto and
moved to McKean county. Pa., where she died
.^pril 29, 1862, while Elizabeth married George
Hess and settled in Benton township, Colum-
bia county, where she died Oct. 21, 1850; and
Sarah, born April 13, 1787, wife of Henry
Bowman ( she lived and died in Mifflin town-
ship, Columbia county, passing away Sept. 12,
1869).
The early members of the Brown family in
this region were Methodists, and were among
the principal founders of the early Methodist
congregation at Mifflinville, the first Methodist
church of this district being erected on part
of John Brown's farm, he donating the land.
Many of his descendants are associated with
the same denomination.
Samuel Brown, grandfather of James C.
Brown, was born April 2, 1778, in Warren
county, N. J., and came thence to Columbia
county. Pa., with the rest of the family. Upon
his father's death he inherited the homestead,
a tract of 130 acres which was in the family
over one hundred years, now owned by A. R.
Henrie. His father's large holdings here were
divided among four of the children. He cul-
tivated that place, and also engaged in grist
and saw milling, until his death, which oc-
curred when he was in his prime, Oct. 12,
1823. To him and his wife Dorathy (Nice)
were born nine children: John, born Jan. 13,
1801, died Feb. 21, 1855; -^lary Margaret,
born March 13, 1803, married Samuel Creasy:
Sarah, born April 29, 1805. married George A.
Bowman, and died Aug. 15, 1856; William N.
was the father of James C. Brown ; Matthew,
born June 11, 1809, died June 25, 1854: James,
born Oct. 18, 1811, died Jan. 5, 1833; Eliza-
beth, born March 5, 1814, married Alexander
Thompson, of Berwick ; George B., born
Sept. 3, 1816, died at Danville; Elisha B., born
May 13, 1819, died Sept. 23, 1885. The par-
ents are buried in the Brown cemetery in
Mifflin township. Mrs. Brown was born Nov.
6, 1783, and died Feb. 23, 1847. She belonged
to a family of Nices living near the Delaware
Water Gap.
William N. Brown, father of James C, was
born Feb. 15, 1807, on the old homestead in
Mifflin township, Columbia county. He be-
came a farmer, and was successfully engaged
in agricultural pursuits until 1870, when he
moved to the village of Mifflinville, renting his
farm. He built a house and lived in peaceful
retirement until his demise, Sept. 17, 1876. He
is buried in the family lot near Mifflinville. For
many years Mr. Brown also conducted a grist
and flouring mill. Religiously he was an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
holding various offices, among them steward
and trustee. Mr. Brown's first wife, Nancy
I'^reas, a daughter of John Freas, of Centre
township, Columbia county, died in 1845, the
mother of five children : George A., deceased ;
Albert, a farmer of Ottawa county, Kans.,
now deceased ; John F., who lived on the old
homestead in Mifflin township until 1898, when
because of ill health he retired from farming
and moved to Mifflinville, where he later died ;
Almira, of Bloomsburg; and Dorcas, deceased.
In 1847 ^^^- Brown married Loretta Yonker,
a daughter of Henry Yonker, a native of Ger-
many, who upon coming to this country located
at -MilHinville, Pa., where Loretta was born
-Nov. 20. 1817. To this marriage were born:
James C. ; Martha, deceased ; Samuel C, em-
ployed for sixteen years in the Railway Postal
Service between New York and Pittsburg,
now deceased; Melissa J., deceased; and \'ic-
toria, the wife of George W. Hess, of Blooms-
burg, Pa. The mother died in Bloomsburg
Jan. 5, 1902.
James C. Brown was born April 29, 1848, at
Mifflinville, Columbia Co., Pa., and lived at
home on the farm until fifteen years of age,
meantime receiving his early education in the
public and select schools and attending a semi-
nary at his native place. He then entered
Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa., in
1864, took the classical course, and was grad-
uated from that institution in 1868, with the
highest honors of his class. The same year
he became a teacher in the Bloomsburg
Literary Institute (now known as the State
normal school), and remained there until Jan-
uary, 1872, the last half year holding the posi-
tion of principal. Resigning, he became en-
gaged as a civil engineer in the spring of that
year, and in the work of making original sur-
veys for the North & West Branch railroad,
and continued his association with that work
Hi
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
until the completion of the road in 1882, serv-
ing not only as engineer but also as one of the
directors. Meantime he did similar work for
other railroad companies, and he is considered
one of the most competent civil engineers in
this section of the State. In that capacity
he has been associated with the construction
of several railroads, including the surveying
of the Bloomsburg & Sullivan railroad and
the Pittston & Hawley railroad. He has
served Bloomsburg as municipal engineer for
many years, and has frequently rendered serv-
ice in that line to neighboring boroughs. He
has often been called into court to give expert
professional testimony in damage suits. He
has had other business and public interests in
Bloomsburg besides those connected with his
profession. On Aug. i, 1875, he purchased
from E. M. Wardin the plant of the Columbia
County Republican, a four-page, eight-column
weekly, having a good local circulation and
also considerable patronage in surrounding
counties. He was editor and proprietor of this
paper for a quarter of a century, and in that
connection exercised considerable influence in
the many changes which took place in the
town and county, casting the weight of his
opinion on the side of the right and doing his
utmost for the best interests of his fellow
citizens, without fear or favor. The paper
has always been Republican, and Mr. Brown
has also been a devoted worker in the party,
in whose activities he has had a leading part
in this section. In 1884 he had the honor
of being a delegate to the National convention
held at Chicago, and again in 1900 at Phila-
delphia. He has frequently been a delegate to
State conventions, and a speaker during the
State campaigns, making a tour of the State
as a member of General Hastings' staff when
Hastings was candidate for governor. He has
filled a number of local ofHces of importance,
having been a member of the school board
continuously from 1878 to the present time,
and for part of that period its president. In
1902 he became postmaster at Bloomsburg, in
which position he gave thorough satisfaction,
serving until September, 1914. His adminis-
tration was marked by clean, business-like
methods and steady improvement in all de-
partments, for he is by nature progressive, and
discharges every duty with characteristic
efficiency. He is a member of the board of
trustees of the State normal school, and for
several years has been vice president of the
board. He was formerly treasurer of the
Columbia County Agricultural Society, in
which capacity he served for thirty-two years.
Like his ancestors Mr. Brown is a Metho-
dist in religious connection and a prominent
member of the church, in whose work he has
been very active, serving a number of years
as member and secretary of the board of trus-
tees, of which body he is now president. At
the present time he is secretary and treasurer
of the Bloomsburg Hospital, and has been one
of the board of managers since its beginning.
JOHN JORDAN BROWN, M.D., of
Bloomsburg, is a member of the old-estab-
lished Brown family of Mifflin township, Col-
umbia county, where he was born March 31,
1848, son of Elisha B. Brown. The Browns
have had intimate and honorable connection
with the history of this region for one hundred
and twenty years, and have been in America
since the day of James Brown, the Doctor's
great-great-grandfather.
James Brown was born Nov. 12, 1716, in
England, and coming to this country when a
young man lived first on Long Island. On a
fly-leaf of an old Bible belonging to the Brown
family he wrote : ''England is my native land
and Long Island my home." It is dated 1736.
He moved to Warren county, N. J., near
Hainesburg, where he owned a large tract of
land, extending three miles along the Pawlins
Kill from Columbia to Hainesburg. He died
Aug. 9, 1784. On July 25, 1745, he married
Sarah Allison, born July 18, 1721, and they
are buried in Hainesburg cemetery, in War-
ren county, N. J. Their six children were
born as follows: John, June 25, 1746 (died
Sept. 24, 1819) ; James, May 5, 1750; Martha,
Nov. 15, 1753; Sarah, April 10, 1755; Daniel,
May 3, 1762; Charity, April 15, 1765. All
but John lived and died in New Jersey.
John Brown, son of James, born June 25,
1746, was a blacksmith "by trade, and as such
served in the American army, in the Revo-
lutionary war, shoeing horses and repairing
guns in camp besides doing the regular duties
of a soldier. He married Mary M. Brugler,
who died Oct. 3, 1793, and was buried at
Hainesburg, in Warren county, N. J., and his
second marriage, on Oct. 21. 1794, was to
Mrs. Margaret Haynes, widow of Henry
Haynes. Mr. Brown owned a farm in New
Jersey, and built a two-story stone house with
the date, 1789. above the door. This is still
standing (1914) and in use: it was owned by
a Mr. Brugler, one of his descendants. Dis-
posing of his property in New Jersey, Mr.
Brown came to Pennsylvania with his family
in 1795, first purchasing a large tract four
miles east of the town of Mifflinville, in Col-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
475
uinbia county. Finding this unsuitable for
farming he sold it and bought four hundred
acres about one mile south of Mifflinville, in
Mifflin township, for which he paid about four
thousand dollars. There Mr. Eirown continued
to reside until his death, which occurred Sept.
24, 1819, and he was one of the leading men
of his section in his day. He built a grist and
saw mill along what was known as the Ten
Mile run, and followed milling and farming.
For many years he was a justice of the peace,
being elected in 1808, and serving until his
death. He was treasurer of the Nescopeck
Bridge Company at Berwick, Pa., as is shown
by a share of stock, No. 105, dated Aug. 6,
1814, which came into the possession of his
sreat-grandson, Hiram H. Brown, of Scott
township, Columbia county. His five children
were all born to his first marriage, namely :
James, born Sept. 10, 1773 (died June 4,
1820); Samuel; Mary and Elizabeth, twins,
born March 30, 1782, the former of whom
married Joseph Otto, and moved to McKean
county. Pa., where she died April 29, 1862,
while Elizabeth married George Hess and set-
tled in Benton township, Columbia county,
where she died, Oct. 21, 1850; and Sarah,
born .\])ril 13, 1787, wife of Henry Bowman
( she lived and died in MifHin township,
Columbia county, passing away Sept. 12,
1869).
The early members of the Brown family
in this region were Methodists, and were
among the principal founders of the early
Methodist congregation at Mifflinville, the first
Methodist church of this district being erected
on part of John Brown's farm, he donating the
land. ]Many of his descendants are associated
with the same denomination.
Samuel Brown, grandfather of Dr. John
J. Brown, was born April 2, 1778, in Warren
county, N. J., and came thence to Columbia
county, Pa., with the rest of the family. Upon
his father's death he inherited the homestead
(a tract of 130 acres which was in the family
for over one hundred years), together with
two other farms and the mills. He cultivated
that place, and also engaged in grist and saw
milling, until his death, which occurred when
he was in his prime, Oct. 12, 1823. To him
and his wife Dorothy (Nice), a native of
New Jersey, were born nine children: John,
born Jan. 13, 1801, died Feb. 21, 1855; Mary
Margaret, born March 13, 1803, married Sam-
uel Creasy; Sarah, born April 29, 1805, mar-
ried George A. Bowman, and died Aug. 15,
iSsCf; William N., born Feb. 15, 1807, died
Sept. 17, 1876; Matthew, born June 11, 1809,
died June 25, 1814; James, born Oct. 18, 1811,
died Jan. 5, 1833 ; Elizabeth, born March 5,
1814, married Alexander Thompson, of Ber-
wick (he died before her); George B., born
Sept. 3, 1816, died at Danville; Elisha B. was
the father of Dr. John J. The parents are
buried in the Brown cemetery in Mifflin town-
ship. Mrs. Brown was born Nov. 6, 1783,
and died Feb. 2^, 1847. She belonged to a
family of Nices living near the Delaware
Water Gap.
Elisha B. Brown, youngest son of the family
of Samuel and Dorothy (Nice) Brown, was
born May 13, 1819, on the Brown farm near
Mifflinville. In 1837, when a youth of only
eighteen, he engaged in the mercantile business
at that place in partnership with Samuel
Creasy and John Brown, under the firm name
of Browns & Creasy. They purchased the
business of Robert McCurdy, paying seven
thousand dollars for it, and were themselves
highly successful, drawing their patronage
from a wide area. John Brown died in 1856
and was succeeded by N. B. Creasy, the style
changing to Creasys & Brown. In 1873 Samuel
Creasy died and in 1882 Mr. Elisha B. Brown
retired, after forty-four years' continuous con-
nection with the business, which then passed
into the exclusive control of N. B. Creasy.
The firm always had the highest standing for
substantial worth.
During Harrison's administration Mr.
Brown was appointed postmaster at Mifflin-
ville, and with the exception of six months
continued to fill that office, as principal or as-
sistant, until his death, Sept. 23, 1885 — a pe-
riod of over forty years. Though always an
active business man Mr. Brown found time for
reading and study, and his good judgment
made him a keen observer and broad-minded
on all questions. His counsel was frequently
sought, and his opinions highly valued. Loyal
to his friends, and a man of high principle
in all the relations of life, he merited the regard
in which he was held. In religious connection
he was a Methodist, and took an active part in
the work of the church.
In 1845 Elisha B. Brown married Martha
Bowman, daughter of John H. and Sophia
(Freas) Bowman. Mrs. Brown's mother dy-
ing when she was a child, she went to live with
her maternal grandfather, John Freas, near
Briarcreek, Columbia county. In 1837 her fa-
ther went to Michigan and became interested
in business there, engaging in merchandising
and building several large flouring mills. He
was one of the founders of the village of
Colon and of the town of Three Rivers. He
,
476
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
I
served as a member of the State Legislature.
Mrs. Brown attended public school in the
home neighborhood, and later went to the
academy at Catawissa, where she was under
the tuition of a Mr. Bradley. She died June
II, 1905. Three children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Brown, John Jordan, Dorothy Nice
and Martha Bowman. The eldest daughter
spent two years as a student at W yoming
Seminary, Kingston, Pa. She and her sister
have not married.
John Jordan Brown received his early edu-
cation in the select schools of his home dis-
trict, and then took a course at Dickinson
Seminary. Williamsport, Pa., graduating from
that institution in 1867. After teaching school
for two terms he entered Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, from which he was
graduated in ^March, 1870, with the degree
of M. D. The same year he began practice
at MifHinville, where he continued for seven-
teen years, since when he has been located at
Bloomsburg. During his regular course at
college he took a special course in operative
surgery under the personal supervision of
Prof. 'William H. Pancoast, and in 1888 he
took a special course on the eye at the New
York Polyclinic, New York City, fitting him-
self for the branch of practice to which he
gives his whole attention. He is ophthalmolo-
gist at the Bloomsburg hospital and of the
State Hospital at Danville. Pa. He is one of
the directors of the Bloomsburg Water Com-
pany, a Trustee of the State Normal School,
Bloomsburg, Pa., and \'ice President of the
Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg : he
was one of the first stockholders in the latter
institution. He is a member of the Methodist
Church, of which he is a trustee. Socially he
is a high Mason, belonging to W ashington
Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg ;
Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.: Cru-
sade Commandery, No. 12, K. T. : Caldwell
Consistory (thirty-second degree) ; and Irem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
In 1880 Dr. Brown married Mary S. Brands,
daughter of David F. Brands, of Hacketts-
town, N. J. Mrs. Brown received her educa-
tion at Blair Academy and Scholley's Moun-
tain Seminary. She died Aug. 13, 1907, leav-
ing no children.
WILLIAM HOR.\CE BROWER, of
Bloomsburg, has been engaged in business
there as a merchant for the last twenty-five
years, having become associated in 1888 with
his grandfather, Jeremiah John Brower,
whom he shortly afterward succeeded.
Jeremiah John Brower was a resident of
Bloomsburg for over fifty years. He was
a native of Berks county. Pa., born April 10,
1 82 1, in Union township, at Browertown,
which village was named after his father,
John Brower. His grandfather was Abraham
IJrower. The Browers are of German ex-
traction. John Brower was born in Berks
county and lived in Union township, where
he engaged in the manufacture of grain
scoops (which he patented), door locks, and
various other specialties. He married
Frances (Fanny) Millard, who was of
Quaker descent, and they reared two children,
Jeremiah J. and Matilda, who married Rich-
ard H. Jones, whom she survived ; she lived
at Browertown.
Jeremiah John Brower received a good edu-
cation in the public schools and before he was
seventeen years old was teaching in Cata-
wissa, which profession he followed for eight
years. He was known as an e.xcellent teacher
in penmanship. He first came to Columbia
county in 1839, where he resided until 1843,
and then for two years kept a boarding school
at Browertown. In 1846 he returned to Cata-
wissa, and in 1848 embarked in the mercan-
tile business at Mifflinville, Columbia county.
In 1850 he sold his store there and moved to
Bloomsburg, w'here he opened a large general
store on the corner of Main and Iron streets,
conducting same for a period of nineteen
years. Meantime in 1868 he began the erec-
tion of the Paul E. Wirt block, which was
completed in 1869, and he carried on his
business in that building until 1870. when he
was elected justice of the peace, in which
position he served for a term of ten years.
In 1 88 1 he began dealing in carpets and oil-
cloths, and continued thus until he retired
from active business. He was succeeded by
his grandson. William H. Brower, who is
now successfully carrying on the business.
In 1853-54 ^Ir. Brower built his beautiful
home at No. 229 Market street, at a cost of
fifteen thousand dollars, one of the finest
brick residences in the town of Bloomsburg.
He took an active part in the development of
his town and always lent a helping hand to-
wards any measures that tended to benefit his
fellow citizens. He assisted in forming four
building and loan associations ; served as sec-
retary and treasurer of the Mutual Build-
ing and Savings Fund Association ; and was
president of the first such association which
was a success, organized Oct. 19, 1867, and
which terminated in June, 1877. He served
as school director and was treasurer of the
COLU.MBIA AND MOXTOUR COUXTIES
477
Masonic lodge about twenty-seven years. He
was a stockholder and officer of many indus-
tries started in Bloomsburg and was one of
the chief promoters of many enterprises that
have led to the building up of the community.
He died Jan. 5, 1903, and was buried with
his wife in Bloomsburg cemetery.
In 1 84 1 Mr. Brower was united in marriage
to Eliza Brothwell, who was born Dec. 19,
1816, a daughter of Dr. Eleazer Brothwell,
of Mifflinville, and died in July, 1893, at the
age of seventy-si.x years, six months, two
days, leaving the following children : Frances
J., wife of James K. Brugler; Eleazer B. ;
Ada Eveline, wife of L. S. Wintersteen ; and
Mary Eliza, who married J. H. Lingle.
Eleazer Brothwell Brower, son of Jere-
miah John Brower, was born Feb. 2, 1844, ''^
Columbia county, where he was reared. For
a time he was engaged in business at Mc-
Ewensville, Northumberland county, and in
1871 went South, locating at Elizabeth, N. C,
where he was in the brick business for the
next few years. In 1875 he returned to Penn-
sylvania and engaged in the tinning business
at Xanticoke, also dealing in stoves. Then
he added a line of groceries, and he remained
there about ten years, selling out at the end
of that period. Coming back to Bloomsburg
he embarked in the plumbing business, which
he carried on until he sold out to Hartman
& Mendenhall. He then became manager
of the tube works at Bloomsburg, holding
that position for some time, after which he
was engaged in building gasoline engines and
launches, following this line until his death,
Oct. 21, 1910.
Mr. Brower was married to Sarah Rote,
who was born Dec. 2-/, 1837, at Millville, Co-
lumbia Co., Pa., daughter of \\'illiam and Eliz-
abeth (Eves) Rote, of Millville, and now re-
sides in Bloomsburg. Four children were born
to this marriage: Jennie, who died when six
years old; William H.; J. Jeremiah, now a
merchant of Bloomsburg ; and Lewis, who
died when two years old.
William H. Brower was born Feb. i, 1867,
at Millville, Columbia county, and his early
life was spent in Bloomsburg. He obtained
his preliminary education in the public schools,
and afterward took a course at the Blooms-
burg State Normal school, from which in-
stitution he was graduated in 1884. He taught
school for three years, in Luzerne county, this
State, and in 1888 became associated with his
grandfather, under the firm name of J. J.
& W. H. Brower. On June i, 1889, he took
over the business entirely on his own account,
and has so continued it ever since, being now
ranked among the leading merchants of the
town. His stock comprises carpets, mattings,
rugs, oilcloth, lace and tapestry curtains, win-
dow shades, and all similar goods, and is
large and comprehensive, ofifering an extensive
range for his customers to choose from. It
is up-to-date and well selected, and the wide
territory from which his patronage is drawn
shows that the facilities for satisfactory buy-
ing afforded by his establishment are recog-
nized and appreciated.
Mr. Brower belongs to the Royal Arcanum,
and is a prominent member of the Presby-
terian Church, which he has served for some
time as elder and clerk of the session; he was
formerly superintendent of the Sunday school.
On Oct. 8, 1901, Mr. Brower married Mar-
garet Love, daughter of William and Sarah
( Brittain ) Love, of Derry township, Montour
county, and they have one child, Mary Eliza-
beth, born Dec. 19. 1902.
JAMES E. TEPLE, of Bloomsburg, has
been interested in various lines of business
during his active career, but now devotes all
his time to his duties as secretary of the Afri-
can Ostrich Farm & Feather Company, breed-
ers and importers of ostriches and importers
of feathers.
The Teple family (the name is variously
spelled Teple and Teeple) in Columbia
county is descended from Samuel Teple,
grandfather of James E., who came hither
from New Jersey and settled in Locust town-
ship. By occupation he was a charcoal burner
and furnace man. He died in Catawissa town-
ship and is buried at the Thomas schoolhouse.
To him and his wife Elizabeth (Lamberson)
were born the following children : Mary, who
married Mahlon Creasy ; Rachel, who mar-
ried John Rohrbauch ; Charlotte, who married
.Augustus Grove ; Catherine, who married
lienjamin Ludwig ; Henry: William: John,
and Robert.
\\ illiam Teple, son of Samuel, was lx)rn
Aug. iQ, 1838, in what was then Locust (now
Cleveland ) township, Columbia county, and
received his education in Luzerne county, at-
tending select school. He himself became well
known in this section as an educator, having
followed the teacher's profession for thirty-
five terms during the course of his active life.
His e.xperience in this line began in Black
Creek township, Luzerne county, and he was
subsequently engaged in Franklin township,
Columbia county. Mount Carmel, Xorthum-
berland countv. Locust and Cleveland town-
478
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ships. Columbia county, closing with his work
in Ijcaver township, Columbia county. Mr.
Teple was a particularly accomplished history
scholar, and a great Bible student, and he took
an active part in the work of the United
Brethren Church, of which he was a mem-
ber. He belonged to the P. O. S. of A., and
in political connection was a Republican. His
death occurred in Franklin township, Colum-
bia county, April 12, 1905, and he was buried
at McEntyre, in Catawissa township.
Mr. Teple's first wife, Ermina (Driesbach),
was born Oct. 10, 1839, and died July 15, 1868,
the mother of two children : Anna E., born
in 1862, who died in 1864; and George W.,
born in 1867, who died in the same year.
On May 29, 1869, he married (second) Mary
A. Hile, who was born Jan. 29, 1845, datigh-
ter of James and Hannah (Campbell) Hile.
She now resides at Catawissa. Children as
follows were born to this marriage: Clara B.,
born Jan. 20, 1870, was a teacher, and died
^lay 6, 1892, aged twenty-two years ; Hannah
E., born July 8, 1871, married Warren Carl,
lived in Berwick, and died Oct. 24, 1913;
Minnie J., born June 6, 1874, is the wife of
John Mc. Shultz and lives at Rupert, Pa. ;
James E. was born Aug. 18, 1875; Kimber
C, born June 26, 1879, died April 15, 1880;
Nettie May, born April 29, 1881, married
James Hile and lives at Bloomsburg ; Myrtle
M., born April 20, 1883, died Feb. 27, 1902,
while a student in the Normal school at
Bloomsburg.
James E. Teple, born in Franklin township,
Columbia county, Aug. 18, 1875, attended the
local schools there during his earlier years
and subsequently took a course at the Blooms-
burg State Normal school, graduating in
1896. He taught one term at Beaver Valley,
Columbia county, and two terms in North-
ampton county, near Easton, and then went
to Alaska, where he was engaged in prospect-
ing. Following his experience there he was
in the State of California for six years, two
years of that time being in Trinity county,
employed as a bookkeeper. The other four
years he was in San Francisco, during which
he was special State Representative for the
Continental Casualty Company. Returning'
East March i, 1906, he was in Bloomsburg
for two months, on May ist of that year go-
ing to New York City, where he became
manager of the Harlem branch of the Con-
tinental Casualty Company, with office at No.
217 West 125th street. He was there four
years and three months, at the end of which
period he returned to Bloomsburg to devote
all his energies to the interests of the African
(Jstrich Farm & Feather Company, of which
he is secretary. He is winning firm standing
among the substantial business men of the
town and county. Mr. Teple is an independ-
ent voter. His religious connection is with
the Methodist Church.
On July 27, 1910, Mr. Teple married Helen
G. Masteller, daughter of John W. Masteller,
of Bloomsburg, and they have had a daugh-
ter, Elizabeth M. (who died young) ; and a
son Edwin Russell, born June 20, 1913.
Mrs. Teple is also of New Jersey ancestry,
being descended from Henry Masteller, who
came from that State and located in what is
now Sugarloaf township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
where he followed farming. He lived to the
age of ninety-six years. His son, George
Masteller, was also a farmer in Sugarloaf
township, where he died. His children were:
Emma (married William Cole), William,
Thomas, Clarke, Washington and Loyl.
William Masteller, son of George, and
grandson of Henry, was born in Sugarloaf
township, and was engaged as a huckster
throughout his active life. He enlisted in the
Civil war, serving four years in the Union
army. To him and his wife Martha (Fritz)
were born the following children : Parvin
(living at Orangeville), John W., Albert,
George, William (who died young), Verdelia,
Alvenia, Alice and Emma.
John W. Masteller was born Sept. 28, 1857,
at Orangeville, Columbia county. During his
voung manhood he entered the employ of A.
P). Stewart at Orangeville, Pa., for whom he
clerked eighteen years, after which he became
interested in business on his own account at
Bloomsburg, running a novelty store for four-
teen years. For some time he has been in the
steel plant of the American Car & Foundry
Company, at Berwick, where he holds the po-
sition of foreman. On Jan. i, 1889, he mar-
ried Ida Kistler, daughter of Benjamin and
Frances (Goho) Kistler, and they have three
children: Helen G.. Mrs. James E. Teple;
Ruth, at home; and John. Mrs. Masteller
taught school in Columbia county for eight
years before her marriage.
ALFRED BRUCE BLACK, instructor in
penmanship at the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, is well known in Columbia county,
not only in his present association, but also
through his several years of public service.
He is a son of the late William W. Black,
who served two terms as sheriff of the county,
and was court crier at the time of his death.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
479
The Black family is of Irish Protestant
stock. Jeremiah Black, great-grandfather of
A. Bruce Black, was born in Londonderry,
Ireland, and came to America about the year
1800, first locating in Lewisburg, Northum-
berland Co., Pa., and later moving to Colum-
bia county. He was a skilled mechanic and
followed milling and milhvrighting. In
Northumberland county he operated a large
flour mill until 1822, the time of his removal
to Columbia county, and the remainder of
his life was spent in operating a mill for
James Heberman. He was drowned in at-
tempting to ford a swollen stream below Bow-
man's mills on Dec. 7, 1827. His wife sur-
vived him many years, dying Jan. 27, 1865.
Her maiden name was Alary Thomson, and
she was of Belfast, Ireland, a member of the
same family as the late William Thomson,
Lord Kelvin, the noted British mathematician
and physicist, being his great aunt. Mr. and
Mrs. Black had the following children : James,
born in 1806, was a miller and inventor, and
died in Philadelphia at the age of eighty
years ; John is mentioned below ; Mary mar-
ried Theodore Pinkerton, a resident of In-
diana; Jeremiah died at an early age; Will-
iam was a jeweler of Tioga county: Caroline,
deceased, married a Mr. Pearsali, an actor ;
Lovina died at an early age : Horatio Nelson,
who, like his father, was of a mechanical
turn of mind, resided in Philadelphia.
John Black was born in Northumberland
county Oct. 26, 1809, and learned the trade
of miller with his father. After the latter's
death he assisted in supporting the family
and rearing his younger brothers and sisters.
He was first employed in Hoffman's mill, near
Light .Street, and later at Bowman's and other
mills in the locality. He was finally obliged
to give up his trade on account of his failing
health and for some time was engaged in
burr dressing, after which he purchased a
tavern at Rohrsburg, which he conducted in
connection with a general merchandise store,
also engaging in the lumber and furniture
trade. He built a new hotel known as the
"Rohrsburg House," and carried it on in con-
junction with farming. His son Perry D.
succeeded him as proprietor of the store', but
Mr. Black assisted him until his removal in
1898. to Bloomsburg, where he afterwards
lived in retirement at the home of his son
William. He had excellent health until one
year previous to his death, which occurred in
1902. Mr. Black married Ann Lemon, daugh-
ter of Jonathan Lemon, Jan. 31, 1833, and
they reared seven children, "as follows : Lemon
J., a farmer near Rohrsburg; Isaac F., re-
tired, of Morris, Tioga Co., Pa., where he
was formerly a hotel keeper; Perry D., for-
merly a merchant of Rohrsburg; Mary C,
deceased; Alfred B., who died Feb. 22, 1866,
from disease contracted in the war of the
Rebellion, having enlisted in 1864, in Com-
pany D, 2d Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served
until the close of the war; William W. ; and
Elizabeth, who married J. W. Fortner, of
Centralia, Pa. John Black was a member of
the Presbyterian Church for some years.
William W. Black was born Nov. 19, 1845,
at Eyers Grove, Columbia county, and reared
in his native township, where he attended
common school. He then engaged in huck-
stering, which business he continued until he
[)urchased his father's hotel, which he man-
aged successfully for over fifteen years. Sub-
sequently for a time he followed farming
in connection with the hotel business, but
later rented his hotel property. In 1893 ^^^
was a candidate for the office of sheriff, but
was beaten for the nomination. In 1896 he
received the nomination, was elected by a
comfortable majority, and moved into the
residence part of the jail, which is fitted with
all modern improvements and is in keeping
with the remainder of the building, a massive
and beautiful stone structure, of two stories
and basement. At the close of this term Mr.
Black was succeeded by Sheriff Knorr, but
on Jan. i, 1903, resumed the duties of the
office for another term, having been honored
with reelection. During the last three years
of his life he was court crier, and he had
served earlier as constable and tax collector.
He died Feb. 28, 191 1, and is buried at
liloomsburg.
On Dec. 28. 1871, Mr. Black married
Rachel A. Unger, daughter of Lafayette Un-
ger, of Unityville, and they became the par-
ents of two children : Ella M., who married
John W. Mather, by whom she had two sons,
Ray and Bruce ; and A. Bruce. Mrs. Black
died at Bloomsburg Dec. 4, 1913, when sixty-
three years of age.
In 1864 Mr. Black enlisted in the 210th
Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., and continued in the
service until the close of the war.
Alfred Bruce Black was born Sept. 20, 1873,
at Rohrsburg, in Greenwood township, Co-
lumbia county, and began his schooling in the
locality. Later he was sent to Dickinson
Seminary, at \\'illiamsport. Pa., and then to
the high school at York, Pa. He continued
his studies at Michael University, Logansport,
Ind., graduating from that institution in the
480
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
spring of 1896, after which he took a special
course in penmanship at the Zanerian Art
College, Columbus, Ohio, graduating in the
fall of 1896. Returning to Bloomsburg, he
became deputy sheriff under his father in
1897 and served during the three years of
his term, continuing as deputy under Sheriff
Knorr and then again in his father's second
term. For the next three years he was clerk
to the county commissioners, completing
twelve years of service at the courthouse. For
a short time following Mr. Black taught pen-
manship in the summer school at Benton,
Columbia Co., Pa. In 1909 he took his pres-
ent position at the Bloomsburg Normal School.
He has done valuable work for the institution,
not alone in the discharge of the duties as-
signed to him, but in setting and maintaining
standards of work in his particular field which
aid his pupils in all their endeavors. He is
a conscientious and respected member of the
teaching staff. Mr. Black is a devoted stu-
dent, a lover of good books, and has already
acquired a creditable library, including some
rare and old volumes. During the summer of
191 1 he took a European trip, and another
in 1914.
Mr. Black devotes considerable time to lit-
erary work, and in 1900 issued a little volume
entitled "Like Expressions,'' which he has
since revised and enlarged, so that at present
it is printed in two good-sized volumes. The
work is intended to do away with parallelism
arguments, especially in the Bacon-Shake-
speare controversy, and has met with much
favor among literary students and authors.
Mr. Black has been prevailed upon to grant
permission for its publication in Edinburgh,
Scotland. He is also joint author of a novel,
■'.\ Random Shaft.''
On Feb. 23, 1907, Mr. Black married Helen
\\'illiams, of Bloomsburg, who died Aug. 30,
1 910. They had one son, Tasso Lessing. Mr.
r>lack belongs to the Methodist Church and
socially is a member of the Sons of \ eterans.
Politically he is a Democrat.
MRS. ABIGAIL A. GEISIXGER, of Dan-
ville, is a descendant of one of the earliest
and most prominent families of the borough,
the Cornelisons.
Joseph Cornelison, the grandfather, located
in Danville when it was but a small settle-
ment, in striking contrast to the now thriving
business center widely known throughout the
State for its up-to-date establishments and in-
stitutions. He and his family associated with
many of its first industrial enterprises, and
to such of her early residents as these does
Danville owe its present standing. With won-
derful foresight and pride they had faith in
the success she would attain, and none who
have had the good fortune to see Danville in
recent years can doubt the correctness of their
predictions. Joseph Cornelison was born in
Holland, and upon coming to this country set-
tled in the State of New Jersey, but soon aft-
erwards moved to Danville, Montour Co., Pa.,
where he established the first blacksmith shop.
He followed that line of work the remainder
of his life, died in the town, and was laid to
rest in Grove cemetery. His wife, whose
maiden name was Martin, was also buried
in Cirove cemetery. To their marriage were
born the following children : Joseph, who
was the first male white child born in Dan-
ville; William: Jacob; Isaac; Cornelius;
James ; Massey ; Alary, Mrs. Yorks ; and
Anna, Mrs. Best.
Isaac Cornelison, son of Joseph, was born
in Danville, and at an early age learned the
trade of wagonmaker, carrying on business on
Mill street, where he was engaged in such
work until his death, Oct. 6, 1843, at the age
of forty-three years. He married Abigail Pan-
coast, a daughter of Mordecai and Mary
(Mears) Pancoast, who were strict adherents
of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Cornelison
died at the age of twenty-four years, six
months, leaving two children : Mary E., the
wife of D. Rice, both now deceased; and Abi-
gail A., Mrs. Geisinger.
Abigail A. Cornelison was first married to
Jacob Cornelison, who was for some years
proprietor of the hotel known as the "White
."^wan." He was the son of the Jacob Cor-
nelison, who in 1820 purchased the ground on
which the "City Hotel" is now situated, and
ten years later erected a building in which he
conducted a fine hotel. This establishment
became well known throughout that section
as the "White Swan," and the sign which hung
over the door was appropriately an artistically
painted white swan. He continued at the head
of this establishment until 1852, when his son,
Jacob, succeeded him as proprietor. The lat-
ter conducted the business with success un-
til his death in 1865. at the age of thirty-five
years. The building was large and substan-
tial. In 1872 it was purchased by Adam
Geringer, who erected the present structure
known as the "City .Hotel."
Mrs. Cornelison married for her second
husband, June 7, 1865, George F. Geisinger,
who was born in Hingham. Mass., in 1821.
Birthplace of Mrs. Georue F. Geisinger, Dawille, Pa.
lIu.ME UF Mrs. Geuuge F. Geisixger. Ua.wille. I'a.
r
r-
3
u^.
/^^^i%
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
481
GEORGE F. GEISINGER was born in
Hiiighain, Mass., Sept. 24, 182 1, and was a
son of Commodore David Geisinger. The
Geisinger family is of German ancestry, and
the first of whom authentic record is known
was David, who served in the war of 181 2
with Great Britain. He was a midshipman
on the United States frigate "Wasp," which
captured the British boat "Atlanta." David
Geisinger was placed in charge of the boat
with sealed orders, which he was to deliver
to any United States district attorney. He
turned his charge over to the district attorney
of New York, and immediately returned to
the service. He was promoted at various
times until he was retired, as rear admiral of
the navy. He was buried in Baltimore, where
he died. His children were : George F.,
Helen and Sarah.
George F. Geisinger attended the public
schools at Hingham, and later entered Wor-
cester College. Upon graduation he went to
Baltimore, Md., where he accepted a posi-
tion in a mercantile house. He remained there
until 1844, when he accompanied his father
on a pleasure trip abroad, returning to Balti-
more two years later. In 1847 he went to
South America, and spent two years in pros-
pecting, and upon returning, in 1849, made
the trip out to California. Subsequently he
went to Philadelphia, where he acted as his
father's secretary at the Naval Asylum until
1854. In June, 1853, he accepted the posi-
tion of bookkeeper for Grove & Brother, a
prominent iron manufacturing concern of
Danville, Pa., who then operated the plant of
what is now the Reading Iron Company.
They managed the works until 1857, during
which time the new mill was built, greatly in-
creasing the capacity. In 1857 the entire
plant passed into the hands of I. S. Waterman,
Thomas Beaver, William Neal and Washing-
ton Lee, as trustees for the Montour Iron
Company, and they operated it until 1859, in
which year it was purchased by Waterman &
Beaver, and the name changed to the Penn-
sylvania Iron Works. In 1868 Thomas Beaver,
Daniel Morgan, C. Mulligan, George F.
Geisinger and Daniel Edwards became pro-
prietors, carrying on the works until 1880.
During the various changes Mr. Geisinger
continued to act as head bookkeeper, retaining
that position during his connection with the
firm. He possessed unexcelled business pro-
pensities, and proved a valuable man to have
at the head of this industry. However, in
1880, he disposed of his interest in order that
he might spend the remainder of an unusually
31
active life in quiet retirement; his only busi-
ness for the rest of his days being the man-
agement of an interest which he acquired
with Daniel Edwards and Thomas Beaver in
mining and dealing in coal at Kingston, Pa.,
and in i88i he made a trip to CaHfornia.
After his death, which occurred Nov. 16,
1883, his wife assumed his interest in the
business, and has continued as a member of
the firm up to the present time, conducting
her affairs with characteristic ability and good
judgment.
Mrs. Geisinger purchased the old Shelhart
residence on Center street, Danville, remod-
eled it, and greatly improved the lawn by
the addition of shrubs and trees, converting
the place into a model home, one of the finest
residences in the city. She is the principal
supporter of the Mahoning Presbyterian
Church, of which her husband was also a
faithful member, and served as trustee. Mrs.
Geisinger possesses many excellent qualities
and occupies a high place in the estimation
of her many friends.
WILLIAM H. RHAWN, one of Colum-
bia's most prominent attorneys at law, was
born in Catawissa Oct. 11, 1856, son of
Casper and Catherine (Kruck) Rhawn. His
grandfather, Henry Rhawn, was a native of
Montgomery county. Pa., where he resided
most of his life. He was the father of a large
family.
Casper Rhawn, father of William H.
Rhawn, was born in 1814, at Halifax, Pa.,
where he attended the public schools and
learned the trade of tailor. In 1835 he was
induced to locate in Catawissa, Columbia Co.,
Pa., where he built up a lucrative tailoring
business, following the trade until his death
in 1882. He was united in marriage to
Catherine Kruck, daughter of Jacob Kruck,
a resident of Berks county, and this union was
blessed with seven children: Susan (Kosten-
bauder) ; George B. ; Stephen : Catherine
(Haas) ; Jacob; William H., and Jessie. Mr.
Rhawn was a firm supporter of the Demo-
cratic party, taking an active interest in local
affairs. He was for many years postmaster
of Catawissa, a position which he held with
credit.
William H. Rhawn received his education
in the public schools of Catawissa and at-
tended Dickinson Seminary, after his gradu-
ation taking up the study of law under the
preceptorship of W. H. Abbott, of Catawissa.
He was admitted to the bar in 1879, and has
since lived in Catawissa, where he maintains
482
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
his office, although the largest part of his prac-
tice is before the Columbia county bar. He is
an active and energetic worker, and his great
success is due to his natural abilities and su-
perior legal qualifications. He is attorney for
the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Com-
pany, the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and
Iron Company, and Pennsylvania Paper Mill.
In politics Mr. Rhawn is a Democrat, and
stands high in the councils of the local or-
ganization. He is a member of the Metho-
dist Church, and of the B. P. O. Elks.
ALEXANDER BILLMEYER, whose in-
terests have always been centered at Wash-
ingtonville, Montour county, is one of the
foremost men of that section. He repre-
sented his district in Congress several years
ago, and from early manhood has filled a
prominent place in its business life. His
beautiful home property in Derry township,
including "Billmeyer Park." is one of the
notable estates of that part of the county.
The Billmeyer family has been in this region
for several generations. Martin Billmeyer.
grandfather of Alexander, having come to
Liberty township, in what is now Montour
county, with his father, who took up a large
tract of land on the Chillisquaque. There he
died, and the land was afterwards divided
among three of his sons, George, Martin and
/'..ndrew. They erected a sawmill on the
creek (the first in the township) which is still
in use and is known as the Billmeyer sawmill.
Martin Billmeyer died there in the early
fifties, his wife, Margaret (Himmelrigh), sur-
viving him several years. They were the par-
ents of six sons and six daughters : Daniel ;
Martin ; Jacob : Mary ; Catherine ; Fannie ;
Peter, at one time sheriff of Columbia county,
who made his home at Bloomsburg; John,
who lived in Liberty township ; Andrew Jack-
son, of the same township; .Sarah, wife of
John Gouger, and Margaret, wife of George
Wagner, both of Limestone township : and
Harriet, wife of A. J. Maus, of Valley town-
ship. All are now deceased.
Jacob Billmeyer, father of Alexander Bill-
meyer, was born Oct. 17, 1808, and lived in
Liberty township until a year or two before
his death, which occurred May 30, 1881. He
had been a farmer and lumberman all his life.
His wife, Eliza Hower, was born in North-
ampton county. Pa., Aug. 16, 1814, and died
Feb. 5, 1873. They had seven children,
namely : Alexander ; Henry, of Liberty town-
ship ; Sarah, wife of Martin Blue, of Derry
township; Mary, wife of B. F. Umstead, of
Anthony township; Margaret, wife of David
Springer, of Liberty township; Jacob H., of
Anthony township; and Daniel, of Talbot
county, Maryland.
Alexander Billmeyer was born Jan. 7, 1841,
and remained at home until twenty-six years
old. Meantime he went to work for his
uncle in the sawmill, receiving fifty cents a
day, and being ambitious and energetic he
took advantage of every opportunity to forge
ahead. Having obtained a contract to furnish
the walnut lumber for the Grove mansion at
Danville, at $65 per thousand feet, he filled
the order by running the mill evenings after
his regular day's work was over, paying his
help himself, and had to keep at it sometimes
until midnight, or even later. Subsequently
he bought his father's share in a mill owned
by the latter and two of his brothers, Peter
and Jackson, and then began to make a
specialty of getting out white oak timber,
which line he found very profitable. For
eight years he was associated with his brother
Henry, farming and lumbering, the sons buy-
ing their father's interests, paying off the ob-
ligations he had incurred, and bringing their
affairs into excellent condition. When they
dissolved partnership, Alexander Billmeyer
bought the lumber business, his brother tak-
ing the homestead. They had acquired other
holdings, including the 400-acre tract which
is now Alexander Billmeyer's home farm, ex-
tensive tracts of timber on the eastern shore
of Maryland, and others in Clarion county,
Pa. (at what is now Bethlehem), Somerset
county. Pa. (at Elk Lick), and West Virginia.
Mr. Billmeyer continued to look after his
lumber business in Montour county person-
ally, sending a brother-in-law to supervise the
manufacturing in the other sections where he
owned timber. He had the largest share of
the lumber business in his home neighborhood,
his progressive policy, and sincere desire to
give his patrons the best that could be
obtained anywhere, holding their custom
throughout all the changes which have at-
tended the production and use of lumber. In
1872 Mr. Billmeyer began to invest in farm
lands, and he has made purchases from time
to time until his possessions now include fif-
teen farms with an area of about two thousand
acres, of the best agricultural property in the
county, all but about 150 acres being cleared.
Having extensive business affairs Mr. Bill-
meyer has naturally taken an interest in the
financial institutions of his section, and he is
now one of the directors of the Danville Na-
tional Bank. He has also taken an active part
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
483
in furthering the general welfare of his home
locality and county, and he was formerly one
of the trustees of the State Hospital for the
Insane located at Danville. In 1902 Mr. Bill-
meyer was appointed to represent the Six-
teenth Congressional district, comprising Sul-
livan, Columbia, Montour and Northumber-
land counties, and served one term, with the
ability and fine regard for his obligations to
his constituents which had been expected of
him. Mr. Billmeyer's life has been one of
activity and achievement, and he is justly
looked up to by the fellow citizens among
whom he has passed his life, and who know
the means by which his position and prosper-
ity have been reached.
In 1865 Mr. Billmeyer married Angeline
Blue, who was born Oct. 12, 1845, daughter
of Daniel Blue, of Muncy, Lycoming Co., Pa.,
and they have had a family of five children :
Ella, born Feb. 2, 1866, married Glen Craw-
ford, and died in 1904: Alice, born Aug. 13,
1867, is the wife of Taswell Vincent, a lumber
manufacturer of Danville, Pa., and has three
children, Lydia, Florence and Alexander;
Harry, born April 16, 1870, is mentioned be-
low; Mary B., born July 17, 1874, is the wife
of Dr. Henry Sweigart, of Lewistown, Pa.,
and has three children, Alexander B., Mary
and Ethel; Florence, born Jan. 20, 1879, is
the wife of George Gilbert Kulp, of Shamo-
kin. Pa., president of the street railway com-
pany of that place and also interested in the
lumber business (they have no children).
In 1876 Mr. Billmeyer erected the residence
on his beautiful 400-acre estate in Derry
township, having one of the most attractive
country homes in this part of Pennsylvania.
Fifty acres of his place have been set ofif for
what is known as "Billmeyer Park," where
Mr. Billmeyer has indulged his love for nature
and the creatures of the forest which he un-
doubtedly learned to love in his varied ex-
periences in the lumber districts. It is
estimated that there are over a thousand
squirrels on this tract, besides fifty wild tur-
keys, a number of deer and thirty elk, all of
which thrive under the ideal conditions
afforded.
H.NRRY Billmeyer. only son of Alexander
Billmeyer, was born April 16, 1870, on the old
Billmeyer homestead in Liberty township, and
received his early education in the common
schools. Later he attended the Millville
Friends' Academy, in Columbia county, and
when a young man of twenty entered his
father's employ as secretary and business
manager. He continued to be so engaged
until 1 90S. in which year he acquired posses-
sion of his present farm in Derry township.
Before that he had been engaged in breeding
pedigreed horses, in which line he has been
interested for ten years, and since going into
agricultural work he has also dealt in stock, as
well as hay and grain. His land is devoted to
general farming, and he is operating it with a
degree of success which stamps him as a
typical representative of the name he bears.
Business has claimed all of his attention so
far. public honors making no appeal to his
ambition, though he takes the interest of a
good citizen in the welfare of the community
and the proper administration of local alTairs.
Mr. Billmeyer married Nellie lone Jame-
son, a native of Danville, Pa., daughter of
Charles A. and Martha (Lyon) Jameson, and
granddaughter of the late Moyer Lyon, of
Danville, who was one of the oldest butchers
in the borough. Mrs. Jameson died May 7,
1895. aged forty-three years. Mr. Jameson
was one of the old established merchants of
Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Billmeyer have one
child, Martha Blue, born July 30, 1907, who
is attending school.
Mr. Billmeyer was reared in the Lutheran
faith, his wife in the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN LYMAN RICHARDSON, of
Bloomsburg, treasurer of the Richard Manu-
facturing Company, one of the noteworthy in-
dustrial concerns of the locality, is a native of
Pennsylvania but of old New England stock.
The Richardsons and Lymans, with which
latter family he is connected through his
grandmother, Laura (Lyman) Richardson,
have been in this country from Colonial times.
Amos Richardson, the first of this line in
America, must have come to New England
prior to 1640. We find he was in Boston as
early as 1645, but he was doubtless there sev-
eral years before. He is described as a mer-
chant tailor, and he was a man of great re-
spectability. After the departure of Stephen
\\'inthrop, the governor's son. for England, in
1641, he was agent for him in New England,
as he afterwards was for his brother, John
Winthrop, the first governor of Connecticut
after the charter. With Dean Winthrop and
others he was one of the original grantees of
Groton, Conn., though he never went there
to live. He was a man of strong convictions
and determined energy and will, and a good
deal of original talent, good-hearted, but never
submitted to a wrong without an effort to
secure the right. He died at Stonington,
Conn., Aug. 5, 1683.
484
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Stephen Richardson, third son of Amos,
was born in Boston, June 14, 1652, and lived
and died in Stonington, Conn. He was a man
of character and influence.
Amos Richardson, third son of Stephen,
was born in 168 1, and settled in Coventry,
Connecticut.
Nathan Richardson, eldest son of Amos,
was born March 20, 1725.
Nathan Richardson (2), fourth son of
Nathan, was born at Coventry, Conn., Oct. 27,
1760, and about 1780 removed to Manchester,
Vt., from there going to near Burlington,
Chittenden Co., Vt., where he soon after died.
William P. Richardson, son of Nathan (2),
was born at Manchester, Vt., July 22, 1784.
In his early childhood he developed more than
ordinary aptness and excelled as a reader. In
the Congregational Church, of which he was
a member, regular service at that time was
always held on the Sabbath in the absence of
the minister. On such occasions — and they
occurred hundreds of times during the course
of his life — Mr. Richardson was invariably
called upon by one of the deacons to conduct
the service and to stand in the pulpit and read
a sermon to the congregation. For weeks,
and sometimes months, he served the church
in this way in the absence of the pastor. He
studied theology under the instruction of Rev.
Ebenezer Kingsbury (grandfather of E_^ P.
Kingsbury, of Scranton), pastor of the Con-
gregational Church at Jericho Center, V' t. On
account of the protracted sickness of his
mother, who required his constant care, he
was compelled to relinquish all thoughts of
the ministry as a profession. Mr. Richardson
married Sept. 7, 1807, Laura, daughter of
Capt. John Lyman. He was an old Jeft'erson-
ian Democrat, an ardent supporter of the
Madison and Monroe administrations, and a
decided advocate of the war of 1812. He was
a volunteer in that war and was an officer in
his company, which was ordered to Platts-
burg. After the close of the war he pur-
chased a farm near Jericho Center, directing
his attention to agricultural life. He was for
many years a justice of the peace, often a
member of the board of selectmen, and rep-
resented Chittenden county in the State Leg-
islature in 1821, 1822 and 1824. He wrote
the early history of Jericho township which
was published in "Thompson's Gazetteer of
the State." His intellect and training made
him a leader in the most advanced movements
of his day. He became interested in the cause
of education and secured the establishment
of a good academical school in his township;
and was president of the first organized tem-
perance society of his town. When more than
eighty years of age he removed with his wife
to Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., where the
couple spent the remainder of their lives with
their son-in-law, Edward Converse. Mr.
Richardson died Feb. 28, 187 1.
John L. Richardson was born near Jericho
Center, Chittenden Co., Vt., Sept. 15, 1816.
The county was named after the first gov-
ernor, and one of the most renowned gover-
nors, in the State; was the county in which
Col. Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga,
lived and died; the native county of Senator
Edmunds; the native county of Dr. Higbee,
former superintendent of public instruction in
Pennsylvania ; and the iirst public school
which Mr. Richardson attended was soon
after taught by the father of President
Arthur. During his first terms in the academy
of his native town he was a schoolmate of
Judge Poland, for many years member of
Congress from Vermont. At the age of nine-
teen Mr. Richardson taught his first school
near his native town, and soon after entered
Burr Seminary, at Manchester, Vt., then
under the principalship of his relative. Rev.
Lyman Coleman, D. D., subsequently profes-
sor of ancient and modern history in Lafa}'-
ette College ; he taught winters during the
four years of his connection with the semin-
ary. In 1842 he left Manchester, on a visit
to his sister Hannah, who, with her husband,
John C. K. Truair, had charge of the Gilberts-
ville Academy and Collegiate Institute at
Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y. He spent a
year at that place, teaching in the academy,
and during one term was associated with the
late Rev. Reuben Nelson, D. D., who was a
teacher of languages in the same institution.
Mr. Richardson moved to Luzerne county. Pa.,
in 1843 and taught school several years. In
the fall of 1855, while he was principal of
Madison Academy, at Waverly, Pa., he was
commissioned by Andrew G. Curtin, then
secretary of State and superintendent of
public instruction, as superintendent of the
schools of Luzerne county. The act authoriz-
ing a superintendent was passed in 1854, and
the late Rev. J. W. Lescher was the first
superintendent, but he resigned shortly after
the law went into effect. Mr. Richardson's
first act as superintendent was to issue a cir-
cular which gives considerable insight into his
sentiments regarding the obligations and
responsibilities of his chosen profession. The
office of county superintendent was objected
to by a large number of people at first, in a
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
485
day when the important mission of jniblic
schools was httle understood or appreciated,
and Mr. Richardson had to perform his duties
in the face of much opposition and distrust.
But in spite of unfavorable circumstances his
conscientious and enlightened attention to
those duties did much to improve the effi-
ciency of the system and popularize it. He
retired voluntarily after five years' service.
The Richardsons are a race of teachers,
They are found scattered throughout the
country, in colleges, seminaries, public schools,
and in every department of scholastic labor.
Of the brothers and sisters of Mr. Richard-
son, Betsy, Nathan and Martin L. taught in
Vermont ; Mrs. Edward Converse taught in
Lackawanna county. Pa., almost seventy vears
ago; Mrs. J. C. K. Truair had charge of the
young ladies' department in the Gilbertsville
Academy and Collegiate Institute ; Mrs. Emily
Hillhouse taught an academical school in
Columbus, Ohio ; and Simeon L. taught in
Minnesota. Thus out of a family of ten chil-
dren, who grew to maturity, eight were teach-
ers. It is a fact worthy of note that during a
portion of the time that L L. Richardson was
county su]:)erintendent of Luzerne county.
Rev. Willard Richardson was county superin-
tendent of Susquehanna county, and Judson
Richardson was county superintendent of Sul-
livan county.
It seems but natural that a man of such
high character and strong sense of justice
should have been active in the Abolition cause,
and later in the betterment of conditions
among the former slaves. Mr. Richardson
was for six years an agent of the New York
American Missionary Association, and as
such addressed thousands of his countrymen
in favor of the newly-created citizens of
African descent. His first year's residence
during this work was in St. Louis, Mo., where
he devoted his time to the organization of
schools and employing teachers for them. He
visited the States of New York, Pennsylvania
and Vermont, and raised thousands of dollars
for his work among the freedmen. He was
a pioneer antislavery man, and cast his vote
for James G. Birney, John P. Hale and other
antislavery leaders. The Prohibition cause
also found a strong advocate in him. At the
age of fourteen he signed the pledge at a
temperance meeting at which his father was
president, and he never drank a glass of wine
in his life. In two presidential campaigns he
was employed by the State committees of the
temperance organization to canvass for votes,
and do all in his power to build up the cause.
He was also agent and solicitor for the Tunk-
hannock Republican, a temperance paper, and
for the Scranton City Journal. In 1879 he
retired to a farm in Cooper township, near
Danville, Montour Co., Pa. His death oc-
curred suddenly, in March, 1885, at Mount
Carmel, Pennsylvania.
On June 19, 1846, Mr. Richardson married
Catherine Heermans, at that time living in
Hyde Park (now Scranton), Pa., sister of
Edmond and John Heermans and niece of
Joseph Fellows. She survived him, after his
death making her home at Bloomsburg. They
had nine children, of whom Catherine was
the first to die; Mary married Isaac P. Haud
and lives in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; Laura married
.■\ngus Morrison ; Gallitzin T. went out to
Idaho ; Florence D. married Willis Emmons
and moved to Pomona, Cal. ; Emily E. mar-
ried Walter T. Hall and moved to Idaho;
William P. moved to Jordan Valley, Oregon;
John L. went to New York City; Harriet H.
lives in Norwalk, California.
John Lyman Richardson was born March
2, 1863, at Waverly, Pa., and received his
primary education in the public schools of
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., later taking a course in the
State Normal School at Bloomsburg, where
he prepared for Lafayette College, entering
the class of 1885. He then taught school for
a short time, and in 1886 became shipping
clerk and buyer for the Manhattan Brass
Company, of New York City, remaining in
the position for three and a half years ; he
then accepted a position with Randolph &
Clowes, of Waterbury, Conn. In 1891 he re-
moved to Bloomsburg and in company with
F. J. Richard built the tube plant, serving as
treasurer of the company until 1894. Wlien
the Richard Manufacturing Company of
Bloomsburg was formed, in 1900, he became
treasurer, and he has been one of the most
influential directors of that prosperous con-
cern since.
Mr. Richardson married, Nov. 28, 1894,
Minnie Bittenbender, daughter of Evan E.
liittenbender, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and
they have had three children : Catherine R.,
born June 5, 1896, who graduated with the
class of 1913 from the Bloomsburg State Nor-
mal School ; John L., bom July 4, 1897, a mem-
ber of the class of 1915; and Emily E., born
Feb. 21, 1899, a mernber of the class of 1916 of
the Bloomsburg State Normal School. The
family are Presbyterians in religious connec-
tion. In 1898 Mr. Richardson built his hand-
some home on East Main Street, Bloomsburg.
He is a Republican in politics.
486
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Henry Bittenbender, grandfather of Mrs.
Richardson, settled with his family at Forks,
Columbia Co., Pa., purchasing what after-
wards became known as the Zander farm, one
of the best in the Fishing creek valley. Evan
E. Bittenbender, her father, was born Feb. 26,
1842, at Cambra, I.uzerne Co., Pa., and came
with the family to this section. When he at-
tained his majority he enlisted for service in
the Union army, joining Company E, 209th
P. V. I., with which company he served to the
end of the war, taking part in a number of
important engagements, including those at
Fort Stedman and Petersburg. On Sept. 28,
1865, he married Rebecca Matilda Stoker,
daughter of Daniel Stoker, and the same year
removed to Constantine, Mich. In 1881 he
removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Through his grandmother, Laura (Lyman)
Richardson, Mr. Richardson is a descendant
of Richard Lyman, who landed on these
shores in 1631, only eleven years after the
Pilgrim Fathers. Two years before King
Charles I. had granted the charter incorporat-
ing "The Governor and Company of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England." The
year before John Winthrop had been chosen
governor of Massachusetts and had emigrated
to the Colony. This Richard Lyman was also
an ancestor of Admiral George Dewey, his
granddaughter, Hepzibah (daughter of his
son Richard, of Windsor, Conn., who died in
1662), marr\-ing Nov. 6, 1662, Josiah Dewey.
Thus an article which appeared in the Phila-
delphia Press Aug. 14, 1898, relating to
Dewey's early ancestors, is also properly in-
cluded in this account of the Lymans.
"Admiral Dewey's pedigree begins on the
border of mythology with Thor, the Saxon
God, or cult-hero, who is almost a myth,
called variously Vothinn, Othinn, Odin, Bodo,
and Woden, the King of the West Saxons,
A. D.. 256-300; he and his spouse, Frea, were
the Mara and \'enus of Saxon Mythology.
This King Woden, the God of war, is de-
scribed as the great-grandfather of bugaboos
of English historj', Horsa and Hengst, broth-
ers, freebooters and pirates, of whom the
Saxon annals tells us that Hengst was the
King of Saxons, and died between A D. 474
and 4Q5, the first King of Kent.
"Leaving this progenitor of the Saxon
rulers of Britain, Admiral Dewey's royal
lineage passes along the royal Saxon line on
the continent, through King Hengst's son.
Prince Hartwalker, to the historic King
Dieteric. and his 'famous' wife (he had
others), Wobrogera, a daughter of the unique
character, Bellun, King of the Worder. Their
grandson, Witekind the Great, was the last
king of the Saxons, A. D. 769-807, and then
dwindled into only their dukes, and Duke of
\\'estphalia, while his descendants for a few
generations were only Counts of Wettin, un-
til on the genealogical line we come to the
great Robert — Robert-fortis — who by his
sword became Count of Axjor and Orleans,
Duke and Marquis of France, and won the
hand of the fair Lady Alisa, sister-in-law to
the King of France, Ilothaire I.
"This hero of medieval history, Robert-
fortis, the great-grandson of the great Wite-
kind, was the founder of the so called Capu-
chin line of monarchs of France, for from
him, through a line of Dukes of France and
Burgundy, Counts of Paris, etc., who by their
swords and intermarriages became firmly
seated on French soil, was descended the cele-
brated Hugh Capet, Duke of France, who
usurped the throne of France and supplanted
Charles, Duke of Lorraine, the heir of Louis
d'Outremere, or King Louis IV, the last Car-
lovingian, or descendant of the great Emperor
Charlemagne, to occupy the 'French' throne.
"Two other kings of the Capuchin line —
Robert the Pious, and Henry the first — Dewey
numbers among his illustrious ancestors, and
( Jibbon, in his "History of the Roman Empire,'
tells us of the high lineage of one of his early
ancestresses, Anne of Russia, wife of Henry
L, of France. Gibbon states she was the
daughter of Jaroslaus, Grand Duke or Czar of
Russia. A. D. 1015-1051, who was a descend-
ant of Basil, the Macedonian, the first emperor
of Constantinople of his line, A. D. 867, and
that Basil was descended, on his father's side,
from the Araeides, the rivals of Rome, pos-
sessors of the scepter of the East for four
hundred years, through a younger branch of
the Parthian monarchs, reigning in Armenia;
and on his mother's side, from the European,
Constantine the Great, and Alexander the
Great, the Macedonian.
"Continuing Dewey's pedigree, we find
that one of his ancestors — the one necessary
to connect him with these historic characters
— was the son of King Henry L, of France,
Hugh the Great, or Magnus, Duke of
France and Burgundy. Marquis of Orleans,
and Count of Paris, and through his wife
Count of \'ermandois and \'alois, a noted
man of his day.
"It is here that Dewey's pedigree leaves
the continent and begins to be a part of Eng-
lish history. Dewey's ancestress. Lady Isabel
de \'ermandois. was the daughter of the
COLUMBIA AND MOxXTOUR COUNTIES
487
aforesaid Hugh Magnus, and was the first
wife (he was her first husband) of Robert de
Belloinont, or Beaumont, a Norman, Earl of
Millent, who accompanied WilHam of Nor-
mandy on his expedition to England, and for
the part he took in the conquest was created
in 1 103 Earl of Leicester, and granted many
manors in England, dying in 11 18. He had
issue by Lady Isabel, Robert Bosse de Bello-
mont, second Earl of Leicester, who was
justiciary of England, and, dying in 1168, had
issue by his wife. Lady Amelia or Arnica, a
daughter of Ralph de Waer or Waher, who in
1066 was Earl of Norfolk, Sufifolk and Cam-
bridge, but forfeited these earldoms in 1074 ;
Robert-blanc-Mains, third Earl of Leicester
and steward of England, whose daughter.
Lady Margaret de Bellomont, was an ances-
tress of Admiral Dewey.
"This lady married Saher de Quincey, an
English baron, created in 1207 by King John,
to win him over to his side, Earl of Winches-
ter. This baron accepted and enjoyed the hon-
ors conferred upon him by John, but never
was friendly with him. On the contrary, he
was. next to Fitz \\'alter, the leader of the
insurrectionary barons, and did as much work
as any of them to compel King John to grant
the Magna Charta — the charter of liberty —
and was one of the twenty-five sureties chosen
to enforce its observance. It is through this
"baron that Dewey is eligible to membership
in the Order of Runnymede.
"Turning now to the pages of the Scottish
peerage books, we learn that this Earl of \\'in-
chester's granddaughter, Elizabeth de Quincy,
was the wife of Alexander de Comyn.
second Earl of Buchan. who was a descend-
ant of Donalbane, King of Scots, which gives
Dewey a 'strain' of the sturdiest sort. And
reverting again to the English peerage, we
find that Gilbert, Baron d'Umfraville, mar-
ried Lady .Agnes, a daughter of the aforesaid
Elizalieth, Countess of Buchan, and was the
progenitor of a line of d'Umfravilles to Lady
Joan d'Umfraville. who married Sir \\'illiam
Lamliert. Knight. Lord of Owlton Manor, in
Durham. From the authentic pedigrees of
the otficial Heralds of England, we learn that
a great-granddaughter of this marriage, was
the wife of Thomas Lyman, Gent., of Navi-
stoke. in Essex, who died in 1509, and mother
of Henry Lyman, of High Ongar, in Essex,
who was the ancestor of Richard Lyman.
"Richard Lyman, the patriarch of the Ly-
mans of English descent in .America, was
born at Hugh Ongar Alanor, Essex County,
England, and was baptized Oct. 30, 1580.
The date of his birth is not known. He
married Sarah Osborne, of Halstead, in Kent.
She went to America with her husband and
all her children, and died in Hartford, Conn.,
about the year 1640, soon after the death
of her husband. Mr. Lyman embarked about
the middle of August, 1631, with his wife
and children, in the ship "Lion," for New-
England, taking their departure from the
port of Bristol. There went in the same ship
Martha Winthrop, the third wife of John
\\'inthrop, at that time governor of New Eng-
land, the governor's eldest son and his wife
and their children, also Eliot, the celebrated
apostle of the Massachusetts Indians. The
ship made anchor before Boston on Nov. 2,
163 1. Richard Lyman first became a settler
in Charlestown, ^lass., and, with his wife,
united with the Church in what is now called
Roxbury, under the pastoral care of Eliot, the
'Apostle to the Indians.' He became a free-
man at the General Court June 11, 1635, and
on Oct. 15. 1635, he took his departure with
his family from Charlestown, joining a party
of about one hundred persons who went
through the wilderness from Alassachusetts
to Connecticut, the object being to form set-
tlements at Windsor, Hartford and Wethers-
field. He was one of the first settlers at Hart-
ford. The journey from Massachusetts was
made in about fourteen days' time, the dis-
tance being more than one hundred miles, and
through a trackless wilderness. They had
no guide but their compass, and made their
way over mountains, through swamps, thickets
and rivers, which were not passable except
with the greatest difficulty. They had no
cover but the heavens, nor any lodgings but
those which simple nature aflforded them.
They drove with them one hundred and sixty
head of cattle, and, by the way. subsisted
in a great measure on the milk of their cows.
The people carried their packs, arms and some
utensils. This adventure was the more re-
markable as many of the company were per-
sons of figure, who had lived in England in
honor, affluence and delicacy, and were entire
strangers to fatigue and danger. Richard Ly-
man on his journey suffered greatly in the
loss of cattle. He' was one of the original
proprietors of Hartford, and there is little
doubt that he and his wife formed a con-
nection with the first church in Hartford, of
which the Rev. Thomas Hooker was pastor.
His will, the first on record in Hartford, is
dated April 22. 1640, is first in the valuable
collection of Trumbull, and stands Record T.
page 442, and followed by an inventor}' of his
488
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
estate. He died in August, 1640, and his name
is inscribed on a stone column in the rear of
the Centre Church, of Hartford, erected in
memory- of the first settlers of the city. His
wife, Sarah, died soon afterward. Richard
Lyman is reported to have begun life in the
new world as a man of 'considerable estate,
keeping two servants.'
"John Lyman, known as Lieutenant Lyman,
born in High Ongar, September, 1623, came
to New England with his father. He mar-
ried Dorcas, daughter of John Plumb, of
Branford, Conn. He settled in Northampton,
]Mass., where he resided until his death, -Aug.
20, 1690. Lieut. John Lyman was in com-
mand of the Northampton soldiers in the
famous Falls fight, above Deerfield, May 18,
1676.
"Moses Lyman, son of Lieut. John Lyman,
was born in Northampton, Mass., Feb. 20,
16 — , and died Feb. 25, 17OT.
"Capt. Moses Lyman, the only son of
Moses Lyman, was born Feb. 27. 1689. and
died March 24, 1762. He married Mind-
well Sheldon, Dec. 13, 1712.
"Simeon Lyman, son of Capt. Moses Ly-
man, was born in 1725 in Northampton.
Mass.. settled in Salisbury. Conn., and joined
the church in that place in 1740 by letter
from the church in Northampton. He mar-
ried .Abigail Beebe. of Canaan, Conn., and
both died in Salisbury in the year 1800.
" fohn Lyman, son of Simeon Lyman, of
Salisbury, Conn., was born March 11. 17(10.
He married Huldah Brinsmade, of Stratford,
Conn. He migrated to Jericho. \'t.. soon
after the Revolutionary war. among the first
settlers of the State. He was a man of deep
thought, sound judgment, and an earnest
Christian. -As a bold and fearless soldier
and sure marksman, he served his country
faithfully in the war of the Revolution. He
died in 1840. Laura Lyman was born Nov.
10. 1789, and married Sept. 7, 1807, William
P. Richardson. She died at Butternuts. Ot-
sego Co.. N. v.. Feb. 28. 1869."
WILLIAM HARTMAN WOODIN was
born in .Salem, Luzerne Co., Pa.. Nov. 4. 1821.
His father. David Charles Woodin (from Con-
necticut), an architect by profession, settled in
Pennsylvania, where he died Oct. 21, 1825. In
1 81 9 he married Sarah Hartman, who was
born in Catawissa. Columbia Co., Pa., in 1792,
and died in 1825. the same year as her hus-
band. They had two sons and one daughter,
the sons being William Hartman and Joseph B.
One of ^Villiam Hartman Woodin's early
business ventures was the building of a foun-
dry at Foundryville, in Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, where he engaged in the
manufacture of pig iron, later turning out
stoves and plows. In 1849 '''^ joined interests
with Mordecai W. Jackson, who, in partner-
ship with George Mack, had established the
foundry at Berwick in 1840. Later Mr. Jack-
son was associated with Robert McCurdy,
whose interest was taken up by Mr. Woodin,
the firm becoming Jackson & Woodin. They
started business at Berwick in a building 25 by
40 feet in dimensions, on the corner of Market
and Third streets, producing the Robb stove,
with open grate, and a round stove, with a
bakeoven on top, also turning out plows and
making a specialty of the old Bull plow, which
ranked with the best of its kind at the time.
The practical energy- and executive ability
which both partners displayed gave the busi-
ness a substantial position from the very out-
set. In 1850 they entered upon the manufac-
ture of iron pipes, and in 1858 commenced
making bridge castings for the Philadelphia &
Erie railroad. In 1861 the btisiness was given
a strong impetus by an important order from
Mr. Creveling, who was extensively engaged
in the manufacture of lime at Espy, in
Columbia county. They took a contract to
make sixteen four-wheeled cars for him. Con-
sidering their equipment and the usual volume
of their business, it might have been regarded
as too much for them to handle, but they did
not hesitate about accepting it, nor did they fail
in its completion. When the cars were fin-
ished, the sides of the shop in which they were
constructed were torn down, as it was the only
means of running them out conveniently, and
they were drawn to the railroad by horses. The
instance was a momentous one in the career of
the firm, and many large orders came in the
future because of the confidence which its suc-
cess had established. After a while the firm
made a specialty of mine cars and mine cast-
ings, in which line they were never excelled.
Their plant has always maintained a reputa-
tion for superiority in this regard. The late
-\. C. Whitney, of Philadelphia (friend of both
partners ) , took great interest in their progress,
and his able advice and generosity in loaning
them patterns and chills for molding car
wheels was a considerable factor in their early
success. Facilities and equipment were im-
proved as the business enlarged and great
progress had been made by the time the Jack-
son & \\'oodin Manufacturing Company was
organized, on March i, 1872. At that time
both ]Mr. Jackson and Mr. Woodin retired, as
William ]I.\im\max Woodin
ti
1
I
t
CaJ^^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
489
the actual heads of the business, and their sons,
Clarence G. Jackson and C. R. Woodin, took
the active executive positions.
W. H. Woodin was a man of remarkably
fine character. He married Elizabeth Foster,
daughter of John and Ellen Foster, and she
survived him, passing away Jan. i, 1901. They
had the following children : Joseph B., de-
ceased ; Sarah A., deceased : Clemuel R. ; Eu-
dora W., who married S. P. Hanly, of Ber-
wick; Harry, deceased; John Foster, of Ar-
kansas ; and Elizabeth, deceased.
Mr. Woodin adhered to high standards
throughout his career, but though he expected
the same honorable treatment as he gave others
he lacked neither generosity nor tolerance, and
gave the utmost satisfaction to all with whom
he had dealings. His death occurred Nov. 10,
1886. He had the affectionate esteem of all in
his employ, was benevolent and liberal to those
who needed his assistance, and left a name un-
spotted by questionable transactions.
Clemuel Ricketts Woodin was born on
Dec. 26, 1844, in Cambra, Luzerne Co., Pa.
He obtained his education in this section,
attending Kingston Seminary until sixteen
years old. He then began work with his
father, but not long afterwards his business
career was interrupted by his service in the
Union army for one year; in 1863 he entered
Company C, 28th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Emergency Reserves. At the close of his serv-
ice he returned to Berwick and resumed work
with his father, applying himself so closely that
he became familiar with every detail of the
business. When the Jackson & Woodin Manu-
facturing Company was organized (a full de-
scription of the concern appears in the Ber-
wick chapter of the historical section of this
work), March i, 1872, he became its president,
and remained at the head of the concern for
twenty years, resigning in 1894, because of
poor health. In his connection with the Jack-
son & Woodin Manufacturing Company Mr.
Woodin became known all over the LTnited
States in his line, and throughout his business
career maintained a leading position among
Pennsylvania manufacturers.
Mr. Woodin has been one of the most in-
fluential citizens of Berwick and his interest
in the progress of the borough has been mani-
fested in many ways. Nothing can show more
clearly his real devotion for the locality than
the beautiful home which he established on
FSerwick Heights, one of the finest and most
L-ompletely appointed residences of central
Pennsylvania. In 1890 he bought the \'an
Pelt and other farms lying on an elevation
north of the town and on the highest point,
which is 1,200 feet above sea level, he cleared
home sites for himself and son. A fine graded
road, almost three miles long, leads up to the
summit. The beautiful view to be obtained
there makes the location doubly desirable. Mr.
Woodin built a beautiful wood and stone resi-
dence there in 1891, and his son built one near
by. The estate is equipped with every device
for convenience and beautified in the most
artistic manner. Mr. Woodin married Mary
Dickerman, daughter of Dr. Charles and
Adelia Dickerman, of Hartford, Pa.,, and they
have one son, William Hartman.
William H.artm.\n Woodin obtained his
early education in the public schools of Ber-
wick. When fourteen years old he became a
student in the New York Latin School and
then later in the Woodbridge School of New
York City, taking his higher technical course
later in the School of Mines of Columbia Col-
lege. Coming back to Berwick he went into
the plant of the Jackson & Woodin Manufac-
turing Company, and entered upon a practical
study of its operation, with which he became
thoroughly familiar, as his able executive
services have since demonstrated. In five
years he became general superintendent of the
plant and a director of the company, of which
he was chosen vice president in 1896, and
president in 1899. When the American Car
and Foundry Company purchased the plant of
the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com-
pany Mr. Woodin became district manager,
operating the plant at Berwick until 1902,
when he was made assistant to the president,
which position he now occupies. Like his
father, Mr. Woodin has always been inter-
ested in the welfare of Berwick, and he was
formerly a director of the Berwick Water
Company and secretary and director of the
Berwick Electric Light Company. He gave
his interest and influence generously to the
support of every worthy movement set on foot
for the advancement of the borough.
On Oct. 9. 1889, Mr. Woodin married Annie
Jessup, daughter of Judge William H. Jessup,
of Montrose, Pa., and they have four children:
Mary Louise, born in Scranton, Pa., on Oct.
31, 1891 ; Anne Jessup, born in New York
April 10, 1894: William Hartman, born in
Berwick. Pa., May 14, 1899; and Elizabeth
Foster, born in Scranton, Pa., Jan. 29, 1901.
Mr. Woodin in 1898 was honored by the Re-
jjublican party with the nomination for repre-
sentati\-e of the .Seventeenth Congressional
district, upon the retirement of Monroe H.
Kulp.
490
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
GEORGE DANIEL EDMONDSON.
The Edmondson family had its origin in Den-
mark, but centuries ago the majority of them
emigrated to England, where large numbers
bearing the name are now to be found.
Although principally engaged in agricultural
jnirsuits, many of the name are to be found
in the ranks of artisans and artists, while an
occasional member of the family became
prominent in the affairs of that nation. In
the records of the old families of Britain the
name of Edmonson occurs frequently, and
those interested in genealogical research will
find much of interest in tracing this and other
families contemporaneous therewith.
In the early part of the seventeenth century
the founder of the American branch of the
Edmondson family came to \'irginia and set-
tled in the beautiful and historic Shenandoah
\alley, where now many of his descendants
hold positions of honor. The earliest of the
line of whom we have record is William H.
Edmondson, a soldier of the Revolutionary
war, through which he served with distinction,
retiring to the life of a peaceful tiller of the
soil when the struggle of the Colonies had
ended. He was a strong, energetic man, and
exerted much influence in his locality. He
died at the age of seventy-one 3'ears, and
was buried beside others of the family who
had preceded him to the grave. His family
consisted of eight children : \\'illiam, Rod-
erick. Strother, George \\'., Sanford R.,
Rachel. Fannie and Jennie. He was a Jeffer-
sonian Democrat, and a supporter of the
Methodist Church.
Sanford R. Edmondson, the father of
George D., was born in Middletown, V'a.,
Sept. I/, 1829. and is still living at the home
place at the age of eighty-ti\e years. He
was a blacksmith, and followed the trade
during his active years, which have but re-
cently been completed. In 185 1 he was united
in marriage to Mar)' E. Huff, whose parents
were Daniel and Sarah (Walters) Huff, and
the children of this union were eleven in num-
ber: George Daniel; William H.. deceased;
Ella, also deceased ; Sarah, who married .Sam-
uel Gordon and now lives at Hagerstown.
Md.; Charles E.. a merchant of Middletown.
\'a. ; Edward G. and Lemuel L., deceased ;
H. Reese, of Danville, Pa. ; Anna Mabel, wife
of Clarence \'enable, a druggist of Front
Royal. \'a. ; and Jesse R., cashier of the
Mutual Life Insurance Company at Wilming-
ton. Delaware.
Mr. Edmondson is a Democrat and a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church, of which he
is a deacon. He has always taken an active
interest in the affairs of the section in which
he lives and has attained deserved prominence
and the respect of his fellow citizens.
George D. Edmondson was born in Middle-
town, \'a., Jan. 15. 1853, and after a brief
attendance at pay schools and a private acad-
emy commenced to learn the blacksmith's
trade with his father. He mastered this occu-
pation at an early age and became a journey-
man at the age of twenty. He then went to
West Newton. Pa., where he remained a year,
coming next to Danville, where he opened a
shop on East Market street and continued for
a period of twenty years. He soon began the
manufacture of wagons, and his thorough
knowledge of the business and careful and
conscientious work soon brought him a
flourishing trade, so that he became known
throughout a large section as an honest -manu-
facturer. His products were readily sold and
his business greatly increased until he had
the largest patronage in his section. His suc-
cess was not easily won. but required the ten-
acity of purpose, tireless energy and business
acumen which have made him successful in
all his various undertakings.
After conducting his manufacturing busi-
ness for twenty years ]Mr. Edmondson dis-
posed of his interests and devoted himself
entirely to the task of writing life insurance,
having for some time previous been partially
engaged in that work. From that time for
twenty years he represented the Mutual Life
Insurance Company of New York, being for
eighteen years the district manager, with four-
teen counties under his care, together with
the numerous agents in the district. In 1903
he had the credit of writing the largest
amount of insurance of any agent in the
United States. In 1906 he was selected to
represent the Philadelphia Life Insurance
Company in the same territory, and now main-
tains offices in both Philadelphia and Dan-
ville. His unbounded energy, his forceful
personality, and his complete and accurate
knowledge of the insurance business, have
placed him in the front rank of managers, and
he has repeatedly written more life insurance
than any other agent in the country, winnmg
many valuable prizes therefor. So favorably
is he known among the companies that his
advice is frequently sought regarding new
policies and other matters pertaining to the
business.
Notwithstanding Mr. Edmondson's varied
outside interests he has always remained loyal
to Danville, where he has invested large sums
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
491
in real estate. His properties are among the
most valuable in the town and he has done
much to improve the appearance and sur-
roundings of every piece of real estate which
has come into, his possession. The Opera
House, one of the finest in this State, has been
greatly improved and refurnished since pass-
ing into his ownership, and being located on
a prominent corner of the business district he
has made it a handsome and attractive land-
mark and one of the sights of the town. The
building is four stories high, cost about $1^5,-
000, and has a seating capacity of 1,200.
On Dec. 2, 1872, Mr. Edmondson was mar-
ried to Anna A., daughter of Cyrus B. and
Christiana Reese, residents of Columbia
county. To this union have been born six
chililren, three . of whom, Lloyd Barton,
George H. and .\nna L., are deceased. Those
li\ing are: Margaret L.. wife of George M.
Hornberger, mechanical engineer at the Dan-
ville .^tate Hospital for the Insane ; Charles
P.. who is associated with his father in the
insurance business ; and David Edward, who
is manager of the Opera House and has charge
of the various business interests of his father
in Danville. David Edward Edmondson is
married to Elmira, daughter of Webster
Foust, of Danville.
Mr. Edmondson is a member of the Demo-
cratic party and was for years one of its lead-
ers in Montour county. He took an active
part in the State campaigns and brought into
the work the same ability and energy w^hich
have characterized all his labors. He has been
chairman of the county committee and mem-
ber of the State Democratic committee, and
served as councilman for nine years. He and
his family are members of St. Paul's Metho-
dist Episcopal Church and liberal supporters
of their denomination.
Mr. Edmondson's family was well repre-
sented in the bloody struggle of the Civil war,
on his mother's side two uncles being in the
Union army and one on the Confederate
side, while two of his father's brothers were
adherents of the Southern cause. The Ed-
mondson home in \'irginia was the scene of
one of the famous battles of the war. When
Early repulsed the army of Sheridan at
Cedar Creek the retreat was past the house
and some of the shots struck the building.
During the engagement the old brick chapel
near by was com[)letely riddled with cannon
shot, and the family were compelled to seek
refuge in the cellar until the lighting ceased.
When Sheridan made his famous ride from
Winchester he gathered his forces near the
house and the family were interested wit-
nesses of all the evolutions at the time.
WILLIAM R. MONROE, head of the
Monroe-Hall Furniture Company, of Blooms-
burg, manufacturers of high-grade furniture,
is though a young man one of the leading
figures in the business life of that place. A
native of that great furniture manufacturing
center, (jrand Rapids, Mich., he had e.xcellent
opportunities in his early life for observing
how valuable a thorough knowledge of his
chosen line of work would be, and he has been
highly successful.
Mr. Monroe was born Feb. 20, 1876, and
received most of his education in the public
schools of his native place. Then he took a
course in the college at Big Rapids, Mich.,
graduating in 1895. During his early years he
had been trained to farming, but after leaving
school he found employment at office work,
and from the beginning of his career has been
connected with the furniture manufacturing
business, .\fter working at Grand Rapids for
a time he went to Wisconsin, where he spent
six years, coming to Bloomsburg, Pa., in 1902.
There he became superintendent of the fac-
tory conducted by Robert Hawley and Wil-
liam H. Slate, who were doing a prosperous
business. His worth soon won recognition,
and in 1905 he was made treasurer of the
concern, in 1906, when the Hawley & Slate
Furniture Company was incorporated, becom-
ing president, treasurer and general manager,
with W. H. Slate, of Philadelphia, as vice
president, and H. A. Hall, secretary. In 1910
the business was reorganized under the name
of the Monroe-Hall Furniture Company, with
Mr. Monroe as president and treasurer, and
Mr. Hall as secretary. The establishment
has ranked among the progressive business
houses of Bloomsburg since it was opened.
The original buildings of the plant were put
up in 189 1 by W. H. Schuyler, Theodore
Redeker and Jacob Keitfer, who conducted the
business for about one year, when it was taken
over by the Bloomsburg Furniture Company,
who operated it for a time. The company was
reorganized as the North Branch Furniture
Company and continued to operate the plant
until 1898, when it was leased to Messrs. Haw-
ley and Slate, who carried it on until 1906.
The factory has a desirable and valuable lo-
cation, in the east end of the town, and its
connections with the Delaware, Lackawanna &
W^estern railroad afford admirable shipping
facilities. The buildings are substantial two-
or three-story brick structures, the main one
492
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
having a frontage of 80 feet and depth of 300
feet, thoroughly equipped with all the modern
wood-working machinery required in the
manufacture of high-grade furniture of all
kinds. The company's specialties, however,
are sideboards and dressers, and their articles
in this line are noted for individuality and
original designs. Their aim is to combine con-
scientious construction with beauty of lines
and careful finish, giving touches which dis-
tinguish artistic products, without in any way
lessening their usefulness. The Monroe-Hall
Company market their goods all over the
United States, and the high-grade material
and expert workmanship put into their prod-
uct enables it to compete with the best wher-
ever introduced. In the various departments
of the factory constant employment is af-
forded for from 150 to 175 hands, skilled
workmen and their assistants, and for this
alone the plant would hold an important rela-
tion to the industrial prosperity of Blooms-
burg. The quantity of lumber used annually
amounts to over two million feet. Mr. Mon-
roe devotes the greater part of his time to his
duties as president and treasurer of the Mon-
roe-Hall Company, and has made a place for
himself among the substantial business men of
the borough. He is also president of the
Monroe-Heberling Ice Cream Company, of
Newark, N. J., whose business is confined to
the wholesale trade. Fraternally he is a
Mason, belonging to Washington Lodge, No.
265, F. & A. M.; Bloomsburg Royal Arch
Chapter, No. 218; Crusade Commandery, No.
12, K. T. ; Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second
degree), and Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
of Wilkes-Barre.
On July 3, 1899, Mr. Monroe was married
to Bessie Stocks, of Eau Claire, Wis., daugh-
ter of W. H. and Amelia Stocks, and they
have one child, Claire. The family are Pres-
byterians in church connection.
WILLIAM KASE- WEST is one of the
distinguished attorneys at Danville, Montour
comity, where he has been in active practice
since his admission to the bar, in 1886. The
Wests have been prominent in Montour
county from the time of its foundation, and
his father, George W. West, was for years
county surveyor, being noted for the accuracy
and reliability of his work.
Thomas West, great-grandfather of Wil-
liam Kase West, was of English-German
descent and was born in Schoharie county, N.
Y. He built a log house near the paternal
homestead and there engaged in tilling the soil
for many years. L'pon the outbreak of the
Revolutionary war he left a happy home and
family to battle for independence. He had the
misfortune to be taken prisoner by the Eng-
lish, but after a short term of imprisonment
etifected his escape and organized a company,
of which he was captain, and rendered valu-
able aid to the American cause. In 1808, or
soon after, he and his children removed to
Ararat, Susquehanna Co., Pa., where he took
up land and passed the remainder of his life.
He died at the age of sixty years, and his wife
attained the advanced age of eighty. They
had the following children : Thomas, ilan-
nah, Jones, Benjamin, William, Nathaniel,
Permelia and Eunice.
William West, grandfather of William
Kase West, was born in Schoharie county, N.
Y., near Schenectady, and learned the trade of
blacksmith. After moving to Susquehanna
county with his parents he cleared a farm and
engaged in agricultural work. Later he set-
tled at Masonville, Delaware Co., N. Y., where
he continued at his trade until his death,
which occurred at the age of seventy-five
years. He married Eliza Rogers, who was
born in Delaware county, N. Y.. daughter of
Robert Rogers, for many years a sea captain.
Tiring of that life Captain Rogers wishing
to establish an inland home, bought a lariii in
Delaware county, N. Y., and followed agricul-
ture. Later he built a boat and with his fam-
ily sailed down the river to Chesapeake bay,
where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr.
West and his wife became the parents of
two children, (ieorge W'illiston and Robert
Rogers. Mrs. Eliza (Rogers) West died at
the early age of twenty-seven years, and Wil-
liam \Vest subsequently married Hannah
Demenshaw, by whom he had three children,
Milo, Filo and Jabez.
George \N'illiston West was born Sept. 30,
1818, in Delaware county, N. Y., and attended
the common schools and seminary there. He
began life on his own account at the age of
thirteen years, in the employ of a farmer at
Mount Ararat, Pa., and by practicing strict
economy saved enough from his scanty wages
to enable him to reenter school at the age of
nineteen years, at Birch Academy. He re-
mained there for one term, after which he
took a course at the Wyoming Academy, be-
ing one of the first students at that institution,
where he studied surveying. He then taught
school six years in what was then Cokunbja
( now Montour ) county, coming hither in
1845. In 1830, when Montour county was
organized, he received the appointment of
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
493
county surveyor, and each successive year
afterwards was elected to that office, serving
until his death, June 30, 1906. He was largely
engaged in looking u]) original lines. He was
considered an aulhorit)' on lines and bound-
aries in this section of the State, his work not
being confined to Montour county, as he was
often called to different counties in northern
and central Pennsylvania, and he ran a great
many lines in the coal regions to settle dis-
putes. He also served twenty-four years as
county commissioner's clerk, and from 185 1
until 1904 was city engineer. When past
eighty years of age he walked straight as an
arrow, and being large of stature was a man
of commanding appearance. Mr. West was
a prominent figure throughout his section and
held in high esteem by a large circle of friends
He owned a fine home at No. 212 Pine street,
Danville, where he resided for a number of
years. In 1854 Mr. West married Catherine
Ann Kase, who was of German origin and a
daughter of John Kase, of Elysburg, Pa.
They were the parents of eight children,
namely: John, who died in infancy; Charles
VV., a carpenter and painter of Danville;
Eleanor Eliza, wife of Oliver Diehl, of Nor-
folk, Va. ; William Kase; George M., manager
of the electric light plant and waterworks at
Lehighton, Pa.; Louise M., now deceased;
Isaac Dewitt, of Danville ; and Catherine, who
died in childhood. The parents were mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and in pol-
itics the father was a Democrat.
William Kase West was born March 8,
1800, in Danville, and obtained his early edu-
cation there in the public schools. Later
he attended the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, devoting his spare moments to study
and the broadening of his education. He
then was employed as a civil engineer by the
Duluth Winnipeg Railroad Company, with
office in Duluth, Minn., and located the line
for a railroad from Duluth, Minn., to Winni-
peg City. Upon returning home he read law
with (irier & Hinckley. He was admitted to
the bar in 1886 and has since practiced in Dan-
ville, where the large number of cases he has
won for his clients testifies that their con-
fidence in him is not misplaced. He is popular
with a large clientage, and has attained a lead-
ing jjosition among his fellow men, who have
given substantial recognition of their apprecia-
tion of his high character and ability. He
has a large practice also in Columbia, Lycom-
ing and Northumberland counties. From
1887 to '892 he served as district attorney,
giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned.
On Feb. 12, 1891, Mr. West married Ella
Patterson, daughter of John C. Patterson, of
Dan\ille, and they are the parents of three
children, born as follows: John Patterson,
March 16, 1892; Mary Louise", Oct. 12, 1893;
and William K., Oct. 6, 1895.
Mr. West is a member and past master of
Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M. ; past
high priest of Danville Chapter, No. 239, R.
A. M. ; past eminent commander of Calvary
Commandery, No. 37, K. T. ; past exalted
ruler of Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 436, B. P. O.
Elks ; and is at present a member of the Dan-
ville Lodge, No. 754, B. P. O. Elks.
Is.\Ac D. West, youngest son of George W.
and Catherine A. (Kase) West, was born
Sept. 25, 1865, at Danville, obtained his liter-
ary education in the public schools there, and
studied surveying and engineering — civil and
mining — with his father. In 1884 he began
teaching school, following that profession four
years. Before that time he had been asso-
ciated in business with his father, and con-
tinued the connection while teaching, becom-
ing thoroughly grounded in all branches of
the work, though he made a specialty of min-
ing engineering. In order to be thoroughly at
home in this field he has also made a particular
study of real estate and mining laws, and as
special agent of coal companies has been able
to turn his information to good account. He
is one of the most up-to-date and reliable men
in this line in the State, and a high estimate is
placed on all his work.
In 1890 Mr. West married M. Pauline
Groff, daughter of Rev. J. R. Groff, of Doyles-
town. Pa., and they have had three children:
Elizabeth (deceased), Karl Groff" and Alan
Dewitt. They have a comfortable and com-
modious residence just outside the limits of
the borough. Socially Mr. West is a Mason,
belonging to Danville Lodge, No. 225, F. &
A. M.
FREDERICK J. RICHARD is president
and general manager of the Richard Manu-
facturing Company, of Bloomsburg, one of
the industrial concerns of that place which has
been of distinct value in promoting its pros-
perity. Mr. Richard has been interested in his
present line at Bloomsburg for over twenty
years, and as the head of a modern manu-
facturing establishment and large employer of
labor is entitled to be classified as one of its
progressive business leaders and a most useful
citizen of his adopted place. Mr. Richard is a
native of Scranton, Pa., bom Dec. 19, 1857,
494
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
son of Jacob F. and Josephine ( Raubelty)
Richard.
Jacob F. Richard was a native of France,
born about one hundred miles from Havre.
He learned the trade of machinist in his own
land, and came to America in 1849, landing at
Xew York City. His first location here was
at Paterson, N. J., where he followed his
trade until 1854, in that year going to Scran-
ton, Pa., and finding employment in the Dela-
ware, Lackawanna & Western shops. Thence
he removed to Waterbury, Conn., where he
did well, and remained until his death, in 1892.
His widow has since resided in New \ ork
City, making her home with her daughter.
Four sons and one daughter were born to Air.
and Mrs. Jacob F. Richard: Frederick J.,
Elizabeth (who married E. Hosbach, of
Woodhaven, N. Y.), Henry J., George J. and
Jacob J.-
Frederick J. Richard grew up in New York
City and received his education in the public
schools. He inherited mechanical ability and
love for mechanics, and early in life begged
his father to allow him to choose the trade of
machinist for his life occupation. His father
would not consent until he had tried other
lines of work, and met with disappointment,
when he was finally allowed to enter the em-
ploy of Bliss & Williams, at Brooklyn. He
served an apprenticeship of five years, during
which time he became thoroughly acquainted
with the trade and was qualified to undertake
the duties of the next position offered him,
that of foreman of the Manhattan Brass
Company. As his work proved very satis-
factory he was soon after appointed superin-
tendent. Later he took charge of the brass
tube works of Holmes, Booth & Hayden, of
Waterbury, Conn., which is known far and
wide as the "Brass City," and held that posi-
tion for three years. For the following two
years he was superintendent for Randolph &
Clauss, manufacturers of seamless brass and
copper tubing.
In 1891 Mr. Richard removed to the thriv-
ing town of Bloomsburg and, in association
with J. L. Richardson, built the plant of the
Brass' & Copper Company, manufacturers of
seamless brass and copper tubing, a two-story
brick structure, 175 by 75 feet, and fitted
throughout with machinery of the company's
own manufacture. Mr. Richard was made
manager and superintendent and under his
careful guidance the venture was eminently
successful. In 1892 the Bloomsburg Brass &
Copper Company was formed, and he was
made superintendent. In 1893 he built the
plant of the Shickshinny Tube Company, of
which he was a director and stockholder. He
was also a director of and a stockholder in the
Bloomsburg Elevator Company, builders and
makers of machinery. In 1893, in partnership
with J. L. Richardson, he built the Blooms-
burgManufacturing Company's plant, a build-
ing 60 by 40 feet, with boiler room 30 bv 30
feet, both of brick. The company manufac-
tured a large variety of articles, ciispidors, oil
cans, currycombs, etc. In 1894 a stock com-
pany was formed with the following ot^cers:
F. J. Richard, president; George L. Richard,
vice president; and L. E. Waller, director.
As the growth of the business had been so
rapid it was found necessary to enlarge the
building. Another story was added to it, the
length increased to no feet, and an L, 50 by
25 feet, added. Alachinery was put in for
the manufacture of carpet looms for the
Bloomsburg Carpet Manufactory, and also six
cutting and stamping machines. An average
of fifty competent workmen were employed
regularly, the concern being then as now a
strong business factor of Bloomsburg, and
the output was the finest on the market, find-
ing a ready sale in the larger cities.
In 1900 the present organization, known as
the Richard Manufacturing Company, was
formed, with F. J. Richard, president and
general manager; J. L. Richardson, treasurer;
and Dr. Charles F. Altmiller, secretary. The
company is incorporated under the laws of
Pennsylvania with a capital stock of $75,000.
The plant, which is located on Ninth street,
between Catherine and Iron streets, has been
enlarged and developed until it consists of a
group of buildings of substantial modern con-
struction, the main one 40 by 220 feet in
dimensions, the foundry and erecting building
40 by 150 feet, and the blacksmith shop 30
by 40 feet. The equipment is complete, in-
cluding the latest and best makes of machin-
ery required, lathes, planers, drills, gear
cutters, etc. The concern is one of the busiest
in central Pennsylvania, and the output has
become more and more important as the ex-
perience and success of the owners have
enabled them to undertake responsible work,
the company now giving attention to the manu-
facture of special machinery and gray iron
castings. They make machinen,- for bronze,
copper, brass and steel rod and tube drawing;
wire (bronze, copper, brass) dra\ving and cov-
ering ; any kind of sheet metal work, follow-
ing designs furnished or making same them-
selves ; also manufacture and build presses
and grinding machinery. The fact that many
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
495
machines of the kind they manufacture are in
daily use at their own plant has given them
unexcelled opportunities for observation and
paved the way for many of the most valuable
improvements in this product. They aim to
turn out machinery that will surpass any
claims made for it. In addition, they under-
take all kinds of high-class mechanical en-
gineering work, designing and building rod,
tube and wire mills, some of the largest wire
mills being of their construction. They lay
out manufacturing plants, planning all the de-
tails, and arranging for the economical han-
dling of the work in every stage from the raw
material to the finished product. The Richard
Manufacturing Company employs one hun-
dred skilled mechanics and constructional
engineers. The trade controlled extends all
over the United States, and they have done
considerable work for the government, having
built several machines for use in the Panama
canal work. The heads of the concern are
men of the highest standing in manufacturing,
financial and industrial circles, and Mr. Rich-
ard is not only a man of fine executive ability
1 1 but possessed of skill and experience which
' makes him regarded as the foremost mechanic
in this part of the State. He designed and
supervised most of the machinery in the plant,
and it is generally conceded that no man has
done more to bring Bloomsburg fame as an
industrial town than he. Personally he is a
man of the highest character, and his strong
influence is always exerted in favor of the
best interests of the community. Besides his
business property and home he owns a large
house on the Light Street road and one on
Fourth street, which he rents.
On May 27, 1879, Mr. Richard married
Catherine Koch, daughter of August and Mar-
garet Koch, of Woodhaven, Long Island, and
she died Oct. 10, 1897, at Bloomsburg, aged
thirty-seven years, the mother of' six children :
William (deceased), Catherine, Julia, Jennie,
Lizzie (deceased) and Lillie (deceased). In
Tuly, 1898, Mr. Richard married (second)
Hannah Susan Christ, of Bloomsburg, daugh-
ter of George T. and Margaret Christ, of that
place. They have had four children : Mar-
garet, Fred J., Jr., George and Henry. The
family have a fine residence on Norma! Hill.
Mr. Richard is a Mason, belonging to Har-
mony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., of Water-
bury, Conn.; to Caldwell Consistory (thirty-
second degree), of Bloomsburg; and to Irem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
He also holds membership in Lodge No. 436,
B. P. O. Elks, of Bloomsburg. He has taken
some part in the administration of public af-
fairs in the borough, having served several
terms as member of the town council, at one
election receiving the largest vote ever cast
for a candidate for that otifice. He was also
mayor of Bloomsburg for one term.
CHARLES J. FISHER, attorney at law
and president of the Catawissa National
Bank of Catawissa, Pa., was bom in Rush
township, Northumberland Co., Pa., near
Danville, and is the son of William G. and
Sarah A. (Swayze) Fisher.
Joseph Fisher, his paternal great-grand-
father, was born in Saxony, Germany, in
April, 1734, and came to America with his
sister, Elizabeth, about 1747, but had the mis-
fortune to lose her by death soon afterwards.
New Jersey was their destination, and was
the home of the brother until 1788, from
which time he was settled in Northumberland
county, Pa., where he died. He was married
June 5, 1764, to Catherine ^linegar, born in
Holland Aug. 24, 1746, who lived for a time
in Harmony township, Warren Co.. N. J.
Ten children blessed this union, Catherine,
Henry, Man,-, Hannah, Elizabeth, John Closes,
David, Jacob and Joseph. During the Revolu-
tion the father fought for the Colonies.
Jacob Fisher, grandfather of Charles J.,
was born in Sussex county, N. J., Dec. 18,
1783, and died Oct. 29, 1841, in Rush town-
ship, Northumberland Co., Pa. At the age of
five his parents brought him to Northum-
berland county, where he was reared on the
home farm. .An old tax list of the year 1820
shows him assessed with 153^2 acres adjoin-
ing the farm of William Osmun, having there-
on a log house and barn, two horses and three
cows. He later moved to a farm on Roaring
creek, near Sharp Ridge, where he resided a
few years, finally removing to the "Boyd"
farm on the Susquehanna river, three miles
east of Dan\ille, Pa., where he died. Lie mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of .Albert Kimpbel,
and by her had twelve children : Rebecca,
Catherine, Fannie, Joseph, Albert, Sarah, Pat-
terson, George W., Daniel K., Clatworthy,
Asher and Ellen. After the death of his first
wife, which occurred Nov. i, 1831, he mar-
ried Elizabeth Shreffler, who died June 15,
1S67. By her he had two children, William
G. and ]\Iargaret.
William G. Fisher was born in Rush town-
ship, Northumberland county, May 6, 1834,
and was only in his eighth year at the time
of his father's death. He remained with his
mother about one vear. and then went to
496
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
live with his brother Joseph six years on the
same place. He then worked four years for
Jesse Mensch on the farm where he was born ;
later for Jacob Shultz in Mayberry township,
Montour county, with whom he remained
three years. He then moved to Danville, and
remained one year, when he married and set-
tled about three miles from Danville on the
Boyd farm east of the mill, continuing there
three years. Following this, in 1859, he
bought the Jacob Swayze homestead in Frank-
lin township, Columbia county, where he re-
mained six years, selling out and moving to
Danville, where he dealt in coal. The next
two years he was on Boyd's big farm, and
in 1867 settled at another location in Frank-
lin township, buying 143 acres of good land
upon which he made most of the improve-
ments. He continued to farm in that town-
ship until his removal to Catawissa borough,
in 1887, where he still resides. He owns a
farm of 140 acres in Franklin township, which
he has rented. Mr. Fisher married Dec. 20,
1855, Sarah Ann Swayze, who was born
Feb. 27, 1838, a daughter of Jacob C. and
Charity (Quick) Swayze, of New Jersey,
and they have had two children : Elizabeth
C, residing at home; and Charles Jacob. Mr.
and Mrs. Fisher are members of the M. E.
Church. During his active years he took
some part in public affairs, serving as school
director, supervisor and overseer of the poor.
Charles 1. Fisher was educated in the pub-
lic schools" of Franklin township, and the
summer school at Catawissa. After teaching
school several terms he took a special course
at the Millersville State Normal and then
entered the Bloomsburg State Normal, from
which he graduated in 1884. On June^ 21,
1886, he was elected principal of the Cata-
wissa school, holding that position for one
year, after which he accepted the pnncipal-
ship of the schools of Carnegie. Allegheny
county, remaining there for eight years. Dur-
ing the summer months he studied law m the
offtce of C. E. Geyer, Esq., of Catawissa, and
in 1898 was admitted to the bar of Columbia
county. His office is in the Catawissa Na-
tional Bank building, and he has a large and
lucrative practice. Mr. Fisher in 1901 mar-
ried Margaret M. Manley, and they have one
son, Manley Walter.
Mr. Fisher is one of the foremost men of
his section of the State and is completely in
harmony with the progress and prosperity of
his home town. He was one of the organizers
and the first president of the Catawissa Na-
tional Bank, an institution of which the town
may well feel proud. He is a member of the
Knights of the Golden Eagle and of the I'a-
triotic Order Sons of America. In religious
affiliation he is a Methodist and a faithful
adherent of that denomination, for which he
has not hesitated to use his time and money.
Mr. Fisher is in politics a Republican, and
has served as member of the school board for
two terms. At present his efforts are de-
voted to his profession and to the interests
of the bank, of which he is president.
The Catawissa National Bank was organ-
ized in 1904, chartered April 30th of that year,
and opened for business Dec. nth, with a
capital of $50,000. The original directors
were : C. J. Fisher, president ; C. P. Pfahler,
vice president; Dr. Ambrose Shuman. John
L. Kline, Lloyd Burger, I. H. Seeshohz, Jer-
emiah Kester. All are still serving but Messrs.
Seesholtz and Kline, deceased, Irvin
Kreischer and Hon. William T. Creasy hav-
ing been elected to succeed them. The cashier
is C. S. W. Fox, and his efficient assistant is
Nelle P. Vastine. A surplus of $20,000 has
been accumulated at the present date and the
institution is financially solid.
THOMAS J. PRICE, of Danville, Mon-
tour county, one of the owners of the Dan-
ville Structural Tubing Company, has been
connected with its plant in an executive ca-
pacity continuously since 1886, when he
came to this place to take the position of
superintendent. It was then conducted by
the Mahoning Rolling Mill Company, and
from that time until he and his partners,
William G. Purse! and Daniel M. Curry, be-
came owners in 1902, was under several
managements. He and Mr. Pursel have had
their interest since that year.
Mr. Price is a native of Wales, born Feb.
26, 1855, at Tredegar, Monmouthshire, son
of Prof. John M. Price and grandson of
Thomas Price. John M. Price, the father,
was bom at Rhymney, Monmouthshire,
Wales, in 1828, and came to the United
States in 1854, locating first in New York
City. The same year he moved to Danville.
Pa., where he became boss roller at the
Montour Rolling Mills, and in 1865 he
changed to the Rough and Ready mills (so
named for President Zachary Taylor), later
owned by the Mahoning Rolling Mill Com-
pany. Two years afterward he went to
Syracuse, N. Y., where he accepted a position
as superintendent of the Syracuse Rolling
Mill Company. In 1881 he retired from that
line of business to devote all his time to
I
FUL.-
T I L D ■" f Fl 'J ND'<r|ONS
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
497
music, having studied music while young and
also while working at his trade. Mr. Price
possessed a beautiful voice. While a resident
of Danville, Pa., he organized a quartet com-
posed of John A. Jones, Robert James,
Joseph Parry and himself. This quartet ac-
quired wide reputation and popularity, and
in 1865 took a trip to England and Wales,
where they were cordially received. Mr.
Parry received numerous prizes for his ex-
cellent compositions and was made jjrofessor
of music in the College of Swansea, Wales.
Mr. Price became successfully engaged in the
musical profession in New York City, where
he remained until his death. He is buried at
Danville. To him and his wife Mary
(Roberts), daughter of Thomas Roberts, a
native of Wales, the following children were
born : John T., superintendent of the Spuyten
Duyvil Steel Foundry of New York City ;
George T., assistant superintendent of the
Spuyten Duyvil Steel Foundry, of New York
City ; Ella J., wife of Thomas Hoskins, of
New York City; Frank S., a lieutenant of the
New York City police, in which service he
has gained distinction ; Mary A., a teacher of
music ; Sarah, who died when three years
old ; Jeannette, a music teacher and stenog-
rapher, residing at Rome, N. Y. ; and
Thomas J. The mother of this family died
in 1867, at the age of thirty-four years, and
is buried at Danville. Mr. Price was an in-
dependent Republican, and while in Danville
took an active part in the elections.
Thomas J. Price came to the United States
with his mother in 1856 and passed his boy-
hood in Danville, Pa., where he received his
schooling. At Syracuse, N. Y., he assisted
his father in the iron works, learning the iron
and steel trade. In 1879 he went to New
York City, where he was engaged in the
Spuyten Duyvil Rolling Mill for a few years,
and in 1883 returned to Danville to accept the
position of boss roller at the Glendower
Rolling Mills. In 1885 he went to Harris-
Inirg, Pa., and engaged as a boss roller in
the Lochiel Steel \Vorks until 1886, when he
resigned the jjosition and returned to Dan-
ville to accept the superintendency of the
Mahoning Rolling Mill Company.
In 1896 the Alahoning Rolling Mill Com-
pany was sold out, and Mr. Price entered into
partnership with F. P. Howe and R. K.
,Polk, under the firm name of Howe & Polk.
This partnership continued until the death of
Mr. PolTv", in 1902, when Mr. Price, W'illiam
G. Pursel and Daniel M. Curry purchased the
interests of Howe & Polk and organized the
32
Danville Structural Tubing Company. Mr.
Price and Mr. P'ursel became sole owners of
the business and property in 1906, after Mr.
Curry's death purchasing his interest, and
under the present regime the development of
the business and growth of the establishment
have gone on so vigorously that the men at
the head are deservedly ranked among the
most progressive business men in their line.
Mr. Price's good judgment and executive
ability have played a leading part in promot-
ing the advancement of the concern, and he
is recognized as one of the up-to-date, live
men in his line of manufacture by all who
have kept track of industrial progress in this
field.
Mr. Price is justly regarded as a public
spirited citizen of Danville, where his good
intentions have been tested in various offices.
He served as chief burgess from 1890 to
1896, was school director one year, and on
April I, 1899. entered upon the duties of
postmaster, to which office he had been ap-
pointed Feb. 15th.
Originally an ardent Republican, Mr.
Price contributed time and money to the ad-
vancement of his party. In 191 2, like mil-
lions of others, believing in the Progressive
principles promulgated by Theodore Roose-
velt, he joined that party, and has since taken
an active part in the encouragement of its
interests in his State. He was tendered the
Congressional nomination of the Washington
party, but for business reasons declined the
honor, consenting, however, to serve as a
State committeeman.
Mr. Price is a member of Danville Lodge,
No. 224, F. & A. M. ; Danville Chapter, No.
239, R. A. M.; Calvary Commandery, No. ;^/,
K. T. ; Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second
degree, Bloomsburg; Irem Temple, A. A. O.
N. M. S., Wilkes-Barre ; and also belongs to
Lodge No. 754, B. P. O. Elks, the I. O. O.
F. lodge at IDanville, and the Improved Order
of Heptasophs of Danville.
Mr. Price was married to Sarah Foley,
daughter of Edward Foley, of Danville, and
they have had three children : John, who died
when two years old ; .\nnie Florence, a grad-
uate of Wellesley College, class of 1912; and
Edward F.. who graduated from Lehigh Uni-
versity, and is now engaged as a mechanical
engineer.
CHARLES THOMAS VANDERSLICE,
senior member of the firm of Vanderslice &
Eyerly, publishers of the Bloomsburg Morn-
ing Press and the Berwick Enterprise, has been
498
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
associated with the newspaper business at
Bloonisburg since he began work, and has
reached his present position by sincere efforts
which liave justly attracted recognition and
ai)preciation. He is a native of Columbia
county.
Thomas Jefferson Vanderslice, grandfather
of Charles Thomas \'anderslice, was a native
of New Jersey. He had three brothers,
Heister, Joseph and Daniel, and four sisters,
Mrs. Hannah Armstrong, Airs. Ann Chrisman,
Mrs. Tacey White, and Miss Rebecca. Com-
ing to Columbia county. Pa., at an early day,
he settled on a farm located along Little
Fishing creek, on the road from Light Street
to New Columbia. The old farm is now oc-
cupied by William Mausteller, who resides
there with his wife; he is eighty-two years
old, she seventy-eight. The cemetery beside
the farmhouse contains the remains of many
of the \"anderslices, and there are many un-
marked tombstones, most of them being from
the slate quarry on the farm. IJy his first
wife, whose maiden name was Helen Maus,
Thomas J. \ anderslice had eleven children;
Joseph, Thomas, Jefferson, Augustus, Charles
M., Ellwood, Lot, Harry B., Louise, Helena
and Sadie (wife of David Bomboy). To his
second marriage, with Martha Parker, a
Quakeress, of Millville, were born three,
Frank, Tacey and Adolph B.
Charles M. Vanderslice was l)orn in 1S41
on the home place in Columbia county above
mentioned. His wife was Catherine Ent,
daughter of John Ent and great-grantl-
daughter of Peter Ent, and they had children
as follows : Harry M., Zettie, Nellie M., Fred-
erick C, Catherine and Charles Thomas.
Charles Thomas Vanderslice was born Jan.
28, 1875, "1 Bloonisburg, where he grew to
manhood and obtained a good common school
education. However, he had to leave before
graduating and to go to work on account of
his father's death, and he began in the office
of the Bloonisburg Daily, where he learned
the trade of printer. Other duties fell to
him as increasing familiarity with the work in
the office enabled him to take responsibilities,
and he became foreman and manager in turn.
In March. I(j02, Mr. \'anderslice entered into
jiartnership with Paul R. Eyerly in the found-
ing of the Morning Press, and although tiiey
had but little capital, they persevered until
success placed their venture upon a substan-
tial basis, in spite of the fact that they had
entered the field against much competition,
one daily and four weeklies being already in
existence when they started. In 1907, having
made sufficient progress to justify them in
branching out, they bought the Berwick Eii-
tcrpnsc, which they now publish as an after-
noon daily. Messrs. X'anderslice & Eyerly
have endeavored to set high standards in both
their papers, and as a result ha\e gained
influence with the best element both at
Bloonisburg and Berwick, their labors in
behalf of the interests of both communities
making them well deserving of the standing
they have attained. Mr. \'anderslice is
unmarried.
GEORGE OGLESBY, son of George and
Margaret ( Neal ) Oglesby, was born in Cas-
tlebar. County Alayo, Ireland, in the year i8oy.
On May 29, 1839, he married Isabella,
daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Boden)
Bell, who was born in 1803 near the town of
Poyntzpass, County Armagh, Ireland. Their
children, James and Isabella Bell, were born
near Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, Ireland,
the latter,' Feb. 14, 1842. dying in infancy.
In 1841) George Oglesby, with his wife and
son, emigrated to America, landing in Phil-
adelphia. After residing for a time in that
city, and Camden, X. J., and Norristown, Pa.,
they finally settled in" Danville. The family
residence was at the northwest corner of Cen-
ter and \'ine streets.
Following the exaniiile of relatives who had
preceded them to this country, the letter "s"
was dropped from the name, making it (Jgleby.
This error was not corrected until 1880, when
the first death occurred in the family. George
Oglesby was employed as blacksmith in the
plant which is now operated by the Reading
Iron Company, continuing there until in-
capacitated bv advancing years.
The family united with the Mahoning
I'resbyterian Church, and when the distance
becam'e too great George Oglesby and his
wife united with the Grove Presbyterian
Church. Isabella (Bell) Oglesby died Sept.
20, iSSf"), her husband following March 8,
1887. Their bodies lie in the family plot in
the Odd Fellows cemetery.
I.XMES Oglesby. M. D., son of George and
Isabella (Bell) Oglesby, was born Aug. 15,
1840, near Lisbellaw, and came to this coun-
try with his i)arents in 1849. He attended
the schools at Stone Bridge. Ireland, Cam-
den, X. J., Xorristown, Pa., and the Dan-
ville Academy. In his boyhood, in demon-
strating his strength for the entertainment of
his elders, who urged him on, he "received
an injury to his heart which handicapped him
for the remainder of his days. Dr. Yeomans,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
499
pastor of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church,
took a great interest in the young man, and
through his influence he was preparing to
enter Princeton College with the view of be-
coming a minister of the gospel. Impaired
health, coupled with defective sight, com-
pelled him to give up his studies, and he was
advised that to save his life he must follow
some outdoor occupation. Accordingly he
learned the carpenter's trade, and was em-
ployed on several of the local Ijuildings still
standing. James Oglesby taught in the local
schools, and for one year in Dickinson Sem-
inary, Williamsport.
Dr. William Thom])son, the noted eye
specialist of Philadelphia, in a newspaper
article described an instrument for detecting
astigmatic defects in the eye. James Oglesby,
seeing the article, was able to make the instru-
ment and learned the cause of his defective
vision, which Dr. Thompson corrected. .\
friendship de\eloped between the two which
terminated only with the death of Dr.
Thompson.
With perfect sight and improved health
James Oglesby decided to take up the study
of medicine. His preceptor was Dr. .Sharp
Snyder, and he graduated from Jefferson
Medical College in 1868. After graduation
he entered into partnership with James D.
Strawbridge, M. D., a noted surgeon of his
day, and the partnership continued until dis-
solved by mutual consent. Dr. Strawbridge
believing it to be for the younger doctor's
interest to branch out for himself.
On Sept. 23, 1873, James Oglesby and
Elizabeth .Ann, daughter of William and
Elizabeth ( Hursh ) \'astine, were united in
marriage by Rev. Samuel Domer, D. D. They
had two children, William \'astine and
George Bell, the latter, born Aug. 16, 1878,
dying Jan. 11, 1886. The shock of his death
cast a shadow over his parents which time,
the great restorer, was unable to remove.
In 1887 the family residence, at No. 8 East
Market street, was completed, the Doctor
having surrendered his option on the north-
west corner of Ferry and Market streets in
order that the Thomas Beaver Free Library
might be built thereon. Dr. Oglesby was a
member of the Mahoning Presbyterian
Church, of which he was a ruling elder, serv-
ing as treasurer of the session for several
years. He was a member of the Masonic
fraternity, being a past master of Danville
Lodge, No. 224. Politically he was a Re-
publican,
Dr. Oglesby's interest in photography re-
sulted in several pictures which are now
highly prized by their possessors. When
sixty-five years of age he took up the study
of Esperanto, the "world's auxiliary
language," which afforded him much enter-
tainment. His correspondents were located
all over the globe.
Declining health made it necessary for the
Doctor to withdraw from the active general
practice of his profession, whereupon he
made a specialty of diseases of the eye.
.\fter a lingering illness he died Feb. 21,
1912. The Morning News in recording his
death said :
"He was one of the leading physicians not
only of Danville, but of this section. He was
fond of research ; he was thorough and pains-
taking in his methods, under all circum-
stances keeping fully abreast with the times.
Along with his deep knowledge and love for
his profession he combined a genial disposi-
tion and gentleness of manner that made him
an ideal practitioner. To the victim of dis-
ease in the moments of stress and weakness
as well as the physician he was the tender,
sympathizing friend. It was thus that he
came to stand so near to the people. It is
thus that the news of his death will cause
genuine sorrow not only among those who
have felt his kind ministrations but also
among all in the community who appreciate
the example of his blameless and devoted
life."
WiLLi.vM \'astine Oglesby, son of Dr.
James and Elizabeth Ann (\'astine) Ogles-
by, was born in Danville Oct. 13, 1874. His
education and preparation for college was
gained under John M. Kelso, the well known
educator who taught his parents before him.
He graduated from the College of New Jer-
sey (now Princeton University) in 1896, re-
ceiving the degree of A. B. In 1899 he
graduated from the law department of the
University of Pennsylvania, when he re-
turned to Danville to practice his profession.
Mr. Oglesby is now serving his third term
as justice of the peace.
CHARLES SUMNER WAYNE FOX,
cashier of the Catawissa National Bank, was
born Jan. 25, 1857, at Numidia, Locust town-
ship, Columbia Co., Pa. His father, H.
Haines Fox, was one of the leading physi-
cians of Columbia county.
It is not known where the emigrant ances-
tors were born or the date of their coming
to America. It is supposed that they resided
in New Jersey, as the grandfather of Charles
500
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
S. W. Fox came from that State to Columbia
county, Pennsylvania.
James A. Fox. the grandfather, was born
Oct. 21, 1797, and died Aug. 10. 1869. He
was a shoemaker and farmer by occupation,
and a member of the Society of Friends. On
Nov. 26, 1820, he married Ruth, daughter of
Moses Starr, and their children were: Henry
Haines, mentioned below ; Elizabeth, born
Nov. I, 1824, who married Samuel Reinbold.
and died April 26, 1896: Rowland, born May
27, 1830, who died Sept. 10, 1834; Charlotte,
born Jan. 16, 1834, who married Samuel P.
Levan, and is deceased ; and Jeremiah, born
March 19, 1840, who died March 17, 1850.
Henry Haines Fox, father of Charles S. W.
Fox, was born Feb. 15. 1822, and died Feb.
28, 1866. He was a native of Columbia coun-
ty, and attended the schools of that section.
He entered the medical profession, graduat-
ing from Jefferson Medical College, Philadel-
phia, and practiced in Locust township to the
end of his life. On May 13, 1851, he mar-
ried Eliza, daughter of Reuben and Rebecca
( Kunkle ) Fahringer, who had a family of
eight children, of whom Isaac married Chris-
tine Dreisbach ; Charles married Alice Hona-
berger : William died at Scranton ; Catherine
married Byron Keller; Mary married Isaiah
Hower; Hannah married Allen Fetennan ;
Herman married Mary Keller. To Henry
Haines Fox and his wife were born six chil-
dren: Henrietta, born Sept. 10, 1832, died
July 22. 1908; Matilda, born May 2S, 1854,
died May 15, 1861 ; Charlotte, born Dec. 19,
1855. married Lewis H. Daniel ; David died
when thirteen days old ; Charles Sumner
Wayne was bom Jan. 25, 1857; John Mar-
shall, born Sept. 7, 1861, married Elizabeth
Adams.
Charles Sumner \\'ayne Fox had rather
limited educational advantages, attending
public school and for a few months a select,
or advanced, school in Locust township ; later
he was a student at the Bloomsburg State
Normal School for a period of nine weeks.
When nearly fourteen years old he left his
home at Numidia and began clerking in the
store of F. P. Coho, at Ashland, Pa. .\fter
a period of two years he returned, in the year
1872. In the winter of 1873-74 he began
teaching school, following this profession at
intervals for six terms. In the spring of 1878
he entered the employ of Dr. J. H. Vastine,
as clerk in his store at Xumidia, remaining
two years, and then engaged with Knorr &
Daniel, successors of the Doctor, for six
months. In the spring of 1885 'i^ took a posi-
tion as clerk with Jacob Yeager, of Roaring
Creek, Pa., and the following spring was em-
ployed in a similar capacity by L. H. Daniel,
later becoming manager and conducting the
business successfully. He remained with Mr.
Daniel nearly nineteen years. At that time
the methods of accounting in a country store
were very crude and unsatisfactory, so Mr.
Fox, with keen foresight, introduced the sys-
tem of double entry bookkeeping and com-
pletely reorganized the methods of accounting.
Mr. Fox has been a Republican from the
time he reached his majority and was fre-
quently a delegate to the county conventions
under the former system of nominating can-
didates, being at one time the party's candi-
date for prothonotarv'. During a period of
thirty-six years he never missed attending an
election. .Although living in a three-to-one
stronghold of the Democrats, on account of
his ability as an accountant he was elected
for seven consecutive terms, of three years
each, an auditor of the township's financial
affairs, being unable to serve, much to his
regret, the last two years, owing to his re-
moval from the district. He was mercantile
appraiser of Columbia county for the year of
1899. For a number of years he was one of
the Catawissa N'cxs.'s-ltem correspondents,
under the nom de plume of "Jim Nasties."
In 1004. when the Catawissa National Bank
was organized, he was offered the position of
cashier, and he has seen the deposits of that
institution rise steadily until in this year
(1914) they have reached the sum of $300,000.
a remarkable sum for the second bank in a
small town.
Mr. Fox married. Jan. 5. 1882. Rebie Levan.
who was born Sept. 29, 1863. daughter of
Daniel P. and Sarah J. (Christian) Levan.
To this marriage have come four children :
A son. born Feb. 9. 1883. who died soon after
birth; Lola Lucretia. born May 19. 1884. who
died Sept. 9. 1S84; Claude Mardo. born Oct.
28, 1885; and Ruth lola, bom Oct. i. 1892.
Mr. Fox became a member of the United
Brethren Church in 1876 and continued his
membership after his removal to Catawissa
for several years. He is still a firm believer
in God and the atonement of Jesus Christ,
and is expecting his return to earth (Acts i.
11). His endeavor has been to live an honor-
able life and to measure up to the standard
declared of him by many of his friends, that
"his word is as good as his bond."
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
501
LINES ADDRESSED TO A LADY ON HER WEDDING DAY
(By H. Haines Fox, M. D.)
And has the vow of mortal love
Been breathed upon thine ear?
And hast thou pledged thy faith, O maid,
To one of earthly sphere?
Thy vestal glory shone so pure,
So like the modest light
Of the dear twilight star that shines
More tender still than bright.
And must that maiden luster now
So quickly pass away?
That lambent radiance disappear
Before a brighter day?
It must be so; the vow is pledged.
Triumphant at thy side,
Osborn stands and claims thee for
His own, his beauteous bride.
Love's blush-roses proudly have
Thy snowy temples crowned,
And Hymen's creamy orange flowers
In the bridal wreath are found.
Then fare thee well. Thy mother weeps
To yield thee from her arms.
And prays and hopes and sighs with
All a mother's fond alarms.
Thy father holds thy hand in his
And with uplifted eye.
Invokes upon his lovely child
A blessing from the sky.
Thy sisters' lips are pressed to thine
In long and dear embrace ;
Their tears are mixed with thine —
And fall upon thy glowing face.
That full effusive confidence
Of hope, or joy, or pain.
Which sister maidens know with thee,
They cannot know again.
But fare thee well ; the hour is come.
The hour when thou must part
From all that most is cherished
By a yet unwedded heart.
Go — be thy chosen's halcyon love ;
The lodestar of his life.
Thou once has shone a peerless maid ;
Be perfect as a wife.
Roaringcrcck, Pa., July 27, 1S4S.
THOUGHTS ON HOME BY THE WANDERER
(By H. Haines Fo.v)
I've parted with my parents dear,
My brothers and sisters, too;
Some time to spend in this vain city.
My arduous studies to pursue.
I've left my home, that sacred spot
Which is most dear to me,
In order more knowledge to obtain
Before I return to thee.
Oh, may I well improve the time
In knowledge and in science.
That I in honor may return,
The son of your reliance.
And lonely hours pass swiftly on
In peace and comfort true,
O'er the midnight lamp alone.
Till I return to you.
Oh, may my course be true and holy.
Sin fall harmless at my feet.
To God I'll give all praise and glory
Until we again do meet.
Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 14, 1S43.
Le V.\n. The Le \''an families are of
French Huguenot Hneage, and in common
with other families of like religious faith were
subjected to persecution, which caused their
emigration to America. From "Memorials of
the Huguenots," by Rev. A. Stapleton, the
following information is taken:
"Among the members of the Huguenot
Church at Amsterdam, Holland, were Daniel
Le\ an and his wife, Marie Beau, refugees
from Picardy, France. From a baptismal
certificate, it seems that some of the children
were born at Amsterdam. .About 171 5 four
sons of the refugee set out for Pennsylvania.
They were Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph,
the latter of whom died at sea. These were
followed in 1727 by their brother Daniel, and
all of them settled in Berks county. In 1748
Peter Le Van arrived, whose identity and
place of location is not known."
Abraham Le Van, as already noted, who
was born in Amsterdam in 1698, was married
to Catherine Weimer, daughter of Mrs. De
Turk by a former husband in France. He
located at Oley, situated in a beautiful valley
in the eastern part of Berks county, about
fifty miles northwest of Philadelphia, and near
the De Turks, and his beautiful home is still
in the possession of his descendants, after a
lapse of almost two centuries. He died in
1 77 1, leaving a number of children. His wife,
Catherine, born in France in 1706, died in
1768.
Jacob Le Van located in the Maxatawny
valley, of which he was one of the first set-
tlers. He was an extensive landowner, the
present village of Kutztown being built on a
part of his estate. He erected the first grist-
mill in this region, which is still in the pos-
session of his descendants. There is a family
tradition that Count Zinzendorf, the eminent
Moravian, preached from the balcony of this
mill during his episcopal tour in America in
1742. Jacob Le Van was an important per-
502
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
sonage in the Province. He was one of the
judges of the County court from 1752 to
1762. He bore an important part in the de-
fense of the frontiers during tlie French and
Indian war, and was commissioned to pro-
vision Fort Allen in 1756. He died in 1768,
leaving seven children. His son, Sebastian,
was a man of great prominence. At the out-
break of the Revolution he represented his
district in the Committee of Safety. He was
a member of the State Assembly in 1779-89,
and of the Supreme Executive Council from
1782 to 1784. He was also a colonel of mihtia.
He died in 1794.
Daniel Le \'an, the emigrant, also settled in
Maxatawny. His son, Daniel, Jr., was ad-
mitted to the bar at Reading in 1768, and be-
came a lawyer of considerable prominence.
After filling many important offices, he died
in 1792.
Isaac Le \'an, also an emigrant, located in
Exter, near Reading, where he died in 1758.
It is significant that in the same vessel in
which Peter Herbein came to Philadelphia in
1732 there also appears in the list of women
and children the names of Anna Le \'an.
Christian Le \'an, Margaret Le Van, Philip
Le \'an and Barbara Le Van (Pennsylvania
Archives, X\'II). In 1733 Anna Elizabeth Le
Van was married to Sebastian Zimmerman, in
Maxatawny. She was probably a sister of
Jacob Le Van, who lived there.
According to another account, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob Le Van came Jan. 9, 1729,
in the ship "Mary Galby," and landed at Phil-
adelphia. Abraham Le \'an bought 150 acres
of land, Isaac 230 acres, and Jacob 250 acres,
in Philadelphia county. Peter Le \'an came
Sept. 7, 1748, in the ship "Queen of Den-
mark." Daniel Le \'an came Sept. 21, 1727,
in the ship "William and Sarah." As to the
time of arrival of Peter and Daniel Le Van,
this account agrees with that of Mr. Staple-
ton.
It does not appear from which of the emi-
grants mentioned in the foregoing accounts
the families in Columbia county, bearing the
name of Levan, are descended.
Benjamin Levan, grandfather of Mrs.
Rebie Fox, wife of Charles S. W. Fox, was
married to Mary Pohe and had the following
children: Daniel P., father of Mrs. Fox;
Benjamin, married to Lucy Hess; John P.,
who married Mary Ellen Lee; Samuel P., who
married Charlotte Fox and (second) Ruth-
anna Gable ; Sarah, wife of Nathan Dries-
bach : Mary, wife of John Fetterman ; Eliza,
wife of John Holderman ; Phoebe Ann, wife
of William Fox, and three children besides
who died in childhood.
Daniel P. Levan, father of Mrs. Fox, was
bom May 21, 1830, and died July i, 191 1. He
was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation.
In politics he was a firm adherent of the Re-
publican party, in religion a member of the
Methodist Church and for years a trustee of
the church. He married Sarah J. Christian,
who was bom Dec. 29. 1838, and died Feb.
7, 191 1. Her father was William Christian.
They had children as follows : Anna Mary,
born Feb. 25, i860, married Henry J. Perry;
Emma Corinda, born May 5, 1861, died lu'ly
II, 1868; Rebie, born Sept. 29, 1863, married
C. S. W. Fox; Flora Alice, bom Nov. 26,
1865, married William N. Williams; Benjamin
Franklin, born Jan. 15, 1868, was killed by
lightning July i6, 1877; Walter, born May
-3- ^^75- married Elizabeth Tobias; Elmer,
born Jan. 2. 1875, married Catherine Knittle ;
Amy Sarah was born Sept. 6, 1877 ; Raymond
D., bom May 29, 1879, married Ella Fetter-
man; William Christian was born May 18,
1883.
LOUIS WALTER BUCKALEW, a shoe
merchant of Bloomsburg, Pa., was born in
that city Sept. I, 1882, a son of the late Rus-
sell C. Buckalew.
Russell C. Buckalew died in Bloomsburg.
where his widow still resides. They had the
following children : Louis W. ; Lilian Bar-
ton, who is at home ; and Raymond Gager. a
graduate of the Philadelphia College of Phar-
macy, class of 191 2.
Louis Walter Buckalew was graduated from
the Bloomsburg high school in 1902, and then
entering the Bloomsburg State Normal School
did college preparatory work for one year,
and later studied at the Pennsylvania State
College. Following this Mr. Buckalew was
in the employ of the State highway depart-
ment for three years, until in July, 1909. he
bought the shoe business owned by W. H.
Moore, and in company with A. H. Armstrong
formed a partnership known as Buckalew &
Co. Later he bought Mr. Armstrong's inter-
est and took Clyde Kemp as a partner. This
firm conducts the largest shoe store and shoe
repairing business in this section, and con-
trols an immense trade.
On Jan. 31, 1911, Mr. Buckalew married
Sophia Nelson, daughter of W. T. and Mary
( Frey) Nelson, of York, Pa. They have a
son. Louis W.. Jr.. born in December. 1912.
Mr. Buckalew belongs to Washington
Lodge. No. 265. F. & A. M. ; Bloomsburg
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
503
Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M. ; Commandery
No. 12, Knights Templar; and Caldwell Con-
sistory ; as well as to the Odd Fellows and
Red Men. He is also a member of the State
College fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa, Phi
Epsilon Kappa chapter. In his business life
Mr. Buckalew has proved himself a man of
e.xecutive ability and his future is bright.
Socially he is numbered among the elect of
Bloomsburg. where he and his wife are very-
popular, both belonging as they do to prom-
inent families long established in Pennsyl-
vania.
BARTON DILL FREAS, of Berwick,
Columbia county, began his connection with
the financial institutions of that place over
thirty years ago, and his present important
relations with same testify amply to his posi-
tion as an authority. He understands the local
situation thoroughly, a fact which makes his
advice invaluable. His loyal etiforts to secure
to his home community the best advantages
possible have been vital factors in the evolu-
tion of existing conditions there. Mr. Freas
is a native of Berwick, son of the late Henry
Clay Freas and grandson of John Freas. The
family is one of old standing in Columbia
county.
John Freas was born in Briarcreek town-
ship. Columbia county, and owned a large
farm there, following general agriculture all
his life. His death occurred in 1850. The
following children were born to his marriage
with Sarah Hidlay : George ; Sally, Mrs. Jon-
athan Eck; Nancy, Mrs. Benjamin Hicks;
Henry Clay; John A.; William L.. who mar-
ried Fanny Rittenhouse ; Horace ; Hiram, who
married A. Brown; and Isaiah B., who mar-
ried Katherine Hagenbuch.
Henry Clay Freas was born on a farm in
Briarcreek township, March 11, 1S21. He
was an energetic business man, acquiring vari-
ous important interests. For years he was en-
gaged in milling at Berwick as well as in his
native township, in the later sixties selling the
mill in Briar Creek to Ash Brothers ; his mill
at Berwick, located just below the present site
of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western rail-
road depot, was bumed in 187 1. In 1873 he
bought the earthenware business of C. A.
Becker, located where Mr. Kurtz's marble
yard now stands. About 1890 Mr. Freas gave
up business, and lived retired until his death,
in 1896. He is buried in Pine Grove cem-
etery. Berwick had every reason to count him
among her public-spirited citizens, for he
served faithfullv as burgess for several terms.
Originally a Whig in politics, he subsequently
became a Republican. He took an active in-
terest in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
which he served as trustee, and he held mem-
bership in Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.
In 1856 Mr. Freas married Dorothy A.
Bowman, a daughter of George A. and Sarah
( Brown) Bowman, of Berwick. We have the
following record of their children: John H.,
born Dec. 19, 1856, died in April, 1877, and
is buried in Pine Grove cemetery at Berwick;
Annie Bowman, born July 21, i860, married
Franklin A. Witman ; Sally A., born May 18,
1862, married A. W. Dickson, and died in
October, 1895, and is buried in Wildwood
cemetery at Williamsport, Pa. ; Barton Dill is
mentioned below ; Alberta G.. born March 5,
1867, is the wife of Charles B. Keller, cashier
of the Stroudsburg (Pa.) National Bank.
Barton Dill Freas was born Aug. 10, 1864,
and had his early educational training in local
institutions, attending the old Market Street
Academy and the Berwick high school : he was
a member of the first high school graduating
class, 1881, and Judge A. M. Freas, of Wilkes-
Barre, was one of his classmates. Subse-
quently he was a student at the Wyoming
Seminary, and in 1882 he took a business
course. Returning to Berwick in 1882, Mr.
Freas found a position as clerk in the First
National Bank. In 1895 he was made teller,
and was thus employed until 1902, when he
resigned to become cashier of the Berwick
National Bank, organized that year. In 1903,
when the Berwick Savings & Trust Company
was organized, he was made treasurer, and
he has continued to fill both positions. His
close association with the banking business in
Berwick during so many years has developed
his natural ability to such an extent that his
fellow officers regard his opinion with the
utmost respect. The sincere concern he has
shown at all times for the welfare of home
enterprises has made him trusted as the worthy
confidant of the best interests in the town.
On Oct. 16, 1890, Mr. Freas married Eliz-
abeth M. Mears, daughter of J. H. and Cath-
erine (Hull) Mears, of Berwick, and they
have one son, Frederick Mears, bom Nov. 25,
1893.
Mr. Freas is a member and trustee of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and fraternally
is a member and a past master of Knapp
Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., and a member
of Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second degree),
A. A. S. R., Bloomsburg, and of Irem Temple,
A. A. O. N. Mystic Shrine, at Wilkes-Barre,
Pa. ; he also belongs to Berwick Council, No.
504
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
176, Royal Arcanum. Politically he is a sup-
porter of the Republican party. He is one of
the trustees of the present Berwick Hospital
board.
CHARLES C. BARGER, senior member
of the firm of Barger, Bains & Munn, pro-
prietors of the Bloomsburg Hosiery Mills, was
born at Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 14, 1863, son
of Benjamin Barger.
The paternal great-grandfather was a res-
ident of Philadelphia, the family being an
old and representative one of the State.
George Barger, the grandfather of Charles
C. Barger, was also a resident of Philadel-
phia, and early in life was one of the watch-
men employed to call out the hours of the
night. When the police force of the city was
organized he naturally became one of its mem-
bers, and continued a useful citizen until his
death, in 1874. He was the father of two
children, Benjamin and Annie.
Benjamin Barger, son of George Barger,
and father of Charles C. Barger, was a native
of Philadelphia, where his energetic life was
spent. For thirty-five years he was with the
firm of Charles McNeal & Co., giving most
faithful service. The death of this excellent
man occurred in 1905. Benjamin Barger mar-
ried Cordelia Streeter, and their children
were: George, David, Charles C, Louis, Cor-
delia, William and Margaret.
Charles C. Barger affords in his career a
splendid example of what a man can accom-
plish through steady, faithful and persistent
effort. When still a lad he secured employ-
ment in a hosiery mill, and he has continued
to work along this line ever since, concentrat-
ing all his energies towards advancement
therein. His first employer was a man by
the name of Thomas Brown, and when Mr.
Barger left him he went into other Philadel-
phia hosiery mills, learning the business so
thoroughly that when he embarked in business
for himself, in April, 1902, he was able to do
so intelligentlv and successfully. In 1904 Mr.
Barger took Edward Bains into partnership,
and they operated under the firm name of
Barger & Bains until two years later, when
the present firm was organized, F. W. Munn
becoming the junior member. The main office
of the mills is at Adams and Jasper streets,
Philadelphia.
In Tuly, 1906. Mr. Barger came to Blooms-
burg "and built his present plant there, which
has been materially enlarged since. When he
began operations in Philadelphia he had only
ten machines, whereas 350 are in operation
now in the plants in which he is interested,
employment being given to 150 workers. The
output of the firm comprises infants', ladies'
and boys' hosiery. The Bloomsburg plant is
housed in a brick building containing about
five thousand square feet of floor space, and
the annual output is 200,000 dozen pairs of in-
fants" hose, the Philadelphia plant manufac-
turing the ladies' hosiery.
In .\pril, 1914, Mr. Barger started work
on the construction of a plant at Xescopeck,
Pa., which was opened July 15. It is equipped
with 150 machines and gives employment to
se\'enty-five people, engaged in the produc-
tion of a heavy stocking for boys. The total
daily output of the three mills at present is
seventeen hundred dozen pairs. Mr. Barger
is general manager of all the mills and vice
president of the company, and he is ably as-
sisted by his son Paul, who has developed re-
markable fitness for the position.
Mr. liarger married Catherine Laudwhere,
a daughter of Jonathan Paul Laudwhere, and
they have the following children: Cordelia,
who married George Robbins ; J. Paul, who is
employed with his father; Elsie, who is a stu-
dent at the State Normal School ; and Rosie.
In 191 1 Mr. Barger built the beautiful resi-
dence at Bloomsburg which is now the family
home. He and his family are Methodists in
religious faith.
While it is the aim of the firm to ])roiluce
the best quality of hosiery manufactured, Mr.
Barger takes an equal amotmt of pride in the
sanitary condition of his plants. In equip-
ping them he has given special attention to
furnishing adequate sanitation and is alwavs
ready to adopt new methods if certain they
will further his ideas along these lines. The
local mill aft'ords employment to a number of
families of Bloomsburg, and the industry is
an important one in Columbia county.
JOSEPH G. SWANK, farmer, and ex-
county commissioner of Columbia county, re-
siding in Mifflin township, was born at Lime
Ridge, Pa.. Nov. 2, 1844, son of John and
Caroline (Kirkendall) Swank.
George Swank, grandfather of Joseph G.
Swank, was born in New Jersey, where he was
a farmer during his younger days. Coming
to Columbia county. Pa., he settled at Lime
Ridge, where he engaged in the lime business,
and later he moved to Hetlerville, where he
died.
John Swank, son of George Swank and
father of Joseph G, Swank, was born in New
Jersey, whence he came to Lime Ridge with
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
505
his father, and died there when his son, Joseph
G. Swank, was two years old, in 1846. John
Swank, the father, married Caroline Kirken-
clall, a daughter of Joseph Kirkendall, a native
of Mifflin township, Columbia county, where
he was a farmer, as had been his father be-
fore him. The Kirkendalls bought large tracts
of land in Columbia county, and a portion of
the farm now occupied by Joseph G. Swank,
known as Kirkendall Hill, was included in
the holdings of this family. Both the Kirk-
endall grandparents died on the property now
owned and occupied by their grandson, Joseph
G. Swank, as did Mrs. John Swank, who
passed away Dec. 10, 1900, aged eighty- four
years. She and her husband had but one
child. Joseph Kirkendall was one of the
prominent men of his time and took an active
part in jniblic affairs ; he built the abutments
of the old bridge which was washed away at
Berwick a few years ago.
Joseph G. Swank lived with his paternal
grandfather at Lime Ridge until he was ten
years old, at which time he joined his maternal
grandparents on the farm he now owns, and
has resided on this jjroperty ever since, having
bought it when they died. He is engaged in
a general line of farming. In 1894 he became
county commissioner and held that office dur-
ing i8q4, i8ij5 and 1896. Joseph G. Swank
has a war record, for on Sept. 9, 1862, he
enlisted for three years, in Company E, i6th
Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by Col. J.
K. Robinson, of Mifflintown, Juniata Co.,
Pa., and was assigned to Gregg's division of
Sheridan's cavalry. He ])articipated in many
engagements, remaining in the service to the
close of the war, and was at the surrender at
Appomattox. He was a charter member of
Captain Jackson Post. G. A. R., of Berwick.
Pennsylvania.
In 1868 Joseph G. Swank was married to
Mary E. I,ongenberger. who was born in
Columbia county. Pa., daughter of Simon and
Lucinda (Kirkendall) Longenberger. Mrs.
Swank died in i8t>(i, the mother of three chil-
dren : Gertrude, who is the widow of E. M.
S. Gould, resides at Scranton, Pa. ; Walter,
who married Dora Klinger, resides at Foun-
dryville. Pa. ; Daniel is a druggist at Scranton.
Pa., superintendent of the Lorenz drug store.
Toseph G. Swank was married (second) in
1898 to Amanda Miller, who was born in
Mifflin township, daughter of Henry and
Phoebe (Kirkendall) Miller, both of whom
are deceased. They were prominent people
of Columbia county, well and favorably
known.
Mr. and Mrs. Swank belong to the Berwick
Baptist Church, in which he has held offices,
including those of deacon, trustee and clerk.
Joseph G. Swank has been president of the
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Lime
Ridge, Pa., for eighteen years, and was a
charter member of that company. He is
deeply interested in all matters tending to-
wards the betterment of agricultural condi-
tions.
NORMAN S. PURSEL, late of Blooms-
burg, was a worthy member of a substantial
old family of Columbia county, which was
established in the Frosty valley over a cen-
tury ago by his great-grandfather, Jonathan
Pursel. and during all his active years fol-
lowed the trade of blacksmith, at which his
father and grandfather were also engaged.
Mr. Pursel was born in 1837 '" ^h^ Frosty
valley, in Hemlock township, Columbia coun-
ty, son of Dennis Pursel, and died at Blooms-
burg, Sept. 28, 191 2, in his seventy-sixth year.
Mr. Pursel's great-grandfather, Jonathan
Pursel, lived in New Jersey before settling in
Pennsylvania, in the latter part of the eight-
eenth century. The Pursels are of Scotch-
Irish origin. Jonathan Pursel located in the
Frosty valley, in what is now Hemlock town-
ship, Columbia county, on the farm after-
wards owned by his descendant, James Depew
Pursel. He cleared the land he took up and
devoted the remainder of his active years to
its impro\ement. His first wife. Nancy
( Kitchen ). was the mother of all his children.
He passed his closing years on the Depew
Pursel farm. To quote from an earlier ac-
count ( 1887) : "The farm on which Sylvester
li\es was owned by his maternal ancestor,
whose name was Green, and who later sold it
to his son-in-law, Daniel Pursel. Shortly after
this he died, and the wife of Jonathan Pursel
dying about the same time also, the two old
people married, and lived on the Depew Pur-
sel farm."
Daniel Pursel, son of Jonathan, was born
Dec. 19. 1 77 1, learned the trade of blacksmith,
and also engaged in farming. Though he
started life a poor man. by industry and hard
work, and with the help of a capable and de-
voted wife, he prospered and succeeded in
accumulating a competence. From his father
he bought the farm where his son Sylvester
sjient all his life, and in 1816 built the stone
house upon that place. He also acquired own-
ership of the farm afterwards owned by his
son Isaac G. Pursel. He was a man of high
character, a member of the Episcopal Church
506
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
at Bloomsburg, and one of the respected citi-
zens of his community. His death occurred
Feb. 17, 1854.
Daniel Pursel married Alary Green, who
was also from Xew Jersey, and who survived
him. dying during the Civil war, aged over
ninety years. A year before she had knitted a
large ntmiber of stockings and mittens for the
soldiers. Daniel and Mary (Green) Pursel
are buried in Rosemont cemetery, at Blooms-
burg. Of the twelve children born to them
one died in infancy, and the others were born
as follows: John, Jan. 22, 1793 (died at the
home of his son in Montour county when
ninety-three years old) ; Dennis, Dec. i, 1793
(died aged ninety-one years) ; Jonathan, Dec.
20, 1795 (died in Canada); Robert, May 9,
1799 (lived in Michigan and attained very
advanced age) ; Daniel, Aug. 5, 1801 (died at
an advanced age) : Hester, Jan. 4, 1S04 (mar-
ried Samuel Kahler, and died in Lycoming
county); William, .Ajjril 9, 1808 (lived in
Montour county and reached a great age);
Ann, June 30, 1810 (married a W'ertman,
lived in Ohio, and died when very old ) ; Abi-
gail Maria, March 10, 1813 (married Frank
Hartman, and died in Bloomsburg) ; Isaac G.,
Sept. 28, 1815; Sylvester, Oct. 11, 1818.
Dennis Pursel, son of Daniel, was born
Dec. I, 1793, in Hemlock township, where he
passed all his life, dying there at the age of
ninety-one years. He followed the trade of
blacksmith. He married Elizabeth Briggs,
daughter of Richard Briggs, and they had a
family of five children : James Depew ; Elisha
B. : Mary, wife of John Smith ; Martha, wife
of Matthew Gurtin ; and Norman S.
Norman S. Pursel passed his early life at
his native place, obtaining a common school
education and learning blacksmithing. begin-
ning the trade at the age of se\enteen in
Bloomsburg. He became a skilled mechanic,
and followed his trade successfully at various
places, principally Bloomsburg and Centralia,
Columbia county, until his retirement in 191 1.
In 1888 he went west to New Mexico, and
followed blacksmithing there for a year be-
fore returning East. He had poor health for
a year or more before his death. In 1910 he
rebuilt the home at the corner of East Seventh
and Cherry streets, Bloomsburg, where he was
living at the time of his death. He was a well-
known citizen of that place, and highly re-
spected by the many of his acquaintance. For
seven years he was chief of police of Blooms-
burg, serving as such at the time Pat Hester
was hanged, during the reign of the Mollie
Maguires, and he was a member of the jury
that convicted them. In that strenuous time
he went armed to protect himself against at-
tacks by the friends of the criminals. .Mr.
Pursel was one of the first members of the
Bloomsburg band, playing the bass horn, and
when the Civil war broke out went with his
fellow players as a member of the band of
the local regiment. However, he did not re-
main long at the front. After the war he was
again a member of the band, and continued to
play his horn until his late years. He was a
member of the Episcopal Church, to which
his family also belong, and on political ques-
tions he was a Republican. He is buried in
Rosemont cemetery, at Bloomsburg.
On April 4, 1863, Mr. Pursel married Susan
Rebecca Rupert, who was born April 13, 1841,
in Bloomsburg, daughter of Bernard Rupert,
and two children were born to this union :
( 1 ) Harry B., who lives in Philadelphia, mar-
ried Maud Fo.x, and they have children.
Leone, Mabel, Lester, Margaret and Dorothy.
(2) Lula married Millard McBride, of
Bloomsburg, and they live with her mother;
their children are Ray, Frank, Fred and Ruth.
Daniel Rupert, grandfather of Mrs. Nor-
man S. Pursel, was a native of Germany, and
coming to America settled at Pottsville, Pa.,
where he died. His children were: Jacob,
John, William, Samuel, Bernard. Mary and
Maria.
Bernard Rupert, son of Daniel, was born at
Pottsville, Pa., and when a young man came
to Bloomsburg, where he learned the trade of
tailor. He followed that work all his active
life, dying in 1884, at the age of sixty-nine
years. His wife. Sarah Ann (Fry), daughter
of George and Susan (Long) Fry, died at the
age of ninety-one years. They had five chil-
dren : George, now deceased ; Luther, a resi-
dent of Bloomsburg; Walter, living in New
York State ; Charles, deceased ; and Susan Re-
becca, widow of Norman S. Pursel.
GEORGE A. HERRING, of Bloomsburg,
Columbia county, has the distinction of having
served as treasurer of that county and also
of Schuylkill county, anfi he is one of the well
known members of the Democratic party in
the State. He served four years as deputy
collector of internal revenue for the Twelfth
district of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Herring was born Dec. 13. 1833, in
Orangeville, Columbia county, son of John
Herring, and belongs to a family of German
peasant origin founded in this country by
Christopher Herring.
Christopher Herring, the emigrant ancestor.
COLUMBIA AND MUNTOUR COUNTIES
507
came to this country with his wife and eight
children before the Re\olutionary war. They
were "redemptioners," their services being sold
to defray the expenses of the passage. Two
of the eight children were killed in the battle
of the Lirandywine. Another, Ludwick, was
the grandfather of George A. Herring. He
settled in Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa., in
1800. He died in 1838, and is buried in
Orangeville cemetery. He was a teamster and
was engaged in hauling produce and goods
from Orangeville and Pottsville to Reading,
before the introduction of the railroad system
in that section. He was married in lierks
county to Susan Rright.
John Herring, son of Ludwick, was born in
r)range\ille. Pa., in 1808, and there resided
throughout his active life. He was a carpen-
ter l)v occupation and for twenty years was
a carpenter foreman on the Pennsylvania canal
between Xanticoke and Sunbury. Politically
he was a Jacksonian Democrat, casting his
first vote for Jackson, and adhered to the
Democratic party until his death. For ten
years he was justice of the peace at Orange-
ville. In 1880 he moved to Bloomsburg, the
rest of his years li\ing in retirement, dying in
i8<.i3. He married Rachel Snyder, a sister of
the late Sheriff John Snyder, of Orange\-ilIe,
and she died May 11, 1882, a member of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. Herring was a mem-
l)er of the German Reformed Church. They
had eight children, six sons and two daugh-
ters, namely : Clinton D. ; George A. ; Alex-
ander R. ; Calvin and Elisha R. (twins) ; Re-
becca (married Jackson Knorr) ; Priscilla
(married John S. Xeyhart) ; and one that died
unnamed.
George A. Herring, son of John, obtained
his education in the academy at Orangeville.
At the age of twenty years he moved to
Bloomsburg, where he learned the trade of
molder, following same for a period of four
vears in Piloomsburg, Illinois and Michigan.
Returning home he engaged in carpentering
with his father, building canalboats at Lime
Ridge, Columbia county, until 1864, when he
moved to Shenandoah, Schuylkill county. In
1867 he built a colliery, now known as No. 3,
at Shenandoah, and owned by the Lehigh \'al-
ley Railroad Company, and took in as partner,
J. W. Williams, Esq., operating it for a few
vears as a member of the firm of Williams &
Herring. He then met with a serious acci-
dent, which nearly resulted in his death and
which terminated his connection with the
mine. He disposed of his interest and en-
gaged in merchandising in Shenandoah up to
the year 1876, when he sold out. During this
period he was elected treasurer of Schuylkill
county, serving from 1870 to 1873. He was
one of the organizers and a director of the
Shenandoah Water Company ; also a director
of the Shenandoah \'alley Hank.
In April, 1876, owing to poor health, Mr.
Herring sold his store and moved to lilooms-
l)urg, Columbia county, purchasing a farm
two miles from there; he also rented a tan-
nery, which he operated until 1882, disposing
of it that year, but he has since continued to
own the farm. From 1881 to 1887 he served
as deputy treasurer of Columbia county, and
for the following three years as treasurer. In
1894 he was made deputy collector of internal
revenue for the Twelfth district of Pennsyl-
vania, with office at Scranton, under his son
Grant. For four years he has had the honor
of [^residing over the borough council of
Bloomsburg. Politically Mr. Herring is a firm
supporter of Democratic principles and has
frequently served as delegate to State conven-
tions from Columbia and Schuylkill counties.
He was a delegate to the con\ention which
nominated Pattison for governor the first time
he w^as elected, and the delegation from
Schuylkill county, being the last to cast its
vote, had the distinction of naming the Demo-
cratic candidate, as the vote was very close.
On May 9, 1861, Mr. Herring married Mary
A. Hess, who was born April 6, 1836, at
Mifflinville, Columbia county, daughter of
Daniel and Priscilla (Yohe) Hess, and died
in i8c)3, at the age of fifty-six years; she is
buried in Rosemont cemetery at ISloomsburg.
Mrs. Herring was a member of the Methodist
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Herring became the
parents of five children : Ida alone survives,
living with her father at Bloomsburg; Flor-
ence Gertrude died when three months old ;
one died unnamed; John died in March, 1890,
at the age of twenty-two years ; Grant, the
eldest, was a leading lawyer in Piloomsburg
for twenty-four years, and in 1907 moved
with his family to Sunbury, Pa., where he
])racticed until his death, which occurred in
August. 1912, at Berchtesgaden, Germany,
while he was visiting his daughter Laura, who
was there studying music (he was buried
there, not many miles from Munich). Both
sons graduated from Lafayette College, Grant
in June, 1883, and John in June, 1889; during
hisjunior year at college John recei\ed honors
in oratorical contests ; upon leaving school he
began the study of law with his brother and
continued it until his death.
Mr. Herring is a Mason and an Odd
508
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Fellow, having joined Blue Lodge, Xo. 6ii, schools and New Columbus Academy. When
F. & A. AL, at Shenandoah, and Shenandoah a youth he took up civil engineering with his
Lodge, No. 591, I. O.O. F. (charter member) ; father, and has followed the profession on
he held offices in both fraternities, and is a his own account since he was twenty years
past grand of the I. O. O. F. old. His work in this line has taken him all
over the State, and he has gained high stand-
BOYD TRESCOTT, of .Millville, present ing for skillful service, having thorough fa-
editor of The Tablet, has had twenty-tive miliarity with the demands of his calling. :\Ir.
years' connection with that paper, beginning Trescott came to Milhille in 1889, and that
in association with his father-in-law, G. A. year became associated with G. A. Potter in
Potter. He has also won reputation in his the publication of The Tablet, in which Mrs.
profession, civil engineering, which he has Trescott has also been interested since child-
followed all over Pennsylvania. For the last hood. Beginning to assist her father at an
fifteen years he has been county surveyor of early age, she has learned all the details of
Columbia county. the work of getting out a newspaper so well
The Trescotts are of New England stock, that she can help or handle any of it. She is
Solon Trescott, great-grandfather of Boyd a reliable compositor, and as part owner and
Trescott, having come to Pennsylvania from editor has had much to do with conducting
Connecticut in 1777. Making a settlement in The Tablet successfully. Mr. Trescott has
the Huntington valley, in Luzerne county, he been editor since 1912. He also continues to
remained one winter, but when the settlers follow his profession, and as county surveyor
were driven out following the Wyoming mas- has accomplished much by his accurate records
sacre he returned to Connecticut. It was not and painstaking attention to the duties of the
until the spring of 1792 that he made another position. Otherwise his activity in public
attempt to settle, at that time coming out afi^airs has been through the medium of his
again to the Huntington \alley with his brother paper, which is noted for its high policies and
Samuel, both bringing their fanfilies. commendable exercise of its power in favor of
Peter .S. Trescott, son of Solon, was a mill- local enterprises. Politically he supports the
wright and cabinetmaker, and for many years
was engaged principally at his trade, but the
closing years of his life were spent in farming
on the place where his family was reared. His
son, M. B. Trescott, father of Boyd Trescott,
was also raised there, and his family was born
and brought up on the same farm. The
grandfather married Susan Miller, of Chester
Democratic party.
On Dec. 25, 1888, ]\Ir. Trescott married
Annie C. Potter, only child of G. A. Potter,
and they have had two sons : Frank, who
died in infancy; and Paul, born Aug. 19, i8g8.
.Mr. Trescott attends the Lutheran Church.
JOHN WILLET BRUNER, M. D., was
county. Pa., a daughter of George Miller, who born in Pine township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
was a farmer. Oct. 4, 1865, son of the late John Bruner,
M. B. Trescott was a civil engineer by pro- whose ancestors came from Germany. His
fession. He married Permelia Rhone, whose grandfather was Peter Bruner, a native of
father, George Rhone, was a fanner of Co- one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania,
lumbia county, and they became the parents
of ten children, six sons and four daughters,
Boyd being the eldest : Mary is an attorney
at law, practicing in \\'ilkes-Barre, Pa. ; Rhone
is engaged in the operation of limekilns at
Almedia, Columbia county ; Minerva is mar-
ried to C. Willis Snyder, of Williamsport. Pa.,
who is in the printing business ; Josephine is
the wife of H. H. Davenport, a farmer, of
Dorranceton, Luzerne county ; Rush is prac-
ticing law at Wilkes-Barre; Emma is super-
intendent of the Anthracite Mission in Hazle-
ton. Pa. ; Robert is foreman in a cement mill
at Bath ; Ralph and Leroy died in infancy.
Boyd Trescott was born .\pril 18, i860, in
who settled in Lycoming county, where he
lived and died. He married Hannah Hart-
man, daughter of John .\. Hartman, and they
had seven children : John, Alargaret, Wil-
liam, Andrew Jackson, Samuel, Lydia and
Mary.
John Bruner, eldest child of Peter, was
born July 5, 1830, in Franklin township, Ly-
coming Co., Pa., and remained at home until
of age. In 1857 he came to Columbia county,
renting land in Greenwood township for seven
years, and then moving to Pine township,
where he bought one hundred acres of land.
Later he bought other land, until he had in all
27s acres, all in one body. He lived on this
Huntington township, Luzerne county, and homestead until the spring of 1882, when he
had the advantages afforded by the public removed with his family to Millville, remain
J
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
509
ing at that place until the spring of 1886, when
he moved to the tract known as the Henry
Battin farm, just out of town. But in a year
or two he returned to Millville, Columbia
county, where he died, at the age of seventy-
tive years, in 1905.
C)n May 20, 1853, Mr. Bruner married
Martha C. Fairman, who was born April 10,
1832, daughter of Robert and Edith ( I'.attin )
Fairman, and granddaughter of William and
Mary Fairman and Henry and Sarah Battin.
These people were of Scotch-Irish descent.
Mrs. Bruner still survives, living at Millville,
and though past eighty is very active. Eight
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bruner:
Mary I., Hannah Elizabeth, Anna Margaret,
Sarah E., John W., Susan E., William P.
(who died in 1863, aged nearly four years)
and Henry J. (who died in 1881, aged twenty-
three years, ten months). Mr. Bruner was a
progressive man and gave his children good
educational advantages. He was an active
church worker, belonging to the Lutheran de-
nomination, and was the principal founder of
the Pine Center congregation in F'ine town-
ship. I'olitically he was a I'rohibitionist.
John \V. Bruner, only surviving son of John
and Martha C. (Fairman) P.runer. began his
education in the local public schools and later
attended Millville Seminary and the State
Normal School at Bloomsburg. He engaged
in teaching school for a few terms in his home
county, and then entered Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia, from which institu-
tion he was graduated in 1890. His first loca-
tion for practice was at Roaring Branch, in
Lycoming county, Pa., where he remained
four and a half years. In January, 1895, he
opened an office at Bloomsburg. He is now
one of the leading physicians in that vicinity.
Since his graduation he has taken two special
courses to fit himself for advanced work, one
in lune. iSgs, when he did post-graduate work
at " the Philadelphia Polyclinic, and one in
UJO4-OS, when he took a special course in the
Philadel])hia Polyclinic and Jeff'erson Medical
College, devoting all his time to surgery. Be-
sides looking after his private practice the
Doctor has given considerable time and at-
tention to the Bloomsburg Hospital, which was
founded in iyo6. He was one of the first to
become interested in its establishment, and
served on the building committee and on other
important committees. He was the first presi-
dent of the hospital staff, and is still a mem-
ber of that body. He is a member of the
Columbia County ^Medical Society, of the
Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and
of the West Branch Medical Association. Dr.
Bruner takes a deep interest in the adminis-
tration of local offices, and is at this writing
vice president of the borough council. Polit-
ically he is a Republican, and in religious con-
nection a .Methodist.
In 1890 Dr. Bruner married Etta S. Eves,
daughter of William Eves, of :\Iillville. To
them were born two sons: Arthur Henry,
born in 1894, and John Robert, born in 1899,
both of whom are in school. Mrs. Bruner
died July 24, 1910. On Oct. 9, 1912, Dr.
Bruner married Margaret Eves, youngest
daughter of the late Charles W. Eves and
Sarah P.. (Masters) Eves.
SHUMAN. The Shuman family has
been settled in Columbia county for several
generations, and its representatives in Cata-
wassa have been among the leading citizens
of the township and borough. Judge Frank-
lin L. Shuman, former business man, asso-
ciate judge and active in the promotion of va-
rious public utilities, before his retirement
did probably more than any other one man
for the Ijenefit of the place, founding va-
rious enterprises and making others possible
by his efforts and infiuence among his fellow
citizens. His son, Paris H. Shuman, is now-
one of the foremost men of the borough.
The first American ancestors of the branches
of the Shuman family found in this region
of Pennsylvania were the brothers, Rudolph
and George Shuman. who came to this coun-
try from Wurtemberg, Germany.
George Shuman came over from Wurtem-
berg in 1760 and in 1772 settled on the upper
end of Turkey Hill, in Manor township, Lan-
caster Co., Pa. He had sons as follows :
Michael, born in 1758: John, 1761 ; Henry.
1764; Adam. 1770: Andrew, 1774; Christian,
'^777'' Jacob, 1781 ; Frederick, 1786; and
George. 1788. His daughters were: Eliza-
beth, born in 1779. and Alary, in 1784.
Michael .Shuman. born in 1758, came with
his parents from the Fatherland. His first
wife was a Manning, and his second wife was
Catharine Pfeiff'er. who was a Redemptioner.
Jacob Shuman, born in 1781, was twice
married, and by his first marriage, which was
to Mary Witman, had children as follows :
(jeorge, Jacob, Daniel, John, Catharine, Henry
(of Lafayette. Ind. ), Frederick (of Rich-
mond, Ind.) and Michael S. (of Columbia,
Lancaster Co., Pa. ) ; by his second marriage,
which was to Margaret Wisler, there were
five children, viz. : Christian, deceased : An-
drew, who died in Chicago. 111. ; Abraham,
510
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
who is of South Evanston, 111. ; Benjamin, of
Iowa, deceased ; and William C, a school
teacher of Evanston, Illinois.
Rudolph Shuman first settled in Lancaster
county, Pa., but later moved to Beaver town-
ship, Columbia county, where he owned a
large tract of land and reared his family.
He had two sons, Jacob and John.
John Shuman, son of Rudolph, was one of
the early settlers of Catawissa township, Co-
lumbia county, and there purchased a farm
upon which he lived until his death. He was
a leading citizen of his neighborhood. In
politics he was a Democrat. He had four
sons and one daughter, as follows : Solomon,
whose children were Charles, Jerry, Rebecca.
Ellen. Katherine, and a son who died in in-
fancy ; Jacob, whose children were John T.,
Reuben, Elizabeth, Sarah (Shetler), Mary
and David ; John, whose children were John,
Catherine and Andrew ; Christian, whose chil-
dren were George W., Franklin L., Joseph
H., William, Elliza, Joanna, Thomas J.,
Charles A. and Catherine ; and Margaret
(Mensch), whose children were John, Ma-
tilda (Beringer), Thomas and Margaret
(Parr).
Christian Shuman, son of John, was born
and reared in Catawissa, and was about eigh-
teen years old when he went to Northamp-
ton county. Pa., where he learned the trade of
tanner. He followed that occupation there
for some time, thence moving to l^)eaver \ al-
ley, Columbia Co., Pa., where he bought the
mill property which he operated for several
years, besides carrying on tanning. In 1855
he began merchandising at that place, and he
was one of the most influential and active citi-
zens of the town at one time, owning three
farms, a tannery, gristmill, store and hotel,
all of which he had in operation. Though he
accumulated considerable wealth, he lost much
of it through misfortune before his death, but
he was always looked upon as one of the most
intelligent and enterprising men of his com-
munity. He was a Democrat and thoroughly
interested in politics and the success of his
party, and though he never had any official
aspirations he exercised great influence in the
selection of candidates in his locality. He died
in 1885. He married Elizabeth Hendershot,
like himself a native of Pennsylvania and of
German descent, and they had nine children,
as previously mentioned.
Franklin L. Shum.\n. son of Christian,
was born Oct. 6, 1834, in Beaver \'allev,
Columbia county, where he was reared. He
had good educational opportunities, attending
school there until nineteen years old, mean-
time assisting his father in his agricultural
work and other business, the store, post office
and mill, and ac(|uiring valuable experience.
He was ambitious, and made the most of his
advantages. Continuing thus until his mar-
riage, he then engaged in the lumber busi-
ness and kept hotel at Beaver \'alley. Dur-
ing this time he had also owned half a dozen
farms, but disposed of them, retaining only
twenty acres near Catawissa. In 1870 he built
a home in Catawissa, but after only a short
residence in this dwelling business matters
made a removal necessary, and Mr. Shuman
returned to his old home at Beaver X'alley
and again engaged in merchandising. He
soon added a coal trade, and while there car-
ried on several lines, being also postmaster.
In 1875 he moved back to Catawissa, where
he has resided ever since. His first home in
Catawissa was destroyed by fire June 7, 1885.
just after his insurance had expired without
being renewed. The water had just been
turned on in the mains of the town, but there
being then no fire department of any kind,
the dwelling went up in smoke. Notwith-
standing his total loss of property and cash
he rebuilt upon the same site, putting up the
large two-story frame now standing, and re-
moved into it upon its completion. He also
built two other houses in the town.
In 1881 Mr. Shuman bought the Zarr farm
of forty acres adjoining Catawissa, and laid
it out in town lots, calling it the Shuman
Addition. Within a few years over a hun-
dred homes were built there and it soon be-
came a permanent part of the town. A school-
house, at the time of its erection one of the
finest in the county, was also built there, and
in 1884 water mains were laid in the addition.
In 1885 he laid out a new cemetery in the
eastern part of the addition, on a beautiful
hill overlooking Catawissa creek.
One of the most important public utilities
of Catawissa with which the Shumans have
been associated, past and present, is the water-
works system. The company, which con-
sisted of members of the family and a lew
other persons, was organized and chartered
in 1882, the original members being F. L.
Shuman, Reuben Shuman. P. H. Shuman. W.
H. Rhawn and (Hdeon Myers. The works
were built and in operation soon after the
granting of the charters and the mains laid
throughout the streets of the town. The serv-
ice has been very satisfactory from the be-
ginning.
Mr. Shuman also started several other in-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
511
dustries in the town and was interested in the
shoe factory, the nail factory, and many of
the smaller establishments of the past.
Franklin L. Shuman has seen considerable
public service, having been justice of the
peace for several terms, and for ten years as-
sociate justice of the Columbia county courts,
elected first in 1876 and reelected in 1881.
During his term the trial of the "Mollie Ma-
guires" took place, and he was directly con-
nected with the case at the time. His long
and continuous retention in office shows better
than mere words what his services in the
past have meant to the community, and how
much they have been appreciated by his towns-
men, who have given substantial recognition
of his ability by their continued support. His
work has been of permanent value, and few
men have so careful or so ready to give their
time and attention to matters afifecting the
general welfare. Politically he is a Demo-
crat, in religious connection a member of .St.
John's Lutheran Church.
On July 27, 1854, Mr. .Shuman married
Angeline ^lichael, and to them were born four
children : Charles, who was employed at Glen
City, Columbia county, and who was acci-
dentally killed at his father's mines at that
place when twenty-one years old ( he is buried
at Catawissa) ; Paris H.. mentioned below:
Alice, who died when thirteen years old ; and
Lillie. who died when four years old. Mrs.
Shuman is a member of St. John's Lutheran
Church.
Manasseh Michael, father of Mrs. Angeline
(Michael) Shuman, was born in Beaver town-
ship, Columbia county, son of Adam Michael,
a native of Columbia county, who engaged in
farming in Beaver township and also kept
hotel at Beaver \'alley until his death, which
occurred in that township in 1841. His wife
passed away several years later, and they are
buried in the family cemetery on the old
homestead. They had children as follows :
Manasseh. Charles. Washington. Andrew.
Betsy, Sallie and Caroline.
Manasseh Michael lived with his parents
until he reached manhood, when he moved to
Berks county, Pa., where he married. He was
a boatman on the Schuylkill canal, having his
own boat, and was engaged in carrying coal
from the vicinity of Pottsville to Philadelphia
until he met with an accident, a piece of tim-
ber falling on him. He lingered for nine
vears. dving in December, 1838, at the early
age of thirty-seven, in Berks county, and he
is buried there, at Strausstow^n, in the Michael
Church cemetery in P.ern township. He mar-
ried Susanna Hossler, member of a well-
known family of Berks county who had
extensive farming interests, and they had
children as follows : Levi, a merchant in
Beaver township, who died in 1914 (he served
three years in the Civil war) ; W illiam, a
miller, who died near Allentown, Pa. ( he was
in the Civil war for three years) : Manassah,
who was in the hotel business and died at
Pottsville, Pa. ; Ebezine, widow of Josiah
Johnson, residing on Penn steret in Reading.
Pa. : Lucy Ann, who married Thomas Shu-
man. a merchant at Beaver \'alley ; and Ange-
line (Mrs. Shuman). About 1850 the
widowed mother removed w'ith her family to
Cokmibia county, settling in Beaver township,
where she died Feb. 16, 1884. She is buried
in St. Peter's churchyard ( Harger cemetery ) ,
in that section.
Paris H. Shum.^n. only surviving child of
Franklin L. Shuman. was born Jan. 21. 1857.
at Beaver \'alley. Columbia Co., Pa., and
received his early education in the public
schools. Later he attended the State Normal
School at Bloomsburg. In his youth and early
manhood he assisted his father in the store
and mines and for a time was in the First Na-
tional Bank of Catawissa. For over thirty
years he has been connected with the Cata-
wissa waterworks. He came to Catawissa
with his father in 1875. and in 1882 was one
of the charter members of the company which
established the waterworks, which he and his
mother now own, Mr. Shuman having the
entire management. Under his intelligent and
up-to-date direction the plant is one of the
most effective in this section of the State, and
is undergoing constant improvement. The
reservoir capacity is great enough to meet all
demands. Nature and man's ingenuity have
combined to give Cataw-issa this pure water
supply, which is drawn from springs in the
Catawissa Hills and runs by gravity system
into the reservoir, which has a capacity of
330.000 gallons, and from there is fed into
the pipes that supply the town, the gravity
pressure being sufficient to answer all pur-
poses. In addition. Mr. Shuman has sunk
several artesian wells, which, if necessary, can
be used during a very dry season, and has a
modern pumping station fitted with high jx)w-
er air compressor and force pumps. The es-
tablishment is a model one, and the people of
Catawissa have always been satisfied with the
service the Shumans have supplied.
On March 14. 1878. Mr. Shuman was mar-
ried to Adah, daughter of John W. and Sarah
( Bauch ) Bover. of Catawissa. and thev have
512
COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES
had these children : ( i ) Cora May, born May
5, 1879, niarried Aug. 10, 1902, Dr. Ambrose
Shuman, son of John T. Shuman. They have
adopted a son, John Eniil, born Sept. 10, 1912.
(2) Frankhn Edward, born Oct. 22, 1880, at
Catawissa, graduated from Hahnemann Col-
lege, Philadelphia, in 1903, and is practicing
medicine in Homestead, Alleghany Co., Pa.
He married Hallie McKee, of Homestead, and
they have one child, Dorothy Jane. Another
died in infancy. (3) Lilly Alice, born ^larch
8, 1882, is at home. (4) Beulah Bell, born
Feb. 16, 1884, married W. C. Ruckle, a jeweler
of Danville, and they have one child, Dorothy
S. (5) Lottie Edna, born April 29, 1886,
married Harry Beckley, of Harrisburg, and
they have two children, William .S. and Char-
lotte .'\deline. (6) Anna, born April 2, 1888;
died in June, 1893. (7) Ruth, born Aug. 7,
1892, married Lester Billig, of Catawissa. and
they have one son, Robert Poe. (8) A child
born May 28, 1895, died unnamed. (9) Rus-
sell Lee, born July 3, 1897, is attending school
at Catawissa. ( 10) Sarah, born July 9, 1899,
died March 20, 1900. (ii) Rhea Beatrice,
born March 20, 1902, is attending school at
Catawissa.
JoHX T. Shum.^x, son of Jacob, was
born July 5, 1823, in Main township. Columbia
county. He attended the country schools and
became a farmer, owning a tract just on the
line of Catawissa township. He died Sept.
12, 1905, in Catawissa. He married Cathe-
rine Breisch. and they had these children :
William K., Clinton J., George W., John E.,
Isabelle (Hower), David Clark, Sarah Jane
(Hartzel), ^Margaret and Ambrose.
Ambrose Shum.w, M. D., was born March
10, 1869, in Main township. He attended the
country schools and later the lUoomsburg
State Normal, after graduation from the lat-
ter teaching school for two years in Catawissa
and Main townships. He then entered the
University of Pennsylvania, from which he
was graduated in 1894. and at once began to
practice the profession of medicine in Frack-
ville and (lilberton. mining towns of Pennsyl-
vania. He then went to Mainville and re-
mained four years, in May, 1900. moving to
Catawissa and opening an office, where he has
remained ever since. He has built up a fine
practice and is thoroughly established as one
of the foremost physicians of the county. On
.-Kug. 10. 1902, he was married to Cora May
-Shuman, a distant relative. They have no
children, but have adopted a son.
FREDERICK HEBER EATON, president
of the American Car and Foundry Company,
was bom in Berwick, Pa., April 15, 1863, a son
of Ralph Hurlburt and Eliza Knapp (Dick-
erman ) Eaton. He is descended from early
Colonial stock, his first ancestors on this side
of the Atlantic, W'illiam and Martha (Jenkins)
Eaton, of Staples, County of Kent, England,
settling in W'atertown, ^lass., in 1642, and
later removing to Reading, Mass. Among
their posterity was Jacob Eaton, bom in Mere-
dith, N. H., in 1757, who was twice chosen
surveyor of highways in that town ; served on
a committee to draft war resolutions : was ap-
pointed to select men for the Continental army,
and served in the Revolutionary army under
Lieut. Ebenezer Smith, participating in the
siege of Fort Ticonderoga. His son, Jacob,
born in 1788, instructor in the Hinesburg ( \'t. )
Academy, served in the war of 18 12. His
son, Ralph Hurlburt (father of Frederick
Heber), was born in Mount Pleasant, Pa., in
1830, engaged extensively in mercantile pur-
suits, and finally removed to Berwick, Penn-
sylvania.
Frederick Heber Eaton attended the pub-
lic schools of Berwick, and, although he
learned the moulding trade during his youth,
has been identified with car manufacturing en-
terprises practically ever since leaving school,
commencing in 1S80. While chief clerk in the
office of the Berwick Rolling Mill Company,
a subsidiary of The Jackson & W'oodin ^Ianu-
facturing Company, his promise of ability at-
tracted attention, and was so well verified un-
der every test that he advanced rapidly through
sheer merit. During the period from 1892 to
1899 he was first secretary-, afterwards vice
president and eventually president of The
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company,
at Berwick, his achievements in the capacity of
chief executive being sufficiently notable to
draw the notice of the New York bankers and
pave the way for the recognition which has
since come. In 1899 he was an active factor
in the formation of the American Car and
Foundry Company, which consolidated seven-
teen car building companies, including The
Jackson & Woodin Company, and became its
vice president and a member of the executive
committee. In June, 1901, he succeeded to the
presidency and has since continuously occupied
that office, as well as the chairmanship of the
executive committee. Mr. Eaton is also a di-
rector of the American Agricultural Chemical
Company. American Beet Sugar Company.
Columbia Trust Company, Hoyt & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, National Surety
I
'^-''"0,7 ,
FOl
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
513
Company, Seaboard National Bank, and Sligo
& Eastern Railroad Company ; and is a trustee
of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of
New York. A man of keen business judg-
ment and cultivated salesmanship of the high-
est order, his counsel and advice are consid-
ered invaluable.
Mr. Eaton is a member of the New York
Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania So-
ciety in New York, the Society of Colonial
Wars, Sons of the Revolution, Economic Club,
American Geographical Society, American So-
ciety of Political and Social Science, Academy
of Political Science, and the Peace Society of
New York. In his political views Mr. Eaton
is a stanch Republican, and was chosen as a
presidential elector for Pennsylvania on the
McKinley-Hobart ticket, in 1896.
Mr. Eaton is a club man of wide acquaint-
ance, having membership in the Metropolitan
Club, Union Club, Union League, Engineers'
Club, New York Athletic Association, Auto-
mobile Club of America, India House, Rail-
road Club, City Lunch Club, City Midday Club
— all of New York; the Union League Club
of Philadelphia, and the Racquet Club, St.
Louis, tiis favorite recreations are golfing
and fishing, and he is identified with many of
the leading country clubs in the East, includ-
ing the Ardsley Club, Beaverkill Stream Club,
Deal Golf and Country Club (president and
director). Oakland Golf Club, Rumson Coun-
try Club and Sleepy Hollow Country Club.
Mr. Eaton married C. Elizabeth Furman at
Bloomsburg, in 1881, and they have one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Clarence G. Crispin, residing at Ber-
wick. Their city residence is Alvvyn Court, at
No. 182 West Fifty-eight street. New York,
and country place at Allenhurst, New Jersey.
HON. ANDREW LUCIUS FRITZ, late
of Bloomsburg, was born Aug. 30, 1850, on
the old homestead in Sugarloaf township,
Columbia county.
"Fritz Hill" is known all over Columbia
county. The first settler on this historic spot
was Philip Fritz, who lived on Chestnut street,
Philadelphia, and came from that city to this
county in 1795: he settled on the east branch
of Fishing creek, near where Thomas Fritz
now lives, in the vicinity of Central, and in
1797 he removed to the old homestead at pres-
ent occupied by Jesse Fritz. This land was
his wife's heirloom. She was Charlotte De-
borgue. also a native of Philadelphia. Henry
Deborgue and his wife Elizabeth had six chil-
dren : Marv. Charlotte, Henry. Catherine,
Esther and Jacob. The tract of land con-
83
tained four hundred acres and was divided
among the six children, and Philip, of course,
controlled the property left to his wife. On
this farm they reared their children, in the
woods, away from everything but "real na-
ture," living in obscurity and without any
advantages of schools. The children born to
them were: Henry H., Charles, Philip,
Samuel, George, John, Ezekiel, Nancy, Betsy
and Maria, all of whom grew to maturity, and
each had a large family. Philip Fritz was the
first school teacher and justice of the peace in
the northern part of the country, was a great
scholar for his day. and had more than or-
dinary influence in his locality.
Henry H. Fritz, son of Philip, was born
June 28, 1786, and in 1814 was married to
Margaret Roberts, who was born Oct. 18,
1794. Both lived to a good old age at the
Fritz settlement in what is now Sugarloaf
township. They were the parents of the fol-
lowing named children : John, born July 27,
1815; Charlotta, Nov. 13, 1816; George, May
1, 1818; Jacob H., Jan. 30, 1820; Josiah, Feb.
2. 1822 : William, Aug. 30, 1823 ; Jesse. June
8, 1825; Martha, June 20, 1827; Sarah, May
21, 1829; Mary A., May 2, 1831 ; Elizabeth,
Jan. 24, 1833 ; Margaret, May 8, 1835 ; Rachel,
April 15, 1839. All of these married except
Sarah.
Jesse Fritz, son of Henry H., was born
June 8, 1825, and he became a farmer, living
on the old homestead, commonly known as
"Fritz Hill," which was his home from the
time he was a boy. He owned eighty acres of
land. In 1880 Mr. Fritz was chosen justice
of the peace, and served the township ten
years in that capacity. In politics he was a
Democrat. He was married Jan. 8, 1848. to
Sarah Dills, daughter of George Dills, of
Sugarloaf township, Columbia county, whose
wife was Sophia Hess, and the following
named children were born to them : John W.,
Nov. 8. 1848 (now in Jackson township, this
county) ; Andrew L., Aug. 30, 1850; Alvar-
etta. Nov. 25, i8£;3 (died Nov. 3, 1857) ;
Drusilla, Nov. 2, 1856 (wife of Tasper Lewis,
of Cole's creek) ; Rachel E., Feb. 5, 1859
(wife of William Sutliff. of Luzerne county.
Pa.) ; and Sheridan S., Aug. 9, 1865. Mrs.
Fritz died March 5, 1881, and Mr. Fritz mar-
ried June 29, 1883, Mrs. Rosanna (Hess)
Girton.
Andrew L. Fritz worked on the farm in the
summer and went to school in the winter for a
number of years, and began teaching school at
the age of sixteen vears in his native township,
following that profession for a period of six
514
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
years, meantime assisting his father on the
farm summers. He went to several institu-
tions of learning and acquired a thorough
academic education at the Orangeville (Co-
lumbia county) and New Columbia (Luzerne
county) Academies, and Bloomsburg State
Normal School. He was a laborious student.
In 1875 he began to study law with ex-United
States Senator C. R. Buckalew, and was in
active practice at Bloomsburg after his ad-
mission to the bar of Lackawanna county, at
Scranton, but settled in his native county, and
had a large practice in Columbia and the ad-
joining territory, being called to try caies be-
fore the Supreme and Superior courts in his
State. When a law student he was appointed
deputy, and held the office by appointment
under three sheriffs in succession, having
charge of the sheriff's office of Columbia
county in the absence of the sheriff until his
practice made it necessary for him to give up
the position. He was receiver of taxes in 1879
(refusing the position in 1880), town auditor,
solicitor of the Bloomsburg poor district, and
counsel for a number of municipalities, and he
was secretary of the town council for a num-
ber of years, until he resigned. Though these
positions, and by his obliging disposition, he
made many friends and became well ac-
quainted with the people of his section of the
State.
In 1884 Mr. Fritz was elected to the Penn-
sylvania House of Representatives, receiving
the highest vote on the Democratic ticket. In
1886 he was renominated without opposition
and was elected, running ahead of his ticket
at the general election. In 1891 he was elected
as a member of the proposed Constitutional
convention from the Senatorial district com-
posed of the counties of Columbia, Montour.
Lycoming and Sullivan. He was elected a
member of the House of Representatives for
the session of 1893, and was renominated
without opposition and reelected in Novem-
ber, 1894, for a fourth term, which had never
before been given to a person in this section
of the State. During his last term he served
on the Ways and Means, Appropriation and
Judiciary General committees, an honor given
to no other member of that session, that of
serving on the three most important com-
mittees of the House. He was a member of
the Judiciary General committee during his
four terms of office. In the session of 1895 he
was the Democratic caucus nominee for
speaker of the House. In 1896, and also in
1898, he received the nomination for Con-
gress from Columbia countv, but at the Con-
gressional conference, composed of four coun-
ties, he was defeated for the district nomina-
tion on the claim that his county was not then
entitled to it.
Mr. Fritz was a good speaker and he car-
ried into public life the same indomitable will,
and honesty and industry, that characterized
him in the conduct of his private affairs. As
a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature he
made a reputation that few have equaled.
During the session of 1887, on a bill to "equal-
lize taxation," he made a memorable speech.
His death occurred Aug. 22, 1913, at Blooms-
burg, where he is buried.
In 1879 Mr. Fritz married Dora E. Evans,
daughter of A. J. Evans, of Bloomsburg, and
they had two children, F. Herman Fritz and
Charles C. Fritz.
SA]\IUEL H. HARMAN, proprietor of the
Guernseydale Stock Farm at Bloomsburg,
Columbia county, and president of the newly
organized Columbia County Breeders' Asso-
ciation, is practically a recruit in the line of
business which is now receiving the principal
share of his attention. But he has already
proved himself a valuable acquisition to the
dairying interests of the county, being among
those who are laboring faithfully to improve
the cattle of the locality and to impress the
farmers of this region with the profit and ad-
vantages to be realized from high-grade stock.
This Harman family has long been settled
in Pennsylvania, and is of German extraction.
Jacob Harman, the great-grandfather, was
born in Alsace, whence he came to America in
1770 with his brother Conrad, of whom we
have no further record. He landed at Phila-
delphia, and proceeded to Kutztown, Berks
Co., Pa., later moving to Mifflin township,
Columbia Co., Pa., where he died May 12,
1823. He served in the war of the Revolu-
tion at various times, between 1777 and 1782,
taking part in the battles of Brandywine and
(jermantown. His enlistments were from
Northampton. By occupation he was a farmer
and a tanner. He married Elizabeth, daughter
of Conrad Lysingring, of White Hall town-
ship. Northampton county, and had two sons.
Samuel and George.
Samuel Harman, grandfather of Samuel H.
Harman, was born Dec. 2, 1789, at Kutztown,
and when a young man came to Miffiinville,
Columbia county, where he was a pioneer mer-
chant. He lived eighteen years at the Half-
wav house between Bloomsburg and Berwick,
and there died June 18, 1859. in his seventieth
year. He was a veteran of the war of 1812,
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
515
and a member of Washington Lodge, No. 265,
F. & A. M. His wife, Elizabeth (Shell-
heimer), born May 19, 1795, was a daughter
of General Shellheimer, of Briarcreek town-
ship, Columbia county. She died July 23,
1877, and is buried with her husband in Rose-
mont cemetery, Bloomsburg. Four children
were born to them : Jeremiah H. ; Harriet,
who died unmarried : Sarah, who married
Franklin J. Schreiber, of AUentown, Pa. (they
had no children) ; and Margaret, who became
the wife of W. R. Tubbs (they had no
children).
Jeremiah H. Harman was born Nov. 5,
1830, at Mifflinville. For some time in his
early life he worked for his father, later go-
ing to Scranton, where he clerked for the
Scrantons several years. Then he returned to
Columbia county, as the first agent of the
Reading Railroad Company at Rupert, Pa.,
where he remained several years. His next
venture was as partner with Lloyd Paxton,
dealing in feed, grain, etc., and they were as-
sociated for many years. During this partner-
ship Mr. Harman became president of the
Salem Coal Company, at Shickshinny, Pa.,
with whom he continued until oI)liged to retire
on account of the loss of his sight. After that
he lived in Bloomsburg until his death, which
occurred Feb. 27, 1885. He is buried in Rose-
mont cemetery. He was a member of the
Episcopal Church and served as vestryman.
In 1855 Mr. Harman married Almira Car-
penter, daughter of George Carpenter, of
Philadel])hia, and she died in tS68, leaving one
child, Elizabeth, who married Edwin W. Ful-
ton Oct. II, 1876, and had one son, Lloyd
Paxton, who died when twenty months old :
Mr. Fulton died March 9, 1879. In 1870 IMr.
Harman married (second) Mrs. Mary N.
Hess, widow of John S. Hess, of Philadelphia,
and youngest daughter of William McKelvy,
of Bloomsburg. She died in 1887. and is
buried in Rosemont cemetery. By this union
there were three children : Samuel Howard :
Helen Willetts, who married Charles Paist,
Jr., of Norristown. Pa., where they reside
' (they have a daughter, Mary H.) : and Percy
L., who died when two years old.
Samuel H. Harman was born Aug. 16, 1872,
at Rupert, Columbia county. He obtained his
early education in the public schools, later
was a student at the Bloomsburg State
Normal School, and then attended (Chelten-
ham Military Academy at Ogontz. near Phila-
delphia, from which he was graduated in 1890.
Returning to Bloomsburg he became a clerk
for his uncle, Isaiah ]\IcKelvy, remaining in
his employ for a few years. He then went to
Hazleton, Pa., and became coal shipper for the
Pardee Coal Company, holding that position
two years, at the end of which time he came
back to Bloomsburg. Entering the law office
of Fred Ikeler, he read law for two years,
until he formed a partnership with F. P. Pur-
sel to carry on the mercantile business, the
firm being known as Pursel & Flarman. Mr.
1 larman continued in this association for five
years, retiring because of failing health; he
sold his interest to Mr. Pursel. After with-
drawing from business activities for a time
he organized the Harman Advertising Agency,
and five years later consolidated with the
Scranton Agency, later forming the Penn-
sylvania Railways Advertising Company and
finally selling out to the Railways .Ad-
vertising Company, one of the largest or-
ganizations of its kind in the country.
For the five years following Mr. Harman
traveled in the East and Middle West, and
on Nov. 27, 191 1, he bought the stock
farm near the town of Bloomsburg, Colum-
bia county, to which he is now devoting
all his attention. His interest has been serious
from the start. In June, 1912, he was one of
the founders and organizers of the Columbia
County Breeders' Associations, and is serving
as its president, his election to that office being
an expression of the unqualified approval of
his associates in his activities as a stockman.
Guernseydale, as Mr. Harman's estate is
known, consists of three adjoining tracts, one
of fifty-four acres in the town of Bloomsburg,
at the mouth of Fishing creek, another of one
hundred and eight acres adjoining it. nearer
Bloomsburg. a third of ninety acres lying op-
posite, at Rupert, on the Catawissa trolley
line. Rupert is an advantageous railroad
center, which materially enhances the value of
the location for a dairy farm. The property
is all bottom land and all under cultivation.
Mr. Harman has made decided changes for
the better on his farm even in the short time
it has been in his possession, two silos being
among the improvements he made in 1912.
He has a fine herd of sixty Guernseys, thirty
of them registered, among which are several
famous milch cows. The cream is separated
and sold to an ice cream manufacturer at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The conditions on this
place are very favorable as affording the best
facilities for the maintenance of high-grade
dairy cattle in the most desirable condition.
Considerable limestone is underneath the land
in this locality or readily available, and Mr.
Harman. like his neighbors, uses much lime.
516
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and follows the practice of turning soil fre-
quently ; the soiling system prevails on his
place.
On Oct. 5, 1004, Mr. Harnian married Ger-
trude Cleveland, daughter of F. F. and Cathe-
rine AI. ( Maus ) Cleveland. They have no
family. Fraternally Mr. Harman belongs to
the B. P. O. Elks (at Bloomsburg) and to the
Masons, in the latter connection being a mem-
ber of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A.
M. ; Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.;
Crusade Commandery, No 12, K. T. (of which
he is past eminent commander) ; Caldwell
Consistory (thirty-second degree), and the
Craftsman Club. His religious connection is
with the Episcopal Church.
CLARENCE E. HAUPT, vice president of
the Danville Foundry & Machine Company, of
Danville, has spent all his life in the borough,
where he was born. His father, Michael
Haupt, a tanner, settled here early in the fif-
ties. He married Anna Hoats.
Clarence E. Haupt obtained his education
in the public schools. All his active years have
been spent in the line of business in which he
is now engaged. When fifteen years old he
entered the employ of the Montour Iron &
Steel Company, where he learned his trade,
that of foundryman and molder. He was en-
gaged by Curry & Co. as foreman, and in
1906, upon the organization of the Danville
Foundry & Machine Company, he became
vice president of that concern, with which he
has ever since been connected in that capacity.
Mr. Haupt was one of the charter members
of the B. P. O. Elks lodge at Danville. Per-
sonally as well as in business life he is highly
respected by all who come in contact with
him.
ALEXANDER B. M.\cCREA, M. D., phy-
sician and surgeon, of Berwick, was born in
Carbon county. Pa., April 12, 1838, son of
James and Hannah (Downer) MacCrea.
William MacCrea, his paternal grandfather,
was a native of Scotland.
James MacCrea, the Doctor's father, was
born in Scotland, near the home of Robert
Burns, and came to the United States in 1817.
A year later he located at Mauch Chunk, Car-
bon Co., Pa., where he was placed in charge of
the car shops located at that point, continuing
in that position until 1842, when he went
West as far as northern Indiana. After two
years there he returned to Mauch Chunk,
where he resided until death claimed him. in
1880, at the advanced age of ninety-five years.
James MacCrea married Hannah Downer, a
native of the Isle of Wight, a daughter of
George and Nancy (Chivertonj Downer, also
of the Isle of Wight ; they never came to
America. Mrs. MacCrea died in 1875, aged
eighty-five years. Both she and her husband
were people of more than average ability. Of
the seven children born to them, William died
in the State of Indiana; John is deceased;
James is deceased ; Josiah, also deceased, was
next in the family ; Isabella, who is deceased,
married John Nichol and lived in California;
Matilda married Judge Houston, associate
judge, of Mauch Chunk, Pa. ; Ale.xander B.
completes the family.
Alexander B. MacCrea grew up at Mauch
Chunk, Pa., reared by careful parents, and
taught lessons of thrift and industry that have
been remembered through life. He attended
the local schools, including the Packard school
at Mauch Chunk, and then entered the employ
of the Beaver Railroad Company, as weigh-
master. Feeling that his country has need of
him during the Civil war. Dr. MacCrea, who
was then studying medicine, interrupted his
work to enlist in the 8ist Pennsylvania Volun-
teer Infantry, and served until discharged on
account of disability, being mustered out at
Harrisburg. Returning home, he resumed his
medical studies, attending the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, and later Bellevue
Medical College, New York, from which he
was graduated in 1865. Following this he im-
mediately began the practice of his profession,
at Shenandoah, Pa., but after a stay of one
year there removed to Berwick, where he had
since continued, becoming one of the leading
physicians and surgeons of the city. A man
thoroughly prepared for his profession, he has
developed into a skilled practitioner, whose in-
terest in his work is unbounded and whose
efiiciency is constantly increasing, for he is a
close student. Broad-minded and public-
spirited. Dr. MacCrea has been recognized as
the kind of man well fitted for service to his
fellow citizens, but aside from serving as
school director of his district for twenty years
he has not held office. He has always been a
stanch Democrat, supporting the candidates
of his party faithfully. The Presbyterian
Church holds his membership.
In 1867 Dr. MacCrea was married, at Ber-
wick, Pa., to Emma Miller, born at Berwick,
a daughter of Abram and Mary (Klotz)
Miller, natives of Lehigh county, Pa., Mr.
Miller a pioneer settler in Columbia county.
For a number of years he was a leading mer-
chant of Berwick. Dr. and Airs. MacCrea
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
317
have become the parents of children as fol-
lows : Mary, Downer, a civil engineer, now
of Little Rock, Ark., who married Liva Dav-
enport, of Plymouth, Pa., and has one child,
Catherine ; and Chiverton, who resides with
his parents at Berwick.
WILLIAM A. BUTT, partner in the
Benton Store Company and United States
ganger for the Twelfth district, was born in
Columbia county. Pa., near Waller, in Jackson
township, June 4, 1874, son of Zephaniah A.
Butt, grandson of Joseph Butt and great-
grandson of William lUitt, a pioneer settler of
the county.
William Butt came from England to Amer-
ica in the early part of the nineteenth century,
and located in New Jersey. About 1S40 he
came to Columbia county and bought two
farms, one near Derrs and the other near
Waller. He was a shoemaker, and followed
his trade at intervals when the farm tasks
were completed. He died at the age of ninety-
five, leaving two sons, Joseph and Zephaniah.
The latter was a physician and slave owner,
living in Ocala, Florida.
Joseph lUitt, grandfather of William .'\.
Butt, followed fanning for a short time after
reaching his majority and then went to work
on the old Pennsylvania canal, in Schuylkill
county, continuing in this work for a number
of years. In the later years of his life he re-
turned to the farm, where he died at the age
of seventy-two. He was married to Mary,
daughter of Peter Hodges, and they had six
children: Sarah, deceased, wife of W. L.
Parker: Theodosia, deceased, wife of S. W.
McHenry : Anna, wife of S. L. Hess, of
Benton ; Josephine, wife of S. B. Stein ; Zeph-
aniah A., mentioned below : and J. A., living
at DuBois, Pennsylvania.
Zephaniah A. Butt, the father of William
A. Butt, was born in Jackson township May
18, 1830, and while attending the country
schools assisted his father on the farm. For
sixteen years he followed the occupation of
lumberman, and then in 1903 came to Benton
and engaged in the marble and granite busi-
ness, which he is still operating, his son, Wil-
liam A., being associated with him as partner.
Mr. Butt has a fartii of 107 acres in Benton
township. In 1870 he married Clara, daugh-
ter of Daniel L. and Mary (Brown) Ever-
hart, and four children came to this union :
Hon. Clarence Butt, attorney at law and rep-
resentative in Congress from the State of
Oregon, has two children, Ralph A. and
Joseph D. : William A. is mentioned later ;
Mary, a school teacher, is living at home;
Anna Alverda is the wife of Roy McHenry.
Mr. Butt is a Republican politically. He
served as tax collector and school director for
eighteen years, and was president, secretary
and treasurer of the board; was assessor for
six years, and served as county auditor for one
term. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A.
and was at one time an Odd Fellow.
William A. Butt attended public school and
a select school at Benton, later entered the
Bloomsburg State Normal School, and then
took a course at Woods Business College,
from which he graduated. He taught six
terms in the schools of Columbia county, un-
til 1898, when he established the Benton
Marble and Granite Works. He was also for
a time interested in a confectionery at Benton.
In ifjoo he was appointed United States ganger
for the old Twelfth district, a position which
he still holds. In 1905, when the Benton
Store Company was organized, he became one
of the partners, and in 1912, when the firm
was incorporated, he assumed the presidency
of the organization. He is a half owner in the
business and sole owner of the store building.
In 1900 Mr. Butt married Georgiana, daugh-
ter of Thompson and Clara (Hess) Mc-
Henry. Mr. Butt is a past master of Orange-
ville Lodge, No. 460. F. & A. M., but has
transferred his membership to Benton Lodge,
No. 667. He belongs to the Craftsman Club
of Bloomsburg, is a Republican, and is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church,
ROBERT YORKS GEARHART is assist-
ant cashier of the First National Bank of Dan-
ville, with which institution the family has
been continuously connected for a period of
almost fifty years, since his father became
teller in 1865.
The Gearharts have been a numerous and
prominent family in Northumberland county,
Pa., since shortly after the close of the Revo-
lutionary war, and one of its townships has
been named in their honor. Two brothers,
Jacob and William Gearhart, settled in that
county about 1790. the former in what is now
Gearhart township, the latter in Rush town-
ship.
Jacob Gearhart was born in 1735 in Stras-
burg, then a city of France, now belonging to
Germany, and came to the New World when
a young man, landing at New York in 1754.
He soon crossed over into Hunterdon county,
N. J., where he made his home for many
years. When the Revolution broke out he
was one of the first to ofTer his services to his
518
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
adopted country, enlisting in 1775, in the
Hunterdon county volunteers, with which he
served as private. A man of brave and fear-
less spirit, he was soon promoted to ensign
and later to captain, of the 2d New Jersey
Regiment, and stood so high in the confidence
of his superior otificers that he was one of the
two New Jersey men chosen by Washington
to take charge of the crossing of the Delaware
on the eventful night of Dec. 25, 1776, when
the Hessian camp at Trenton was attacked.
The other was Captain \'an Tenyck. After
the crossing had been effected the boats were
placed in their charge, with orders to destroy
them should the expedition prove a failure.
Captain Gearhart also took part in the battle
of the Brandywine. and spent the hard winter
of 1777-78 with Washington at \ alley Forge.
At the close of the war he returned to his old
home in Himterdon county, N. J. but a few
years later he joined the tide of emigration
which took many westward from New Jersey
into Pennsylvania and from the eastern coun-
ties of Pennsylvania farther out. Between
1785 and 1795 many families from that region
settled in what are now Rush and Gearhart
townships Northumberland county, among
them those of Capt. Jacob Gearhart and his
brother William. In 1781 the former came
West on a prospecting tour, and he brought
his family out later. In 1700 (another ac-
coimt says 1782) the Captain and his family
left Hunterdon county by wagon train. Late
one afternoon they came to a deserted Indian
hut close by a fine spring, on the farm now
owned by Mrs. I. H. Torrence, a great-grand-
daughter of the Captain, and decided to camp
for the night. \\'hen the land was examined
in the morning it was found to be fertile, and
the water was so abundant and of such good
quality that the old warrior determined to
found his home at that site. He purchased
land along the Susquehanna from Kipp's rim
to Boyd's run, one mile back from the river,
all of it at that time a dense forest. With the
aid of his sons he began to clear and till the
land, and after clearing a portion on a small
bluff' overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna
he erected a small frame house, which is still
standing, though more than one hundred jears
old, and is one of the oldest landmarks of the
vicinity. It is still owned by his descendants :
it was occupied by William F. Gearhart, who
died in 1905. Captain Gearhart set out an
orchard which was completely destroyed by a
hailstorm in 1846. He acquired 1.500 acres,
200 of which he cleared. In 1813, after an
active life of seventy-eight years. Captain
Gearhart died, and his wife, Catharine Kline,
survived him a few years. They had a family
of eleven children, namely: Jacob, born in
1763, died in 1841 ; Herman, born in 1765, died
in 1835; George is mentioned below; Wdliam,
born in 1776, died in 1854; Charles, born in
1783, died in 1863 ; John, born in 1788, died in
1858; Isaac: Benjamin; Elizabeth; Mary, and
Catherine.
George Gearhart, son of Capt. Jacob and
Catharine (Kline) Gearhart, was born in
what is now Hunterdon county, N. J., and he
became a prosperous farmer and landowner.
He had a beautiful farm one mile from River-
side, along the bank of the Susquehanna river
one mile south of the bridge, now forming
part of South Danville. It was a present to
him from his father at his majority, and there
he lived all his life. He erected many build-
ings there, and as he prospered purchased
more land, at his death owning between three
hundred and four hundred acres along the
Susquehanna. He was twice married, his first
wife being Acsah Runyun, who died when a
young woman, the mother of four children :
Bonham R., Benjamin (who moved out
West), Eliza and Rebecca (married Wilson
Mettler). His second wife was Phoebe Lott,
by whom he had three children : Archie,
George and Herman.
Bonham R. Gearhart, M. D., son of George
Gearhart, was born March 18, i8ri, on his
father's homestead in Rush township, and
there received his early education, later at-
tending the academy at Danville. He read
medicine with Dr. H. Gearhart, of Blooms-
burg, and took a course at Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, from which he was
graduated. For two years Dr. Gearhart prac-
ticed in Sunbury, and he was subsequently in
Washingtonville and Turbotville ( 1839-44)
before settling at Danville, where he was in
successful practice to the close of his life. He
was one of the most popular physicians of his
day, and his death, which occurred May 9,
1855, when he was in his early forties, was
widely mourned. He died of pneumonia. Dr.
Gearhart married Elizabeth Steel Boyd,
daughter of \\'illiam and Eliza (Steel) Boyd;
of Danville, and granddaughter of William
Boyd, the founder of the family in America.
He was a colonel in the Revolution, and later
promoted to general in the militia. Mrs. Eliza
(Steel) Boyd was the niece of General Steel,
of the Revolution. Mrs. Gearhart survived
the Doctor many years, dying Jan. 21, 1904, at
the advanced age of eighty-seven years, eight
months, twentv-nine davs. Thev were the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
519
parents of a large family, viz.: (i) William
Boyd, born in 1839, who lives at No. 9 East
Market street, Danville, married Elizabeth,
daughter of Thomas Butler, and they have haf!
Elizabeth Boyd and Mary Atta, the former
the wife of R. Scott Ammerman and the
mother of four children, Robert Boyd, Wil-
liam Edgar, Elizabeth Christine and Dorothy
Atta. Mary Atta is a nurse at Fountain
Springs hospital, Ashland, Pa. (2) Acsah,
born March 18, 1841, died April 3, 1841.
(3) George M., twin, w^as born March 18,
1841, on his father's birthday, in the same
room where his father was born. (4) Bon-
ham R. was born May 20, 1843. (5) James
B., born Oct. 26, 1844, died May i, 1846. (6)
Jasper Boyd, born Oct. 26, 1845, who lives at
the corner of Bloom and Walnut streets, Dan-
ville, married (first) Florence Yorks and
after her death ]\Iargaret Thompson Gearhart,
widow of William Gearhart, and has one
daughter, Emma Grier, married to Charles
Fisher. (7) Alexander Montgomery, born at
Danville July 26, 1847, died April 24. 1901.
For many years he was station agent at Dan-
ville for the Delaware, Lackawanna & West-
ern Railway Company. He married Martha
McCoy, daughter of Robert and Eleanor
(Voris) McCoy, and they had two children,
Nell Bonham and Jasper (the daughter mar-
ried William L. McClure and had three chil-
dren, Harold Russel, Donald C. and Mont-
gomery). (8) M. Grier, born in December,
1849, completed the family.
Bonham R. Ge.-\rh.\rt, Jr., son of Dr.
Bonham R. Gearhart, was born May 20, 1843,
at Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Pa., and
died in March, 1904, at Danville. Montour
county, where he had resided for many years.
He received a jjublic school education, and
during his boyhood was a clerk in a store at
Wrightsville, York Co., Pa. After serving
five years as clerk he learned telegraphy, and
was employed as operator and agent at Cata-
wissa, Pa., serving in that position until 1863.
In October, 1865, he became teller of the First
National Bank of Danville, being in that posi-
tion but a short time when he was promoted
tp cashier. The bank was established Jan. 23.
1864, a charter being obtained from the gov-
ernment by the first board of directors, who
were as follows: Samuel Yorks, George F.
Geisinger, Christian Laubach, Charles Fenster-
macher, William Yorks. Fred Peiper and G.
H. Fowler. At their first meeting Samuel
Yorks was chosen president and W. A. M.
Grier cashier. The bank was located in what
was known as the A. F. Russel store, on the
corner of Mill and Bloom streets ; the second
floor was used for residence purposes, the first
floor being occupied by the bank and offices.
It is still in the same location and building.
Mr. Gearhart continued to act as cashier
until Sept. 19, 1898, when he became presi-
dent, ofiiciating as such until the time of his
death. He was one of the most prominent
and highly respected citizens of Danville,
where he received many honors at the hands
of his fellow men, serving in the city coun-
cil, as treasurer of the State Hospital at Dan-
ville, and as treasurer of the Thomas Beaver
I'ree [.library. He was a trustee of the Grove
Presbyterian Church and served as treasurer
of the building committee when the church was
built. Socially he was a Knight Templar Ma-
son, and in politics he was a strong Republi-
can. In 1863, during the Civil war, he en-
listed in a Pennsylvania regiment, under Col.
Washington Ramsey, in Company D. and
served the full term of his enlistment.
Mr. Gearhart was married in 1870 to Mary
Louise Yorks. a daughter of Samuel and Mary
Ann Yorks, and to this union were born two
children. Anna M. and Robert Y. Anna M.
is the wife of M. Grier Youngman, who is
cashier of the Danville National Bank of Dan-
ville, son of John C. Youngman, and they
are the parents of three children, Mary Louise,
John I'.onham and Margaret Emma. Mr. and
Mrs. Gearhart had a handsome home on
Bloom street.
Robert Yorks Gearhart was born Sept. 9,
1876, at Danville, and received his early edu-
cation in the public schools, graduating from
high school. He took his higher course at
Lafavette College, Easton, Pa. In April,
1898, he enlisted for service in the Spanish-
American war, joining Company F, 12th
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was made cor-
poral in a month, serving as such until mus-
tered out, in October, 1898. In 1899 he at-
tended Pratt's business college in Brooklyn,
N. Y.. in igoo entering the Fourth Street Na-
tional Bank, Philadelphia, where he held the
position of teller. In December, 1901, after
the death of S. A. Yorks, he was appointed
teller of the First National Bank of Danville,
and on Sept. 16, 1902, became assistant cash-
ier, in which capacity he has since been re-
tained. Pie is one of the most respected
residents of Danville, holding a high posi-
tion in the regard of all who knew him. In
April, 1908, he was elected first lieutenant
of Company F, 12th Infantry, Pennsylvania
National Guard, and in December, 1910, was
appointed battalion adjutant. Fraternally he
520
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 516, F. &
A. M.
On Feb. 12, 1902, Mr. Gearhart married
Lyda Rogers Farrey, of Philadelphia, daugh-
ter of Joseph and Harriet Farrey, the former
superintendent of a post office sub-station in
that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart have one
child, Harriet Bonham.
H. MONTGOMERY SMITH, a promi-
nent attorney of Bloomsburg, comes of a line
of lawyers, his father and grandfather having
been eminent in the legal profession in their
time. He was born July 8, 1875, in Blooms-
burg, and there has established his home and
business.
John Smith, the first ancestor of H. Mont-
gomery Smith of whom we have record, was
of near Jerseytown, Columbia county. He
was born April 11, 1750, married Nellie Mc-
Nall, and had the following children : Henry,
Francis, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, Hugh,
Elisha B., Anna and Alexander M.
Henry Smith, son of John, above, married
Mary Creveling, and they had these children :
John, Henry, Jackson, Creveling, Margaret,
Eleanor, Elizabeth, Delilah, Mary, A. C,
Martha and Nancy.
A. C. Smith, grandfather of H. Montgom-
ery Smith, was born Sept. 4, 1826, and died
July 28, 1884. He was reared on the farm
at Jerseytown, and at the age of seventeen
was apprenticed to the trade of harnessmaker,
under John K. Grotz of Bloomsburg, for three
years. He then went to Montoursville, Ly-
coming county, where he took up the then
new business of daguerreotyping. In 1852 he
located at Harrisburg, where he studied law
under Hon. Robert A. Lamberton, working
at the photograph business in the intervals of
study. In 1862 he was admitted to the bar,
and in 1869-70 he was a member of the As-
sembly. He came to Bloomsburg next and
opened an office, later going to Scranton,
where he died July 28, 1884. Mr. Smith was
married twice. His first wife was Prudence,
daughter of Rev. James and Justina (Grove)
Ewing. She was born Aug. 16, 1821, and
died in July, 1863. They were married June
15, 1847, 3nd their children were; Hervey
Ewing, who is buried at Orangeville ; and
Alice Bartine, deceased, wife of Charles H.
Ewing, who lives at Altoona. Mr. Smith's
second wife was Amelia Kaufmann, and thev
had one child, Arthur Creveling, who died
Sept. 22, 1887, and is buried at Harrisburg.
Mr. Smith was a Republican in politics. In
church matters he was very prominent, being
vice president of the missionary society of the
Adams Street Methodist Episcopal Church,
of Scranton. He was also prominent in Ma-
sonic .circles, being a past master of Wash-
ington Lodge, No. 265, of Bloomsburg.
Hervey Ewing Smith was born March 22,
1848, and died May 15, 1890. He attended
the public schools of Alontoursville, Lycom-
ing county, and graduated from Dickinson
Seminary, Williamsport. He then went to
Harrisburg with his father and studied law,
being admitted to the bar in 1870. In 1874
he came to Bloomsburg, established an office,
and practiced law very successfully until his
death. He was a member of the Democratic
party, but never held office. He and his wife
were members of the Methodist Church. Mr.
Smith was married Oct. 27, 1874, to Agnes,
daughter of Dr. D. W. Montgomery and his
wife Margaret (Curry), of Orangeville.
They had children as follows : H, Montgom-
ery, mentioned below ; Ralph Ewing, who mar-
ried Fannie Comstock and lives in Blooms-
burg ; and Margaret Moore, a school teacher,
of Newark, N. J.
H. Montgomery Smith was educated in the
public schools of Bloomsburg and graduated
from the State Normal there in 1893. He
next took a two years' course at Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pa., and then went to the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from
which institution he graduated in the literary
department with the degree of A. B. in 1897,
and in the law department with the degree of
LL. B. in 1899. He then entered the law office
of Charles G. Barkley, Esq., at Bloomsburg,
and was admitted to the bar of Columbia
county in September, 1899.
Mr. Smith has built up a fine practice and
has been prominent in the official circles of
the town. He has been town solicitor and
solicitor for the Bloom Poor District. He is
a Democrat in political affiliation. On Feb.
6, 1900, he married Harriet E. Bushnell,
daughter of E. P. and Mary (Greenwood)
Bushnell, of Springfield, Ohio, and they have
three children : Mary Agnes, born Dec. 20,
1900; Hervey Bushnell, born Dec. 23, 1904;
and Mont Paul, born Aug. 9, 1906.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist
Church. He is connected with the Phi Delta
Theta fraternity, is a member of Washington
Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., and of Blooms-
burg Council, No. 957, Royal Arcanum,
WILLIAM H. MILLARD, a highly re-
spected and successful farmer of Centre
township, Columbia county, was born on the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
521
old homestead where he now resides, and is
a son of Mordecai and great-grandson of
Joseph Millard, one of the first Quaker set-
tlers of the county.
Joseph Alillard, the great-grandfather, came
to Columbia county some time before 1800
and bought a tract of five hundred acres along
the river. He was a member of the Society
of Friends and regular in attending meeting
twice a week. He was originally from Berks
county, and was probably a descendant of one
of the company of Quakers who came to
Pennsylvania after the first settling of this
State by the Penns.
Reese Millard, son of Joseph, was born in
Centre township, lived on the homestead, and
there died in 1833. His widow survived un-
til 1852. He was twice married, first to
Catherine Rittenhouse, by whom he had a
family of seven children : Phoebe, who died
in childhood : William, living in Illinois ;
Joseph B., in Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Phoebe (2) ;
Anne, Mrs. William Bowman : Rebecca, who
married Col. James Tubbs, of Shickshinny,
Pa. ; and Catherine, who married Isaac Con-
ner, of Orangeville. The mother of this fam-
ily died about 1818 and is buried in Ber-
wick. Mr. Millard later married Elizabeth
Horton, and they had four children : Mary B.,
who married D. K. Sloan, of Orangeville ;
Frances L., who married Jesse Hoffman, of
Briarcreek ; Mordecai ; and Reese, who mar-
ried Jane Fowler, residing in Morris county,
Kansas.
Mordecai Millard was born in Centre town-
ship April 7, 1831, and received a common
school education. In 1867 he received the
nomination of the Democratic party for the
office of sherifif, was elected, and removed
to Bloomsburg. After serving his term as
sheriff he was appointed steward of the State
Normal institution at Bloomsburg and filled
the position for one year. He next received
the appointment of doorkeeper of the State
Senate, serving through the session of 1871-
72. He resided in Bloomsburg until 1875,
when he retired to his farm, dying in 1897.
He also served two terms as associate judge
of the county. His brother, Reese, was a
captain in the 112th Regiment Artillery dur-
ing the Civil war. The only one of their gen-
eration living (1913) is Frances L., widow of
Jesse Hoffman, who lives in Almedia.
Mordecai Millard was married Dec. i, 1852,
to Sarah J., daughter of William and Annie
(Dietrich) Hoffman, and they became the
parents of nine children : William H. ; Anna
E. ; Mary I. ; Ernest S. ; John L. ; Reese M. ;
Fannie H. ; Charles B. ; and Hattie L. He
was a member of the Methodist Church and
stood high in the community.
\\'illiam H. Millard was the fourth of the
family in direct succession to grow up and
reside on the old homestead. He never mar-
ried, his sister, Anna Elizabeth, residing with
him and keeping house for him. Of their
brothers and sisters only two are living: Mary
Imogene, wife of Joseph Cressy (they have
no children) ; and Ernest S., who married
Edna Moore, of Wilkes-Barre, has two sons,
and resides in Kingston. Mr. Millard, like
his father, is a member of the Methodist
Church.
Mrs. Sarah J. (Hoffman) Millard, mother
of William H. Millard, was born in Centre
township and lived at home until her mar-
riage. She died in 1905. Her father, William
Hoffman, was proprietor of the Wolverton
Mills and a prominent man in Centre town-
ship. Philip Hoffman, his grandfather, came
to this county from the neighborhood of Beth-
lehem, Pa., and located at Fowlerville. He
was a farmer, and had served in the Revo-
lutionary war. He and his wife are buried
in the old cemetery near the Grange hall.
His son, John, father of William Hoffman,
was a veteran of the war of 1812, and fol-
lowed farming on his place of 170 acres until
his death, in 1849. at the age of seventy. His
wife died about 1840. William Hoffman was
one of four children, lived with his parents
until he was of age, and then married Annie
Dietrich, who was of German parentage.
They were the parents of six children : Jesse ;
John, a mill owner ; Sarah J., Mrs. Millard ;
Charles, William, and Elizabeth.
CHESTER S. FURMAN, deceased, was
born at Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa., Feb.
14, 1842, and for many years was one of the
best known citizens of that town. He erected
a three-story brick building in 1876 at No.
iig West Main street, and there conducted
a harness business until the day of his death.
The business is still carried on for the estate
by his son, Clinton.
Elias Furman, grandfather of Chester S.,
was born near Trenton, N. J., and moving to
Espy, Columbia Co., Pa., located on the farm
now owned by the Snyder heirs, where he
died. His family consisted of: Elias R., who
married Sarah Barkley ; Sally, who married
Levi Gulick ; Moore, who married Mary Bark-
ley : Josiah, and several other children whose
names have not been preserved.
Josiah Furman, father of Chester S., was
522
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
born near Espy on the homestead, and attend-
ed the country schools. He came to Blooms-
burg and worked at the coachmaking busi-
ness with Elias R. Furman and Isaac D.
Gulick, who had established the shop in 1831.
He had previously worked at the trade in
Danville, Pa., and Bath, N. Y. When Isaac
D. Gulick went into the business of canal-
boating Mr. Furman took charge of the boats
and operated them from Bloomsburg to Co-
lumbia, Dauphin county. For a time after
that he was a part owner of the Paxinos fur-
nace, for two years superintendent of a coal
mine at Kingston, Luzerne county, and then
returned to Bloomsburg to open an office for
the sale of coal and hauling it from the canal-
boats to the railroad. He also had an inter-
est in several bridge contracts.
In 1861 Jbsiah Furman was elected sheriff
of Columbia county for a term of three years.
He was made director of the Bloomsburg
poor district and elected to the office of jus-
tice of the peace, holding the position until
his death, July 22, 1870. His remains lie in
Rosemont cemetery. In February, 1831, he
married Fanny Wells, daughter of Solomon
Wells, of }*Iassachusetts, and they had the
following children: Watson; Martha, wife
of John Pursel ; Erastus ; Chester S.. and
Elias.
Elias Furman, son of Josiah, was a cabinet-
maker by trade and resided in Bloomsburg.
He enlisted at the age of sixteen in Company
C. 28th Pennsylvania \^oIunteers, serving un-
til the end of the war. He married Glovenia
Barkley, and they had two sons : Howard C,
born July 30, 1874: and Kenneth, born June
29, 1882. Howard C. Furman married Mary
Pursel and they had three children : Dorothy,
Clinton and Joshua.
Chester S. Furman learned harnessmaking
in Bloomsburg with John Grotz, and was
working at it when he enlisted in Company
A, 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for
service during the Civil war, being then but
nineteen years of age. He served three years
and participated in fourteen engagements of
note. For his bravery and valor in action he
received a medal from Congress, and was pro-
moted to be corporal of his company. Dur-
ing the battle of Gettysburg he was sent with
a few comrades to charge a log house filled
with the enemy's sharpshooters, who were
rapidly decimating the Union ranks. The
charge was successful, and for the valor dis-
played during this action ^Ir. Furman was
given his highly prized gold medal, which is
now a relic of their father which his children
preserve with loving care. Mr. Furman and
a comrade, George W. Mears, were the only
men in Company A, from Bloomsburg, to re-
ceive medals. Mr. ]\Iears is still living (1914)
in Bloomsburg.
At the close of the period of service for
which he enlisted Mr. Furman returned to
Bloomsburg and resumed his trade, follow-
ing it until his death, July 22, igio. He is
buried in Rosemont cemetery. For years he
was a member of W. H. Ent Post, No. 250,
G. A. R., and also of the Union Veterans
Legion. He was independent in politics and
was a member of Trinity Reformed Church,
Bloomsburg. He was a director of Rose-
mont cemetery and a charter member of the
Royal Arcanum Lodge of Bloomsburg. On
Nov. 25, 1868, Mr. Furman married Sarah
Barkley, who was born Feb. 23, 1844, daugh-
ter of Joseph and Julia (Melick) Barkley.
Their children were: Ralph B., who died at
the age of eleven ; Josiah H., Julia H., Hervey
F., Boyd W., Chester Clinton and Clora G.
Josiah H. Furman attended the schools of
Bloomsburg and entered the Philadelphia Col-
lege of Pharmacy, from which he graduated
in 1893. He then became dean of the phar-
maceutical department and lecturer at the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, Memphis,
Tenn. He next entered the drug business
with a prominent firm in Memphis, later open-
ing a store of his own at the corner of Wel-
lington and Walker streets, that city. On
Oct. 31, 1907, he was united in marriage to
Myrtis May Long, of Memphis, and they
had one child, now deceased. Mr. Furman
died in that city on April 6, 1913, and his
widow still resides there. He is buried in
the beautiful Forest Hill cemetery, one of the
famous spots of Memphis.
Julia H. Furman graduated from the
Bloomsburg high school in 1893, and from
the State Normal school in 1895. She then
attended the Lying-in Hospital for Nurses at
Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1901.
She is now a registered nurse at Bloomsburg.
Hervey F. Furman married Nellie Gandy,
of Greensburg, N. J., on July 4, 1902, and
she died Sept. 30, 1909. On Sept. 18, 1910,
he married Beatrice Falkenberg, of Barnegat,
N. J., and they have one child, Hervey F.
Mr. Furman resides in Philadelphia.
Boyd W. Furman, after his school days
were past, clerked for different firms in
Bloomsburg, and after his marriage was for
some time bookkeeper for his father-in-law,
T. L. Dillon, the leading florist of Bloomsburg.
In 1914 he bought the farm formerly owned
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
523
by the late David .Armstrong, near Blooms-
burg, and is now residing thereon. On May
29, 1897, he married Alice, daughter of the
late John Lloyd Dillon, and they have had
these children: Josephine Dillon, who mar-
ried Daniel \V. Beckley, Sept. 21, 1914; Helen
Hortense, and Louise Hutchison.
Chester Clinton Furman is carrying on for
the estate the harness business established by
his father in Bloomsburg. He married Esther
Ellen Rader, of Pcttstown, Pa., on Sept. 28,
1905.
Clora G. Furman attended the public schools
of Bloomsburg, graduating from the high
school in 1S99, and from the State Normal
School in 1900. She is now a teacher of the
first grade in the Third street school of that
town.
Iddings Barkley, grandfather of Mrs. Sarah
Furman, was a native of Northampton county.
Pa., and a pioneer at Bloomsburg, where he
developed a large business as a carpenter and
cabinetmaker, dying there at an advanced
age. He was married to Mary Jackson, and
they had these children : John, Minerva,
Sarah, Lewis and Joseph (twins), and Susan.
Joseph Barkley was born in Bloomsburg,
April 13, 1814, and became a cabinetmaker
and undertaker. He died March 13, 1887.
His wife was Julia, daughter of Samuel and
Sarah (Brown') Melick, and their children
were: Sarah, wife of Chester S. Furman;
Glovenia, wife of Elias Furman; and Clora,
who died at the age of twenty.
The property now owned by Mr. Barkley's
descendants has been in the family for over
seventy years. During the whole of her life
Mrs. Sarah (Barkley) Furman has resided
upon this land, and the house in which she
was born is still standing near the corner of
West and Main streets, and is in a good state
of repair.
ARCHIBLE G. BITTNER, assistant treas-
urer of the Berwick Savings & Trust Com-
pany, was born in Lowhill Township, Lehigh
Co., Pa., July 26, 1878, a son of Silas H, Bitt-
ner, and grandson of Jacob Bittner.
Jacob Bittner, the grandfather, was born
in Lehigh county, and was a miller and farmer.
He owned a large tract of land, which he
cultivated, erected a gristmill on his property,
and engaged in milling in connection with
farming. He lived to the advanced age of
ninetv years. He had the following children :
Wilson, who is trucker and lives at Allentown,
Pa. ; .Silas H. : Calvin, a clerk in Hess Broth-
ers' department store of Allentown ; Charles,
employed at the car works at Niles, Ohio ;
Tilghman, who was killed in an accident in his
father's gristmill ; Tillie, who married Frank
Pirobst, and is a resident of Denver, Colo. ;
Elizabeth, who married Victor Werley, resid-
ing at Niles, Ohio ; and Sarah, who married
P^rank Semmel, of Lehighton, Pa. Jacob Bitt-
ner was a Democrat in politics, and a mem-
ber of the German Lutheran Church. He and
his wife are buried in the Weisenburg ceme-
tery in Lowhill township, Lehigh county.
Silas H. Bittner was educated in the pub-
lic schools of his native place and assisted
his father in the milling business. Later he
engaged in the manufacture of cigars, which
he conducted at Bittner's corner, in the same
township, for a number of years. Selling his
manufacturing business he entered the hotel
business at Weatherly, Carbon county, con-
ducting the "Gilbert House." Flis next move
was to Hazleton, where he conducted the
"\'alley House" for a number of years. Re-
tiring from the hotel business he removed to
California, and again entered the cigar manu-
facturing business, which he is conducting at
the present time.
Mr. Bittner was married to Ida Frey, who
was horn Nov. 4, 1857, in Lowhill township,
Lehigh county, daughter of Peter Frey, a
farmer of that locality, and died April 19,
1905. She is buried at Weatherly, Pa. They
had the following children : Hattie, who mar-
ried Ernest Tweedle, residing at Hazleton,
Pa. ; Archible G. ; Thomas V., who married
Carrie Buck, residing at Hazleton, Pa. ; Bar-
bara, who married Percy Germyn, residing at
Hazleton, Pa. ; Nellie, of Niles, Ohio ; Violet,
who married Stanley Peifer, of Hazleton, Pa.;
Harry P., of Weatherly, Pa. ; and Lillie, who
died aged five years.
Silas H. Bittner is a Democrat, but though
an ardent supporter of the party never held
public office. He is a member of the German
Lutheran Church,
Archible G. Bittner received his early train-
ing in the public schools of W'eatherly, Pa.,
graduated at the Emaus high school, of Le-
high county, and was granted a teacher's cer-
tificate in that county. He taught school there
for two terms, at Hosensack. He was em-
ployed by the Central Railroad Company of
New Jersey as clerk at Mountain Top, near
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Resigning this position
he came to Berwick and entered the employ
of the American Car and Foundry Company,
as assistant paymaster. This position he held
for five years, when he entered the employ
of the Berwick Savings & Trust Company
524
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and was made assistant treasurer, the position
he now holds.
On March i6, 1910, Mr. Bittner was mar-
ried to Sophia E. Moore, who was born July
21, 1882, daughter of W. VV. and Annie (Wal-
ton ) Moore. Mr. Bittner is a Republican,
and he and his wife are members of the Pres-
byterian Church.
Mr. Bittner, by his pleasing personality and
promptness in all business matters, has won
an enviable place among his associates, and is
recognized as a rising man in his chosen field.
CHARLES E. HOWER, of Bloomsburg,
plastering contractor, commands the leading
business in his line in and around that borough.
He was born Aug. 13, 1856, in Mount Pleas-
ant township, and the family is an old and
honored one in Columbia county.
The Howers are of German origin. Michael
Hower, great-grandfather of Charles E.
Hower, was an early resident of what is now
Catawissa township, Columbia county, where
he settled about the latter part of the eigh-
teenth century, being one of the first pioneers
in that section. He acquired the ownership
of several hundred acres of land, on which
he lived and died. Among his children were
John, Daniel, Jacob, Moses, George, and Se-
bastian.
John Hower, son of IMichael, was born
June 24, 1700, in Catawissa township, and
died Sept. 30, 1870, at Bloomsburg, where he
passed his latter years in retirement, having
moved to the town in 1858. During most of
his active life he was engaged in farming in
Columbia county, in Catawissa, Hemlock and
Mount Pleasant townships, though he was a
hatter by trade. He served as a soldier in the
war of 1812. On April 6, 1817, he married
Rebecca Davis, who was born in .August,
1798, daughter of Jonathan Davis, an early
settler near Catawissa, and died May 30, 1888.
Mr. and Mrs. Hower are buried in Rosemont
cemetery, Bloomsburg. They were the par-
ents of the following children : Elizabeth,
born Aug. 8, 1818. died March 6, 1868: Lavina
died at the age of eighteen years : Ruthanna,
born March i, 1822, died April 7, 1861 ; Hiram
C, born in March, 1824, had for years the
largest dental practice at Bloomsburg and was
also engaged in business there ; William E.,
born .'Kprii 22, 1826, died Jan. 10, 1899: Jack-
son M. is mentioned below : Phebe A., born
Jan. II, 1831, died Nov. 22, 1889: Rebecca
.'\., born Nov. 28, 1832, died two years ago:
Harriet J., born March 25, 1835. d'^d one
year ago: John A., born Oct. 15, 1837. died
Aug. 5, 1867, in Bloomsburg; Azima \'., born
Jan. 26, 1842, now living in Bloomsburg, mar-
ried Ruth Ziegler, and they have three chil-
dren, Gertrude, Jessie and Charles R. Three
of the sons served in the Civil war: John A.
enlisted for three years in the 6th Pennsyl-
vania Reserves, and led the band when they
left Bloomsburg; Azima V. served in Com-
pany E, I32d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
in Company B, 103d Pennsylvania Regiment,
and saw active service to the end of the war;
Jackson M. also served in the 6th Pennsyl-
vania Reserves and was a member of the
band.
Jackson M. Hower was born June 6, 1828,
in Catawissa township. He learned the trade
of plasterer, and upon his return home after
his services in the Civil war engaged in busi-
ness for himself in that line, at Bloomsburg,
continuing thus until his death, which occurred
.Sept. 21, 1894. He married Rebecca .Ann
\ anderslice, who died March 20, 1904, aged
seventy-nine years, three months, si.xteen days,
and is buried with her husband in Rosemont
cemetery, Bloomsburg. They had children as
follows: John P., who died in 1869, at the
age of eighteen years : Catherine A., wife of
Dr. J. C. Kisner, of Carlisle, Pa. ; Charles E.,
of Bloomsburg ; Elizabeth, living in Berwick :
Henry W., of Bloomsburg: and Dr. Hiester
v., a well known physician of Mifflinville,
Columbia Co., Pa.
John Heister Vanderslice. father of Mrs.
Jackson M. Hower. was born Aug. 9, 1805,
and died Oct. 26, 1874: his wife, Catherine A.
(Melick), died Oct. 5, 1865, aged sixty-two
years, nine months, ten days. Their son. Henry
W., was born Dec. 22, 1826, died Nov. 22.
1907. Joseph Vanderslice, father of John H.,
died Feb. 6, 1828, at the age of forty-seven
years, and his wife, Rebecca (Heister), died
.A.ug. 19, 1867, aged eighty-five years, two days.
His old shotgun, an old style flint-lock weapon,
was handed down to his great-grandson,
Charles E. Hower. who had an up-to-date gun
made from it which he still uses, and which is
greatly valued in the family. It is almost
seven feet long. T. J. \'anderslice, brother
of John H., born in Februarv, 1808, died Dec
i8,"i88i.
Charles E. Hower attended public school
and worked on the farm until seventeen years
old. He then came to Bloomsburg and learned
the trade of plasterer, which he has ever since
followed, engaging in business for himself in
1880. He and his brother, Henr>' W. Hower,
formed a partnership in 1900, under the firm
name of Hower Brothers, and thev became the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
525
leaders in this line of work in liloomsburg,
the larger part of the best contracts being
given to them. The class of construction on
which they engaged and their constantly in-
creasing patronage, were sufficient to show
their standing among local contractors. The
partnership was dissolved in 19 lO, C. E. tak-
ing the plastering business and H. W. attend-
ing to his architectural work.
On Dec. 26, 1878, Charles E. Hower mar-
ried Mary Joanna Moore, daughter of Mat-
thias A. and Catherine (Straub) Moore. They
have no children. Their niece, Maria Hart-
man, now resides with them and is attend-
ing school. Mr. and Mrs. Hower occupy the
tine residence at No. 145 West Third street,
erected in 1886. Mrs. Hower is a member of
the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hower belongs
to the Liberty Fire Company, which he joined
as a charter member. Politically he is a
Democrat.
The Moore family, to which Mrs. Hower
belongs, was founded in this country by her
great-great-grandfather, a native of England,
who came to this country prior to the war of
the Revolution, settling on the New Jersey
side of the Delaware river just above Phila-
delphia, where he owned three farms. He
reared a family, one of his children being
Samuel Moore, who was a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary war. He was a great champion of
\^'ashington, under whom he served, and dur-
ing his latter days would not stand by and
hear the "Father of his Country" criticised.
At the close of the war he settled on a farm
near Petersburg, in Northumberland county.
Pa., and later in Madison township, Columbia
county, where he owned two farms, •iggre-
gating 224 acres. He was a member of the
Presbyterian Church, in which he served as
elder for a number of years. He died Feb.
24. 1840, aged eighty-eight years, and his
wife, Sarah, died /\pril 8, 1836, aged seventy-
nine years. They had a family of ten chil-
dren, of whom are mentioned : John, Abra-
ham, Nancy (Mrs. Armstrong), Catherine
(died unmarried), Nellie (Mrs. Kinney),
Betsy (Mrs. Quick), Phebe (Mrs. Kuhl), and
Hett'ie (Mrs. Girton).
John Moore, the youngest of the family,
was born in Northumberland county. Pa., in
1797. He was one of the prosperous farm-
ers of West Hemlock township, Montour
county, living at New Columbia, where he
owned a good tract of 124 acres, one of the
old Appleman farms. He died there. Dur-
ing his early life he was for a short time en-
gaged in distilling. In religion he was a Pres-
byterian, in political views a Democrat. He
married Joanna Appleman, daughter of
IMathias Appleman, a farmer of Benton town-
ship, Columbia county, and they became the
parents of eight children : N. Patterson ; Mat-
thias A.; Samuel; John; William Boyd;
Greer, who died when eighteen years old;
Sarah, who married Levi Cox ; and Mary
Ellen, who married Green Pursel. The par-
ents are buried in the old Moore cemetery at
New Columbia, the land for which was given
by this family.
N. Patterson Moore was born March 17,
1824, in Madison township, Columbia county,
and received his education in the public schools
and at the Bloomsburg Academy, after which
he taught school for one term. He learned
wagonmaking, which he followed first in
Northumberland county and then in Hunter-
don county, N. J., where he was employed in
a first-class shop. In 1848 he moved to Ben-
ton, Columbia county, where he conducted a
shop in connection with agricultural pursuits
until 1862, that year moving to Buckhorn,
following wagonmaking there the rest of his
active life. He died in 1906. During the
many years he worked at his trade he acquired
great skill and his services were always in
demand. He was held in high esteem by his
fellow citizens.
On June 6, 1840, Mr. Moore was married
to Araminta Kline, born in 1825, daughter
of Isaac Kline, who was for many years a
justice of the peace in Orange township, Co-
lumbia county, and they became the parents
of three daughters and two sons: Mary
Joanna, wife of John Shultz, a farmer of Mad-
ison township, Columbia county ; John, a
wagonmaker of Wilkes-Barre ; Lavina, for-
merly a teacher, now a milliner ; Charles H.,
ex-county surveyor of Columbia county,
teacher and principal of the Nescopeck
schools : and Elizabeth, a graduate of the
State Normal School at Bloomsburg and for
seven years a successful teacher, who is now
the wife of John H. Wingert, a prominent
farmer and teacher of Lewisburg, Pa. The
mother of this family died in 1900.
Politically Mr. Moore was a Democrat and
was elected justice of the peace in May, 1869,
which office he satisfactorily filled. Socially
he was a member of Catawissa Lodge, No.
349, F. & A. M. ; Catawissa Chapter, No. 168
(past high priest) ; and Crusade Command-
ery, No. 12, Knights Templar (past eminent
commander).
Matthias A. Moore, another son of John,
was born May 24, 1826, at West Hemlock,
526
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Montour Co., Pa. He was one of the pros-
perous farmers in Hemlock, near Euckhorn,
spending most of his life there. He owned
two farms in that township, one of lOO acres
and the other containing over 200. near Buck-
horn, and there he resided until his death,
which occurred Jan. 22, 191 1. His wife,
Catherine (Straub), daughter of Adam and
Mary (Gruver) Straub, was born April 30,
1831, and died Sept. 20, 1890. Mr. and Mrs.
Moore are buried in the old Moore cemetery
at New Columbia. They had a family of
twelve children, namely : John G., who is a
resident of West Hemlock township; Mary
Joanna, 'wife of Charles E. Hower; Lydia E ,
who married John H. Hartman, and died Eeb.
24, 1908, leaving two children, Cleveland and
Maria ; Adam Frank, who lives on the old
homestead farm in Hemlock township, Co-
lumbia county; Neil, who died young; Sara
A., wife of George J. Hartman, of Wilkes-
Barre : Nora J., Laura J. and Alza C, all
three of whom died in 1875 ; Maggie, who died
in 1878; David, who died in 1875; and May,
who died in 1878.
C. FRED LENHART, county commis-
sioner of Columbia county, and a resident of
Berwick, was born Oct. i, 1882, a son of
Eugene and Sarah Maria (Mills) Lenhart,
and grandson of George Lenhart.
George Lenhart, the grandfather, was born
May 9, 1819, and was an early settler at Dan-
ville, Montour county, where he conducted
a general store for some years. Later leav-
ing Danville and settling at Bloomsburg, he
followed the tailor's trade for a number of
years, retiring some years before his death,
which occurred April 2, 1905. He is buried
at Bloomsburg. His wife, whose maiden name
was Margaret Jane,McCollister, was born Oct.
9, 1824, and died at the age of sixty-six years ;
she is buried at Danville. Though he did not
take any part in public affairs he was inter-
ested in politics, first as a Whig and later
as a Republican. He and his wife were mem-
bers of the German Lutheran Church. They
were the parents of the following children :
George, of Danville, is unmarried ; Mary mar-
ried James Hulligan and after his death (sec-
ond) Daniel Larue: Eugene is mentioned be-
low; Sarah married Charles Ware, of Dan-
ville ; Clarence died young.
Eugene Lenhart, the father of C. Fred
Lenhart, was born Oct. 10, 1845, in Danville,
where he received his education. After leav-
ing school he entered the employ of Water-
man & Beaver, in their rolling mills, where he
was engaged until his enlistment in Captain
Chalf ant's Company (D), iS3d Regiment,
Pennsylvania State Militia, for ninety days'
service. He was enrolled June 30, 1863, and
discharged at Reading, Aug. i8, 1863. On
March 22, 1864, he reenlisted, becoming cor-
poral in Capt. John E. Reilly's Company (F;,
187th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, for
three years. Assigned to the ist Brigade, ist
Division, 5th Army Corps, of the Army of the
Potomac, he participated in all its battles from
Cold Harbor until after the engagement at
W'eldon railroad. Then he was relieved from
duty at the front and sent to the State of
Pennsylvania. He served as one of the es-
corts when President Lincoln's body was re-
ceived in Philadelphia and conducted it to
the .Statehouse. Upon receiving his discharge,
Aug. 3, 1865, at Harrisburg, he returned to
Danville and resumed work in the employ
of Waterman & Beaver; later he was em-
ployed in the old Rough and Ready mill, and
also in the Cooperative mill. On May 31,
1875, Mr. Lenhart left Danville and removed
10 Berwick, where he entered the employ of
the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com-
pany as puddler and roller, continuing with
them about eighteen years, until he embarked
in the wholesale and retail ice cream busi-
ness, also handling newspapers. He sold out
after conducting this business about twelve
years and took a position in the general offices
of the American Car and Foundry Company
at Berwick, where he remained three years.
He was then appointed janitor of the court-
house at Bloomsburg, and held that position
four years, since when he has been living re-
tired, at Berwick.
Mr. Lenhart was married at Bloomsburg
to Sarah Maria Mills, who was born June 9,
1848, at Wilkes-Barre, daughter of John
Beemer and Nancy (Lafferty) Mills. Her
father, born Feb. 23, 1812, was an attorney
and in practice some years at Danville, whence
he removed to Jerseytown. Pa., later return-
ing to Danville: he died Oct. 22, 1899. Mrs.
Mills died Jan. 15, 1875, aged sixty-three
years, two weeks, five days. Six children were
iDorn to Mr. and Mrs. Lenhart : Eva Eugenia,
born Oct. 28, 1867; George A., July 19, 1869;
Sarah Mae, Feb. 21, 1873 (married C. B. Wil-
liams, of Kingston, Pa.) ; J. Walter. Dec. 3,
187^ (of Berwick) ; Clarence E., Nov. 13,
1879 (of Berwick) ; C. Fred. Oct. i. 1882.
The mother of this family died Feb. 12, 1891.
Mr. Lenhart is a member of Susquehanna
Commandery, No. 18, Knights of Malta, Ber-
wick; since 1866 he has belonged to the G.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
527
A. R., first as a member of Goodrich Post,
No. 22, of Danville, and later as a member
of Capt. C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159, Ber-
wick, of which he has been commander twelve
years. Mr. Lenhart has attended the Presby-
terian Church at Berwick, with which his wife
was also identified.
C. Fred Lenhart entered the employ of the
Berwick Stove Company when only fifteen
years of age, and gave it faithful service for
three years, when he went into his father's
line of work, forming a connection with the
American Car and Foundry Company, with
which he continued for five years. Becoming
a candidate for county commissioner in the
meanwhile, he was elected as the Republican
nominee, serving from 1908 to 191 1. In No-
vember of that same year he was reelected,
to succeed himself, after a hotly contested
campaign. He is the youngest man ever
elected to this office in Columbia county, and
at present the oldest in point of service.
On Dec. 14. 191 1, Mr. Lenhart was married
to Frances Beatrice Gorrey, born Nov. 27,
1887, at Bloomsburg, Pa., a daughter of
Thomas and Emma A, (Sterner) Gorrey,
both of whom are deceased. For some years
the father was a prominent contractor at
Wilkes-Barre and Bloomsburg, having built
most of the best buildings in his time. Mr.
and Mrs. Lenhart have one child, Helen Bea-
trice, born Dec. 2, 1912. Mr. Lenhart was a
member of Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18,
Knights of Malta, and has been closelv iden-
tified with the Rangers Hose Company of
Berwick, assisting in its organization ; he
served as its president for some years.
BARTLETT H. JOHNSON, principal of
the Third Street school at Bloomsburg, Pa.,
and an intensive farmer and poultryman dur-
ing the summer months, was born in Cleve-
land township, Columbia county, Sept. 11,
1876, son of Adam M. Johnson, of Locust
township, one of the descendants of a line of
agriculturists whose efforts have resulted in
the present development of the agricultural
possibilities of the county. His grandfather
Johnson was a resident of what is now
Cleveland township (during his lifetime
known as Locust township), and there he
died. He had the following children : Han-
nah, Asberry, Leib, John, Adam M., and
Thomas.
.A.dam M. Johnson was born in Locust town-
ship, Columbia Co., Pa., where he was reared
and taught the shoemaker's trade, following
it for a time. Later he engaged in farming
in his native township, where he became one
of the well known citizens and progressive
agriculturists. Politically he was a Democrat,
and very active in local affairs, serving as
county treasurer of Columbia county from
1883 to 1885. Adam M. Johnson married
Elizabeth Campbell, a daughter of Nicholas
Campbell, of Northumberland county. Pa. She
passed away July 4, 1906, and her husband
in December, 1909, and both are buried in
Ralpho township, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
near Elysburg. This excellent couple had
children as follows : Ella, who married Jacob
E. Thomas : Nora, who married Elwood Gil-
ger ; McClellan ; Bertly, who died young ; Ar-
thur E., and Bartlett H.
Bartlett H. Johnson received the educa-
tional advantages afforded in Cleveland town-
ship and at Elysburg Academy, following
which he taught school in Ralpho township,
Northumberland county. To further fit him-
self for the profession he entered the Blooms-
burg State Normal School, from which in-
stitution he was graduated in 1896, afterwards
teaching school for five years in Franklin
township, Columbia county. At the expira-
tion of that period Mr. Johnson entered the
office of Ikeler & Ikeler, of Bloomsburg, and
read law for one year. His next business as-
sociation was with the Morning Press, one
of the popular journals of Bloomsburg, as so-
licitor and collector, which position he re-
tained for five years, to the entire satisfac-
tion of all parties concerned. Mr. Johnson
then entered the employ of the American Car
and Foundry Company at Bloomsburg. re-
maining with this concern until it closed its
plant at this point in 191 1. Having then de-
cided upon taking up a line of business which
would enable him to get away from office
work, Mr. Johnson bought the old vineyard
known as the Lem. Rupert property, at the
corner of Second and Barton streets. This
property comprises four acres, where Mr.
Johnson is carrying on poultry and produce
raising. He is making his land yield large
returns by keeping it all cultivated according
to the most approved modern ideas.
In 1902 Mr. Johnson married Miss Hattie
M. Rider, daughter of Lloyd T. and Esther A.
( Bucher) Rider, and they have two daugh-
ters, Pauline M. and Alta M. Mr. Johnson is
a Democrat politically, and has given good
service as election judge. The Methodist
Church is his religious home, and he is serv-
ing as trustee, and has been a teacher in the
.Sunday school.
Lloyd T. Rider, a veteran of the Civil war
528
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
residing at Bloomsburg, was born in Franklin
township, Columbia Co., Pa., July i, 1838,
son of John Rider. His paternal grandfather
died at North Mountain, Pa. His children
were : Solomon, John, Mary and Hannah.
John Rider was born in 1812, and became
a successful farmer in Franklin township,
where he owned 125 acres of land. His death
occurred in the vicinity of Catawissa, Pa., at
the home of his son, Wilson, when he was
seventy-nine years old. He married Eliza
Yetter, daughter of Daniel Yetter, and their
children were : Lloyd T. ; Sarah, who mar-
ried Christ Artley ; Mary, who married Abra-
ham Stine; Wilson, who is living in Cata-
wissa township, Columbia county ; Daniel, de-
ceased ; and Willam, also deceased.
Lloyd T. Rider, son of John Rider and
father of Mrs. Bartlett H. Johnson, was
brought up a farmer, and followed such work
all his active years, living first in Franklin,
and later in Catawissa township. In 1898 he
retired, and coming to Bloomsburg built his
present residence, which he has since occu-
pied.
When the country needed brave men to
defend it during the Civil war Mr. Rider en-
listed in Company H, I32d Pennsylvania Vol-
unteer Infantry, for ten months' service. Aft-
er the expiration of this term he reenlisted in
Company H, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and
was with General Sherman on his famous
march to the sea, continuing in the service
until the close of the conflict, at all times prov-
ing a gallant and brave soldier.
Lloyd T. Rider married Esther A. Bucher,
of Franklin township, daughter of George
Bucher, and they had the following family:
Charles ; George ; Harry ; Sadie, who married
Nelson Munson ; Hattie M., who married B.
H. Johnson ; Bessie, who married Howard
Pursel ; and Mattie, who married Roland A.
Fitterman. Mr. Rider belongs to Ent Post,
No. 150, G. A. R. He is a member of the
Methodist Church and takes an interest in its
good work. Politically he is a Republican,
but not an office seeker, having always pre-
ferred to give his support to the candidates
of his party as a private citizen rather than
enter into public life.
Both the Johnson and Rider families are
prominent in Columbia county, and the rec-
ords show that their representatives have been
numbered among the honorable, upright men
and women of their day.
CRISPIN. The founder of the Crispin
family in America was Captain and Acting
Rear Admiral William Crispin, of the British
navy, who was appointed by his wife's
nephew, William Penn, proprietary of the
Province of Pennsylvania, one of his com-
missioners for settling the colony in that
Province, but died on the voyage from Eng-
land.
The names of William Crispin's parents are
now unknown, but he was undoubtedly born
in Devonshire, where a gentle family of the
name had been settled since the Conquest, with
several branches in that and adjoining
counties.
According to Dr. Lipscomb's "History of
Buckinghamshire" Milo Crispin, one of Wil-
liam the Conqueror's great captains in the
Conquest of England in 1066 A. D., had, be-
sides the Honour of Wallingford in that
county, eighty-eight other lordships, most or
all of them in the southern counties of Eng-
land, some of them being in Devonshire. Milo
died without issue in 1106, and his lordships,
or at least a part of them, were inherited by
the heirs of his elder brother, William Cris-
pin, Baron of Bee, in Normandy. Some of the
descendants of this William Crispin came to
England and settled on Milo Crispin's lands
which they had inherited. From them descend
the Devonshire Crispins. The celebrated Gil-
bert Crispin, Abbot of Westminster, was a
son of this William, Baron of Bee, Milo's
brother.
This family presents a remarkable instance
of a family surname in use at so early a date.
The brothers WilHam, Gilbert and Milo, all
bearing the surname of Crispin, were sons of
Gilbert Crispin, Baron of Bee, Constable of
Normandy, who was son of Crispinus,
Baron of Bee (flourished about 1000
A. D.), from whom the family took its
name. This Crispinus, also called Anagothus,
because of Gothic blood, derived through his
mother's mother, was son of Grimaldus I, first
Prince of Monaco, by his wife Crispina,
daughter of Rollo, Duke of Normandy. "The
Gentleman's Magazine," London, T832, Part
I, pp. 26-30, has a full account of this part of
the family, and derives Grimaldus, through
the Dukes of Brabant, from the ancient Kings
of the Franks.
No detailed history or pedigree of the fam-
ily from William Crispin, Baron of Bee, at the
time of the Conquest, down to Capt. William
Crispin, founder of the American family, is
known to exist, though there may be some
unpublished herald's visitations of Devonshire,
or pedigrees in private possession, that would
throw much light on the subject. But vari-
s
i^
Curt^'^^
^-^^i:?Ui^
iv
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
529
ous documents of different years during this
long period show the continued existence of
a gentle family of Crispins in Devonshire, to
which our Capt. William Crispin undoubtedly
belonged.
William Crispin appears to have been born
about 1610. In the British Calendar of State
Papers, Domestic Series, the name of William
Crispin occurs several times between 1634 and
1652, but it is only on the latter date that we
can positively identify the name as referring
to the ancestor of our family. In that year
he commanded at the "Hope" for the Com-
monwealth ; the "Hope" was a certain portion
of the harbor of Portsmouth, devoted to the
use of the navy, though, of course, it is pos-
sible that there might have been also a vessel
of that name.
In May, 1653, an expedition was sent
against the Dutch, under Col. Richard Deane
and Col. George Monk, generals and admirals
of the Parliament. The fleet consisted of
three squadrons, one of which was commanded
by Vice Admiral (afterwards Admiral Sir)
William Penn, Crispin's brother-in-law. Cap-
tain Crispin commanded the "Assistance" frig-
ate, 180 men and 40 guns, in Penn's squad-
ron. This fleet on the 2d and 3d of June, 1653,
took or destroyed between twenty and thirty
Dutch ships-of-war, took 1,350 prisoners, and
pursued the Dutch to their own harbors.
The next year Oliver Cromwell, who was
then Protector, sent an expedition against the
Spanish West Indies, secretly because Eng-
land was at peace with Spain. The fleet of
thirty-eight ships, in three squadrons, was
commanded by Admiral Penn. Captain Cris-
pin commanded the "Laurel." 160 seamen, 30
soldiers and 40 guns, in Penn's own squadron.
They arrived in sight of Barbadoes Jan. 29,
1654-5. After a repulse at Hispaniola (now
the island of Haiti) they eventually captured
Jamaica. On June 25th part of the fleet went
back to England, Penn with it. This made
a temporary promotion for the other admirals
and Crispin became acting rear admiral.
Capt. William Crispin, Richard Wadeson
and Thomas Broughton were appointed to
take charge of supplying the English forces in
the island, and were called by the home au-
thorities "Commissioners for supplying
Jamaica."
Crispin was back in England by April, 1656.
Meanwhile Penn and others of the expedition
had gotten into trouble with Cromwell and
Penn was sent to the Tower. Crispin sided
with his brother-in-law and left the navy.
After Penn's release he moved to Ireland.
Crispin followed him and settled in or near
Kinsale, in County Cork.
In September, 1681, William Penn, son of
the Admiral, having obtained the grant of
Pennsylvania, appointed his uncle by mar-
riage, William Crispin, one of three commis-
sioners to settle the colony there ; he also in-
tended him for Chief Justice, as appears by a
letter to Deputy Governor Markham, dated 8
mo. (at that time October) 18, 1681. Crispin
started for Pennsylvania in the ship "Amity"
the same year, but after nearly reaching the
capes of the Delaware was blown ofi' by con-
trary winds, and put into Barbadoes, where
Captain Crispin died.
Capt. William Crispin married, first, about
1650, Anne Jasper, sister of Margaret Jasjier,
wife of Admiral Sir William Penn. Their
father, John Jasper, has until very recently
been described in all accounts as a merchant
in Rotterdam, Holland, though most of them
say he was of English birth. Within a few
years, however, it has been discovered that he
lived in Ireland and probably had never been
in Rotterdam. The mistake is attributable to
Samuel Pepys, who in his "Diary" described
Lady Penn as a "well-looked, fat, short, old
I^utchwoman." Pepys' mistake was due to the
fact that ALargaret Jasper had first married a
Dutchman, who died soon after marriage, and
later Margaret married Sir William Penn.-
William and Anne (Jasper) Crispin had issue:
Ralph, probably eldest son, remained in Ire-
land, and no doubt inherited his father's es-
tate there. By patent of July 25, 1688, Wil-
liam Penn granted to his "loving cousin Ralph
Crispin" 500 acres in Pennsylvania, as part of
the purchase of his father, Capt. William Cris-
pin ; this he sold in 1690. In the patent he is
described as "Ralph Crispin of Cork in the
Kingdom of Ireland, gentleman." His will,
dated 1730, was probated in the Diocese of
Cork and Ross ; he was then of Kilcaha,
County Cork. He left issue.
Silas, see below.
Rebecca married first, Aug. 24, 1688, at
Ifield Friends' Meeting in Sussex, Edward
Blackfan, son of John IMackfan, of Steyning,
County of Sussex, England. Her cousin, Wil-
liam Penn, Proprietary of Pennsylvania, and
some of his family attended the wedding. The
Blackfans, father and son, belonged to the So-
ciety of Friends, and came in for a share of
the persecution directed against that body.
Edward Blackfan intended to go to Pennsyl-
vania, but was prevented by death. His
widow, with their only child, William Black-
fan, went there about 1700, and her relatives,
530
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the Penns, put her in charge of their Manor
of Pennsbury, in Bucks county, where she
Hved a number of years. Their son Wilhani
was ancestor of the Blackfan family of Bucks
county, Pa. Rebecca married second, in 1725,
Nehemiah Allen, of Philadelphia, whose
father, Nathaniel Allen, had been a colleague
of her father as one of the commissioners for
settling the colony in Pennsylvania. She is not
known to have had any children by Allen.
Rachel married Thomas Armstrong, and
had issue ; they appear to have remained in
Ireland. She had a grant of 1,000 acres in
Pennsylvania, as part of her father's purchase,
which she, her husband, and their heirs, after-
wards sold.
Capt. William Crispin married, second, in
1665, Jane Chidley or Chudleigh, of County
Cork. On Aug. 8, 1687, William Penn granted
her and her children 3,000 acres in Pennsyl-
vania, in right of her husband's purchase.
William and Jane (Chudleigh) Crispin had
issue :
James married and had issue. He removed
to the island of St. Christopher in the West
Indies.
Joseph died unmarried.
Benjamin married Alice .
Jane married Greenslaid Lucomb.
Eleanor died unmarried.
Elizabeth married Milliard.
Amy married Daniel Johnson.
Silas Crispin, son of Capt. William and
Anne (Jasper) Crispin, who was the first sur-
veyor general of Pennsylvania, came to Penn-
sylvania with Capt. Thomas Holme, the second
surveyor general, in the ship "Amity," which
left the Downs April 23, 1682 (probably her
second voyage). On arrival, he no doubt lived
with Captain Holme's family at Shackamaxon.
He was a member of the Free Society of Trad-
ers in Pennsylvania. In the list of "First Pur-
chasers" the names of William Crispin and
Silas Crispin are bracketed as purchasers of
5,000 acres. William was probably the actual
purchaser ; after his death Silas was given 500
acres in Hilltown township, Philadelphia
county (now in Abington township, Mont-
gomery county), as his share of his father's
land. He also had a plantation of 500 acres
on Pennepack creek, in Dublin township,
Philadelphia county, on which he lived from
1684 to the end of his life. As a perquisite
to one or both of these lots he had forty acres
in the "liberties of Philadelphia" and three
city lots.
On Aug. 28, 1689, the Provincial Council
appointed Silas Crispin and others, with a sur-
veyor, to lay out a road from Philadelphia to
Bucks county. They laid out the present Bris-
tol pike.
He was executor of the will of his father-
in-law and spent a great deal of time in caring
for the large landed interests left by the latter.
His own will was dated May 5, 171 1, and he
died May 31st of that year.
Silas Crispin married first, 1683, Esther
Holme (died April 17, 1696), daughter of
Capt. Thomas Holme, who had been a cap-
tain in the Parliamentary army during the
great Civil war in England, removed to Ire-
land before the Restoration of King Charles
II, became a Quaker and was persecuted for
his religion, and was joint author of seveial
publications in regard to Quaker persecutions
in Ireland. On April 18, 1682, William Penn
appointed him surveyor general of Pennsyl-
vania, and he sailed for that province the same
month. He owned 11,000 acres of land in
Pennsylvania, mostly in Philadelphia county,
though some was in Chester and Bucks coun-
ties. He served three years in the Provincial
Council, and was some time president of that
body.
Silas and Esther (Holme) Crispin had issue :
Sarah, born March 31, 1684, married Lee-
son Loftus, of the city of Philadelphia.
Rebecca, born May 6, 1685, married Joseph
Finney, son of Samuel Finney, Provincial
Councillor and Provincial judge, and a brother
of Capt. John Finney, Provincial Councillor,
high sheriff of Philadelphia county, of the
family of Finney of Fulshaw Hall, Cheshire,
England.
Marie (or Maria), born in October, 1686,
married John Collet, son of Richard and Eliza-
beth (Rush) Collet, and grandson of Capt.
John Rush, formerly of the Parliamentary
army in the Civil war in England, who came to
I'ennsylvania in 1683, and lived on his planta-
tion in Byberry township, Philadelphia county.
Eleanor, born Sept. 11, 1687, married Nov.
25, 1708, John Hart, Jr., high sheriff and cor-
oner of Bucks county, justice of the County
courts, son of John Hart, from Witney, Ox-
fordshire, a member of the first Provincial As-
sembly, by his wife, Susannah Rush, daughter
of Capt. John Rush, above mentioned.
irHliam. born Sept. 3, 1689, died young.
Esther, born Oct. 29, 1691, married Thomas
Rush, grandson of Capt. John Rush, above
mentioned.
Thomas, born June 22, 1694; see below.
Susanna, born April 14, 1696. died young.
Silas Crispin married second, 1697, Mary,
daughter of Richard and Abigail Stockton, of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
531
Springfield township, Burlington county, West
Jersey, and widow of Thomas Shinn, of the
same county and province. Her father, Rich-
ard Stockton, was an Englishman of good birth
and some fortune, who settled in Flushing,
Long Island, where he was lieutenant of a
troop of horse in 1665, and afterwards joined
the Society of Friends and removed to Bur-
lington county, West Jersey. Fie was ancestor
of the Stockton family of New Jersey. Silas
and Mary (Stockton-Shinn) Crispin had is-
sue:
Joseph, born Oct. 7, 1698, removed to Del-
aware, where he married Elizabeth Barrett.
Benjamin, born Sept. i, 1699, married Aug.
21, 1722, Margaret, daughter of Joshua and
Martha Owen, of Springfield township.
Abigail, born Jan. 20, 1701, married John
Wright, of Springfield township.
Silas, born March 19, 1702, died in Novem-
ber, 1749, married Nov. 9, 1724, Mary,
daughter of Thomas and Ann (Pearson)
Wetherill, of Burlington.
Mary, born May 12, 1705, married Nov. 6,
1727, Thomas Earl, of Burlington county.
John, born Dec. 11, 1707; nothing more
known.
After Silas Crispin's death his widow, Mary
(Stockton-Shinn) Crispin, married third,
Sept. II, 1714, Richard Ridgway, Jr., of
Springfield township; she had no issue by him.
Thom.\s Cuispin, eldest surviving son of
Silas and Esther (Holme) Crispin, was born
Tune 22, 1694, on his father's plantation in
Lower Dublin township, Philadelphia county,
which he afterwards inherited, and made his
home the remainder of his life. He and his
sisters (of the full blood) inherited through
their mother their grandfather Capt. Thomas
Holme's plantation, called Well Spring, and
land adjoining, amounting in all to over 2,100
acres, which in 1723 was divided among the
then living heirs. One acre laid out by Capt.
Thomas Holme for a family graveyard, in
1694, was reserved for their use in common;
it is still held by trustees composed of descend-
ants of Thomas Holme, and known as the Cris-
pin Cemetery Corporation. The trustees at
the present time are Mr. Mercur, Oliver
Hough, M. Jackson Crispin, C. G. Crispin and
J. S. Clark. This graveyard is located about a
mile northwest of the main street of Holmes-
burg, and a short distance from Rowland sta-
tion on the Bustleton branch of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad. In an article in the Frankford
Herald, 1895, Oliver Hough tells us that:
On Wednesday afternoon, November 20, 1895, the
two surviving trustees of the Crispin Cemetery Cor-
poration, Mr. B. F. Crispin, of West Philadelphia,
and Mr. Charles Green, of Sandiford, Philadelphia,
met at the home of George S. Clark, Esq., in
Holmesburg, for the purpose of filling the three
vacancies in the Board of Trustees and to reor-
ganize the corporation, which for thirty-two years
has been dormant, the last meeting having been held
in April, 1863. Messrs. Crispin and Green first held
a preliminary meeting and filled two of the vacan-
cies, by electing as Trustees, Mr. James Watts Mer-
cur, of Wallingford, Delaware County, Pa., and
Mr. Oliver Hough, of Philadelphia. These two
gentlemen being in waiting, a meeting of the Board
was tlien held, and an organization was effected,
]\lr. Crispin being made President, Mr. Green, Treas-
urer, and Mr. Hough, Secretary. The last vacancy
in the Board was then filled by the election of Gen-
eral William Watts Hart Davis, of Doylestown,
Bucks County, Pa., as the fifth trustee.
This corporation is not a public cemetery company,
nor in any sense a financial institution, but was
chartered to protect the interests of the heirs in a
private family burying-ground, laid out by Capt.
Thomas Holme in the year i6t)4, for the use of
himself and Iiis descendants.
In an account of the burying-ground. written by
Silas Crispin, son of Thomas, in 1794, he says that
only about a quarter of an acre was then in use ;
this was in the northern corner of the lot. On April
I, 1825, the descendants of Thomas Crispin met at
the house of Benjamin Crispin in Holmesburg, when
Paul Crispin and Robert C. Green were appointed
a committee to visit George Henry Walker, who
tlien owned the estate of Longford. Mr. Walker
agreed to preserve the plot and keep it in good order.
He kept his agreement, but as the ground was unen-
closed, it was found that cattle sometimes wandered
in and trampled down the mounds and broke some
of the tombstones. Therefore, on January 22. 1831,
the descendants again met at Benjamin Crispin's
and formed a society called the "Crispin Burial-
Gruund Community" to take charge of the property.
The members of this society then present or after-
wards admitted were : Benjamin Crispin, Paul
Crispin, George Crispin, John Creighton, James A.
Creighton, Thomas Creighton, George C. Creighton,
Robert C. Green, James D. McKean and Paul K.
Hubbs. The "Community" had the ground surveyed
the same year and fenced in the part then in use.
They afterwards held annual meetings until 1840.
In the latter year Benjamin Crispin introduced a
bill in the State Legislature, of which he was a
member, which passed both houses, and was ap-
proved by the Governor in the session in 1840, incor-
porating Benjamin Crispin, Paul Crispin, Robert C.
Green, Thomas Creighton and James A. Creighton,
and tlieir successors, under the title of the "Crispin
Cemetery," to take charge of the burial-ground.
These incorporators, or trustees, as they afterwards
called themselves, divided the ground into twenty-
four lots, part of which they assigned to the differ-
ent branches of the family, two lots being reserved
for the ciiurch. and one for strangers or persons
not connected with the Crispin family. They planted
a cedar hedge around the whole acre and cedar trees
to mark the boundaries of lots. Very few persons
not connections were ever buried there. In 1847 or
1848 Robert C. Green, of Sandy Hill, took charge
of the cemetery under a lease, he keeping it in order
in consideration of the profits from hay. etc., grown
on the unused portion. He renovated about twenty-
five or thirty of the graves, birt when he gave up the
532
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
superintendence of the ground in iS6o, it became
neglected.
The last annual meeting of the Trustees was held
in 1863, in which year the last burial (Mrs. Rachel
Polk) was made there. Before the reorganization
in the present year, thirty-two years after the last
meeting, it was brought to the attention of the
surviving Trustees that the "Community" and the
corporation succeeding it had been composed entirely
of the descendants of Thomas Crispin, one of the
parties to the division in 1723; while the descend-
ants of the latter's sisters (co-heirs with him in the
ground), having mostly removed from the neighbor-
hood, liad made no effort to join these organizations
until recently, when some of them awakened to the
knowledge of their interest in the ground which con-
tained the remains of their forefathers and desired
to participate in the care of it. The Trustees ex-
pressed their willingness to associate some of the
representatives of the other branches of the family
with themselves in the management of the corpora-
tion and elected Gen. Davis, Mr. Mercur and Mr.
Hough, who are all descendants of Thomas Cris-
pin's sister Eleanor, wife of John Hart: Gen. Davis
and Mr. Mercur being also descendants of anotlier
sister, Mary Collet.
At the present time the traces of about one hun-
dred graves can be found, only half of which have
stones, and of these only a dozen have legible in-
scriptions.
Capt. Thomas Holme's own grave was
marked only by a smooth round stone until
1863, when a small monument was erected
over it bv the trustees of the Lower Dublin
Academy, whose foundation was due to him.
Thomas Crispin married Jane, daughter of
Joseph Ashton, Esq., a justice of the Philadel-
phia County courts, and a considerable land-
owner in Lower Dublin township. They had
issue:
Silas: see below.
Thomas: nothing was known.
Joseph : nothing was known.
Hannah married April 2, 1748, John Engle.
Mercy married March i, 1753. Joseph Engle,
brother of John.
Sii..\s Crispin, son of Thomas and Jane
(Ashton) Crispin, inherited the land of his
father in Lower Dublin township and lived his
whole life there. In 1794 he wrote an account
of the family graveyard. His will, dated Oct.
14, 1794. was proved Jan. 25. 1800, his son
Silas being executor. Silas Crispin and his
wife Martha had issue :
Joseph, born 1761. died at Philadelphia, Feb.
18. 1828. was a soldier in the Revolution. He
was twice married, first to Elizabeth Rickey,
born in Bucks county, Pa., March 9, 1775;
second wife's name unknown.
William, nothing known.
Sarah, nothing known.
Jane, nothing known.
Thomas, nothing known.
Silas, born Alay 11, 1767, of whom pres-
ently.
SiL.\s Crispin, born May 11, 1767, in Lower
Dublin township, died there Aug. 13, 1806,
from lockjaw, caused by running a needle into
his foot. He married in 1788 Esther Dough-
erty (born 1767, died May 7, 1838). Issue:
Martha, born March 18, 1789, died April 3,
1817; married James Simon.
Benjamin, born 1792, of whom presently.
Mary died unmarried, Nov. 13, 1865.
Paul married Sarah Lesher; died Septem-
ber, 1847.
Silas, born April 8, 1798, died April 13,
1823.
Ann, born Oct. 2, 1800, died March 18,
1829 ; married ^lichael Jacoby.
Hester, born Aug. 31, 1803, died Aug. 20,
1832.
Hon. Benj.-\min Crispin, son of Silas and
Esther (Dougherty) Crispin, born in 1792 on
his father's estate, known as "Bellevue," on
the Welsh road above Holmesburg, part of the
Well Spring plantation that had come down
in the family from their distinguished ancestor,
Cajit. Thomas Holme, was educated at the
Lower Dublin Acadeiny, with which his fam-
ily was so closely identified. In 1822 he was
commissioned a lieutenant of Pennsylvania
militia. In 1823 he was appointed by the gov-
ernor of Pennsylvania as justice of the peace
for the townships of Byberry, Lower Dublin
and Oxford, Philadelphia county, and held
that ofifice until 1837. In 1828 he was ap-
pointed by the court of Quarter Sessions of
Philadelphia director of the public schools in
his district. In 1837 he was elected a member
of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and
reelected in 1838-39. In 1840 he was elected
to the State Senate, and in 1843 was made
speaker of the Senate, as the presiding offi-
cer of that body was then designated. When
the whole of Philadelphia county was incor-
porated with the city, in 1854, Mr. Crispin
was elected as the first common councilman
from the Twenty-third ward, then compris-
ing the present Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth,
Thirty-fifth and Forty-second wards, and a
part of the present Nineteenth ward. He con-
tinued to manifest a deep interest in the
schools, and on leaving council was again
elected to the local school board. A new pub-
lic school in Holmesburg has recently been
named for him.
Benjamin Crispin was a founder of Ein-
manuel Protestant Episcopal Church, at
Holmesburg, and served for twenty years as
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
533
one of its vestrymen, and eight years as ac-
counting warden. He also represented the
parish in the Diocesan Convention in 1854,
1856, 1858 and i860. He was one of the orig-
inators, and president of the board of trustees,
of the Hohnesburg Athenaeum Association,
and chairman of its building committee, which
in 1850 built the town hall, called the Athe-
naeum, in which until 1906 was housed the
Thomas Holme Library. In May, 1837, he
was elected one of the trustees of the Lower
Dublin Academy, and in 1838 its president,
an office he held until his death, twenty-six
years later. He was the founder of the "Cris-
pin Burial-Ground Community," and prin-
cipally instrumental in obtaining a charter
from the Legislature for the Crispin Cemetery
Corporation, while he was a State senator, in
1840, thus perpetuating the title to the heirs
of Thomas Holme, under the care of a board
of trustees, of which he was president.
Benjamin Crispin married, Oct. 17, 1816,
Maria, daughter of Amos and Elinor
(Thomas) Foster, of Collegeville (so named
for the Lower Dublin Academy, located there ) .
near Holmesburg. The Fosters came from
New England, and the Thomas family from
Wales. Benjamin and Maria Crispin began
their married life at "Ijellevue," the old Cris-
pin homestead on the Welsh road, but sub-
sequently removed to a house on Main street,
now Frankford avenue, corner of Mill street,
Holmesburg, where they continued to reside
the remainder of their lives; Benjamin Cris-
pin dying there July 4, 1864, aged seventy-
two years, and his widow May 13, 1882, aged
eighty-two years. Both were buried in the
yard of Emmanuel Church, Holmesburg.
Issue of Benjamin and Maria (Foster)
Crispin :
Edward T. Crispin, born Oct. 2, 1817, died
in Philadelphia, March 29, 1873; married
Sarah Simmons, of Darby, Delaware county,
Pennsylvania, now also deceased. Children :
Emily Crispin married Martin Guyant, and
had issue, Kate Guyant, Edward Guyant.
Frank Guyant. Sarah Crispin died in earlv
life.
William Crispin, born July 29, 1819, died
at Holmesburg, May 12, 1869; was for some
years a trustee of the Lower Dublin Academy ;
married Mary Praul (who was living in 1907,
at the age of eighty-three years), daughter of
John Praul, of Churchville, Bucks county : two
daughters : Maria Louise Crispin married
Tames C. Sickle (now deceased), and died in
March, 1869. Catharine M. Crispin married
William Clark, son of George and Anne
(Kearney) Clark, of Holmesburg, and an
uncle of George S. Clark, who married a
granddaughter of Hon. Benjamin Crispin, and
was conspicuously active in the preservation
of the old burial-ground, as heretofore shown.
William and Catharine M. (Crispin) Clark
had issue : William Crispin Clark, married
Gertrude Wilson, of Frankford, Philadelphia,
and had issue, Benjamin Crispin Clark, John
Wilson Clark and William Mclntyre Clark
(William Crispin Clark, the father, died in
May, 1900); John Clark, living, unmarried;
Louis George Clark, living, unmarried.
Benjamin Franklin Crispin, born Aug. 2,
1821, of whom presently.
Eleanor Jane Crispin, born Aug. 4, 1823,
died unmarried.
Thomas Holme Crispin, born June 22, 1824,
died unmarried.
Silas Crispin, born at Holmesburg, Sept. 9,
1828; educated at local schools, and the Phil-
adelphia high school; appointed to U. S. Mil-
itary Academy at West Point by Hon. Charles
J. Ingersoll, M. C, and entered there July i,
1846, graduating July i, 1850, with distinction,
being third in his class ; was appointed brevet,
second lieutenant in the ordnance department
of the United States army, and assigned to
duty at the arsenal at Watervliet, N. Y., where
he remained two years, subsequently serving at
the arsenals at Allegheny, Pa., St. Louis, AIo.,
and the Leavenworth Ordnance Depot, Kan-
sas. In i860 he became assistant inspector of
arsenals, and was promoted to captain of
ordnance, Aug. 3, 1861, and served in that
grade in the Civil war ; was for a time on the
staff of Gen. George B. McClellan ; was also
in charge of the New York Ordnance Agency ;
commandant of New York arsenal, and pres-
ident of the Ordnance Board for five years.
He received successive brevets up to colonel
in the Lhiited States army at the close of the
Civil war ; and promotion to actual rank as
major of ordnance, on March 7, 1867 ; lieu-
tenant colonel, April 14, 1875; colonel, Aug.
23, 1881. After the war he was sent to Eng-
land by the government to study the making
of ordnance. He was the inventor of a breech-
loading cannon, called the "Crispin Gun," sev-
eral of which were made by the government
at a cost of $46,000 each. Colonel Crispin
was commandant at the Frankford arsenal,
Philadelphia. June, 1885, to June, 1886, and
at the Benicita arsenal, California, June, 1886,
until shortly before his death, which occurred
in New York City, Feb. 28, 1889. He was
buried from the residence of his niece, Mrs.
Catharine M. Clark, daughter of his brother,
534
COLUMBIA AND :\IONTOUR COUNTIES
William Crispin, at Holmesburg, Philadelphia,
March 8, 1889. The funeral services were
held in Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal
Church, Rev. D. Caldwell Millett, D. D., rec-
tor of that parish, officiating. The interment
was made in the grounds connected with the
church. Colonel Crispin had never married.
Charles H. Crispin married (first) Eliza-
beth Gibbs, and had one daughter, Louise
Crispin, who died unmarried; married (sec-
ond) her sister, Emma Gibbs, and had a son,
Franklin Gibbs Crispin, D. D. S., living in
1901 at No. 2029 North Twelfth street. Phil-
adelphia, married to Lydia De Witt. The
two wives of Charles H. Crispin were from
Bucks county, Pennsylvania.
Benjamin Fr.\nklin Crispin, third son of
Benjamin and Maria (Foster) Crispin, was
born in Holmesburg, Philadelphia, Aug. 2,
1821, and died at his residence. No. 3258
Chestnut street. West Philadelphia, July 19,
1898. He was educated at the Lower Dublin
Academy and other educational institutions,
and became a member of the firm of Collins
& Crispin, which later was changed to B. F.
Crispin & Company, and he continued at its
head the remainder of his life. He resided
in Holmesburg until 1873, when, having lost
his first wife and a daughter, he removed to
Camden, N. J., and resided there for a num-
ber of years, finally removing to West Phil-
adelphia, where he died. While a resident of
Holmesburg he took an active interest in local
affairs. He was for a number of years sec-
retary of the Frankford and Holmesburg
Railroad Company ; was one of the founders
of the Holmesburg Public Library, and served
as its president for a number of years. In
1871 he was elected a trustee of the Lower
Dublin Academy, and in 1891 was made
president of the board, a position previously
held by his father, holding that position to
the time of his death, presiding at a banquet
given in January, 1894, at the "Green Tree
Hotel," Holmesburg, to celebrate the one
hundredth anniversary of the incorporation
of the board. He was elected in 1872 a vestry-
man of Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal
Church, an office also held by his father, whom
he also succeeded as president of the board of
trustees of the Crispin Cemetery Corporation,
an account of which is given above, and served
in that position until his death.
Benjamin Franklin Crispin married (first),
June 29, 1845, Elizabeth R., daughter of Rob-
ert and Sarah Glenn, of Holmesburg. She
died March 31, 1873, and he married (second)
Catharine Roe. His children were, however,
all by the first wife, viz. :
Benjamin Franklin Crispin, Jr., born July
21, 1847, of whom presently.
Robert Glenn Crispin, born at Holmesburg,
Philadelphia, Feb. 4, 184.9; received his
early education at the Episcopal Academy,
Philadelphia; 1872 went to Berwick, Pa.,
where he became connected with The Jackson
and Woodin Manufacturing Company. He
became after a time a member of the firm of
Bowman & Crispin. For several years he re-
sided at Rupert, Pa. In 1902 he returned to
Berwick and was elected teller of the First
National Bank of Berwick, which position he
occupied at the time of his death, which oc-
curred in Berwick May 16, 1913. He married
Sept. 10, 1873, at Berwick, Frances M.,
born at Berwick, Pa., Dec. 4, 1852, daughter
of Seth B. and Louise F. (Doane) Bowman,
of Berwick. Her mother was a great-grand-
daughter of Hannah Sharpless, who married
May 23, 1 771, William Iddings, and this Han-
nah Sharpless was a great-granddaughter of
John Sharpless, founder of the Sharpless fam-
ily of Chester county, Pa. Several children
were born to this marriage who died in in-
fancy.
William Henry Crispin, born in Philadel-
]jhia, June 11, 185 1 ; married May 27. 1875,
Matilda, daughter of John Mitchell of Phila-
delphia, and they resided for a number of
years in that city but finally removed to Bev-
erly, N. J., where they now reside. They have
issue,- one son: Franklin Mitchell Crispin,
born in Philadelphia, April 13, 1876; married
in 1905 Emma Fowler, daughter of the late
Joseph D. Weeks, of Pittsburg, Pa., at one
time editor of the Iron Age.
Sarah Frances Crispin married Hon. George
S. Clark, of Holmesburg, Pa., June 4, 1874.
They had issue: John Stevenson Clark, born
Aug. I, 1875; Benjamin Crispin Clark, born
March 28, 1877, died Dec. 24, 1878; Arthur
Douglass Clark, born Aug. 14, 1883; Elizabeth
Frances Qark, born Sept. 16, 1878.
Benjamin Franklin Crispin, Jr., the eld-
est son of B. Franklin and Elizabeth R.
(Glenn) Crispin, was born in Holmesburg,
Philadelphia, July 21, 1847, and received his
early education at the Lower Dublin Academy,
later attending high school in Philadelphia.
He began his business career in Philadelphia in
1863, and was connected with the firm of B. F.
Crispin & Company until 1870. He then en-
tered the employ of the firm of Longacre &
Company, which conducted a large printing
I
i\^ •(T^^'nyb^c^ ^
. ASTOR, L'^NOX
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
535
and lithographing business in the same city,
and with which he remained for two years.
In 1872 he removed to Berwick, Pa., and was
elected superintendent of the Berwick Rolling
Mill Company's plant there. From time to
time he acquired other interests, until he was
associated with nearly all the leading enter-
prises of the town. In 1876 he was elected
teller of the first National Bank of Berwick,
in 1879 a director, in 1891 vice president, and
in 1804 president. In 1892 he was elected
president and treasurer of the Berwick Electric
Light Company, of which he was the founder.
In 1894 he was chosen president of the Moun-
tain Grove Camp Meeting Association. The
same year he was elected chairman of the
board of managers of the Berwick Store Com-
pany, limited, which position he held until
March i, 1899. I" 1898 he was elected vice
president of the Lagrange Light & Water
Company, of Lagrange, 111. In 1876 he was
chosen trustee of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of Berwick, and in 1895 president of
the board. In 1894 he became a trustee of the
Young Men"s Christian Association. For ten
years he was a memlier of the board of educa-
tion of Berwick and served several terms as
its president.
In 1874 Mr. Crispin was married to
Margaret Emily Jackson, daughter of Hon.
Mordecai W. Jackson, whose sketch appears
elsewhere. They had children as follows :
Mordecai Jackson Crispin, see below.
Clarence Gearhart Crispin, see below.
Helen Jean Crispin was born Jan. 11, 1886,
at Berwick, Pa. She was a student in the
schools at that place and later entered the
National Park .Seminary at Washington, D. C.
She finished her education at Tvlrs. Merrill's
School, New York City. She married Charles
Belaud Owens June 8, 191 1. Since this time
Mr. and Mrs. Owens have resided in Toronto,
Canada, where Mr. Owens is secretary and
manager of the Canadian Powers Regulator
Co., Ltd. Two children have been born to
them : Margaret Crispin Owens, born May
17, 1912, and Elizabeth Crispin Owens, born
Nov. 4, 1914. Charles B. Owens was born in
Maysville, Ky., Oct. 29, 1881, and is a grad-
uate in engineering of the Kentucky State
University, Lexington.
Mr. Crispin was a Republican in politics,
and took an active interest in the success of
his party, contributing much to its welfare.
He never aspired to office except in local
affairs, his varied business interests requiring
all his time, energy and attention. He was
deeply interested in everything that tended to
the benefit of Berwick, and was an ardent
supporter of its educational, religious, finan-
cial and industrial development.
Mr. Crispin fully maintained the reputation
of the Crispin family, which for generations
has stood in this State for honesty and upright-
ness in business, for development in the high-
est degree in church and educational matters,
and for the greater growth of its various in-
dustries.
Mr. Crispin died in Berwick July 3, 1903,
and was buried in Pine Grove cemetery in
that city.
MoRDEC.\i J.vcKSGN CRISPIN, SOU of Benja-
min Franklin Crispin, Jr., was born in Ber-
wick, Pa., IMay 13, 1875. He attended the
I'erwick high school, and in September, 1892,
entered Princeton University, from which he
was graduated in June, 1896, with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts. He was employed from
1896 to 1901 at the First National Bank of
Berwick, and with The Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company. On Feb. i, 1901,
he was elected director, secretary and treas-
urer of the United States Metal & Manufactur-
ing Company, of No. 165 Broadway, New
York City. On Jan. 31, 1907, he became gen-
eral manager. On Sept. 23, 1899, he was
elected a trustee of the Crispin Cemetery As-
sociation, Holmesburg, Pa. In September,
1903, he was chosen a director of the First
National Bank of Berwick, Pa. ; Jan. 14, 1908,
was elected vice president, and July 12, 1909,
was elected president.
On June 7, 1900, he was married to Marie,
daughter of F. E. Brockway, whose sketch
appears elsewhere in this work. One child,
Elizabeth Brockway Crispin, was born Jan.
3, 1905, to this marriage. Mrs. Crispin died
Oct. 26, 1907, in New York City.
Mr. Crispin, while a resident of New York
City, still retains Berwick as his home. He is
connected, in an important way, with nearly
all its business interests and devotes much of
his time and attention to them. He is Repub-
lican in politics, and takes a deep interest in
educational affairs. He has served as school
director in his native city and is a director of
the Berwick Water Company. He is a di-
rector and vice president of the Empire State
Steel Products Company, of Jersey City, N. J.,
director and vice president of the Berwick &
Nescopeck Street Railway Company, and a
trustee of the Berwick Hospital.
I\Ir. Crispin is a member of the Society of
Colonial Wars in the State of New York, the
Sons of the Revolution, the Society of the
War of 1812, Veteran Corps of Artillery, and
536
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the Pennsylvania Society. He is also a mem-
ber of various clubs, among them being the
Berwick Club, of Berwick, Pa. : the Univer-
sity, New York Athletic, the Lambs, the
Princeton, the Railroad, City Lunch, and the
Bankers' Club of America, of New York City ;
the Racquet, the Princeton, and the Philadel-
phia Country Clubs, of Philadelphia, Pa. ;
Nassau Club of Princeton. N. J.; the Sleepy
Hollow Golf Club, of Scarborough on the
Hudson, N. Y., and the Great Neck Golf Club,
Great Neck, Long Island.
Clarence Gearhart Crispin, second son
of Benjamin Franklin Crispin, Jr., was born
at Berwick Sept. 27, 1879. He received his
early education at the Berwick high school and
Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa. In 1898
he entered Cornell University, and was grad-
uated in June, 1902, with the degree of me-
chanical engineer. After graduation he en-
tered the employ of the Railway Steel Spring
Company, of New York City, as assistant en-
gineer. In 1903 he came to Berwick ; was
elected vice president of the Berwick W'ater
Company and a director of the First National
Bank of Berwick. In 1908 he was appointed
assistant district manager of the Berwick dis-
trict of the American Car & Foundry Com-
pany. In 1909 he was elected vice president
of the P'irst National Bank of Berwick and in
191 1 president of the board of trustees of the
local Y. M. C. A. In 1913 he was elected
president of the Berwick Water Company.
He is interested in the manufacture of a num-
ber of waterworks appliances of which he is
the inventor. These are made and sold by the
Multiplex Maiuifacturing Company of Ber-
wick.
Mr. Crisjiin is a member of the Delta Kappa
Epsilon Fraternity, the Racquet Club of Phil-
adelphia, the Deal Golf Club, the Pennsylvania
Society of New York City, and of Knapp
Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M'.
On Oct. 19, 1904, Mr. Crispin was married
to Mae Lovely, daughter of Frederick H.
Eaton, of New York City. Two children have
been born to this union : Benjamin Eaton, born
Oct. 10, 1905, and Frederick Eaton, born Sept.
17, 1906.
CHARLES B. ENT is a descendant of a
family whose ancestral record is woven into
the warp and woof of Columbia county his-
tory. His grandfather, Peter B. Ent, who
was the issue of Charles and Elizabeth Ent,
was a native of Roaringcreek township, that
county, and was born Feb. 11, 1811.
Peter B. Ent received his education through
such facilities as the time and place afforded,
and when he attained manhood followed the
carpenter's trade, this occupation eventually
leading into a successful contracting business.
He also conducted a mercantile enterprise and
owned and maintained an iron furnace at
Light Street. Tradition states that the fires
of this furnace, together with the glow from
another iron furnace, located at the other end
of the settlement, gave Light Street its name.
Peter B. Ent in the strength of his ma-
turity became prominently identified with the
councils of the Democratic party. Political
preferment came to him in many forms. He
represented Columbia county at the Demo-
cratic National convention in i860, and later
his personal popularity and ability were rec-
ognized in a more tangible way, by his elec-
tion to the commissionership of Columbia
county ; he was serving in that capacity when
the county seat was moved to Bloomsburg.
Other public offices he filled were those of col-
lector of tolls, at Beach Haven, and repre-
sentative in the General Assembly of Pennsyl-
vania. He was elected to this latter office
twice, serving during the years of 1836 and
1857. He died at his home in Light Street
(luring the centennial year, 1876, greatly be-
loved and mourned by all. His wife, Sarah
f Myers), survived him a great number of
years, her demise occurring in 1898.
Peter B. and Sarah Ent reared five
sons : Wellington H., born Aug. 16, 1834 :
William M., born Feb. 19, 1836 ; LTzal H. and
Oscar P., twins, born Jan. 13, 1838, and Rob-
ert S. These five sons were raised in the
spirit of the times and their patriotism and
love of country were excm])lified when they
answered the calls for volunteers in the dark
days of the Civil war. The five sons at dif-
ferent times bade farewell to their parents
and entered the terrible conflict with un-
dimmed ardor, acquitting themselves with
honor and credit in the different paths of duty
to which they were assigned. Sarah Ent, their
mother, who passed awav during the closing
days of the nineteenth century, was buried on
the first Flag Day that the nation observed.
Flags were draped from the home on that
day, as fitting emblems to honor a woman who
had produced five sturdy loyalists to the cause
of American liberty. The bright flame of
their patriotism has brought a perpetual luster
to the family name, which neither time nor
event can diminish.
Of these five sons, Wellington H. Ent
achieved the greatest progress in the profes-
sion of arms. He was born at Light Street
on Aug. 16, 1834, and passed away in Blooms-
burg Nov. 5, 1871. After receiving the bene-
fits of such educational facilities as his com-
munity afforded, he entered Dickinson Semi-
0(^yi^C't,^($J^ <^ Cy^
L^:2,J\L(^U(
t;
34 ' IONS
i
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
537
nary, at Williamsport, in 1855, an institution
from which he graduated with the highest
honors in 1858. At the completion of his
studies at Dickinson the young man took up
the serious study of arms, entering the West
Point Mihtary Academy, where he received
the training wliich later materially aided his
advancement as a soldier on the fields of war.
After he had finished his course at the West
Point Military Academy, Wellington H. Ent
placed himself under the tutorship of Rob-
ert F. Clark, Esq., an eminent attorney of pre-
rebellion days, and prepared to embrace the
legal profession. He was admitted to the bar
of Columbia county in i860. In June, 1861,
the ardent young patriot rallied to the colors
of his country and entered the United States
army as the first lieutenant of a volunteer
company, later receiving his commission as
captain of Company A of his regiment, a unit
of the 6th Pennsylvania Reserves. The valor
and service of Captain Ent soon won the at-
tention of his superior officers, and steady pro-
motion marked his army career through the
course of the great conflict. After the battle
of Antietam he was promoted to the major-
ship of his regiment, and after Gettysburg
he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant
colonel. His brevet followed later. The pro-
motions accorded to the brave young officer
indicate the brilliancy of his military record.
When the war drew to a close Colonel Ent
returned to civil life. His townsmen showed
their appreciation of his military services by
electing him prothonotary and clerk of the
courts of Columbia county. He died during
his term of office, and left a memory that is
revered in the annals of the county, where
he is classed with those other brilliant heroes
of this section which the war developed — ■
Colonel Ricketts, of Ricketts' Battery, and
Capt. C. B. Brockway. His widow, Mrs.
Mary Ent, still survives, and is a highly es-
teemed and i)rominent resident of Blooms-
burg.
William M. Ent, the father of Charles B.
Ent, inherited the sturdy tendencies of his
illustrious father, Peter B. Ent. He acquired
a thorough knowledge of the trade of tin-
smith, which he followed at Light Street, the
place of his birth, until he was cut down oy
the hand of death at a comparatively young
age. His life was even and uneventful, but
like his brothers he answered his country's
call, enlisting in the State militia. After be-
ing mustered out he returned to the peaceful
pursuits of his occupation. He passed away
in 1868, in his thirty-third year. Like his
father, William M. Ent was a stalwart Demo-
crat, and he was a member of the Light Street
Presbyterian Church. His wife, who was
Miss Bernetta B. Smith, of Light Street, and
to whom he was married in i860, still sur-
vives, and is passing through the autumn of
her life a greatly beloved woman. She lives
at the old homestead in Light Street. Four
children were born to William and Bernetta
B. Ent: Minnie, who passed away in 1880, at
the age of twenty years; Charles B. ; Her-
bert, who died in his youth; and William M.
The latter is engaged in business at the pres-
ent time in Light Street, conducting a hard-
ware store and following his trade of tin-
smith.
Charles B. Ent was born at Light Street on
Oct. 19, 1864. He was but four years of age
when his father, William M. Ent, passed away,
and thus his early boyhood was passed with-
out paternal guidance and care. Thrown upon
his own resources, the lad had to sacrifice his
schooling for more immediate and material re-
turns. For some time he lived at the home
of his grandfather, Peter B. Ent, while he
earned a boyish wage by doing farm work.
At the age of thirteen he went to Berwick,
where he secured employment in the shops of
the Jackson & Woodin Car and Manufactur-
ing Company, a concern which was later ab-
sorbed by the American Car & Foundry Com-
pany. He worked at the car plant for two
years, resigning his position at the age of fif-
teen years to take up an apprenticeship with
Young & Ent, of Berwick, tinsmiths. During
an association of several years with this firm
he mastered the trade of tinsmithing, and left
their employ for the purpose of establishing
a business of his own, which he set up at
Light Street. Upon reaching manhood Charles
B. Ent became interested in State and local
politics, and in time won a reputation as a
consistent and hard working Democrat. He
served as a district committeeman, and in the
course of time was appointed to the secretary-
ship of the county organization, an office
which he held for two years. His party at
three different times elected him a delegate
to State conventions, at Altoona, Erie and
Harrisburg, and he was sent to Denver as a
delegate in 1908, to represent his district at
the Democratic nomination for president,
which was accorded to W^illiam J. Bryan.
In 1893 Mr. Ent was elected to the office of
county recorder and register, and his record
of efficiency and of courtesy to the public,
was such that reelection to the same office,
three years later, was a matter of course.
His six years of service were marked by ex-
treme loyalty to duty and by personal ability,
538
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
for recognition of which his party and friends
had other honors, which were to come later,
in store.
After the expiration of his terms of serv-
ice Mr. Ent conducted the "Central Hotel,"
one of Bloomsburg"s popular hostelries, for a
year. After leaving the hotel business he
was connected with the Columbia & Montour
Traction Company, and ran the first through
car between Bloomsburg and Berwick when
the railroad was opened. He then entered
the employ of the Bell Telephone Company,
as solicitor, and often laughingly refers to
that experience, when the powerful Bell or-
ganization of the present day, even locally,
had but ten telephones in Berwick, a few in
Bloomsburg, and a limited number pay sta-
tions scattered between. His territory was
between Scranton and Northumberland and
his efforts were signally successful. He was
finally assigned to the Benton district, which
boasted of but one telephone, that one being
in the home of the late John G. ^IcHenry,
and his solicitation was so successful as to
warrant the formation of the very prosperous
subsidiary company which at the present day
controls the telephone facilities of that entire
region.
His work done. Mr. Ent accepted an offer
made to him by the firm of Messrs. P. Mc-
Manus & Co., of Philadelphia, who were con-
structing the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg &
Berwick railroad, with terminals at Berwick
and Watsontown, as construction foreman.
In this work, which he carried to a successful
termination, Mr. Ent gained the experience
and ability to handle large bodies of workmen
which afterwards was to prove such an ad-
vantage in his work. At the completion of
the construction work on the S. B. & B. rail-
road he became associated with Alessrs. Riter,
Curtis & Hill, of Philadelphia, as a construc-
tion foreman, with their contract of relaying
the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad
west of Harrisburg. When the contract was
completed, the American Car & Foundry Com-
pany, of Berwick, tendered Mr. Ent the po-
sition of construction foreman at their plant
in Berwick, which he accepted and retained
until he entered into the contest for election
to the office of sheriff of Columbia county.
His former record as a county official had
survived the passing of the years and his elec-
tion was assured upon his nomination. Mr.
Ent fulfilled the functions of that office on
the same high plane of efficiency which had
characterized his former public service.
Following his term of several vears Mr.
Ent started a garage at the corner of Main
and East streets, Bloomsburg, an enterprise
which he conducted in such a manner that
the patronage of the public made it a great
success. His latest occupation, and probably
the one of greatest responsibility in his career,
is that of superintendent for the State high-
way department, which gives him jurisdiction
of road maintenance and improvement in Co-
lumbia, Montour and Northumberland coun-
ties, with supervision over hundreds of men.
The demand on his time of this work com-
pelled the relinquishment of his private en-
terprise, and for several years Mr. Ent has
devoted all of his working hours to this great
field of public betterment.
Whether the incumbent of a minor office,
like the tax collectorship of a small commu-
nity like Scott township, to which he was
elected many years ago, to the important re-
sponsibility of guiding the efforts of hun-
dreds of men working for the public good,
Mr. Ent has consistently demonstrated his
conscientious endeavor and ability to handle
the propositions intrusted to him.
In every movement for either county, com-
munity or party betterment, ]\Ir. Ent is a
factor. His hand is always ready to help
financially, and hjs shoulder to aid in push-
ing along the wheel of progress. He is prom-
inent in Elkdom, being a charter member of
the Bloomsburg lodge, and having served as
its secretary for five years. He is a member
of the Sons of Veterans Camp at Berwick,
and an honorary member of the Columbia
County \'eteran Association and the Sixth
Pennsylvania Reserves. Mr. Ent took a very
prominent part in the erection of Bloomsburg's
notable soldiers' and sailors' monument, which
stands in the public square, at the intersection
of Market and Main streets.
On' Dec. 6, 1888, Mr. Ent became united in
marriage with Florence Hoffman, of Light
Street, a daughter of John W. and Mar>'
(Millard) Hoffman. Her father was sheriff
of Columbia county in 1876. To Mr. and
Mrs. Ent have been born the following chil-
dren: Elizabeth, Millard, Harold, Welling-
ton. Mary, Martha, Ruth (who died at the age
of five), Irene and Frederick. The comfort-
able home is on West Third street, and the
large family which have sprung from this
union are not only a credit to their parentage
but to their sturdy and prominent ancestry as
well.
CHARLES E. WELLIVER, of Blooms-
burg, at present serving as one of the board
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
539
of commissioners of Columbia county, be-
longs to a family which has been established
here for about a century. He was born in
Montour township, Columbia county, April ii,
1858, son of Evan W'elliver, and is a grand-
son of Samuel W'elliver, who founded the
family in this section.
Samuel W'elliver was born in New Jersey,
and came to Columbia county at an early date.
Settling at Mordansville, he lived and died
there. His widow, whose maiden name was
Martha Jones, married for her second hus-
band, Samuel W'olf. By her marriage to Mr.
Welliver she had the following children :
John ; Evan ; Eli ; Daniel ; Mary , Mrs. Kil-
guss ; Rebecca ; Ellen, Mrs. John German ;
Lavina, Mrs. High Alberton ; and Margaret,
Mrs. Theodore Smith;
Evan W'elliver was born Feb. 15, 1825,
in the western part of Columbia county. He
followed the trade of shoemaker and was also
engaged in teaming. On April 26, 1849. he
married Mary C. Guild, who was born Feb.
28, 183 1, in Hemlock township, and died April
II, 1883, surviving her husband, who had
passed away March 12, 1876; his death oc-
curred in I\Iontour township, Columbia coun-
ty. They were buried at Bloomsburg. Mr.
and Mrs. Evan W'elliver were the parents of
children as follows : William B. G., John E.,
Mary E. (Mrs. Jonathan Pursel), Charles E.,
Sarah M. (Mrs. C. P. Curtin), Alice R. (Mrs.
William Christian), Katie M., Evan D. and
Elmer Wood.
Charles E. Welliver attended public school
in Montour township, and learned telegraphy
at Rupert, Columbia county, following that
business for a short time. Then he engaged
in the carpentry and building business at
Bloomsburg, at which he was engaged for a
period of twenty years. In 1911 he was elected
to the ofifice of county commissioner on the
Democratic ticket, receiving a highly compli-
mentary vote — substantial testimony of his
wide acquaintance and popularity. He now
devotes all his time to the duties of his re-
sponsible position, which calls for business
ability and efficiency of the highest order.
]\Ir. W'elliver married on June 25, 1884,
Clara E. Rabb, ilaughter of William and
-\bigail Rabb, of Bloomsburg, and they have
had four children, namely : Pauline j\I., who
died in infancy : W'illiam E. : Walter E. ; and
Charlotte B. Mr. W'elliver is a member of the
Presbvterian Church, and sociallv belongs to
the P.' O. S. of A. at Danville, Pa., and to the
United Americans and Knights of Malta at
Bloomsburgr.
REV. MORRIS WALTON, father of
Mrs. Riley L. Kline, was a native of Salem
township, Luzerne Co., Pa., and of Quaker
stock, his grandfather, Joseph Walton, having
been a member of the Society of Friends. The
latter died Aug. 3, 1851, aged seventy-five
years, eight months. He cleared the property
upon which ^lorris Walton died.
Enoch W'alton, father of Rev. Morris Wal-
ton, was born Nov. 29, 1805, in Salem town-
ship, Luzerne county, and he lived and died
there, owning and operating a farm of 120
acres at Beach Grove. He engaged in gen-
eral farming, and was very prosperous, own-
ing five hundred acres, all in Luzerne county.
His death occurred Nov. 24, 1885, on the farm
where he always lived. His first wife, Juliann
(Lunger), died Jan. 29, 1834, and his second
marriage was to Rachel Garrison, born March
22, 1811, who died Aug. 17, 1887. Three chil-
dren were born to the first union : Joseph, Feb.
14, 1830; Anna, Jan. 2, 1832; and Ellis, Sept.
'S- ^^33- By the second there were five:
Morris, born June 9, 1837; Almira, Aug. 17,
1841 ; Rosanna, Nov. i, 1843 (died Aug. 3,
1851) : Mary Jane, July 6, 1847 (died July 21,
1850) ; George E., May 9, 1854. Ellis and
George are the only survivors of the family.
Morris \\'alton, born June 9, 1837, followed
farming, living on his father's 120-acre tract
above Beach Haven, all of which was cleared
and under cultivation. He continued to en-
gage in general agriculture until about twenty-
nine years old, when he became a minister of
the Evangelical Association, preaching on the
Columbia circuit. His wife, Rosanna Caroline
( Kline ), born Oct. 4, 1836, was a daughter of
George and Sophia ( Malthaner ) Kline, both
of whom were natives of Germany. Three
children were born to Air. and Mrs. Morris
Walton: Sarah Alice, born Dec. 3, i860, Mrs.
Riley L. Kline; Charles N., born May 8, 1863,
who lives in Monroe, N. Y. ; and Harry E.,
born July 8, 1865. The father of this family
died Aug. 6. 1870.
In the Garrison line Mrs. Riley L. Kline is
descended from Matthias Garrison, who
served in the Revolutionary war from New
Jersey. He lived in Amwell township, Hunter-
don Co., N. J., later in Stissex county and
Knowlton, Warren county, same State, where
he died. By occupation he was a farmer. His
wife. Elizabeth (Fortner), born July 13, 1744,
died July 13, 1823, aged eighty-one years, and
is buried at Mifflinville, Pa. Their children
were: Mary, wife of Emanuel Kirkendall ;
Jacob, who married Annie Seeley; Joseph,
who married Mrs. Annie (Seeley) Garrison:
540
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Benjamin; Matthias; Elizabeth, wife of Ed-
mond Freeman ; and Rachel, who married
Matthias Fisher.
Benjamin Fortner, Airs. Elizabeth (Fort-
ner) Garrison's father, was a son of Benjamin
Fortner. His wife, Isabelle Douglass, was a
daughter of Lord Archibald Douglass (son of
James Douglass), born in 1691, at Bothwell
Castle, Scotland, and died in 1 781, at Glasgow.
Her coming to America and subsequent ex-
periences before her marriage were very try-
ing. Her father first married Jane Edmunds,
who bore him the following children ; Isabelle,
James, Sholto, Joseph, Jane and Charles.
When he remarr.ied, the stepmother practically
made a servant of Isabelle, who finally de-
cided to leave home. She started for America
with a lady bound for Philadelphia, but the
vessel was captured by pirates, who brought
the passengers to Philadelphia, but only re-
leased those who could pay ransom. Isabelle
was practically sold as a slave, her time being
bought by a man from Anwell township,
Hunterdon Co., N. J., then at Philadelphia on
business. He took her to his home, expecting
her to work out the sum he had paid. There
she met Benjamin Fortner, who fell in love
with her, and they worked together to accu-
mulate enough money to redeem her. After
their marriage they lived for a number of
years in Hunterdon county, N. J., where nine
children were born to them ; two more chil-
dren were born after their removal to Sussex
county, X. J., where both ]\lr. and Mrs. Fort-
ner died.
Matthias Garrison, son of Matthias and
Elizabeth (Fortner) Garrison, was born Oct.
30, 1777, and lived in New Jersey until after
his father's death, when he removed to Penn-
sylvania, In December, 1800. he married
Susanna Seeley, who was born Feb. 24, 1784,
and by whom he had a family of twelve chil-
dren: Elizabeth, born Dec. 8, 1801, married
Joseph Firierton, and died in Illinois; Elsie,
born Nov. 6, 180.^, married Jacob Cope, of
Moore's Church, Salem township : Benjamin
died young ; John, born Aug. 8. 1808, moved to
Illinois in 1843: Sarah died young; Rachel,
born March 22, 181 1, married Enoch Walton;
^Villiam Garrison, born July 22, 1813, married ;
Nathan, born Dec. 3, 181 5, married a Miss
Seybert and (second) Rachel Lyons; Mary,
born Jan. 12, 1818, died when three years old;
Matthias, born April 24, 1820, married Mary
E. Girton ; Jacob, born Aug. 25, 1822, died
young; Susannah, born Sept. 15, 1824, mar-
ried William H. Harris.
On Nov. 29 1832. Mr. Garrison married
(second) Alary White, who was born Nov.
17. 1797. and by whom he had these children:
Alem B., born Nov. 30, 1833, died when ten
years old; Henry, born Jan. 31, 1836, married
.\bigail Brader; Martha, born July 6, 1837,
died young; Joseph, born July 26, 1840, mar-
ried Sidney ll. I'ollock; Drusilla, born Aug.
i(\ 1842, married Tobias Henry.
HERBERT S. GROVE, proprietor of the
II. S. Grove department store at Catawissa,
Pa., was born in Kelly township. Union Co.,
Pa., June 28, 1877, son of Abraham Grove and
grandson of David Grove. His paternal
great-grandfather brought his family from
Lancaster county. Pa., to Union county, and
settled in Kelly township, near Lewisburg.
There he engaged in farming for the remain-
der of his life, and died upon his property.
His children were: Adam, David, Abraham,
John, and several daughters.
David Grove was one of the pioneers of
Kelly township. Union county, and died on
the farm which he had acquired and operated.
He married Mary Gemberling, and their chil-
dren were: Abraham; Adam, who is de-
ceased ; Lewis, deceased ; Philip, who is resid-
ing near Lewisburg, Pa, ; and Elizabeth, who
married Andrew Lesher and lives in Lewis-
burg, Pennsylvania.
Abraham (irove, son of David Grove, is a
farmer in Kelly township, where he owns
farming property. He married Mary C. Wal-
ter, daughter of Solomon Walter and sister
of ex-Judge L. S. Walter, of Mount Carmel,
Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Grove became the parents
of the following children: Minnie, who is
deceased ; David W., who is clerking for his
brother, Herbert S, ; Lillie C, who married
Rev. Caleb Ayers ; John M., who owns and
operates a farm in Union county ; Harry W.,
who is also clerking for his brother. Herbert
S. ; Chester George ; Herbert S. ; Abraham
M. ; Edwin \'. ; and Franklin A.
Herbert S. (irove attended the schools of
Kelly township and the Milton high school, re-
maining at home until he had attained his ma-
jority. At that time he took a business course
in a commercial college at Rochester. N. Y.,
and in 1902 came to Catawissa. where with
only fifty dollars of capital he embarked in the
confectionery business in a small way. From
the beginning he was successful, notwithstand-
ing the fact that his health for the first eight
years of his business career was such that the
physicians said life was only a matter of a few
years. He underwent an absolute fast of
thirty-four days, as advised by his physician.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
541
after which his heaUh became normal. Mr.
Grove has extended the scope of his business,
adding different lines to his stock until he is
now the leading merchant of Catawissa, car-
rying a full line of dry goods, groceries and
men's furnishings. In 1906 he put up what is
now his main building, but in 1909 found it
necessary to erect an addition on JNIain street,
adjoining the Catawissa National Bank, and
another enlargement has been necessary since,
made in the summer of 1913. At present he
has 14,000 square feet of floor space, which is
barely sufficient for the exacting demands of
his large trade, and gives employment to from
thirteen to twenty clerks according to the sea-
son. His store is largely patronized not only
by the people of Catawissa, but those from a
large territory contiguous to the borough.
Mr. Grove belongs to the P. O. S. of A., Camp
No. 540, of Catawissa.
Herbert S. Grove married Lillian L. Ober-
dorf, a daughter of Martin L. and Frances
(Kissler) Oberdorf, and grandaughter of
Nathan Oberdorf. Mr. and Mrs. Grove have
no issue.
CHARLES SH.XRPLESS SHUMAN,
now a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y., is a de-
scendant of the Shuman family which has been
settled in Columbia county for several genera-
tions, its members ranking among the lead-
ing citizens of Main township and Catawissa
borough, where it is represented at the pres-
ent day by several who are bearing the name
creditably.
William K. Shuman, father of Charles S.
Shuman, was born in Main township, Colum-
bia county, April 8, 1849, son of John T.
Shuman, a lifelong resident of that township,
being the eldest of his family of six sons and
three daughters. His early education was se-
cured in a country school, and he later at-
tended and graduated from the Millville Aca-
demy, of Millville, Pa., after which he taught
school four years. On April 18, 1871, in his
twenty-third year, he married Emma J. Hess,
a daughter of Phillip and Sarah (Pohe) Hess.
She was born May 12, 1852, at Mifflinville, Pa.
Three children were born to this union : Min-
nie, who died at the age of thirty-four years :
Charles Sharpless, and George Ario. After
marriage Mr. Shuman purchased one of his
father's farms, where he lived mitil his death.
He was temperate in his habits and at all times
a progressi\e and hard-working farmer. Po-
litically he was a Democrat, and held several
township offices. Both he and Mrs. Shuman
were members of the Lutheran Church. In the
fall of 1893 he was taken with a severe cold,
due to over-exposure, which developed into
typhoid fever, and after a short illness he
died, Nov. 8th, at his home in Main township,
and was buried at Catawissa. His widow is
still living at Espy, Pa. The youngest son,
George Ario Shuman, is a student at Jeffer-
son Medical College, Philadelphia.
Charles Sharpless Shuman, son of William
K. Shuman, was born at Mainville, Pa., Oct.
23, 1880. His early education was received at
a country school, which he attended until thir-
teen years old, when his father died. He then
went to the grammar and high schools at Cata-
wissa and later to the State Normal School at
Bloomsburg. He taught school at McAuley
one year, and at the age of twenty went to
Philadelphia, where he graduated from the
Palmer business college. Later he took a
course in electrical engineering at Drexel In-
stitute. In 1906 he became affiliated with a
concern in New York manufacturing automo-
bile parts and accessories, and he still con-
tinues in this business. He is a member of the
Free and Accepted Masons of the State of
New York, and has taken an active part in
the work of the fraternity. He is also a mem-
ber of the Sons of the Revolution of the State
of New York, as well as several clubs. In
June, 1913, Mr. Shuman married Evelyn Crev-
eling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Crev-
eling, of Espy, Pa. They have no children.
Mr. and Mrs. Shuman reside at No. 802 Presi-
dent street, Brooklyn. They are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically
he is an independent Republican.
WILLIAM FREDERICK JACOBS, who
is engaged in a general insurance business at
Danville, has established a lucrative patron-
age in the comparatively short time he has
followed that line. He was born in Danville
Oct. 5. 1862, son of John and Charlotte
(Frisch) Jacobs, and belongs to a much re-
spected family of the borough.
John Jacob's, late of Danville, was one of
the substantial business men of his day. Born
in Germany Sept. 19, 1836, he was a son of
Henry and Elizabeth (Weber) Jacobs, both
also natives of that country, where they were
farming people. They had a family of eight
children, of w4iom John was the sixth. He
was reared on a farm until he reached the
age of seventeen years, at which time, in 1854,
he came to America. His first location in this
country was at Pottsville, Pa., where he
learned the trade of baker and confectioner.
In the year 1859 he came thence to Danville,
542
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Montour county, and in i860 opened a bakery
and confectionery store, this being the be-
ginning of the large wholesale and retail busi-
ness which he built up as time passed. His
place of business was on Mill street. Mr.
Jacobs retired from active participation in
the business in 1901, since which time it has
been conducted by his sons. His death oc-
curred July 4, 1907. .Mr. Jacobs was a man
of enterprising nature, and was an interested
worker in local matters, serving the borough
for one term as member of the council. Po-
litically he was a Democrat. He was a mem-
ber of Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.,
Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M., and Cal-
vary Commandery, No. 37, K. T., and was
well known in that fraternity ; he also held
membership in the I. O. O. F. and Knights
of Pythias. With his wife he belonged to the
Lutheran Church, which he served for years
as trustee and treasurer.
On Dec. i, 1859, Mr. Jacobs married Char-
lotte Frisch, daughter of Frederick and Eliza-
beth (Dietrick) Frisch, both of whom were
natives of Germany. Mr. Frisch was a pat-
ternmaker, and followed his trade in Danville
for some time. Mrs. Jacobs died Sept. 28,
1909. She was the mother of eight children,
namely : William Frederick, Charles H.,
George B., Clara L., Alfred E., Elizabeth
Margaret, John R. and Mary H.
W. Fred Jacobs was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Danville, and learned the bakery
and confectionery business with his father,
with whom he worked continuously with the
exception of about five years when he was
at the State Hospital for the Insane at Dan-
ville, having charge of the bakery there from
January, 1893, to October, 1897. When the
father retired, in 1901, three of his sons, W.
Fred., George B. and John R. Jacobs, took
over the business, which has since been con-
ducted under the name of J. Jacobs' Sons. W.
Fred. Jacobs remained a member of the firm
until 1910, when he sold his interest in the
business to his two brothers. For one year
afterward he conducted the Danville Steam
Laundry, and in January, 191 2, he started the
insurance business, handling all kinds of in-
surance and doing a particularly good busi-
ness as a fire underwriter. Mr. Jacobs main-
tains the high business standards for which
his family has been noted, and deserves the
high regard in which he is held by all his fel-
low citizens. He takes a deep interest in the
general welfare, as may be judged by his con-
nection with the ^Municipal League, of which
he is secretary, and he has served part of a
term, two years, as assessor of the Third
ward. In political faith he is a Democrat.
Socially he is a Alason (member of Mahon-
ing Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M., which he
serves as secretary) and a member of the
Royal Arcanum. His religious connection is
with the Pine Street Lutheran Church.
On March 11, 1885, Mr. Jacobs married
Jennie McCoy, of Danville, who was born Jan.
19, 1862, daughter of Robert and Ellen
( Voris) McCoy, the former a contractor
and builder. Four children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs : Randall, now a
lieutenant, junior grade, in the United States
navy, stationed in the Navy Department at
Washington, D. C, was married Aug. 28,
1913, to Emily Voris, daughter of John L.
and Mary (Hamor) Voris, of near Potts-
grove; Robert M., of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., an
ophthalmologist, married Margaret Evans, of
Danville, and they have one child, Eleanor
Elmerta ; George F. is an ensign in the United
States navy, on the "Minnesota" ; Samuel j\L
is a student at Pennsylvania State College.
EDWARD WHITE PETERS, secretary
of the Danville Foundry & Machine Company,
has been associated with that concern since
1910. He has been a citizen of the borough
since 1884 and has been employed at iron
works of various kinds throughout that period.
Mr. Peters was born March 25, 1870, at
Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and
received an excellent education, attending
high school at Danville and the Franklin and
Marshall Academv at Lancaster. Pa. For a
number of years he was employed by the Ma-
honing Rolling .Mill Company and the Read-
ing Iron Company, being chief clerk of the
latter for a period of ten years. In 1910 he
liecame secretary of the Danville Foundry &
Machine Company, in which position he has
done valuable work in building up the fortunes
of this establishment. Mr. Peters has been
quite prominent in the local government, hav-
ing served nine years as tax receiver of Dan-
ville, and he is at present councilman, to which
office he was elected in 1912. He is a Knight
Templar IMason and a member of the Shrine,
and also belongs to the B. P. O. Elks. His
religious connection is with the Reformed
Church. In 1896 he married Ella B. Aten,
of Danville.
The Danville Foundry & Machine Com-
pany is engaged in the manufacture of spe-
cial machinery and structural iron work, and
its plant occupies an entire square along East
[Market street. The concern was originally
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
543
organized in 1887 as the Mahoning Rolling
Mill Company, which, in 1893, was taken in
hand by a receiver, who operated it until 1895.
Then C. H. Frick ran it for a short time, and
in 1898 it was purchased by Howe & Polk
(F. P. Howe and R. K. Polk), who carried
it on until 1903. The next owners were Cur-
ry & Vannan, who conducted the plant for
some time and were succeeded by Curry &
Company, who ran it for two years, until
1906, in July of which year the business was
incorporated under its present title, the Dan-
ville Foundry & Machine Company, with a
capital of $40,000. The officers at that time
were: F. H. Vannan, president; R. B. Pursel,
secretary ; Thomas J. Price, treasurer. The
present officers are: F. H. Vannan, president;
Clarence E. Haupt, vice president; E. W.
Peters, secretary; Thomas J. Price, treasurer,
and Irvin Vannan, general manager and me-
chanical engineer. The employees number 135,
a fact which gives this establishment an im-
portant place among the various enterprises
of the town.
JOHN N. HERR, manufacturer of wheat
and buckwheat flour and dealer in all kinds of
feed, at Schuyler, Pa., was born at Straw-
berry Ridge, Montour Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1858,
son of Samuel and Christianna (Snyder)
Herr.
John Herr, paternal grandfather of John
N. Herr, was one of the first settlers in the
vicinity of Strawberry Ridge, Pa., where he
acquired a large tract of land. He was
engaged in farming all of his life, and became
one of the substantial and influential men of
his community. His wife bore the maiden
name of Elizabeth Moyer.
Samuel Herr, son of John Herr, was born
Aug. 14, 1818, in Lancaster county. Pa., and
as a young man accompanied his parents to
Strawberry Ridge, there engaging in farming
for many years. Like his father he was suc-
cessful in his ventures, accumulated a good
property, and was known as a man of enter-
prise and public spirit. He died Aug. 23,
1889, at Washingtonville, Pa., at the age of
seventy-one years. Mr. Herr married Chris-
tianna Snyder, a native of Derry township,
Montour Co., Pa., born Nov. 10, 1829, daugh-
ter of Daniel and Elizabeth Snyder. She died
April 25, 1895. Eight children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Herr, namely: (i)John N.
(2) Sarah Jane married Daniel Edward Fra-
zier, of Derry township, Montour county, and
their children are Samuel Rolland, Minnie
Alice, Raymond Edward, Christine Pearl and
Lake Jenkins. (3) Mary Emma married
Emmanuel Mowrer, and their children are
Charles, Eva and Mollie. (4) Samuel Wil-
lis, born Jan. 4, 1868, a resident of Danville,
Pa., first married Ida Fenstermacher, who
died in California, leaving one son, Charles.
His second marriage was to May Reichley,
by whom he has one child, David Martin. (5)
Annie Cora, born Jan. 27, 1873, is the wife
of Charles Strauss, of Sunbury, Pa., and has a
family of six children, Lillian, Willis, Violet,
Elrey, Jennie and Elwilda. (6) Franklin
died in infancy. (7) David, deceased, mar-
ried Effie Gresh. (8) Catherine married
Clinton Jenkins, and died, leaving two daugh-
ters, Stella, now the wife of Robert Farns-
worth, and Sadie, married to Frank Miller.
John N. Herr remained under the parental
roof until he attained the age of eighteen
years, at which time he left home and went to
Iowa, being there engaged in farming for two
years. At the end of that period he returned
to the home of his parents, who in the mean-
while had moved to Derry township, locating
on the old Brailey farm. After his father's
retirement Mr. Herr managed the home farm
until it was disposed of by his father, who
after his retirement made his home at Wash-
ingtonville. Mr. Herr then moved to Schuy-
ler, where he bought the Schuyler flour mill,
which he has since improved, and is now do-
ing a constantly increasing business in the
manufacture of high-grade wheat and buck-
wheat flour, as a dealer in all kinds of feed,
and as a shipper of grain and baled hay. The
plant is now known as the Keystone Steam
]\.oller Mills. Industry and careful manage-
ment have made this one of the leading busi-
ness concerns of Schuyler, and have given
Mr. Herr a firmly established position among
the leading citizens of the place. He was a
charter member of the Farmers' National
Bank of Exchange, Pa., and one of its di-
rectors.
On March 15, 1883, Mr. Herr was married
to Anna L. Gibson, born Sept. 13, 1864, daugh-
ter of George and Mary (Flickinger) Gib-
son. Two children have been born to this
union: Murray E., born Feb. 3, 1884, and
Olive Vesta, born July 2, 1894, the latter liv-
ing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Herr are Luther-
ans, Mr. Herr belonging to the Washington-
ville Church, and Mrs. Herr to St. James
Church, at Turbotville. He is a member of
Warrior Run Lodge, No. 645, I. O. O. F., of
Turbotville, to which his son also belongs.
Murray E. Herr was married June 25, 1908,
to Hannah K. Betz, and they reside at Schuy-
544
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ler, Pa. They have one child, John Larue,
born Aug. 24, 191 1. Mrs. Herr was bora
Oct. 3, 1877, daughter of Willard and Cor-
deha (.Smith) Betz, natives and residents of
Exchange, Anthony township, Montour coun-
ty. The latter's father, Jonas Smith, was also
born at Exchange, and his wife was a Bitler ;
both are deceased.
Henry Gibson, the grandfather of Mrs.
John N. Herr, was born in Berks county, Pa.,
and there followed farming throughout his
life.
George Gibson, son of Henry Gibson, and
father of iMrs. Herr, was born April 28, 1820,
in Liberty township, Montour Co., Pa., and
as a youth learned the trade of wheelwright.
Subsequently he turned to the vocation of
farming, and was thus engaged during the
greater part of his life. He died Feb. 8, 1891.
Mr. Gibson married Mary Flickinger, who
was born Alay 30. 1824, and died Aug. 5,
1886, and of the children born to this union
four survive: Charles, born April 27, 1852,
and Edward, born Sept. 14, 1866, both resid-
ing at Washingtonville ; Sarah, born Aug. 19,
i860; and Anna L., Mrs. John X. Herr.
HUGH BRADSHAW MEREDITH, M.
D., superintendent and physician in charge of
the State Hospital for the Insane, Danville,
was born at Doylestown, Bucks Co.. Oct.
26, 1853, son of Aaron and Martha S. (Scholl)
Meredith.
The Meredith family is of Welsh descent,
and has been established in this country since
the early Colonial period, the emigrant an-
cestors settling in Bucks and Chester coun-
ties. Pa. Of this family was -Samuel Mere-
dith, the first treasurer of the United States
and an active participant in the Revolutionary
war. He is buried near Carbondale, Pa.
Hugh Meredith, the Doctor's grandfather,
married when a young man. and reared the
following family : Simon, who became a coal
merchant in Philadelphia : Moses, who was a
farmer of Bucks county; a daughter who mar-
ried Henry Clymer : Hannah Gregory; Har-
riet, and Aaron. The Merediths have been
Whigs and Republicans down to the present
time. The early members of the family were
Friends in religious persuasion.
.\aron Meredith, son of Hugh, was born in
Bucks county. Pa., and became a farmer,
which calling he followed throughout his ac-
tive life. His wife. Martha S. (Scholl), was
born in Perry county. Pa., and her father was
also a native of Pennsylvania and a minis-
ter of the Reformed Church, and located in
Cumberland county. Pa. To Aaron Mere-
dith and his wife were born children as fol-
lows: Annie, who married Dr. C. D. Fretz,
now living at Sellersville, Pa. ; Carrie, who
married S. F. Day, a civil engineer, now
living at Norfolk, Va. ; Laura \'., unmarried;
Fannie, who married Rev. Frank Aliller, now
pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Nobles-
ville, Ind. ; and Hugh B. The father of this
family, .Aaron Meredith, died and was buried
at Doylestown, Bucks Co., Pa.
Dr. Hugh Bradshaw Meredith attended the
jiublic schools and graduated from the pri-
vate academy at Doylestown, and during his
young manhood taught school for a year. He
soon took up the study of medicine, entering
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York,
in 1875, and graduated from the medical de-
partment of the University of Pennsylvania
in 1877. Following this he began general prac-
tice in his native place, and on Feb. 19, 1879,
came to Danville, Pa., having accepted a po-
sition as assistant to Dr. Schultz, the superin-
tendent of the State Hospital for the In-
sane. He continued in this capacity until the
death of Dr. Schultz, which occurred in 1891,
when Dr. Meredith was appointed his suc-
cessor, and in 1892 he was elected to the posi-
tion for a term of ten years. He has been
retained continuously since, having been re-
elected in 1902 and again in 1912, for ten
years. When Dr. Meredith came to the hos-
pital there were accommodations for only
four hundred patients, and during his admin-
istration it has been enlarged to several times
that capacity, there being quarters at present
for 1,450.
Dr. Meredith has come to be regarded as
one of the leading authorities on insanity and
kindred ailments. He is a man of original
ideas, and has inaugurated forms of treat-
ment which have proved successful in his own
institution and elsewhere. His unbounded
energy and executive ability have made the
Danville hospital one of the leading asylums
of the countrv. As an administrator of af-
fairs he has shown remarkable executive abil-
ity and has brought the institution to a high
standard of usefulness. He is a member of
the Montour County Medical Society, the
Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the
American Medical Association, and Medico-
Psychological Association.
On Dec. 30, 1891, Dr. Meredith was mar-
ried to Mary S. Eyer, of Bloomsburg, Pa-
daughter of Frederick C. and Emma (Linn)
Eyer. the former a merchant, and for years
steward of the Danville Hospital. Both he
/
Jzj^J^ J^l^Z^e.^^^j2-jJ^Zlp^
I
i
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
545
and his wife are natives of Pennsylvania. Two
children have been born to Dr. and Mrs.
Meredith, Mary Eyer and Emily E., the latter
dying when six years old. Dr. Meredith is
a member of Christ (Memorial) Church of
Danville. He is a Republican in politics.
DANIEL NORMAN DIEFFENBACH-
ER, present superintendent of the public
schools at Danville, has been engaged in pub-
lic school work here since 1890, as teacher
and superintendent. He was born Jan. 28,
1863, at VVashingtonville, Montour county,
son of Benjamin S. Dieffenbacher and grand-
son of Conrad Dieiifenbacher. The great-
great-grandfather, Conrad, was a native of
Germany, born March i, 1745, and on com-
ing to this country took up land at VVash-
ingtonville, near Strawberry Ridge; he was
a farmer by occupation. His death occurred
Aug. 6, 1813. His wife, Catherine, whom he
married Jan. 30, 1769, died Jan. 3, i8og.
Philip Dieffenbacher, son of Conrad, died
March 25, 1840, aged sixty-two years, one
month, twenty-two days. His wife, Rosanna,
born Oct. 13, 1782, died Sept. 16, 1869.
Conrad Dieffenbacher, son of Philip, died
Oct. II, 1884, aged seventy-eight years, seven
months, ten days. His wife, Catherine, died
March 19, 1866, aged fifty-three years, eight
months, eleven days.
Benjamin S. Dieffenbacher, son of Con-
rad, was born in Montour county. He learned
the trade of wheelwright, which he followed
for fifteen years, thereafter engaging in farm-
ing to the close of his active life. He is now
living retired. Mr. Dieffenbacher has been a
useful citizen and has served his fellow men
efficiently in various capacities, holding the
office of road supervisor for eight years, and
also serving as member of the town council
and school board of Washingtonville. His
wife, Margaret E. (Berger), was also a native
of Montour county. She died in 1900, and is
buried at Strawberry Ridge. Mrs. Dieffen-
bacher, like her husband, belonged to the Re-
formed Church, which he has served as elder
and deacon ; in politics he is a Republican.
They had children as follows besides Daniel
N. : ' William C, Lettie, Cora, Margaret,
Laura, Carrie, David and Irma.
Daniel Norman Dieffenbacher received his
early education in the public schools of the
home locality, later taking a course at the
Millville Seminary, which he finished in 1884.
After teaching several years in country
school, he came to Danville in 1890 to take the
position of principal of the Second ward
35
grammar school, where he was engaged until
1 90 1. At the same time he pursued a course
of study at the Bloomsburg State normal
school, completing same in 1898. He then
did some post-graduate work at that insti-
tution and subsequently did special work at
Grove City College. In 1901 he was elected
professor of science and mathematics in the
Danville high school. He held that position
until 1907, in which year he was elected super-
intendent of the Danville public schools, and
assumed the duties of that office, which he has
held continuously since. He is a member of
the Pennsylvania State Educational Associa-
tion, the East Central Pennsylvania Round
Table Conference, chairman of the examining
board for permanent State certificates in the
Eighteenth district, and his efficient work in
every capacity has won him the confidence
and cooperation of all concerned in the wel-
fare of public education in this locality. Fra-
ternally he is a member of Mahoning Lodge,
No. 516, F. & A. M., and an Odd Fellow.
On June 10, 1890, Mr. Dieffenbacher mar-
ried Mary Kaufman, of Lewisburg, Pa.,
daughter of Robert and Arminta Kaufman,
farming people. She died Sept. 8, 1892, the
mother of one child, Gordon Leslie, born June
27, 1892. On Aug. 29, 1894, Mr. Dieffen-
bacher married Margaret A. Phillips, of Dan-
ville, daughter of Joseph Reese and Mary
(Alleger) Phillips, the former a boss in the
puddling mill of the Reading Iron Works ;
Mr. Phillips was also a justice of the peace,
serving in that capacity many years. Two
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Dieffenbacher : Thelma Viola, Oct. 25, 1900,
and Paul Nevin. Sept. 27, 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Dieffenbacher are active mem-
bers of Shiloh Reformed Church, of which
he has been deacon for the last fourteen
years. He served as church organist for eight
years, and has been superintendent of the
Sunday school for a number of years. All his
life he has been deeply interested in church
work and the furtherance of religious pro-
jects, and his labors in that line since com-
ing to Danville have been greatly appreciated.
His success as an educator and in his pres-
ent position as superintendent has brought
him in contact with citizens of all classes in
the community, and he is universally re-
spected. Politically he gives his support to
the Democratic party.
DAVID C. WILLIAMS, member of the
board of commissioners and ex-sheriff of
Montour county, now a resident of Danville,
546
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Pa., was Ijorn Jan. 6, 1858, at Danville, son
of George C. and Margaret (Williams)
Williams.
George C. Williams was a native of Great
Britain, born in 1831 in South Wales, whence
he came to this country with his sister Anna,
when he was fourteen years of age. Settling
first at Pottsville, Pa., he there followed the
trade of iron worker, and later came to Dan-
ville and secured a good position in the mills
here. In his latter years he withdrew from
active life, and was living retired at the time
of his death. May 26, 1899, when he was
sixty-eight years of age. He was a veteran
of the Civil war, having served under two
enlistments. On Sept. 2, 1861, he was mus-
tered in as a member of Company E (Capt.
M. R. Manley), 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Reserves, having enlisted Aug. 7th, for three
years' service. He was discharged at Camp
Pierpont, Va., on account of physical disa-
bility, Jan. 8, 1862. His second enlistment,
Feb. 6, 1864, was in Company F, 187th Penn-
sylvania Regiment, under Capt. John E. Reil-
ly, for three years, and he was discharged at
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 3, 1865.
Mr. Williams married Margaret Williams,
daughter of Thomas and Jane Williams, also
Welsh people, and her father was a mill
worker. She was born in June, 1830, and
died Dec. 31, 1897, the mother of eight chil-
dren: Thomas, born in 1852, died Feb. 13,
1880, while studying medicine; Josiah, born in
1857, died young; David C. is next in the
family; Sarah, born in 1859, died young;
John, born in 1863, lives in Butler, N. J. ;
Sarah (2), born in 1869, married John Lun-
ger and after his death became the wife of
William J. Mann, of Philadelphia; Josiah (2),
born in 1871, lives in Philadelphia; Elizabeth,
born in 1874, is married to \'alentine Bier-
man, of Philadelphia.
David C. Williams, son of George C. Wil-
liams, attended public school until he was
twelve years of age, and then entered the
Danville Iron Works, where he was em-
ployed until 1893. I'^ that year he commenced
following the roofing and slating Ijusiness, in
which he has been engaged to the present
time, building up an excellent patronage in
Danville and the adjoining towns and vil-
lages. He is a man of industry, ability and
perseverance, and has been able to accom-
plish a great deal in the business world, de-
serving of all the more credit in that his suc-
cess is due entirely to his own efforts.
On June 19, 1906, Mr. Williams was mar-
ried to Mrs. Clara Ida \'an Horn, the cere-
mony being performed at Philadelphia bv Rev.
Raymond Wilson, formerly of Danville. They
have had no children, but by her first mar-
riage, to Norman Van Horn, Mrs. Williams
had five : Jennie, now a stenographer in the
offices of "Collier's Weekly," at New York
City, is married and has a daughter, Kathe-
rine, born at Danville (now — 1914 — thirteen
years old) ; Nellie, married to Lewis Reick, of
Danville, an iron worker, has three children;
William, a barber, of Danville, married Ger-
trude Snyder, and has one child; Alice is a
student in Russell's business college at Dan-
ville; Catherine lives at home. Mrs. Wil-
liams has been a member of Shiloh Reformed
Church at Danville since 1902.
Mr. Williams is well known among the Odd
Fellows, being a member of Montour Lodge,
No. 109, of which he is a past grand, and he
has been representative to the grand lodge
several times. Since 1876 he has been a
member of the Danville fire department,
served one term as its chief, and is at pres-
ent a trustee. For thirty-three years he has
belonged to the noted musical organization
known as the Washington Drum Corps. In
politics a Republican, Mr. Williams was elect-
ed sheriff of Montour county in i(p6, and in
191 1 was the successful candidate for the
office of county commissioner, in which he
at present is serving with his customary effi-
ciency.
William Hollingshead, father of Mrs.
David C. Williams, was born July 18, 1827,
in Montour township, Columbia county, son
of Francis and Sarah (Richards) Hollings-
head, farming people. He followed farming
and lime burning in Cooper township, Mon-
tour county, and died Sept. 26, 1892, at
Bloomsburg, Columbia county. His wife,
Ruphena (Strausser), a native of Berks
County, Pa., born March 18, 1829, died in
May, 1907, at Danville, Montour county. She
was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran
Church. They had children as follows : El-
mira, born Jan. 22, 1850, died Feb. 3, 1872;
Mary Alice, born Dec. i, 1853, married
Thomas Jones, who is deceased ; Sarah Cath-
arine, born Dec. 19, 1855, died April 28, 1859;
Harriet, born Aug. 3. 1857, died Dec. 13,
1857; Frances Elizabeth, born Mav 15, 1859,
married John Christian and lives in Blooms-
Inirg; Clara Ida, born July 19, 1861, is the
\vif e of David C. Williams ; Jesse, born June
16, 1863, died Nov. 25, 1863; Margaret, born
July 2, 1865, married George Kahler, of
Bloomsburg; John Wesley, born Sept. 21,
1867, a carpenter in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., mar-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
547
lied Sarah Sheatler, who died Jan. 21, 1893,
and he has since married Cora Autman; Bar-
bara Ellen, born Oct. 24, 1869, married Frank
Boone, of Bloomsburg; Nola, born Jan. 20,
1872, married Frank Kashner, a blacksmith,
of Bloomsburg.
JAMES ELSWORTH ROBBINS, M. D.,
has been in practice for twenty years, most of
the time at Uanville, Montour Co., Pa., where
he is first assistant at the State Hospital for
the Insane. He is one of the most influen-
tial men in the profession in his county. Dr.
Robbins was born Feb. 22, 1864, at Asbury,
Columbia Co., Pa., son of Cyrus and Lovina
(Stoker) Robbins. His father was also a
native of Columbia county, and by trade a
carpenter; he took an active interest in poli-
tics and held a numljer of local and county
offices.
The Doctor's ancestors were among the
first settlers in the Fishingcreek valley of
Columbia county, about Orangeville and Ben-
ton. His great-grandfather, Alexander Col-
ly, at the age of seven came with his lirother,
Jonathan Colly, from Chester county. Pa.,
and settled in Jackson township, above Ben-
ton, in 1792. He was educated in Philadel-
phia, and became a civil engineer and school
teacher. Most of the original surveys of the
northern part of Columbia county were made
by him. He wrote deeds and other legal pa-
pers and represented Columbia county in the
Legislature a couple of terms, before the Civil
war. He was a man of firm convictions, but
was genial and witty and had a fund of funny
stories to fit almost any occasion. His chil-
dren were: Stott, Alexander, Jr., Benjamin,
Robert, Elsie (wife of Samuel Hess), Re-
becca (wife of Cotner Auten), and Elizabeth
(wife of Daniel Stoker), maternal grand-
mother of the subject of our sketch.
Dr. Robbins's paternal great-great-grand-
father, William Robbins, lived in New Jer-
sey and served in Washington's army in the
Revolutionary war.
Thomas Robbins, born in 1757, son of Wil-
liam, came from New Jersey and settled near
Orangeville about the time of the American
Revolution. He married Elizabeth Kline,
whose father, Abram Kline, Sr., also came
from New Jersey. Her brothers, .'\bram,
Jr., Mathias, George, Isaac and Harmon
Kline, made their home with her. These
Klines were sturdy and capable people, and
have left numerous descendants living in Co-
lumbia county, along the west branch of the
Susquehanna and in other places. The chil-
dren of Thomas Robbins were : Charity, Mas-
sy, William, Abraham, Thomas, Jr., Daniel,
Mathias, John and Isaac.
Dr. Robbins's maternal grandfather's par-
ents came up from Harrisburg and were of
German descent. His grandfather, Daniel
Stoker, was noted for his piety and charity
to the poor. He was superintendent of a Ger-
man Reformed Sunday school for thirty
years and was largely instrumental in build-
ing the Zion's Reformed Church near Pealer-
town. Lovina (Stoker) Robbins, the mother
of Dr. Robbins, combined the moral and re-
ligious qualities of her father with the intel-
lectual capacity of her grandfather Colly. She
was an intelligent woman, of good judgment,
sincerely religious, and taught a women's
Bible class most of her life. Of an unselfish,
kindly and generous disposition, she literally
"went about doing good." She cared for and
relieved the sick and comforted the sorrow-
ing. She led a most useful and helpful life
and exerted a beautiful influence for miles
about her home.
James Elsworth Robbins received his early
education from his mother, in the public
schools, and at Orangeville Academy, in his
native county, attending until 1882. Mean-
time he had taught country school for two
years, and after completing his course at the
academy was engaged there as teacher for one
year. He then entered Lafayette College, at
Easton, Pa., where he took a four years' clas-
sical course, graduating in 1887, following
which he taught one year in the Harry Hill-
man .\cademy. at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., one year
in the Irving Institute, at Tarrytown, N. Y.,
and also one year at the Mohegan Lake
School, at Mohegan, N. Y. In 1890 he took
up the study of medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania, graduating in 1893, after which
he did general hospital work in the city hos-
pital at Wilkes-Barre, and the Johns' Hop-
kins hospital at Baltimore, Md. In 1895 '^^
came to Danville, Pa., as assistant at the State
Hospital for the Insane, and for the last eight
years has been first assistant at that institu-
tion. He has taken an active interest in the
welfare of the medical fraternities since com-
ing to the county, was honored with the posi-
tion of president of the Montour County Med-
ical Seciety, in 1896 and 1897. and is at pres-
ent a member of the American Academy of
Medicine. He is a member of the Pennsyl-
vania State Medical Society. Dr. Robbins
was long interested in the local Y. M. C. A..
of whicli he served as director for fifteen
years. He is a leading member and elder of
548
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the Mahoning Presbyterian Church at Dan-
ville, in whose work he has taken an active
and useful part. Dr. Robbins throughout his
residence in the borough has been one of its
most esteemed citizens, and his labors in be-
half of all that concerns the welfare of the
locality deserve recognition and appreciation.
EMANUEL SIDLER, a retired resident
of Danville, is one of the oldest surviving
citizens who have held office in Montour
county. He was born March 26, 1829, in Val-
ley township, on the farm where he continued
to live until his retirement, and several gen-
erations of his family have lived in Montour
county.
Jacob, the grandfather of Emanuel Sidler,
spelled the name Sittler ; he was a native of
Germany, and on coming to this country first
settled in New Jersey. He and his son Jacob
moved to Montour county, Pa., then a part
of Columbia county, and purchased a tract
of land in Valley township which later became
the property of Emanuel Sidler, and there
the father carried on general farming the re-
mainder of his active days. He passed from
this life at an advanced age and was buried
in the grounds of the old log church in Ma-
honing township. He had four children, as
follows: Philip, David, Martha and Jacob.
Jacob Sidler, father of Emanuel Sidler, was
born in 1798 in Lehigh county, Pa., supposedly
at Allentown. He learned the trade of car-
penter, which he followed for some time, and
then engaged in farming on the old home-
stead, which consisted of 140 acres of highly
cultivated land. He had come to Montour
county with his wife and father. By the time
of his death, when he was sixty-two years
old, he had also acquired another farm, of
210 acres. His wife, who was Elizabeth Ben-
field, also a native of Pennsylvania, daughter
of Thomas Benfield, died aged fifty-two years.
They are interred in the Straub burial ground
in Valley township. They were the parents
of the following children : John, Mary, Jacob,
Emanuel, Sarah. Lavina, Franklin and Eliza-
beth, Emanuel being the only survivor. Jacob
Sidler, the father, was a strong Democrat, and
served as supervisor many years ; in religious
views he was Lutheran, holding membership
at the old log church in Mahoning township.
Emanuel Sidler, the fourth child of the fam-
ily, received his education in the public schools
of the home district. Farming was always
his principal occupation, and the home place
was considerably improved during his active
years, becoming one of the most desirable
country dwellings in the township. The prop-
erty comprises one hundred acres, and Mr.
Sidler still owns it, though he moved thence
to Danville in 1895, since when he has led a
retired life. His son, N. E. Sidler, now
operates the homestead place. On May 10,
1 85 1, Mr. Sidler was struck by lightning, and
felt the eftects of his injury for many years.
In his earlier manhood Mr. Sidler was well
known as an able administrator of public af-
fairs, having held many offices. He served
his township as overseer of the poor for the
long period of fifteen years, as school director
for six years, and as township supervisor for
two years. In 1870 he was elected county
treasurer, which office he filled for one term
of two years, and he was subsequently county
commissioner for two terms, during which
period the county jail was built at Danville;
he is the only survivor of the commissioners
serving at that time. In political connection
he has always been a Democrat. He is now
treasurer of the Montour Mutual Fire Insur-
ance Company.
In 1853 Mr. Sidler married Rebecca Fen-
stermacher, who was born in Valley township,
daughter of Abraham and Christiana Fenster-
macher, and died in 1872, aged thirty-five
years. Three children were born to this
union : Martha married Calvin Schultz and
is deceased ; Nathan Elmer, a farmer, living
on the home place, married Ida Moser and
has two children, Clyde and Mary ; William
Hurley, of Philadelphia, married Pearl
Fisher. Mr. Sidler's second marriage, which
took place in 1874. was to Rebecca Bright,
who was born Dec. 3, 1828, at Reading, Pa.,
daughter of Peter and Alary Bright, and sis-
ter of Hon. Dennis Bright. Her father was
of German extraction, her mother of Welsh
descent. No children have been born to this
marriage.
Mr. Sidler was reared in the Lutheran
Church, being confirmed in Straub's Lutheran
Church in Valley township, and he was very
active in that organization, holding the offices
of elder, deacon and trustee. Since taking
up his residence in Danville, he has connected
himself with the I'ine Street Lutheran Church.
JUDGE HENRY DIVEL is one of the
substantial business men of the town of Dan-
ville, where he has been engaged in the same
line, butchering, as employee and proprietor,
since 1859. He was born in Milton, Pa., Dec.
26, 1839, son of Joseph and Maria (Bowers)
Divel, and grandson of Joseph Divel.
Joseph Divel, the grandfather, was a native
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
549
of Germany, and was a butcher and market-
man in W'lirtemberg all his life. Joseph Divel,
the father, was also born in Germany, and fol-
lowed the trade of butcher all his active days.
In 1839 he came to the United States, arriv-
ing at New York City, whence he proceeded
to Milton, Pa. He next went to Harrisburg,
where he worked as a journeyman for some
time, and then returned to Milton, where he
formed a partnership with Jacob Bowers,
opening a butcher shop. They continued the
business for two years and then dissolved
partnership, Mr. Divel going to. Mooresburg,
Montour county. There he engaged in the
meat business, which he carried on until his
death, in 1884, at the age of seventy-five years.
Mr. Divel was twice married, his first wife
being Maria Bowers, a native of Germany.
To them were born two children, Henry and
Mary, the latter the wife of John Moyer, of
Milton, Pa. Mr. Divel chose for his second
wife Catherine Griff, by whom he had the
following children : Sophia, wife of Robert
Mills, of Lock Haven, Pa. ; Joseph F., a
veteran of the Civil war; Joanna, who wedded
P. Lyman Ritter, of Mooresburg, Pa. ; and
three who died in infancy.
Henry Divel was educated in the common
schools of his native town and at the age of
sixteen years went to work with his father,
learning the trade of butcher, which business
he has since followed. In 1859 he removed to
Danville and worked as a journeyman for
Moyer Lyon six years, during this period of
employment losing only one week's work, and
that was owing to a felon on one of his
fingers. On July 4, 1865, in company with
John Rock fellow, he opened a butcher shop
at No. 334 Mill street. On April i, 1875,
Theodore Hoftman purchased the interest of
Mr. Rockfellow and the firm was then known
as Hoffman & Divel until 1900. when Mr.
Divel purchased Hoffman's interest.
Mr. Divel married Barbara Fleckenstein, a
daughter of Peter Fleckenstein. born April 2,
1843, ^"fl children as follows have been born
to them : Emma, wife of S. G. Johnson, a
large real estate dealer of New Mexico ; Mary
Elizabeth, who married W. L. Sidler, Register
and Recorder of Montour county. Pa. ; Lilly
May, married to Henry Woolheater. a farmer
of Montour county. Pa. ; Charlotte : ^largaret.
deceased; Laura, now the wife of George W.
Billman, of Reading, Pa., insurance adjuster
and agent ; Ella, a trained nurse, now in Phil-
adelphia ; Minnie, also a trained nurse in that
city; Joseph, who married Luella Werkheiser.
of Danville ; and Anna, married to Amnion
Keiser, ticket agent at Danville for the Dela-
ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com-
pany.
Air. Divel owns a handsome residence at No.
404 Church street, and two large tenement
houses. He and his family are members of
the Lutheran Church at Danville. Politically
he is an earnest adherent of Democratic prin-
ciples and lends the weight of his influence to
the support of that party. He enjoys the con-
fidence and respect of his fellow townsmen,
has served one term in the council, and two
terms as associate judge, from 1890 to 1900.
Socially Judge Divel is a member of Dan-
ville Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M. He be-
longs to the Pine Street Lutheran Church, of
the General Synod.
FRANCIS EUGENE HARPEL, M. D., a
physician and surgeon of Danville, Montour
Co., Pa., was bom at Reading, Berks Co.,
Pa., June 15, 1844, son of Mark and Martha
(Morgan) Harpel.
Mark Harpel was born Nov. 10, 1810, at
Philadelphia, Pa., and was a Lutheran min-
ister all of his mature years. An accomplished
linguist, he spoke and wrote Latin, Greek,
P'rench, German and English. He died at
Shamokin, at the home of his son Dr. M. H.
Harpel, Nov. 16, 1892.
Francis Eugene Harpel accjuired his early
education in the public schools of Bethlehem
and in Lancaster county, and took summer
courses at Millersville. In order to defray
the expenses of tuition he taught during the
winter seasons. In Lancaster county he
learned the trade of marble cutter, but his
health failing him he resumed school teach-
ing in that county, where he was so engaged
until 1868, when he commenced the study of
medicine at Shamokin with his brother. Dr.
M. H. Harpel. In 1869 he entered Hahnemann
^ledical College, at Philadelphia, and was
graduated from that institution in 1871, im-
mediately afterward coming to Danville,
where he followed general practice a short
time. Removing to White Oak, near Man-
heim, Lancaster county, he was located there
for one year, and was then associated in prac-
tice with his brother at Shamokin for three
months, after which he spent a short time at
Hamburg. Berks county, returning to Dan-
ville in 1873. He has been in practice there
continually since.
During the Civil war Dr. Harpel was not
found lacking in patriotism, for he enlisted
from Lancaster county with the militia, be-
ing mustered out after three weeks' service
550
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He was in the action at Chambersburg, and
was lying in camp while the battle of Antietam
was being fought. Dr. Harpel has given lojal
service as a public official also, having been a
school director for nine years in Danville. He
belongs to the State Homeopathic Medical
Society and to the Inter-State Homeopathic
Medical Society of Pennsylvania and New
York. Fraternally he is a member of the
Odd Fellows and a past grand of the local
organization. Myrtle Lodge, No. 858, and also
belongs to the grand lodge of the State and
to Mnemoloton Encampment, No. 40. of Dan-
ville. His church membership is in St. Paul's
Methodist Church, which he formerly perved
as trustee for a number of years.
On Dec. 4, 1883, Dr. Harpel was married
to Euphemia A. Brader, who was born Dec.
3, i860, daughter of Joseph M. and Minerva
(Wight) Brader, the former a minister of
the Evangelical Association. Mr. Brader was
born Feb. 24, 1839, and died Dec. 25, 1889 ;
his wife, born Sept. 9, 1841, died May 20,
191 1. Dr. and Mrs. Harpel have two chil-
dren: Martha A., born Feb. 14, 1886, is the
wife of Theodore Angle, editor of the Morn-
ing Nezvs of Danville ; Frances Eugenia, born
May 29, 1895, graduated from the Danville
high school in 191 3, and completed the course
in music at the liloomsburg State normal
school as a member of the class of 1914.
REV. JAMES WOLLASTON KIRK'!
D. D., eleventh minister of the Mahoning
Presbyterian Church, Danville, Pa., has been
in this charge since 1907. Dr. Kirk is a
Pennsylvanian, of Scotch-Irish stock, the old
family Bible showing that his grandfather,
James Kirk, born Aug. 18. 1776, died Feb. 21.
1858, married Margaret Hillis, born Sept. 16.
1775, and died June 5. 183 1. Both were of
Scotch descent. About 1808 they emigrated
from County Down, Ireland, to the United
States, and made their home in Delaware. By
occupation they were farmers. They had
eight children, four of whom, sons, grew to
manhood. Robert and David, twins, were
born .Aug. 26. 1809.
Robert Kirk became a contractor and
builder, serving seven years to learn the trade
thoroughly. About 1840 he took up his
residence in Fairview township, Erie Co., Pa.,
and on April 10, 1844. married Elizabeth
Fargo, soon afterward settling upon a farm
in the same township two miles south of the
shores of Lake Erie. Elizabeth Fargo, born
in Fairview township, Erie Co., Pa., Oct. 7.
1817. was the youngest of twelve children.
son of Robert and
was born in Fair-
Her father, Thomas Turner Fargo, was born
in New London, Conn., May 19, 1766, and
died Oct. 6, 1861. His father and eldest
brother were stanch defenders of the Colonies
in the war of the Revolution. Thus Mrs.
Kirk was a lineal member of the Daughters
of the American Revolution. Her mother was
Cynthia Randall, of Rhode Island, born March
23, 1787, died May 19, 1861. Both the Fargo
and Randall families were of Welsh descent.
They also were fanners.
James Wollaston Kirk,
Elizabeth (Fargo) Kirk,
view, Erie Co., Pa., and was the fourth of
seven children, all of whom grew to full age.
In early life he attended the public schools
and later taught in them. In 1870 he studied
in X'ermillion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, and
in 1871-73 in the West Jersey Academy,
Bridgeton, N. J. In the latter institution he
also tutored for two years. In 1873 he en-
tered the junior class of the University of
Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, from which he was
graduated in the class of 1875. Persuaded
that his calling was to be in the gospel min-
istry he entered Princeton Theological .Sem-
inary in 1875, and graduated from that in-
stitution in the class of 1878.
The summer of 1878 Dr. Kirk spent as
pulpit supply of the French Creek Presby-
terian Church, in L'pshur county, W. Va. In
the autumn of the same year he became pas-
tor's assistant in the Olivet Presbyterian
Church, Philadelpliia, Pa., working in the
Hebron mission, now the Hebron Presby-
terian Church. In 1879 he became pastor's
assistant in the First Presbyterian Church,
Germantown, Philadelphia. In 1880 he ac-
cepted a call to the pastorate of the Ash-
bourne (Pa.) Presbyterian Church, but re-
cently organized, thus becoming its first pastor.
In 1882 he accepted a call tendered by the
Leverington Presbyterian Church, Ridge and
Leverington avenues, Philadelphia, Pa., and re-
mained in this pastorate seventeen years, re-
signing in i8<)9 to accept a call from the Pres-
byterian Board of Home Missions to assist
in the organization of mission work along the
Yukon river, in the arctic portion of Alaska.
He was stationed at a point now known as
Eagle, in the far interior of that cotmtry.
After four seasons spent under the strenuous
conditions of that pioneer life Dr. Kirk was
granted a furlough, during which he became
chaplain for the summer of 1903 at Fort
Stanton, N. Mex. It was arranged between
the department at Washington and the Board
of Missions in New York that Dr. Kirk might
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
551
open up missions in the destitute countr}-
surrounding and serve them in connection
with his work at the Fort. Thus preaching
stations were opened at South Capitan, six
miles distant, North Capitan, eight miles,
Angus, ten miles, Lincoln, ten miles, Glencoe,
twelve miles, and Parsons, twenty miles. These
points were all reached on horseback, Dr.
Kirk preaching in some one of them each
Sunday morning and returning to the Fort for
the evening. In this field as well as in Alaska
there were some thrilling incidents in his ex-
perience.
In 1904 Dr. Kirk returned to Alaska and
spent one year at Fort Wrangell, rebuilding
and equipping the old mission station, the
first Protestant mission in Alaska. This work
was mainly among the Indians. A con-
spicuous feature of the Yukon life was work
among the Indians. In 1905 Dr. Kirk took
charge of the Presbyterian work among the
white people of Juneau. .Alaska. In 1906 he
severed his connection with the Board of
Missions, and after a tour of several months'
visitation among the various mission stations
in southeastern Alaska returned to the States.
After seven years with the Board in the
Alaska work and about one year in lectur-
ing in the States Dr. Kirk accepted a call ex-
tended to him in November, 1907, from the
Mahoning Presbyterian Church, at Danville,
Pa., and entered upon the work in December
of that year, being formally installed Jan.
17, 1908. The church was organized in 1785,
and celebrated its 128th anniversary in
October, 1913.
Dr. Kirk was twice married. His first wife,
whom he married June 2, 1880, was Anna L.
Aloore, daughter of Rev. George Rodney and
Phoebe (Patterson) Moore, of Philadelphia.
She was born Nov. 13, 1855, and died Feb.
8, 1903, while home from Alaska on fur-
lough. Mrs. Kirk had been with her husband
through all the severities of the far northland.
where the United States government record
of the weather showed the temperature sixty-
eight below zero. She assisted in all the work
of the mission and was specially helpful
through her rare musical abilities, stipulating
as one condition of her going that she be al-
lowed to take her piano with her, regardless
of all costs. Indians as well as white people
keenly felt and mourned her untimely death.
On Nov. 30, 1905, Dr. Kirk married
Isabelle H. Fenn. the only daughter of Samuel
Purviance and Martha (Wilson) Fenn, of
West Pittston, Pa., and sister to Rev. Dr.
Courtenay H. Fenn, of Pekin, China. Miss
Fenn graduated from Mount Holyoke Col-
lege in the class of 1890, and was splendidly
equipped to help her husband in his w^ork.
Upon their marriage they went immediately to
Juneau, Alaska, where Dr. Kirk was in
charge of the mission.
In 1906, when Dr. Kirk relinquished the
work in Alaska, Mrs. Kirk accompanied him
in his round of visitation of the various mis-
sion stations, viz. : Ketchikan, Saxman, Met-
lakatla, Klinquan, Howkan, Klawock, Wran-
gell, Sitka, Haines, Killisnoo and the Chil-
kats. During this visitation Dr. Kirk preached
many times. Prior to this he had visited
nearly every mission along the Yukon and the
coasts of the Bering sea as far north as the
.Vrctic ocean, viz. : Forty Mile, Circle City,
Fort Yukon, St. James, Rampart, Anvik, St.
Michael, Nome, Teller. Cape Prince of Wales
and King Islandin the Bering sea.
In June. 1911. the honorary degree of
Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by
his alma mater, the University of Wooster.
In the autumn of 1910 Dr. Kirk was ap-
pointed chairman of the Judicial committee
of the Presbytery of Northumberland to pros-
ecute Rev. William D. Grant, of Northum-
Ijcrland, who had been charged with heret-
ical views and denials of Presbyterian faith.
Presbytery's Judicial commission by a ma-
jority of one" acquitted Dr. Grant, but Dr.
Kirk and his committee were so thoroughly
satisfied that the verdict was contrary to the
evidence that the case was appealed to the
General Assembly for review and the findings
of the Presbyterv were unanimously reversed.
Dr. Grant being suspended from the Presby-
terian ministry.
Dr. Kirk has been a member of four Gen-
eral Assemblies, meeting in Springfield, 111.,
1882, Minneapolis, Minn., 1899, Los Angeles,
Cal., 1903, and Atlantic City, N. J., 1910.
In political conviction and affiliation Dr.
Kirk has been a member of the Republican
party, but in the general election of 1912 he
voted the Progressive ticket.
GEORGE LAUBACH ROTE, of Phil-
adelphia, Pa., born in Fort Ann, New York
State, was reared in Danville, Montour Co.,
Pa., where his maternal ancestors, the Lau-
bachs, have been prominent for many years.
His grandfather. Christian Laubach, later re-
ferred to in detail, reared a family of six
children, one son and five daughters, of whom
Mary Ellen was the mother of George L.
Rote. On the paternal side he is descended
from Friends of the orthodox type, his grand-
552
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
father and grandmother, Daniel Rote and
wife, having been leaders in the Society. They
reared a family of seven children, four sons
and three daughters, and made their home on
a farm near Millville, Columbia Co., Pa. Their
son, William H., married Mary Ellen Lau-
bach, and they had a family of three children,
one daughter, Estella M., who died in in-
fancy, and two sons, Harry Lees Rote and
George Laubach Rote. The former is an ac-
countant with the Central Railroad of New
Jersey, recently removed to No. 6i Broadway,
New York City, and is unmarried. George
L. Rote is in the mortgage and insurance
brokerage business in Philadelphia, having
his main office on the eighth floor of the North
American building, and his uptown office at
No. 3812 North Sixteenth street. He has
been active along political, Masonic and church
lines. On June i, 1909, George L. Rote mar-
ried Mary Adelaide Moore, of Philadelphia,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stickney
Moore, and granddaughter of the late Thomas
Moore, of the former chemical firm of
Powers, Weightman & Moore. Both brothers,
Harry L. and George L. Rote, were educated
in the Danville schools, tlie latter brother also
completing courses in Potts Shorthand Col-
lege, Williamsport, Pa., and Temple College,
Philadelphia.
WilHam H. Rote died in Danville, Feb. 19,
1881.
The first members of the Laubach family
in this country came from Holland and set-
tled in Pennsylvania. John George Laubach,
born in Bucks county. Pa., Nov. 11, 1729, is
the ancestor of several branches who settled
in Bucks, Northampton, Columbia and Mon-
tour counties, and reared large families. The
children of John George laubach were :
Susan ; John Michael ; John ; .\nna Alay ; John
Christian (great-grandfather of George Lau-
bach Rote) ; John Conrad, who died in in-
fancy; John Conrad (2); Anna Margaret;
Catherine; John George; Walburg; and
Elizabeth.
John Christian Laubach, born in Bucks
county. Pa.. June 30, 1764. was the first of
the family to locate in Columbia county, set-
tling there in 1790. Three years later he
moved to Sugarloaf township, took up a tract
of four hundred acres on what is now known
as Fritz Hill, and followed farming until his
death, on March 15, 1825. He and his wife
were buried at St. Gabriel's Church. He was
united in marriage to Anna j\Iary Frutchy,
who was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 3, 1773.
and died July 8. 1823. They reared a large
family of children, namely : Susan, who mar-
ried John Moore, was the mother of eight
children, and lived to the age of ninety-one
years; John, who married Anna Kline;
George, who married Elizabeth Coleman, a
daughter of Benjamin Coleman, and who was
one of the early settlers of Sugarloaf town-
ship, but during his later years resided in
Michigan; Frederick, who married Alary
Larish, by whom he had eight children ; Peter,
a leading citizen of the county and State;
Hannah, who became the wife of Thomas
Conner, of Bloomsburg, Pa., and had three
sons and two daughters ; Elizabeth, who was
the wife of William Cole, and bore him nine
children ; Anna Margaret, who married Wil-
liam Ikeler, and died in Fishingcreek town-
ship; Polly, wife of John Ikeler, who moved
to Michigan ; Catherine, who married John R.
Davis, was the mother of nine children, and
resided in Benton township, Columbia county;
and Christian, late of Danville, Pennsylvania.
Christian Laubach, youngest in the family
of John Christian Laubach, was born Feb.
22, 1816, in Sugarloaf township, Columbia
Co., Pa., and had lost both of his parents
when he was nine years old. At about the
age of fifteen he left the old home farm and
went with his handful of belongings to
Orangeville, and later to Danville, where he
lived with Peter Baldy, Sr., for whom he
clerked in a general store. He had attended
the old log schoolhouse in his native township.
When seventeen years old he commenced his
career as a merchant, and in 1837 returned to
Danville, where he continued clerking until
he began business on his own account, in
1845. Meantime he had earned enough to en-
able him to open a mercantile establishment,
and he had a profitable trade from the start,
remaining in business at the same location
about Nos. 317, 319 and 323 Mill street, for
about fifty-five years, by industry and appli-
cation accumulating a comfortable fortune. He
was one of the oldest and most respected mer-
chants of the borough. From time to time,
as his increased patronage demanded, he en-
larged the scope of his business, and he con-
ducted the grocery and dry goods branches in
separate stores when that Ijecame advisable.
Few men of his town were more progressive
or alive to the interests of the place. He was
associated with many civic and municipal
organizations, and all movements for the bet-
terment of his fellowmen enlisted his attention
and had his encouragement. He had important
business investments besides his stores, having
been treasurer of the Danville Mutual Insur-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
553
ance Company, and long prominently con-
nected with the First National Bank, being
one of its organizers, for three years president,
and afterward member of the board of
trustees. However, it was his high character,
the qualities that gained him personal ad-
miration, which gave Mrr Laubach his posi-
tion of influence in the community. He was
elected chief burgess, and held that office to
the satisfaction of all concerned. On political
questions he was a Republican. He was a
member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal
Church, and served as trustee and steward,
for wherever he went he was depended upon
to assist with the management of affairs. He
died in Danville, June 22, 1903, at the age of
eighty-seven years, having retired from active
business three years before his death.
In 1842 Mr. Laubach married Hannah Hef-
ler, who was of German descent, daughter of
Jacob Hefler. Mrs. Laubach was considered
one of the leading women of her day, par-
ticularly during the active and exciting times
of the Civil war, when she assisted in equip-
ping companies of soldiers and doing much
humane work, such as a public-spirited woman
could do. Her house in the heart of the town
was headquarters for military organizations.
She conducted one of the most fashionable
millinery establishments of the time, and her
memory remains dear to many of the older
people of Danville. She was born in Hyacinth
township, Bucks Co., Pa., Oct. 17, 1815, and
died in Danville, Pa., Jan. 30, 1890, aged
seventy-five years. Like her husband she was
an active member of the Methodist Church.
They were the parents of six children, one
son and five daughters, namely: Martha B.,
who married S. T. Lees, and died April 30,
1890; Emma A., wife of Lewis E. Woods;
Mary Ellen, wife of William H. Rote (de-
ceased) ; Sallie K., wife of Albert W. Pierce;
George; and Elizabeth, wife of Charles A.
Jameson.
C. SCOTT EVES, druggist, of Danville,
Montour county, belongs to a family of
Quaker origin which has been located in Co-
lumbia county for one hundred and forty
years.
John Eves, his earliest ancestor in this re-
gion, was one of the pioneer settlers in the val-
lev of Fishingcreek. He had come there from
Mill Creek Hundred. New Castle Co.. Del,
and located on a tract of 1,200 acres in the
townships of Greenwood and Madison, in-
cluding the present site of Millville. The land
was secured by deed dated Nov. 29, 1774. the
former owner having been Reuben Haines, a
brewer, of Philadelphia. It would appear,
however, that he had concluded the purchase
and settled in this section some years previous
to the time this title was acquired. His set-
tlement in this section marks an important
period in its history.
But little is known regarding the personal
history of John Eves. He was an Irish
Friend, born in 1720, and reiimved to America
about the year 1738. He was in good cir-
cumstances in Mill Creek Hundred, and held
various offices of responsibility. One of his
experiences as constable reveals the resolute
and determined character of the man. He was
given the warrant for the arrest of a mis-
creant who defied the power of the law, and
threatened to take the life of the officer as he
approached. But the latter walked boldly
forward and disarmed him without a struggle.
The victory was not complete, however, as
the obstinacy of the culprit was eijual to his
cowardice, and he refused to walk, where-
upon the constable tied his prisoner to the
horse, and they proceeded without further
difficulty. Another trait of his character is
illustrated by an occurrence during his
residence here. While in Philadelphia on one
occasion he advanced the passage money of
Larry Flinn and his wife, two destitute
Friends who had recently arrived from Eng-
land. They would then have been obliged to
remain in his service for several years, but he
received them into his family and they never
left it. In 1 75 1 John Eves married Edith
Yeatman, an English lady, said to have
possessed great strength of character as well
as personal beauty. They were the parents of
seventeen children, fourteen of whom reared
families. Their names with dates of birth
are as follows: Sarah, 4th mo., 24th, 1753
(died in 1762); Thomas, 2d mo., sth, 1755;
John, 2d mo., 22d, 1757; Joseph, loth mo.,
30th, 1758; Mark, 7th mo.. i6th, 1760 (died in
1762) ; William. 2d mo.. 2d. 1762; Chandlee,
i2mo., 14th. 1763; Elizabeth, i2mo.. 30th,
1765; Sarah. 5th mo., 14th. 1767; Edith, Sth
mo.^ 14th, 1767; Andrew, 6th mo.. 4th, 1769;
Mary, nth mo., 24th. 1770; Priscilla, nth
mo., 3d, 1772; Mark, 4th mo.. Sth. 1774; Ann,
4th mo.. 2ist, 1775; Samuel, ist mo., 1778;
Ezra. 6th mo., 28th, 1782. John Eves, Sr.,
died 7th mo., ist, 1802. and Edith (Yeatman)
Eves, 4th mo., 14th. 1818. Many of those who
bore the name have occupied positions of
honor and respectability in the various walks
of life.
Joseph Eves, son of John, born loth mo.,
554
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
30th, i/Sii, married Sarah Parvin, and they
had children : J. Parvin, Ezra, Milton, Sarah
(Mrs. Shively), Asenath (Mrs. Ashton),
Francis, Ehzabeth (Mrs. Swisher J and Marv
(Mrs. Marten).
J. Parvin Eves was born Dec. 9, 1790, on
the original plat of ground where his grand-
father John located. His wife, Anna, died
in the fall of 1872. when about seventy-five
years old. Tlie- children born to J. Parvin
and Anna Eves were: Chandlee. Joseph,
Francis, George, Sarah, Rachel, Shadrach,
Elizabeth, Parvin. Ezra, Chalkley, Susan and
Elijah. All lived to be grown except Elijah.
Chandlee Eves, son of J. Parvin Eves, was
a tanner by trade, and for some time was in-
terested in the tannery at Sereno, Columbia
county, at which place he died in the spring
of 1846. His wife, Mary (Reece), also a
descendant of one of the jsioneer families of
the county, survived him many years. They
had three children who lived to maturity, John
P., Anna R. and Joseph C. Of these, John
served in the Union army as a meniljer of
Company I, 136th Pennsylvania \'olunteer In-
fantry, was severely wounded in the arm at
the close of the Ijattle of Fredericksburg, by a
piece of shell, and died three days afterward.
Joseph C. Eves was born Jan. 24, 1844,
at Sereno, Columbia county, second son and
third child in the family of Chandlee Eves.
During the Civil war he enlisted in Company
H, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, for one
hundred days' service. After his return from
the army he was engaged in driving team for
one year, and then learned the trade of wheel-
wright, following that and wagonmaking
principally during the rest of his life. He set-
tled at Alillville, where he was a much re-
spected citizen, and he acted as postmaster at
that place, receiving his appointment in 1904,
and serving until 1914. He is a member of
J. P. Eves>ost, No. 436, G. A. R.
On Oct. 28, 1871, Mr. Eves married Char-
lotte Heacock, daughter of Charles S. and
Hannah W. (Watson) Heacock, both of whom
were members of families settled at Millville.
Mr. Heacock was a farmer all his life. Mr.
and Mrs. Eves had a family of five children,
viz.: May B., who lives at home; Eunice, who
teaches domestic science in the Philadelphia
public schools ; Curtis C, an ear. nose and
throat specialist in Philadelphia : Charles
Scott; and one child that died in infancy.
C. Scott Eves was born Dec. 13, 1879, at
Millville, Columbia county, where he received
his schooling. When fifteen years old he be-
gan clerking in a drug store at Millville, be-
ing thus engaged four years, during which
time he acquired considerable knowledge of
pharmacy, besides familiarizing himself with
the details of the business. He then attended
the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy three
years, finishing the course in 1901. Coming
to Danville, he was a druggist's clerk here for
four years, at the end of that time going to
Detroit, Mich., where he was with the large
house of Parke, Davis & Co., for a year and a
half. He next went to Oklahoma, where he
was employed in a drug store a year and a
half. Returning to his home at Millville, Pa.,
he soon went to Renovo, Pa., but after about
six months there came to Danville again, this
being in 19 10. At that time he opened his
present drug store, which has been a success
from the start, his thorough knowledge of the
business combined with a sincere desire to
give satisfaction to his patrons resulting in a
steady increase of trade. Besides his inter-
ests in Danville Mr. Eves owns land in the
South. He is a member of the B. P. O. Elks
lodge ( No. 754 ) at Danville ; of the Sons
of Veterans ; of Danville Lodge No. 224, F.
& A. M. ; and Beaver Lodge No. 132, Knights
of Pythias, Danville.
F. C. DERR, formerly principal of the Dan-
ville high school, then county superintendent,
afterward a merchant and now in the insur-
ance business, was born in Moreland, Lycom-
ing Co., Pa., July 29, 1836. His parents,
Christopher and Mary (Opp) Derr, were
natives of the Keystone State and descended
from English and (lerman ancestors, respec-
tively. The father was born in what is now
Anthony township, Montour county, and was
only a boy when his father died. He married
Mary Opp in Lycoming county, apd they had
ten children, viz. : Hannah, Philip Opp, John
Frederick, Jane, Phoebe Ann, George Wash-
ington, Thomas M., James Wilson. Franklin
C, and Jacob Daniel. The parents are buried
in Moreland.
F. C. Derr spent his boyhood on a farm with
his parents, and, like most country boys of
the time, his early educational advantages were
limited to the district school. At the age of
eighteen he entered the academy at McEwens-
ville, Northumberland county. Later he be-
came a student at Bucknell University, Lewis-
burg, leaving this institution in his sopho-
more year and entering the University of
Rochester. N. Y., where he graduated in i860.
In an academy near his alma mater, Mr. Derr
entered upon his chosen profession. In 1862
he returned to his native State, and accepted
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
555
the jjosition of principal of the Danville high
school, remaining at the head of this institu-
tion for twenty years. He soon popularized
himself by elevating the high school to a de-
gree of excellence seldom attained in a country
town. Possessing, in addition to a vast store
of knowledge, the faculty of bringing himself
into iiappy fellowship with the young in their
aims and aspirations, he at once endeared liim-
self to his pupils and impressed them with
his rare ability as a teacher. Mr. Derr now
finds himself surrounded in all circles by those
who were his pupils at one time or another
during his long career as a teacher. It would
be (litficult. indeed, to limit the extent to whicli
Danville is indebted to him for its mental cul-
ture. In 1881 he received his appointment as
school superintendent of Montour county, and
his term of three years in that responsible
position was marked by a gradual improve-
ment in the schools under his charge, besides
the unusually pleasant relations existing be-
tween the teachers and superintendent.
In 1882 Mr. Derr went into the boot and
shoe business in Danville, in partnership with
William E. Lunger. The same confidence re-
posed in him as a teacher was shown during
his career as a merchant, and at no time was
the firm of Derr & Lunger without a liberal
portion of the town's patronage. In 1887 he
and IMr. Lunger dissolved partnership, Mr.
Derr acquiring the sole ownership and con-
tinuing the business until 1898. During this
time he also took up life insurance work, in
which he is still engaged.
In 1873 ^Ir. Derr married Martha B.
Bowyer, daughter of John Bowyer, of Dan-
ville, and this union was blessed with one
child, Clarence F. Mr. Derr is a Knight
Templar, a member of Danville Lodge No.
224, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 239, R. A.
M. He is a Republican in politics and has
taken some part in public affairs, serving three
years as councilman. In June, 1863, he en-
listed in the L^nited States service for the
''Emergency" when Lee invaded our State.
He is a member of the Mahoning Presbyterian
Church, which he has served as trustee twelve
years, retiring from the office at the end of the
time. He is now a trustee of the Thomas
Beaver Public Library.
Clarence F. Derr, only child of Mr. and
Mrs. F. C. Derr, was born June 23, 1883, and
died April 22. 1905. Had he been spared until
June following he would have been twenty-
two years of age. He was a yoimg man of
fine character, his disposition, as shown in his
intercourse with his fellowmen, being uni-
formly kind, generous and obliging. Although
of retiring manners and without any vanity,
yet he had many talents, well cultivated. He
was finely educated and was well read. He
was fond of music and he loved the beautiful,
the pure and the good. All in all, whether as
a child or as a young man, whose estate he
had just attained when cut down by the Grim
Reaper, he was such a person as commanded
the love and respect of everyone. He was a
member of the Alahoning Presbyterian Church.
He was a graduate of the Danville high school,
belonging to the class of 1901. Immediately
after graduating he entered the Danville Na-
tional Bank as clerk, a position which he held
at the time of his death.
"Oh ! Clarence, we do not think of Death
as ever having come to you. We think of you
as some strangely beautiful being, that one day
rose out of these earthly marshes, where hunts
the dark fowler, and uttering your note of
divine farewell spread your wings toward the
open sea of Eternity, there to await our com-
JASPER NEWTON PURSEL, of Dan-
ville, is clerk for the Danville Structural Tub-
ing Company, whose plant is one of the two
large industrial establishments where so many
residents of the borough find employment. He
is a brother of William G. Pursel, one of the
owners. Mr. Pursel was born in Danville
Dec. 21, 1874, son of Hugh Pursel, who has
been a resident of this place since 1845.
Mr. Pursel's great-great-grandmother was
an Arnwine : her brother was a colonel in the
English army during the Revolution.
Jacob Pursel, great-grandfather of Mr.
Pursel, came to this region from New Jersey,
and was the first settler in Frosty \'alley. His
wife was Jane Hill.
Hugh Pursel, son of Jacob and Jane (Hill)
Pursel, was born in 1800 in Valley township,
lived in Frosty \'alley, Limestone township,
with his parents, and learned blacksniithing,
which trade he continued to follow until
some time after his marriage. He worked
at that calling in Milton, Northumberland
and Jersey Shore, and while at the latter
place" bought a tract of 173 acres in the
Nippenose valley. Limestone township, all
then in timber. Some time later he moved
onto this tract, built a log house and barn,
and started the work of clearing, continuing
to live there until 1845, when he moved
with his family to Danville. There he was
employed at liis trade in Brandon's black-
smith shop until the spring of 1850. when he
556
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
returned to his farm in the Nippenose valley,
operating same until his death, which occurred
in 1868. He married Rachel Childs, who was
born in 1798, daughter of John and JNIary
(Gregg) Childs, the former an Englishman,
the latter of Scotch descent. Mrs. Pursel died
Sept. 15, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Pursel were
born the following children : Mary Elizabeth
married Thomas Perry, and both are deceased ;
Francis Bond married Elizabeth Van Dyke,
and both are deceased ; Rebecca Jane, de-
ceased, married Frank Everhart; Joseph New-
ton, deceased, married Priscilla Lewis, of
Buffalo, N. Y. ; Hugh married Mary Ann
Lentz, who is- deceased ; Agnes Jamella is the
widow of Lampert Van Dyke, and makes her
home at Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Hugh Pursel, son of Hugh and Rachel
(Childs) Pursel, was born Aug. 9, 1832, in
Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
and passed his childhood in Nippenose Valley,
Limestone township, coming thence with the
family to Danville in 1845. Before that he
had assisted with the farm work, the family
living on land which the Pursels had cleared.
When the "big mill" was built at Danville he
found employment there, and he continued to
work at that plant and in other rolling mills
until 1905, since when he has lived retired.
He was one of the promoters and a stock-
holder of the Cooperative Iron & Steel Com-
pany. He has always been faithful to his
duties as a citizen, and served at one time
as member of the borough council for six
years. Mr. Pursel married Mary Ann Lentz,
daughter of John and Catherine (Welshans)
Lentz, and granddaughter of William \\'el-
shans, of Lycoming county, Pa., where the
Welshans were located for a considerable
period. Mrs. Pursel died May 20, igo6, at the
age of sixty-four years. She was the mother
of six children, ' namely : William Grant ;
Elizabeth, wife of W. J. Williams; Francis,
deceased; Robert B., of Danville, who mar-
ried Lillian Andrew ; Jasper Newton ; and
Agnes R., who married Arthur Prout, of Dan-
ville. Hugh Pursel is a past master of Dan-
ville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M.
After his school days were over Jasper New-
ton Pursel clerked for a time and later engaged
in the cigar business for four years. In 1899
he began work at the Danville Structural
Tube Works, where he has since been em-
ployed, at present holding the position of
clerk. He is a valued official, and has labored
zealously in the interest of the company, where
his services have been appreciated. He is a
Mason, belonging to Danville Lodge, No. 224,
F. & A. M., and is also a member of Beaver
Lodge, No. 132, Knights of Pythias. He is a
working member of St. Paul's Methodist
Church, being president of the board of
trustees and assistant superintendent of the
Sunday school. Air. Pursel is at present
treasurer of the Danville school board; after
eleven years' service in that body he was re-
elected in 1913, for six years.
Mr. Pursel married on Aug. 18, 1897,
Martha E. Evans, who was born Sept. 11,
1878, in East Danville, daughter of Thomas
B. and Mary Ann (Evans) Evans, of Dan-
ville, and they have had four children : Bea-
trice E., born July 15, 1898; Marion, born
Aug. 14, 1902; Helen A., born Nov. 11, 1906;
and William T., born Alay 8, 191 1. Beatrice
is in high school, and Marion and Helen are
attending the grade schools.
ADONIRAM JUDSON STILL, who lives
retired at Danville, belongs to an old Penn-
sylvania family of Swiss origin, the emigrant
ancestor having come to this country from
Switzerland and settled in what was then the
Province of Pennsylvania. His descendants
are quite numerous in the southeastern part
of the State.
Charles Still, grandson of the emigrant, was
the grandfather of A. Judson Still. He was
a farmer by occupation, and lived to be
seventy-nine. His wife, Catherine (Sheldrich),
who was born in Pennsylvania July 21, 1784,
lived to the age of eighty-two years. She was
the daughter of Mary Ann (Laughbaugh)
Sheldrich, born in i/(X). and granddaughter
of Johannus Laughbaugh, who was born in
1728 in Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Still
had a family of twelve children, all of whom
grew to maturity.
Rev. Amos B. Still, son of Charles, was
born near Chester Springs, Chester Co., Pa.,
Oct. 15, 1823, and was the eleventh in his
parents'' family. He was reared on the farm.
When sixteen years old he was converted and
united with tlie Vincent Baptist Church, of
which his parents, brothers and sisters were
members. At the age of seventeen he be-
gan to learn the miller's trade, having spent
the previous years working on the farm in
summer and attending the public school in the
winter seasons. After spending six years at
the milling business he became convinced that
it was his duty to become a preacher, and in
October, 1846, left home to prepare himself
for the work. He entered the academic de-
partment of Madison University in New York
State, and there completed his academic
A
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
557
studies; thence, in the fall of 1848, he en-
tered the university at Lewisburg, Pa., the
collegiate department, and graduated in 1852
with the second honors of his class. Soon
after he took charge of the Logan Valley
Baptist Church, in Blair county, Pa., where
he had an opportunity to study theology, hav-
ing the use of the library of Rev. A. K. Bell.
On Aug. 15. 1854, he married Hannah, daugh-
ter of John Deen, Sr., of Danville, and shortly
after accepted a call to the Huntingdon Baptist
Church, entering upon his labors in the
autumn. There he had arduous duties, preach-
ing three times on Sunday, and also through
the week, and spent the greater part of the
winter in protracted meetings in his own
field, and assisting at meetings in neighbor-
ing churches. His labors were greatly blessed,
and large numbers were converted and added
to the church. He remained pastor for over
four years, during which time he was in-
strumental in organizing the Spruce Creek
Baptist Church. In the fall of 1858, at the
earnest desire of the Center Baptist Asso-
ciation, he entered upon missionary work and
spent over a year in earnest and self-denying
labor with the feeble destitute churches atid
in destitute places. The calls for his labors
were numerous and pressing, and were
abundantly blessed in the salvation of many
souls. He next accepted a call to the First
Baptist Church at Danville, where he began
his duties as pastor April i, i860. Here he
remained for two years amid the excitement
of the Civil war. He then became pastor of
the Lawrenceville Baptist Church, in Chester
county, in ,\pril, 1862. where he had a field
of labor which taxed all his energies, and at
that time, though he never entered the army,
took a deep interest in supporting the govern-
ment. Having spent two years there he ac-
cepted a call in the spring of 1864 to the
Pitts Grove Baptist Church, Salem county,
N. T-, where he reaped abundant harvests in
the building up of the church. lui the spring
of 1867 he returned to Danville that he might
give some attention to his wife's estate, and
spent the greater part of the following seven
years in preaching for the destitute churches
in the Northumberland Association. During
this time he was instrumental in reorganizing
the Sunbury Baptist Church, and also in
organizing the first Baptist Church at
Shamokin. In the spring of 1874 he ac-
cepted a call and became pastor of the Marl-
ton Baptist Church, in New Jersey, where he
remained about four years, and in April, 1878,
took up his labors as pastor of the Bethlehem
Baptist Church, in Hunterdon county, N. J.,
where he continued for eight years. During
that period he gave much time to Sunday
school and Prohibition work. In the fall of
1885 he was chosen moderator of the Central
New Jersey Baptist Association, at Baptis-
town, and in the spring of 1886 closed his
labors with the Bethlehem Church and re-
turned to Danville. After returning to Dan-
ville he did not have charge of any church,
but frequently was engaged with temporary
services to various churches in the Northum-
berland Baptist Association. He reached the
age of eighty-nine years, his death occurring
Jan. 26, 1913. His mental faculties remained
clear until the last week of his life. The lat-
ter years of his life he spent with his son
Judson. His wife passed away Dec. 21, 1899,
at the age of seventy-eight years. They had
two children, Adoniram Judson and William
C, the latter dying JNIarch 18, 1864.
Mrs. Haimah (Deen) Still was born at Dan-
ville, Dec. 28, 1820, daughter of John Deen,
who was born Dec. 22, 1783, in Pennsylvania,
of Scotch origin. His father was an old sea
captain and was lost at sea. His mother,
Eleanor (Frazier), was a native of Scotland.
She married John Wilson, and died in Dan-
ville, Oct. I, 1827, in her sixty-sixth year;
she was buried in the old Presbyterian cem-
etery. John Deen lived at Danville with his
uncle, Daniel Frazier, with whom he came
from Philadelphia in 1790. His uncle's log
house was on the hillside a little east of Bloom
street, near the present site of the Reformed
Church, his farm covering the ground that is
now the Fourth ward. Here, at the short-
termed subscription schools, John acquired
what education he possessed. In 1796 he was
apprenticed to Mr. Hendrickson to learn
blacksmithing. Later he followed farming.
In 1809 he married Mary Flack, daughter of
Hugh and Susan Flack, who was born near
Washingtonville. in April, 1785. The Flacks
were a large family, of Irish extraction, and
their descendants are intermarried with many
of the pioneer families. In 1809 ^Mr. Deen
and wife came to Danville. The town was
then a mere hamlet of log buildings scattered
over the territory west of what is now Church
street and south of the canal. He located on
the corner now occupied by W. G. Shoop,
where he lived until 1814. Here he had his
smith shop : here three of his children were
born, viz.: Thomas (who died at the age of
five years), John and Julia Ann. He then
purchased ground on the opposite side of the
street of Daniel Montgomery, and thereon
558
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
erected what is now the eastern end of'the
frame house adjoining the pubUc Hbrary on
the west, in which he hved the remainder of
his life.
The work in a blacksmith shop in those
days was very different from to-day. There
was very little machinery ; everything had to
be hammered out on the anvil, and charcoal
was the only fuel used. Mr. Deen's account
books are still in the possession of the family
and here are recorded business transactions
dated at so remote a period as now to pos-
sess much historical interest. For instance,
between 1820 and 1830 here are some prices
for his work: "Setting pair horseshoes, 123^
cents ; pair steel-toed shoes, 58 cents ; toeing
old shoes, 12^2 cents; pair of shoes (not
toed), 463/2 cents; mending bridle-bit, 123/S
cents; 12 screws, 59 cents; laying a hammer
with steel (both ends), 46'-j cents; ironing a
two-horse wagon, $15; laying an ax with cast
steel, 70 cents." Bar iron at that time was
worth $100 to $120 per ton. Soon after mak-
ing his residence here Mr. Deen obtained an
interest in a fishery located above the mouth
of Mahoning creek, and also one at Gulp's
Eddy, above. The tish caught here at that
time were many and of the best quality, shad
weighing as high as seven pounds, salmon
weighing fifteen pounds, and rock-fish thirt.\-
pounds. The best fish sold at six or seven
cents a pound. The women made the twine
of which the nets were made, and they then
also made the clothes worn by men and wom-
en. The spinning-wheel and the loom were
then to be heard in almost every house. The
first woolen factory was erected in Danville
about a century ago. It was on Mahoning
creek, at the Northumberland .street crossing.
These writings are suggested by gleanings
from Mr. Deen's old account book. His close
industry and economy brought him prosperity,
and in 1820 he purchased of General Mont-
gomery the land rvmning eastward along the
south side of Market street, paying $100 per
acre for it. This was stony ground, not fit
for cultivation. It was once a great place
to pick blackberries. It has long been covered
with fine improvements. In 1826, in addition
to his business of farming and his large black-
smith shop, he purchased of the patentee the
right to manufacture threshing machines and
opened a factory. These were evidently good
machines and well made, and A. J. Still,
grandson of Mr. Deen, saw one of them in
1868, which was still fit for service. Mr. Deen
had contracts on the canal, then being con-
structed, as well as on the river bridge. When
the canal was opened he owned and ran a
boat thereon in the coal trade. At an age
when ordinary men retire largely from active
business life, he built a tannery on the river
near Church street. On Jan. 5, 1852, his wife
died. After a long and useful life, widely
esteemed, and beloved by a great circle of
family and friends, he breathed his last July
10, 1864, leaving behind seven children. One
child died young. His oldest son, John, mar-
ried Jane Hutton, and died in 1874.- Julia
Ann became the wife of John Bowyer.
James married Margaret Sanders. Jane mar-
ried Thomas Brandon. Hannah married Rev.
Amos B. Still. Perry, the youngest son, mar-
ried Mary Jane Ritchie, and after her death
he married Jane Fullmar. Susan, the young-
est of the family, married Isaac Tyler and
died in 1865.
A. Judson Still was born Dec. 25, 1855, in
Huntingdon county, Pa., and received his ed-
ucation at the various places where the family
lived as his father's duties necessitated. When
he was sixteen years old his health failed and
he took up gardening to recuperate, doing that
kind of work in .\ew Jersey for five years.
In 1886 he came to Danville, where he fol-
lowed gardening eight years, after which he
was in the employ of the Welliver Hardware
Company for five years. In 1901 he entered
the rural mail service, in which he continued
until 1904, when he engaged in the insurance
business. After three years in that line he
retired from active business pursuits, and has
since been enjoying his leisure. Mr. Still and
his family have always been interested and
effectixe workers in the Baptist Church. He
has not been especially active in town aft'airs,
though he takes the interest of a public spir-
ited citizen in advancing the betterment of the
locality, and he has been a worker in the Pro-
hibition party.
In ]888 ^Ir. Still married Dora Kneibler,
who was born in Danville Oct. 29, 1866,
(laughter of Henry Kneibler, of Xew Jersey,
and his wife Rebecca (Reed), the latter born
.\pril 9, 1845. Mr. Kneibler was an iron
worker, and his father was employed in the
mines connected with the Waterman & Beaver
iron works. Mrs. Rebecca (Reed) Kneibler
was a daughter of Alice (Barret) Reed, born
Dec. 13, 1816; granddaughter of Nathan Bar-
ret, born March 21, i7<'>6, and great-grand-
daughter of Jonathan Barret, born Dec. 8, '
1722.
Mr. and Mrs. .Still have had one child.
Ralph A., born June q. 1891, who graduated
in 1913 from Bucknell University, at Lewis-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
559
burg, I'a., where his grandfather graduated
sixty-one years previously. He at once en-
tered upon his chosen profession, newspaper
work, as reporter with the Philadelphia Press.
BRUCE C. KELLEY is senior member of
the firm of Kelley Brothers, proprietors of
the flour mill at Washingtonville, in Derry
township, Montour county, who have the only
industrial establishment in their immediate
locality. Although now thoroughly modern
in equipment, it is the oldest plant in that
section, and has supplied the neighborhood
for many years.
Martin Kelley, born Dec. 22, 1803, the
grandfather of Bruce C. Kelley, was a farmer
and hotel keeper in Liberty township, Mon-
tour county, when he died. On Feb. 10, 1820,
he married Catherine Billmeyer, a native of
Liberty township, born Sept. 10, 1800, who
preceded him to the grave, her death occur-
ring in Danville. They had children as fol-
lows: John, born Sept. 24, 1823, who mar-
ried Elizabeth Roat ; Frances, born Nov. 28,
1825, Mrs. Thomas Leidy; Jesse, born Feb.
10, 1827, who married Catherine Crawford;
Andrew, born March 18, 1829; Benjamin,
born July 20, 1832; Martin, born April 10,
1835; George, born March 9, 1838, who mar-
ried Annie Billmeyer; and Jacob, born Aug.
5, 1841. George is the only survivor of thi«
family.
Martin Kelley, son of Martin and Catherine
(Billmeyer) Kelley, was born April 10, 1835,
at Mexico, in Liberty township. Being quite
young when his ])arents died, he worked among
relatives, lumbering as well as farming, con-
tinuing thus until the Civil war broke out,
when he enlisted for three months in the
"Columbia Guards," Company C, 14th Penn-
sylvania Volunteers, under Col. Wade Hamp-
ton. The company served a month over its
term, and was discharged at Carlisle, Pa. Mov-
ing to Muncy, Pa., a couple of years after his
marriage, Mr. Kelley remained there sixteen
years, in 1882 moving to Spruce Run, near
Millville, Columbia county, where he operated
a sawmill for a year and a half. Then he set-
tled upon the Frazier farm near Washing-
tonville, where he lived until his retirement,
twenty years later, at that time moving to the
home near Washingtonville at which he re-
sided until his death, which occurred Jan. 24,
1905. He was a c|uiet man. attending strictly
to his work and taking no part in other affairs.
In politics he was a Democrat.
A vear after his return from the army Mr.
Kelley married, .March 17, 1864, Mary A.
Ryan, who was born June 4, 1845, daughter
of P>anklin and Elizabeth (Uillmeyer) Ryan,
of Muncy, and granddaughter of George and
Annie (Himmelreich) Billmeyer. Mr. and
Mrs. Ryan had three children : Mary A., Mrs.
Kelley; Emma J., born Sept. 21, 1847, Mrs.
William Billmeyer; and Sarah E., born March
10, 185 1, Mrs. Daniel Billmeyer. Mrs. Kelley
survives her husband, living in her home near
Washingtonville. Six children were born to
them, namely: Ida E., born Sept. 25, 1865,
wife of James Mowrer; Emma L., born Sept.
7, 1866, at home; Bruce C. ; Jesse B., born
Aug. 31, 1872, who is in partnership with his
brother in the milling business at Washing-
tonville; Mame V., born Dec. 17, 1874, wife
of Frank E. Martz; and Fannie M., born
April 26, 1881, who died Feb. 7, 1882.
Bruce C. Kelley was born March 3, 1870,
at Muncy, Pa. He received his education in
the common schools, but was only a boy of
eleven years when he began to work, tiring
the boiler in the sawmill for his father, re-
maining with his parents until nineteen years
old. Subsequently for seven years he was
employed in the Washingtonville flour mill,
after which he worked among farmers until
1903, when he and his brother bought the mill.
This mill is run by both steam and water
power, and is now fitted with all the modern
appliances. It was established about the time
the town started, and is the oldest manufac-
turing plant in this section, where through all
changes it has held its own. The present
proprietors have pursued an energetic policy,
and the product is justly popular, so that their
trade is not confined to the immediate local-
ity, on which the mill had always depended
for support, considerable flour being shipped
to other points. Mr. Kelley is a reliable and
enterprising business man, as the improve-
ments made in the mill alone would testify,
and he is considered one of the most sub-
stantial citizens of his community. He has
never had any ambition to hold office.
On Nov. 22, 1904, Mr. Kelley married
Lydia St. Clair, who was born in December,
1869, in Derry township, Montour county,
daughter of .Abraham D. and Rosanna (Tur-
ner) St. Clair, the former of whom is de-
ceased ; he was a farmer by occupation. Mr.
and Mrs. Kelley have no children. His fam-
ily has long been associated with the Metho-
dist Church.
WILLIAM BENTON STARTZEL, ex-
sheriff of Montour county, living at Danville,
was born at that borough Sept. 4. 1870, son of
560
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR. COUNTIES
Frank P. and Sarah (Gulick) Startzel. Both
parents are natives of Northumberland county.
Frank P. Startzel came of German stock,
while his wife's ancestry was Scotch-Irish.
He was a painter and paperhanger, and early
in the sixties located at Danville, Pa., where
he has since carried on a good business in his
line. During the Civil war he enlisted for
service in the Union army and served from
1863 until the close of hostilities. Coming
back home after his honorable discharge, he
resumed his business cares.
W'illiam Benton Startzel received his educa-
tional training in the public schools of his
native place, and then went into the painting
and paperhanging business with his father,
thus continuing until 1905. For the next five
years he was a salesman, and then in 1910
was elected sheriff of Montour county for a
period of four years, on the Democratic
ticket, he being one of the leading members of
his party in Alontour county. His term of
office expiring in 1914, he resumed his former
occupation, painting.
In 1897 Mr. Startzel married Viola Reed,
of Rush township, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
a daughter of J. Miles and Sarah (Fields)
Reed. Mr. Reed is a farmer in Rush town-
ship. Four children have been born to ex-
Sheriff and Mrs. Startzel : Frank Reed, Jacob
Orville and Sarah, who are living; and one
who is deceased. Shiloh Reformed Church
holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Start-
zel, and he is a Blue Lodge Mason (member
of Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. ^l.)
and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of
America.
WILLIAM GRANT PURSEL. joint pro-
prietor with Tliomas J. Price of the Danville
Structural Tubing Company, is one of the
leading manufacturers of Danville, where he
has been associated with the rolling mills
from the time he began work. He and Mr.
Price have had common interests for years.
Mr. Pursel is a native of Danville, born May
30, 1863, son of Hugh and Mary .\nn
(Lentz) Pursel, who moved to Danville in
1845. ^ ,
Mr. Pursel's great-great-grandmother was
an Arnwine, and her brother was a colonel in
the English army during the Revolution.
Jacob Pursel, great-grandfather of Mr.
Pursel, came to this region from New Jersey
and was the first settler in Frost>' Valley.
His wife was Jane Hill.
Hugh Pursel son of Jacob and Jane (Hill)
Pursel, was born in 1800 in Frosty \'alley.
in Limestone township, lived in Frosty Val-
ley with his parents, and learned blacksmith-
ing, which trade he continued to follow until
some time after his marriage. He worked
at that calling in Milton, Northumberland
and Jersey Shore, and while at the latter
place bought a tract of 173 acres in the
Nippenose valley. Limestone township, all
then in timber. Some time later he moved
onto this tract, built a log house and barn,
and started the work of clearing, continuing
to live there until 1845, when he moved with
his family to Danville. There he was em-
ployed at his trade in Brandon's blacksmith
shop until the spring of 1850, when he re-
turned to his farm in the Nippenose valley,
operating same until his death, which oc-
curred in 1868. He married Rachel Childs,
who was born in 1798, daughter of John and
Mary (Gregg) Childs, the former an" English-
man, the latter of Scotch descent. .Mrs.
Pursel died Sept. 15, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs.
Pursel were born the following children:
Mary Elizabeth married Thomas Perry, and
both are deceased ; Francis Bond married
Elizabeth Van Dyke, and both are deceased ;
Rebecca Jane married Frank Everhart, and
both are deceased; Joseph Newton, deceased,
married Priscilla Lewis, of Buffalo, N. Y. ;
Hugh married Mary Ann Lentz, who is de-
ceased ; Agnes Jamella is the widow of
Lampert Van Dyke, and makes her home at
\\'illiamsport, Pennsylvania.
Hugh Pursel, son of Hugh and Rachel
fChilds) Pursel, was born Aug. 9, 1832, at
Northumberland, in Northumberland county.
Pa., and passed his childhood in the Nip-
penose valley. Limestone township, coming
thence with his parents to Danville in 1845.
Before that he had assisted with the farm
work, the family living on land which the
Pursels had cleared. When the "big mill"
was built at Danville he found employment
there, and he continued to work at that plant
and in other rolling mills until 1905. since
when he has lived retired. He was one of
the promoters and a stockholder of the Co-
operative Iron & Steel Company. He has al-
wavs been faithful to his duties as a citizen,
and served as member of the council of the
borough for six years. Mr. Pursel married
Mary .'Vnn Lentz, daughter of John and
Catherine fWelshans") Lentz, and grand-
daughter of William Welshans, of Lvcom-
ing county. Pa., where the Welshans family
was located for a considerable period. Mrs.
Pursel died May 21. 1906. at the age of
sixtv-four vears. She was the mother of six
s
'ci^tCUiA/'
AAJiy^
1
ASTOfi, L' KoX
TILDEN FCUNOA.IONS
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES 561
children, namely: William Grant; Elizabeth, burg; and Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
wife of W. J. Williams; Francis, deceased; of VVilkes-Barre.
Robert B., who married Lillian Andrew, of On Oct. i8, 1894, Mr. Pursel was married
Danville; Jasper Newton; and Agnes R., to Elizabeth Catherine Reinhardt, of Dan-
married to Arthur Rrout, of Danville. Mr. ville, who was born Oct. 18, 1867, daughter
Hugh Pursel is a past master of Danville of John and Mary Reinhardt. Mr. and Mrs.
Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M. Pursel have had five children, born as fol-
William Grant Pursel received his educa- lows : Harold Reinhardt, Oct. 26, 1895; Mary,
tion in the public schools of Danville, attend- Jan. 13, 1899; Robert Newton, Feb. 4, 1902;
ing high school, and as a youth began work- Catherme, Feb. 15, 1905; aixl Elizabeth,
ing in the Cooperative rolling mills here, March 21, 1908.
domg mill work for a year and a half, after
which for three years he was in the office. BENTON B. BROWN has been a lifelong
His next position was with the Danville Nail resident of Danville, Montour county, where
Company, for which he was clerk four years, he was born Aug. 21, 1839, son of George B.
He left their employ to become chief clerk and Sarah A. (Gearhart) Brown. His
for the Mahoning Rolling Mill Company, father was a well known man in tho business
which then operated the plant of which he is circles of the place for years, and the Browns
now owner, and here he has remained, have had intimate and honorable connection
through the various changes, to the present with the history of this part of the State for
time. In April, 1903, he united with Thomas one hundred and twenty years. They have
J. Price and Daniel M. Curry in the organiza- been in America since the days of James
tion of the Danville Structural Tubing Com- Brown, great-great-grandfather of Benton
pany (Price, Pursel & Curry), he and Mr. B. Brown.
Price taking the entire interest in the busi- James Brown was born Nov. 12, 1716, in
ness and ownership of the property when Mr. England, and coming to this country in 1736
Curry died, in 1906. The record of growth lived first on Long Island. On a fly-leaf of an
and progress made by this concern since then old Bible belonging to the Brown family he
is a credit to the borough and to the enter- wrote: "England is my native land and Long
prise of the men who have its afl'airs in Island my home." It is dated 1716. He
liand. moved to Warren county, N. J., probably to
Mr. Pursel is a director of the Danville Hainesburg, where he owned a large tract of
National Bank. He has filled several im- land, extending three miles along the Pawlins
portant public offices, and in the discharge of kill from Columbia to Hainesburg. He died
their duties has given his fellow citizens the Aug. 9, 1784. On July 25, 1745, he married
benefit of that acumen and attention to detail Sarah Allison, born July 18, 1721, and they
which has been so effective in securing the are buried in Warren county, N. J. Their
prosperity of his own affairs. He was treas- children were born as follows : John. June
urer of the borough from March. 1893, to 25, 1746 (died Sept. 24, 1819) ; James, May
March, 1897; burgess one and a half terms — 5, 1750; Martha, Nov. 15, 1753; Sarah, April
four and a half years — having been first ap- 10, 1757; Daniel, May 3, 1762; Charity, April
pointed to that office to fill an unexpired term 15, 1765. All but John lived and died in New
and then elected ; school director for three Jersey.
years ; and is now president of the board of John Brown, son of James, born June 25,
water commissioners, to which body he was 1746, was a blacksmith by trade, and as such
first appointed, under the new law. He was served in the American army, in the Revolu-
treasurer and one of the directors of the tionary war, shoeing horses and repairing
local Y. M. C. A., is a member of St. Paul's guns in camp besides doing the regular duties
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in political of a soldier. He married Mary M. Brugler,
sentiment is a Democrat. Fraternally he be- who died Oct. 3. 1793. in Warren county, N.
longs to the B. P. O. Elks, Lodge No. 754, of J., and his second marriage, on Oct. 21, 1794,
Danville, and to the Masons, holding member- was to Mrs. Margaret Haines, widow of
ship in Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M. Henry Haines. Mr. Brown owned consider-
(past master) ; Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. able property in New Jersey, and built a stone
A. M. (past high priest) ; Mount Moriah house with the date, 1789, above the door.
Council. No. 10, R. & S. M. ; Calvary Com- The house was still standing in 1899 and in
mandery. No. 37. K. T. (past commander); use; it was owned liy a Mr. P>rugler, one of
Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Blooms- his descendants. Disposing of his property
38
562
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in New Jersey Mr. Brown came to Pennsyl-
vania with his family in 1795, lirst purchasing
a large tract four miles east of the town of
Mifflinville, in Columbia county. Finding
this unsuitable for fanning he sold it and
bought four hundred acres about one mile
south of JNIifflinville, in Mifflin township, what
was later known as the Rosebud farm, for
which he paid about four thousand dollars.
There Mr. Brown continued to reside until
his death, which occurred Sept. 24, 1819, and
he was one of the leading men of his section
in his day. He built a grist and saw mill
along what was known as the Ten Mile run,
and followed milling and farming. For many
years he was a justice of the peace, being
elected in 1808, and serving until his death. He
was treasurer of the Nescopeck Bridge Com-
pany at Berwick, Pa., as is shown by a share
of stock. No. 105, dated Aug. 6, 1814, which
came into the possession of his great-grand-
son, Hiram H. Brown, of Scott township,
Columbia county. His five children were all
born to his first marriage, namely : James,
born Sept. 10, 1773 (died June 4, 1820) ;
Samuel; Mary and Elizabeth, twins, born
March 30, 1782, the former of whom married
Joseph Otto, and moved to McKean county.
Pa., where she died April 29, 1862, while
Elizabeth married George Hess and settled in
Benton township, Columbia county, where she
died Oct. 21, 1850; and Sarah, born April 13,
1787, wife of Henry Bowman (she lived and
died in MifHin township, Columbia county,
passing away Sept. 12, 1869).
The early members of the Brown family
in this region were Methodists, and were
among the principal founders of the early
Methodist congregation at Mifflinville, the
first Methodist Church of this district being
erected on part of John Brown's farm, he
donating the land. Many of his descendants
are associated with the same denomination.
Samuel Brown, grandfather of Benton B.
Brown, was born April 2. 1778, in Warren
county, N. J., and came thence to Columbia
county. Pa., with the rest of the family. Upon
his father's death he inherited the homestead,
his father's holdings here being divided among
four of the children. His was the tract of
130 acres which has been in the family for
over one hundred years, being still owned by
the Browns. He cultivated that place, and
also engaged in grist and saw milling, operat-
ing the mills his father erected until his death,
which occurred when he was in his prime,
Oct. 12, 1823. To him and his wife Dorathy
(Nice), of Philadelphia, a native of Holland,
were born nine children: John, born Jan. 13,
1801, died Feb. 21, 1855; Mary Margaret,
born March 13, 1803, married Samuel Creasy,
of Mifflin township; Sarah, born April ig,
1805, married George A. Bowman, of Scott
township, and died Aug. 15, 1856; William
N., born Feb. 15, 1807, died Sept. 16, 1876;
Matthew, born June 11, 1809, died June 25,
1851 (he farmed and had a powder mill in
Mifflin township j ; James, born Oct. 18, 181 1,
a boatman on the Schuylkill canal, died Jan.
5, 1833; Elizabeth, born Alarch 5, 1814, mar-
ried Alexander Thompson, of Berwick, who
died before her; George B., bom Sept. 13,
1816, died at Danville; Elisha B. was born
May 13, 1819, and died Sept. 23, 1885. The
parents are buried in the Brown cemetery in
Mifflin township. Mrs. Brown was born in
1784, and died Feb. 23, 1847. She belonged
to a family of Nices living near the Delaware
Water Gap.
George B. Brown, son of Samuel, was born
Sept. 13, 1816, in Columbia county, and until
he reached the age of fourteen years remained
at home on the farm with his mother. Dur-
ing that time he attended one term of three
months at the public school in the home dis-
trict. He then hired out to do farm work, be-
ing thus employed until seventeen years old,
when he went to Mifflinville to clerk in a store.
Before long, however, he came thence to Dan-
ville, in 1834, and for the next two years
clerked in a dry goods store near the canal.
He then purchased the store of S. M. Bow-
man & Co. and engaged in the general mer-
cantile business on his own account, con-
ducting same for three or four years, at the
end of which time he was sold out by the
sheriff. His failure, instead of discouraging
him, gave him something more to work for,
as he was determined to pay oft' his debts,
which he did in full. He tried various un-
dertakings which seemed promising, and at
one time had nine different enterprises under
way in Danville. In 1842 he put up the
Brown building and opened up the temper-
ance hotel which he carried on for a few
years, later adding a livery business which he
conducted in connection. He then studied
dentistry and when prepared for practice
opened an office, following the profession suc-
cessfully to the end of his life. At the same
time he continued to be one of the active busi-
ness men of the borough. In 1853 he became
interested in the book store with which he was
connected during the remainder of his days,
being associated with others in this venture
until i8s8, when he bought them out and be-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
56a
came the sole proprietor, lie dealt in books,
stationery, artists' supplies, etc., and it was
he who circulated the lirst daily newspaper
in Danville, this branch of his business grow-
ing steadily from the time he started it. He
was a member of the firm of Brown & Gear-
hart, general merchants, formed in 1837, and
sold out in 1841. P^or a time Mr. Brown had
a position wath the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, as tourist ticket agent.
Mr. Brown also took a leading part in the
government of the borough, serving as mem-
ber of the council, one term as burgess, and
for many years as one of the most influential
members of the school board, of which body
he was treasurer over thirty-five years. Po-
litically he was a Republican, in religious con-
nection a member of the Methodist Ei)iscopal
Church, which he served as one of the build-
ing committee. His wife also belonged to
that church. For about fifty-one years he
was a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. P".,
belonging to Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. &
A. M., and to Odd P'ellows Lodge, No. 299.
In 1837 Mr. Brown married Sarah Ann
Gearhart, who was of Gennan origin, daugh-
ter of John and Sophia (Bowman) Gearhart,
and tliey had a family of four children: Ben-
ton B. ; Melissa D., born Aug. 23, 1842, Mrs.
Ostrander, of Danville ; John G., born Feb.
29, 1852, of Meriden, Conn. ; and William G.,
of Danville. Mr. Brown died May 27, 1896,
Mrs. Brown in August, 1900.
Benton B. Brown grew to manhood in Dan-
ville, receiving his education in the public
schools and academy, and his early business
experience as clerk in his father's store. He
was thus engaged until 1861, when he enlisted,
April 22d, in Company C, 14th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, for three months. He
was also in the Union service under a subse-
quent enlistment, on Jan. 22, 1864, in Com-
pany C, 187th Pennsylvania Regiment, and
received his discharge Aug. 5, 1865. For some
years after the war lie was an apprentice in
a machine shop, continuing in this work until
1881. Then he became associated with the
local government, with which he has ever
since been connected in one official capacity or
another. In February, 1887, he was elected
assessor for the Third ward, serving one year.
In 1893 he was elected constable and high
constable, which offices he is still holding. In
1897 he was appointed health officer for the
borough and he held that office continuously
to Feb. I, 1913, meantime, in 1905, receiving
the appointment of State health officer, in
which he served until Dec. 3, 1912. His
work in this capacity was highly commend-
able and notably efficient and worthy of the
appreciation his fellow citizens showed by
retaining him in the public service for so long
a period. Mr. Brown is prominent in lodge
circles, being a past grand of Lodge No. 109,
I. O. O. P"., and a past commander of G. A.
R. I'ost No. 22. Pie is a member of St.
Paul's M. E. Church.
On Feb. 4, 1864, Mr. Brown was united in
marriage with Mary Elizabeth Bassett, and
their home is on Walnut street. They have
two living children : Tarring Gearhart Brown
married Nora J. Seidel, of Danville; Mary is
the wife of Beverly Whiting Musselman, man-
ager of the Globe Warehouse, of Danville,
and has one child, lilizalieth ; George, de-
ceased, left one child, Kirk Wellwood Brown,
living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
William G. Brown, youngest of the fam-
ily of George B. and Sarah Ann (Gearhart)
Brown, was born Aug. 14, 1857, in Danville,
in the Brown building on Mill street which
he still occupies. He was educated in the
common schools. In 1875 and 1876 he was
employed in Houston's machine shop at Mont-
gomery station, and during 1877 became en-
gaged as news agent on the Reading railroad
under B. F. Gowan, serving as such for two
years. When he gave up this work he went
into the cigar business, which he carried on
until a short time after his marriage. Failing
in business in 1881, he commenced to serve
an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade with
the Montour Iron & Steel Company, and after
completing his four years of service spent
eight years more in the same employ, as a
journeyman machinist. During this time he
was sent out to work for Curry & Vannan,
and also for the North Branch Steel Com-
pany, when the services of an extra mechanic
were required. He worked faithfully to
liquidate all his obligations after his failure
in business, and succeeded, paying cent for
cent, and no man in Danville has any higher
standing to-day, his integrity and reliability
being unimpeachable. He owns the Brown
building on Mil! street, containing office and
store rooms, and has other valuable property
in the borough. He also has a machine shop
and garage, where he has built up an excel-
lent business, making a specialty of repair
work.
On May 13, 1880, Mr. lirown married
Keturah Antrim, who was born Nov. 25, 1858,
564
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
near Watsontown, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
daughter of W'iUiam L. Antrim, a native of
Bucks county. Pa. They have one son, Frank
A., born Alarch 20, 1883, who is associated in
business with his father; he married Ferda
Wingert.
Mr. Brown has been an active member of
the Friendship Fire Company of Danville
since 1878. The day after his marriage he
worked in Milton lighting a fire which nearly
wiped out the town. He also belongs to the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, and to Lodge
No. 754, B. P. O. Elks. He was reared in
the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
the Browns being prominent in the work of
that church at Danville; Mr. and Mrs. Brown
and their son and daughter-in-law belong to
St. Paul's Church.
DA\ID ELLSWORTH HARING, super-
intendent of the Danville Stove & ^Nlanufac-
turing Company, is one of the well known
figures in the industrial circles of Danville.
He was born April 6, 1867, at Slabtown, Co-
lumbia Co., Pa., son of Charles B. Haring
and grandson of David Haring. The latter
was born in April. 1800, in Bucks county. Pa.,
and was a potter by trade.
Charles B. Haring, father of David E. Har-
ing, was born in April, 1841, in Bucks coun-
ty, and learned the trade of carpenter and
cabinetmaker, which he followed during most
of his active years. He gave it up, however,
in 1895, ">vhen he became messenger in the
United States treasury department at Wash-
ington, D. C, being appointed under the civil
service rules in Cleveland's administration.
He continued to hold that position until his
death, which occurred in igog. He married
Sarah A. Fetterman, a native of Columbia
county, who still survives. She is a daugh-
ter of John and Mary (Lavan) Fetterman,
of Columbia county, the former of whom was
a blacksmith during his active years. Four
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles
B. Haring: David E. ; Etta Belle, wife of
Wilbur Hampton, M. D.. of Washington. D.
C. ; Walter Wellington, of Washington. D. C. ;
and John W'illard. of \\'ashington. D. C.
David E. Haring attended school until thir-
teen years old. He then began work at Dan-
ville, cleaning brick, for which he received
twenty-five cents a day. and later clerked in
a general mercantile business. He went to
learn the trade of molder in the big mill
foundry at Danville, and on Oct. 9. 1882,
commenced work as a stove molder. being
thus engaged until 1894. He then went to
Washington, D. C, where he was in the
grocery business for fourteen months, at the
end of that time selling out and returning to
Danville. In 1901 he went from here to
Waynesboro, Va., to take a position as fore-
man in the foundry of the Loth Stove Com-
pany, but did not remain long, in 1902 taking
charge of the foundry of the Danville Stove
W'orks as foreman. In 1903 he was pro-
moted to his present position, that of super-
intendent, in which he has given high satis-
faction to all concerned. Mr. Haring's effi-
ciency and thorough familiarity with the busi-
ness of stove molding make him invaluable to
this concern and his conscientious work has
won the appreciation of his employers and
the respect of those in his charge.
On Dec. 21, 1886, Mr. Haring married
Sarah Ann Knerr, of Northumberland county,
Pa., daughter of Jeremiah Knerr, and they
have had three children, namely: Ralph E.,
deceased ; Irving Leroy, deceased ; and Ethel
Irene, now living at home, who is a graduate
of the Danville high school. Mr. Haring is a
Ijrominent member of Trinity Lutheran
Church at Danville, and is serving in the
church council. He is also prominent in .Sun-
I day school work, having a class of thirty
whose members are preparing themselves for
teaching in the Sunday school. He has twice
been elected a member of the school board
from the Second ward, first in the fall of
1900.
Socially Mr. Haring belongs to Mahoning
Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.; Beaver Lodge.
No. 132, K. of P.; Montour Castle. No. 186.
K. G. E. ; Lotus Conclave, No. 127, Improved
Order of Heptasophs (of which he is a past
archon) ; and Iron ]\Iolders' Union No. 124,
of Danville, of which he is a past president,
and he was corresponding representative of
that organization for eight years.
Jeremiah Knerr, father of Mrs. David E.
Haring, was born July 13, 1847, '" North-
umberland county. Pa., where his father,
Andrew Knerr, passed most of his life. The
latter was a miller by trade. He married
Anna Uhner, a native of Germany, from
which country the Knerr family also came.
They had a family of seven children, only two
of whom survive, Jeremiah and Ella, the lat-
ter the wife of E. Koch, and living in Shamo-
kin, Pa. Andrew Knerr died in 1895, ^t the
age of sixty-five years.
After his school days were over Jeremiah
Knerr learned milling with his father, with
whom he remained until nineteen years old.
He then engaged in milling on his own ac-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
565
count at Riverside, Northumberland county,
being in business there for six years when he
sold out. He next learned the trade of plas-
terer, at which he was employed thereafter
during his active years, for seven years be-
ing engaged in that capacity at the State Hos-
pital at Danville. In 1910 he retired from
that position and has since been engaged as
janitor at the Montour county courthouse.
Mr. Knerr married Hannah Snyder, who was
born in 1846, daughter of Jacob Snyder, of
Northumberland county, and died in 1907. A
family of five children was born to this union,
of whom four survive: Jennie, wife of J.
Thompson; Sarah Ann, wife of David E.
Haring, of Danville; Ida, wife of Charles
Michael, an engineer; and Montgomery, who
is on the old homestead at Riverside, North-
umberland county. Mr. Knerr is now mak-
ing his home with his son-in-law, Mr. Haring.
He has never taken any active part in poli-
tics. All of this family have been brought up
in the faith of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN D. ELLIS was during his active
years one of the busiest residents of Lime-
stone township, his extensive agricultural
operations, his official duties and the other
interests he acquired during the course of a
long life keeping him thoroughly occupied.
Though now living somewhat retired, he has
relinquished none of his interest in the gen-
eral welfare, and he e.xerts a strong and
wholesome influence in local affairs. Mr.
Ellis was born in Anthony township, now in
Montour county, June 14, 1836, son of Wil-
liam Ellis and grandson of Stephen Ellis.
He is a great-grandson of Stephen Ellis, the
first of the name to settle in this region, one
of the early residents of Anthony township.
Rev. Milton Lightner, the first regular pastor
of St. James' Episcopal Church at Exchange,
made his first visit to this place to preach at
the funeral of Stephen Ellis. When the lat-
ter died he left a verbal will giving $200
toward the erection of an Episcopal Church
at Exchange, "should there ever be a
disposition to erect such a building." The
Church was commenced in 1848, on land pur-
chased for that purpose, the cornerstone was
laid that year by Bishop Alonzo Potter, and
the completed building was dedicated by the
Bishop, assisted by Rev. Milton Lightner and
others. Prominent among the contributors to
the work were the estate of Stephen Ellis,
William Ellis, Stephen Ellis (son of Stephen,
deceased), Catharine Ellis, Jane, William, Isa-
bella, Ellen and John C. Ellis, Milton Light-
ner and Amos Heacock. The first officers of
the church were William Ellis, Stephen Ellis,
John C. Ellis and Amos Heacock, vestrymen;
William Ellis and Amos Heacock, wardens.
In 1887 the officers were Charles Reeder,
William Ellis, John Caldwell, John D. Ellis,
Robert Caldwell, Stephen C. Ellis, vestrymen ;
Charles Reeder, senior warden; Stephen C.
Ellis, junior warden.
Stephen Ellis, the pioneer of the family,
was born in Ireland, and came from London-
derry, that country, to America in or about
1770. His father, who was a sea captain,
when he retired from the water took up land
near Baltimore, Md., but finally went back to
Donegal, Ireland, wdiere he died. Stephen
Ellis assisted his cousin at Juniata in Juniata
county. Pa., before coming to this section, and
then settled permanently near Exchange, in
Anthony township. Here he and his wife
spent the remainder of their long lives in the
vicinity in which they first located, he farm-
ing until his death, which occurred June 23,
1845, wlien he was eighty-two years old. He
married Eleanor Cunningham, like himself a
native of Ireland, and she survived him a few
years, dying Oct. 30, 1853, at the age of
eighty. They are buried in the Episcopal
graveyard at Exchange. They were the par-
ents of twelve children.
William Ellis, second son of this large
family, was born in Anthony township May
7. 1800, and died Feb. 24, 1862. In 1833 he
married Sarah Murray, of Lewis township,
Northumberland county, born April 3, 1806,
daughter of John and Mary (Watts) Murray
They then bought and cleared up a tract of
land in the woods of Murray Hill, now in
Madison township, Columbia county. Upon
this they lived and carried on the pursuit of
agriculture, finally becoming possessed of sev-
eral other tracts of land in adjoining counties.
Mr. Ellis was a member of the Episcopal
Church at Exchange, at which place he is
buried. His wife survived him until Jan. 21,
1892. They were the parents of three chil-
dren : Andrew, John D. and Stephen M.
(born June 8, 1839, died Nov. 10, 1900), John
D. being the only survivor.
John D. Ellis grew to maturity in his native
township, receiving his education in the com-
mon schools there. Subsequently he remained
at home, working with his father, until thirty-
two years old, when he married and left home,
farming for himself near Exchange, at which
location he remained for about five years.
Then he settled on his present place in Lime-
stone township, in 1872, first buying fifty-
566
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
seven acres, the old Abraham Walter place on
the Wilkes-Barre railroad. On this place he
made numerous improvements, and also add-
ed to it from time to time as prosperity en-
abled him, until his holdings aggregated 312
acres, besides which he acquired an interest in
timber lands with his brother, the late Stephen
M. Ellis. He became one of the stockholders
of the Exchange Bank, and he also became a
stockholder and director of the Farmers' Na-
tional Bank at Watsontown, being still a direc-
tor of the latter. He is a member of Exchange
Grange, No. 65, P. of H.
Mr. Ellis has held practically all the town-
ship offices, serving -six years as school direc-
tor, but he is probably best known in the
capacity of justice of the peace, to which po-
sition he was first elected in 1886, and re-
elected four times, his services covering a
period of twenty-five years. His vigilant care
in all that afi"ected the general welfare has
been highly appreciated by his fellow citizens.
In political connection he is a Democrat, in
religion a member of the Episcopal Church, he
and his wife belonging at Exchange.
On May 10, 1867, Mr. Ellis married Euran-
nah Litchard, who was born July 4, 1846, in
Moreland township, Lycoming county, one of
the six children of George and Rebecca (De-
walt) Litchard, who lived about two miles
from Moreland Mills. The former was of
English, the latter of German descent. James
Litchard, ]\Irs. Ellis's grandfather, settled in
Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county.
He and his wife Catherine (Shires) were the
parents of nine children. George being the
third son.
Mrs. Ellis died Jan. 30, 1913, in Limestone
township, Montour county. Four children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis: Sarah Ida,
born March 22, 1868, is the wife of Edward
J. Menges, of Lewis township, Northumber-
land county, and has one child, Ella, who is
married to John Plotts and is the mother of
a daughter, Grace ; Franklin, born Sept. 22,
1870, married Hattie Robenalt, of Watson-
town, and has two children. Randall and
Dorothy; Ellen May, born May 5, 1876, is
the wife of Ira Smith, of Anthony township,
and has one child, Norman ; Roscoe, born Jan.
23, 1882, married May Watson, of Limestone
township, and they have one child, Thelma.
DR. DAVID JEWETT WALLER, Jr.,
was born in Bloomsburg, Jan. 17, 1846, and is
the son of David Jewett and Julia (Ello-
maker) Waller. He received his early educa-
tion in the schools of the city and at the
Bloomsburg Literary Institute. He then at-
tended Lafayette College, graduating from
that institution in 1870. He was tutor there
during one year, after which he attended
Princeton Theological Seminary, and later
graduated from the Union Theological Sem-
inary, of New York, in 1874. During the
year 1874 and 1875 Dr. Waller was pastor
of the Logan Square Presbyterian Church,
Philadelphia, and the following year and a
half was pastor of the Orangeville, Rohrsburg
and Raven Creek Churches. In 1877 he was
elected principal of the Bloomsburg State
Normal School, and served for thirteen years ;
has served in that capacity also in the nor-
mal school at Indiana, Pa., and Bloomsburg;
was State superintendent of public instruc-
tion, 1890-1893; and became principal of the
Bloomsburg Normal School again in 1906,
serving to the present time.
JAMES BOYD ROBISON (deceased)
was bom at Bloomsburg, Pa., Jan. 3, 1838,
son of William and Betsey (Barton) Rob-
ison. His great-grandfather, William Rob-
ison, was born in the north of Ireland, in
1733, his parents having emigrated there from
Scotland to escape religious persecution. In
1752 he emigrated to this country and settled
at Wilmington, N. J., where he lived until
1771, in which year he removed to Mifilin
county. Pa., near McVeytown, where he died.
He married Martha Houston, who was bom
in America, and their children were : James,
John, William, Alexander, Margaret, Agnes,
Rebecca, Robert and Martha.
Alexander Robison, grandfather of J. Boyd,
was born at Mc\'eytown, Pa., and followed
farming all of his life. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of John McKee and Esther Boyd,
formerly of Carlisle, Pa., and their children
were : John, who married Margaret Chriss-
man ; and William, mentioned below.
William Robison was born Jan. 19, 1789,
on his father's farm near McYeytown, Pa.,
and was educated in the district schools. He
located at Orangeville in 1810 and ran a coun-
try store for several years, after which he
went to Bloomsburg to work for his brother
John. They conducted a tannery on Third
street and Miller's alley until 1826, and in
connection therewith built the house on that
corner which still stands, the oldest house in
the town. It was erected in 1815 and thev be-
gan housekeeping there in 1816. For a short
time in 1822 \Mlliam Robison acted as sheriff,
and between 1826 and 1840 he conducted a
first-class hotel at the corner of Second and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
567
Center streets, also operating a stage line. In
1840 he went to farming in Hemlock town-
ship, and from 1846 to 1855 carried on a gen-
eral mercantile business at Bloomsburg, after
which he retired, at the age of sixty-six.
In many ways William Robison was an
enterprising citizen. He took a great interest
in all public affairs, and as an evidence of his
public spirit it is recorded that he donated a
part of the land upon which the present court-
house is built. He was a Democrat, then a
'Whig and later a Republican. He was a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church. He died in
1866, greatly regretted by all who knew him.
On Jan. 30, 18 16, William Robison married
Betsey, daughter of Elisha Barton, of Blooms-
burg.' She was bom Jan. 30, 1799, and died
Tan. 9, 1877. Both of them are buried in
Rosemont cemetery. Their children were :
(i) Alexander, born Nov. 2, 1816, died in
April, 1878, married Mary E. Thompson. (2)
lane McKee, born Jan. 13, 1819, married
Lynd Elliott, and died Aug. 20, 1885. (3)
.Vnna Maria, born Nov. 25, 1820, married
Ariovistus Pardee, and died Jan. 25, 1892.
(4) Martha E., born Jan. i, 1823, married
Andrew M. Rupert, and died April 4, 1874.
(5) Harriet, born Nov. 6, 1824, married
Charles E. Frazier, and died May 9, 1903. (6)
Ellen, born Dec. 24, 1826, married Dr. Wil-
liam B. Hawkins, and died Oct. 5, 1884. (7)
Emily, born Feb. 8, 1829, married George B.
Markie, and died Sept. 17, 1888. (8) Isabelle,
born Feb. 15, 1831, married Nathaniel L.
Campbell, and died April 17, 1873. (9) Wil-
liam Barton, born Sept. 21, 1833, died in 1837.
( 10) Mary Augusta, born Jan. 3, 1838, died
Feb. 2, 1892. (11) James Boyd, born Jan.
3, 1838, is mentioned below. (12) Isaiah B..
born Jan. 10, 1840, first lieutenant of the 28th
Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed July 20,
1864, while at the head of his company dur-
ing Sherman's march to the sea. (13) Han-
nah .\melia, born Jan. 13, 1844, married Fred-
erick E. Barber, and resides at McPherson,
Kansas.
James Boyd Robison attended the schools
of Bloomsburg and in his spare time assisted
his father in the store. At the age of sixteen
he began to teach school in Mifflin township,
and after three months received the first per-
manent certificate issued by the county super-
intendent of Carbon county, in August,^ 1854.
He also taught a seven months' term in the
Summit school district of the same county.
In 1855 ^^^ served on the engineer corps en-
gaged'in laying the lines for the Jeddo branch
of the Hazleton railroad, after which he
entered Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa.,
where he took a two-year course, subsequently
receiving the degree of A. M., in 1867. He
next worked in the patent office at Washing-
ton, for five months, returning to Pennsyl-
vania to keep books for his brother in Mauch
Chunk. In 1858 and the summer of 1859 he
taught school in Tazewell county, 111., paying
his way during vacations by selling books
through Henry and Mercer counties. The day
after the campaign for senator between Lin-
coln and Douglas was decided by the election
of the former, Mr. Robison suggested the
nomination of Lincoln for the presidency.
In August, 1859, Mr. Robison came to Mer-
cer county, Pa., and began to read law with
Jason T. Gibner. paying his way by clerking
in the sheriff's office. In the spring of 1861,
when Fort Sumter was fired upon, he an-
nounced his intention of enlisting, and the
following day he was the first one in the
county to enlist in the Mercer Rifles, having
drawn up the enlistment paper and been first to
sign-. This company was incorporated in the
loth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Vol-
unteer Corps, for a term of three years, and
was mustered into service June 19, 1861, the
captain being the late General Warner. James
Boyd Robison was appointed sergeant. He
participated in all the Seven Days' Battles,
and at the second battle of Bull Run was
wounded in the hand and sent to the hospital,
being discharged on Dec. 18, 1862. In June,
1863, he enlisted in Company H, 35th Reg-
iment, Emergency Men, in Columbia county,
and on its arrival at Harrisburg the company
captain was promoted to major and Mr. Rob-
ison was made captain. His company was on
guard duty until August, from Gettysburg to
Greencastle.
In September Mr. Robison returned to
Mauch Chunk, kept books for his brother for
a short time, and then resumed his studies, be-
ing admitted to the bar of Mercer county in
November, 1863. During the rest of the
winter he taught school at Sandy Lake, and
then went to Washington, D. C, to be clerk to
Capt. J. T. Gibner, in the commissary depart-
ment, being assigned to the 19th Army Corps,
under Sheridan, in the Shenandoah valley.
During his service he was captured, Sept. 26,
1864, by Confederate stragglers, and on Oct.
17th was confined in Libby prison, where he
remained until Feb. 17, 1865.
Mr. Robison returned to Mercer in 1865
and was elected district attorney, serv'ed one
vear. and then resigned to ejiter the real estate
business in St. Louis. In 1867 he located in
568
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Bloonisburg, practiced law for one year, and
then was appointed United States commis-
sioner for a four-year term, resigning in 1872.
He was notary public from 1872 to 1S75, and
ser\'ed three terms as general corporation
counsel. In 1870 he was nominated for the
Legislature by the Republicans, and in 1880
ran for Congress on the Greenback ticket,
receiving double the number of votes Weaver
had for president. He was a candidate again
in 1884, but failed of election. From 1881 to
1885 he operated a farm about four miles
south of Catawissa, after which he retired
from the farm and resumed his practice in
Bloomsburg.
Mr. Robison was a member of the Presby-
terian Qiurch, taught in the Sunday school in
Bloomsburg, and was president of the Colum-
bia County Sabbath School Association dur-
ing the year 1872-73. A man of high prin-
ciples and ideals in his law practice, he was
always an advocate of peace, and would fre-
quently settle disputes without having them
brought into court. He was a deep student of
economic conditions, and his opinion was
widely sought and accepted. During the last
years of his life he was a strong advocate of
local option on the question of the manu-
facture and sale of liquor. He was a Knight
Templar and a thirty-second-degree Mason,
Scottish Rite, and had held all of the offices.
He was a member of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, of Col. W. H. Ent Post, G. A. R., and
of the Union Veteran Legion of Bloomsburg.
He died March 2, 1909, in Espy, where he had
had his residence for fifteen years, and is
buried in the Creveling cemetery, near Espy.
Mr. Robison was married. Oct. 16, 1873, to
Mary Jane Breece, daughter of Daniel and
Mary Ann (Case) Breece. Mrs. Breece was
a daughter of William and Sarah (Irvin)
Case, and a granddaughter of Adam Case,
whose ancestors came from Holland in 1614.
according to old records. Children as follows
were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Robison: (1)
Martha E. is mentioned below. (2) James
Boyd, born Oct. 16, 1876, a resident of Ber-
wick, married Lillie Oberdorf. and has five
children, John Boyd, Charles Oberdorf, Wil-
liam Isaiah (the sixth William Robison in
direct line of descent), David Elmer and
Martha Elizabeth. (3) Bessie Mary, bom
June 21, 1879. married Dr. John Decker
Butzner. of Scranton, and had two children.
Elizabeth Robison and William Boyd. (4)
Isaiah, born Sept. 13, 1881. died Dec. 25, 1882.
and is buried in Rosemont cemetery. Blooms-
burg. (5) William Daniel, bom March 23,
1883, married Lillian DeBault, and resides in
Scranton, Pa. (6) [ean Breece was born
Sept. 4, 1884. (7) Emily, Oct. 31, 1886. (8)
Andrew Horace. Dec. 22, 1888. (9) Irvin
Alexander, Nov. i, 1890.
Thomas Barton, grandfather of Mrs. Wil-
liam Robison, married Hannah Clarke in Eng-
land and emigrated to America, landing in
Mrginia about the time of the first settlement
of the country. Later he moved to the south-
eastern part of Pennsylvania, near Philadel-
phia. They had seven sons and three daugh-
ters: Daniel, Elisha, Theophilus, Roger,
Undrel, Thomas, Clarke, Amelia, Sarah and
Isabella. These sons grew to manhood and
settled in various portions of the country.
Daniel and Elisha in Pennsylvania, Theo-
philus in Kentucky, Roger in Tennessee and
Clarke in Virginia. Thomas and Undrel dis-
appeared. Of the daughters only one,
Amelia, lived to maturity. She married Abra-
ham McMurtrie, of New Jersey, and died at
an advanced age, leaving a large family (see
k>ederick Hagenbuch sketch).
Elisha Barton, father of Mrs. William Rob-
ison, and the second son, was bom in Vir-
ginia June 21, 1742. He was married to his
first wife, Mary Simonton, in Northampton
county. Pa., about the year 1766, and they had
one son, Thomas, bom May 11, 1768. This
wife died about 1769. Mr. Barton's second
wife was Anna, daughter of John and Mary
(Paine) McCarter, and a native of New Jer-
sey. Her father was an Irishman and came
to America in youth ; her mother, Mary Paine,
was bom in New Jersey.
Marth.a E. Robison, daughter of James
Boyd Robison, was born Nov. 17, 1874, at
Bloomsburg. At the age of six she moved
with the family to the Esther Furnace farm,
south of Catawissa, where she spent much
time out of doors. On this farm was located
one of the oldest charcoal furnaces in the
State, built by Samuel Bittler. The part of
the farm owned by her father was formerly
purchased from the Penn family by Samuel
Shakespeare, and the original deed is now in
Miss Robison's possession. Four years of
outdoor life built the delicate child into robust-
ness. At the age of ten she returned to
Bloomsburg, lived there until 1893, and then
went to Espy for a time, returning after her
father's death.
Miss Robison was educated by her parents,
knew the alphabet at two years of age, and
learned to read at three. At six she could
easily read anything shown her, and for the
next ten vears she spent most of her time
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
569
reading. She went to school but little until
her sixteenth year — three terms, and prob-
ably enough short periods to aggregate another
full term, but worked and studied at home.
Entering the State Normal School she grad-
uated in June, 1892, one of the youngest in a
class of ninety-six. Between 1892 and 1897
she taught four terms in the graded schools,
one in Union county, one in Luzerne county
and two in Espy. She then returned to school
for a year and completed her post-graduate
work, receiving the B. P. degree in 1898.
Then followed one year of ungraded work in
Columbia county, in 1899-1900, and more in
1902-04, at Rohrsburg, and in 1905-07 in
Cornwall, Lebanon covmty.
In 190'r Miss Robison was elected superin-
tendent of the home department of the County
Sabbath School Association, in 1906 added the
duties of primary superintendent, and in 1907
left the Cornwall school and was called back
to take the position of field secretary of the
county association. This was new w'ork and
she was obliged to go slowly, but managed to
carry it on until January, 1908, when she was
called to the field work of the State Associa-
tion and given full charge of Columbia,
Northumberland, Montour, Union and Snyder
counties. In two years her work had reached
a high standard of excellence, and she is mov-
ing steadily toward the goal of success. Un-
til the fall of 1913 she did general field work
in the central part of the State. In Novem-
ber, 1913, the .State board of directors created
the department of Rural Work, of which she
was made superintendent. Miss Robison
united with the Baptist denomination at the
age of sixteen, and continues in the same
Church.
JEREMIA?! R. FOWLER (deceased), at
one time county treasurer of Columbia county.
Pa., was born in Pine township, Columbia
county, March 17, 1854, son of John F. and
Julia A. (Fortner) Fowler. The family is of
English descent.
Benjamin Fowler, the great-grandfather,
was one of the first settlers of Columbia coun-
ty. He was a British subject, and when a boy
came to this country as a ser\-ant to one of
the officers in the English army fighting
against the Colonists. After surrendering
with Cornwallis at Yorktown, the war clos-
ing, he learned the trade of blacksmith and
settled above Espy, in Columbia county. Pa.,
where he followed his trade and farmed. He
married Deborah, a daughter of David Fow-
ler, but not a member of the same family, and
ihey had these children : James, David, Dan-
iel. Benjamin, William, Gilbert, Sarah and
Xancy. His son, David, the grandfather of
Jeremiah R., died in 1876, at the age of ninety-
one years. He raised four children : Cath-
erine, Sarah, John F. and Sophia.
John F. Fowler, father of Jeremiah R., was
born in Centre township. May 2, 181 3, and
having been reared to farming operated his
father's farm until 1842, when he went to Pine
township and bought a farm. He remained
there until 1866, and then bought a farm near
Pine Summit where he resided until his death.
On May 29, 1836, he married Julia A., daugh-
ter of John Fortner; and she died Jan. 29,
1866, leaving seven children: Dorcas F., Mary
E., Alvin C, Sarah E., David, Jeremiah R.
and William M. For his second wife Mr.
Fowler married, Jan. 10, 1867, Hannah M.,
daughter of Joseph and ]\Iary (Sparks)
Houghton, and by this union had two children,
Harvey O. and Mattie M.
Jeremiah R. Fowler was reared on the home
farm and remained with his parents until
twelve years of age. After his mother's death
he went to Danville and learned the trade of
puddler, working in the rolling mill for sev-
eral years. In 1875 he engaged in the lime
business in Muncy township, Lycoming coun-
ty, continuing there until 1880, when he came
to Pine township and carried on the same
business for one year. He also established a
distillery at Pine Summit, which he conducted
till 1883, when he sold out and ptirchased the
Fowler Lyons farm of 250 acres. This he
greatly improved and cultivated until 1885,
when he moved to Bloomsburg and entered
the restaurant business. He also managed
the Opera House there. He served one term
as county treasurer, taking office in 1894, and
was a vigorous worker for the iinprovement
of the city and county. He was connected
with the Odd Fellows lodge. Mr. Fowler died
in 1908, and is btiried in the Rosemont ceme-
tery.
Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with
Eliza Lathlean, daughter of Joseph and Mary
(Dunn) Lathlean, natives of Sourleo, Eng-
land, and they had one child, Lillian Dunn
Fowler. Mrs. Fowler died in 1914. at her
home on East First street. Bloomsburg, aged
sixty-two years, five months, ten days, and
was buried in Rosemont cemetery. She was
a native of the north of England and came to
this country when twenty-one years old. living
with her sister in New Jersey. She and Mr.
Fowler were married during the Centennial at
Philadelphia. After her husband's death she
570
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
took a trip to England in the hope of benefit-
ing her heahh. but without rehef. Formerly
a member of the M. E. Church in Philadel-
phia, she joined St. Paul's Episcopal Church
in Bloomsburg, and Rev. Air. Musser, the
pastor, officiated at her funeral. She is sur-
vived by her daughter and a sister. Miss Eliza-
beth Lathlean, of Exeter, England.
A. PHILIP YOUNG has been a leader in
the progress of agricultural interests in his
section of Pennsylvania for several decades,
and his success in enthusing others to a proper
appreciation of the dignity and value of in-
telligent farming has gone hand in hand with
the prosperity of his own undertakings, .^n
eminently practical farmer, he has made some
demonstrations in his work which are truly
examples. The thorough methods and system
he has advocated in his addresses before farm-
ers' institutes, at picnics and at Grange meet-
ings, are those he has put into practice and
proved worth while in his own experience, and
he merits the position of authority which he
has held for many years. Over fifty years
ago he bought a wornout, rundown tract, lo-
cally known as the "old Briar farm," now
converted into one of the best cultivated, best
equipped and best kept farms in the county,
productive beyond the ordinary.
Mr. Young was born near Benton, Nov. 17,
1835, and the family has been established in
Columbia county for over a century. The
Youngs are of Scotch extraction. Mr. Young's
grandparents both died before his birth. His
father, Abram Young, a native of New Jer-
sey, came to Pennsylvania from that State
about 1810, arriving in Columbia county in
1812. On the way he worked at different oc-
cupations. He was employed on the construc-
tion of the river bridge at Harrisburg, which
was then being erected. Upon arriving at
Benton, Columbia county, he purchased a tract
of timberland consisting^ of in acres, later
the property of Washington Knouse ; he
cleared part of his purchase, and engaged in
farming the rest of his life. He entered
heartily into the advancement of his section.
In politics he was a strong Democrat, held
the office of county cominissioner, and also
was justice of the peace for over thirty years.
He took an active part in the war of 181 2,
and was a captain in the militia. Though he
belonged to no religious denomination he in-
clined to the Baptist faith. He passed from
this life at his home in Benton in 1872, at the
age of eighty-seven years. His wife was Ann
Peterman, a daughter of Tames Peterman, who
came to where Benton now is from Mont-
gomery county, Pa.; he was a blacksmith.
Mrs. Young was born in Montgomerj' county.
Pa., of Revolutionary stock, and she lived to
the remarkable age of ninety-seven years. Of
her children, two sons and two daughters
reached maturity : Mercy Ann married Math-
ias Roberts and died without issue ; Aaron,
deceased, went in 1851 to Illinois, settling at
Round Grove, Whiteside county, and became
a well-to-do farmer ( he married and had sev-
eral children) ; Sarah is the widow of Eli
McHenry, of Benton. Columbia county ; A. P.
completes the family.
A. Philip Young lived and worked on his
father's farm near Benton until he reached
his majority, meantime having received all
the advantages of the local public schools.
Then he took a course in the Greenwood Sem-
inary at IMillville and subsequently engaged
in teaching, for three years in the public
schools and two years at Greenwood Sem-
inar}'. His interest in education was not con-
fined to this work, for he took an active part
in the institute and educational gatherings of
all kinds, and in the various movements which
had the advancement of school standards for
their object. Before engaging reg^ilarly in
farming he took a trip to the South and West,
returning in the fall of i860, and in 1861 pur-
chased and took possession of the eighty-acre
farm where he has since lived, in the fertile
Greenwood valley. Entering upon the work
of improvement systematically and scientifical-
Iv, he has carried on the development until
the whole tract has been brought up to modem
standards of use and profit — a triumph for
the owner and an encouragement to every
farmer in the neighborhood. Mr. Young has
followed general farming, but he has also
given much time to special work. Thirty
years ago he established his herd of regis-
tered Jersey cattle, and he has worked zealous-
ly to improve the stock in his locality. A
number of years ago he began breeding
Brahma poultry, later adding bronze turkevs.
Mr. Young has been a member of the
Grange since its organization and has filled
many of its important offices, ser\'ing fifteen
years as deputv master in his county, and two
terms as member of the e.KCCutive committee
of the State Grange. His early experience in
educational work has been of great value in
his activities in spreading scientific informa-
tion among his fellow farmers. For a number
of vears, commencing almost with the estab-
lishment of farmers' institutes in the State, he
was on the State list of lecturers for the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
571
Farmers' Institutes of Pennsylvania, in that
capacity delivering many talks in his own and
neighboring counties. This he continued un-
til the strenuous nature of the work in get-
ting about, and consequent exposure to the
elements, together with advancing age. caused
him to desist. In recognition of his all-around
familiarity with agricultural conditions, and
of valuable services rendered, he was ap-
pointed a member of the State board of agri-
culture, on which he has served for the last
fifteen years. He assisted in the establish-
ment of the Farmers Produce Exchange,
Limited, at Bloomsburg, and was one of the
managers of the same for several years, re-
tiring when departure from the principles of
its establishment, by a majority, in his opin-
ion meant ruin, which speedily followed. His
indefatigable labors in the general interest are
well illustrated in his endeavor to have the
road from Rohrsburg to Millville, which runs
past his farm, built ; it was only granted after
a severe contest, extending over a long period,
Mr. Young working for twenty-five years be-
fore success rewarded his efl^orts.
Mr. Young's public spirit has drawn him
into all things affecting the local welfare, and
he has filled various positions of trust. He
served six years as school director, during all
that time acting as secretary of the board, and
it was during his term that the best school
building in the township was erected. For
one term he filled the office of justice of the
peace, and for several terms was township
auditor. He has been a candidate for the
Legislature. Politically he has been associated
with the Democratic party since the candidacy
of Horace Greeley for president.
On Jan. lo, 1861, Mr. Young married Ra-
chel Wilson, daughter of Reuben Wilson, a
farmer of Madison township and well known
member of the Society of Friends in this sec-
tion. Four children have been born to them :
Alice graduated from the Bloomsburg Normal
School and taught two years before her mar-
riage to Alfred H. Potts, of Parkesburg.
Chester county; she died leaving six children.
Ella, also a graduate of the Bloomsburg Nor-
mal, is living at home. Emma is living at
home. Mary, deceased, was the wife of Henry
Shaffer, of Rohrsburg. and had one child.
JOHN BECHTEL LANDIS, who is num-
bered among the well known and progressive
citizens of IBerwick, Pa., where he is superin-
tendent of the forge department for the
.'\merican Car and Foundry Companv, was
born Aug. i, 1877, at Boyertown, Berks Co.,
Pa., son of David E. and Sarah (Bechtel)
Landis.
David E. Landis, father of John Bechtel
Landis, was born Dec. 24, 1S52, at Boyer-
town, where he was educated in the public
schools. Under the preceptorship of his
father he learned the trade of tanner, and fol-
lowed that vocation for some time at Boyer-
town, but subsequently moved to Rock Glen,
Luzerne county, continuing to be engaged in
the same business there until 1897. In that
year Mr. Landis turned his attention to the
greenhouse business, and at the present time
is the proprietor of an establishment at Rock
Glen.
Mr. Landis married Sarah Bechtel, daugh-
ter of John and Mary (Longacre) Bechtel,
and to this union have been born the follow-
ing children: John Bechtel; Laura B., a
teacher in the schools of Hazleton, Pa. ; Sam-
uel B., a teacher in the Philippines ; David B.,
a chemist with the West Virginia Pulp &
Paper Company, who married lilanche \'iolet
Ricks, and resides at Covington, Va. ; William
B., a lawyer, who resides at Scranton, Pa. ;
Florence B., who married Clarence Shepherd,
boys' secretary of the \^oung Men's Christian
Association at Lynchburg, Va. ; George B. and
Edgar B., who are associated with their father
in business.
John Bechtel Landis received his element-
ary education at Rock Glen, and prepared for
college at the Bloomsburg State Normal
School. He was graduated there in 1897. and
following this taught two years in Rock Glen,
Luzerne county. He took the regular four
years' course in electrical engineering at the
Pennsylvania State College, being graduated
in 1903 with the degree of bachelor of arts,
and three years later was given his degree of
mechanical engineer. In 1903 he entered the
employ of the American Car and Foundry
Company, at Berwick, in the forge depart-
ment, as assistant to the superintendent, and
in December, 1906, succeeded Mr. Faust in
the superintendency.
Mr, Landis married Emily McCullough,
daughter of William J. and Emily Brooks
( Alexander) McCullough. of Wilkes-Barre,
Pa. Thev have one daughter. Emily Alexan-
der, born June 2. iqi2. Mr. Landis is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church and an active
member of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation. He is much interested in athletics,
and has some local reputation as a baseball
player.
William James McCullough came from
Port Deposit, Md., to Philadelphia, as a boy.
572
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
In his early manhood he moved to Wilkes-
Barre, Pa., to become bookkeeper and pay-
master at the Frankhn mines. He was a man
of unusual mental attainments and particularly
winning personality. He met a tragic death
in 1883, when run down by a train.
His wife, Emily Brooks Alexander, was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of Thomas
Alexander, who came to America from Scot-
land and settled in that city. Both she and her
husband were devout Episcopalians. They
had two children: Emily, who married Mr.
Landis ; and Elizabeth Orr, the wife of Dr.
A. G. Morrish, of Wilkes-Barre.
LINCOLN H. BOODY is probably one of
the most successful as well as public-spirited
men of this portion of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, specially interested in the
growth and development of the town of Ru-
pert, where he resides. His rise to affluence
has not been spectacular, but by steady and
substantial steps, founded on honor and busi-
ness ability. He is the largest dealer in lum-
ber in this section. Mr. Boody was born at
Mullica Hill, N. J., Sept. 28, i860, son of
David and Elizabeth (Looper) Boody.
The Boody family is of English origin, the
first of that name locating in the State of
New Jersey in early Colonial times. George
Boody, the grandfather of Lincoln H., was
the owner of a large farm in that historic sec-
tion of New Jersey called V^ineland, where
the relics of the Norsemen are to be seen to
this day. Here David, the father of Lincoln
H. Boody, was born.
David Boody was a man of more than pass-
ing note, and the native wit and genius he
displayed have in a great measure descended
to his son. He was a versatile worker, being
in turn millwright, carpenter and cabinet-
maker. He contracted for and erected many
large edifices in different parts of the country
ancl was successful in the majority of his
ventures. But there was another side to his
character. Apart from the multifarious de-
tails of construction he found time and in-
clination to write and partially complete a
graphic and interesting history of the Civil
war. His death prevented the completion of
this work. He had assisted in forming one
of the first of the New Jersey companies,
went to the front, and passed through three
years of battle and privation, which were the
chief cause of his early death. He married
Elizabeth, daughter of John Looper, a well
known resident of Gloucester, N. J., and they
had three sons and three daughters : R. H., a
^farmer of Bridgeton, N. J.; David, an iron
worker ; Rachel, who was drowned at the age
of eighteen ; Amy, wife of William Camm, of
Bridgeton, N. J.; Lincoln H.; and Hattie,
wife of John Fletcher, of Bridgeton. The
mother died at her home in Bridgeton Feb. 25,
1914, at the age of eighty-four years. The
son Lincoln by his will became executor of her
estate.
The death of his father had a depressing
effect upon the fortunes of Lincoln H. Boody.
His mother lost a considerable portion of the
family property and removed from Mullica
Hill to Bridgeton, where the boy, at the age of
ten went to work in a nail factory. Follow-
ing this for a time, he next worked as cabin
boy and assistant cook on several boats, until
the Centennial year, when he went to Phila-
delphia to work in a market. From there he
proceeded to Rupert, Columbia Co., Pa., where
he decided to learn the trade of stonecutting.
Completing the apprenticeship, he went out
on the road as salesman for his brother, R. H.
Boody, later being taken into partnership in
the marble and granite works. They were
very successful in time adding another plant,
in Hughesville. In 1888 the firm was dis-
solved and Lincoln H. became the sole pro-
prietor of the plant at Rupert, later buying the
works at Hughesville. In 1900 he discon-
tinued the marble and granite business and
invested in timberland, and in 1902 began the
wholesale lumber trade, in which he is now
engaged in. His customers are scattered
through the States of Pennsylvania, \'irginia,
West Virginia and Maryland. Most of his
output is sold to the American Car and Foun-
dry Company and to the coal mines.
Mr. Boody was married, Dec. 21. 1887, to
Sarah L. Nichols, of Bridgeton, N. J., and
they have four children: Mary Catherine,
wife of Howard F. Fisher, residing at Rupert;
Porter Rupert, who died in infancy ; Letitia
Morgan, at home; and Leonard R., attending
school.
I\Ir. Boody has been as versatile in his tastes
and attainments as his father was before him.
When the bicycle craze was in full force he
entered the trade, did a fine business, and be-
came noted as a racer and trick rider. He is
interested in art, and has the interior of his
home decorated by a German artist at a cost
of $3,000. The home is of great interest his-
torically as well as artistically, having been
erected by Leonard Rupert, the founder of the
town, in 1818. subsequently passing into the
hands of the Paxton family, and then to the
ownership of Mr. Boody. It contains four-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
573
teen rooms, has been completely modernized,
and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn of six
acres, well kept and dotted with flower beds.
In a prominent place upon the lawn stands an
ancient log hut, built in 1760, which Mr.
Boody has had preserved with reverent care
in all its hoary dignity. It is of quaint appear-
ance and affords an interesting contrast to the
more commodious and modern structures
around it.
Mr. Boody is a lifelong Democrat and has
held the position of school director, but his
many immense interests preclude his taking
any more direct jjart in politics. His strength
of character and ability will, however, soon be
applied to the uplift of political conditions
in the county, and it is possible that he will
round out his career in some ofifice of dignity
and power within the gift of his fellow towns-
men.
HARVEY A. McKILLIP, attorney-at-law,
Bloomsburg, was born in Martinsburg, Pa.,
son of Charles A. and Delilah (Skyles) Mc-
Killip. He attended the conmion schools,
clerked in a general store, engaged in the
photographic business, read law, and was ad-
mitted to the Columbia county bar in 1891 ;
has been in practice since that time. Mr. Mc-
Killip married Mary Craig McKelvey, daugh-
ter of Dr. James Boyd and Mary E. (Abbett)
McKelvey.
In politics Mr. ?iIcKillip is a Republican,
and active in the party in his section. He is
a member of the several Masonic bodies, an
active member of the Grand Cross, U. S., and
a thirty-third degree Mason.
CHARLES ANDREW RASELEY, job
printer and publisher, of Berwick, Colum-
bia Co., Pa,, was born at West Berwick, in
Briarcreek township. Columbia county, Feb.
23, 1873, son of Charles and Sarah Ann
(Engle) Raseley. Henry Raseley. the grand-
father, was an early settler of Northampton
county. Pa., and farmer.
Charles Raseley, son of Henry Raseley. was
a tailor by trade, but after coming to Briar-
creek township he became a farmer, and he
died on his homestead at the age of seventy-
eight years. During the Civil war he served
his country as a soldier, enlisting for nine
months in the 178th Pennsylvania Infantry,
and at the expiration of that period reenlisted
in the cavalry joining Company D, 3d Penn-
sylvania Regiment, with which he served until
the close of the war. .After his discharge he
located at Nanticoke, Pa., later coming to Co-
lumbia county, where the remainder of his life
was so usefully spent. His wife was born
near Easton, Pa., and her parents remained
in that vicinity. Her death occurred March
30, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs. Raseley had five chil-
dren : Clara, who is now living at West Ber-
wick ; Mary Alice, also of West Berwick ;
Harry, who lives at West Berwick; Charles
Andrew; and one that died in infancy.
Charles Andrew Raseley was born at the
old homestead in Briarcreek township, now
the borough of West Berwick. He attended
the public school near his home during the
winter months, and at the age of fourteen left
school and entered the office of the Berwick
Independent as a printer's apprentice. After
an apprenticeship of three years he obtained
a position with the Berwick Advertiser, and
later started a job printing ofifice of his own.
After successfully carrying on that business
for about a year, he was ambitious to become
a publisher, and launched on the sea of jour-
nalism a small weekly known as The Berivick
Enterprise. This new paper struck the public
fancy from the beginning, increased in size
and rapidly attained a wide circulation. In
the spring of 1900 Mr. Raseley purchased the
building where his office is now located and
continued the publication of the weekly news-
paper and the business of job printing until
April, 1904, when he decided that the time
had arrived for the inception of a non-partisan
and non-sectarian, independent daily news-
paper, with many of his fellow citizens sug-
gesting and encouraging. In consequence the
Daily Benvick Enterprise, the first daily news-
paper in the borough appeared. This sheet
was several times enlarged and its facilities
for news gathering and news giving increased.
The mechanical facilities were likewise aug-
mented. The first type was set by hand, but
this method was soon found to be entirely
inadequate, and a new two-magazine, Mergen-
thaler linotype was installed — the only type-
setting machine then between Wilkes-Barre
and Harrisburg. A large press was also added
to the equipment and the Daily Enterprise soon
took its place as a progressive reliable journal.
Later Mr. Raseley purchased the Berwick
U'ecklv Independent, with its entire plant, and
consolidated the two weekly papers, which he
published until Jan. i. 1907. when he sold his
newspapers and again turned his attention to
job printing, which business he is still continu-
ing. Operated by electric power, his plant is
one of the largest and best equipped in Colum-
bia county.
On June 14. 1889, Mr. Raseley was married
574
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
to Harriet Shollenberger, a teacher in the pub-
he schools, who was born in Wabash, Indiana,
(laughter of John G. and Delia (Wildonerj
Shollenberger, who are living retired at Alnie-
dia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Raseley is a member of the First Meth-
odist Episcopal Church of Berwick, the Ber-
wick Y. M. C. A. ; and of the following secret
societies : Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O.
S. of A. ; Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18,
Knights of Malta; Berwick Council, No. 1761,
Royal Arcanum, and Berwick Lodge, No.
1 138, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks ; and he also holds membership in the
Berwick Club.
JAMES L. EVANS, attorney, of Berwick,
was born in Columbia county. Pa., Oct. 10,
i860, a member of the fourth generation of
the family in this section.
The Evans family is of Welsh extraction,
Mr. Evans's great-grandfather coming to this
country from Wales and settling in Briar-
creek township in the latter part of the
eighteenth century. James Evans, the grand-
father, was born in 1799 in Columbia county,
and followed farming here. However, he was
engaged principally as a millwright, following
that trade most of his life, building nearly all
the gristmills in the neighborhood. He built
and owned an oil mill near Evansville, which
town was named after the family, and his
death occurred in Luzerne county in Jtine,
1879, in his eightieth year. He had two chil-
dren, Francis and Annie, the daughter dying
when about sixteen years of age.
Francis Evans, son of James, was born in
Pennsylvania and reared on the farm, and
followed agricultural pursuits on an exten-
sive scale until 1885, in which year he retired,
moving to Berwick, where he still has his
home. He has been a successful man. A
member of the Presbyterian Church, he is one
of its stanch stipporters, and has been a rul-
ing elder for over half a century, a position he
still holds. He married Jane Lamon, who was
bom in Pennsylvania, daughter of James and
Hannah (Spear) Lamon, both natives of
County Donegal, Ireland, and the following
children were born to this union : Annie, who
married Henry Wiederhald, now residing at
Atlantic City, N. J. ; Helen A., who married
M. N. Kantz, now deceased ; Charles C. :
James L. ; Lillie B., who married Dr. J. C.
Bloomfield. now residing at Atlanta, Ga. ; and
Grace, who married Percival Currin, of Ber-
wick. Mr. Evans was prominent in the afifairs
of the town, and associated with the financial
interests, having been one of the original
directors of the First National Bank.
James L. Evans received his higher literary
education at the Bloomsburg Normal School
and Lafayette College, from which latter he
was graduated in 1888. Entering the office of
his brother as a law student, he was admitted
to the bar of the Twenty-sixth Judicial district
in 1893, and has been in continuous practice
since that time, with much success. His prac-
tice is mostly civil cases, the management of
estates, and as counselor. He is attorney for
the Berwick National Bank and the Berwick
Savings and Trust Company. Mr. Evans is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, he and
his family being active workers and support-
ers of that society. In politics he is a Re-
publican.
On June 2, 1904, ^Ir. Evans was married
to Fannie L. Adams, daughter of Enos L.
Adams, a member of one of the oldest fam-
ilies of Columbia county. They have no chil-
dren. An extensive account of the Adams
family appears in the sketch of Charles E.
.Adams, elsewhere in this work.
WILLIAM FILMORE RUCH was dur-
ing his life one of the best known citizens of
Berwick, in which town he was born Nov. 5,
1848. His father, Henry Ruch, was a native
of Luzerne county. Pa., where the family had
long been residents.
Henry Ruch received the advantages of the
schools of his locality, and while a young man
entered the employ of a merchant with whom
he remained until he had thoroughly mastered
the business of general merchandising. He
then opened a general store at Hobbie, Lu-
zerne county, where he did a thriving busi-
ness, and invested his surplus in farms, ac-
quiring at different times the possession of
eight large tracts. These he conducted with
the same vigor and foresight that character-
ized his store business and made him one of
the well-to-do residents of his locality. He
was a member of the Methodist Church and
gave freely of his time and money to the cause.
Politically he was a Whig, and on the forma-
tion of the Republican party became a member
of the new organization. While a young man
he was married to Catherine Fowler, who
bore him the following children : Charles,
William F., Emma, Frank, Reuben, Harry and
Gilbert. The parents are buried at Berwick,
in Pine Grove cemetery.
William Filmore Ruch attended the pub-
lic schools of Bervi'ick until he was sixteen
years of age, when he began work on the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
575
Pennsylvania canal. At the age of eighteen
he began business for himself, purchasing
horses and a boat, and running from Nanti-
coke to Baltimore. He added to his equip-
ment from time to time and did a large and
profitable business, becoming one of the best
known of the boatmen, popular alike among
his customers, employers and fellow workmen.
Many stories are told of his unusual ability in
overcoming the various difficulties which oc-
curred in the canal business. It became a say-
ing, "Wait until 'Fil' Ruch comes along, and
he will straighten out things." During the
time that the canal was closed in the winter
he conducted a livery business in Berwick,
and about 187S he gave up the canal business
and gave his entire attention to the liverv busi-
ness. He also conducted a sales stable, buying
and selling horses, which his knowledge of
horses enabled him to do with profit. He was
a man of integrity, one whose word was as
good as his bond, and his fair dealing and
honesty won him a large circle of friends.
On June t. 1872, Mr. Ruch was married to
Mary E. Brobst. a daughter of Thomas
Brobst, of Lime Ridge, a sketch of whose fam-
ily appears elsewhere. Children as follows
were born to this marriage: Edward F., born
Feb. 16, 1875: Virginia, born May 26, 1878;
George W., bom March 14. 1881 ; Hudson,
bom Nov. 12, i88.'^; Jessie K.. bom July 4,
1887 ; and two children that died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruch were members of the
Methodist Church of Berwick and actively
engaged in the work of that society. Mr.
Ruch was a member of Knapp Lodge, No.
462, F. & A. M., Berwick. He died Sept. 30.
1900. and was buried in Pine Grove cemetery.
After the death of Mr. Ruch the business
was conducted by his widow, and is now under
the management of his son Hudson. It has
grown constantly, the quarters have been en-
larged from time to time, and the location is
now at No. 308 East Sixth street. The equip-
ment consists of a fine lot of horses, carriages
and other vehicles, including automobiles.
The business is now the leading one of its
kind in the town.
Hudson Ruch began his business career with
his father when a voung man, and his cour-
teous treatment of his patrons, close and
prompt attention to his business, have gained
a large and profitable patronage. He is a
Republican and an active worker in the ranks
of that party.
HORACE A. HALL, of Bloomsburg, vice
president and secretary of the Monroe-Hall
Furniture Company, has been a resident of
that place only a few years, but his activity as
one of the owners of an important enterprise
of the locality has made him very well known.
The high standing of the fimi with which he
is connected is indicati\e of the personal char-
acter of its members, both of whom are
counted among the most desirable citizens of
this section.
Mr. Hall was born at Northumberland, Pa.,
May 17, 1872, son of Horace A. Hall, a native
of New York State. The father made his
permanent home at Northumberland, where he
died, and for many years was engaged as a
conductor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany.
Horace A. Hall attended public school at
Northumberland, and when a youth became a
messenger for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. He continued in their employ, in
various capacities, until 1906, when he came
to Bloomsburg and became secretary of the
Hawley & Slate Furniture Company, incor-
porated that year, with William R. Monroe as
president, treasurer and general manager, and
W. H. Slate, of Philadelphia, as vice president.
Mr. Hall was also a member of the board
of directors. In 1910, when the business
was reorganized, becoming the Monroe-Hall
Furniture Company, Mr. Hall was chosen
vice president and again made secretary. The
factory has been one of the valuable industrial
plants of the locality since it was established,
in iSgi.by W. H. Schuyler, Theodore Redeker
and Jacob Keiffer, who put up the original
buildings and carried on the business about
one year. Then the Bloomsburg Furniture
Company operated the plant for a time, finally
reorganizing as the North Branch Furniture
Company and continuing to run the business
until 1898. That year it was leased to Messrs.
Hawley and Slate, who conducted it until
1906, since when the Hawley & Slate Furni-
ture Company and its successors, the Monroe-
Hall Furniture Company, have carried on the
manufacture of furniture with constantly in-
creasing success. The site is valuable, afford-
ing convenient manufacturing and shipping
facilities, the equipment is up-to-date and com-
plete, and the output a credit to owners and
workmen. High-class material only is used,
and it is handled by excellent workmen whose
skill and artistic ability insure a product of the
highest value. From 150 to 175 hands are
employed regularly, and over two million feet
of lumber consumed.
Mr. Hall married Margaret W. Hawley,
daughter of Alfred Hawley, of Northumber-
oib
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
land, Pa., and they have two children, Harold
G. and H. Clay.
WILLIAM JENNISON BALDY, presi-
dent of the Danville National Bank, is the
representative of a name whose connection
with the financial institutions of the borough
has been continuous since his grandfather,
Peter Baldy, St., established the first bank
there, in 1848. Danville can boast of one of
the most beautiful churches in this section of
Pennsylvania, erected as a memorial to this
honored early citizen and his wife. He was
one of the foremost men of the borough in
his day, and his descendants in every genera-
tion have upheld the high reputation he estab-
lished for business ability coupled with public
spirit and unimpeachable character. -
Peter Baldy, Sr., was born in Sunbury,
Northumberland Co., Pa., son of Paul and
Catherine (Beam) Baldy. In 1814 he left
his native place and located in Danville, where
he followed his trade, that of blacksmith, sev-
eral years. He subsequently engaged in the
general merchandise business, at which he was
very successful, and at which he continued the
rest of his business life. He did much for the
borough of Danville, and did considerable
building there. It was in 1S48 that he or-
ganized the first bank, of which he served as
president until he resigned and was succeeded
by his son Edward. During the Civil war
Mr. Baldy gave liberally toward the support
of the volunteer soldiers of Danville, especially
of the Baldy Guards, under Captain Ramsey,
and the Fencibles, under Captain Shreeve.
He retired from active business affairs some
twenty years before his death, which oc-
curred Nov. 24, 1880. Mr. Baldy was always
especially interested in religious works. When
a young man he was an active member of the
Lutheran Church, but in 1828, when Christ
Episcopal Church was built, he became one
of its first vestrymen. His son, Peter Baldy,
Jr., was the first to be baptized in the church,
and afterward he became the organist. Peter
Baldy, Sr., was one of the main supporters
of the church. He bequeathed $5,000 for the
support of the clergy of the church, $500 to the
Sunday school, and $50,000 for a suitable
memorial to himself and his beloved wife.
His will was conscientiously executed, and as
a result one of the most beautiful churches in
eastern Pennsylvania was erected at Danville.
Mr. Baldy 's wife, Sarah (Hurley), a daughter
of Daniel and Martha Hurley, died in Novem-
ber, 1875, in the eighty-fifth year of her age.
They were the parents of the following chil-
dren : Edward Hurley, Martha Hurley, Mary
Catherine, Peter, Jr., Hurley and Ellen Ann.
Edwaiud Hurley Bai.dv was a man of
scholarly attainments. Graduating from
Princeton College before he was of age, he
then took up the study of law with Josiah
Comly, and was admitted to the bar when
twenty-two years of age, immediately begin-
ning practice in the village of Danville. He
became known as one of the most successful
lawyers in this part of Pennsylvania, his
reputation extending throughout the State,
and he gained high standing among the fore-
most men in his profession. He was an elo-
quent orator. Energetic, farsighted and en-
terprising, his activity in promoting the wel-
fare of Danville was much appreciated. He
was attorney for the early manufacturing con-
cerns in this part of the State. He succeeded
his father as president of the Danville Na-
tional Bank. In company with Charles Pax-
ton he laid out a tract of land which is to-
day within the corporate limits of the borough.
He accumulated a fortune. In 1872 he erected
a handsome stone residence on West Market
street, one of the finest in the town at that
time. His death occurred Nov. 15. 1891, at
the age of seventy years. Mr. Baldy married
Mary E. Jennison, daughter of William Jenni-
son, who was for many years connected with
the Pennsylvania Iron Works, at Philadelphia,
but finally located in Danville, residing on the
site of the present Methodist Episcopal par-
sonage. Five children blessed this union,
namely : Mary J., Mrs. Grove, deceased ; Kate
G., Mrs. Watson; Edward H., Jr.. deceased;
Emily, deceased ; and William Jennison. The
mother of these died at the age of twenty-si.x
years, and Mr. Baldy married (second) Hen-
rietta C. Montgomery, daughter of John G.
and Henrietta Montgomery, who came from
one of the early families of Pennsylvania. She
was descended from one Robert Montgomery,
who with his wife, Sarah, emigrated from
Ireland at the age of thirty-two years and lo-
cated on the present site of the city of Harris-
burg, Pa., where he engaged in the cultivation
of the soil. His son, John, was born in
County Armagh. Ireland, and was but four
years old when he came to America with his
parents. He lived in the vicinity of Harris-
burg all his life, and his death resulted from
an accident in 1792, when he was fifty-eight
years old. By his union with Christina Foster
he had a son, David, the grandfather of Mrs.
Baldy. David Montgomery married Agnes
Shaw, by whom he had the following chil-
dren: Eliza, John G.. Margaret, William S.,
<^^<
^
I
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
577
David B., Robert F., Christina, Nancy and
Caroline B. John G. Montgomery was born
Jan. 28, 1805. After reaching his maturity
he studied law under the direction of Judge
Cooper, of Danville, became a prominent
lawyer of that place, and led an active life
until his demise, in 1857. His first marriage
was to Deborah B. Kerr, a daughter of Jacob
Kerr, and after her death he married Hen-
rietta Cooper, a daughter of his former pre-
ceptor, Judge Cooper. To this union were
born : Agnes, Alice, Elizabeth, Henrietta C,
Margaret, John C. and Caroline. Mrs. Baldy
died in 1864, leaving five children: Sarah
Hurley, the wife of Dr. Irving H. Jennings,
a record of whose life is given below ; Dr.
John Montgomery, of Philadelphia ; Alice,
who married Paul A. Hartmann, of Paris,
France ; Henry Waller ; and Henrietta Cooper.
Edward H. Baldy was again married, his
third wife being Alice Montgomery, sister of
his second wife.
Dr. Irving H. Jennings, dentist, of Dan-
ville, Montour county, was born in Harris-
burg, Pa., Nov. 24, i860, son of John C. Jen-
nings. He obtained his early training in the
public and high schools of Harrisburg, after
which he was prepared for the dental pro-
fession in the University of Pennsylvania,
from which he graduated in 1883. Imme-
diately thereafter he began practice in Harris-
burg, remaining there until 1885, when he
came to Danville, where he has since con-
tinued to practice. Dr. Jennings married
Sarah Hurley Baldy, and they have three chil-
dren, Edward Baldy (born Sept. 4, 1897),
Henrietta Cooper and Alice Montgomery.
Dr. and Airs. Jennings are members of Christ
Episcopal Church at Danville.
Edw.\rd Hurley Baldy, Jr., eldest son of
the late Edward Hurley Baldy, was born at
Danville Dec. 7, 1849, and received his educa-
tion in the Exeter School and Andalusia Col-
lege, Philadelphia, where he studied law
under Charles E. Lex. He was admitted to
the bar. and began to practice in Philadelphia,
where he was regarded as one of the brightest
minds in the legal profession in that city at
the time of his death, which occurred when
he was but twenty-six years of age. Even
at that time he had attained the position of
assistant district attorney, under William B.
Mann.
WiLLi.\M Jennison Baldy, second son of
Edward Hurley Baldy, Sr., was born at Dan-
ville March 27, 1853, and obtained his early
education at private schools there. He then
attended Andalusia College, Philadelphia,
37
after which he took up the study of law in
the office of John C. Bullitt, of that citv, for
two and a half years. He visited the South
with his brother Edward, and after the latter's
death returned to Danville, where after com-
pleting his legal studies he was admitted to
the bar in 1877. From that time to the pres-
ent he has been practicing law in the courts
of Montour county, with more than usual
success. His principal work is in connection
with the Danville National Bank, of which he
was elected president on Oct. 2, 1897, hold-
ing the office continuously since. His inter-
ests are identical with those of the borough
and he has given active and valuable service
as water commissioner. Since the completion
of the Thomas Beaver Free Library he has
been one of the trustees, and has proved a
stanch and valuable friend to the institution.
He is also a member of the Art Club of
Philadelphia.
James Montgomery Baldy, ]M. D., son of
Edward H. Baldy, Sr., by his second mar-
riage, was bom in Danville, Pa., June 16,
i860, and attended at first the private schools
of that place. Later he was sent to St. Paul's
School, Concord, N. H. He began his med-
ical studies under Dr. James D. Strawbridge,
of Danville, subsequently taking the regular
course at the University of Pennsylvania,
from which he graduated in 1884. He first
located for practice at Scranton, but remained
only a year, going thence to Philadelphia,
where he is now located. Surgery is his
specialty, and he has done much work at the
St. Agnes, the Pennsylvania and the Gynecean
hospitals. He has been prominently con-
nected with the Post Graduate College of
Philadelphia, and in spite of the heavy drafts
made upon his time by his large private prac-
tice and hospital work has found opportunity
for active membership in the various medical
and surgical societies of the country. He has
served as president of the American Gyne-
cological Society, and has been president of
the Pennsylvania Bureau of Medical Educa-
tion and Licenses, to which he was appointed
by Governor Tener.
\\TLLIAM WHITE E\'ANS, Columbia
county superintendent of schools, has held
that position by repeated reelections since he
was first chosen, in Alay, 1902. The record of
progress and development which the schools
of the county have made under his guidance is
the best evidence of his interest in his work
and his fitness for the fulfillment of its
requirements.
578
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mr. Evans is a descendant of Mark Evans,
who founded the family in Columbia county
about a century ago. He was a native of
Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster Co., Pa. For a time
he lived in Pennsdale, Lycoming Co., Pa.,
after some years moving to "Shinn Street,"
which later became the eastern part of
Millville. He followed farming and lum-
bering, as well as his trade of carpenter
and cabinetmaker, becoming one of the
well known men of his day in his section.
He died in that township, and is buried there.
He was a member of the Society of Friends.
His children were : Esther, who died unmar-
ried ; Anna, who married Joseph Shannon ;
Sarah, who married Thomas McGee; Elsie,
who married Jeremiah Heacock ; Josiah, a
Lutheran minister, and Jacob, the father of
Issachar M. Evans.
Jacob Evans was born probably in Green-
wood township and passed all but the last few
years of his life there. He was reared on the
farm, but learning the carpenter's trade, was
engaged principally at such work until he
reached middle life, when he turned to farm-
ing and followed it the rest of his active years.
After retiring he lived at Bloomsburg, where
he died Sept. 3, 1874; he is buried in Green-
wood township. He held a number of local
offices, and in 1856 was honored with election
as associate judge, in which position he served
one term. Originally a member of the Society
of Friends, before his marriage he was class
leader in the meeting at Pennsdale. He mar-
ried Hannah Morris, daughter of Issachar
Morris, who settled on the farm which is now
known as the Billmeyer place, in Greenwood
township. Mr. Morris was a pioneer Metho-
dist, and his daughter Hannah after their
marriage brought Jacob Evans into that
church, of which he was a member for fifty-
five years, and held official position for many
years ; ministers of that denomination made
his home their stopping place. He and his
wife Hannah (Morris) had children as fol-
lows: Sarah, who married Shively Staddon;
Elizabeth, married to Rev. Albert Hartman ;
Issachar M., who died in Bloomsburg; An-
drew J. ; and Joseph, a well known physician,
who died in Bloomsburg. The three brothers
married three sisters, daughters of Peter
Appleman.
Issachar M. Evans, grandfather of William
White Evans, married Maria Appleman, a
member of one of the oldest families in the
county. Her grandfather, Matthias Apple-
man, was born near Trenton, N. J., and settled
in Millville, Columbia countv, shortly after the
Revolution. Peter Appleman,- Mrs. Evans's
father, was bom Feb. 17, 1808, in Hemlock
township, Columbia county. At one time he
owned the homestead in Alontour township,
that county, upon which ;\Ir. and Mrs. Peter
A. Evans lived.
Peter A. Evans, son of Issachar M., was
born Jan. 15, 1846, in Montour township, and
received his education in the old seminary at
Bloomsburg. In 1865-66 he pursued higher
studies at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport,
Pa. Returning to the homestead, formerly
the property of his maternal grandfather, he
followed farming there, and was interested in
the improvement of agricultural conditions in
the county, being an active member of the
Grange. He was one of the best known
figures in local politics for years. From the
time he was old enough to vote he worked for
the success of the Democratic party, and in
1882 sensed as a delegate to the State conven-
tion which nominated Governor Pattison.
After serving in many local offices he was, in
1884, nominated and elected county treasurer,
receiving the largest majority of any candidate
on the ticket ; he filled the office one term. In
1880 Mr. Evans was appointed United States
census enumerator of his district. His public
services were marked by the utmost fidelity to
duty and a close understanding of the obliga-
tions of the office. He was a member of the
Odd Fellows fraternity. In 1872 Mr. Evans
married Samantha White, daughter of Wil-
liam White, of Scott township. He died Sept.
II. 1896.
William White Evans was born April 4,
1873, o" '^he Evans homestead in Mon-
tour township. His first teacher, in the
school at Rupert, was Mrs. Ellen Schoonover,
now an instructor in the Bloomsburg State
Normal School. Subsequently he attended the
Bloomsburg Normal, during the spring, teach-
ing in the winter season to defray the cost of
tuition, and he was graduated in 1894. After
that he taught various schools in the county,
and was the first principal of the Orangeville
school after its purchase by the township from
the Orangeville Seminary stockholders. Fol-
lowing this experience he taught at Hunting-
ton Mills and West Pittston, both in Luzerne
county. He took a college course at the Uni-
versity of Wooster, in Ohio, whence he re-
turned to Bloomsburg to teach in the high
school, being thus engaged until he assumed
the county superintendency, to which he was
elected in May, 1902. His devotion has been
so sincere, his efficiency so indisputable, that
he has been reelected to succeed himself term
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
579
after term to the present, with Httle opposi-
tion. As such a record of loyal support would
indicate he has raised the standards and im-
proved conditions, particularly in the township
schools. Mr. Evans has been especially active
in local history and has interested the teachers
and pupils in the gathering of relics and rec-
ords. In recognition of his activities and zeal
in this field he was, in 1914, elected the first
president of the Columbia County Historical
Society.
On Dec. 30, 1902, Mr. Evans was married
to Bertha Rees, daughter of lienjamin and
Louisa Rees, at Taylor, Pa. Three children
have been born to them: Eleanor, Frances
and Esther.
HENRY P. FIELD, Assistant Mechanical
Engineer of the American Car and Foundry
Company, was bom at Louisville, Ky., May
16, 1875. His father, born at Moravia, N. Y.,
Oct. 27, 1839, later moved to Gallatin, Tenn.,
and on Nov. 26, 1868, was married to Alary
Alexander, of Dixon Springs, Tenn. He was
then engaged in the farming implement bus-
iness at Louisville, Ky., and afterwards moved
to Chicago, where he spent the remainder of
his life and died June 25, 191 1. The children
born to this union were: William A., who is
the general superintendent of the Illinois
Steel Company, Chicago; May, who married
Charles Lanier, son of Sidney Lanier, the well
known poet; and Henry P.
Henry P. Field attended the public schools
of Louisville and while a young man entered
the employ of the Michigan Peninsular Car
Company, located in Detroit, Mich. He was
transferred to Berwick April 19, 1899, after
the organization of the American Car and
Foundry Company, and is now in charge of
the mechanical department as assistant to
John McE. Ames, of the New York office of
"the company. Mr. Field is a member of the
Berwick Club, the New York Railway Club,
and of the various bodies of Masons, and a
past master of Knapp Lodge, No. 462. He is
a Democrat, and a member of the Episcopal
Church. He is a director of the First National
Bank of Berwick and the president of
the Berwick and Nescopeck Street Railway
Company.
On Oct. 24, 1900, Mr. Field was married to
Katharine E., a daughter of Frank R. Jack-
son, whose sketch appears elsewhere. They
have one child, Mary Alice, who was bom
Nov. 10, 1901.
The Field family comes from a long line of
New England ancestry and the Alexander fam-
ily are of the oldest of this country. Captain
Alexander, great-grandfather of Mr. Field's
mother, was one of the heroes of the Revolu-
tion.
STERLING W. DICKSON, the eldest son
of Rev. James and Jeanette Dickson, was
born at Birmingham, Allegheny Co., Pa., Aug.
18, 1858. He came to Berwick when ten years
old and entered the employ of the Jackson &
Woodin Manufacturing Company at the age
of fourteen, remaining with them and
their successors, the American Car and Foun-
dry Company, employed in various positions,
for thirty-five years, acting as paymaster dur-
ing the last twenty-five years of that time. He
was married May 14, 1884, to Lillie E.
Baucher, the youngest daughter of David and
Rachel Baucher. \\'hile working for the con-
cern named he studied law, and was admitted
to practice in the courts of Columbia county
in the month of December, 1886, and at the
present time is senior member of the law firm
of Dickson and Dickson. He served as di-
rector of the poor in the borough of Berwick
for a period of six years, and on the school
board for the period of six years, acting in the
capacity of president and treasurer of the
board. He was also president of the board
of trustees of the Young Men's Christian As-
sociation for fifteen years, and it was under his
administration that the addition to the Asso-
ciation building was constructed, including the
gymnasium. As a member of the State com-
mittee of the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion Mr. Dickson has a part in directing the
State-wide activities of this institution. He
has been president of the Berwick Savings &
Trust Company since its organization in the
year of 1903 ; for ten years has acted as secre-
tary and treasurer of the Berwick Land &
Improvement Company, and in that capacity
laid out a plot of fifteen hundred lots at the
time of the organization of the borough of
West Berwick, and is at the present time presi-
dent of that company. He is an official mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having
served for twenty-five years.
Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have two sons, Con-
way W. Dickson and David C. Dickson, the
former of whom is associated with him at the
present time in the practice of law, and the
latter now a resident of the State of Oregon.
CoNW.^Y W. Dickson was bom Aug. 14,
1885, at Berwick, son of Sterling W. and
Lillie E. Dickson. He attended the Berwick
public schools, from wiiich he was graduated
in 1903 as valedictorian of his class ; entered
580
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Lawrenceville Preparatory School, and grad-
uated therefrom in 1904, class orator and
honor student. He was a member of the foot-
ball team and the debating term, and of the
Philomathean Society. Matriculating in the
academic department of Yale College in the
fall of 1904, he graduated in 1908, having
taken part in interclass debating, held member-
ship in the University Glee Club, and in the
Zeta Psi fraternity. In the fall of 1908 he
became a student in the law department of the
University of Pennsylvania, and graduated
therefrom in 1910. While in that institution
he was a member of the Sharswood Club and
editor of the class report. He entered upon
the practice of law in the fall of 1910 in the
offices of M. J. :\Iartin and Ralph W. Reimer,
Scranton, Pa., and has since opened law offices
in Berwick, having formed a partnership with
his father, S. W. Dickson, for the general
practice of law, on Jan. i, 1912.
Mr. Dickson is interested in the building
of the new hospital, acting as secretar>' of the
board of trustees through the period of its
construction, and is secretary of the Berwick
Land and Improvement Company. He is a
member of the lodge of the Knights of Malta.
David C. Dickson was born at Berwick
Tune 6, 1892. He was graduated from the
"Berwick high school in the year 1910, and the
following year attended Lafayette College,
transferring to the scientific department of
Yale University in the fall of 191 1, from
which institution he was graduated in the
month of June, IC)I4, with the degree of
bachelor of science. While at Yale Mr. Dick-
son was the editor in chief of the "Eli Book,"
which was named after the founder of the
University, Eli Yale, the book being a yearly
record of the activities of undergraduates, giv-
ing complete details with reference to the
various athletic, literary and class organiza-
tions. He played on the all-class baseball
team. After graduation he left for Marsh-
field, Oregon, to take a position with the C.
A. Smith Lumber Company, with mills located
at Marshfield, Oregon, where he expects to
be permanently located.
Archibald Dickson, the elder, great-grand-
father of Sterling W. Dickson, was a native
of Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, and was a
shoemaker. He was the father of four chil-
dren, Robert, Jane, Elizabeth and Archibald.
Archibald Dickson, the younger, enlarged
upon his father's trade and manufactured
shoes upon a large scale all of his life, dying
at the age of fifty. He left a wife, Elizabeth
(Waite) Dickson, and ten children: Archi-
bald, James, Margaret, Robert, Janet, John,
Alexander, Jessie, William and Elspeth."
James Dickson, father of Sterling W. Dick-
son, was born in Kelso, Scotland, Oct. 23,
1 82 1, and received his early education in the
normal school at Glasgow. In 1843 he went
as a missionary to the West Indies, where he
remained for ten years. At Brownsville, the
point of his mission in the Island of Jamaica,
was stationed Rev. Warren Carlisle, whose
daughter, Mary, was a teacher in the mission
school. In the course of their work the young
missionary and the girl teacher fell in love,
and were married June 9, 1844. These children
came to bless their home: Elizabeth Agnes
was born June 29, 1847; Mary Carlisle, bom
Feb. I, 1849, is now the widow of C. N. Mc-
Farren; Agnes D. was born July 8, 1850;
Warrand C, born Jan. 7, 1852, and James Ir\--
ing, born Jan. i, 1853, died young. In 1853
Mr. Dickson sailed for America, and on the
voyage the wife died and was buried at sea,
at the age of twenty-six. The family being
broken up, the father sent the children to
Scotland, and they were educated in that coun-
try and in France. He landed at Philadelphia
after a long quarantine owing to fever, and
remained in that city for some years, being
first made associate pastor of the Fourth Pres-
byterian Church after his ordination into the
ministry, Sept. 13, 1854. He then went to
Harrisburg, Pa., and while there married
Jeanetta Hoffman Duval, daughter of Mi-
chael Duval, a native of Normandy, France,
and Eleanor (Hatfield-Maize) Duval, a na-
tive-born American. By this union there were
seven children : Ellen Duval, born Nov. 27,
1856, is uimiarried and residing in Berwick;
William Sterling has been previously men-
tioned; Alexander Whilden, born Dec. 12,
1859, a merchant of Williamsport, married
Sallie Freas, by whom he had six children,
Edna J., James H., Freas, Pauline, Alexander
W. and Dorothy (who died in infancy), and
his second wife was Martha Helmrich ; Con-
way Phelps Wing, bom Dec. 20, 1862, a resi-
dent of Scranton, and traveling auditor of the
Connell I\Iine & Lumber Company, married
Sylvia Dieft'enbach and has one child, Eleanor ;
James, born Oct. 7, 1863, real estate broker,
residing in Milton, Pa., married Annie B. Low
and had one child, Myron L., who died fn
December, 191 1; Duval is mentioned else-
where, in the sketch of his son, Clark Long
Dickson ; Archibald, born March 19, 1867,
member of the Baldwin-Ziegler polar expedi-
tion of 1904, is now located in Portland.
Oreeon, where he conducts a shorthand
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
581
school, teaching a system invented by himself.
Rev. James Dickson served as pastor in
various charges from 1853 until 1890. From
the last date till 1892 he did missionary work
and then retired to live in Berwick, and at any
time prior to his death, which occurred July
16, 1913, could be found at home in his study,
deeply engrossed in Greek and Hebrew liter-
ature and research.
ARTHUR STEVENSON CLAY, Division
Engineer of the Pennsylvania State Highway
Department, with headquarters at Blooms-
burg, was born Aug. 20, 1881, at Philadelphia,
Pa., son of Richard F. Clay, a sawmill owner
of Boston, Philadelphia and Williamsport.
Henry T. Clay, the grandfather, was born in
Gardiner, Maine, of Puritan ancestors, and
owned there a sawmill and planing mill,
which was finally burned, entailing a severe
loss. He also ran a line of tug and freight
boats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. His
family consisted of three daughters and two
sons.
Richard F. Clay, father of Arthur S. Clay,
was born in 1849 in Boston, Itlass., and edu-
cated in the public schools of that city. He
followed lumbering, like his father, and owned
mills in Boston, Philadelphia and Williams-
port. He was a Republican, a member of the
Episcopal Church, and a Master ]\Iason. He
married Edith, daughter of George W. Ketler,
and they had children as follows : Walter B.,
deceased, who is buried in Philadelphia;
Arthur S., mentioned below : Helen, deceased,
who is buried in Philadelphia, and Edna H.,
living in Philadelphia.
Arthur S. Clay graduated from the excel-
lent public schools of Philadelphia, attended
the Manual Training School and took up
engineering with Harold Vanduzen, a civil
engineer of that city. He did consultation
work for one year and was engaged one year
in the maintenance of way department of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Renovo,
Pa., and then took a four years' course in civil
engineering at Lehigh University, being em-
ployed on various engineering projects during
summer vacation periods. In 1905 he grad-
uated, and immediately entered the service of
the State Highway Department, being ap-
pointed by Commissioner Joseph W. Hunter.
He started in at the bottom, as chief of a corps
in Franklin county, with headquarters at
Chambersburg, going from there to Harris-
burg, then to Chester and Montgomery coun-
ties on survey work. In May, 1906, he came
to Bloomsburg as Division Engineer of the
Department, taking charge of highway con-
struction in Sullivan, Luzerne, Columbia,
Montour, Northumberland, Union and Snyder
counties, and has since been reappointed in the
same capacity under successive administra-
tions.
Air. Clay is an enthusiast on the subject of
highway improvement and has few superiors
in knowledge of the methods and materials
that go towards the making of good roads.
He takes a personal interest in all road mat-
ters and is prepared to supply information and
assistance to all who are endeavoring to im-
prove the disgraceful highways of the State.
On Nov. 3, 1909. i\Ir. Clay married Laura
S., daughter of John L. Moyer, of Blooms-
burg, and they have one child, Arthur S., Jr.,
born Nov. 12, 1913. Mr. Clay is a Republican,
and is interested in the success of his party.
He is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church,
and is very prominent in ]\Iasonic circles, be-
ing a member of Washington Lodge, No. 265,
F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg.
CLARK F. HARDER, formerly a promi-
nent contractor and builder of Catawissa, was
born in Columbia county Sept. 28, 1841, son
of Thomas and Catherine (Fister) Harder,
also natives of Pennsylvania. His grandpar-
ents were among the first settlers of Cata-
wissa, coming to this section previous to the
terrible Wyoming massacre. His maternal
grandparents were from Germany and those
on his father's side from Switzerland. Grand-
father Harder was a blacksmith, and Grand-
father Fister for a number of years kept a
tavern where the present Catawissa House
stands. They both took an active part in the
politics of their times, the former as a Demo-
crat and the latter as a Whig.
Thomas Harder, the father of Clark F.,
was born in Catawissa township, where he
learned the trade of blacksmith, following the
work for a number of years and also carrying
on farming operations. He was a Republican
in politics and a member of the German Re-
formed Church. On Nov. 23, 1824, he mar-
ried Catherine Fister, and they had children
as follows : Anna M., William, Fister, Err,
Clinton and Clark F.
Clark F. Harder was only fourteen years
of age when his father died, and he remained
with his mother until her death in 1872. At
the age of sixteen he began mastering the
trades of carpenter and cabinetmaker, ancl had
just completed his apprenticeship when the
war broke out. In August, 1862, he enlisted
in Company H, i^2d Pennsylvania Volunteers,
582
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
for nine months' service. He served eight
months, and after participating in the battle of
Antietam was detailed to care for the
wounded, but was taken ill and removed to
the convalescent camp in Virginia, where he
was later discharged for disability. He then
went to ^^'ashington and endeavored to rejoin
his regiment, but was refused. Arriving home
one month before the return of the regiment.
he again tried to reenlist, but his disability pre-
vented his acceptance. Mr. Harder then re-
sumed his trade, which he followed until his
death, July 17, 191 1. In the summer of 1885
he built seventeen houses, and he was con-
tractor for the greatest number of houses in
Catawissa ever erected by one man. His large
planing mill, built in 1876, was one of the chief
industries of the town. Mr. Harder was a
Republican in politics, a member of the Lu-
theran Church, and the Grand Army of the
Republic, and had passed all the chairs in the
Odd Fellows lodge at Catawissa.
Mrs. Sarah B. Harder, widow of Clark F.
Harder, still lives in Catawissa and is happy
in the affection of her children and grandchil-
dren. Her children are : Err, who married
Hattie Shadle, resides at Wilkes-Barre. and
has two children. Earl and Robert ; Edwin P.
married Cordelia Cousins, resides in Buffalo,
N. Y., and has five children, Elizabeth, Leland,
William, Louise and Ruth ; Elizabeth B., who
married J. K. Sharpless. lives at Buffalo, N.
Y. ; Jane H. married William G. Lentz, a
traveling salesman, lives at Catawissa, and has
two children, ^Villiam G., Jr., and Sarah E. ;
Robert is a newspaper man at Berwick,
Pennsylvania.
SAMUEL D. ALEXANDER, deceased,
was born in Northumberland county. Pa., May
12, 1807, son of William and Letitia (Van
Sandt) Alexander. His maternal grandfather,
Gabriel Van Sandt, was a native of Jersey-
town, Pa., and a farmer by occupation. Dur-
ing the Revolutionary war he was a soldier on
the patriot side, and came to Northumberland
county at an early day, spending the remainder
of his life within its confines.
Samuel D. Alexander was a wagonmaker
by trade, and in his later life engaged in farm-
ing. He died Nov. 9, 1865. He married Ara-
minta D. Park, whose father, Dr. Russell
Park, was a native of Ireland, born Dec. 3,
1776. Studying medicine in his native land, he
became a physician. He married Ruth Hop-
kins, a daughter of Rev. Caleb and Ruth
Hopkins. Dr. Park served this country as a
surgeon during the war of 1812, having come
from Ireland to America and settled at Jersey-
town, Pa. He died June 5, 185 1.
Airs. Araminta D. (Park) Alexander was
born March 21, 1819, and died Oct. 21, 1889.
She and her husband had the following chil-
dren: Mary was the wife of Joseph Jones,
of Danville, Pa., and both are deceased ; Mar-
tha and Letitia were twins, the former marry-
ing Charles Lotier, of Danville, Pa., now de-
ceased, and the latter having been the wife of
the late William C. Davis, formerly a confec-
tioner and baker of Danville, Pa., the son of
William S. Davis, a native of Wales; William
P. is deceased; Silas is deceased; Harriet J.
resides at Berwick, Pa. ; Jane is deceased ;
Elizabeth is deceased ; Sarah is deceased ; Ben-
jamin died in infancy. Mr. Alexander was a
consistent member of the Methodist Church
and a man well and favorably known. He
was an honorable citizen and a true Christian
character, and he is remembered with the
utmost respect by those who knew him.
SAMUEL SECHLER, of Liberty town-
ship, Montour county, was born May 9, 1855,
in the old "Moser Hotel." in Valley township,
that county, son of Thomas and Christine
(Henry) Sechler. He is a member of one of
the oldest families of Danville. He attended
school at Lewisburg, Pa., and then came to
this section, working on a farm until his mar-
riage, when he bought the property he and his
family now cultivate. Mr. Sechler married
Mary C. Davis, who was born Oct. 10, 1852,
in West Chillisquaque township, Northumber-
land Co., Pa., and to their union have been
born five children : Grace, born Nov. 9, 1882,
is the wife of Frank Cromis; John, bom Oct.
9, 1885, is living at home; Hannah M., bom
July I, 1889, and Carrie Anna, born Aug. 12,
1897, are at home; Ralph, born July 20, 1893,
is a farmer. Mr. Sechler and his family at-
tend the Methodist Church at Mexico, in Lib-
erty township.
John Davis, great-grandfather of Mrs.
Mary C. (Davis) Sechler, was one of the old-
est settlers in Montour county, He married
Susan Martin. His son Azariah, Mrs. Sech-
ler's grandfather, was one of the earliest set-
tlers of Limestone township, Montour county.
He married Hannali Parker, and they had one
child, William Henry.
William Henry Davis, son of Azariah, was
born in Liberty township in 1826, and died in
1889. By calling he was a millwright, and he
followed the trade in West Chillisquaque
township, Northumberland Co., Pa., until
1855. when he moved to Iowa, farming there
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
583
until his death. He married Hannah McWil-
liams, daughter of John and Maria (Cruser)
McWilHams, natives of Bucks county, Pa., and
of the four children born to them but two are
alive: Mrs. Sechler and Anna Jane, the latter
the wife of Levan Bennett, of Danville.
The McWilliams family is well represented
in Liberty township. Robert Mc\^'illiams, his
three sons. Hugh, John and Robert, and his
daughter, Jane, wife of Robert Curry, settled
in the township in 1771, near Mooresburg.
They came from Ireland and were of the
Scotch-Irish race which has contributed so
many good citizens to this countrj'. From this
family almost all of the name of McWilliams
in this part of the State are descended. John
McWilliams and his wife, maternal grand-
parents of Mrs. Sechler, were settled in Lime-
stone township for a time, in 1826 buying a
place near Lime Ridge, in West Chillisquaque
township, Northumberland county, where he
died in 1848. They had nine children.
The wife of Mrs. Sechler's great-grand-
father, John Davis, was a Martin and daugh-
ter of one of the first settlers of what is now
Montour county, in the neighborhood of Mon-
tour Ridge. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John
Martin, were murdered by a band of eight
Indians (including Roland Montour and his
sons) at their home on the Chillisquaque
creek, two miles east of Pottsgrove in Liberty
township, Montour county, Oct. 14, 1781. She
was killed outright, and he was scalped and
left for dead ; he had almost reached the spring
when the sons returned home, but had lost too
much blood to recover. Their daughter, Susan
Martin, and granddaughter, Ann AIcNeal.
then eight years old, were taken prisoners.
The older girl carried the younger. After the
murder of the old people the Indians took
their captives and started for the camp of
Montour's relatives, which was about five
miles west of the Martin farm, at the place
where the Loyalsock creek empties into the
river, four miles east of Williamsport. The
Indians had seemed friendly ; old Roland
Montour was at the Martins' to dinner a few
days before the murder.
When they camped the first night one of the
Indians made Susan, who was barefooted, a
pair of moccasins, and cut the lower part of
her dress off and made a sling, which she
placed around her neck, for little Ann to sit
in when she carried her.
John Martin had two sons, Roger and
Hays. The boys were away from home at the
time of the murder, one having gone to mill
at the mouth of the creek, and the other was
helping raise a log barn on the farm now oc-
cupied by W^illiam Lazarus. When they came
home and made the discovery they declared
vengeance. The next morning Hays started
after the Indians and Roger buried the dead.
Hays was gone about three weeks, and when
he came back all he would say was, "The
Montours won't trouble anybody else." That
was the last seen of any of the Montour tribe
except Madame Montour, who was with the
Mahonings' camp, where Danville now stands.
The older girl was exchanged about a year
after her capture and came back, and married
John Davis, a resident of what is now Lime-
stone township, Montour county. Little Ann
was left in the care of a Canadian family for
about eight years, when with a lot of others
she was brought to Fort Duquesne, near Pitts-
burg, from where word was sent out that all
persons having friends with the Indians should
come and identify them. Roger Martin went
after Ann and bought her freedom, though he
was at first unable to identify her on account
of the great change. On questioning her, she
said all she could remember about home was
she had uncles Roger and Hays. She became
a spinner and weaver by trade and made her
home wherever she chose to stay. She had
one child, a daughter Sarah, who married a
Layard and was the mother of Samuel,
Thomas and Ann Layard, of Layardsville.
After the death of Layard she married Ben-
jamin McWilliams, of Limestone township,
Montour county, and they made their home in
Liberty township, Montour coimty. Her
mother Ann McNeal called it her home,
though she was seldom there. Ann McNeal
died about the year 1867 or 1868, at the home
of her daughter, Mrs. McWilliams, aged about
eighty-nine years.
REV. RICHARD HENRY GILBERT,
D. D., was bom in Dowlais, South Wales,
April 8, 185=;, and is the son of John (Davy)
Gilbert and Elfreda (Truscott) Gilbert. His
early education was secured in the finely en-
dowed public school of Dowlais; and, later he
attended the schools of Breage and Germoe,
Cornwall, England. Coming to America with
his mother and sisters ( his father having come
a couple of years earlier) in July, 1868, he
attended the public school at Ebervale, Pa.
This was supplemented by wide reading, and
after entering the ministry of the Central
Pennsylvania Conference, Methodist Epis-
copal Church, March, 1880, he took a course in
a Theological Correspondence School. He re-
584
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity from
Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., June, 1905.
Mr. Gilbert married, in Hazleton, Pa., Aug.
8, 187s, Sarah Rosalie Spohn, who died Sept.
19, 1882. His second marriage occurred in
Dillsburg, Pa., Dec. 11, 1883, to Julia Ann Lau.
She died Aug. 12, 1905, and on Nov. 6, 1907,
he was married at Huntingdon, Pa., to Mrs.
Margaret Jackson Crispin, of Berwick, Pa.
Of his first marriage two children survive:
Frederick J., born June 10, 1877, and Cleo C,
born Nov. 24, 1879. Of his second marriage
one son survives, Richard H., Jr., born March
26, 1885.
After a clerkship in the company store at
Ebervale, and sundry minor tasks, followed
by more than a year's travel in Nova Scotia,
and Porto Rico, W. I., he clerked in Hazle-
ton, Pa., 1874-76; conducted a photograph
gallery, 1876-77 ; was local editor of the Hazle-
ton Sentinel, 1877-78, and has been a Metho-
dist preacher since September, 1878. He has
served the following appointments in the Cen-
tral Pennsylvania Conference: Bloomingdale
circuit, 1878-79; Fort Littleton circuit, 1879-
81; Dillsburg circuit, 1881-83; Emporium,
1883-86; Grace Church, Williamsport, 1886-
89; First Church, Chambersburg, 1889-91;
First Church, Tyrone, 1891-96; First Church,
Huntingdon, 1896-1900; First Church, Ber-
wick, 1900-06; presiding elder (now desig-
nated superintendent) of the Danville district,
1906-12 ; secretary of the Annuity Fund, 1912 ;
field secretary for Goucher College Fund of
Central Pennsylvania Conference, 1913, and is
at present conference secretary of the Church
Temperance Society.
Dr. Gilbert has been active by voice and pen
outside the pale of his own church. He is a
frequent contributor to the secular and relig-
ious press ; has lectured at St. John's College
(University Extension Course), Annapolis,
Md. ; Mountain Lake Park, Md., Chautauqua
Assembly ; Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. ;
Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. ; the
Williams' Grove Sunday School Assembly,
Williams' Grove, Pa. ; the Belleview Chau-
tauqua Assembly, W. Va. ; and has been fre-
quently in demand by literary societies and
church conventions in and out of the State.
He edited the Young People's department of
the "Church Forum" ; and was president of
the Pennsylvania Auxiliary of the American
Society for Religious Education ; secretary of
the Pennsylvania Brotherhood of St. Paul;
member of the American Bible Society ;
Athenian Society, of the College of Liberal
Arts of Grant University ; member of the Na-
tional Council of the National Economic
Leagfue; member of the American Sociological
Society ; of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A.
M., and Berwick Council, No. 1761, of the
Royal Arcanum.
Dr. Gilbert has been honored in his church,
having been a delegate to the 1901 session of
the Methodist Ecumenical Conference, Lon-
don, England ; to the General Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1900, in Chi-
cago, and 1908, in Baltimore, and was elected
a reserve delegate to the session of 1904. He
has been for several years a member of the
board of managers of the Board of Home
Missions and Church Extension, and has twice
been vice president of that board. He is also
a member of the Mutual Beneficial Association
of his Conference.
Among his extensive writings may be men-
tioned: "Travel Notes of a Southern Trip,"
"The Adventures of a Runaway," "Fred.
Thompson's Mistake," and several essays on
moral and religious topics. He has made sev-
eral trips abroad, and the results of these visits
have been given in sundry newspaper articles,
and his lectures, "The Beauties of Britain"
and "Glimpses of Life Abroad." Among the
few recreations possible in such a busy life has
been, and chiefest, the production of pastel
and oil paintings, some of which contribute to
the adornment of his present home in Berwick,
Pennsylvania.
In politics he was a RepubHcan and so
continued until he formulated the brief creed,
that the politics that suit the liquor business
could not suit him; since which time, 1884, he
has been a stanch Prohibitionist. He was
chairman of the State convention of that party
in Altoona about 1898; and was placed on the
ticket for Assembly, by the Prohibitionists of
Columbia county, in 1904. His pronounced
temperance views secure for him frequent in-
vitations to serve the Anti-Saloon League of
Pennsylvania, and also the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union.
ALEXANDER B. HERRING, for several
years burgess of Orangeville and a prominent
citizen of that part of Columbia county, was
born there Nov. 20, 1841, son of John Her-
ring and a descendant of a German family,
which was founded in this country by Christo-
pher Herring.
Christopher Herring, the emigrant ancestor,
came to America with his wife and eight chil-
dren before the Revolutionary war. They
were "redemptioners.'' having to serve for a
time after arrival as servants of the persons
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
585
who paid th(,-ir passage. Two of these chil-
dren were l<illed at the battle of Brandywine
and another, Ludwick, grandfather of Alex-
ander B., settled at Orangeville in 1800. It is
said he died in 1838 and is buried in the
Orangeville cemetery. He was a teamster,
hauling produce from Orangeville and Potts-
ville to Reading before the development of
the railroads. John Herring, son of Ludwick,
was born in Orangeville, Pa., in 1808, and
there resided until 1889, when he removed to
Bloomsburg, and spent his days in retirement
until his death in 1893. For many years he
was a carpenter foreman on the Pennsylvania
canal between Nanticoke and Sunbury, and he
was a justice of the peace at Orangeville for
a number of years. He cast his first vote for
Andrew Jackson and until his death was a
member of the Democratic party. He married
Rebecca Snyder, a sister of the late Sheriff
John Snyder, and she died in 1882. She was a
member of the Lutheran denomination and he
of the German Reformed Church. . They had
eight children : Clinton D. ; George A. ; Alex-
ander B.; Calvin and Elijah R., twins; Re-
becca, wife of Jackson Knorr; Priscilla, wife
of John S. Neihart ; and one that died un-
named.
Alexander B. Herring obtained his educa-
tion in the public schools and Orangeville
Academy and chose the vocation of carpenter.
He took contracts for the Bloomsburg & Sulli-
van Railroad Company, built most of the
houses in the town of Jamison City, and some
in Berwick and Bloomsburg. In the fall of
1911 he retired and is now living in his fine
home at Orangeville, where he is one of the
oldest residents. By his first marriage, to
Alice Sterner, daughter of John and Eliza-
beth (John) Sterner and sister of Prof. L. P.
Sterner, of Bloomsburg, two children were
born : Cora, widow of Charles Sweppenheiser,
now living in Orangeville ; and John, a car-
penter, living in Wilkes-Barre. The mother
died in March, 1868, and Mr. Herring mar-
ried (second) Lavina, daughter of John and
Sarah (Evans) Neyhard. They have the fol-
lowing children : Anna, who died at the age
of thirty-two, was the wife of Frank Foster;
Alberta married Oliver McHenry and is liv-
ing in Berwick ; Clinton, an attorney of
Bloomsburg, is living at Orangeville.
Mr. Herring is a member of Oriental Lodge,
No. 460, F. & A. M., of which he is a past
master, and has served many years as treasurer
of the lodge. He is a Democrat in politics ;
has served as county commissioner one term;
school director six years (secretary of the
school board five years, and treasurer for one
year) ; was elected burgess of Orangeville in
1905, for one term, and again in 1910, and is
still serving. He is a member of the Re-
formed Church, of which he has been deacon
and trustee for many years.
CHARLES EMERSON RANDALL, edi-
tor and proprietor of the Catawissa Neii'S
Item, was born Nov. 4, 1856, at Providence,
Luzerne Co., Pa., and is a son of David Rich-
ardson and Elizabeth S. (Emerson) Randall,
members of old New Hampshire and New
York families. The Emerson family was an
old one in England, branches of the line at
present living in many parts of that countr}^
and America. The Randall family were resi-
dents of Scituate, on the New England coast,
in 1645.
David Richardson Randall, father of
Charles E., was born Aug. 21, 1818, in Che-
shire county, N. H., and died Aug. 31, 1875.
His father, Joseph Randall, a farmer, moved
to McDonough, Chenango Co., N. Y., when
David was about six years of age. He edu-
cated himself as a teacher, entering Oxford
Academy, Oxford, N. Y. For a time he was
superintendent of the schools of Chenango
county, and then taking up the study of law
was admitted to the bar of Luzerne coimty
Nov. 4, 1847. He opened an office at Provi-
dence, that coimty, later removing to Wilkes-
Barre, where he practiced law until his death
in 1875, attaining a leading position at the
Luzerne coimty bar.
Mr. Randall was twice married ; first in 1849
to Mary Childs, who bore him four children,
none of whom are living. In 1855, he mar-
ried Elizabeth S., daughter of Moses Sargent
and Elizabeth (Lawton) Emerson, who bore
him seven children, of whom four survive:
Charles E., Jennie M. (wife of J. Richards
Boyle, D. D., of Sinking Springs, Pa.), Nettie
Elizabeth (Mrs. Eugene A. Rhoads, of Ash-
land, Pa.), and David V. (superintendent of
Lytle Colliery, Minersville, Pa.).
Charles E. Randall was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Wilkes-Barre and entered the
office of the Luzerne Union, where he learned
the printer's trade. In the fall of 1881 he came
to Catawissa to take charge of the office of the
Ncivs Item, which he purchased three years
later, in partnership with John C. Yocum.
The partnership continued for a few years
and then Mr. Randall purchased all of the
interests of his partner. Since taking sole con-
trol of the paper he has made it the most
prominent weekly in the county and produces
586
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
a paper which is a model after which many
country weeklies could take pattern with ad-
vantage. As a writer Mr. Randall is famous,
both for truth and fearlessness, and he is a
factor in the development and prosperity of
the section of the State in which he resides.
The paper is Democratic in politics, but Mr.
Randall does not allow partisanship to blind
him to the virtues of his political opponents or
the defects of his partisans.
In September, 1880, Mr. Randall was mar-
ried to Elizabeth J. .Search, of W'ilkes-Barre,
and they have two children : Eugene Y., a
mining engineer in the employ of the Susque-
hanna Coal Company at Nanticoke, Pa., and
Ruth Esser, wife of Sterling E. Young, a
hardware merchant, of Catawissa. She has
one child, Elizabeth Emerson.
The family are members of the Lutheran
Church and Mr. Randall is a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of
the Golden Eagle, Patriotic Order Sons of
America, Royal Arcanum, Grand Fraternity
and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is also a
vice president of the Columbia County His-
torical Society.
JOHN S. MENSCH, who has a valuable
farm in Montour township, Columbia county,
about two and a half miles west of Blooms-
burg, is one of the well known citizens of his
section, in whose advancement and improve-
ment he has taken an active part. He was born
May 19, 1837, in Franklin township, Colum-
bia county, son of Michael Mensch.
The Mensch family is an old one in this
county, Johannes Christian Alensch, great-
grandfather of John S., having founded it
here over a century ago. He was a native of
Germany, born Jan. 31, 1745, and his wife,
Sabina, was born in that country Feb. 8, 1753.
They came to this country accompanied by his
brothers Adam (born June 2, 174 — ) and
Abraham (born Feb. 25, 1750). and for a
time lived in Berks county, Pa. Subsequently
they brought their family to Columbia county,
settling in what is now Franklin township,
where they had a tract of 400 acres. Here
Johannes Christian Mensch lived and died, his
death occurring Oct. 26, 1826, when he was
aged eighty-one years, eight months, twenty-
six days; he is buried at Catawissa. His
wife died June 10, 1829, aged seventy-six
years, four months, two days. They had
the following children : Adam became a
farmer and miller of Roaringcreek township ;
Abraham, born Jan. 24, 1774, was a farmer
in what is now Montour county for a time,
afterwards moving to Buffalo valley. Union
county, where he owned about five hundred
acres of land (his family is still in that sec-
tion) ; John is mentioned below; Peter ob-
tained part of his father's homestead in Co-
lumbia county, but later settled in Black Hole
valley, in Lycoming county, Pa., where he fol-
lowed farming until his death; one daughter,
Mrs. Keiser, was married in Berks county and
died there; Mrs. Rodenberger also married in
Berks county and died there.
John Mensch, son of Johannes Christian,
was born Nov. 5, 1789, in Berks county, and
came to this section with his father. Inherit-
ing part of the old homestead, he acquired the
rest by purchase, and there passed his life.
He was a prosperous farmer and made many
improvements upon the place, including the
erection of a fine large barn. He died in June,
187s. aged eighty-five years, six months,
twenty-five days, and is buried at Catawissa.
His wife, Catherine Heinibach, born Oct. 16,
1796, died June 20, 1872, aged seventy-five
years, eight months, four days. They had
children : Sarah married Joseph Reitz, and
(second) Isaac Berger; Michael is mentioned
below ; Eliza married Charles Bitting ; Jesse
married Catherine Shultz ; Christian married
Margaret Cromeley ; Maria married Wash-
ington Parr; William married Catherine
Leiby; Abby married Lafayette Reitz; Cathe-
rine married John Sidler and (second) Jona-
than Loarman.
Michael Mensch, born April 11, 1816, on the
old homestead in Franklin township, became
the owner of part of that place and followed
farming. Later he purchased a small tract in
the same township to which he removed, re-
maining on that property until his death, which
occurred Dec. 15, 1884. He was active in the
affairs of the township, serving as school di-
rector and supervisor. His wife, a daughter
of John Shuman, was born May 9, 1816, and
died Feb. 26, 1902. They are buried in Cata-
wissa cemetery. They were the parents of
four children: John S. ; Thomas M., deceased;
Catherine, Mrs. Owen Clayton ; and Matilda,
Mrs. William Benninger.
John S. Mensch was reared upon the farm
and attended public school in the locality. He
remained at home until twenty-one years old,
when he went West to Illinois, engaging in
farming there. After a short stay he returned
home and found employment driving a team in
Bloomsburg, for Boyd McKelvy. Then for
tw^o years he worked at home for his father,
receiving fifty cents a day and his board, and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
587
at the end of this period began farming for
George Zarr, his wife's uncle, at Catawissa,
being located there for five years. The next
twelve years he farmed for Samuel Kasten-
bader, and about 1 880-81 bought the property
in Montour township where he has since lived
and worked. This was formerly the old Good
homestead, and consists of 150 acres of good
land lying along the Danville road about two
and a half miles west of Bloomsburg. Mr.
Mensch's buildings and equipment are up-to-
date and in the best of condition, and he is en-
gaged in general farming. He has not con-
fined his activities to looking after his own
interests, but has also helped to promote the
public welfare in his vicinity. He has given
his fellow citizens many years' service as
school director and supervisor, still holding the
latter office; he was formerly foreman of the
State road in this district. He is a life mem-
ber of the Agricultural Society, which he has
served one year as member of the executive
committee, and two years as president; and is
a prominent member of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, having been one of the charter mem-
bers of Catawissa Grange, No. 22, for the
good of which body he has labored faithfully.
Politically he is a Democrat, in religious con-
nection an Episcopalian, his wife also belong-
ing to that church.
On Dec. 27, 1859, Mr. Mensch married
Matilda Zarr, who was born Jan. 13, 1840,
daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Cleaver)
Zarr, and they have had a family of thirteen
children, namely: Flora, born Oct. 17, 1861,
is at home; George, born Aug. 13, 1863, lives
at Jersey Shore, Pa. ; William, bom Jan. 6,
1865, resides at Bloomsburg; Clara, bom Sept.
20, 1866, married Winthrop Bryfogle; Daniel
Z., born Aug. 19, 1868, is cashier in the
Shickshinny (Pa.) National Bank; John
Harry, born July 8, 1870, conducts the hotel
at Rupert, Columbia county; Margaret, born
Feb. 17, 1872, married Clark Clever; Morris
C. S., born Sept. 16, 1873, is now in Camden,
N. J.; Charles, born April 16, 1875, lives at
Rupert, and is in the employ of the Philadel-
phia & Reading company ; Adah, born Jan. 5,
1877, married Emerson Fisher and lives at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; Frank, born July 28, 1879,
lives in Montour township • Guy, born Feb. 21,
1882. and Mayberry Hughes, born March 2,
1886, are at home.
EDWARD EVERETT, M. D., has been
located at Millville, Columbia county, for the
last fifteen years, and the confidence of a large
circle of patrons in the town and vicinity who
depend upon him for professional services is
sufficient evidence that his skill and conscien-
tiousness have been well proved.
Dr. Everett is a son of Samuel Everett, who
came from New England and followed sur-
veying and teaching for a number of years,
later keeping a hotel at Orangeville. He mar-
ried Mary Ann Corson, whose father, Ben-
jamin Corson, was an old settler in Lycoming
county. Pa., and they had two sons, Edward
and Thomas ; the latter was a farmer and
merchant, and died at the age of fifty-eight
years. The parents are deceased.
Edward Everett was born Feb. 12, 1847, at
Orangeville, and obtained his early education
in the public schools of Columbia county. He
took his medical course at Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, graduating in 1868, and
has been in practice continuously since. Fif-
teen years ago he settled at Millville, where
he has since followed his profession with the
success which has been characteristic of his
career. He is a busy man, but never too busy to
give each patient the attention necessary to
assure the best results, for which reason he is
trusted and esteemed by all who have had need
of his services. Moreover, he is a public-
spirited citizen, giving due attention to the
general welfare, his professional duties afford-
ing him many opportunities for judging the
real needs of the community. He is a mem-
ber of the Grange, and of the Odd Fellows
fraternity, and attends the Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
Dr. Everett's first wife, Amanda Mc-
Michael, whom he married in 1869, died in
1876. She was survived by two children,
Bruce and Jennie. The son, born in 1871, is
farming in Lycoming county. Pa. ; he is mar-
ried and has three children, two sons and one
daughter. Jennie is the wife of Thomas Rob-
bins, a lumberman of Lycoming county, and
they have three children, two sons and one
daughter. Hazel, Everett and Roy. In 1878
Dr. Everett married (second) Emma R. Mc-
Michael, by whom he also had two children:
Howard, now of Detroit, Mich., and Cleo, at
home.
FRANK GORDON BLEE, of Limestone
township, is a representative of one of the
most respected names in Montour county,
where his father, the late Frank G. Blee, was
honored three times with election to the office
of associate judge.
The family is of Irish origin, and John Blee,
the grandfather of Frank G. Blee, was born
in 1783 and came to this country from Ireland
588
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in 1795, when but twelve years old. At Phila-
delphia he learned brickmaking, which trade
he subsequently followed at Morristown.
Having accumulated a little money he bought
land in Anthony township, Montour county,
near the farm of Robert AIcKee, but he later
sold this property and bought another in
Derry township, that county. In time, as he
prospered, he bought two other farms, and
afterwards another, the one occupied by his
son Frank, at one time owning four fanns.
He died in i860, at the age of seventy-seven
years. He was twice married, his first wife
being Sarah McCord, who was the mother of
ten children: Joseph, William, James, Robert,
John, Joseph (2), Sarah, Mary, Margaret and
Elizabeth ; the three last named were living in
Illinois in 1887, the others at that time all
deceased. By his second marriage, to Han-
nah Gingles (whose motlier was one of those
who escaped at the Wyoming massacre), J\Ir.
Blee had five children : Sarah A., wife of Ed-
ward Morris, of Washingtonville ; Stisan H.,
wife of John Butler, of Danville ; Savilla and
Maria P., twins, who died in childhood; and
Frank G.
Frank G. Blee was born Aug. 5, 1839, and
was reared in Pennsylvania. When a youth
of seventeen he went out to Illinois, where he
remained until the spring of i860. In 1861
he joined an army wagon train in the quarter-
master's department, with which he continued
until the fall of 1862. On Aug. 9, 1862, he
enlisted, for nine months, in Company A, I32d
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and saw
considerable hard sen-ice, taking part in the
important battles of South Mountain, Antie-
tam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
After he was mustered out, at Harrisburg,
May 24, 1863, he returned to the farm, but he
followed lumbering in North Carolina to some
extent during the next few years, and while so
engaged rented his place. In 1872 he settled
upon the farm, which is located at Washing-
tonville, and there made his home the rest of
his life, dying Feb. 16, 191 1. He was one of
the influential citizens of the county for many
years, and the positions of responsibility with
which he was honored showed how popular
he was with his fellow citizens. In 1878 he
was elected county commissioner, which office
he held for three successive terms, being re-
elected in 1881 and again in 1884, each time
running ahead of his ticket, the Democratic.
During the nineties he became associate judge,
which office he continued to fill thereafter
until his death, at which time he was serving
his third temi.
On Sept. 24, 1863, Mr. Blee married Louisa
A. Butler, daughter of Daniel and Eliza
(Spencer) Butler, of Derry township, and
they had a family of six children : Robert E.,
Winifred (deceased), Frank Gordon, Harry
\\'. (who died in iSfiS). Sallie M. (who died
Dec. 20, 1885) and Lizzie (who died July 26,
1877). The mother died in January, 1878.
Frank Gordon Blee was born May i, 1874,
in Derry township, Montour county, where his
boyhood days were spent. He had common
school advantages, attending until he was thir-
teen years old, when he accompanied his
father to Western Pennsylvania, engaging in
the lumber business there for the ne.xt seven
years. Returning home, he remained there
until he reached his majority, and then went
to Middletown, Conn., where he found a posi-
tion as attendant in the Connecticut State Hos-
pital. He was there three years, .going next
to Boston, Mass., where for the three years
following he was employed as a motorman.
Subsequently he was engaged as an electrical
worker for nine years. Coming back to the
home farm at the time of his father's death,
he continued there until January, 1913, when
he moved to his present farm in Limestone
township, following general agriculture and
stock dealing. He has always devoted himself
to his work, never taking any active part in
public aft'airs, and he has never desired official
honors. Politically he is a Democrat.
On June 24. 1903. Mr. Blee married Edith
M. Lytle, a native of Pennsylvania, born Nov.
15, 1876, daughter of Jacob and Caroline
(Fultz) Lytle, farming people of Blair coun-
ty, Pa., who live at Williamsburg. Mr. and
Mrs. Blee have two children : Frank Gordon,
born Sept. 3, 1904; and Maxine Lytle. born
Sept. II. 1909.
Mr. Blee holds membership in the Presby-
terian Church, his wife in the Lutheran
Church.
HARMON M. BREISCH, a prominent
farmer, cattleman and lumber dealer of Cat-
awissa township, Columbia county, was born
in that township July 29, 1859, and is a son
of Joseph Breisch, a well known and respected
farmer of German descent, who was an old
resident in this section of the State.
Joseph Breisch was bom in Catawissa
township, Columbia county, Aug. 15, 1822,
and was a son of George and Rebecca (Wall)
Breisch, who were natives of this State and
of German descent. His grandfather, Jacob
Breisch, was born in the old countrv and came
to America in early vouth. Grandfather \\'all
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
589
was sold ill bondage to pay his passage to
America, working for some years after his ar-
rival to repay the money. George P.reisch
was born in Montgomery county, Pa., and
came to Columbia county in 1802, when he
established the old Breisch homestead which
has been in the family ever since. He died in
1S70. Joseph Breisch was reared on the farm,
leaving to take charge of a place of his own
in 1852. In 1853 he married Harriet IMiller,
and they had five children : John E., living at
Catawissa; Emma J., wife of Charles VV.
Newhauser, living in Washington, D. C. ; Re-
becca, unmarried; Harmon M., living at Cat-
awissa; and Regina, wife of Britton Hughes.
Joseph Breisch and his wife were both mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church. He died in
igoi, and they are buried in the cemetery at
Catawissa.
Harmon M. Breisch attended the public
schools near his home and later was a student
in Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa.
Returning home he purchased his father's
farm in 1S92, adding land adjoining until he
now has over four hundred acres, and in addi-
tion to general farming he has a dairy, serving
the people of Catawissa with milk and dealing
in cattle as a side line. He also carries on a
profitable lumber business. One of his spe-
cialties is the cultivation of plums, of which
he has a fine orchard, the yearly product from
the trees being about 150 bushels.
Mr. Breisch married Maude Cotner, daugh-
ter of Frank Cotner, of Limestoneville, Mon-
tour county, and they have the following fam-
ily : Florence, Pearl, Ralph, Warren, Eugene,
Mildred and Louise.
Mr. Breisch is a Democrat and has served
as school director of his township. He is the
largest taxpayer in the township and a busi-
ness man as well as a successful farmer. He
is a member of the Lutheran Church, and of
Catawissa Lodge, I. O. O. F.
THOMAS E. HARDER, proprietor of one
of the most important enterprises at Cata-
wissa, operated as the Mammoth Furniture
Store, and president of the Catawissa Knit-
ting Mills Company, an industrial plant of
much value to the borough, was born Dec. 15,
1843, son of Washington Harder and grand-
son of John Harder. John Harder had the
following children : Thomas, Samuel, Wash-
ington, Mary A., Nancy, Susan and Sarah A.
Washington Harder, son of John Harder,
became the father of the following children :
Dr. Charles, who was in active practice as a
physician and surgeon at Rohrsburg and
Bloomsburg, Pa., when he died; George, a
veteran of the Civil war, who resided at Cata-
wissa, where he was a policeman until his
death ; Thomas E. ; Sarah, who married
Frederick Alerceran ; and Mary, Mrs. Thorp,
living in Ohio.
Thomas E. Harder married Clara A. Ham-
lin, and they have had children as follows :
Charles M., who is assisting his father; Guy
W. ; and Pearl, who is the wife of Charles M.
Evans, of Bloomsburg, the leading shoe mer-
chant of that city.
Mr. Harder not only handles a full line of
furniture of all kinds at the Mammoth Store,
but is also in the undertaking business, and
has a full equipment for carrying out the
wishes of his patrons regarding funeral ar-
rangements. He belongs to Catawissa Lodge,
No. 349, F. & A. M., and to Catawissa Chap-
ter, R. A. M. Politically a Republican, he has
served as burgess of the borough and member
of the council, as well as in other capacities.
Mr. Harder and his two brothers served in
the Civil war for the Union cause. Dr. Charles
in the Iron Guards, as a private for some two
years, and George in the I32d P'ennsylvania
X'olunteer Infantry; he reenlisted, in the 3d
Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and again in
the i88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
serving in all about three years. Thomas E.
Harder enlisted for nine months in 1862 in
Company H, I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer In-
fantry, and was mustered out in the spring of
1863. Reenlisting in the 30th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, he served on the Colonel's
staff as sergeant major during this term, which
was an honor seldom conferred upon a youth
of his age. Again in 1864 he reenlisted, with
the 3d Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, serving
until the close of the war. He was located at
Fortress Monroe, Va., the last several months
of his service. After activities ended he was
a clerk in the pay department at Fortress
Monroe until he was mustered out. He par-
ticipated in the battles of South Mountain,
Antietam (where his regiment stood in front
of the ''bloody lane"), Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville, but much of his time was
spent on special duty, such as scouting, etc.
He was at Petersburg and the taking of Rich-
mond, in fact was in the thick of the fray
most of the time. At Fredericksbtirg he was
stung by a flying missile. When he recovered
enough to get in action he was surrounded by
the dead and wounded, he being the only one
on his feet of those left on the field.
The Catawissa Knitting Mills Com-
pany was organized in November, 1909, with
590
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
a capitalstock of $12,000, by local business
men, under the name of the Montour Knitting
Mills. In March, 1910, business was discon-
tinued, and F. R. Dent was made receiver and
trustee. All matters of the concern having
been settled up the present stockholders or-
ganized, in March, 191 1, as the Catawissa
Knitting Alills Company, with a capital stock
of $8,000. The plant is located in a three-
story building, equipped with all modern ma-
chinery for manufacturing ladies' hosiery, and
the volume of business shows a steady and
healthy increase. This is one of the leading
industrial plants of Catawissa, and as it has
Thomas E. Harder as president, W. H. Lau-
bach as secretary and manager, and C. P.
Pfahler as treasurer, its prosperity is assured.
IVEY. The Ivey family comes of English
origin, and has long been an important one in
Columbia county, where its representatives
have made their influence felt, chiefly along
agricultural lines.
William Ivey, the founder of the name in
the United States, was born in England in
1 81 8, and died on his farm in Hemlock town-
ship, Columbia county, Feb. 8, 1883, aged sixty-
four years, five months, twenty-three days.
He married Ann Williams, who was born in
England in 1824, and passed away February
12, 1897, aged seventy-three years, one month,
eight days. Both were buried in Rosemont
cemetery, at Bloomsburg, Pa. In 1852 Wil-
liam Ivey brought his family to this country,
locating at Buckhorn, in Hemlock township,
Columbia Co., Pa., where he found employ-
ment for a time at ore mining. As soon as
his means warranted he purchased the old
Barton farm in Hemlock township, which he
continued to operate until death claimed him,
in 1883. A man of courage and strong con-
victions, he lived up to what he believed was
his duty, and brought his children up to honor
and respect him. His children were : Rich-
ard; Eliza Ann, who married William Gul-
liver; Mary Jane, who married John Walter;
Elizabeth, who married George Wilson ;
Sarah, who married William Pooley ; William,
who is deceased ; and Edward W.
Edward W. Ivey, son of William Ivey, a
farmer of Hemlock township, was bom in
England Feb. 27, 1846, and was only five years
old when brought to this country by his par-
ents, so that he has been practically reared in
Coh:mbia county, where his mature years have
been so profitably spent. From the time he
was old enough to give any material assist-
ance Mr. Ivey was kept busy working for his
father until the latter's death, when he suc-
ceeded to the homestead of 100 acres of very
valuable land, well cultivated and fertile. Be-
lieving in the dignity of agricultural labor, and
having proved in his life that it can be made
to pay, he devotes all his attention to his farm,
carrying on general farming. For some years,
until 1908, he operated a milk route, but after
having been engaged in that line for twenty-
one years abandoned it, much to the regret of
his many customers at Bloomsburg, who had
grown to depend upon him for their milk
supply. Modern in all his methods, Mr. Ivey's
premises are in excellent shape, and he takes
a pride in them and his equipment. His build-
ings are well fitted for their several purposes,
and he is one of the best types of the ad-
vanced agriculturist that Columbia county
possesses.
Edward W. Ivey married Elmira Gelespie,
a daughter of William Gelespie, of Buckhorn,
Pa. Children as follows have been born to
this marriage : Charles F. is a merchant of
Nescopeck, Pa. ; Hattie, who married Daniel
Morton, is living in Bloomsburg, Pa. ; Wash-
ington, who is a machinist by trade, is living
at Fernville, Hemlock township; Bruce, who
is a carpet weaver, lives at Fernville; Eliz-
abeth, who married O. W. Crawford, is living
at Bloomsburg. Pa. ; Lettie lives at home.
Politically Mr. Ivey is a Republican and has
given his school district the benefit of his zeal
and experience as a director of its board.
RiCH.'vRD Ivey, son of William Ivey and
brother of Edward W. Ivey, is a farmer of
Hemlock township. He was born at Miners-
ville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was brought to
Columbia county when a child. His educa-
tional advantages were obtained in the excel-
lent schools of Hemlock township, and by the
time he was old enough to be of much assist-
ance to his father the latter had bought a
farm upon which he reared his children amid
healthful surroundings, early teaching them
lessons of industry and thrift. Richard Ivey
also worked hauling ore from the mines in
Hemlock township, and grew up to useful
manhood. Later on he began farming in Cat-
awissa township, Columbia count)', remaining
there four years, when he returned to Hem-
lock township, and continued his agricultural
operations for several years more. For the
next two years he was at Bloomsburg, Pa.,
and in 1907 bought his present farm in Hem-
lock township, adjoining the old homestead of
his father, now owned by his brother, Edward
W. Ivey. This farm contains 20232 acres of
valuable land, upon which Mr. Ivey has made
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
591
many important improvements, including the
erection of all the outbuildings. His premises
show the hand of a careful and efficient man-
ager, and his stock and implements have been
selected with intelligent comprehension of his
needs. In February, 1914, he had the misfor-
tune to lose his home, a disastrous fire destroy-
ing the dwelling and all its contents.
Richard Ivey married Mary Jane Cooper,
who died July 12, 1905, and is laid to rest in
Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg, Pa. Mr.
and Mrs. Ivey had the following children:
George A., a farmer of Montour township,
Columbia county ; Sarah A., who married
Charles Freese and lives in Bloomsburg town ;
Richard, Jr., who is living in Buffalo;
John C, who is living in Bloomsburg; R. W.,
of Light Street, Pa. ; Reuben, who is living
at Pittsburgh, Pa. ; Lloyd W., who is living at
Buft'alo; Mary Jane, who married Ross Ed-
wards ; Clara, at home ; Jessie, who married
Charles Broat and lives at Tamaqua, Pa. ;
Maude E., who is at home ; and Rachel, also
at home — all living. The following are de-
ceased: Eliza Ann, born in 1873, died in
1874; William, born in 1876, died the same
year; Blanche, born in 1889, died in 1890;
Grace, born in 1892, died in 1894.
Mr. Ivey is a member of the Reformed
Church, is interested in its growth and devel-
opment and an important man in the congre-
gation. The Republican party holds his mem-
bership and receives his support, although he
has never cared to go into public life, believing
that he can better do his duty as a citizen in
a private capacity.
JAMES FRANKLIN ELLIS, of Ex-
change, Alontour county, has been cashier of
the Farmers' National Bank at that place ever
since it was established, and has also been well
and favorably known in other connections.
The Ellises are among the oldest and most
substantial families at Exchange, and James
F. Ellis is living up to the best traditions of a
worthy name. He was born June 22, 1858, in
Anthony township, Montour county, son of
Andrew and Jane A. (Ellis) Ellis, and a de-
scendant of Stephen Ellis, the first of the name
to settle in this region, one of the early res-
idents of Anthony township. Rev. Milton
Lightner, the first regular pastor of St. James'
Episcopal Church at Exchange, made his first
visit to the place to preach at the funeral of
Stephen Ellis. When the latter died he left
a verbal will giving $200 towards the erection
of an Episcopal Church, "should there ever
be a disposition to erect such a building." The
church was commenced in 1848, on land pur-
chased for that purpose, the cornerstone was
laid that year by Bishop Alonzo Potter, and
the completed building dedicated by the
Bishop, assisted by Rev. Milton Lightner and
others. Prominent among the contributors to
the work were the estate of Stephen Ellis,
William Ellis, Stephen Ellis (son of Stephen
Ellis, deceased), Catharine Ellis, Jane, Wil-
liam, Isabella, Ellen and John C. Ellis, Mil-
ton Lightner and Amos Heacock. The first
officers of the church were: William Ellis,
Stephen Ellis, John C. Ellis and Amos Hea-
cock, vestrymen; William Ellis and Amos
Heacock, wardens. In 1887 the officers were
Charles Reeder, William Ellis, John Caldwell,
John D. Ellis, Robert Caldwell, Stephen C.
EUis, vestrymen; Charles Reeder, senior war-
den; Stephen C. Ellis, junior warden.
Stephen Ellis, the pioneer of the family in
Montour county, was born in Ireland, and
came from Londonderry, that country, to
America in or about 1770. His father, who
was a sea captain, when he retired from the
water took up land near Baltimore, Md., but
finally went back to Donegal, Ireland, where
he died. Stephen Ellis assisted his cousin at
Juniata, Pa., before coming to this section, and
then settled permanently near Exchange, in
Anthony township. Here he and his wife
spent the remainder of their long lives in the
vicinity in which they first located, he farming
until his death, which occurred in 1845, when
he was eighty-two years old. He married
Eleanor (or Mary) Cunningham, like himself
a native of Ireland, who survived him a few
years, and they were buried in the Episcopal
graveyard at Exchange. They were the par-
ents of twelve children.
William Ellis, second son of this large fam-
ily, was born in Anthony township May 8,
i8cHD. and died in i860. In 1833 he married
Sarah Murray, of Lewis township, Northum-
berland county, daughter of John and Mary
(Watts) Murray. They then bought and
cleared up a tract of land in the woods of
Murray Hill, now in Madison township, Co-
lumbia county. Upon this they lived and car-
ried on the pursuit of agriculture, finally be-
coming possessed of several other tracts of
land in adjoining counties. Mr. Ellis was a
member of the Episcopal Church at Exchange,
at which place he is buried. His wife sur-
vived him until Jan. 21, 1892. They were
the parents of three children : Andrew, John
D. and Stephen M., John D. being the only
survivor.
Andrew Ellis, father of James Franklin
592
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Ellis, was born July S, 1834, in what was then
Columbia (now Montour) county, and became
one of the prominent men of his region in his
day. He engaged in merchandising, and later
followed farming, being one of the most re-
spected citizens of his township, and was
elected to the office of justice of the peace,
which he held for five years. He was still
serving at the time of his death, which oc-
curred May 4, 1879, when he was but forty-
five years old. He married Jane A. Ellis, a
native of Bucks county, who outlived him
many years, dying in February, 1912. They
had two children, James F. and W. S. Ellis.
James Franklin Ellis received his education
in the public schools. He was reared to farm-
ing, and continued to follow that occupation
for eight or ten years during his earlier man-
hood. He served his fellow citizens in An-
thony township for a number of years in offi-
cial positions, two terms as tax collector and
two terms as assessor, and was storekeeper
and ganger in the United States Internal Rev-
enue service, at Hazleton, Burnes and Coles
Creek, all in Pennsylvania. At one time for
about seven years he was mercantile appraiser
for Montour county. In 1906 he was one of
the organizers of the Farmers' National Bank,
of Exchange, and has ever since served as
cashier of the institution, of which he is also
a director. The substantial citizens who are
officials and directors of this bank are the best
guaranty of its stability, and it has always
been considered a high class concern, well de-
serving the substantial support it has received
in the community. Mr. Ellis by his efficient
eft'orts has done his share toward establish-
ing and maintaining this reputation. His prin-
cipal interests are centered in the bank, but
he also owns seventy acres of land.
In January, 1886, Mr. Ellis married Julia
A. Watson, of Anthony township, daughter of
John and Louisa Catherine (Steiner) Watson,
"farming people. Mr. Watson was a school
director. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Re-
formed Church, and his wife belongs to the
Presbyterian Church at Washingtonville.
FRANK EMERSON De LONG, whose
success as a manufacturer has made for his
name a permanent place in the history of in-
dustrial development in the LTnited States, is
a native of Danville, Montour Co., Pa. His'
home is located at Washingtonville, where
his grandparents settled many years ago, and
there he has established a country estate that
is scarce equaled in this part of the State.
Henry De Long, his grandfather, was born
in Berks county. Pa., and his wife, Magdalena
Berger, was a native of Union county, this
State. His ancestors came from France, while
hers were of German origin. \Maen but a
youth Henry De Long came to Columbia
county and settled at Washington\ille, the
territory being then included within that coun-
ty. He followed the trade of weaver, and
lived to be sixty-six years of age. His wife
died at the age of ninety.
Daniel De Long, son of Henry, was born
March 27, 1827, at Washingtonville, where
he lived until his eighteenth birthday, at-
tending the country schools in the intervals
of labor at the loom. He then went to Phila-
delphia, where he obtained the better part of
his education, returning after a time to Mon-
tour county to take the position of bookkeeper
at the old Rough and Ready mill in Danville.
He was afterwards superintendent of the com-
pany store for ten or twelve years. In 1872
he built a plant of his own in East Danville,
which was known as the Danville Iron Foun-
dry. It was 56 by 84 feet in dimensions, sol-
idly constructed, having a slate roof, an un-
usual feature at that time. It had a cupola,
capable of melting seven tons of iron at one
heat, core oven, crane, blacksmith shop, pat-
tern shop, etc., and was completely equipped
for the production of stoves, and plows and
various other agricultural implements. The
first left-handed plow in this part of the coun-
try was manufactured here by Mr. De Long.
All kinds of machine work were done at his
foundry, which he carried on successfully for
fifteen years, after which he retired and moved
to Philadelphia. Mr. De Long also conducted
a large coal yard in Danville in connection
with his foundry. He was director of the
First National Bank of Danville ; served as
member of the school board ; and for twenty
years was warden of the Episcopal Church.
He was a member of the I. O. O. F., belong-
ing to Lodge No. 100 of Philadelphia ; and
was a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member
of Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M., Danville,
IMount Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & S. M.,
Catawissa Chapter, No. 178, R. A. M., and
Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T.
Mr. De Long was married to Jane Emer-
son, who was born Sept. 10, 1831, in .Sunder-
land, England, and came to America in 1854.
She now resides at the De Long homestead
at Washingtonville. Of the children born to
Mr. and Mrs. De Long only two survive,
Frank E. and Sarah E., the latter the wife of
George McConnell, formerly of Toronto, Can-
ada, and now manager of the De Long estate
< ^C^^^^yr^
-~\
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
593
at W'ashingtonville. His sketch is given else-
where. Daniel De Long died Jan. 13, 1889,
and is buried at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Frank Emerson De Long was born at Dan-
ville, where he attended the public schools and
completed his education at the Kelso Academy.
While a young man he entered the employ
of a mining and engineering company in New
York City, where he remained for five years.
He then removed to Philadelphia, where he
engaged in the business of fire insurance. In
1889 he began to devote his entire time to in-
vention, working on various articles and de-
vices, the most successful of which were a
folding paper box and an electric stenograph.
He perfected the hook and eye known as the
De Long in 1890, the sales of which have
been phenomenal and world-wide. The in-
genious phrase, "See That Hump," served to
call the attention of the public to its merits,
and it proved one of the most successful ad-
vertising hits of the trade; and as the article
itself was found to be beyond what was
claimed for it the demand rapidly increased.
The business which IVIr. De Long built up,
with the production of this one article as a
nucleus, now includes the manufacturing of
numerous articles for women's use, each of
which maintains the high standard of the
hook and eye, and their sale extends over the
civilized world.
Mr. De Long is vice president of the De
Long Hook & Eye Company, whose home
factory is in Philadelphia ; he is also a direc-
tor of the Canadian company, a branch of
the parent company. Besides his interests in
manufacturing, he is one of the largest real
estate operators in Philadelphia, making a
specialty of plots in the central and business
portions of the city. His offices are located
in the De Long building, at the southeast
corner of Thirteenth and Chestnut streets,
Philadelphia, which is said to be the busiest
corner in the entire city.
Mr. De Long is one of the well known club-
men of Philadelphia, belonging to the Union
League, Racquet, Philadelphia Country and
Philadelphia Cricket Clubs. He is also a mem-
ber of the L^nion League Club of New York,
and the Country Club of Williamsport. He
is a member of Christ's Memorial Church of
Danville and one of its most liberal support-
ers. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. De Long owns the old homestead near
Washingtonville and has gradually added to
it until he has over three hundred acres,
where he carries on general scientific farm-
ing. He has erected a beautiful residence and
3S
various outbuildings, making one of the finest
country homes in this part of Pennsylvania.
The grounds surrounding have been laid out
by landscape artists and present unusual beau-
ties. He has also planted a large grove of
pines, which adds much to the beauty of the
place. The home overlooks an extensive val-
ley, bounded on all sides by a high range of
hills, making as picturesque a scene as may be
found in many of the most famous European
localities.
William Henry De Long, son of Daniel and
Jane (Emerson) De Long, was born Dec. 14,
1859, at Danville, and died Dec. 14, 1902, at
Washingtonville. He is buried in tlie family
lot at South Laurie Hill, Philadelphia.
Charles Foley De Long, son of Daniel and
Jane (Emerson) De Long, was born Dec. 4,
1861, at Danville, and died Oct. 21, 1899. He
was a member of the firm of Richardson &
De Long Brothers, pioneer manufacturers of
the De Long hook and eye. He was married
to Ida Sherborne, a daughter of William Sher-
borne, of Philadelphia, who was a member
of a steamship transportation company. Three
children were born to this marriage : Blanche
S., now Mrs. Paul Alexander, of Chatoulenco,
Vevay, Switzerland; Dorothy May; and
Charles Foley.
Jonathan De Long, brother to Daniel De
Long, was born at Washingtonville and at-
tended the public schools at that place. He
learned the trade of mason while a young
man, a calling which he followed throughout
his active years. In 1857 he was married to
Jane Cotner, of Derry township, and two chil-
dren were born to them : John Clinton, who
became a weaver, and Sarah Jane, who was
married to Frank Coursen, postmaster at
W^ashingtonville. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Coursen have
two children : Jennie Bernice, who is married
to Rev. Charles G. Hefl:"ner, a Lutheran min-
ister, of Reading, Pa., and Dorothy Johanna,
residing at home.
GEORGE McCONNELL, of Derry town-
ship, Montour county, general manager of the
De Long estate at Washingtonville, is a native
of Toronto, Canada, born ]\Iarch 3, 1877. His
father, M. IMcConnell, also a native of
Toronto (born March 23, 1851), passed all his
life in that city, where he was for years en-
gaged in the wholesale cigar and tobacco busi-
ness, building his trade up to large propor-
tions. In 1902 he sold out, thereafter living
retired until his death, which occurred in No-
vember, 1906, when he was fifty-five years old.
His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Dal-
594
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ton, was born in August, 1852, daughter of
John and Mary Dalton, natives of Ireland,
who came to Toronto in an early day and there
passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Dalton
retiring some time before his death. Adrs.
McConnell is still living in Toronto. She and
her husband had six children, all of whom
survive: Dr. John Francis McConnell, of
Colorado Springs, Colo.; George; Miss Marie
Louise, who lives in Canada; Florence, wife
of B. K. Sweeney, of Denver, Colo. ; Harry
C, of Toronto, Canada; and Gladys, of Colo-
rado Springs, Colo., wife of George Anderson
Fowler. This family was reared in the faith
of the Roman Catholic Church.
John McConnell, grandfather of George
McConnell, was a native of Ireland. He was
engaged as a clerk in the Canadian civil serv-
ice, holding government positions practically
all his life. His wife was Elizabeth
Hennessy.
George McConnell obtained an e.xcellent
education in Toronto, and after leaving school
became employed with his father, with whom
he was associated nine years. He then spent
some time in New York and Philadelphia, en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits. He is now gen-
eral manager of the 300-acre estate of Frank
E. De Long, at Washingtonville, Montour
county (where he has been engaged since
1908), one of the most beautiful country
places in this region, which under his care is
undergoing a process of modern development
calculated to expand its possibilities to an ex-
tent which could only be attempted with
modern resources. Mr. McConnell has not
allied himself to any political party. He is
devoted to business, and has been very suc-
cessful in his present position.
On July 9, 1908, Mr. McConnell married
Sara E. De Long, sister of Frank E. De Long.
They have no children.
PETER H. VOUGHT, a farmer of Frank-
lin township, Columbia county, was born in
Montour county, Aug. 8, 1832, son of John
Vought, Jr.
John Vought, Sr., the grandfather, was born
in New Jersey, and coming to Pennsylvania
bought a farm on Big Roaring creek. He mar-
ried Hannah Metz, and their children were:
Daniel ; Howell ; James ; John, Jr. ; Anna, who
married Peter Bodine; Elizabeth, who mar-
ried John HoiTman; and Mary, who married
J. Vastine. John Vought's remains were laid
to rest in the Lutheran Church cemetery at
Sharp Ridge.
John Vought, Jr., married Esther Knittle,
of Franklin township, and they had two chil-
dren, Simon and Peter H. Throughout his
useful life John Vought was a farmer, oper-
ating in Montour county. He served as a
school director and also as poor supervisor,
and personally was a most excellent man.
Peter H. Vought remained at home until he
was twenty years of age, at which time he
bought fifty acres of land in Franklin town-
ship, Columbia county. With this small begin-
ning he commenced fanning, steadily adding
to his holdings until he now owns 1,200 acres,
all in Franklin township, which he devotes to
general farming and fruit raising. He is one
of the heaviest landowners in the township.
Peter H. Vought married Esther Knittle,
but no children were born to them. Mrs.
Vought died about 1900 and is buried in the
Sharp Ridge Lutheran Church yard. Mr.
Vought was a school director at one time and
also served as poor supervisor, elected to both
offices upon the Democratic ticket. His suc-
cess in life has been fairly earned by hard
work and unceasing economy, and he is nat-
urally held in high respect by all who know
him.
LUTHER EYER, vice president of the
First National Bank of Catawissa, was born
March 12, 1846, son of Rev. William J. Eyer,
pastor of the Lutheran congregation at Cat-
awissa from 1838 to 1874, when death cut
short a career of religious and physical activ-
ity in the interests of his fellow men. His
wife followed him to the grave in 1876, and
they rest side by side in the cemetery at Cat-
awissa.
Rev. William J. Eyer was born Jan. 4, 1803,
in Lebanon county, Pa., came to Columbia
county at the age of thirty-four, and settled
in Catawissa in 1838. His education was
obtained in the city of New York, where he
was long under the instruction of Rev. Mr.
Geisenhammer, and before coming to this sec-
tion to take charge of the congregations at
Catawissa, Bloomsburg and Roaringcreek had
served a congregation at Rhinebeck, N. Y.,
where his eldest two children were born. By
his marriage to Charlotte Havemeyer, May 7,
1829, the following children were bom: Fred-
erick C, Sept. 15, 1830; Susannah C, Aug.
18, 1834; Catherine, Jan. 23, 1838; William,
Dec. 7, 1843; Mary, Nov. 8, 1840 ; Luther,
March 12, 1846. Of these, Susannah, widow
of Rev. D. M. Henkel, resides in Catawissa;
Frederick Christian is living retired in Blooms-
burg; Mary was the wife of George Stevens,
both now deceased; William resides in Flor-
ida, where he has an orange grove.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
595
Luther Eyer attended public school at Cat-
awissa and a select school at Wyoming, Pa.,
going thence to the Millersville State Normal
School near Lancaster, Pa. He then went to
New York City and entered the employ of
Havemeyer & Elder, sugar refiners, for a year,
returning to Catawissa in 1869 to enter upon
railroad work. In 1873 he purchased a farm
in Montour township, Columbia county, re-
maining on it for almost forty years, and at
the end of that period returning to Catawissa,
where he has since lived. In 1873 Mr. Eyer
married Jane, daughter of David Clark, who
was a son of Andrew Clark, one of the pio-
neers of Columbia county. Mr. and Mrs. Eyer
have had five children : William, living on the
home farm; David and Luther, deceased;
Kate, wife of Dr. J. F. Fulton, of Berwick,
Pa. ; and George, living at home.
Mr. Eyer is one of the foremost men of his
section and has been a leader in school mat-
ters for years, taking an active part in estab-
lishing tiie public schools of Catawissa and
serving as director. He was councilman of
the borough and was one of the organizers
and directors of the First National Bank of
Catawissa, of which he is now vice president.
He is also a stockholder and director in the
Catawissa Knitting Mills. In religious affilia-
tion Mr. Eyer is a Lutheran, as is his entire
family.
FREDERICK B. SMITH, proprietor of
the Catawissa Marble and Granite Works, is
a native of Germany, having been bom in the
province of Saxony, Prussia, Nov. 7, 1839.
His parents, Frederick and Etta (Steinach)
Smith, were natives of that country. His
father, who was a carpenter, died while in
the prime of life, leaving two children, Fred-
erick B. and Charles G., both of whom now
reside in Catawissa. The mother came to
America, with her second husband, Mr. Dell,
in 1S60, and located in Montour township,
Columbia county, where they both resided
until their deaths. They had one child, Ed-
ward Dell.
Frederick B. Smith was but a child at the
death of his father, and was placed in a
national school until the age of fourteen, re-
ceiving a good German education. He was
then apprenticed to the trade of stonecutter,
working at it for five years, and like all of his
countrymen was compelled to serve in the
army for three years, being assigned to the
31st Prussian Infantry. On his return home
he served three and a half years as journey-
man at his trade, and then started business
for himself, having his apprentices and jour-
neymen as was the custom then. In 1864 he
was called to the colors in the war between
Prussia and Denmark, and continued in serv-
ice from January to September of that year.
Again he took up civil life, but in 1866 he
was once more called to the colors, in the
war with Austria. He served a few months,
and was under corporal. In 1869 he left the
Fatherland for the new world, sailing on a
Red Star steamer for America from Bremen,
and had the trials of a twenty-one days' voy-
age ere he arrived in New York. Upon his
arrival in America, Frederick B. Smith went
to Columbia county to visit his mother and
stepfather, who persuaded him to remain. Go-
ing to work at Scranton, he found employ-
ment with Michael May, who kept a marble
yard, at $3.50 a day, and remained with him
three years. He sent for his family, and in
1872 they located in Catawissa, where he
entered into business for himself. His estab-
lishment was the first of its kind in the town,
and it is first in importance, and for thirty-
one years he has held the most of the trade
of the borough. His two sons are of great
assistance to him in the works, where they
are noted for their skill, acquired from the
father, who had thorough training under the
old German apprentice system.
Mr. Smith designed and erected the soldiers'
and sailors' monument at Catawissa, having
been the winner in competition with twenty-
five others. The cost of the monument was
$1,000, and it is a work of art, which has re-
ceived the commendation of visitors from all
parts of the State. It was unveiled by Gov-
ernor Hoyt in 1878. In addition to this trib-
ute to the dead there are hundreds of tomb-
stones and markers in this and other cem-
eteries of this section, all evidences of the
care and pride he takes in his handiwork. In
1882 Mr. Smith became the proprietor of the
"Danville Hotel," which he operated for two
years, being the last proprietor of that hos-
telry. The site of this hotel is now occupied
by the Thomas Beaver Free Library of Dan-
ville.
Mr. Smith is a stanch Democrat and is a
member of the Lutheran Church, taking a
great interest in religious matters and stand-
ing for the right in every movement in behalf
of his fellow men.
In the year 1863 Mr. Smith was married,
in the Fatherland, to Christina Neuschildt,
who remained there when her husband came
to America, he sending for her in 1872, after
he had provided a home in the New World.
She died in 1879, and was buried in the cem-
596
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
etery at Catawissa, where a handsome mon-
ument marks her grave. Two children blessed
their union, Charles E. and Freda, who mar-
ried Macius Mines and resides near Camden,
New Jersey.
Mr. Smith married for his second wife Jes-
sie Rhawn, daughter of Casper Rhawn and
sister of William H. Rhawn, one of the lead-
ing attorneys of Columbia county. By this
marriage he had five children: Albert; Car-
rie, wife of A. H. Sharpless, of Bloomsburg:
Hattie, wife of Mark Dillon, a florist of
Bloomsburg; Ettie, wife of Charles Gallagher,
of Pittsburgh; and Louisa, who resides in
Pittsburgh.
Charles E. Smith, eldest son of Frederick
B. Smith, was born in Tennstadt, Saxony,
Prussia, Sept. lo, 1863. and came to America
at the age of eight with his mother and sis-
ter. The foundations of his education were
laid in the German schools and the public
schools of Catawissa. and later he studied in
the State Normal School at Bloomsburg. He
then entered the marble works of his father,
with whom he remained until 1901, when he
went to Allegheny City to take the foreman-
ship of granite works there. Returning to
Catawissa he was in business with his father
until 1909, when he was appointed clerk in
the county commissioners' office, which posi-
tion he now holds. He is a supporter of the
policies of the Democratic party, and a mem-
ber of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and
of the Odd Fellows, of which latter he is a
past grand. He is also a director in the Cat-
awissa Bank. Mr. Smith was united in mar-
riage, July 8, 1902, to Christina, daughter of
Judge J. T. Fox, of Catawissa, and they have
one child.
Albert Smith, second son of Frederick B.
Smith, was born in Catawissa in April, 1881,
and obtained an education in the public schools
there. From boyhood he took an interest in
the stonecutting trade, and after learning the
business thoroughly became a partner with his
father. He makes his home in Bloomsburg,
and is one of the rising young men of the bor-
ough, having the respect of all who know him.
He married Flora Metheral, and they have
one child, Jessie Elizabeth.
EDWARD RODMAN DRINKER, late of
Bloomsburg, Columbia county, for a number
of years manager of the Bloomsburg Iron
Company, and afterwards a member of the
firm known as the Hess Manufacturing Com-
pany, was a resident of that place for almost
half a century, from 1846 until his death.
His grandfather, Henry Drinker, Jr., was the
first white man in that section of Pennsyl-
vania now comprised in Wayne, Pike and
Luzerne counties, in 1791 buying the large
tract long known as "Drinker's Beech," a
name suggested by the large number of beech
trees thereon The Drinker family has been
in America from early Colonial days, and
Edward R. Drinker was of the ninth genera-
tion from the immigrant ancestor, Philip
Drinker.
(I) Philip Drinker, born in 1596, came to
New England in 1635 from Exeter, England,
in the ship "Abigail," Robert Hackwell, mas-
ter, bringing his wife and two children. Their
ages at the time of embarking were recorded:
Philip Drinker, thirty-nine ; wife, Elizabeth,
thirty-two; sons Edward, thirteen, and John,
eight years. They settled at Charlestown,
Mass. His death occurred June 23, 1647. Mr.
Drinker became a man of some note, engaging
in the pottery business, and also kept the first
ferrj' over the Alysti'c river in 1640. Edward
(who died 1700) and John appear to have
been the only children.
(II) John Drinker, younger son of Philip,
bom in 1627, married Elizabeth
and they had children : John, Elizabeth, Mary,
Sarah and Philip.
(III) John Drinker, son of John, born
March 31, 1653, at Beverly, Mass., was a ship
builder or carpenter. He married Ruth Balch,
and their children were : Joseph, Edward and
John.
(I\') Joseph Drinker, son of John and
Ruth, married Alary Janney, by whom he
had the following family : Henrj', Joseph,
John and Tabitha.
(\') Henry Drinker, son of Joseph, born
in 1709, married in 1731 Mary Cottier, and
died in 1746. Their children were: John,
Henry, Daniel, Joseph and Elizabeth.
(\T) John Drinker, son of Henry, was born
in 1733. and died July 27, 1800. He was a
man of literary tastes, and also did some news-
paper work. On Feb. 27, 1756, he married
Rachel Reymear, who was born Oct. 18, 1730,
and died May 21. 1822. They had a family of
six children : Henry, Joseph (born 1758,
died 1759), Hannah, Ann, Joseph D. and
Mary.
(VII) Henry Drinker, Jr., son of John
and Rachel, was born Jan. 22, 1757, in Phil-
adel]:)hia, where he resided all his life, dying
there Oct. 19, 1822. For a number of years
he was cashier of the Bank of North America
of that city, having been elected to that posi-
tion in January, 1800, and serving through-
COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES
597
out his active career. On April 4, 1782, he
married Alary Howe!!, daughter of Abram
and Rebecca (W'ahij Howell, and they had
children : John, Henry Wain, Rebecca W.,
Richard and William Wain.
In 1787 he came to the region in Pennsyl-
vania now included in Wayne, Pike and Lu-
zerne counties, being the first white man there.
During the year 1791 he bought from the
State 25,000 acres of "unseated" land there,
in the Lackawanna valley. "As the dweller
in wigwams turned his footsteps towards the
setting sun, in search of other hunting grounds
where the deer and moose and buffalo had
not been driven out by the white conqueror,
no region was left behind him more fitted for
the chase, the war dances or hostile campfires
than that section lying between Stroudsburg
and the Lackawanna, first known as "Drink-
er's Beech.' " Mr. Drinker's family became
prominent in that section, his sons Richard
and Henry Wain coming out to take charge of
it. They received the charter for the railroad
from Great Bend to the Delaware river, now
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road,
and also built fifty miles of turnpike in Lu-
zerne county, still known as the Drinker turn-
pike.
(Vni) Richard Drinker, son of Henry
Drinker, Jr., was born Jan. 28, 1796, in
Philadelphia. He studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar at Philadelphia. In 1846
he moved to Bloomsburg, Columbia county,
that year buying the farm just adjoining the
village (later known as the Troup farm),
whereon he made his home for several years,
in 1854 settling at Scranton, Pa., where he
engaged in conveyancing and the real estate
business and passed the remainder of his life.
He died there Nov. 21, 1861. For over twenty
years he served as a justice of the peace, and
he was known for his good judgment and
intellectual attainments. He had a gift of
writing poetry, and composed and published
a number of poems. He married Lydia E.
Wragg, daughter of John Wragg, a native
of England who came to America about the
time of the French Revolution. The ship in
which he crossed the Atlantic was captured
with all on board, and he was held prisoner
a long time. Upon his release he came to
Luzerne county. Pa., but later he moved West,
dying at Beloit, Wis., when about ninety years
old. To Air. and Mrs. Richard Drinker were
bom children as follows: Richard Wain,
Eliza Morgan, Edward Rodman, Francis
Perot, Alfred Cope. Rebecca Howell, Charies
Morgan and Mary Ann.
(IX) Edward Rodman Drinker was born
Xov. 5, 1830, near Clifton post office, in Cov-
ington township, Luzerne (now Lackawanna)
Co., Pa. Moving to Bloomsburg with his
father in 1846, he began his connection with
the iron business that year finding employment
as an office boy with the Bloomsburg Iron
Company, and at the age of seventeen became
bookkeeper. He held that position with in-
creasing responsibilities for the next twenty-
seven years, and in 1880 became manager of
the company, remaining with the concern until
it discontinued business (1887). He then be-
came a member of the Hess Alanufacturing
Company (founders), continuing in that asso-
ciation until his decease. In Mr. Drinker's
death, which occurred at Bloomsburg Aug.
24, 1893, that place lost one of its most val-
ued citizens. He was prominent and success-
ful in business; had served his fellow men in
various public capacities, for five years as
member of the borough council; and was a
leading member and liberal supporter of St.
Paul's Episcopal Church, serving as vestry-
man for over thirty years, and acting as one
of the building committee when the present
edifice was constructed. Fraternally he be-
longed to the Blue Lodge, F. & A. AI.
In 1S62 Air. Drinker enlisted in the Union
service as an emergency man, and soon after-
wards went with his regiment to the front,
arriving at Antietam during the battle, after
which the regiment returned home and was
disbanded.
On Jan. 18, 1859, ^Ir. Drinker was
married to Alartha Alendenhall, who was born
Alay II, 1834, at Derry, Pa., daughter of
Joshua and Susan (Dietrick) Alendenhall,
and died at Bloomsburg, Xov. 5, 1907. Air.
and Airs. Drinker are buried in Rosemont
cemetery at Bloomsburg. Four children were
born to Air. and Airs. Drinker: Edward
Wain is associated with the Lehigh Coal &
Xavigation Company and is located at Phila-
delphia, Pa. ; Richard Carlton is in the steel
manufacturing business, associated with the
Heppenstall Forge and Knife Co., at Pitts-
burg, Pa. ; Aliss Lydia Wragg resides in
Bloomsburg, Pa. ; Susan died in infancy.
GEORGE L. REAGAN, AI. D., deceased,
for years a physician and surgeon of Ber-
wick, Columbia Co., Pa., was born Feb. 9,
1834, in Berks county. Pa., son of George and
Alan,' (Long) Reagan.
George Reagan, father of Dr. Reagan, was
an ironmaster of Berks county, and subse-
quently moved to Sunbury, Pa., where he
598
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
became the owner of a gristmill. In the lat-
ter years of his life he moved to \'irginia,
where his death occurred. He and his wife
were the parents of eight children.
George L. Reagan received a common
school education, and as a young man engaged
in the lumber business with a brother, in
Schuylkill county. Deciding upon a medical
career, he disposed of his business interests,
and entered the Vermont Medical College at
Burlington, Vt., from which he was grad-
uated. During the following eighteen years
he practiced his profession at Shenandoah,
Schuylkill county, and in 1878 came to Co-
lumbia county and settled at Berwick, where
he was engaged in practice for more than
thirty-two years. He had been the first phy-
sician at Shenandoah, and continued to hold
many of his patients even after coming to
Berwick, where he built up a large country
practice. In connection with his practice he
conducted drug stores at Shenandoah and
Berwick. In his death, which occurred April
7, 191 1, Columbia county lost one of its emi-
nent medical men, and a citizen who always
held the interests of his community at heart.
He was an active member of the county and
State medical societies ; of Knapp Lodge, No.
462, F. & A. M., and of Berwick Lodge, No.
246, Odd Fellows ; and with his wife attended
the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Politi-
cally the Doctor was a Republican, and he
had been a member of the council for three
terms, having the honor of being chosen to the
first council of the borough.
On .Aug. 7, 1866, Dr. Reagan was married
to Tillie E. Dietrick, who was born July 7,
1839, at Berwick, Pa., daughter of Jacob and
Eliza (Snyder) Dietrick, natives of Little
York, Pa.,' of German descent. They came
to Berwick at a very early date, Mr. Diet-
rick establishing himself in business here as
proprietor of the only shoe stand in Berwick
for a number of years. Both he and his wife
died here, the parents of three children:
Charles, a resident of Ocean Grove, N. J. ;
Marv, the widow of John L. Freas, living at
Berwick; and Tillie E. There were several
step-brothers and step-sisters, Mr. Dietrick
having been married three times.
GEORGE MICHAEL BOWER, the old-
est living citizen of Briarcreek township, Co-
lumbia county, was born at Evansville, that
township. Dec. 20, 1822, son of George
Michael and Margaret (Zener) Bower.
John Bower, the grandfather of George
Michael Bower, was born in Germany and
emigrated to America in young manhood,
finally settling on a farm in Briarcreek town-
ship, where he passed the remainder of his
life. He and his wife, who was a Hill, were
members of the German Lutheran Church,
and are buried in Briarcreek township, at the
old Brick Church. They were the parents of
the following children: Jacob, who married
Catherine Zimmerman ; Solomon, who mar-
ried Mary Evans; Abraham, who married
Nellie Remley; Daniel; Esther, who married
Bastian Kinter; Philipena, who married
David Whitmire; and George Michael.
George ^lichael Bower, son of John
Bower, and father of George ^lichael Bower
(2), was born on what is now the John Fester
farm, in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co.,
Pa. He received a public school education,
and in young manhood learned the trade of
weaver, but subsequently turned his atten-
tion to farming, owning a tract of fifty-three
acres which he devoted to general agriculture.
There he raised his own flax, from which
he wove carpets and linens. He spent his en-
tire life at Evansville, and was actively en-
gaged in work up to within seven years of his
death, which occurred when he was eighty-
one years old. During the early days, when
Montour and Columbia counties were known
as Columbia county, he was a frequent passen-
ger on the old packet boat which plied to
Danville. He was a Democrat in politics,
and served on various occasions as juryman
at Danville. Up to the age of sixty years
he was a member of the German Lutheran
Church, at that time changing to the LInited
Evangelical Church, in the faith of which he
died. He and his wife were buried at Evans-
ville, where they had been so long and so
favorably known. Mrs. Bower bore the
maiden name of Margaret Zener, and was a
daughter of George and Annie (Zimmerman)
Zener. She and her husband had the follow-
ing children : Sarah, who married William
Whitmire ; Isaac, who married Elizabeth
Hagenbuch ; Reuben, who married Sarah
Dietterick : Samuel, who married Sarah
Wright; Daniel, who married Margaret Rem-
ley and (second) Mary Remley; Hannah, who
married Henry Martz ; George Michael ; Cath-
erine, who married Charles Whitmire; Enos,
who died at the age of sixteen years; and
Isaiah, who married Hannah Hagenbuch.
George Michael Bower, son of George
^Michael Bower, received his education in the
old pay schools of Briarcreek township, and
with the exception of one year worked with
his father until the latter's death. During that
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
599
year he was employed in a brickyard, return-
ing to his home after a severe attack of bil-
ious fever. He has spent practically his en-
tire career in agricultural pursuits, and is
now the owner of 190 acres of good land,
which he is renting out on shares. A man
of remarkable vitality, he carried on active
operations until 191 2, when he retired. Al-
though the oldest living citizen of Briarcreek
township he is still active and alert, with a
keen mind and unimpaired faculties. On
political questions he is a Democrat, and at
various times has been honored by his fel-
low citizens with election to office, serving as
school director, supervisor and judge of elec-
tions. He has long been regarded as an in-
fluential man in the ranks of his party in Briar-
creek township. For some years he was a
member of the Grange there, but no longer
holds membership therein, feeling that it is
the duty of younger men to take up the re-
sponsibilities of that organization. He has
held many offices in the United Evangelical
Church at Evansville, and for a long time
served as class leader.
At the age of twenty-seven years Mr.
Bower was married to Matilda Mosteller,
daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Grove)
Mosteller, and" to this union were born chil-
dren as follows : Mary Jane, who married
Adam Michael ; Celesta M., now the widow
of James Stoudt; Pierce, who died at the
age of twenty-four years ; Norman, who mar-
ried Deborah Wenner, of Berwick; Oscar,
who married i\Iary Crassly; and a son de-
ceased in infancy. Mrs. Bower was buried
at the United Evangelical Church at Evans-
ville. Mr. Bower married for his second wife
Mrs. Mary N. (Girton) Mosteller, who was
born March 5, 1835, in Greenwood township,
Columbia Co., Pa., was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Briarcreek township, and
worked out until her first marriage, to Charles
Mosteller, by whom she had three children,
all deceased, Etta, Jennie and one that died
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have had
three children: Mattie C, who married
Chauncey Witmire ; Warren Paxton, who
married Bertha Sitler; and Gertrude Ellen,
who married Isaac Jones, and resides at
Scranton, Pennsylvania.
William Girton, the grandfather of Mrs.
Bower, was born in England about 1775,
and emigrated to America with five brothers,
first settling in New Jersey, where he was
married. Later he came to Greenwood town-
ship, Columbia county, where he carried on
general farming until his retirement a num-
ber of years prior to his death. He was active
in Democratic politics, and was a faithful
member of the Presbyterian Church. He and
his wife are buried in Greenwood township.
They were the parents of the following chil-
dren: Peter, who married Margaret Smith;
Asa, who is married and resides in the West;
James, also married and in the West; Mary
Catherine, who died shortly after her mar-
riage; Mahala, who died unmarried; and
Jacob.
Jacob Girton, son of William Girton, and
father of Mrs. Bower, was born in Green-
wood township, where he was educated in the
public schools. He worked with his father
until his marriage, at which time he moved to
Bloomsburg, Pa., but after a few years came
to Briarcreek township, and located on what
is now the Alvin Davis farm, which he con-
ducted ten years for Andrew ]'>eas. Subse-
quently he moved to Evansville, where he
spent the closing years of his life, and both
he and his wife were buried at the old Brick
Church of the Presbyterian faith, of which
they were members. He was a Democrat in
his political proclivities, and an active worker
in the ranks of his party. During his resi-
dence in Columbia county he formed a wide
acquaintance, and was held in the highest
esteem by all who knew him. Mr. Girton
married Mrs. Rachel (Hess) Nicholas, widow
of George Nicholas, by whom she had three
children, Sarah, Catherine and George, all de-
ceased. Her father, John Hess, came to Co-
lumbia county from Northampton county, Pa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Girton were born eight chil-
dren, as follows : John, who died in child-
hood ; William, who married Rebecca Hos-
ier, both deceased ; Mary N., who married
George M. Bower; Margaret, who was the
wife of Henry Bower, a resident of Berwick ;
Maria, deceased, who was the wife of Webster
Dawson ; Samuel, deceased ; James, who died
at the age of three years ; and Henry, who
after the death of his first wife, Emma Troch,
formed another union (he lives in Kansas).
Mr. Bower has had a phenomenally long,
active and honorable career, and upon his life
record there is not the slightest stain or blem-
ish. Surrounded by a wide circle of friends,
with his children and grandchildren around
him, a comfortable home and a generous com-
petency, he may well feel content in looking
back over the years that have made up his
useful and well spent life.
JAMES F. PFAHLER, a physician and
surgeon of Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was
600
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
born at Catawissa, same county, Oct. 20, 1877,
son of Charles P. and Alice (Hartzel)
Pf abler. **
James F. Pfahler, grandfather of Dr.
Pfahler, was born at Heidelberg, Germany,
and came to the United States at an early
day, settling in Columbia county. Pa., near
Catawissa. There he became a tanner, and
carried on that line of business throughout
the remainder of his life.
Charles P. Pfahler was born in Columbia
county, Pa., and like his father became a
tanner, conducting an extensive business of
that kind at Catawissa until his retirement.
He is now residing at Catawissa. His wife
was a daughter of Joseph Hartzel, who be^
longed to a pioneer family of tin's county, and
was a farmer all his life. Mr. and Mrs.
Pfahler have had two children : Nellie, who
is living at home, and James F.
James F. Pfahler attended the common and
high schools of Catawissa, graduating from
the latter, following which he entered the
University of Pennsylvania, and after a five
years' course was graduated from the depart-
ment of medicine of that institution in 1901.
He then entered the West Pennsylvania Hos-
pital at Pittsburg, where he remained a year,
gaining a very valuable experience. In 1903
he came to Berwick and entered upon general
practice, and he is now the busiest physician
in his locality, having a steadily increasing
patronage. Dr. Pfahler is a member of the
Columbia County Medical Society and tlie
Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and
fraternally belongs to the Masons at Berwick
and the Odd Fellows at the same place.
On Sept. 18, 1907, Dr. Pfahler was mar-
ried to Catherine Eyer, a native of Catawissa,
Pa., daughter of Luther and Jane (Clark)
Eyer, both of whom are residing at Cata-
wissa ; her father is a farmer. Mrs. Pfahler
is one of four children born to her parents :
William, who is a resident of Columbia
county ; David, who is deceased ; Mrs. Pfah-
ler; and George, who is living at Catawissa.
Dr. and Mrs. Pfahler have no children. They
are consistent members of the Lutheran
Church.
WILLIAM H. HESS, a retired farmer, of
Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., and a
veteran of the Civil war, was born in the
same township in which he still resides, Jan.
14. 1844-
The Hesses are of German extraction, as
are so many of the old and prominent fam-
ilies of the Keystone State. The paternal
great-grandfather founded the family in
America, coming from his native Germany,
and locating near Easton, Pa., where he be-
came a farmer and rounded out a useful
life.
Frederick Hess, the grandfather, was born
in the vicinity of Easton, Pa., and while grow-
ing up on the farm and learning agricultural
duties was also taught the trade of a mason,
following it until 1812. In that year he left
his early home and came to Columbia county,
settling near Lime Ridge, in Centre township,
in the vicinity of the canal lock. Buymg a
tract of fifty acres of timberland, he began
developing a farm from the wilderness, pass-
ing through all the incidents and privations of
pioneer life in this section. Upon his land
he erected a house and necessary outbuildings,
and while operating his land followed his
trade and conducted the Stonypoint ferry, so
that his time was fully occupied. Probably
he overexerted himself, for he lived only eight
years after coming to Columbia county, dying
in 1820, and was buried in the Brick Church
cemetery in Briarcreek township.
Frederick Hess married Catherine Henry
and (second) Elizabeth Henry, who died in
Centre township in 1847, and was buried in
the Hidlay Church cemetery. She bore her
husband four children : Henry ; Susan, who
married Samuel Hagenbaugh; Rebecca, who
married David Coleman; and Elizabeth, who
married Charles Hagenbaugh.
Henry Hess, son of Frederick Hess, was
born near Easton, Pa., Dec. 12, 1808, so was
in his fourth year at the time of the family
migration to Columbia county, and therefore
was practically reared within its confines.
Growing up in the wilderness, he developed
sturdiness of body and character, and learned
early to work to some purpose. Losing his
father when only twelve years old, his educa-
tional opportunities were limited, especially as
he was the only son in the family, and his
widowed mother naturally had to depend upon
him, although he lived with his father's cousin,
John Hess, of Wapwallopen, Luzerne Co.,
Pa. For the seven years following his father's
death Henry Hess remained with this cousin,
assisting him in the work of the farm, and
at the expiration of that period returned to
Centre township. Columbia county, where he
learned the trade of wheelwright and also
wagonmaking with Michael Hagenbaugh, one
of the leading wagonmakers of his day and
locality. Completing his apprenticeship, Mr.
Hess settled at Lime Ridge, in Centre town-
ship, where he worked at his allied trades.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
601
and also had charge of the canal lock at that
place for ten years. Later on in life he re-
turned to his first line of work, and began
farming in Centre township, following agri-
cultural pursuits the rest of his active life.
Becoming the owner of eighty-five acres of
land, he took a good deal of pride in improv-
ing his property, erected substantial build-
ings, and kept everything in good order about
his premises. After his retirement he resided
until his death on a one-acre lot which his
son, William Henry Hess, then bought. There
Henry Hess died Aug. ii, 1887, ^"d was
buried in the cemetery of Hidlay's Church,
where his mother had been laid to rest. He
was a consistent member of the Reformed
Church, which he served faithfully and well
as deacon and elder, and was a man of high
standing in that body. A stanch Democrat,
he gave his services cheerfully in various
local positions, and was a conscientious, effi-
cient public official.
On March 25, 1832, Henry Hess married
Maria Hayman, who was born in Berks
county. Pa., a daughter of Peter and Savilla
Hayman, both of whom died in Columbia
county in 1827. Mrs. Hess passed away
March 19, 1891, having survived her hus-
band several years, and she was buried in
the same cemetery. Her religious affiliations
were with the Lutheran Church. Henry Hess
and his wife had children as follows: Savilla,
who married in September, 1853, Daniel Mou-
ery, of Scott township, Columbia county, died
Oct. 21, 1886; Levina married \\'esley Hess,
of Centre township, and both are deceased ;
Joseph A., who married Levina Coleman, died
in Centre township ; William Henry is men-
tioned below ; Isaiah Jacob, who married
Alice Hess, resides in Berwick, Pa. ; Emma
Jane married Lloyd I. Conner, resided at
Hazleton, Pa., and died eight years ago;
James Harvey resides at Berwick, Pennsyl-
vania.
William Henry Hess, son of Henry Hess,
attended the local schools and grew up on the
farm, learning all the details of agricultural
life from boyhood. His first employment
away from home was with Isaac Hess, a dis-
tant relative, who paid him twelve dollars
per month, and he was thus engaged when
he began his career as a soldier.
From the outbreak of the Civil war he had
been greatly interested, but his youth for-
bade his enlistment during the earlier years
of the great struggle. However, on Sept. 2,
1864, he enrolled with Company F, 209th
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt.
Henry Lee and Col. L. B. Kauft'man. This
regiment was organized at Harrisburg Sept.
16, 1864, and was sent to the front, being
assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 7th
Corps, Army of the Potomac. Mr. Hess re-
mained with his company until the close of
the war, and participated in every engagement
of his regiment, including the fall of Peters-
burg, April 5, 1865.
At the time of his discharge Mr. Hess re-
turned home to resume his peaceful occupa-
tion of farming, obtaining employment on the
Levi Hutchinson farm, which he operated on
shares. This was a tract of 105 acres, and he
conducted it for four years, when he left to
go on the Elias Creasy farm, which contained
ninety-four acres. This he also operated on
shares, for eight and a half years, until 1879,
when he was able to buy the Gilbert Fowler
property of seventy-five acres in Centre town-
ship. He inaugurated and carried out many
valuable improvements during the two years
he lived upon it. Seeing better opportunities
in a change, he went to Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, settling on the Eli Whitney
farm. Mr. Whitney was the nephew of the
celebrated Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton
gin. The Whitney farm was a small prop-
erty. After remaining on it for two years Mr.
Hess moved back to Centre township, and
located on his father's eighty-five-acre farm,
on which he began making improvements.
This place continued to be his home for a
quarter of a century, and he carried on general
farming and stock raising with considerable
profit. Feeling that he had accomplished
enough Mr. tless then turned the property
over to his son, C. H. Hess, and settled with
his wife on the one-acre lot where his father
spent his last years. They made an addition
to the house, which is now larger than the
farmhouse. For over a year Mr. Hess has
been in poor health.
On Sept. 28, 1867, Mr. Hess was married
to Savilla Hayman, a native of Orange town-
ship, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Ben-
jamin and Franey Hayman. The former, born
in Berks county. Pa., died in Orange township,
Columbia county, and the latter died in Centre
township. Columbia county. Mr. Hayman
was the first sheriff of Columbia county. Mrs.
Hess is a woman of marked intelligence, and
her interest in the Centre township Grange
has been as deep as her husband's, both being
active members of that organization. While
alive to the trend of public events, she is de-
voted to her home and family and is a noted
housewife. Though not connected with any
602
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
religious denomination she has a broad out-
look upon life, and is liberal in her tolerance
of other people's views. Mr. and Mrs. Hess
have had four children : Clark H., who is now
operating the homestead, married Anna Stahl,
a daughter of William Stahl, a veteran of the
Civil war, and they have eight children, Ethel
Albertha, Elliott Stahl, Evelyn Mildred, Wil-
liam Hayman, Myron Clark, Grace Margery,
Corene Anna and Blanche Fay ; Ario Lockard
died at the age of seven years ; a daughter died
in infancy unnamed ; Guy Lester is at home.
The principles of Democracy have always
appealed to Mr. Hess, and he has given them
able for the manufacture of this special kind
of paper being installed. There are about
forty-three acres of land connected with the
plant, making the property very valuable.
The history of the mill is interesting, as it
was built and operated by Thomas Trench as
a gristmill. It was three stories in height.
A Mr. Phillips succeeded Mr. Trench as
owner, and he operated a small button factory
in conjunction. Mr. Trench regained the
property in 1840, and converted the gristmill
into a paper mill. Later it came into the hands
of Mr. Shew.
Mr. Ruhl married Lydia Shew, a daughter
intelligent support. A man of action, he has of James M. Shew, late of Bloomsburg, and
naturally been called upon to serve in Icfcal they have two children, as follows: Gladys,
offices and was roadmaster for six years, a who married A. J. Robbins ; and Jessie, who
school director for three terms (during which married William McKelvy Reber. Mr. Ruhl
period he acted as secretary and treasurer of is an elder of the Presbyterian Church of
the board), and for three terms an efficient Bloomsburg and takes a deep interest in that
member of the board of supervisors, repre- body. In addition to his other interests, he is
senting his township. For years Mr. Hess a director of the Bloomsburg National Bank,
has been a member of the G. A. R. Post at having held that office since 1909, and without
Orangeville, Pa., and has very much enjoyed doubt he is one of the best known business
meeting his old comrades at the reunions. The men of his city.
Reformed Church has had in him one of its
most effective members and workers. In every
relation of life Mr. Hess has proved himself
worthy of the respect and confidence he in-
spires. As a soldier he was brave and obe-
dient to organized authority, while as a private
citizen he has labored to bring about a better-
REV. JOSEPH J. C. PETROVITS, pas-
tor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of
Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was born at
Kovecses, Nyitra Co., Hungary, in 1886, a
son of Jacob and Mary (Peter) Petrovits.
The ancestors of his father, Jacob Petrovits,
ment of existing conditions and to raise the came from Germany. His father, however,
was born in Austria. While in the military
moral standard ^f his neighborhood. In his
work as an agriculturist he rendered his call-
ing valuable assistance, and has reared his sons
to follow him in this line.
ROBERT J. RUHL, manager of the
Bloomsburg Paper Company, was born in
Baltimore county, Md., in April, 1856, and
service he stayed three years in Komarom,
Hungary, where, after the expiration of his
military years, he married his present wife,
who is a Hungarian by birth. In 1885 he
brought his family to Vedrod, Pressburg
county, in order to assume charge of the gar-
dens of the estate of Count Joseph Zychy.
spent his boyhood at New Freedom, York Both parents are still living there. They had
Co., Pa., where he attended school. At an
early age he began to be self-supporting, com-
mencing work as an iron ore miner, and so
continued for some twenty-three years, be-
coming superintendent of the mining depart-
ment of the Princess Iron Company in Vir-
ginia. In March, 1903. Air. Ruhl came to
Bloomsburg, Pa., to take charge of the old
established paper mill which was owned by
his father-in-law, James M. Shew, now de-
ceased. The plant turns out waterproof paper
which is sold throughout the anthracite region.
Ten men are given steady employment. This
plant was entirely destroyed by fire on Nov.
24, 1905, but rebuilt within the six months
following, the latest improved machinery suit-
eight children : Julia, Valeria, Joseph J. C,
Mary, Josephine, William, Theodore and
Elizabeth.
For two years Rev. Father Petrovits at-
tended school at Budapest, and then continued
his studies at Pressburg, where he stayed for
two years, leaving for Nagyszombat, one of
the oldest institutions of learning in Hun-
gary. There he graduated, finishing his pre-
paratory studies for the university. In 1902
he entered the seminary at Esztergom, that
country, where he carried on his studies for a
year. In IQ03 he came to the United .States
and entered the St. Charles Borromeo Sem-
inary of Philadelphia, where he completed a
four vears' course, and was ordained to the
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
603
priesthood by Archbishop Pendergast of the
diocese of Philadelphia. For his future field
he selected the diocese of Harrisburg. He
was assigned to St. Patrick's cathedral at Har-
risburg as an assistant, and remained there
for thirteen months, when he was appointed
assistant to Father Galligan at Locust Gap,
where he spent three months. Following that
he was made pastor pro tem of St. Michael's
Lithuanian parish at Shamokin, Pa. After a
year of faithful service there he was appointed
pastor pro tem of St. Mary's Croatian parish
at Steelton, Pa., and four months later was
assigned to his present parish at St. Mary's
Church of Berwick, Pennsylvania. The parish
consists of various nationalities, and being
able to converse in eight languages he is well
fitted to administer the spiritual needs of all
the Catholics that are assigned to his care.
VASTINE. Abraham Van de Woestyne,
with his wife and three children, viz., John,
Catherine and Hannah, left Holland in the
seventeenth century and crossed the ocean in
a sailing vessel, landing in New York. They
soon crossed over into New Jersey. About
the time William Penn founded Philadelphia
they came into Pennsylvania. In 1696 we find
them in Germantown, Philadelphia.
In 1698 John Van de Woestyne purchased
several tracts of land from one Jeremiah
Langhorn. in Hilltown township, Bucks Co.,
Pa., and there erected a granite dwelling along
the pike leading from Philadelphia to Bethle-
hem. It stood, as was the custom in that day,
with its gable to the road, fronting south, at a
point two miles north of Line Lexington and
four miles southwest of Sellersville, Bucks
Co., Pa. The name John Van de Woestyne
appears on a number of official papers and
documents on record in Bucks county; it is
found on many papers pertaining to roads
and improvements in Hilltown township. John
Van de Woestyne died Feb. 9, 1738, his wife,
Abigail, surviving some time. They were the
parents of five children, as follows: (i)
Abraham, born May 24, 1698, died in Octo-
ber, 1772, in Hilltown. He married Sarah
Ruckman, and they were the parents of five
daughters : Abigail, married to Andrew Arm-
strong; Ruth, married to James Armstrong;
Mary, married to Robert Jameson ; Rachel,
married to Hugh Mears ; and Sarah, married
to Samuel Wilson. Thus far we have been
unable to learn anything about their descend-
ants. (2) Jeremiah, born Dec. 24, 1701, died
in Hilltown, 1769. He and his wife, Deborah,
were the parents of one son and two daugh-
ters: Jeremiah died in New Britain, Bucks
Co., Pa., in April, 1778 (his wife's name was
Elizabeth); Martha married John Louder;
Hannah married Samuel Greshom. (3) Ben-
jamin, born July 9, 1703, died in August
(17th?), 1749. (4) John died Feb. 9, 1765, in
Hilltown, Pa., unmarried. (5) Mary, born
March i, 1699, married a Mr. Wilson and
removed to South Carolina.
Benjamin Vastine, son of John and Abigail,
was the progenitor of the family in Northum-
berland county. Pa. He became a member
of the Friends fleeting and at one of the
meetings held in Philadelphia requested per-
mission to hold meetings in his house. He
married Mary Griffith, and their union was
blessed by the birth of seven children, as fol-
lows: Hannah married Emerson Kelly; lohn
married Rachel Morgan; Abraham married
Elizabeth Williams; Benjamin married Cath-
erine Eaton (he died in September, 1775) ;
Jonathan married Elizabeth Lewis ; Isaac mar-
ried Sarah Matthews; Amos married Martha
Thomas.
The name Van de Woestyne has changed
gradually, first to Voshne, then to Vashtine
and lastly to Vastine. The name in Dutch
meant forest, hence the early settlers often
called John Van de Woestyne "Wilderness."
John Vastine, son of Benjamin and Mary
(Griffith) Vastine, married Rachel Morgan,
and they became the parents of two sons and
two daughters: Benjamin, who married Mary
Van Zant ; Simon, who had a son named John ;
Nancy, and Margaret.
Abraham \'astine, second son of Benjamin
and Mary (Griffith) Vastine, married Eliza-
beth Williams. Their family, four sons and
two daughters, were as follows : John, Wil-
liam, Abraham, Nancy, Mary and Jeremiah.
This family first settled in York county, Pa.,
and later removed to Kentucky.
Benjamin Vastine, third son of Benjamin
and ]\Iary (Griffith) Vastine, married Cath-
erine Eaton, and they were the parents of two
sons and two daughters : Mary married Jo-
siah Lunn ; Peter married Hannah, daughter
of Jonathan Vastine ; Benjamin married Dor-
othy, daughter of Amos Vastine; Elizabeth
married Alem Morris.
Jonathan \'astine, fourth son of Benjamin
and Mary (Griffith) Vastine, with his nephew
Peter, who was also his son-in-law, came to
Northumberland county. Pa., where they pur-
chased two large farms, the former about 600
acres (later owned by Valentine Epler), and
the latter 300 acres near that of his uncle.
Jonathan, like his father, was a member of
604
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the Society of Friends. He was a farmer,
and built a house on his farm. He died about
1830 and is buried in the old Quaker burying
ground at Catawissa, Pa. He married Eliza-
beth Lewis, and to them were born five sons
and three daughters: Benjamin married
Elizabeth \'an Zant ; Ann married Thomas
Robbins ; Hannah married Peter, son of Ben-
jamin Vastine ; Mary married William Marsh ;
John married Catherine Osmun; Jeremiah
married E. Reeder; Thomas died unmarried;
Jonathan married Xancy Ann Hughes.
Amos Vastine, sixth son of Benjamin and
Mary (Griffith) Vastine, married Martha
Thomas, and they were the parents of two
daughters: Dorothy married Benjamin, son
of Benjamin Vastine; Martha married Robert
C. Shannon.
Benjamin Vastine, son of John and Rachel
(Morgan) Vastine, married Mary Van Zant,
and they were the parents of three sons : Ben-
jamin, Thomas and John.
Benjamin Vastine, son of Benjamin and
Mary (\'an Zant) Vastine, married Elizabeth
Hauck, and they were the parents of the
following: Margaret, who married William
Savidge; Armand ; Harriet, who married
Alem Hughes; Algernon, and Thomas.
Thomas Vastine, son of Benjamin and Mary
(\'an Zant) Vastine, married Sarah Ellis, and
they became the parents of four sons and
seven daughters: Ann (married George Pen-
syl), Lucinda (married John Adams), Mary,
Samantha, Benneville, Grace Ella, John, Ru-
fus, Thomas J., Jane and Sarah Matilda.
' John Vastine, son of Benjamin and Mary
(Van Zant) A'astine, married Sarah Scott,
and their children were: Hannah, who mar-
ried Mahlon Huff; Ellen; Sarah Jane; Ben-
jamin ; Catherine, and Isabella.
Peter Vastine, son of Benjamin and Cath-
erine (Eaton) Vastine, married Hannah,
daughter of Jonathan A'astine, and their union
was blessed by the birth of nine children:
Catherine, unmarried ; Elizabeth, who mar-
ried John Colket; Benjamin, who married
May Yoder ; Mary, who married Henry John-
son ; Ann, who married Henry Boone ; Lydia,
married to Charles Housel late in life;
Thomas Jefferson, who married Harriet Pax-
ton ; Peter E., who married 'Slary Miller;
and Jeremiah, unmarried.
Benjamin Vastine, son of Benjamin and
Catherine (Eaton) A'astine, married Doro-
thy, daughter of Amos Vastine. They were
the parents of two daughters: Alartha, wife
of Joel Miller; and Catherine, wife of Ben-
jamin Miller.
Benjamin Vastine, son of Jonathan and
Elizabeth (Lewis) Vastine, married Eliza-
beth Van Zant, by whom he had one son and
three daughters: Lewis married Martha
Boone ; Mary married Samuel Boone ; Ann
married Isaac Wolverton; Rachel married
John M. Housel.
Lewis Vastine, son of Benjamin and Eliza-
beth (Van Zant) Vastine, married Alartha
Boone, and they were the parents of the fol-
lowing children: Hannah (married Dudley
Adams), Alargaret (married Jacob B. Gear-
hart), Rachel Jane, Elizabeth (married John
H. Morrall), ilatilda (married Abraham
Gulick), Sarah, Martha, William B., Lewis
B. and George.
John Vastine, son of Jonathan and Eliza-
beth (Lewis) Vastine, inherited a part of his
father's farm and in 1833 built what to his
descendants is known as the "Stone House"
— now owned by Gessie P. Savidge — where
he lived. He married Catherine Osmun. To
them were born four sons and three daugh-
ters: Elizabeth (died at the age of seven-
teen), William, Amos, Margaret, Sarah Ann,
Thomas Prine and John (who graduated from
Jefferson Medical College, and died shortly
afterward, in his twenty-second year).
William Vastine, son of John and Catherine
(Osmun) Vastine, on Jan. 24, 1833, married
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Salome
(Reed) Hursh. When he was twenty -one
years old they settled on a farm, then owned
by his father-in-law, later descending to his
wife. In 1843, in line with the custom of his
forefathers, he built himself a house. It is
now the property of his granddaughters,
Katherine M. and Ellen E., daughters of Si-
mon and Elizabeth (Faux) Vastine. He was
a large landowner, cultivating between 450
and 500 acres. In religious faith he was a
member of the Lutheran Church. Politically
he was a Whig. He died in 1859. To Mr.
and Mrs. Vastine were born six sons and
two daughters: Amos, Jacob Hursh, Hugh
Hursh, Simon, Ezra, Elizabeth Ann, Daniel
and Ellen, the two last named dying before
reaching the age of twelve. Each received
an education beyond the common schools.
Amos Vastine, eldest son of William and
Elizabeth (Hursh) Vastine, is mentioned be-
low with the account of his son William. ^
Jacob Hursh Vastine, second son of Wil-
liam and Elizabeth (Hursh) Vastine, grad-
uated from Jefferson ]\Iedical College in 1858.
In 1861 he married Sarah, daughter of George
Hughes. He practiced in Numidia, Columbia
Co., Pa., later removing to Danville, Montour
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
605
Co., Pa., and finally settling in Catawissa,
Columbia county. Pa. He was president of
the First National Bank of Catawissa until his
death, in 1904. His widow still resides at
Catawissa. They had children : Henrietta
(married Asa Spencer), Elizabeth (deceased),
George Hughes, M. D. (deceased, married
Nellie Pfahler), William ]\Iayberry (married
Elizabeth L. Kostenbauder), Jacob Marion,
M. D. (married Catherine Sharpless), Har-
riet B. (married Horace C. Booz), Sarah
(married Ralph Roy Griffith), and Alder
(married Mabel Thomas).
Hugh H. Vastine, third son of William and
Elizabeth (Hursh) Vastine, married Susan,
daughter of Wilson Mettler. He followed
farming throughout his life, operating three
farms in Rush and Gearhart townships, North-
umberland Co., Pa. Their children were W'il-
son M., Elizabeth B. and Hugh Spencer (mar-
ried Sarah Metier).
Simon Vastine, fourth son of William and
Elizabeth (Hursh) Vastine, owned two large
farms in Rush township, including the home-
stead property previously mentioned. He
married Elizabeth, daughter of William Faux,
their children being Katherine M. and Ellen E.
Ezra Vastine, fifth son of William and
Elizabeth (Hursh) Vastine, was born in the
year 1843. He married Sarah C, daughter
of Robert and Bertha (Banghart) Davidson.
To them were bom two daughters, Bethia
and Sara Mary. Upon reaching his majority
he joined his brother Amos in buying a farm,
disposing of his interest the following year
and later buying another which he also sold.
In 1876 he bought the farm now known as
the Ezra \^astine estate and in 1877 built on
it the brick house. In the spring of 1895 he
removed to Danville, Pa., residing on West
Market street. He died Feb. 24, 1896, and
was buried in a lot beside his parents in the
Lutheran cemetery in Mayberry township,
]\Iontour county. He was a successful farmer
and at the time of his death was a director
of the Danville National Bank.
Elizabeth Ann, daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Hursh) \'astine, married James
Oglesby, M. D.
Amos Vastine, second son of John and
Catherine (Osmun) Vastine, was born in
1813, married Susan Lerch. and died Nov. 15,
1889. His principal business was farming,
but at one time he was engaged in the mer-
cantile business at Paxinos. He owned some
100 acres of land, which he tilled, and also had
large real estate interests at Mount Carmel.
He was one of the promoters of the Mount
Carmel Savings Bank, of which he was presi-
dent from its organization until his death ; was
also one of the organizers of the Shamokin
Township Fire Insurance Company and was
treasurer of the same at the time of his death.
Politically he was a Republican, and he filled
the office of county commissioner from 1871
to 1874. Mrs. \'astine was the daughter of
Felix Lerch, one of the pioneer settlers of
Mount Carmel. Mr. and Airs. Vastine were
the parents of the following : Felix, who died
young; John, who married Kate Bird;
Thomas, who married Lizzie Haas (children
Amos and Hattie) ; Catherine, who married
E. S. Persing (children, Anna, Sadie, Amos
and Susan) ; and Hattie, who had two chil-
dren (Amos and William) by her first hus-
band, Oliver Reed, and married for her sec-
ond husband William Metz.
Margaret, second daughter of John and
Catherine (Osmun) \'astine, married Charles
Heftley, and they were the parents of three
children, Elizabeth (married Harvey Robbins
and had children, Margaret, Charles and
Joseph), Harriet and George W. (married
Emma Persing and had children, Harriet and
Han'ey).
Sarah Ann, third daughter of John and
Catherine (Osmun) Vastine, married Robert
C. Campbell, and they were the parents of
Abram (died unmarried), John L. (lives in
Danville, Pa.), James C. (married Mar-
garet Mettler), and ]\Iargaret C, Hannah J.,
Isabella A. and Sarah Alice, all four of whom
died umnarried.
Thomas Prine, third son of John and Cath-
erine (Osmun) ^'astine, married Lanah
X'ought, and they had children : John Wel-
lington, who married Emma Fisher; Cather-
ine and ]\Iatilda, both unmarried; Rosanna,
who married George W. Miller. Thomas
Prine Vastine was a farmer and spent the
greater part of his life in Mayberry town-
ship, Montour county.
Jeremiah Vastine, third son of Jonathan
and Elizabeth (Lewis) \'astine, married E.
Reeder, and they had a family of one son
and three daughters, as follows: Mary mar-
ried C. Fisher ; Alargaret married D. Robbins ;
Lourissa married William Leighou; Thomas
married Eliza Reeder and they were the
parents of Catherine.
Jonathan Vastine, fifth son of Jonathan and
Elizabeth (Lewis) \'astine. married Nancy
Ann Hughes, and their children were the fol-
lowing: Hugh Hughes; Lewis, who married
Sarah Potts and had one daughter, Anna,
606
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
who married Alfred Hablerstadt ; and Benja-
min, who died unmarried.
Hugh Hughes \'astine, son of Jonathan and
Nancy Ann (Hughes) ^^astine, married
Catherine Zimmerman and they were the
parents of the following children : Martha
Ann died unmarried ; William L. married
Alice Cardell, and had children, Blanche,
Jane, Mary and Cora ; Oscar married Ada Gil-
laspy; Mary married John K. Erdman, and
had children, Hattie, Sarah, Nora, Allen, Bert,
John, Calvin, Kimber and Frank ; Jonathan
married Cora Hess, and had children,
Charles, Katie and ; Jacob married
M. Smith and had children, Ethel, Hattie and
Grethel ; Lewis married Mary Minamaker ;
Sarah C. married E. Campbell ; Harriet mar-
ried William Arnold and had children, Bes-
sie and Ann ; Ida married Charles Hoffman
and had children, Vergie, Edwin, John, Mary,
Wesley, William Wellington and Frank.
WILLIAM ^'ASTINE, a retired farmer,
residing on West Market street, Danville, Pa.,
through whose efforts and assistance much of
the early history of the Vastine family here
given was obtained, was born in the "Old
Stone House," in Rush township, Northum-
berland county, Oct. 29, 1859. After a course
of studies in the country schools he entered
the Danville Academy, on leaving which he
took up the occupation of agriculture and has
followed it ever since. At present he is cul-
tivating a tract of almost 400 acres in Point
township, Northumberland county, originally
known as the Nixon farm.
On Feb. 26, 1884, !Mr. A'astine was mar-
ried to Elizabeth Boone Gearhart, daughter
of Mayberry Gearhart, and to their union have
come two children : Katherine Gearhart, born
Dec. 31, 1884; and Elizabeth Boone, born Aug.
15, 1888. Mr. Vastine is a member of the
Washington party, and a member of the Ma-
honing Presbyterian Church, to which his
family also belong. He is a man of dignified
presence and of upright character, and has
gained the respect and confidence of the en-
tire community. His pride of family is un-
bounded and he takes a warm interest in the
preservation of the history and relics of the
past and the pioneers of this section. He pos-
sesses a number of valuable antiques, which
have been preserved in his family for many
generations, among them being a copy of a
sixteenth century Bible, printed in beautiful
German text, and of great rarity and
value.
Amos Vastine, the father of William, was
born in Rush township, Northumberland
county, Nov. 25, 1833, where he attended the
local schools and obtained the limited educa-
tion their facilities afforded. To the small
fund of knowledge gained in this way he later
added by close observation and attention to
small details, and his native shrewdness and
mental ability enabled him to acquire a great
and comprehensive grasp of the important
things of everyday life. During his childhood
he resided on the home farm, later removing
to Danville, where he resided until his death.
He was a Republican in politics, although
he did not take a prominent part in the party,
and was an honored member of Danville
Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M. He was pos-
sessed of an indomitable will, and when once
convinced that he was in the right he pursued
his decision to the end without deviation. He
devoted his means to the education of his chil-
dren, believing that learning was one of the
means to future happiness and prosperity.
On May 23, 1855, Amos Vastine married
Mahala Shults, daughter of Jacob and Eliza-
beth (Maustellar) Shults, and they had these
children: (i) Elizabeth, born in 1857, died
in 1879. (2) W'illiam was born Oct. 29,
1859. (3) Mary Laura, born in 1861, became
the wife of Dr. John R. Kimmer. a native of
Shreve, Ohio, and a graduate of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore. He
died in 1900, while she preceded him April
29, 1898. Their children were John \". and
Jessie M.. the latter married to Elmer D.
Harshbarger, sanitary engineer of the Pitt
Construction Company, Pittsburgh ; they have
one child, Laura Eugenie. (4) Dr. John
Hurst, a graduate of the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Baltimore, and now practic-
ing in Shamokin, married Helen Benscoter,
and they have four sons, Richard B., Robert,
Frederick and William H., and one daughter,
deceased, Josephine Louise. (5) Ellen Kate,
wife of Henry ^Maines, has one son, Charles
y. (6) Amos Beeber married Louise Frances
iMcClure, and has one child, Mary Frances.
He is a graduate of the LTniversity of Pennsyl-
vania, with the degree of D. D. S., and is a
resident of Danville.
Jacob Shults, father of Mrs. Amos \'astine,
and grandfather of William \'astine, was bom
in Columbia County, Pa. The ancestors of
the family emigrated from Germany at an
early date and settled in Berks county. Pa.,
later coming to Columbia county, and locating
in the section adjoining Jerseytown, where
Jacob was reared to manhood upon a
farm. There he was married and then
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
607
removed to Rush township, Northum-
berland county, where he became a
prominent citizen and took a warm interest
in the affairs of the county. He was a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church and one of the
active promoters of the ]\Iahoning Church at
Danville, which he assisted in building. For
years he served as one of the elders of the
congregation. During the latter years of his
life he made his home in Danville, where he
died in 1862, his wife having preceded him
in 1854. Both are interred in the Fairview
cemetery.
When quite young Mr. Shults married
Elizabeth Alaustellar, and their home was
blessed with eleven children: Matilda, wife
of Abraham Hendrickson ; Jacob, who mar-
ried Elizabeth Shultz ; Philip, who married
Kate Dewald ; Katherine, wife of Jesse
Mensch ; James, who married Elizabeth
Shires; Mary, wife of James \\'oodside ; Ma-
berry, who married Caroline Heim ; Daniel,
who married Margaret Ephlin ; Mahala, wife
of Amos \'astine ; and Peter and William,
who died in early youth.
JOSEPH HAMMETT RINARD, agent of
the Adams Express Company and proprietor
of the Catawissa Five and Ten Cent Store,
is a native of Catawissa, born in the town Oct.
15, 1858, and is a member of a well known
family of pioneers of this State.
Solomon Dyer Rinard, his father, was a
native of Pennsylvania, having been born in
what is now Shamokin Jan. 27, 1827. His
father, Conrad Rinard, was of German de-
scent and a farmer by occupation. In 1830,
with his wife and six children, he crossed the
Alleghenies in one of the old "prairie schoon-
ers" and settled in Armstrong county, Pa.
Three years later Jacob Dyer, who had married
Mary M. Rinard, a sister of Conrad, brought
the little boy back to Catawissa to join his
older sister, Mary D. Rinard, who had already
lived with them. Jacob Dyer at that time
was a merchant on the corner now occupied
by H. R. Baldy's store. Later he purchased
the "Catawissa House," and here Solomon
Dyer Rinard grew to manhood, receiving only
the meager education of the public schools
of that day ; but being of a studious, observing
disposition, he became widely known for his
general knowledge of the details of everyday
life, and his advice, so often asked, was al-
ways freely given. Solomon Dyer Rinard
learned the trade of tinsmith with Isaac Lin-
ville, and later bought out his employer, car-
rying on the business in the place now occu-
pied by the Baldy homestead, near the corner
of Main and Third streets. In 1861 he bought
the corner and built the store and workshop
(now occupied by his son) into which he
moved his rapidly increasing business of man-
ufacturing and selling tinware, stoves, etc.,
selling the product of a number of meii
throughout Columbia county. In 1872 he
sold the business to A. B. Cleaver, remodeled
the building and opened a general store which
he conducted until a few years before his
death, when age and poor health compelled
him to relinquish active work. Mr. Rinard
was a director of the Catawissa Deposit Bank,
Catawissa's first banking house, and one of
the organizers of the First National Bank
in 1 89 1, being its vice president until, on the
death of J. H. Vastine, he became president,
an office he filled until his death.
Mr. Rinard was a Republican from the
birth of the party. He held the postmaster-
ship of Catawissa, Pa., under Lincoln, John-
son and Grant, and, always progressive, he
was the first to get the daily papers through
from Philadelphia on the day they were is-
sued, the papers arriving at 3.30 p. M. — ^an
event in those days. He was a charter mem-
ber of St. Matthew's E. L. Church, an elder
and trustee, superintendent of the Sunday
school for many years, and for thirty-one
years church treasurer. Fraternally he was
a member of the local Masonic bodies, blue
lodge and chapter.
Mr. Rinard was married first to Elizabeth
Frederick, who died in 1854, and by her had
one child, Mary Elizabeth, now the widow of
Carl M. von Dorster ; she has one child, Her-
bert Rinard von Dorster, who married Flor-
ence Faus Beishline, and they are the parents
of one child, Herbert Rinard von Dorster 2d.
For his second wife Mr. Rinard married An-
gelina Hartenstine. of Chester county, who
died in 1884. By her he had three children,
Joseph Hammett, Abraham Lincoln and Sarah
Emma, who died in young womanhood.
Solomon Dyer Rinard was a self-made man
in the fullest sense, a man of great probity, a
good citizen, and had a very high sense of the
responsibilities of life. He died Nov. 7, 1910,
at the ripe age of nearly eighty-four years.
Joseph Hammett Rinard attended the pub-
lic schools and entered his father's store as
clerk, also assisting him in the express busi-
ness. He continued to clerk for his father
until the latter retired, and then assumed the
entire charge of the store, conducting it un-
til 1909, when he opened a 5 and 10 cent
store on Main street, the third of its kind in
608
COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
Catawissa. Upon the death of his father in
1 910 he moved the store to its present loca-
tion. He was appointed express agent in
1903, which position he still fills. Mr. Rinard
is a successful business man of progressive
ideas, and keeps a well stocked store which is
liberally patronized by the people of his town.
Like his father he is a Republican, and a
member of the Lutheran Church, of which
he is steward and trustee. He is a past grand
of Concordia Lodge, I. O. O. F., and member
of the grand lodge of that order in Pennsyl-
vania. He married Nov. 3, 1881, Lucille
Florence Wardell, who was born in Moscow,
Pa., daughter of John and Margaret
(Besecker) Wardell, and granddaughter of
Conrad Besecker, who was killed ' in action
in the Civil war. The Wardell family is of
English descent and the Beseckers are of
German origin. Mrs. Rinard aids her hus-
band in the conduct of the store and has
proved a successful business woman. She is
a member of the W. C. T. U. and prominent
in the cause of temperance.
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Rinard are the parents
of five children : Ralph Wardell, transfer
clerk for the Adams Express Company at
Sunbury, Pa., married Clara Gersey; Edwin
Laurence, stone cutter, at Catawissa, married
Clara Shuy; Mabury Hight is engaged as a
telegrapher at Bedford, Pa. ; John Byson, a
student, is at home ; Margaret Wardell is also
at home.
Abr.^ham Lincoln Rin.ard, teller of the
First National Bank of Catawissa, is the
youngest son of the late Solomon Dyer Rinard.
He was born in Catawissa April 6, 1864, at-
tended the public schools of the town, and
after graduation entered his father's store,
where he clerked and acted as assistant ex-
press agent. In 1900 he was appointed teller
of the First National Bank, which position of
responsibility he has held with great credit
ever since. He is a man of quiet tastes and
temperate habits, and is popular with all who
have the pleasure of coming in contact with
him. In political affiliation he has followed
the example of his father, who was a Repub-
lican. He is also a member of the Lutheran
Church, a past grand of the I. O. O. F., and a
member of the B. P. O. Elks, of Bloomsburg
Lodge, No. 436.
FRANK C. ANGLE is one of the promi-
nent business men of Montour county, best
known to the public as the proprietor and pub-
lisher of the Morning A^czvs. a daily, abound-
ing in items of local interest, and the Montour
American, a weekly newspaper. Mr. Angle
has been associated with the growth of Dan-
ville in many ways, and has done much for
the advancement of its interests. He is a
native of the place, born Feb. 25, 1854, son of
William and Henrietta (Purselj Angle. His
paternal grandfather was a leading agricul-
turist of Greenwood township, Columbia
county, where he lived a long and useful life.
William Angle, the father of Frank C.
Angle, was born in Greenwood township, Co-
lumbia county. He removed to Danville when
a young man, establishing a general mercan-
tile business in a store opposite the Danville
public library. The building in which he was
located has since been torn down. He was
engaged in that business for over twenty
years, at the expiration of which period he
had accumulated enough wealth to enable him
to retire and spend his declining days in ease
and comfort. He owned many valuable pieces
of property in Danville and built a block of
dwelling houses on Church street. He served
in the town council for several terms, and was
also a commissioner of waterworks. In
political matters he faithfully supported the
principles of the Republican party. To him
and his wife, Henrietta (Pursel), a daughter
of William Pursel, of Jersey Shore, Pa., were
born the following children : Frank C. ; Lizzie
H., the wife of J. E. Buley, of Syracuse, N.
Y. ; and William P., a well known dentist and
business man of Jersey Shore. ]Mr. Angle
died at the age of sixty-three years.
Frank C. Angle, after completing the re-
quired course at the common schools, attended
the civil engineering department of Lehigh
University, at South Bethlehem, Pa., from
which he was graduated with the class of
1876. He then took up the study of law with
Thomas Galbreth, a learned lawyer of Dan-
ville, and was admitted to the Montour county
bar in 1879, after which he formed a partner-
ship with 'James Scarlet and began practice.
Subsequently this association was dissolved,
and Mr. Angle has since been occupied with
the conduct of various business enterprises.
He is a man of high principles, shrewd and
energetic. He has been closely connected with
many public undertakings, especially where the
welfare of the borough of Danville has been
concerned. He was for several years a mem-
ber of the board of commissioners of water-
works, Danville; he was manager of the Dan-
ville Opera House for twenty-seven years;
and was proprietor of the Danville Atlas Man-
ufacturing Company, which was established in
1875. and discontinued in 1902. He erected
^^W^M^ x^. -^Jy^^U^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
609
the building in which that concern was lo-
cated, manufacturing all kinds of wooden
household novelties, and the company for
many years did an enormous business, also
conducting a branch house at Williamsport.
In 1895 Mr. Angle purchased the Montour
American, which was founded Dec. 11, 1855,
by D. H. B. Brower, who was succeeded by
Joel S. Bailey and Charles Cork in 1864. Mr.
Brower again became the owner in 1871 and
disposed of it to W. H. Bradley and Lewis
Gordon. They conducted the paper for a
few years, and were succeeded bv Edward
C. Baldy, William B. Baldy, and ^finally by
Bennett & Frick, from whom Mr. Angle pur-
chased the establishment. Under his success-
ful guidance the plant has been improved and
modernized and has prospered accordingly. In
September, 1897, he established the Morning
News, which has had an exceedingly rapid
growth. Mr. Angle is a man of medium
stature, of fine personal appearance, and by
the pleasant and courteous manner which he
manifests toward everyone has become very
popular and has made many friends through-
out his section of the country.
Mr. Angle married Sue Robison, daughter
of Theodore Robison, of Easton, Pa., and they
are the parents of two sons, namely : Theo-
dore R. Angle, of Danville, and Frank Pur-
sel Angle, of Milton. In his religious views
Mr. Angle is an Episcopalian, a member of
Christ (Memorial) Church.
THEODORE ROBISON ANGLE, eldest
son of Frank C. Angle, and now associated
with him in the newspaper business, was
born at Danville June 20, 1885. He received
his preparatory education there, graduating
from the high school in 1900, after which he
went to Cheltenham Military Academy,
Ogontz, Pa., for a year's study, graduating in
1901. He then took a course in electrical en-
gineering at his father's alma mater, Lehigh
University, at South Bethlehem. Pa., which he
attended for three years. He has since been
associated with his father in the publication of
the Danville Morning Nczi's, of which he is
managing editor. His connection with the
paper has given new impetus to a business al-
ways conducted along vigorous lines and with
the policy of not only keeping abreast of the
times, but leading the thought of the com-
munity on subjects of vital interest. Mr.
Angle is a member of the Friendship Fire
Company, and sustains his interest in college
matters by his membership in Eta chapter of
39
the Psi Upsilon fraternity. He belongs to
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church.
On Oct. 12, 1908, Mr. Angle married
Martha Adella Harpel, daughter of Dr.
Francis Eugene and Euphemia (Brader) Har-
pel, and they have one child, Theodore Robi-
son, Jr., born May 12, 1910.
JOHN L. MACDONALD, who has been
engaged in business in Berwick for a number
of years, was born in Allegheny City, Pa.,
May 31, 1869, and is a direct descendant of
the celebrated Clan Donald. His family coat
of arms is as follows: Quarterly, first, argent,
a lion rampant, gules armed and langued
azure ; second, argent, a de.xter hand couped
fessways holding a cross crosslet fitchee in
pale, gules ; third, or, a lymphad, sails furled,
flags flying and oars in action, sable; fourth,
vert, a salmon naiant proper ; over all, on a
fess sable an eagle's head, couped argent,
beaked, gules, between two sprigs of three
leaves of maple, or. Crest, a dexter arm in
armour grasping a dagger proper. Motto,
"Perseverantia."
The branch of the family from which John
L. Macdonald is descended was early repre-
sented, by John Macdonald, who with his
wife, Emily (Cameron), and two sons, settled
in the State of New York in 1785. They pur-
chased a tract of land in Saranac county, near
the Adirondack moimtains. Their family con-
sisted of the following children: Jarnes,
Charles, John, Colin, Duncan, Catherine (who
married Charles McEwan, and died near
Gananoque, Canada), Margaret (who married
David Auchinvole), Emily (who married John
McMillan), Charlotte (who married Joshua
Legge), Christine and Jane.
Charles Macdonald, in 181 1, removed to
Gananoque, Canada, where shortly after his
arrival he married the only child of Col. Joel
Stone, the founder of the village. In 181 7 he
was joined by his brother John, and with him
formed the firm of C. & J. Macdonald. In
1826 the firm built a flour mill, which was one
of the most complete in Canada, shipping their
products direct to England. They were later
joined by Colin Macdonald, who became a
member of the firm in 1828, and so continued
until his death in Cuba, in 1842. John Mac-
donald was active in politics and served as a
member of the Legislative Council of upper
Canada. He died in i860 and was buried at
Gananoque. Charles Macdonald died in 1826,
and was buried near Gananoque, in Willow-
bank cemetery. His son, William S. Mac-
donald, became a member of the firm above
610
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
mentioned in 1833, and continued his connec-
tion until the firm was dissolved in 1847.
Another son of Charles Macdonald was
John L., who was born at Gananoque. He
was educated in the common schools of that
place and became one of its active business
men and most esteemed citizens. He was en-
gaged as a general merchant and miller, man-
ufactured nails, and plowshares and other
farming implements, and owned a large tract
of land at Gananoque. With his brother, Wil-
liam Stone Macdonald, he owned large tracts
of oil land, and he prospected for oil in the
Gaspe peninsula. He is buried at Gananoque.
To John L. Macdonald and his wife Agnes
Maud Auchinvole were born four children :
David Stone married May D'Olear; Charles
William married Olive Dray ; Mary married
Robert Montgomery ; John died without issue.
Charles William Macdonald, born in 1840,
in Gananoque, Canada, was educated in the
public schools of his native place and Brock-
ville, Ontario. He learned mechanical en-
gineering, and in time became a resident of the
United States, becoming interested in nail fac-
tories at Pittsburgh, Pa., and Wheeling, W.
Va. He was also engaged in railroad con-
struction work. He married Olive Dray, of
Niles, Ohio, and their three children are : John
L., married to Isabelle Sophia Jones ; Elsie,
wife of Frederick L. Backus ; and Agnes
Maud, Mrs. Marcus M. Drake. Mr. Mac-
donald is deceased.
After being graduated from the common
schools of his native city, in 1881, John L.
Macdonald began working for the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad Company, but that same year
continued his studies at Wheeling, W. Va.
The following spring he accompanied his
father, who was a railroad contractor, to
Canada, and they worked on a railroad be-
tween Port Arthur and other points both east
and west, along Lake Superior, the father
holding contracts for some of the work. In
1886 John L. Macdonald returned to the
United States and was engaged in construc-
tion work on the Eastern railroad of Minne-
sota, with headquarters at Duluth. The fol-
lowing year he located at Buffalo, N. Y., be-
ing in the employ of the New York Central
Railroad Company as clerk in the superin-
tendent's office, but returned in 1888 to Minne-
sota to become first brakeman and later con-
ductor between Superior, St. Cloud and Min-
neapolis. In 1890 Mr. Macdonald was em-
ployed in the car accountant's office at St.
Louis, Mo., and in 1891 was transferred to
the New York Central's office at Buffalo, N. Y.
In 1894 he went with the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western Railroad Company, and re-
mained with that company until the outbreak
of the Spanish-American war, in 1898, when
he enlisted from Buffalo, in the 65th New
York National Guard, under Col. Samuel M.
\Velch. He was sent to Hempstead Plains,
N. Y., and thence to Camp Alger, \'a., where
the regiment was held. Mr. Macdonald was
in the service for seven months. When he
was mustered out at Buff'alo, in November,
1898, he was sergeant of Company K. Return-
ing to the employ of the D., L. & W. Railroad
Company, as accountant, he remained with the
same until Feb. 12, 1901, when he was sent
to Berwick as agent for the road, and repre-
sentative of the United States Express Com-
pany, which he continues to represent ; he now
gives all his time to the duties of express
agent.
Mr. Macdonald married Isabelle Sophia
Jones, a daughter of John and Mary E.
( Walkenshaw) Jones, from Bryngwyn, Wales,
England. Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald have two
children: John L., born Oct. i, 1905, and
Mary Eliza, born June 12, 1907. He is a
Progressive Republican and very actively in-
terested in the proper growth of his party.
An Episcopalian, he is a vestryman of his
church, and belongs to Parish Lodge, No. 292,
F. & A. M., of Buffalo ; Caldwell Consistory,
of Bloomsburg; and Irem Temple, A. A. O.
N. Mystic Shrine, at Wilkes-Barre. He is also
a member of the Royal Arcanum.
The Stone family, Mr. Macdonald's an-
cestors through his great-grandmother, trace
back to William Stone, the founder of an old
and prominent family of Connecticut and other
parts of New England. He was one of a
number of emigrants who sailed from London,
England, May 20, 1639, landing in New
Haven, Conn., about July ist of that year.
His brother John Stone also came, and they
were probably sons of Rev. Samuel Stone, of
Hertford, England. They were from the town
of Guilford, England, and founded the town
of Guilford, Conn., settling there the year
of their arrival in America.
Stephen Stone, a descendant of William,
removed with his family to Litchfield, Conn.,
April 23, 1751, at which time Joel was in his
eleventh year, having been born Aug. 7, 1740,
at Guilford. Here he remained with his
father until he became of age, and then with
his father's consent engaged in mercantile pur-
suits in company with Jabez Bacon, a descend-
ant of one of the original emigrants. They
were quite successful, accumulating a con-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
611
siderable property. In 1775 Mr. Stone's rela-
tions with his neighbors became seriously com-
plicated by reason of his outspoken loyalty to
the British Crown, and eventually he was
obliged to forsake all and take refuge within
the British lines in New York, where he was
cordially received, and took up arms to serve
the King, under the command of His Excel-
lency Sir William Howe. He remained in
New York until the evacuation by the English
troops. During Mr. Stone's sojourn in New
York he was married to Leah Moore of that
city, March 23, 1780, the officiating clergyman
being Rev. Charles Inglis, rector of Trinity
Church, afterwards of London, England, and
eventually the first Bishop of the Church of
England in British North America, being ap-
pointed to the See of Nova Scotia about the
year 1787. In 1783 Joel Stone sailed for Eng-
land for the purpose of recovering a legacy to
which his wife was entitled from her uncle,
Commodore John IMoore, formerly of Bom-
bay, East India, who died at sea, and to secure
suitable recognition from the British Govern-
ment for the losses he had sustained by reason
of his loyalty to the Crown during the Revolu-
tion. He appears to have experienced some of
the proverbial delays involved in a chancery
suit in those days, for he was not enabled to
announce his departure from England until
Aug. 2, 1786, when he sailed for Quebec, arriv-
ing Oct. 6, 1786, having succeeded in recover-
ing his wife's legacy and a military pension
due the rank of captain. During his sojourn
in England he had a miniature painted and
sent to his wife; a replica of this in oil, exe-
cuted by George Butler, of New York, hangs
in Blinkbonny. He at first thought of settling
at Cornwall, but finding all the desirable lands
already located in that vicinity he made further
explorations westward, and in 1791 came upon
a tributary of the St. Lawrence which at-
tracted his attention from the wild beauty of
a cascade which emphasized its junction with
the great river. The Indians called the place
"Rocks in Deep Water'' or Cadanoghue, a
word which has been transformed in our Eng-
lish tongue to Gananoque. The possibility of
utilizing this natural source of power at once
appealed to Mr. Stone, and application was
made to the British government for the grant
of land to which he was entitled as a United
Empire Loyalist. In course of time this grant
was made, of land on the west side of the
Gananoque river, and Mr. Stone settled there
in 1792. A similar grant was made to Sir
John Johnson of lands on the east side of the
river; which lands were subsequently pur-
chased from Sir John by Charles and John
Macdonald. From this time forth Mr. Stone
devoted himself to the founding and develop-
ment of what has since become the thriving
town of Gananoque. He was the first white
man who ever resided there, having been
landed from a French-Canadian batteau and
left to his own resources.
His wife died in 1793 and was buried in
Cornwall. Three children were born to him
by his wife Leah, one of whom died in in-
fancy, a son and a daughter attaining maturity.
He became engaged in the preparation of
timber and lumber to be forwarded by raft
to Quebec, and in return brought merchandise
for exchange. His business interests grew
rapidly, and comfortable surroundings took
the place of the rude shelter of earlier years.
In 1799 he married Mrs. Abegail Daton.
Their home became the rendezvous of all
comers and was known far and near for its
boundless hospitality. He was the first col-
lector of the port, and on the 2d of January,
1809, was appointed colonel of the 2d Regi-
ment, Leeds Militia. Owing to declining
years he was soon obliged to resign his mili-
tary command. Colonel Stone died in his
home at Gananoque Nov. 20, 1833, and his
remains rest in Willow Bank cemetery, west
of the town.
His early struggles for existence in what
was then scarcely more than a wilderness may
easily be imagined, but we find no record of it
in the correspondence which remains to us ;
and what is particularly noticeable is that not
a discordant note is sounded in any of the
Colonel's letters to relatives and friends from
whom he had been obliged to part in 1775.
MARKS GRAHAM, now a resident of
Bloomsburg, is one of the large owners of
farm property in this section and also has
independent business interests, in the manage-
ment of which he has been very successful.
A native of Ireland, Mr. Graham was born in
Queen's county in 1844, son of John Graham.
John Graham was engaged in fruit growing
in Ireland. When some of his older children
came to America he followed them with his
wife and three younger children, landing in
New York City after a voyage of seven weeks
and three days made in a sailing vessel. They
proceeded to what is now Madison township,
Columbia Co., Pa., and died there, though they
had lived in Danville for about si.xteen years.
He led a retired life from the time he settled
in this country. He and his wife, whose
maiden name was Catherine Moore, are buried
612
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
at Danville. They were devout members of
the Catholic Church. The following children
were born to this couple: Patrick, who died
in Madison township; James, who died in
Colorado leaving a large estate (he had a
cattle ranch of fifteen thousand acres) ; Ehza ;
William, deceased; John, who lives at
Wamego, Kansas ; Philip, who lives in Colo-
rado; Martin, living in Colorado; Edward, of
Bloomsburg, who resides with his brother
Marks ; Marks ; and Frank, living in Anthony
township, Montour county.
Marks Graham was only a boy when he
came with his parents to America. He found
his first employment in the iron mill at Dan-
ville, and was engaged in such work for fif-
teen years at that place, after which he joined
his father in Madison township, taking charge
of the latter's farm. After his father's death
he acquired the ownership of the homestead,
which he still owns, a tract of two hundred
acres of valuable land. He lived there until he
removed to Bloomsburg, and made the reputa-
tion of being one of the most progressive busi-
ness farmers in his locality, his energy coupled
with commendable enterprise bringing him un-
usually good results in his agricultural opera-
tions. He also owns two fine farms in Mon-
tour county, each containing two hundred
acres, one in Anthony township (the old
Jonas Smith place) and one in Derry town-
ship (the old Edward Dieffenbauch place).
Mr. Graham has not limited his interests to
farming. He was one of the organizers of
the Farmers' National Bank, Exchange, Mon-
tour county, and became a member of its board
of directors, and he is a stockholder in the
Bloomsburg Brick Company. In 1907 Mr.
Graham moved to Bloomsburg, where he has
since resided, his home being on East Third
street, near East street. He is a member of the
Catholic Church, and in his political prefer-
ences is a Democrat.
Mr. Graham was married to Mary Garvey,
who was born in Ireland, and died in May,
1908. She is buried at Bloomsburg. Two
children were born to them: John, a grad-
uate of the Bloomsburg State Normal school
and of Villanova College, Villanova, Pa., class
of 1912 ; and Patrick, who attended high
school at Bloomsburg, and since 1912 has
been a student at Villanova College.
CHARLES F. ALTMILLER, M. D., has
been engaged in the practice of medicine at
Bloomsburg since 1904, and meantime has
become associated with a number of important
business enterprises in that town and the
vicinity. His professional work and other in-
terests have brought him in contact with an
unusually large proportion of his fellow citi-
zens, and he is highly esteemed by all who
know him. Dr. Altmiller is of German extrac-
tion, his father and grandfather having been
natives of Germany, from which country the
latter, John C. Altmiller, brought his family
to America in 1857. He settled at Hazleton,
Luzerne Co., Pa., where he died April 2, 1886.
He was a music teacher by profession.
Charles Altmiller, the Doctor's father, was
thirteen years old when he came to this country
with the rest of the family. He continued
his studies in the public schools of Hazleton,
and for a number of years after beginning life
on his own account was engaged in the mer-
cantile business. He served three years dur-
ing the Civil war, being a bugler. For over
twenty years he has been prominent in the ad-
ministration of public affairs at Hazleton.
In 1891 he became the first city treasurer of
that place, filling the office for a term of three
years, and from 1896 to the present time he
has been a member of the city board of as-
sessors. Politically he is a Democrat. On
Aug. 12, 1866, he married Christine Baitter,
also a native of Germany, born Sept. 12, 1850,
daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Schweitzer)
Baitter. They are the parents of eight chil-
dren: John C., Justus E., Katherine, Emma,
Charles F., Adele G., Magdalene and Hilda.
Charles F. Altmiller was born at Hazleton
July 4, 1877, and received the foundation of
his literary education at public school there.
He then entered Temple College, at Phila-
delphia, and after graduating from that institu-
tion matriculated at the Medico-Chirurgical
College, in the same city, from which he was
graduated in 1901 with the degree of M. D.
For the next two years he was associated in
practice with Dr. Longshore, at Hazleton,
after which he became examining physician at
the Medico-Chirurgical College, remaining
there for a year in that capacity. Then he
spent six months in 1904 studying abroad, at
Berlin and London, specializing in diseases
of the stomach and intestines. In 1904 he
came to Bloomsburg, where he has since prac-
ticed, and he has attained high prestige among
his fellow practitioners, as well as popularity
with a wide circle of patients. He is a promi-
nent member of the Columbia County j\Iedical
Society, of which he was president in 191 1,
and also belongs to the Pennsylvania State
Medical Society. Dr. Altmiller is president
and general manager of the wholesale and re-
tail drug house of Moyer Brothers, at Blooms-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
613
burg, is interested in the Richard Manufactur-
ing Company (manufacturers of special ma-
chinery) and proprietor of the Daily Sentinel
and Semi-Weekly Democratic Sentinel.
Fraternally the Doctor is a Mason, holding
membership in Washington Lodge, No. 256,
F. & A. M., and Caldwell Consistory (thirty-
second degree), both of Bloomsburg, and in
Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Wilkes-
Barre. He also belongs to the B. P. O. Elks,
I. O. O. F. and Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Politically he is a Democrat.
On April 28, 1903, Dr. Altmiller married
Martha Moyer, daughter of William S. and
Martha (Menajh) Moyer, of Bloomsburg.
They attend the Presbyterian Church.
HIRAM R. BOWER, now living retired at
Berwick, was born in Centre township, Colum-
bia county, Oct. 30, 1831, son of Abraham and
Ellen (Remley) Bower, and a grandson of
George Michael Bower.
George Michael Bower came from Saxony
to America at the age of thirteen and settled
in Berks county. Pa. After his marriage to a
Miss Hill he removed to Columbia county, near
Evansville, and bought a farm of 120 acres
from a man named Desser. He was a success-
ful farmer and became one of the prominent
men of his part of the county. He was the
father of the following children: Jacob,
Michael, Solomon, Daniel, Philena, Catherine
and Abraham.
Abraham Bower, father of Hiram R., was
born in Kutztown, Berks county, and was a
stonemason by trade. In early manhood he
moved to Centre township, Columbia county,
bought a farm of fifty acres, and immediately
erected new buildings and began to renovate
the land, bringing it to a high state of cultiva-
tion. He married Ellen Remley, whose
parents, Michael and Susan Remley, were both
of German ancestry and pioneer settlers in
Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. Bower had
thirteen children, all of whom are dead except
Hiram. They were : Samuel ; Phoebe, wife
of Daniel Miller ; Rachel, wife of John Sloan ;
Elizabeth, wife of Caleb Fowler; William;
Abraham; Susanna; Lavinia, wife of George
Johnson ; Catherine, wife of Thomas Evans ;
Ellen ; Aaron, a Methodist minister, of Meta-
mora, 111. ; Hiram R. ; and Matilda, who mar-
ried George Johnson and (second) Daniel
Behr. Mr. Bower died at the age of seventy-
eight and his wife at the age of sixty-four.
He was a Democrat, and served as supervisor
and school director.
Hiram R. Bower was educated in the com-
mon schools and remained at home until he
was twenty-three years of age, meantime pre-
paring himself for the ministry. However,
Providence had decreed otherwise for him,
and ill health compelled him to relinquish his
ambition. After recovery he entered the store
of Abraham Muller, the largest in the county,
being connected with the establishment as clerk
for ten years. In 1864 he associated himself
with Isaiah Bower and M. E. Jackson, under
the firm name of Jackson, Bower & Co., and
they conducted a store until 1870, when Mr.
Jackson retired. In 1880 Mr. Bower obtained
the entire control of the business, reorganized
it and successfully carried it on until 1890,
when he retired. He had been interested in
the real estate business and during that time
built the fine residence he now occupies.
Mr. Bower was married Oct. 29, 1857, to
Rebecca, daughter of John and Lydia Martz,
who had a family of five children. To Mr.
and Mrs. Bower have been born five children :
Layman F., Aaron B., Minnie, Elizabeth, and
Frank, the last named dying when three years
old. Mr. Bower is a member of Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and is a past
grand of the same. He and his family are all
members of the Methodist Church. Since
1890 Mr. Bower has been field man of the
Columbia County Sunday School Association,
was for four years president and is now vice
president. In October, 1912, he attended the
meeting of the State Association of Sunday
Schools held at Philadelphia and was there
awarded a medal in recognition of the fact
that he had been actively engaged in the work
for sixty-two years. He has attended all of
the Sunday school conventions, State, National
and international. Air. Bower is much inter-
ested in the weather department of the signal
service and has a fine set of instruments for
recording the changes of temperature and
pressure.
Layman F. Bower, son of Hiram R., is vice
president of the Allis-Chalmers Manufactur-
ing Company, at Milwaukee, Wis. He and
his wife, Gertrude (Henninger), have four
children, of whom Florence is married to Rev.
Charles Davidson ; both were formerly mis-
sionaries in Japan, and Mr. Davidson is now
principal of schools at Tokio. Russell Forrest
married Margaret Kirkpatrick, of Scranton,
Pa., and they have two children, Russell and
Margaret. Harold was married in Chicago
and is now living in Milwaukee. Layman, Jr.,
completes the family.
Aaron B. Bower, son of Hiram R., is a
lawyer of Scranton, Pa. He married Harriet
614
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Carney and "they have three children, Helen,
Harriet and Wallace.
Minnie Bower married William Smith, of
Tarrytown, N. Y., and they have one child,
Leonora B.
Elizabeth Bower married Luther Wesley
Mendenhall, of Pittsburgh, and they have two
children, Elizabeth and Luther W., Jr.
FRANCIS PIERCE CREASY, now living
retired in Bloomsburg, was for over twenty-
five years engaged in farming in Catawissa
township, Columbia county, moving thence to
his present home in 1908. He was born May
5, 1857, in Catawissa township, son of Nathan
Creasy and grandson of William Creasy. His
first ancestors in America came from Germany
and settled in New Jersey, coming from there
to Columbia county. Pa., about one hundred
and twenty-five years ago. Some of the
family settled about Mifflin township and en-
gaged in farming.
William Creasy, grandfather of Francis P.,
was one of the earlier settlers in the Catawissa
valley, in Schuylkill county. Pa., and engaged
in farming throughout his active life, in his
latter years living retired, in Catawissa ; he
owned a tract of land in that township. He
died in January, 1886, in his seventy-ninth
year, and is buried at Catawissa. He and his
wife Mary (Gearhart) had one son, Nathan.
Nathan Creasy, son of William, was born
in Schuylkill county. Pa., and came with his
parents to Catawissa township, Columbia
county, when a child. He followed farming,
after his marriage buying the tract which
his son Henry now occupies, and there he
continued to live until his death, which oc-
curred in August, 1 88 1. He was a member
of the Lutheran Church, and was one of the
well-known and highly respected residents of
his district. His wife, whose maiden name
was Krickbaum ( Susanna or Catherine ) , sur-
vived him, dying in 1883, and they are buried
at Catawissa. Mrs. Creasy was born on the
farm now owned by her son Henry, and was a
daughter of Henry Krickbaum, who was of
German extraction. To Mr. and Mrs. Nathan
Creasy were born eight children, namely :
Alice, who is deceased ; William T., a
prominent resident of Columbia county ;
Francis Pierce ; Elmira, Mrs. Hess, of Al-
media, this county; Henry L., of Catawissa
township ; Nathan C, a merchant of Cata-
wissa ; Dora S., wife of Noah Helwig, a promi-
nent farmer of Catawissa township ; and a
daughter that died in infancy.
Francis Pierce Creasy attended public school
in his native township, and was trained to
farming from his earliest years. He began
that occupation on his own account in the
year 1881, in Catawissa township, where he
owns a fine farm of iii acres upon which he
was engaged in general agricultural pursuits
until 1908, at which time he retired and re-
moved to Bloomsburg. His nephew, Charles
Creasy, now cultivates the farm, for him.
Mr. Creasy has always been looked upon as
one of the intelligent and public-spirited citi-
zens of his locality, and he has been prominent
in the Grange movement, with which he is still
connected. Since 1900 he has been a member
of the Agricultural Society of Columbia
comity. While living in Catawissa township
he served one term as school director and nine
years as auditor, and in every relation of life
has proved himself a highly desirable member
of the community. He has been treasurer of
the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company
since it was started, in 1906. In politics he is
a Democrat, in religious connection a member
of the Lutheran Church.
On Nov. 24, 1 88 1, Mr. Creasy was united in
marriage with Catherine Reeder, daughter of
Joseph and Elizabeth Reeder, and she died
May 14, 1909; she is buried at Catawissa. Mr.
and Mrs. Creasy had no children.
WILLIAM H. SNYDER, deceased, for-
mer county superintendent of schools and
prothonotary of Columbia county. Pa., was
born in Orange township, that county, Nov.
24, 1840, son of John and Catharine (Wolf)
Snyder, of Berks county.
John Snyder was of German descent and
came as a boy to Columbia county from his
native county, Berks. He was a stonemason
and plasterer by occupation, and served as con-
stable of Orange township for seventeen years.
He was commissioned sheriff of Columbia
county in 1852, and again in 1858, serving in
all six years. He married Catharine, daughter
of Henry Wolf, a German school teacher, and
they had eleven children, of whom William
H. became the most prominent.
William H. Snyder attended the Orangeville
Academy and Greenwood Seminary, and as
soon as he had completed his course began to
teach school, at the age of eighteen. He fol-
lowed teaching for more than thirteen years,
reading law during all of his spare time. In
1872 he was elected to the position of county
superintendent of schools, served for nine
years, and then refused a further term in order
to complete his law course. He then studied
in the office of E. R. Ikeler, and was admitted
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
615
' to the bar in 1882. Mr. Snyder served for a
time as supervising principal of the Blooms-
burg public schools, and in 1884 was elected
prothonotary, filling the office for two con-
secutive terms, six years. At the end of his
last term he opened an office in the M. E.
Ent building, now the Farmers' National Bank
building, and practiced law until his death. At
that time he was a notary public, and attorney
for the Bloomsburg poor district. As a lawyer
Mr. Snyder was known for his thorough and
exact knowledge of difficult points of law,
and as a man he was greatly admired for his
happy disposition and frankness. Possessed
of keen judgment, he always expressed himself
clearly and positively upon any matters of
which he had correct knowledge. He died
Nov. II, 1898, at the age of fifty-seven years,
eleven months, eighteen days, and is laid at
rest in Laurel Hill cemetery, at Orangeville.
He was a member of the Reformed Church,
having been confirmed in Orangeville by the
Rev. Alfred Hautz.
On Dec. 26, 1868, Mr. Snyder was married,
by Rev. E. B. Wilson, at the Stillwater (Pa.)
parsonage, to Sarah M. Fleckenstine, and in
the course of time six children came to bless
their home for a little while. Bruce J. died
Nov. 14, 1879, at the age of four years, six
months, as the result of whooping cough. Wil-
liam R. died Feb. 9, 1881, aged five months.
In 1884 the saddest loss came to the parents.
Three of their children passed away in the
short space of three weeks of the terrible
scourge of childhood — diphtheria. Charles J.
died Oct. 6, 1884, aged thirteen years and two
months; George R. died Oct. 24, 1884, aged
one year and ten months ; and Jennie C. died
Oct. 28, 1884, aged sixteen years, eighteen
days. Paul H., the last of the children, was
born Oct. 23, 1885, attended public school
and was president of the senior class of the
high school and of the Franklin Literary So-
ciety when he died, Dec. i, 1902, of typhoid
fever. Memorial services were held at the
high school building. Miss Laura Prosser read-
ing his biography and the class singing his
favorite hymn, "Abide With Me."' Resolu-
tions, written by Edna Briggs, Mary Welliver
and Silas Riddle, were also read.
In 1885 Mr. Snyder bought a home at the
corner of Fourth and Catherine streets, and
there his widow still lives. She was born
May 24, 1844, in Orangeville, second daughter
of Nathan Fleckenstine and Catherine Poe,
and attended country school until she was
nineteen. Every day she faithfully walked
a mile and a half to the school, where she sat
on wooden benches and wrote standing up
against the wall at the crude desks of the
time. In those days punishments were more
severe than at present. Besides whipping,
a split stick was sometimes clamped over the
fleshy part of the ear, where the piercing for
earrings was done, thus causing much pain.
Airs. Snyder was confirmed under Rev. Wil-
liam Goodrich, of the Reformed Church at
Orangeville, when she was fifteen years old,
and lived at home until her marriage. Since
her husband's death she has taken great in-
terest in the cause of temperance, and is presi-
dent of the Charity Union. She attended the
International Sunday School convention at
San Francisco, Cal., in 1911, and was a dele-
gate to the World's Sunday School convention
at Zurich, Switzerland, in 1913.
Joseph Poe, grandfather of Mrs. Snyder,
was a first cousin of Edgar Allan Poe. He
was born in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa.,
Sept. 19, 1790. His parents were of French
and English descent. His father came to
America with a colony of Germans who set-
tled in Berks county during the days of In-
dian occupation, and served as a captain in
the Revolutionary war. His mother was a rel-
ative of the Booth family which furnished so
many illustrious members to the dramatic
stage. George Poe and his wife Ephie (uncle
and aunt of Joseph Poe), and Sarah (Booth)
Poe, mother of Joseph Poe, are all buried
within an inclosure in the Mifflinville cemetery,
their resting places being marked by monu-
ments erected by Joseph.
Ferdinand Booth, with his wife and baby,
Sarah, seven weeks old, was living in a log
house southwest of Mifllinville in 1777. Dur-
ing the absence of the father and the hired
girl Indians captured the mother and child
and carried them to the Wyoming valley, and
thence to Ohio. In the latter State Mrs. Booth
was forced to marry an Indian chief, but was
treated well, although always watched. After
eleven years had passed she was assisted to
escape with the child by a fur trader, who
brought her back to her home. There she
found the husband had married again, thinking
her dead. She refused to interfere with him,
so he built her a house some distance from
the one he lived in, and there she reared Sarah
to womanhood. There the father of Joseph
Poe married Sarah Booth, the stolen child,
and Joseph was born after their removal to
Albany township.
Joseph Poe was but sixteen years old when
he was apprenticed to Larry Ruck, of Blooms-
burg, to learn the trade of shoemaker. After
616
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
his time was out he went to Mifflinville, bor-
rowed ten dollars and bought a set of tools
with which he started working around the
country, from house to house, making and
patching shoes. His ten dollars had grown
at the time of his death to seven farms and
more than thirty thousand dollars. He mar-
ried Mary Wolf, daughter of John Wolf, in
1814, and they had six children, Catherine
(Mrs. Nathan Fleckenstine), George, Maria,
Sarah, Stephen and Joseph. The first wife
died in 1835, ^'^d ]Mr. Poe married for his
second wife Leah Beam Miller, by whom he
had two children, Polly and Phoebe. Polly
married John Wolf, of ]\Iifflin township, and
Phoebe married Samuel Turnbach, of Black-
creek. George Poe died unmarried at the
age of fifty-five, and is buried in ^Mifflinville.
Stephen Poe is living, in feeble health, with
his son Charles, in Catawissa.
A very industrious and thrifty man, Joseph
Poe was also strictly just in all his dealings.
In 1838 he bought two farms above Orange-
ville, one of 160 acres and the other of 140
acres. The township line divided them, one
being in Fishingcreek township and the other
in Orange township. To Catherine he gave
the 160-acre farm and to j\Iaria the 140 acres.
He and his second wife were devout members
of the German Lutheran Church. His death
occurred in 1880.
Joseph Poe had two sisters : INIary married
Benjamin Levan and died at Freeport, 111.
The other sister married A. Maurey and died
in Conyngham, Pa., at the age of ninety-five
years; she left one son, David.
Catherine Poe was but seventeen when her
mother died, and she took charge of her
brothers and sisters and kept house for her
father. After her father's second marriage
she married Nathan Fleckenstine, Dec. 27,
1837, the ceremony being performed by Rev.
D. S. Tobias, of the Reformed Church. They
first resided with Nathan's father, Jacob, at
Summer Hill, but later moved to the farm
given them by Joseph Poe. There they lived
for thirty-five years and raised a family of
four boys and four girls: Joseph, Jacob W_.,
William, George S., Sarah M., Margaret,
Mary C. and Clara Agnes. In addition to
these children Mr. and Mrs. Fleckenstine
brought up four orphans : Jacob Geisinger,
Samuel Trump, Andrew Lunger and Betsey
Steiner (who married Elijah Everett and was
left a widow with two sons). After their
children had grown Mr. and Mrs. Fleckenstine
moved to Orangeville, where they resided un-
til they died. They also made a home for an
old lady, Catharine Slaugh, a native of Bingen-
on-the-Rhine, who lived with them until her
death.
Nathan Fleckenstine was a great hunter and
fisherman and his larder was always filled with
the finest game. He had perfect health until
a short time before his death, when his eye-
sight failed him and he could not take his
usual exercise. He was greatly beloved by
the villagers and children and was a great
worker in the church. His wife, Catherine,
died July 13, 1901, and he passed away Nov.
13, 1905. She lived to be eighty-four years,
seven months, six days old, and he just lacked
ten days of being ninety years of age. Both
are buried in the Laurel Hill cemetery at
Orangeville.
In 1859 i\Iargaret Fleckenstine married
Samuel Hidlay, a prosperous farmer of Centre
township, and to them were born children as
follows: (i) Joseph, a deputy sherifl:', of
Bloomsburg, married Sadie Girard, and has
three children, Ruth, Ray and Margaret. (2)
William H., twin to Joseph, now cashier of
the Bloomsburg National Bank, married Ada
Conner and has three children, Eugene, Clair
and Harold. (3) Andrew Curtin married
Mary Creacy and they have two children :
Bruce, a clerk in Wilkes-Barre, and Lillian, a
trained nurse, in Philadelphia. (4) Minnie
married Clarence Drum, a prominent farmer
and stock raiser of Briarcreek township, and
they have eight children, Franklin, the oldest,
now attending the Bloomsburg State Normal
school. (5) Charles lives in Big Horn, Wyo.
(6) Margaret, married to Edward Richard,
lives in Newberry, Pa. ; they have two chil-
dren, Donald and Miriam. (7) Elizabeth,
who is a trained nurse, lives in New York
State. (8) Delia married John Caine, of Beach
Haven, and had one son, Hidlay. She died
April 4, 191 1, at the age of forty-four. (9)
Mamie married Hubert Harman, of Milton,
Pa., and they have three children: Harry, in
the United States navy ; and Collins and Bruce,
at home.
Joseph Fleckenstine enlisted in the i6th
Pennsylvania Cavalry in 1862, and served for
three years lacking nine days. He had many
narrow escapes from death but passed through
many engagements unscathed, finally being
mustered out after the surrender, and returned
to the home of his parents, where he still
lives.
Jacob W. Fleckenstine married Sarah Steb-
bins, of New York, and they have six children :
Laura married Elmer Thompson and has two
children, Paul and Elmer, Jr. ; the parents are
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
617
both nurses, and they reside in Philadelphia.
Jennie married Walter Ivins, a member of
the Ivins Cracker Company of Philadelphia,
and they have two children, Margaretta and
Mary ; Sh. Ivins also owns the !Model Chicken
Farm at Lansdale, Pa. Jessie married Rev.
William Gerhard, a Reformed minister, of
( Jrangeville, and they have one child, Ruth.
Pearl married Arthur Williams, a printer, of
Xew York ; Mr. Williams's father was the
first American singer to appear in the Crys-
tal Palace, London. Joseph Poe Fleckenstine
was a trained nurse in Bellevue hospital. New
York, where he nursed Loft, the candy manu-
facturer of that city, so successfully as to be
taken into the factory and made manager ;
however, the work was too confining and he
resigned to take charge of the poultry farm
of his brother-in-law, Walter Ivins; he mar-
ried Phoebe Dickson, of Salem, N. J., a trained
nurse, in June, 1914, and on July 15th follow-
ing returned to the employ of Mr. Loft as man-
ager of his confectionery store in Newark,
N. J. Nathan C. Fleckenstine is in the con-
fectionery business at Jamaica, Long Island;
he married Nellie Kellogg, and they have one
son, William. Jacob W. and Sarah (Stebbins)
Fleckenstine, the parents of this -family, are
living at Lansdale, Pa., on the model farm of
W'alter Ivins.
Mary C. Fleckenstine married William
Appleman, of Benton, Pa., and died in Feb-
ruary, 1880, leaving a little daughter, Bessie,
then but four years old. Bessie married Bruce
Keller, ticket agent at Orangeville, and they
have had three children, two living, Elizabeth
and John, Jr. Bruce Keller's father, John
Keller, was "the sexton at Orangeville for more
than thirty years, working at the shoemaker's
bench except when so engaged. He and his
wife were much beloved, and were always
ready to nurse the sick and help the unfortu-
nate.
Clara Agnes Fleckenstine, born May 16,
1861, married George W. Bertsch, a merchant
tailor, of ]\Iauch Chunk, Pa. They have had
no children. Mr. Bertsch's father was a pros-
perous tailor and left a fine estate to his four
children.
William Fleckenstine married Harriet
Belles, and to them were born two children :
Harry died Dec. 23, 1906, at the age of twenty-
four, and is buried in the Laurel Hill ceme-
tery, Orangeville ; Carrie married Howard
Hartung, of Honesdale, Pa., and they have one
child, Harriet. William Fleckenstine is at
present employed in the S. S. Fleckenstine dry
goods store, in Orangeville.
George S. Fleckenstine married Elizabeth
Fisher, daughter of a prosperous farmer of
Briarcreek township, the ceremony being per-
formed by Rev. Alfred Hautz, who was pastor
of the Reformed Church of Orangeville for
forty-five years, and is still actively engaged
in religious matters, being president of the
Wyoming Classis. To j\Ir. and Mrs. Flecken-
stine were born three children, Conner Fisher,
Carl and Jessie R. ; Carl married Dora Leidy,
and they had two children, Sarah (de-
ceased) and Nathan; Carl is conducting his
father's store, while the father is holding the
office of county commissioner. Jessie R. mar-
ried Clinton Herring, an attorney of Orange-
ville.
George S. Fleckenstine entered the mer-
cantile business in 1880 and has made a great
success in Orangeville. In 1905 he bought the
old homestead. Meadow Brook farm, which
he has brought to a high state of cultivation.
In 1896 he was elected treasurer of Columbia
county, and held the office for one term. In
191 1 he was elected county commissioner, and
is still serving in that position.
Catharine (Hahn) \\'olf, daughter of De-
wald Hahn, was born in Bethlehem, North-
ampton Co., Pa., June 6, 1776, and died Sept.
28, 1836, in Centerville, Mich., where she was
buried. She was on a visit to her son Joseph
at the time. He bought a tombstone at
Newark, Ohio, and hauled it the two hundred
and fifty miles to Centerville to place over her
grave. John Wolf, her husband, was born in
1769, the son of Christian \\'olf, who came
when a widower with one child from W'itten-
berg, Germany, to America.
Dewald Hahn, father of Catharine (Hahn)
Wolf, was born Feb. 8, 1752, and died March
3, 1833. Franie, his wife, born Oct. 5, 1752,
died Jan. 14, 1834. They had four daughters:
Catharine, wife of John Wolf; Susan (Mrs.
Achenbach) ; Mary, wife of Abraham Hess;
Sarah, wife of Charles Miller.
Catharine (Hahn) W'olf had four sons,
Joseph, Jonas, Abraham and Christian. The
Hahn family were the possessors of all the
land lying south of Mifflinville, so the sons had
a farm to begin with. Abraham moved above
Mifflinville and Christian to the south end of
the town, on the same farm from which Joseph
Poe's mother was stolen by the Indians. The
Hahns bought the farms from Adam Booth.
Jonas Wolf was born in Mifflinville. Pa.,
Nov. 12, 1812, and died in Constantine, ^lich.,
March 8, 1896. He was a prosperous mer-
chant in Watsontown, Pa., in former days,
afterwards moving to Constantine, where he
618
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
lived retired until his death. He married Mar-
garet Gerhard, near Danville, in 1835. and
their children were : Mary Catharine, Frances
Annie, John \\'ellington. Joseph McDonald,
Herman Gerhard and Ellen Reese. In 1850
he married for his second wife Mrs. Nancy
Vincent Leman, by whom he had children :
Carrie \'incent and Sallie Keefer. Carrie
married Stephen Davis, a prosperous farmer in
Constantine, Mich., where they reside at the
present time.
Joseph Wolf, son of John and Catharine
(Hahn) Wolf, was born in ^lifflinville Jan. 30,
1810, and died at Mount \'ernon, Ohio, in
1863. His wife, Harriet Doane, was born in
Berwick, Pa., in 1808, and died in Urbana,
111., in 1890. Joseph was a minister of the
Gospel for thirty years. He was prominent in
the Methodist Church, but in those days
pastors received little salary, so he had to work
at shoemaking to support his family properly.
With the help of his daughters he bought and
cleared land, continuing operations until he
had gained a fine estate. Joseph and Harriet
Wolf had eight daughters, as follows : Lucy,
wife of A. Bart, a veteran of the Mexican and
Civil wars; Hannah, wife of O. Gill; Caroline
(Mrs. Martin); Josephine, who died young;
Sarah A.; Harriet; Mary; and Clara A., men-
tioned below.
Clara A. Wolf married a Mr. Agnew, of
Mount \ernon, Ohio. She was one of the
first members of the W. C. T. U. in Ohio and
one of the first crusaders at Mount Vernon,
and took a warm interest in the cause of tem-
perance. She is still living in Mount \'ernon,
and has become noted as a writer and com-
poser. Of her four children, Wilbur, George,
Carrie and Pansy, Wilbur Agnew was em-
ployed in the government printing office, and
later died suddenly in Chicago, of malarial
fever. George Agnew lives in Oakland. Cal.
Carrie, Airs. Bahnharst, lives in Springfield,
111. ; she has two sons, who are composers and
writers of music. Pansy, Mrs. Crippen, lives
with her mother at Mount \'ernon, Ohio.
John Wolf, son of Abraham and Catharine
(Hill) Wolf, was born Nov. 27, 1834. His
sister Annie married George P. Miller. His
brother Daniel married Phoebe, daughter of
John Lazarus, a prominent farmer of Fishing-
creek township, went West to buy horses just
before his only child was born, and while rid-
ing through the timber was killed, a tree fall-
ing on him. His child, Annie, married P. Frey-
mire. John Wolf married Polly Pohe (Poe).
who was born June 9, 1837, daughter of Joseph
and Leah Pohe, and died Jan. 7, 1891. She
and her husband were faithful members of
the Lutheran Church. They had these chil-
dren: Dora, wife of Hudson Kase, of Dan-
ville; Minerva, wife of Harry Hubbard, of
Wildwood, N. J.; Lillie, wife of Harry Eshel-
man, of Bloomsburg ; and twins, a boy and a
girl, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
Eshelman have two daughters : Marguerite,
wife of Ervine Sweeten, of Camden, N. J.,
and Emeline, who lives at home and is assistant
librarian at the Bloomsburg public library.
REV. DA\TD M. HENKEL, D. D„ for
twenty-three years a resident of the borough
of Catawissa, was born at Point Pleasant,
Mason Co., W. Va., April 12, 1819, and died
in Catawissa at the advanced age of eighty-six
in the year 1905. He was a son of Rev.
Charles and Alary ( Siegrist) Henkle, both also
natives of West Mrginia.
Gearhart Henkel, the first ancestor of this
family in America, was an army chaplain,
and came from Frankfort, Germany, in 1735,
locating in Germantown, a suburb of Philadel-
phia. There he resided, serving a Lutheran
congregation imtil his death, which is sup-
posed to have been occasioned by a fall from
his horse while traveling along one of the roads
of the city. Of the six generations including
Gearhart, Justice, Jacob, Paul, Charles and
David M., it is interesting to note that the
majority were Lutheran pastors.
Paul Henkel, the grandfather of Dr. David
M. Henkel, was the father of six sons, five
of whom were Lutheran ministers and one a
physician. He died in New Alarket, Shenan-
doah Co., Va., in 1825.
Rev. Charles Henkel was the first Lutheran
minister in Columbus, Ohio, from which city
he removed to Somerset, in the same State,
where he died in 1840.
David M. Henkel was quite a child when
his parents moved to Columbus, and there
he attended the public schools, continuing his
studies at the Capitol University, where his
theological education was also acquired. He
graduated in 1849, was ordained, and was
given charge of the Lutheran Church at
Goshen, Ind., when that State was in the
throes of first settlement. Here privations
caused his health to fail and he returned to
his home State to recuperate, in New Market,
Va. He then entered upon a career of church
upbuilding, taking a charge at Stewartsville,
N. J. In 1859 he was called to Danville. Mon-
tour Co.. Pa., and there built the church of
Trinity Lutheran congregation, serving as its
pastor for eight years. Having attached him-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
619
self to the General Council, he was next called
to Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Pa., where he
organized and built St. John's Church, remain-
ing its pastor for four years. He was next
sent to Richmond, \'a., to build up an Eng-
lish Church, but his health failing he went to
Mount Pleasant, N. C, and then to Xokomis,
111., where he remained six years. In 1882
he was obliged to retire, and coming to Cata-
wissa resided here until his death, taking no
regular charge but occasionally tilling a pulpit.
He was an able speaker, an energetic worker
for the Lord, and a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
Rev. Mr. Henkel married Heleah Anna
Maria Henkel, daughter of Solomon Henkel,
M. D.. of New Market, \'a., and they had six
children : Mary, wife of Rev. C. W. Sitiferd ;
Leah, wife of Rev. A. L. Yount; Charles,
married to a Miss Lease, of Nokomis, 111. ;
Solon; William; and Luther S. After the
death of their mother he was united, in No-
vember, 1875, to Susan C, eldest daughter of
Rev. William J. Eyer, of Catawissa. By this
union there were no children.
Rev. William J. Eyer, father of Airs.
Henkel, was born in 1803 and came to Cata-
wissa in 1838. Here he served as pastor of
the Lutheran Church until his death in 1874.
He was a noted man, an able speaker, and his
death was regretted by all who had come into
contact with him. His wife Charlotte, Mrs.
Henkel's mother, was a daughter of Frederick
C. Havemeyer, the head of the great refinery
corporation of New York and Philadelphia.
Mrs. Susan C. Henkel still survives, and lives
at the old homestead in Catawissa, in the house
her father erected when he first came to this
town. She has a large number of stanch
friends in the borough and is an interesting
conversationalist. She bears her age with dig-
nity, and for one of her years is quite active
and energetic.
FRANCIS PARVIN MASTERS, late of
Pine township, Columbia county, was a native
of Millville, that county, and belonged to an
old established family of that section, still nu-
merously represented in the vicinity. James
Masters, his father, was in business at Mill-
ville for many years, as a merchant.
Mr. Masters is a great-grandson of James
Masters, who in 1791 settled on the place in
Madison township later occupied by his son
David. There were then no improvements on
the property. James Masters made a perma-
nent home there, remaining on the place until
his death in 1832, when eighty-four years and
some months old. He built a sawmill, to which
David in time added a carding machine, and
subsequently a clover hulling machine ; the lat-
ter's son Joseph finally converted the hulling
mill into a chopping mill. James Masters
married Margaret Salkel, and they had five
children, three sons and two daughters : Isaac,
Sarah, Alartha, David and John. All lived
to be grown and raised families. Sarah mar-
ried Samuel Kester — they rode to Berks
county on horseback to be married by the
Friends' ceremony ; Martha married Andrew
Eves, son of John Eves, the pioneer; Isaac
married Paul Kester's daughter, and subse-
quently moved to Ohio ; John was a rambler,
and never made a permanent settlement ; David
married Mary Eves, a granddaughter of the
pioneer. The last mentioned couple were the
grandparents of Francis P. Masters.
David Masters was born in 1783, near Ken-
nett Square, in Chester county. Pa., and set-
tled in Madison township, on Spruce run, ad-
joining lands owned by the pioneer Eves, and
the Demotts. (This place was afterwards
owned by Conrad Kreamer.) David was
eight years old when he came with his father
to the home place ; there he grew to manhood.
He married Mary Eves, daughter of Joseph,
who was a son of John Eves, the pioneer.
To David and Mary Masters were born
George, James (mentioned below), Sarah,
Joseph, Margaret, Parvin, Mary and Elizabeth,
all living to maturity. George, born Nov. 2,
1810, in Madison township, married Margaret
Mather, settled in Millville, and had four chil-
dren, Sarah, David, Mary M. and William ;
Sarah married Daniel Rote, and located near
Millville ; Joseph married Sarah Edwards, and
subsequently moved to Muncy, Pa. ; Margaret
married Benjamin Warner, and located in
Muncy Valley ; Parvin resided in Philadel-
phia, was thrice married, having children by
each wife; Mary married George D. Keller,
who settled first in Light Street, Columbia
county, and ran a blacksmith business, after-
wards bought a farm near Watsontown,
Northumberland county, and later lived at
Muncy borough ; Elizabeth married B. Morris
Ellis, a descendant of William Cox EUis, one
of the early settlers of Muncy Valley.
James Masters, born Sept. 28, 1812, was
married Jan. i, 1835, to Abigail Rote, who was
of German descent, born March 3, 1812,
daughter of Francis and Mary Rote, the latter
of whom was a daughter of Daniel Welliver,
one of the early pioneers of Madison town-
ship. After James Masters was married he
moved to below Eyer's Grove, and operated
620
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the old Dreiblebiss mill, owned then by Frick,
Paxton & McKelvy ; this he ran until 1837,
when he moved to IMillville and took charge
of the grist and saw mill owned by his father.
This mill he conducted until about 1841, when
on account of failing health he rented it, and
for four years clerked for his brother George
and his partner, Mather. Then, on account of
the mill losing trade by his absence, in 1845
he again took charge, and gave it his personal
attention until the spring of 1849. At that
time the mill burned down and he quit the
milling business, moving to Sereno in De-
cember, 1S49, and embarking in the mercantile
business, which he carried on until 1837, when
he discontinued the store and engaged in farm-
ing. In 1850 he purchased the farm of 107
acres in Greenwood township, and in 1858
purchased the farm of 228 acres in Pine town-
ship where he resided and was afterwards en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits, increasing the
original tract to about 240 acres. He was suc-
cessful in his business. He had six daughters
and one son: iMary, Elizabeth, Francis P.,
Catharine, Sarah E., Margaret A. and Susan.
Mary married Dr. J. B. Patton ; Elizabeth
married R. L. Rich ; Francis P. is mentioned
below ; Catharine and Margaret never mar-
ried ; Susan married John Eves, the wagon
manufacturer. Only two daughters of this
family now survive.
David Rote was born Sept. 13, 1832, in
Madison township, eldest son of Daniel and
Sarah (Masters) Rote. He resided here un-
til March, 1886, when he purchased the place
known as the John Bruner farm. He married
Mary, daughter of George Welliver. whose
wife Elsie was a daughter of Simon and iMary
(Robbins) Kinney. The Kinneys were from
New Jersey, and among the early settlers in
Pine township. Mr. and Mrs. Rote had two
children, Sarah E. and Anna E.
Francis P. Masters was born Jan. 28, 1839,
and spent his early boyhood at Millville, until
ten years old. He obtained a thorough educa-
tion, receiving his preparatory training in the
home neighborhood, and later attending the
Westtown (Pa.) Boarding School, an old in-
stitution established by the Friends in 1799.
During the greater part of his active years
Mr. Masters was engaged in farming in Pine
township, where he died June 11, 1910. He
supported the Republican party on political
issues.
On June 8, 1880, ^Ir. Masters was married
to Orpha L. Eves, daughter of Wilson M. and
Amelia (Robbins) Eves, and three children
were born to this union : Alfred E., the eldest.
met an accidental death when twelve years
old, from a gunshot wound received while
hunting; Marian W., born ;\Iarch 13, 1884,
has been a teacher in the Westtown Boarding
School, and is at present a student in Colum-
bia University ; Francis P., Jr., died Feb. 28,
1893, in infancy.
Mrs. Masters is a member of an old family
of Friends which has been prominent in local
history from the time Columbia county began
to be settled. Full mention of the Eves family
will be found elsewhere in this work.
GEORGE E. CREASY, D. D. S., who is
engaged in the practice of dentistry at Ber-
wick, Columbia county, was born there May
27, 1S60, son of Stephen and Barbara (Frantz)
Creasy.
David Creasy, the grandfather of Dr.
George E. Creasy, belonged to a family of
English origin, whose progenitor in the United
States was Sir Edward Creasy, a nobleman,
who owned a large estate in England. David
Creasy was one of the early settlers of Colum-
bia Co., Pa., where he was the owner of a
large farm in the Catawissa valley, and later
moved to Mifflin township, where he spent his
last years. He died in 1872, at the age of
seventy-two years.
Stephen Creasy, son of David Creasy, and
father of Dr. George E. Creasy, learned the
trade of cabinet-maker as a young man, and
continued to follow that occupation throughout
his life. For a short time he was a resident of
Berwick, but the greater part of his life was
spent in Mifflinville, where he passed away
March 4, 1900. His wife, Barbara (Frantz)
Creasy, was born in A\'ittenberg. Germany,
whence she came to America with her mother
and the eleven other children of the family,
her father having died in the Fatherland. -Mrs.
Creasy died about 1878, the mother of six
children: Anna, who is the wife of John
Bastuscheck, of Mifflinville, Pa. ; Emmanuel,
who is deceased ; George E. ; M. Clymer, who
is proprietor of the "Exchange Hotel"' at
Mifflinville ; H. Lewis, who lives at that place,
and Eli, who died in infancy.
George E. Creasy secured his earlv educa-
tion in the public schools of ^Mifflinville. and
was subsequently granted the privileges of at-
tendance at the State Normal school. Follow-
ing a two years' course there he entered the
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany, and for sixteen years was foreman of a
division on construction work at Wapwallopen,
Luzerne Co., Pa. He took up the study of
dentistry in 1897, and subsequently entered
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
621
the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery,
graduating therefrom in 1900. Since that time
he has been located in the practice of his pro-
fession at Berwick. His skill has attracted a
large and representative practice, and he is
recognized as one of the leading members of
his profession in this section. He makes his
home at Mifflinville, but continues to maintain
his office at Berwick, where in a wide ac-
quaintance he numbers many warm friends.
He is a Mason, belonging to Knapp Lodge,
No. 462, F. & A. M., Berwick ; Caldwell Con-
sistory, three hundred and twenty, A. A. S. R.,
of Bloomsburg, and Irem Temple, A. A. O.
N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
On Jan. 24, 1888, Dr. Creasy was married
to Harriet D. Bowers, daughter of Adam and
Margaret (Mowery) Bowers, the latter now
deceased, and the former a resident of Cata-
wissa and an employee of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railroad Company. Dr. and Mrs.
Creasy have no children.
PERCY BREWINGTON has been con-
nected since 1900 with the Benton Argus, of
which he has been sole proprietor for the last
eight years. It has continued to improve
steadily under his efficient management, the
influence of his personality and public-spirited
attitude on questions of local interest having
made the paper a power in the community.
Mr. Brewington is a native of Maryland,
born April 28, 1878, in the city of Baltimore,
and he grew up at Salisbury, that State, being
educated in the public schools. His experi-
ence as a printer began in 1881, when he was
but thirteen years old. He started to learn
the trade under the guidance of his uncles, who
were doing a general printing business under
the name of Brewington Brothers. With them
he remained until he enlisted for service during
the Spanish-American war, in 1898. As a
member of Company F, ist Maryland Volun-
teers, from eastern Maryland, he was under
Captain Adams, at Fortress Monroe, later for
several months at Camp Meade, Pa., and then
at Camp McKenzie, Augusta, Ga., where he
was mustered out Feb. 28, 1899. Returning to
Salisbury, Md., he followed his trade there
for a short time, but was soon in Philadelphia,
where he worked at printing for Bradley & Co.
In 1900 he removed to Benton, Columbia
county, to work as foreman in the Argus estab-
lishment. The paper was the leading Demo-
cratic organ in the northern part of the county,
and was owned by Mr. Smith. When he
died, in August, 1900, ]\Ir. Brewington re-
mained to conduct the paper for the widow.
In December of the same year, in company
with A. H. Edgar, Mr. Brewington purchased
it, this association lasting until May, 1906,
when Mr. Brewington acquired the sole owner-
ship, and the entire management has remained
in his hands since. From June, 1906, until
August, 1908, he also owned and ran two other
Columbia county papers, the Democratic
Daily Sentinel and the Seuii-U'eckly Sentinel,
both of which were published at Bloomsburg.
They were, like the Argus, representative
Democratic papers, doing recognized work for
the party in this section. The subscription
list of the Argus has increased greatly during
Mr. Brewington's ownership. His activity in
the Democratic party has kept him in close
touch with its proceedings, enabling him to
present its affairs to his readers most reliably.
He is now county chairman for the party, and
State committeeman, and for the last twelve
years has been a member of the Columbia
county committee. He has been delegate to
several State conventions at Harrisburg. Mr.
Brewington's interest in business has made him
an active member of the Board of Trade at
Benton; he belongs to the Benton Cemetery
Association. Socially he has numerous con-
nections, being a member of Benton Lodge,
No. 746, I. O. O. F., and the Benton Encamp-
ment of Odd Fellows, No. 207 ; of Camp No.
123, P. O. S. of A., Benton; the Knights of
the Maccabees, also at Benton ; and the B. P.
O. Elks at Bloomsburg. His religious asso-
ciation is with the Christian Church.
Mr. Brewington married Elizabeth G.
Kline, of Stillwater, Columbia county, and they
have had six children: Robert K., born Nov.
17, 1902; Marion P., ilarch 3, 1904; Harvard
S., Oct. I, 1905; Madge E., April 19, 1909;
Woodrow G., Oct. 23 1912 ; John, May 4, 1914.
Abram Kline, Mrs. Brewington's great-
grandfather, was one of the four brothers who
came to Pennsylvania from New Jersey and
settled in the vicinity of Stillwater and Orange.
He farmed at Stillwater the rest of his life.
He was born in 1767, and died in 1838. His
wife's maiden name was Whiteman, and they
had children as follows : George married Anna
Roberts ; Abram married a Roberts ; John
married a Kissner ; Isaac A. is mentioned
below ; Samuel married a Davis ; Jacob mar-
ried a Fritz ; Matthias married a Herr ; Anna
married John Laubau; Mary married Peter
Coleman.
Isaac A. Kline, son of Abram, was born Feb.
2, 1802, and died in 1887 at the old homestead
at Stillwater, in Fishingcreek township. He
was a blacksmith and farmer, owning eight
622
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
acres, partly cleared and part in timber, and
he followed general farming practically all his
days. In religion he was a member of the
Methodist Church. Mr. Kline was married
to IMaria McHenry, whose death occurred in
September, 1853. She was the mother of the
following children : Elizabeth married Uriah
Van Horn ; !Mary married Samuel McHenry ;
Cordelia married Jeremiah Stiles ; Sarah Ann
married Jacob Hess ; Thomas entered the
Union service in the Civil war, in 1861, was
mortally wounded at Petersburg, and died
July 4, 1864, at David's Island, N. Y. ; Cath-
erine died young ; John L. C. is mentioned
below ; Almira Eveline married F. M. Lutz :
R. William Everett married a Belles ; Harriet
Ida married a Sitler ; Lola Elnora married
William Jacoby.
John L. C. Kline was born at Stillwater,
Columbia county, Nov. 13, 1844, and grew up
there, receiving a common school education.
In his youth he had a thorough training to the
trade of blacksmith, which he followed at Ben-
ton from the close of the Civil war. In 1864
he enlisted, entering Company E, looth Penn-
sylvania \'olunteers, under Capt. Daniel P.
Buck and Col. Norman J. ]\Iaxwell. He took
part in the actions' at Petersburg and Fort
Stedman, was one of the first over the breast-
works at Petersburg, and was also on the
South Side Road. After muster out at Har-
risburg he resumed blacksmithing at Benton.
By his marriage to Elmira Stiles Mr. Kline
has had three children : Cora, wife of Andrew
J. ^IcHenry; Jennie, wife of Riter Hedden ;
and Elizabeth G., Mrs. Percy Brewington, of
Benton. Mr. Kline is a member of the P. O.
S. of A. and of the Christian Church.
Mrs. Elmira (Stiles) Kline is descended
from Jeremiah Stiles, a native of New Jersey,
who settled in Pennsylvania. He followed
farming all his life.
John Stiles, son of Jeremiah, born about
1795, died in 1855 in Columbia county, at his
home about two miles from Benton. Besides
farming, which he follow-ed all his life, he
kept hotel at Rohrsburg. His wife, Martha
(McHenry), was a daughter of Daniel and
IVIary (Stevens) McHenry. They had a
family of eight children: Mary married Elijah
Kline : Josiah is mentioned below : Susanna
married Peter Appleman : Martha married
Robert Colley ; Sarah married Elijah Albert-
son; Nancy married Russell Stoher : Richard
married Amanda Cunningham ; Hannah mar-
ried Hiram Everett.
Josiah Stiles, born in 181 5, died in 1864,
about two miles from Benton, Columbia
county. After obtaining a common school ed-
ucation he engaged in agricultural pursuits,
clearing land and following general farming.
He was a member of the Christian Church.
He was married to Beulah Albertson, daugh-
ter of John and Jane (Kitchen) Albertson,
who were from New Jersey, and to them were
born a large family: Richard married Alice
FoUmer ; Boyd married Arvilla Keppler ; John
married Ella Follmer; Hiram married Anna
Keppler ; Elizabeth married George Cole ;
Martha married Thomas Tromp ; Emma mar-
ried George Klechner ; Elmira married John
L. C. Kline.
EUGENE D. TEWKSBURY, merchant
and ex-burgess of Catawissa borough, Colum-
bia county, was born in Susquehanna county,
Pa., June 6, 1861, son of Hon. Edward M.
Tewksbury, member of the Legislature from
Columbia county from 1891 to 1894.
The Tewksbury family is of pure English
descent, dating back to earliest times. An an-
cestor of the race was John Tewksbury, a
merchant of London, who became noted as a
Biblical student, possessing a manuscript copy
of the Scriptures, which he frequently ex-
pounded in the meetinghouses of the time.
One of his descendants was Reuben Tewks-
bury, grandfather of Eugene D. Tewksbury,
who came from his birthplace in \'ermont to
Susquehanna county. Pa., in 1803, and died
on his farm there in 1861.
Edward M. Tewksbury, father of Eugene
D., was born in Brooklyn, Susquehanna Co.,
Pa., Sept. 10, 1837, son of Reuben and Mary
(Cory) Tewksbury, the latter a native of
Rhode Island. He was a farmer and school
teacher, coming in 1869 to Catawissa township,
where he bought the farm of 160 acres upon
which the latter part of his life was spent.
He was a temperance advocate and a pioneer
in advancing the no-fence law, his fences being
the first to be removed in the township. His
death occurred Jan. 12, 1901, at the age of
sixty-three. His wife passed away in 1902.
Both are laid at rest in the Mclntire ceme-
tery, in this township. They had two chil-
dren: Martha D.. wife of Rev. John S. Souser,
pastor of the Methodist Church at Hunting-
don, Pa., and Eugene D.
Eugene D. Tewksbury came to this county
with his parents at the age of seven, and en-
tered the public schools, working during vaca-
tions upon the home farm, which he left in
1903 to engage in the mercantile business in
Catawissa. Until 1908 he carried on business
as a dealer in farming implements and fer-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
623
tilizers, and in that year established his present
well stocked hardware store, also handling
vehicles and building materials. He has the
largest business of the kind in the county,
housed in a three-story building, and with a
warehouse attached, 27 by 45 feet, well stocked
with goods and implements. Mr. Tewksbury
also operates the old homestead. In 1909 he
was elected burgess of Catawissa, a position
which he filled with credit and satisfaction to
his constituents. In politics he is a Democrat.
On March 22, 1884, Mr. Tewksbury mar-
ried Hannah E. Erwin, daughter of William
and Ruthanna (Yocum) Erwin. They have
had no children. Mrs. Tewksbury is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church.
Capt. John Yocum, maternal great-grand-
father of Mrs. Tewksbury, came from Ger-
many while a youth and settled in Berks Co.,
Pa., later being one of the pioneer settlers in
Roaringcreek township, Columbia county.
Here he took up a large tract of land and
married a Miss Mclntire, by whom he had
nine children : Caleb, Jacob, John, Jessie,
William, Eliza, Sarah, Hannah and Mary.
William Yocum, son of Capt. John, married
Eliza Titsworth, and they had issue : Frank-
lin ; Ruthanna, married to William Erwin ;
Huldah, married to Samuel Cherrington ;
Isaac, living in Northumberland county ; Brit-
ton, residing in Roaringcreek township; and
Elnora, who married John Hawk.
William Erwin and his wife had issue:
Hannah E., wife of Eugene D. Tewksbury;
John W. ; Curtis L., and Harry A.
ISAIAH W. WILLITS, M. D., of Blooms-
burg, one of the oldest practicing physicians
of Columbia county, is a past president of the
County Medical Society and now serving as
one of the censors of that body. He was born
May 22, 1843, at Catawissa, Columbia Co.,
Pa., son of George H. Willits, and belongs
to a family which has been settled in this
county from Colonial times.
The Willits family is of English extrac-
tion, Richard Willits, who came from Eng-
land prior to 1650, being its first member to
locate in America. His son Thomas was born
in this country in 1650, and his son, Thomas
(2), born in 1682. located in Pennsylvania in
1738. He had a large family, one of whom
was Isaiah, the grandfather of Dr. Willits.
Isaiah Willits was born in 1732, and early
in life learned the trade of tanner, which
he followed in Catawissa, being one of the
first business men of that vicinity. He erected
a large tannery there, and resided on the
corner of First and South streets, on what
later became the property of W. W. Perry.
Isaiah Willits married Rachel Hughes, and
they became the parents of the following chil-
dren: George H., Charles, John, Matilda,
Elizabeth, Clinton and Townsend.
George H. Willits, the Doctor's father, was
born at Catawissa. Upon the death of his
father he took charge of the tannery, which
he conducted until he was obliged to give up
the business on account of failing health. It
being necessary for him to obtain open-
air work, he took a contract to build a half
mile of the Pennsylvania canal along the
rocks of that vicinity. One year later he
engaged in coal mining in Schuylkill county,
shipping the product of his mine to the city
of Philadelphia. Selling out his interest in the
boats, he purchased some three hundred acres
of good land opposite Catawissa from his
father's estate, where he followed agricultural
pursuits until 1867. He then disposed of his
property and settled in Catawissa, where he
spent the remainder of his life in retirement,
dying March 22, 1881, at the age of seventy-
eight years. He was an active member of the
Republican party, in 185 1 was elected for a
five years' term as associate judge (up to
that time the only Republican ever elected to
the office from his district), and later served
as postmaster and in various minor positions.
He was united in marriage with Jane Clark,
a daughter of John Clark, one of Catawissa's
early and prominent merchants. She died
Jan. II, 1883, aged seventy-three years. Mr.
and Mrs. Willits are interred in the Friends'
burying ground at Catawissa. They had chil-
dren as follows : Twin daughters, who died
in infancy ; Isaiah W. ; Jane Cordelia, born
in 1850, who died in 1888; and Charles Clark,
for many years a physician and druggist of
Catawissa, and later the proprietor of one of
the leading dry goods stores of Sunbury,
Northumberland county.
Isaiah W. Willits went to public school until
twelve years old, after which he took a course
of two years' study in the select school of
Eaton and W'ells, at Bloomsburg, and spent
one year in the Greenwood Seminary, at Mill-
ville, Pa. Then after a year's study in Wyom-
ing Seminary, at Kingston, he became a clerk
in the store of W. Bittenbender & Co., of
which firm his father was a silent partner.
He remained there one year, and then for
two years was engaged in a similar capacity
for D. G. Driesbach, at Beach Haven, Pa.
On Aug. 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company H,
I32d Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., of which he
624
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was made orderly sergeant when the company
was organized. He was but nineteen years
of age when he was promoted to the rank of
first Heutenant, Dec. 9, 1862. Among the en-
gagements in which he took part were those
of Antietam and Fredericksburg, and at the
latter he was struck in the knee by a piece of
shell, from the effects of which he has never
fully recovered. He was sent to the hospital
at Georgetown for treatment. From there he
was transferred to Judiciary Square hospital,
Washington, D. C. The latter part of January,
1862, he rejoined his regiment at camp near
Falmouth, Va., and was with his command at
the battle of Chancellorsville, Va,, May i to
5, 1863, after which he was discharged with
his regiment at Harrisburg, Pa., May 24, 1863,
on account of expiration of term of service.
After spending a couple of weeks at home he
recruited another company. Company E, of
the 30th P. V. I., became its captain June 20,
1863, and as such reentered the service. It
was assigned to the Department of the Sus-
quehanna under Gen. D. N. Couch. During
its term of si.x months this command was en-
gaged principally in guarding the Cumberland
Valley railroad and on other duty in Pennsyl-
vania. On leaving the army the young officer
began the study of medicine with Dr. John
K. Robins, of Catawissa, and in 1864 entered
Jefferson Medical College, attending until
1866. That year he began practice in Cen-
tralia, where he remained until his removal
to Catawissa in 1867. In 1874 he returned to
Jefferson Medical College and completed the
course in 1875. Settling again at Catawissa,
he continued to practice there until he went to
Roanoke, Va., in August, 1883. On March 17,
1885, he took up his residence at Bloomsburg,
where his success was immediate. He has
remained there since, in command of a large
patronage, and many of the most intelligent
residents are numbered among his patients.
He has specialized in the treatment of hernia
for upwards of twenty years.
Dr. Willits has also dealt extensively in
real estate, owning a number of farms in
Pennsylvania and in West Virginia, where he
has also bought and built a few houses. He is
a public-spirited man and takes an active in-
terest in the town of Bloomsburg.
On March 29, 1866, Dr. Willits married
Marcilia R. Reifsnyder, of Catawissa. She
passed away Nov. 2, 1877, and on April 9,
1879, he married Mrs. Kate P. (Scott) Reif-
snyder, daughter of George and IMary Scott.
Politically the Doctor is a Republican, and
he has served one term as councilman.
Socially he is a Knight Templar Mason and
a member of the G. A. R.
MORRISON ELIJAH JACKSON was
born m Berwick, Pa., Feb. 10, 1817. His
father, Joel Jackson, was a native of Goshen,
N. Y., and his mother of Chester county.
Pa., and of the Quaker faith. His father came
to Berwick in the early part of the last century
and resided there until his death, in 1850.
Mr. Jackson obtained such education as was
possible, mainly by his own efforts, and com-
menced the study of the law in his twentieth
year with Judge Cooper, at Danville. He was
admitted to practice at the Columbia county
bar on motion of George A. Frick, Esq., now
deceased, on the i6th of November, 1840, and
at the Luzerne county bar on the 5th of Janu-
ary, 1841. He opened an office in Berwick,
where he remained in continuous practice, ap-
pearing, as occasion required, before the sev-
eral courts in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour,
Sullivan, Wyoming, Carbon and Schuylkill
counties ; also before the District and Supreme
courts of the United States for the Western
district, and the Supreme court of the State.
He was at the time of his death the senior
member of the bar of Columbia county, and
president of the bar association. He was a
successful practitioner, and held deservedly
high place among his associates.
In politics Mr. Jackson belonged to the Dem-
ocratic party, which sent him to the Legisla-
ture in 1852, and was an active member of
the organization in the county, assisting in the
yearly canvass with the force and effect that a
positive man always exerts. His influence was
also strong in its bearing on the borough gov-
ernment, and as a member of the council he
served a number of terms to the advantage
alike of the corporation and the taxpayers.
In a business way he was a man possessed
of more than ordinary good judgment, and
amassed a large property. From its incep-
tion he was a director of the First National
Bank, being a considerable stockholder therein
and the attorney thereof. He was a trustee on
behalf of the State of the Normal School at
Bloomsburg. He stood well up in the Ma-
sonic fraternity, as a member of the Berwick
lodge. He belonged to the Methodist Episco-
pal Church for twenty-seven years, and was
a class leader therein a number of years.
Mr. Jackson, in 1843, married Anne S. Gil-
more, and their children were as follows:
Charles Buckalew, who married Emma Camp-
bell ; Anne Gilmore, wife of Andrew K. Os-
c^^ <S- M^c/^c^^^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
625
wald; and Elmira, George and Robert, who
died young.
Mr. Jackson had not known good health for
a number of years, being a sufferer from dia-
betes, and though it was thought possible the
death summons might come it was by no
means looked for at the time. Until near the
time of dissolution it was supposed that Mr.
Jackson was simply suffering from one of his
occasional attacks, the severity of which would
wear off, and his' normal condition be re-
sumed in a few days.
A meeting of the bar association of Colum-
bia county was convened at the courthouse, in
Bloomsburg, on the 25th day of July, 1879,
at 7 o'clock p. M., John G. Freeze, vice presi-
dent of the association, in the chair. Judge
Elvvell, being called upon by the chair to state
the object of the meeting, did so as follows :
"Gentlemen : In pursuance of a melancholy
usage, we have assembled here this evening to
express our regret at the loss of the worthy
president of this association, who has fallen
by the hand of death. We meet not simply be-
cause it is the custom, but because we desire
to commemorate the virtue and worth of our
deceased brother, and to place upon record our
high regard of his character as a man, and his
ability and example as a lawyer. Morrison
E. Jackson was the senior member of the bar
of Columbia county. He was admitted to the
bar on the i6th day of November, 1840, and
from that time down to within a few days of
his death he was engaged in active practice.
It may be said with truth that he died with
the professional harness on. During all that
time no man can say of him that he was other
than an honorable opponent. His course was
plain, transparent and clear. He required no
writing to back what he said. His w^ord was
his bond. His loss to the younger members of
the profession is great, and will be deeply felt,
for his example was conspicuous for good, and
will be much missed by those who will suc-
ceed the older members of the bar. Promi-
nent in that example was his industry in the
preparation of his cases, and his prudence in
managing his own affairs as well as those in-
trusted to him by others. As a legislator, as
a member of the bar, and in all the walks of
life, you who knew him so well will attest
that he acted well his part. He tried to enjoy
the confidence and esteem of all whose praise
and confidence were worth having. Though
dead, his example yet speaketh."
The following resolutions were then pre-
sented by Judge Ehvell for the consideration
of the meeting, which on motion of Charles
40
B. Brockway, Esq., seconded by E. H. Little,
Esq., were unanimously adopted :
Where.xs. We have learned with deep regret of
the death of Morrison E. Jackson, president of the
bar association of Colum1)ia county, and desire to
express appropriately the opinion and feeling of the
members of the bar in relation to the deceased, as
also our deep sense of the loss which we have sus-
tained in common with the community ; therefore.
Resolved, That the members of the bar feel with
deep sensibility the loss which they have sustained
by the death of Morrison E. Jackson, who for nearly
thirty-nine years has been actively engaged in pro-
fessional life in our midst.
Resolved, That by indefatigable industry, and un-
remitting devotion to the study and practice of law,
united with a strict regard for the courtesy of the
profession, and by the purity and uprightness of
his life, and the estimable qualities which belonged
to him as a man, our deceased brother has left be-
hind him a reputation which will long live in the
recollection of the bar and the community.
Resolved, That we tender to the family of our de-
parted friend the assurance of our profound sym-
pathy in their great bereavement, and that a com-
mittee of three be appointed to communicate a copy
of these proceedings to the family of the deceased,
and that they be entered among the records of the
association, and published in the papers of the county.
Resolved, That the inembers of the bar as a body
will attend the funeral of our brother.
The chair appointed Hon. C. R. Buckalew,
C. B. Brockway and R. R. Little, Esqs., the
committee to communicate the proceedings to
the family of the deceased.
The following named lawyers were students
in the office of the late M. E. Jackson: Hon.
C. R. Buckalew, Hon. Aaron J. Dietrick, Silas
Buzzard, Alfred Hall, Hon. A. H. Dill, W.
A. Peck, L. T. Thompson, M. F. Stiles and
C. B. Jackson, most of whom have become dis-
tinguished in their profession.
All places of business in Berwick were
closed on Saturday, July 26, 1879. The
streets were full of people, and appearances
indicated that something unusual was about
to take place. It was the time appointed for
the burial of Morrison E. Jackson, one of
Berwick's prominent and most highly respected
citizens. The services began at the late resi-
dence of the deceased, at i : 30 o'clock in the
afternoon, with prayer, and the procession then
formed and went directly to the graveyard.
The bar association of Columbia county and
inembers of the bar from other counties led the
procession, headed by Judge Elwell and Joshua
Coiuly, Esq., of Montour county. The Masons
came next, representing the following lodges :
Knapp Lodge, Washington Lodge, Catawissa,
Danville and Shickshinny Lodges. The pall
bearers were Hon. C. R. Buckalew, Hon. J. G.
Freeze, E. R. Ikeler, S. Knorr, C. G. Barkley,
626
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
A. C. Smith, C. W. ]\Iiller and J. B. Robison,
Esqs. After the burial the procession returned
to the M. E. Church, where appropriate serv-
ices were held, Revs. Smyser, Dickson and W.
T. D. Clemm taking part, the latter preaching
the sermon. Mr. Clemm belonged to Balti-
more Conference, and was an old friend of the
deceased.
Among the large number of people in at-
tendance at the funeral to show their respect
to the memory of Mr. Jackson were Maj.
Robert Klotz, of !Mauch Chunk, member of
Congress from the district, Hon. Steuben Jen-
kins, Alexander Farnham and M. E. Walker,
Esqs., of the Luzeme bar, and besides the
members of the bar were David Lowenberg,
M. C. Sloan, W. H. Jacoby, Sheriff Hoffman,
C. F. Knapp, and many others from Blooms-
burg. Morrison E. Jackson had many friends,
and he w-ill be missed elsewhere as well as at
home (Luzerne Legal Register, 1879).
Mr. Jackson was one of the foremost men
of his town and county, and was deeply inter-
ested in its social, political, financial and indus-
trial development. His influence was great in
all these activities, and his personality left an
impress on the community which is felt even at
this time. No one was more highly esteemed
and respected, and no one left a better exam-
ple of right living, justice and fairness.
Mr. Jackson died July 23, 1879, and is sur-
vived by his widow, who still resides at the
old homestead.
Eleazer Oswald was born in England about
1755, and died Sept. 30, 1795, in New York.
He came to America in 1770 and through sym-
pathy sided with the patriots. He was both a
soldier and a journalist. In 1775 he was sec-
retary to Benedict Arnold, served as captain
at Ticonderoga, and in Quebec, when Arnold
was wounded, he took command and served
with great efficiency. In 1777 he rose to the
rank of lieutenant colonel. After the close of
the Revolution he engaged in the business of
printing and publishing in Philadelphia and
New York, and was politically in violent oppo-
sition to Hamilton and the Federalists. He
also entered the French army and in the battle
of Jemappes commanded an artillery regiment.
The French government sent him on a mission
to Italy, after performing which he returned
to America. He married a Miss Holt, and
their children were: Anne, who died in Phil-
adelphia at the age of ninety-three; and Wil-
liam Hunter, who married Sarah Stamper Hall
in 1819.
William Hunter Oswald, born in 1787, mar-
ried Sarah Stamper Hall, born in 1792, and
they had these children : ( i ) Richard Willing,
born Nov. 10, 1819, married Alargaret George.
(2) William Hunter, born Nov. 9, 1820, mar-
ried Annie Kaufl:'man in 1850, and had these
children: Andrew Kauffman, born in 1851 ;
Richard Willing, 1853; Sarah Catharine, 1855.
(3) Eleazer was born Oct. 17, 1821. (4)
Joseph was born in September, 1823. Mr.
Oswald was an Episcopalian and a member of
the St. George Society, of Philadelphia.
Andrew Kauft'man Oswald was born in
1851 in Washington, Lancaster Co., Pa., and
was educated in Professor Egg's College,
Mechanicsburg, Pa. He studied law with
Thomas Jackson at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and
was admitted to the bar of Blair county and
later at Scranton, in 1879, ^"d to the Colum-
bia and Luzerne county bars the same year.
He married .Anne Gilmore Jackson in Berwick,
June 15, 1880, and they have one son, Morri-
son Jackson Oswald.
Richard Willing Oswald was born in 1853
and for years he was sales agent of the Jack-
son & Woodin Company. He next went to
Lockard Brothers, of Bloomsburg, and leav-
ing them started a pipe foundry in Waverly,
N. Y. He is now with the Westinghouse peo-
ple. Politically he is a Republican, and in
religion an Episcopalian. He married Eliza-
beth Woodin Hanly in 1886, and they have
these children : Richard Willing, born in 1887 ;
Eudora Hanly, born in 1888, who married
John Colt and has one child, Elizabeth Oswald ;
Hanly Woodin, born in 1893; and William
Hunter, born in 1895.
]\Iorrison Jackson Oswald was born in Ber-
wick in 1882, and educated in the public schools
and Swarthniore Preparatory College. He
took a course in law at Princeton University,
and then returned to Berwick to enter the
First National Bank. He spent one year at
the University of Pennsylvania. He next en-
tered the sales department of the American
Car & Foundry Company, remaining about
one year, and is now with the J. G. Brill Com-
pany, of Philadelphia. In 191 1 he married
Elizabeth Beatty, of Philadelphia, and they
have one child, Alorrison Jackson Oswald, 2d,
born Sept. 15, 1912.
The Doan family is of Norman-French
origin, the founders having settled in England
about the time of the Conquest. The name
was originally D'Oane, and was changed in
time to Doane, Doan, Donne, Done and Don.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
627
The Dones of Cheshire were the most promi-
nent, being spoken of as a race of warriors
from the time of King John. The name ap-
pears in the Domesday Book, where a number
of them are mentioned as knights. Some of
the coats of arms indicate that they were in
the Crusades with Richard Coeur de Lion, and
the name appears on the rolls of the battles of
Flodden Field, Agincourt and Blackheath.
In the year i ipg Richard Done resided at the
old hall of Utkinton, one mile north of Tar-
poley, Cheshire, during the reign of King
John. In the reign of Henry III, Henry Done
married Jane, fourth daughter of Richard de
Kyngslie. In the forty-fourth year of the
same king Richard Donne married Elizabeth,
daughter of Sir John Venables. In the eighth
year of the same king's reign Richard Donne
married Joan, daughter of Sir Peter Gerard.
In the forty-fourth year of the reign of
Edward III, Richard Doane married Anne,
daughter of William de Clotten. In the fif-
teenth year of the reign of Henry \'l John
Donne married Annie, daughter of Richard de
Heaton. In the thirty-eighth year of the same
reign Sir John Done married Cicily, daughter
of Sir John Troutbeck.
In the twentieth year of the reign of Henry
VH Sir John Done married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Thomas de Wever. In the fourth year
of the reign of Elizabeth, Sir John Done,
aged fifteen years, was buried at Tarpoley
(1561) and his estate was settled on Ralph
Done, of Flacyards. In the reign of James I.
Sir John Done, knight, was buried at Tar-
poley ( 1629) . He had been knighted at Utkin-
ton, Cheshire, in 1617, and married Dorothy,
daughter of Thomas Wilbraham, of Woodley.
The Done motto, attached to the portrait of
Sir John Done, in Tarpoley church, reads as
follows : "Omnia-Mei-Dona-Dei."
The first of the family to come to America
was John Doane, who landed at Eastham,
Mass., then in the jurisdiction of Plymouth,
in 1630, with the Leyden Company of Colon-
ists. He was assistant to the governor, and
through his connection with Plymouth Church
was called "Deacon" John. He was one of
the Seven Founders of Eastham, Cape Cod.
He was born in 1590 and died Feb. 21, 1685.
Dr. Daniel Doan, son of Deacon John, born
in 1636, died in 1712, at Eastham. Daniel
Doan, Jr., son of Daniel Doan, Sr., was born
at Eastham, and died at Newton, Bucks Co.,
Pa., in 1743. Joseph Doan, son of Daniel, was
born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1697, and died at
Cane Creek, N. C. Ebenezer Doan, son of
Joseph, was born at Wrightstown, Pa., in
1733, and died near Toronto, Canada, in 1818.
Jonathan Doan, Sr., son of Ebenezer, born
in Bucks county in 1756, died in New York
City in 1818. He was first married to Mary
Beans, daughter of Timothy Beans, of Tini-
cum, Bucks county. They had five children :
Jonathan, Jr., Aaron, David, Rebecca and Cyn-
thia. By his second marriage, to Mary Hig-
gins, of New York City, he had one child,
George W., mentioned below. His last wife
died in Burlington, N. J., at the age of eighty-
four.
George W. Doane, bishop of New Jersey,
was born in Trenton May 27, 1799, and died in
Burlington, N. J., April 17, 1859. He mar-
ried in Boston, in 1829, Elizabeth Green (Cal-
lahan ) Perkins, widow of James Perkins, and
their children v^-ere George Hobart and Wil-
liam Croswell, mentioned below.
George Hobart Doane was born Sept. 5,
1830. He was appointed vicar general of the
diocese of Newark, N. J., in 1873, by Bishop
Corrigan, became administrator of the diocese,
and was finally transferred to New York City,
as coadjutor of Cardinal McCloskey.
William Croswell Doane was born in Bos-
ton March 2, 1832. He graduated from Burl-
ington College in 1850, and on Nov. 24, 1853,
he married Sarah Catherine Condit. In the
same year he was ordained deacon by his
father on March 6th, in St. Mary's Church,
Burlington, and in 1856 was elevated to the
priesthood. He was rector of St. Peter's
Church from 1865 to 1869, was chosen first
bishop of Albany, N. Y., in December, 1868,
and consecrated Feb. 2, 1869, by Bishops Ho-
ratio Potter, Neely Robertson and Littlejohn.
Old records of IBucks county, Pa., state that
in 1 691 Francis Done received a grant of land
near Newtown from William Penn.
Israel Doan was a son of Joseph Doan,
whose son Elijah was the father of Benjamin
Doan, who was born Nov. 12, 1770, in Bucks
county. Pa. In 1798 Benjamin Doan was
married to Hannah Iddings, a member of the
Society of Friends. Their children were as
follows: Joseph; Ehzabeth ; William, who
married Margaret Fitzgerald; Amelia, who
died young; Elijah, who married Wilhelmina
Moyer; Jane, who married Stephen M. Gil-
more; Benjamin Groves, who married Lucy
Moyer : Hannah, who married George Brown ;
Sarah Ann, who married John T. Davis ; and
Harriet, who married Joseph Wolfe.
Elizabeth (Doan) Jackson was born in
1796, and was married to Joel Jackson, a resi-
dent of the State of New York. Their chil-
dren were as follows: Mordecai ^^'illiam;
628
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Morrison E., who married Anne S. Gilmore;
Emily, wife of Hudson Owen; Harriet, wife
of Jacob Diettrick ; ]\Iartha, wif^ of Clinton
D. McHenry; Elizabeth, wife of Hudson
Owen ; and Alary.
JOHX HERVEY AIKMAN, of Centre
township, Columbia county, where he owns
and operates the Cabin Run farm, is one of
the well known residents of that section, being
identified with public affairs and business as
well as agricultural interests. He is serving
as justice of the peace, is treasurer and one
of the directors of the \Vhite Milling Com-
pany, of Bloomsburg, and associated with the
Briar Creek Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance
Company. The family has been settled in
Centre township for considerably over a
century.
The Aikman family is of Scotch-Irish ex-
traction, and its founder in America, Alex-
ander Aikman, a native of Ireland, came to
this country from the North of Ireland. For
some time he lived in Morris county, N. J.,
whence he emigrated to Columbia county, Pa.,
during the progress of the Revolutionary war,
about 1777-78, bringing with him his wife and
children. In New Jersey he had married
Mary Lewis. He located on a tract of land
which he purchased, the land upon which his
grandson Levi Aikman afterwards resided
being part of this purchase, but about half a
mile west of where the pioneer made his home.
When Alexander Aikman arrived there were
few settlers in the vicinity, and his land in
Briarcreek valley was covered with a heavy
growth of timber. He had to cut down the
trees to obtain the logs of which his cabin was
constructed, and began the work of clearing.
Mr. Aikman had come on ahead with three
sons to look after the preliminary work neces-
sary for the establishment of the home, his
wife and the younger children remaining be-
hind at Sunbury, Northumberland county.
After getting his nine hundred acres located,
his cabin built, and three acres of turnips
planted, he went back to Sunbury with his
three sons to bring out the rest of the family.
Before their preparations for the trip were
completed the Indian troubles broke out, mak-
ing the new home in what was then considered
the extreme west unsafe, and accordingly Mr.
Aikman was glad to take advantage of an
opportunity to sell six hundred acres of his
purchase. "He afterwards often related how
the compensation he got for this large tract
was realized from the sale of thirty yards of
tow cloth, he having been obliged to take his
pay in Continental money." The family re-
turned to Morris county, N. J., but came west
again after the Indian troubles subsided, and
here Alexander Aikman and his wife passed
the remainder of their lives. He died first,
towards the close of the eighteenth century,
Mrs. Aikman surviving him for some time ;
they are buried near Light Street, in Scott
township, but not in a regular cemetery, as
there was none in the county at the time of
their death. They had a family of seven chil-
dren. Jilr. Aikman was a Presbyterian in re-
ligious faith. When he came to this region
the bears and wolves were still here in large
numbers, and his son Levi was often heard to
say that when the family arrived here deer
were more plentiful than sheep in his later
days. Alexander Aikman became quite a skill-
ful deer hunter, and also killed a number of
bears.
Levi Aikman, Sr., son of Alexander and
Mary (Lewis) Aikman, the second of their
family, was born in 1766 in New Jersey, and
was but a boy when he came with his father
and three brothers to this section. He had
received some education in his native State,
but after the family settled here he had only
a month or so of schooling, the facilities at
that time being very meager, and his help at
home necessary. He spent his boyhood and
young manhood assisting his father, with
whom he remained until his marriage. Before
that event he bought the land on which his
son Levi later resided, and on which he had
previously put some work, he and his wife
settling there when they began housekeeping.
He owned about 330 acres in Centre township,
partly covered with timber, and followed
farming there until about fifteen years before
his death, passing the remainder of his days
in retirement. When about thirty years old
Mr. Aikman married Margaret Hutchison,
who was born in Northampton county. Pa.,
where she was reared ; her father was a
farmer. Her parents died when she was a
child, and she subsequently came to Columbia
county. Her ancestors were of Scotch-Irish
extraction. Mr. Aikman died in 1846, six or
eight years after the death of his wife. They
are buried in the cemetery of the Hidlay Union
Church. In politics he was a Whig, in re-
ligious connection a Presbyterian. Eight chil-
dren were born to Levi Aikman and his wife
Margaret, namely: Sarah, wife of George
Hidlay ; Esther, wife of Abraham Willett ;
Elizabeth, who died when three or four years
old; Mary, wife of James Dewitt ; John Wil-
son: Margaret: Levi, and Tames Emmett.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
629
Levi Aikman, Jr., the youngest but one of
his parents' family, was born March 4, 1816,
on the farm in what is now Centre township
where he resided until his death, which oc-
curred Sept. 10, 1888. He was reared on that
place and passed all his life there, removing
only once, from an old house to a new one.
He had such advantages as the subscription
schools of his day afforded, and when a young
man taught school for three terms, but he had
been trained to farming and preferred that
work. He owned 150 acres, all of the im-
provements upon which were his own work,
and he erected the dwelling, barn and other
buildings. The farm now occupied by his
son-in-law, A. C. Creasy, in Centre township
was owned by him and his brother James E.
also. He and this brother farmed together
for twenty years, the latter making his home
with Levi Aikman. Mr. Aikman was one of
the organizers of the Briar Creek Farmers'
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was re-
garded as one of the intelligent men of his
community, and one whose upright life and
character commended him to universal esteem.
Originally a Whig in politics, he cast his first
vote for Henry Clay, and afterwards joined
the ranks of the Republican party.
On April 24, 1849, ^^r. Aikman married, in
Hemlock township, this county, Elizabeth Ohl,
who was born in that township, daughter of
John and Lena (Girton) Ohl, the former of
"German ancestry, the latter of English ex-
traction. John Ohl came to this county with
his parents in boyhood, from ]\Iontgomery
county. Pa. His father, Henry Ohl, who
served as a captain in the Revolutionary war,
died when eighty-six years old, and he and
his wife were buried in the Lutheran ceme-
tery at Bloomsburg, this county, but their
bodies have been removed to Rosemont ceme-
tery. John Ohl died in 1855, aged sixty-three
years, eleven months; his wife in 1869, aged
seventy. They are buried in Rosemont ceme-
tery, Bloomsburg. Mrs. John Ohl was born in
Hemlock township, this county ; her parents
came hither from New Jersey.
Mrs. Aikman died on the home farm Feb.
I, 1908, almost twenty years after the death
of her husband. They are buried in the ceme-
tery of the Hidlay Church. They were mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr.
Aikman was particularly active in church
work, serving as elder, teacher in the Sunday
school and superintendent of the latter for a
period of twenty-five years. Four children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Aikman: John
Hervey is mentioned below ; Lena Margaret,
born Aug. 29, 1853, died July 17, 1913, mar-
ried Arthur C. Creasy, of Centre township;
Clara Elizabeth, born Jan. 3, 1856, married
H. V. White, an attorney and business man of
Bloomsburg ; and Mary Alvernon, born May
31, i860, resides with her brother John.
John Hervey Aikman was born June 5,
1850, on the paternal homestead in Centre
township, obtained his early education in the
public schools of the home locality, and later
attended the State Normal school at Blooms-
burg, from which he was graduated. He
taught public school in Centre, AJifflin and
Scott townships, this county, and subsequently
remained at home assisting his father until
January, 1888, when he took a position as
bookkeeper with the School Furniture Com-
pany of Bloomsburg, with which concern he
was associated until 1900. During most of
the time he was secretary of the company and
also acted as manager. Returning to the
homestead he resumed farming, and has con-
tinued in that line ever since, carrying on
general agricultural pursuits and stock rais-
ing. He owns a tract of 105 acres in Centre
township, ninety acres of which he has under
cultivation. He has been very successful, and
has demonstrated his business ability in other
enterprises as well, being treasurer and one
of the directors of the White Milling Com-
pany of Bloomsburg, and director and mem-
ber of the executive committee of the Briar
Creek Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com-
pany, which his father helped to organize.
Politically he is a strong Republican, and he
has served three years as assessor of Centre
township. He was elected justice of the peace
three times, filling the office in all some thir-
teen years.
J.\MEs Emmett Aikman, brother of Levi
Aikman, Jr., was born April 28, 1819, in what
is now Centre township, Columbia county,
and remained on the home farm until his par-
ents died, following farming. He worked for
his father until he reached his majority, after
which they operated the place on shares, and
after the father's death he and his brother
Levi purchased the homestead, James buying
about one hundred acres. A good part of this
he kept under first-class cultivation, the bal-
ance being timber. He and his brother
farmed in partnership for twenty years. Mr.
Aikman was a strong Union sympathizer, and
during the Civil war contributed liberally of
his means in support of the cause. He was a
Republican in politics, belonged to the Pa-
trons of Husbandry, and in religious connec-
tion was a Presbyterian. He was brought
630
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
up in the typical manner of his time, receiv-
ing his education in the subscription schools
then common in country districts, which he at-
tended for about three months of the year,
the rest of the time helping with the farm
work. He died Feb. 4, 1897.
CHESTER K. HUGHES (deceased), who
was for many years a resident of Columbia
county, was born at Catawissa, that county,
July 4, 1832, son of Charles and Mary (Roth)
Hughes.
Charles Hughes, the father, was born in the
city of Philadelphia, Pa., and removed with
his parents to Columbia county, where the
remainder of his life was spent.
Chester K. Hughes, son of Charles Hughes,
was taken by his parents to Bloomsburg when
still a lad, and there secured his educational
training in the public schools. Succeeding
this he learned the trade of saddler, and when
he had acquired a thorough knowledge of the
business went to Cambra, Pa., where he es-
tablished himself as the proprietor of a store.
He was a resident of that place at the time of
the outbreak of the Civil war, and in 1862
was successful in raising a company, of which
he was made captain, his command becoming
Company I, of the 143d Regiment, Pennsyl-
vania \'olunteer Infantry. Later he was ad-
vanced to the rank of major, then to lieutenant
colonel, and finally was promoted to colonel
of his regiment, in which capacity he was
mustered out at Hart Island, twenty miles
from New York, receiving his honorable dis-
charge in 1865. His service was a long and
faithful one, and was characterized by
bravery and faithful adherence to duty.
Returning to Cambra, Pa., he resided there
until 1866, at which time the family moved
to Wilkes-Barre, and there Mr. Hughes be-
came proprietor of what was known as the
"Mitchell House," continuing to be the host
of this popular hostelry for three years, when
he again went to Cambra for a short period.
Following this he removed to Shamokin,
where he was coal inspector for the Reading
Company, in which position he had charge
of thirty collieries. He continued to dis-
charge its duties efficiently until his death,
Sept. 12, 1889. He was buried in the Pine
Grove cemetery. While residing at Berwick
Colonel Hughes belonged to Captain Jackson
Post, of the Grand Army of the Republic, of
which he was commander for some time, and
upon his removal to Shamokin became a mem-
ber of Lincoln Post, of which he was com-
mander at the time of his death. Throughout
his life he was a faithful member of the
Lutheran Church, towards whose work he
was a liberal contributor.
While residing in Cambra, Pa., Colonel
Hughes was united in marriage with Harriet
Buckalew, who is a daughter of James and
Catherine (Jones) Buckalew. Nine children
have been born to this union, of which four
still survive, namely : James, who is now a
resident of Berwick ; Jennie, wife of J. S.
Hicks, superintendent of the Berwick Water
Company, a sketch of whose life appears else-
where ; John, an engineer in the employ of the
Reading Railroad Company, who is residing
at Tamaqua, Pa. ; and z^lbert, a skilled electri-
cian, residing at Shamokin.
James Buckalew, the father of Mrs.
Hughes, was for long years an agriculturist
in the vicinity of Cambra, Pa., where he also
was the proprietor of a hotel and success-
fully engaged in the mercantile business. He
married Catherine Jones, and both died at
Cambra. Of their nine children, Harriet is
the only survivor.
Mrs. Harriet (Buckalew) Hughes, daugh-
ter of James Buckalew, and widow of Col.
Chester K. Hughes, was born April 15, 1835,
at Cambra, Pa., and there grew to woman-
hood and received her education, remaining
at home with her parents until her marriage.
Like her husband she took a keen interest in
Grand Army work, and while residing here
at Berwick was long connected with the
Womans Relief Corps. On her removal with
Colonel Hughes to Shamokin she found no
branch of that order, and immediately set
about to organize one, her intelligent and
energetic efforts resulting in the establish-
ment of the Corps at that place. At the time
of her husband's death, in 1889, she returned
to Berwick, where she has since made her
home. Her beautiful modern residence is sit-
uated at No. 305 East Fourth street, and there
her many friends and acquaintances are al-
ways sure of a warm welcome.
LE\MS C. MENSCH, of Catawissa, Co-
lumbia county, attorney at law and borough
solicitor, was born in Franklin township, same
county, Aug. 9, 1877, son of the late Thomas
M. M'ensch.
The Alensch family is an old one in the
county, founded here by Johannes Christian
Mensch, a native of Germany. He was bom
Jan. 30, 1745, and his wife Sabina, Feb. 8,
1753. They came to America in company
with Adam and Abraham Mensch, and for a
time lived in Berks county. Pa. Subsequently
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
631
they came to Columbia county and settled in
Franklin township, where they occupied a
tract of 400 acres, 160 of which is still in the
possession of their descendants. Here Mr.
Mensch lived and died, passing away Oct. 26,
1826, at the age of eighty-one, and was
buried at Catawissa. His wife died in 1829,
at the age of seventy-six. Their children were:
Adam, a farmer and miller of Roaringcreek
township ; Abraham, for a time a farmer of
Montour township, who later moved to Buf-
falo valley, Union county, where he owned
500 acres of land; John, mentioned below;
Peter, who inherited part of his father's farm,
but later moved to the Black Hole valley, Ly-
coming county, where he died; Airs. Keiser,
who died in Berks county; and Mrs. Roden-
berger, also a resident of Berks county until
her death.
John Mensch, son of Johannes Christian,
was born Nov. 5, 1789, in Berks county, and
came to this county with his father. Inherit-
ing a part of the homestead, he purchased the
rest, and upon this extensive farm passed the
remainder of his life. He erected on it a
large barn and made numerous improvements.
He died in June, 1875, aged eighty-five years,
and was buried at Catawissa. His wife, Cath-
erine Heimbach, born Oct. 16, 1796, died
June 20, 1872, at the age of seventy-five years.
Their children were: Sarah, who married
Joseph Reitz and (second) Isaac Berger;
Michael, mentioned below ; Eliza, wife of
Charles Bitting; Jesse, who married Catherine
Shultz; Christian, who married Alargaret
Cromeley; Maria, wife of Washington Parr;
William, who married Catharine Leiby ; Abby,
wife of Lafayette Reitz; and Catherine, who
married John Sidler and (second) Jonathan
Loarman.
Michael Mensch, grandfather of Lewis C.
Mensch, was born April 11, 18 16, on the old
homestead in Franklin township, and became
owner of part of the farm upon his father's
death. Later he bought a small tract in the
same township, to which he removed, cultivat-
ing it until his death, Dec. 15, 1884. He was
school director and supervisor of the town-
ship, and prominent in public afl^airs. His
wife, Catherine (or Margaret), daughter of
John Shuman, was born May 9, 1816, and died
Feb. 26. igo2. Both are buried in the Cata-
wissa cemetery. They had four children : John
S., a farmer residing near Bloomsburg;
Thomas M., mentioned below; Catherine, wife
of Owen Clayton ; and Matilda, wife of Wil-
liam Benninger.
Thomas M. Mensch, father of Lewis C,
was born in Franklin township and followed
farming for a time. He purchased a tract of
109 acres, which was taken up April 2, 1773,
by George Muller, who obtained his title from
Thomas and John Penn. Later in life Mr.
Mensch moved to Catawissa, where he en-
gaged in the milling business until his death,
Aug. 20, 1907. He married Sarah B. Law-
rence, and they had children as follows : Jen-
nie and John G., deceased; CHnton C. and Ed-
ward C, living in Catawissa; Louis C. ; Har-
vey T., of Philadelphia; Anna M. ; and Edna
S., wife of K. S. Werner, residing at Spo-
kane, Washington.
Lewis C. Mensch attended the public schools
and the Bloomsburg State Normal school, and
later entered the Northern Indiana Law
School, at \'alparaiso, Ind., from which he
was graduated May 13, 1900. He was ad-
mitted to practice at the Columbia county bar
June 4, 1900, and also practices before the
State Supreme court and the United States
courts. He has a rapidly growing practice and
is one of the rising men of the county. At
present he is borough solicitor. He was one
of the organizers of the All Wear Shoe Com-
pany, of Catawissa, and is now a director and
treasurer of that concern. Mr. Mensch mar-
ried Edna C. Getty, daughter of George and
Alvaretta (Hower) Getty, and they have one
son, George Thomas, and one daughter, Kath-
ryne A. Mr. Alensch is a republican, and so-
cially is a member of Catawissa Lodge, No.
349, F. & A. M. (of which he is past master),
and of Caldwell Consistory. He attends St.
Mathew's Lutheran Church, of which he is
treasurer and deacon. He owns and operates
his father's old farm.
JOHN EDWIN MOORE, of Danville, head
of the J. E. Moore Lumber Company, has been
devoting his attention principally to that busi-
ness for the last ten years, and it has been
built up to its present proportions through
his untiring efforts. His son is associated
with him and they have interests at Moun-
tain Grove, Va., as well as in this vicinity.
Mr. Moore was born in Danville July 14,
1853, son of Robert and Phebe Ellen (Girton)
Moore, the former of whom was a prominent
citizen of Montour county in his day. He
was born in the county (then Columbia), in
West Hemlock township, and in 1847 came
to Danville. In his early life he had done
farm work, but he conducted a general store
after coming to Danville, and he was inter-
ested in the manufacturing of nails, both at
Duncansville, Blair Co., Pa., and as a mem-
632
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ber of the Enterprise Manufacturing Com-
pany at Danville. He became one of the most
esteemed citizens of his adopted place, where
he was honored with election to the office of
burgess, and he ser\ed at one time as associate
judge of Montour count}'. He married Phebe
Ellen Girton, like himself a native of West
Hemlock township, and she lived to the age of
eighty-one years, dying in December, 1903.
His death occurred in October, 1898, when
he was eighty years old.
John Edwin Moore received his education
at the public schools and at Danville Academy
under Prof. Benjamin J- Pratt. He then be-
gan an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade,
serving three years, from 1870, with Voris,
Haigh & Gregg, after which he followed the
trade for six years in Danville, Philadelphia
and Jersey Shore, Pa. In 1879 he entered the
lumber business in West Virginia as superin-
tendent for Shoop & Clark, remaining there
until 1885. Returning to Danville he bought
out the hardware business of Dennis Bright,
in the Opera House block, and carried it on
until 1900, meantime also acquiring lumber
interests of his own in Pennsylvania, West
Virginia and Virginia. He is president of the
Moore Timber Company of Moore City, Fla.,
and head of the J. E. Moore Lumber Com-
pany of Danville, composed of himself and
his son Edwin.
In 1 881 Mr. Moore married Matilda E.
Murphey, of Parkesburg, Chester county. Pa.,
daughter of Dr. Andrews and Elizabeth
(Thompson) Murphey. They have had five
children, three of whom died in infancy. The
survivors are Edwin and Elsie, the latter liv-
ing at home. She was born in March, 1888,
received her early education in the public
schools at Danville, and in 1907 entered Bryn
Mawr, graduating in 191 1. The son, bom at
Danville in October, 1886, received his pre-
paratory education in the public schools at
Danville and took his college course at Prince-
ton, graduating in 1909. He is now in busi-
ness with his father. Mr. Moore belongs to
the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, which he
is serving as elder and member of the ses-
sion. His family on both sides for years has
been associated with that denomination.
RALPH R. JOHN, a leading attorney of
Bloomsburg, was bom Dec. 20, 1870, in Main
township, Columbia Co., Pa., and is a son of
Jonas Wesley and Sarah C. (Brown) John,
the family being one of the oldest and most
numerous in the State of Pennsylvania.
The earliest known member of this family
was Griffith John, who was born in Pem-
brokeshire, South Wales, in 1683. With many
others of his locality he emigrated to Pennsyl-
vania, taking passage in a slow-going sailing
vessel, and after several months on the At-
lantic landed at Philadelphia, Feb. 11, 1709.
He proceeded to one of the Welsh townships,
which was a part of a district then known as
the "Welsh Barony," a section settled prin-
cipally by Welshmen, who were called "Ye
Ancient Britons." On July 23, 1714, he was
married to Anna, daughter of Robert Wil-
liams, called the "King of Goshen." About
1715, under the auspices of David Lloyd,
keeper of the Great Seal, the township of
Uwchlan, Chester county, was settled, and
among the first purchasers of farms were
Grifiith John, Noble Butler, Robert Benson,
Cadwallader Evans, and some others whose
names are not recorded. Griffith John had six
sons and six daughters, all but one of whom
grew to maturity. His son Griffith John was
the progenitor of the family in Northumber-
land county, while the other sons settled in
central and western counties of the State. One
of these, John John, settled in Armstrong
county.
Isaac John, the first of the family to settle
in Columbia county, arrived in 1778. He
bought a large tract of land, cleared a part
of it of the trees and brush, built a house of
logs and cultivated the ground until his death.
He married Margaret Brong, and they reared
these children : Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, David,
George, and five daughters whose names are
not known. Abraham John, the son, was also
a farmer, and spent his life on the family
homestead, completing the clearing of the
land begun by his father. By his wife Mary
( Flick) he had seven children : Stacy, George,
Hiram, Lovina, Angeline, Mary A. and
Sarah J.
Stacy John, grandfather of Ralph R. John,
was born in 1813 on the old homestead, reared
to farming and followed that calling all of his
life. He died in 1879, leaving a large estate,
which had been held successively by three
generations, each of whom added to and im-
proved it. He married Mary Yocum, daugh-
ter of John Yocum, a prominent farmer of
Roaringcreek township, and their children
were : William, who died in childhood ; Jonas
Wesley, father of Ralph R. ; Sarah : Frease ;
Britton ; and Miner\-a, who married Aaron
Goover.
Jonas Wesley John, was born on the old
homestead Sept. 12, 1840, and during his
youth assisted his father on the farm and at-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
633
tended school in the intervals of employ-
ment. Upon reaching his majority he bought
a farm in Main township, devoting the rest of
his life to its cultivation. He also bought
considerable property in Bloomsburg. He
married Sarah C. Brown, daughter of Jacob
Brown, a resident of Main township, and they
had eight children : Bessie, Ida, David, Ralph
R., Jacob, Daisy, Wilson and Sally. Mr. and
Mrs. John were members of the Alethodist
Church, and he was a strong Prohibitionist.
Ralph R. John was educated in the public
schools and at the age of seventeen entered
Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., from
which he graduated Jan. 19, 1890. He then
taught school in Elysburg Academy, North-
umberland county, until 1893, after which he
went to Bloomsbtirg and entered the office of
Lloyd S. Wintersteen, to begin the study of
law. He was admitted to the bar of Colum-
bia county, Sept. 30, 1895 ; to the Superior
court, Jan. 13, 1902, and to the Supreme court,
in April, 1904. Mr. John has built up a large
practice and has been very successful in the
many cases he has handled.
On Nov. 10, 1896, Mr. John married Sallie
C. Schweppenheiser, bom Aug. 3, 1871, sec-
ond datighter of Eleazer and Dorothy A.
(Watters) Schweppenheiser. They have one
child, Dorothy Catherine, born Sept. 10, 1905.
Mr. John is a Republican in politics, but had
held no offices of a political character. He
and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
CHARLES ELLIOTT ADAMS, a promi-
nent and progressive citizen of Berwick, Pa.,
engaged in the wholesale lumber business,
was born in Briarcreek township Jan. 26, 1863.
He is a son of Enos L. Adams and comes of
an ancient and historical family, the progeni-
tors of which were from Germany.
Anthony Adam, a potter, was born in Ger-
many in the year 171 6, and emigrated to
America in 1741. He sailed from Rotterdam
on the snow "Molly," commanded by Captain
John Cranch, arriving at Philadelphia, Oct.
26, 1741. Adam's age was entered on the pas-
senger list as twenty-five. On Feb. 7, 1748, he
received from the Proprietaries of the Prov-
ince of Pennsylvania a warrant for a tract of
136 acres, 146 perches of land in Albany town-
ship, then a part of Philadelphia county. This
land was sur\-eyed to him in June, 1752. The
farm is now in the possession of Nathan Weis-
ner, of Round Top, Albany township, Berks
county. In a warrant for a tract of 135 acres
and 47 perches, located "above Maxatawny,"
dated Feb. 7, 1748, he wrote his name Andoni
Adam. In 1761 he sold 140 acres of his land
in Albany township to John Reinhard. He
was administrator of the estate of Albrecht
Stimmel, of Albany township, in 1766, being
the chief creditor. His account was audited
and approved in December, 1768. The date
of his death is not known.
Anthony Adam (2), son of Anthony, of
Albany township, was born about the year
1736, and was a resident of the adjoining
township of Windsor in 1758. He married
Rosina Dunkel, widow of Vincent Lesher, of
Richmond township, and from this union he
had four children : Peter, of Windsor town-
ship, born Oct. i, 1765, died July i, 1849,
married Catharina Hausknecht ; Anthony (3),
of Briarcreek township, Columbia county;
Jacob, of Richmond township, Berks county,
married Susan Kline ; Abraham, of Briarcreek,
born Oct. 7, 1779, died July 6, 1855, married
Sarah Miller. Anthony Adam (2) served
during the Revolutionary war as a private in
Capt. Jacob Ladich's company. Col. Samuel
Ely's battalion of Berks county militia, being
in service Oct. i to 17, 1781. In 1799 he re-
ceived from the State a patent for 307 acres
of land called "Alanheim," on Briar creek, in
Northumberland (now Columbia) county, and
in 1806 received another patent for a tract
of 426 acres, called "Quincy," on the same
creek. These lands he conveyed to his four
sons. He died some time after April 27,
1809.
Anthony Adam (3) established the Adam's
homestead in Briarcreek township, Columbia
county. He was born Dec. 25, 1767. He
served as a private in Capt. Christian Madery's
company of Berks county militia which was
ordered to the front in 1787. They arrived at
Fort Allen, Nov. 21st, at Wyoming Nov. 26th,
and were discharged Jan. 6, 1788. He settled
in Briarcreek as early as 1792, for in October
of that year a warrant was granted to him
for 278 acres of land, for which he received
a patent in 181 1. He purchased a parcel of
seventy-five acres in Fishingcreek township ;
the "Manheim" tract of 307 acres was deeded
to him by his father in 1806, and in 181 1 he
received a deed from his brothers for his
fourth interest (106 acres) in the tract called
"Quincy." He married Catherine Glass, who
was bom Dec. 30, 1766, and died Aug. 12,
1845. His death occurred April 29, 1822, and
together with his wife he lies at rest in the
Briar Creek Reformed Church yard, five miles
west of Berwick, Pa. The children of this
couple were: Hannah, born May 10, 1790, died
634
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Sept. 3, 1870, married Daniel Zaner, of Briar-
creek ; William, born Dec. 15, 1791, died April
26, i860, married Susanna Hess (he served
during the War of 181 2 as a private in Capt.
George Hidler's company, 112th Regiment,
Columbia county militia, under Col. Andrew
Keller; Samuel, born in 1793, died Nov. 29,
1846, married Esther Hill ; Anthony (4) mar-
ried Elsie Engel and removed to Rock Island,
III; Rachel, born Nov. 29, 1797, died April
8, 1852, married W'illiahm Traugh, of Ber-
wick, in 1817; Abraham married a Miss Goble
and removed to Rock Island, 111. (he served
in the same company as his brother William) ;
Elizabeth married John Hutton and removed
to Illinois; Catherine, born May 12, 1803, died
Sept. 26, 1840, unmarried; Mary Magdalene,
bom in 1806, died June 17, 1879, married Enos
Leidy, of Berwick, and removed to Manayunk,
Philadelphia; Sarah, born May 29, 1808, died
March 17, 1872, married Jacob Moyer, of
Berwick.
Samuel Adams resided all of his life in the
township of Briarcreek. He married, June
2.^, 1819, Esther, daughter of Capt. Frederick
Hill, proprietor of the old "Fort Jenkins Inn,"
and his wife Catherine (Conner). They had
the following children : Anthony, born Feb. 26,
1821, died in infancy; Mary Ann, born Jan.
31, 1822, died March i, 1877, married Louis
Traugh, of Berwick, who died Nov. 5, 1850,
and (second), Warren \''anderhoven ; and
Enos L. is mentioned below.
Enos L. Adams was born July 28, 1824. He
married, March 13, 1847, ^largaret Kisner,
born April 21, 1827, and died ^lay 19, 1872.
She was the daughter of John Kisner and
Lydia Kinney, the latter born Nov. 10, 1805.
daughter of John Kinney and granddaughter
of Maj. John Kinney, a Revolutionary officer
of New Jersey. They had ten children : Alice
Lydia, born Feb. 11, 1848, married James
Knox Polk Freas, of Berwick, who died Oct.
16, 1898; John Kisner, born April 8, 1850,
died March 15, 1880, unmarried; Samuel
Warren, born Feb. 2, 1853, was of Berwick ;
Enos Kinney, bom July 8, 1855, f^'^d Nov. 30,
1889, married Clara Miles ; Anna Mary, born
Nov. 4, 1857, married Joseph H. Turnbach, a
hardware merchant, of Philadelphia, Pa., and
died Dec. 13, 1903: William L., born May 27,
i860, married Lizzie A. Davis, of Colon,
Mich., and has four children (they are now
living in Hoquiam, Wash.) ; Charles Elliott is
mentioned below; Margaret Ida, bom Oct. 11,
1866, married Leoni H. Cryder, of Berwick;
Frances L., born Oct. 14, 1869, married James
L. Evans, of Berwick ; Edwin Orison, born
March 12, 1872, died Aug. 6, 1872.
Charles Elliott Adams obtained a good edu-
cation in the public schools of the township of
his birth and at the completion of the selected
course of study took up the occupation of
famier. Remaining on the farm until 1904,
then removed to Berwick and built the beauti-
ful home in which he now resides. He retains
the old homestead, which is in a fine state of
cultivation, but he is now occupied almost
entirely with his extensive lumber trade. He
is a director of the Berwick Savings & Trust
Company and is a member of the borough
council of Berwick. He and his wife are
members of the First Presbyterian Church of
Berwick, and socially he belongs to Knapp
Lodge No. 462, F. & A. M.
In 1897 Mr. Adams married Mary E.,
daughter of Garrett and Louise Alice ( Jayne)
Albertson, the father formerly of Monroe
county, F'a., the mother of Wyoming county,
this State. They are now residents of White
Haven, Luzerne county, Mr. Albertson being
engaged in the coal and lumber business. Mrs.
Adams has a sister, Sarah J., a graduate of
Wilkes-Barre Institute, now living at home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born four
children: Louise K., Elliott H., Garrett E.,
and one who died in infancy.
ROBERT L. MARKS, who is engaged in
the clothing and men's furnishing trade at
Danville, is a native of Russia, born Nov. 22,
1877.
Morris Marks, his father, was born in Rus-
sia and resided in his native land until 1905,
when he emigrated to the United States with
all his family, but the sons who had already
come to this country. In his native land Mr.
]\Iarks was an agriculturist, but here he is
living retired, having a comfortable home at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He is now seventy-eight
years of age. He married Ida Chesler, daugh-
ter of Benjamin Chesler, of Kovno, Russia,
and they had the following children: Louis,
who is a merchant at Towanda, Pa. ; Sol ;
Henry; Joseph; Sarah, who is the wife of L.
Stein; Ida, the wife of Joseph Maltz ; Flora,
the wife of D. Warner, of Wilkes-Barre; and
Robert L.
Robert L. Marks, son of Morris Marks, was
thirteen years of age when he emigrated to
the United States, and for two and a half
years thereafter he was engaged in peddling
through the country, subsequently spending
a like period as clerk in his brother's store at
Towanda. Thus he familiarized himself with
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
63£
every angle of the trade, and when eighteen
years of age embarked in business on his
own account at Dushore, in Sullivan county,
Pa. In 1896 he came to Danville, where he
opened a store, laying in a modest line of
clothing, men's furnishings and shoes, and by
industry, perseverance and good manage-
ment has built up what is now one of the larg-
est businesses of its kind in northern Pennsyl-
vania. Mr. Marks is courteous and obliging,
endeavoring at all times to please his cus-
tomers and to give them value for their money.
It has been this policy which has won him
success, along with his inherent business abil-
ity and his persistence.
In 1897 Mr. Marks was married to Estella
R. Loewus, who was born at Tun4<hannock,
Wyoming Co., Pa., daughter of Nathan and
Hannah (Loewy) Loewus, natives of Austria,
who came to the United States about half a
century ago. Five children have been born to
Mr. and Airs. Marks: Royal L., born April
21, 1899; Victor J., Dec. 3, 1900; Henrietta,
Dec. 22, 1902; Herbert, July 21, igoy; and
Harriet, May 22, 191 1. Mr. Marks is a mem-
ber of Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.,
Danville ; Montour Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O.
F., and Danville Lodge of Elks, No. 754.
WILLIAM H. HENRIE, of Bloomsburg,
former prothonotary of Columbia county and
until recently engaged in business as sales
agent for the Irish Brothers, coal operators,
is a pros])crous citizen of that section, now
conducting a coal business at Eighth and Cath-
erine streets. He is a native of Shamokin,
Northumberland Co., Pa., born July 12, 1861,
at the old family home. No. 120 North Shamo-
kin street. His father, Harrison Henrie, was
a well known contractor and builder of the city
in his day, and his grandfather came to North-
imiberland county many years ago.
George Henrie. the grandfather, was born in
one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania, and
on coming to Northumberland county settled
near Elysburg. He cTied at the comparatively
early age of thirty-five years. He and his
wife, Kate, had six children: Samuel, Harriet
(married Jacob Swank), Margaret (married
a Mr. Kelly and a Mr. Startzel), Harrison,
William and George.
Harrison Henrie, son of George, came to
Shamokin when a young men and there spent
the remainder of his days. He began his busi-
ness career by following his trade, that of
bricklayer and plasterer, and in time became a
contractor, building many of the substantial
residences and churches in that place. He was
a prominent Democrat, and in 1875 was elected
to the office of county commissioner, being re-
elected in 1877, at the close of his first term.
But he died shortly afterwards, and Philip
Hile was appointed his successor. During Mr.
Henrie's term was built the county prison at
Sunbury, at that time considered one of the
best structures of its kind in the country. He
was a member of the Methodist Church.
In 1856, Mr. Henrie married Mary J. Bird,
daughter of Ziba Bird, and to them were born
the following children: Margaret, wife of
Clarence F. Huth, of Shamokin, an attorney
practicing at the Northumberland county bar ;
Edward, who died young; William H., of
Bloomsburg, Pa. ; George, structural worker of
Trenton, N. J.; Emma, wife of William
Mutchler, of Philadelphia; Samuel, who died
in infancy: John Wesley, of Shamokin;
Edna, who died in infancy; and Jennie, wife
of Dr. William Harpel, of Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia.
Mrs. Mary J. (Bird) Henrie, mother of
William H. Henrie, was the first white child
born in Shamokin, her birth occurring Oct.
14, 1835, in a log cabin at what is now the
corner of Commerce and Shamokin streets.
She died at the family home. No. 120 North
Shamokin street, Sept. 11, 1912, in her sev-
enty-seventh year, and was buried in the
Shamokin cemetery. The funeral services
were conducted by Rev. H. A. Straub, pastor
of the Lincoln Street M. E. Church. Mrs.
Henrie had joined the Methodist Church at
Sharp Ridge in childhood, and fifty-five years
before her death transferred her membership
to the Lincoln Street M. E. Church of Sha-
mokin, attending services as long as her
health would permit.
The Bird family has been quite numerous
and well known in Northumberland county
and that section since Mrs. Henrie's grand-
father, James Bird, came hither from New
Jersey. James Bird was born in Warren
county, N. J., and was married in his native
State, moving to Northumberland county with
his family and settling in Rush township in
its pioneer days. He purchased a large and
uncultivated tract of land on Little Roaring
creek, and died in Rush township, on the
farm where he first settled. His children
were: John, Joseph, James, William, Sylvanus
(born in 1796), Ziba, Susan (married William
Kimball). Sarah (Mrs. Scott), Rachel (mar-
ried Jacob Shipman) and Nancy.
Ziba Bird, son of James, was born in War-
ren county, N. J., and came with his parents
to Northumberland county. He assisted his
636
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
father in the development of the farm in
Rush township, and also learned the carpen-
ter's trade. After following farming for a
time on Little Roaring creek, he later went
to Shamokin to take charge of mining opera-
tions there for John C. Boyd, a prominent
citizen of Danville, and he became quite
prominent in the early days of the town. He
was one of the first settlers there, and erected
the first two buildings in what is now Sha-
mokin. He also did considerable building
later, two double houses on the south side of
Commercial street, between Franklin and
Pearl, and probably others, being of his con-
struction. For several years he continued to
be interested in coal operations, but retired
from that line when the town and business be-
gan to settle down to a level after the first
wave of prosperity, and he then returned to
Rush township, where he established himself
as a farmer. Subsequently he moved to Red
Point, on the Susquehanna river, just on the
Montour and Northumberland county line,
below Danville, purchasing the home there
in which he passed the remainder of
his life. He died there at the age of
sixty-five. His activities and usefulness
in promoting Shamokin's interests in the early
days of the town entitle him to be classed
among the real founders of the place.
Mr. Bird married three times, and had in
all nineteen children. His first wife, Hannah
Metz (Mentz or Metze), was the mother of
six children: Annie; Joseph, born in 1814;
Catherine; Sarah; Elizabeth, bom in 1818,
who married William Burkenbine, and made
her home in the borough of Northumberland,
dying about 1910, in her ninety-third year;
and James, who died in infancy. By his sec-
ond wife, Elizabeth Farley, Mr. Bird had the
following children : John, Hannah, Ziba, Jr.,
Kellop ( who died in infancy) and Susanna
(who died in infancy). His third marriage
was to Margaret Alutchler, by whom he had
eight children: !Mary J. (widow of Harrison
Henrie, of Shamokin), William, Nelson,
Montgomery, Eliza (of Riverside, Pa.),
Emma (of Northumberland, Pa.), Samuel
and Margaret.
William H. Henrie obtained his education
in the Shamokin public schools. In his boy-
hood he picked slate at the breakers during
the summers. When a young man he learned
the trade of carpenter at Philipsburg, Center
Co., Pa., with George M. Ruhl, following
same for about six years. He then entered the
employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
Company as express messenger, locating at
Shamokin, his run being between that place,
Tamaqua and West Milton. After nine
months in that position he entered the passen-
ger service, his run being between Catawissa,
\\'illiamsport and Pottsville, by way of Sha-
mokin; later he was one of the Catawissa
division. He was in this service for thirteen
years in all, meantime settling at Catawissa,
where he became very well known. It was
during this time that he was honored with
election on the Democratic ticket as prothono-
tary of Columbia county, in November, 1896.
At the close of his first term he was reelected,
in 1899, serving six years in succession, with
satisfaction to all who had occasion to know
his work and his high sense of its responsi-
bilities. He had as deputy Mr. R. R. Zarr,
now cashier of the Manitoba (Pa.) National
Bank. Mr. Henrie for a time had mining
interests at Shamokin, being a member of
what was then known as the Buck Ridge Coal
Company, which sold out in the year 191 1.
He was also a stockholder in the Carrolltown
Coal Company, of Carrolltown, Cambria Co.,
Pa. For a time he represented the Irish
Brothers, coal operators, as sales agent, on
Sept. I, 1914, organizing the Bloomsburg
Supply Company, which handles coal and
builders' supplies. Mr. Henrie's ability and
trustworthiness have gained him respect and
confidence in every position he has held, and
his sterling qualities are recognized by all who
knew him.
On Dec. 4, 1884, Mr. Henrie was married
at Shamokin to Emma Lewis, daughter of
John W. and Mary Lewis, of Shamokin ; her
father was formerly a coal operator at Gilber-
ton, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Seven children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henrie: H. Clair,
Ethel L., William H., Jr., J. Gilbert, Jane
Bird, John L. and Robert R. The family re-
side in the fine home at the corner of East and
Third streets, Bloomsburg. which Mr. Henrie
built in 1899. He removed to the borough in
March, 1897, shortly after assuming his duties
as prothonotary.
Mr. Henrie is a prominent member of
Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 436, B. P. O. Elks,
his being the second name on its list of mem-
bers. He is a past exalted ruler.
JOSEPH S. HICKS, superintendent of
the Berwick Water Company, at Berwick,
Columbia county, was born at lona, Luzerne
Co., Pa., March 29, 1S60, son of Samuel and
Elmira (Seybert) Hicks.
William Hicks, the paternal grandfather of
Joseph S. Hicks, was born in Scotland, and
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
637
was a young man when he came to the
United States, settHng in Pennsylvania, where
Hicks Ferry, Luzerne county, was named in
his honor. He became one of the substantial
men of his day and locality and took an active
part in affairs of local importance.
Samuel Hicks, son of William Hicks, was
born at Hicks Ferry, Pa., where he grew to
manhood and became a merchant, being the
proprietor of a grocery on the Pennsylvania
canal for a number of years. In 1876 he
went to the West, where he was engaged in
surveying, and there he met his death. Mr.
Hicks married Elmira Seybert, daughter of
Thomas and Deborah (Fowler) Seybert,
farming people of Salem, Luzerne Co., Pa.
She was born at lona, and died there in 1862,
of pneumonia, aged thirty-two years. There
were four children in the family: William,
who is the proprietor of a general store at
Jerico Springs, Cedar Co., Mo. ; Rosalie, who
is the wife of Charles H. Zehnder, president
of the Allegany Iron Ore and Steel Com-
pany, and a resident of New York (he was
at one time president of the Jackson &
Woodin Manufacturing Company, at Ber-
wick, now a branch of the American Car &
Foundry Company there, and later was presi-
dent of the Dickson Locomotive Works, at
Scranton, Pa.) ; and Joseph S.
Joseph S. Hicks, son of Samuel Hicks, re-
ceived his early educational training in the
public schools of Berwick, Pa., and this was
supplemented by attendance at the Williams-
port business college, from which institution
he was graduated in 1881, when twenty-one
years of age. Succeeding this he went to
Philadelphia and entered upon his own busi-
ness career, as the proprietor of a store for the
sale of smokers' articles, which he conducted
two years. Returning to Berwick he entered
the employ of the Jackson & Woodin Manu-
facturing Company, with which concern he
remained until 1902. That year he accepted
the superintendency of what is now known
as the Berwick Water Company, which also
includes the West Berwick Water Supply Co.,
the Briar Creek Water Supply Company, the
Salem Water Supply Company, and the Ne-
scopeck Water Supply Company, over all of
which Mr. Hicks exercises a general superin-
tendency.
On April 7, 1886, Mr. Hicks was married to
Jennie V. Hughes, who was born in Cambra,
Luzerne Co., Pa., the daughter of Chester and
Harriet (Buckalew) Hughes. The father,
who was for a long period the veterinary sur-
geon for the Reading Company, at Shamokin,
Pa., and a veteran of the Civil war, died at
Shamokin and is buried in Berwick ; the
mother still survives and is making her home
at Berwick, at the age of seventy-eight years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been born two
sons and two daughters, namely : Mabel, who
is the wife of James Taylor, chief inspector
for the New York Central Railroad Company,
a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and has one
child, James, Jr. ; Harriet, who married Harry
M. Daggett, an employee of the American Car
& Foundry Company, at Berwick; Joseph, Jr.,
who is employed at Cleveland, Ohio ; and
Charles Z., a student in the public schools, who
lives with his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are consistent members
of the Methodist Church, in which he has
served as steward and is now a member of the
board of trustees. For many years he has
also been active in Sunday school work, and
at the present time has a class of ladies. Al-
though a very busy man, with large interests
to demand his attention, he has found time to
assist in the advancement of his community
in many ways. He has been one of the most
loyal friends and supporters of the Young
Men's Christian Association, assisted to erect
its handsome building at Berwick, served
two years as its president, and at this
time is a member of the board of directors.
He is prominent in Masonry, being a member
of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., of
Berwick; Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second
degree), A. A. S. R., at Bloomsburg; and
Irene Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Wilkes-
I'.arre, Pa. He is a charter member of Wash-
ington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A., of Ber-
wick, with which he has been connected for
thirty-five years.
MILTON E. STACKHOUSE, who has
been engaged in successful business ventures
in Bloomsburg for a number of years, was
born in Greenwood township, Columbia Co.,
Pa., Tilly 26, 1862, son of Benjamin and Susan
(Ager) Stackhouse.
Thomas Stackhouse, the great-grandfather
of Milton E.' Stackhouse, was born in New
Jersey, and came to the Keystone State at an
early day, locating in the central part of
Pennsylvania.
George Stackhouse, son of Thomas, and
grandfather of Milton E. Stackhouse, was
born Feb. 8, 181 1, and died at Unityville,
Columbia Co., Pa., after a long life spent in
successful farming and lumbering. He mar-
ried Rebecca Yorks, who was born Sept. 22,
1812, daughter of Benjamin Yorks, and they
638
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
had children as follows : Thomas, born Dec.
19, 1834; Benjamin, born June 9, 1835;
Samuel, born June 25, 1838; Dorothy, born
May II, 1839; Abaline, born Nov. 15, 1841 ;
Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 1843; James, born
Oct. 10, 1845; Enoch, born March 13, 1849;
and Armenta, born May 5, 185 1.
Benjamin Stackhouse, son of George Stack-
house, and father of Milton E. Stackhouse,
was born in Pine township, Columbia Co.,
Pa., and for years was engaged in farming
and lumbering. At the present time he is liv-
ing retired with his son at Bloomsburg. He
married Susan Ager, daughter of William
Ager, and they had two children : Josepha,
who died in 1876 ; and Milton E.
Milton E. .Stackhouse, son of Benjamin
Stackhouse, was educated in the common
schools, and at the age of sixteen years be-
came a public school teacher, being engaged
one term in Pine township, seven terms in
Greenwood township and one term in Jack-
son township. During his first term he worked
night and morning, as well as Saturdays, thus
paying his board, and received twenty-two
dollars per month. In Greenwood he taught
the same school six years. Meantime, when
his duties permitted, he furthered his own
education at the Bloomsburg State Normal
school. On giving up the vocation of teacher
he took up the lumbering business, which has
received his attention during the greater part
of the time ever since. He has been in the
wholesale trade and also manufacturing. He
became manager and secretary of the Pier
Lumber Company, and also became interested
in a general store at Kyttle, Luzerne county,
connected with the lumber firm of Creasy,
Wells & Stackhouse. A post office was estab-
lished at that point, and Mr. Stackhouse
eventually became owner of the store, but sold
out to go to Rohrsburg, Columbia county,
where with I. D. Lewis he opened a general
store under the firm style of Stackhouse &
Lewis. On coming to Bloomsburg he dis-
posed of his interests there, although he still
carries on lumbering and is interested in real
estate transactions. He is a director of the
First National Bank of Bloomsburg, and is
widely and favorably known in the business
circles of the city.
Mr. Stackhouse is a Democrat in his political
proclivities, and although not active in politics
at this time has always manifested an interest
in the success of his party. With his family
he attends the Baptist Church, which he has
served as trustee and superintendent of the
Sunday school. He is a member of Wash-
ington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., and has
reached the thirty-second degree in Masonry,
belonging to Caldwell Consistory of Blooms-
burg. He has for some years been an active
member of the State Grange. Mr. Stackhouse
owns a comfortable residence on East Main
street.
On April 21, 1887, Mr. Stackhouse was
married to Estella Lewis, daughter of Clinton
and Effie (Derr) Lewis, and granddaughter of
Judge Irani Derr, who was associate judge of
Columbia county, and served as one of the
county's early sheriffs prior to the division of
what is now Columbia and Montour. Two
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Stackhouse : Leroy B., who died at the age of
ten years ; and Helen P., a bright child of
seven years.
MICHAEL GRIER GEARHART, now'
living retired at Danville, Montour county, has
been a lifelong resident of that borough, where
he was born Dec. 25, 1849. He belongs to an
honored family of Northumberland county,
Pa., being a descendant of Capt. Jacob Gear-
hart, who with his brother William established
the Gearharts in this coimtry.
Jacob Gearhart was born in 1733 in Stras-
burg, then a city of France, now belonging to
Germany, and came to the New World when
a young man, landing at New York in 1754.
He soon crossed over into Hunterdon county,
N. J., where he made his home for many years.
When the Revolution broke out he was among
the first to oft'er his services to his adopted
country, enlisting in 1775, in the Hunterdon
county volunteers, with which he served as a
private. A man of brave and fearless spirit,
he was soon promoted to ensign and later to
captain of the 2d New Jersey Regiment, and
stood so high in the confidence of his superior
officers that he was one of the two New
Jersey men chosen by Washington to take
charge of the crossing of the Delaware on the
eventful night of Dec. 25, 1776, when the
Hessian camp at Trenton was attacked. The
other was Captain Van Tenyck. After the
crossing had been effected the boats were
placed in their charge, with orders to destroy
them should the expedition prove a failure.
Captain Gearhart also took part in the battle
of the Brandywine and spent the hard winter
of 1777-78 with Washington at \'alley Forge.
.At the close of the war he returned to his old
home in Hunterdon county, N. J., but a few
years later he joined the tide of emigration
which took many westward from New Jersey
into Pennsylvania and from the eastern coun-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
639
ties of Pennsylvania farther out. Between
1785 and 1795 many families from that region
settled in what are now Rush and Gearhart
townships, Northumberland county, among
them those of Capt. Jacob Gearhart and his
brother William. In 1781 the former came
West on a prospecting tour and brought his
family out later. In 1790 (another account
says 1782) the Captain and his family left
Hunterdon county by wagon train. Late one
afternoon they came to a deserted Indian hut
close by a fine spring, on the farm now owned
by Mrs. I. H. Torrence, a great-granddaughter
of the Captain, and decided to camp for the
night. When the land was examined in the
morning it was found to be fertile, and the
water was so abundant and of such good
quality that the old warrior determined to
found his home on that site. He purchased
land along the Susquehanna from Kipp's run
to Boyd's run, one mile back from the river,
all of it at that time a dense forest. With the
aid of his sons he began to clear and till the
land, and after clearing a portion on a small
bluff overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna
river he erected a small frame house which
is still standing, though more than a hundred
years old, and is one of the old landmarks of
the vicinity. It is still owned by his descend-
ants ; it was occupied by William F. Gearhart,
who died in 1905. Captain Gearhart set out
an orchard which was completely destroyed by
a hailstorm in 1846. He acquired 1,500 acres,
200 of which he cleared. In 1813, after an
active life of seventy-eight years. Captain
Gearhart died, and his wife, Catharine Kline,
survived him a few years. They had a family
of eleven children, namely : Jacob, born in
1763, who died in 1841 ; Herman, born in 1765,
who died in 1835 ; George, mentioned below ;
William, born in 1776, who died in 1854;
Charles, born in 1783, who died in 1863; John,
born in 1788, who died in 1858; Isaac; Benja-
min ; Elizabeth ; Mary ; and Catharine.
George Gearhart, son of Capt. Jacob and
_ Catharine (Kline) Gearhart, was born in what
is now Hunterdon county, N. J., and he be-
came a prosperous farmer and landowner.
He had a beautiful farm one mile from River-
side, along the bank of the Susquehanna river
one mile south of the bridge, now forming part
of South Danville. It was a present to him
from his father at his majority, and there he
lived all his life. He erected many buildings
there, and as he prospered purchased more
land, at his death owning between three hun-
dred and four hundred acres along the Susque-
hanna. He was twice married, his first wife
being Acsah Runyan, who died when a young
woman, the mother of four children : Bonham
R., Benjamin (who moved out West), Eliza
and Rebecca (married Wilson Mettler). His
second wife was Phoebe Lott, by whom he had
three children : Achie, George and Herman.
Bonham R. Gearhart, M. D., son of George
Gearhart, was born March 11, 181 1, on his
father's homestead in Rush township, and
there received his early education, later at-
tending academy at Danville. He read medi-
cine with Dr. H. Gearhart, of Bloomsburg,
and took a course at Jefferson Medical Col-
lege, Philadelphia, from which he was grad-
uated. For two years Dr. Gearhart practiced
in Sunbury, and he was subsequently in Wash-
ingtonville and Turbotville (1839-1844) before
settling at Danville, where he was in success-
ful practice to the close of his life. He was
one of the most popular physicians of his day,
and his death, which occurred May 9, 1855,
when he was in his early forties, was widely
mourned. He died of pneumonia. Dr. Gear-
hart married Elizabeth Steel Boyd, daughter
of William and Eliza (Steel) Boyd, of Dan-
ville, and granddaughter of William Boyd,
the founder of the family in America. He
was a colonel in the Revolution, and was later
promoted to general in the militia. Mrs. Eliza
(Steel) Boyd was the niece of General Steel,
of the Revolution. Mrs. Gearhart survived
the Doctor many years, dying Jan. 21, 1904,
at the advanced age of eighty-seven years,
eight months, twenty-nine days. They were
the parents of a large family, viz. : Wil-
liam Boyd, born Oct. 8, 1839, who lives
at No. 9 East Market street, Danville, mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Butler,
and they have had children, Elizabeth Boyd
and Mary Atta, the former the wife of R.
Scott Ammerman and the mother of four
children, Robert Boyd, William Edgar, Eliz-
abeth Catharine and Dorothy Atta ; Acsah,
born March 18. 1841, died April 3, 1841 ;
George M. was born March 18, 1841, on his
father's birthday, in the same room where his
father was born ; Bonham R. was born May
20, 1843; James B., born Oct. 26, 1844,
died May i, 1846; Jasper Boyd, born
Oct. 26, 1845, who lives at the corner of Bloom
and Walnut streets, Danville, married ( first)
Florence Yorks and after her death Mrs.
Margaret (Thompson) Gearhart, and has one
daughter. Emma Grier, Mrs. Charles Fisher;
Alexander Montgomery, born in Danville July
26, 1846, died April 24, 1901, for many years
station agent at Danville for the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railway Company,
640
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
married Martha McCoy, daughter of Robert
and Eleanor (\'oris) McCoy, and they had
two children, Nell Bonham and Jasper (the
daughter married William L. McClure and
had three children, Harold Russel, Donald C.
and Montgomery) ; M. Grier completed the
family.
M. Grier Gearhart had only average school
advantages. When seventeen years old he
took a contract at Danville to load rails for
shipping for the Beaver & Wells Steel Com-
pany, with which concern he was associated
for twenty-six years. He then resigned and
for five years was in the public service, acting
as market master and street commissioner of
Danville. After that he was engaged at the
steel plant of the North Branch Steel Com-
pany in Danville until its failure, in 1902.
His sight has failed him in recent years and
he is now leading a retired life. He took a
good citizen's interest in public affairs during
his active career, particularly the question of
public education, serving twel'-e years as a
member of the school board. He was elected
to that office on the Republican ticket.
Mr. Gearhart married Mary Ellen Bowyer,
who was bom Feb. 21, 1848, in what was then
Columbia county, on Twin Hill — old Bloom
street, near Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart
are members of the Presbyterian Church at
Danville, which her grandfather long ago
served as elder. They ha\e had children as
follows: Ruth is the wife of Albert C.
Savidge, formerly of Sunbury, Pa., now living
in Indianapolis, and has one child, Mary Eliza-
beth; Mary Elizabeth is married to Dr. Frank
Glenn, of Erie, Pa. ; Ava is the wife of Dr.
Reid Nebinger, who for eight years was con-
nected with the State Hospital at Danville,
now taking a post-graduate course in the Poly-
clinic Hospital, Philadelphia, and they have
one child. Amy Reid ; Edna is attending the
New York Public Library School in New
York City ; Elliot McAtee, who lives in Erie,
is a graduate of the Williamson school in
Delaware county, Pennsylvania.
John and Julia (Deen) Bowyer, ]\Irs. Gear-
hart's parents, were also residents of Dan-
ville. They had a family of ten children, two
sons and eight daughters, of whom five sur-
vive: Miss Anna E., Mrs. Gearhart, Martha
(wife of Frank C. Derr), William (who lives
next door to the library), and James D.
PHILIP C. NEWBAKER, M. D., of Dan-
ville, is one of the oldest and most prominent
physicians of Montour county. Born near
the village of Halifax, Dauphin Co., Pa., Aug.
13, 1843, he is the son of Dr. John B. and
Caroline Elizabeth (Maize) Newbaker.
Martin Newbaker, great-great-grandfather
of Dr. Philip C. Newbaker, emigrated to
America from Germany prior to the Revolu-
tion, in the year 1740, and settled at the mouth
of Powell's creek, on the Susquehanna river,
eighteen miles above Harrisburg. The fam-
ily name was then spelled Neubecker (see
Pennsylvania Archives, 2d Series, Vol. XVlI,
page 288).
Philip Newbaker, son of Martin and great-
grandfather of Philip C. Newbaker, was a
lieutenant in the 6th Company, 4th Battalion,
of the Continental army, in 1777 (Pennsyl-
vania Archives, 2d Series, \'ol. XIII, page
357), and after the end of the war settled on
the farm founded by his father. His son,
also named Philip, the grandfather of Dr.
Newbaker, continued to own and reside upon
the old homestead, where he died in 1865.
Inglenook Station on the Pennsylvania rail-
road, and Inglenook Clubhouse, a resort for
business men and residents of Harrisburg, are
located on the home farm of the Newbaker
family.
John B. Newbaker, M. D., father of Dr.
Philip C. Newbaker, was bom on the home-
stead and attended the country schools. He
then entered Jeft'erson Medical College, Phila-
delphia, graduating in the class of 1852 with
the degree of M. D., afterwards continuing the
practice of medicine in Northumberland coun-
ty. He died at Trevorton, that county, on
July II, igoo, aged eighty years. He was
an assistant surgeon of the 56th Regiment,
Pennsylvania ^'olunteer Infantry, during the
Civil war. and also represented the Northum-
berland-AIontour district in the Legislature.
He married Caroline Elizabeth Maize, and
they had these children: Philip C, Louisa E.,
George A., John J. and Mildred M.
Philip C. Newbaker received his preliminary
education in the common schools. West Branch
high school, Jersey Shore, Pa., and the Mis-
sionary Institute, at Selinsgrove, Pa. On April
23, 1 861, he enlisted in Company F, nth
Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, for three
months' service, in response to President Lin-
coln's first call for fifty thousand volunteers,
and was discharged July 31, 1861, by reason
of the expiration of his term, after having
been in one of the first engagements of the
war. at Falling \\'aters, or Hoke's Run, in
northern Virginia. On Aug. 12, 1862, he
again enlisted, at Philadelphia, in Company
K, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, to serve three
years, or till the end of the war. He was
'^
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
641
discharged July 5, 1865, by reason of the close
of the conflict. His regiment was assigned
to duty under General Rosecrans in Tennessee
and saw much hard service with the Army of
the Cumberland. On his return home he con-
tinued the study of medicine in his father's
office, and in due time entered Jefferson Medi-
cal College, from which he was graduated
March 12, 1869, soon afterwards locating in
Washingtonville, Montour county, where he
built up an extensive practice. After a resid-
ence of sixteen years in that village he re-
moved to Danville, where he has resided con-
tinuously since.
Dr. Newbaker represented Montour coun-
ty in the State Legislature in the sessions of
1879 and 1881. He was again elected to the
office in 1910 and 1912 and sat in the sessions
of 191 1 and 1913. He also served as treas-
urer of Montour county for three years, from
1898, and was a member and president of the
Danville school board. He is a member of
the American Medical Association and of the
State and county medical societies ; also of
Goodrich Post, No. 22, G. A. R. ; Encamp-
ment No. 32, Union \"eteran Legion, of
Bloomsburg; Danville Lodge, No. 516, F. &
A. M., of which he is a past master ; and he
has been secretary of the board of United
States examining surgeons at Danville since
1886.
In 1867 Dr. Newbaker married Amelia A.
Koons, daughter of Benjamin Koons, of
Weissport. Carbon Co., Pa., and they have
these children : Winifred M., a graduate of
the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Music, who
afterwards completed her musical education
in Berlin, Germany, now married to J. Mal-
colm Laurie and residing at Winburne, Clear-
field Co., Pa. ; Charles A., a graduate of Le-
high University (electrical engineer), and
at the present time electrical inspector for the
Panama Canal Commission at Schenectady,
N. Y. ; Edward J., a mining engineer, and at
present general superintendent of the Wyom-
ing division of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre
Coal Company, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; Bertha
A., a graduate of the Danville high school, re-
siding at home ; and Francis W., paymaster
of the Dodson Coal Company, residing at
Beaver Brook, Pennsylvania.
Each of four generations of the Newbaker
family since its advent in America has had a
representative in the army, viz. : Philip New-
baker, lieutenant in the 6th Company, 4th Bat-
talion, of the Continental army, 1777; J. B.
Newbaker, assistant surgeon, 56th Pennsyl-
vania Infantry, in the Civil war ; Dr. P. C.
41
Newbaker, who served two full enlistments
(over three years) in the Civil war; and his
son, E. J. Newbaker, who was a member of
the 2d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in
the Spanish-American war.
WILLIAM OLR'ER DeWITT, a con-
tracting and consulting engineer, former man-
ager of the Catawissa municipal electric light
plant, recently removed to Riverside, North-
umberland Co., Pa., was born at Snydertown,
Northumberland county, March 18, 1863, son
of Dr. A. T. DeWitt.
This branch of the DeWitt family was
founded in the New World early in the seven-
teenth century by two brothers, one of whom
settled in New York, while the other went
to New Jersey.
Paul DeWitt, who belonged to the New Jer-
sey branch of the family, left his native State
in 1807, and came to Pennsylvania, locating
in Augusta township, Northumberland county.
His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret
Persing, and they had three children : Abra-
ham, who li\ed at Philadelphia ; William ; and
Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Reppard.
William DeWitt, son of Paul DeWitt, mar-
ried Elizabeth Tressler, and their children
were: Jacob married Mary Clark and had
three chddren ; Isaac married Elizabeth Cres-
siger and had two sons and five daughters;
Paul married Abigal Shipman and had three
sons and two daughters ; William married
Mary Latsha and had two sons and six daugh-
ters; Matthew married Elizabeth Shipman and
had one son and one daughter ; Moses married
Lavina Strausser and has one son and three
daughters ; Abraham T. is the father of
William O. DeWitt.
Dr. Abraham T. DeWitt was brought up
upon the homestead of his father, remaining
at home until he was sixteen years old. For
the following two years he was with his
brother William, working in the latter's mill,
and having earned sufficient money, attended
the academy at Boalsburg, in Center county,
Pa. Having fitted himself he began teaching
school, but after one term, realizing the need
of further instruction, entered Freeburg
Academy, in Snyder county. The next winter
he resumed teaching, being assigned to the
rural regions in Schuylkill county. The sum-
mer following he continued his studies, this
time at the Missionary Institute, now Susque-
hanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. By this
time he had decided upon embracing a medical
career, and began studying with that end in
view under Dr. Caslow, of Halifax, Dauphin
642
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Co., Pa., in 1861 entering the University of
Vermont. After taking his course in that in-
stitution he was graduated therefrom. June
9, 1862, and settling at Snydertown, North-
umberland Co., Pa., entered upon private prac-
tice with the promise of a very valuable and
useful career. But Dr. DeW'itt felt that duty
called him elsewhere, and in June, 1863, he
took the examination for entrance into the
amiy, for service during the Civil war. He
was appointed assistant surgeon of the 54th
Pennsylvania Volunteers, Emergency Men,
for one hundred days' service, and was one
of those who participated in the capture of
the famous Gen. John ]\Iorgan, then making
the historic raid into Ohio. Upon his dis-
charge Dr. DeWitt reentered the service, and
was made surgeon of the 2d Pennsylvania
Heavy Artillery, being stationed within the
Washington fortifications at the northeast.
After valuable service there he was trans-
ferred to the southwest \\'ashington defenses,
in 1864. In June of the same year the regi-
ment was sent to join the troops under Gen-
eral Grant's command, participating in the
engagement at Cold Harbor, later going to
White House Landing, and thence to City
Point. This regiment was the first to advance
upon Petersburg, continuing there until
August, when it was sent to Bennuda Hun-
dred, where it was stationed until the evacua-
tion of Richmond. The regiment was then
sent to Petersburg, and remained in charge of
that city until Jan. i, 1866, when it was dis-
charged. While defending Washington, Dr.
DeWitt was on the staff of General Fariero,
with headquarters at Arlington. During the
summer of 1865 Dr. DeWitt was chief medical
officer of the Roanoke district, having his
headquarters at Burkeville Junction, Va., and
in this connection alone rendered services that
were invaluable. His term of ser\'ice ended
with his muster out at Philadelphia in 1866,
in accordance with general orders.
Returning to Snydertown, Pa., Dr. DeWitt,
his experience enriched by his long and varied
service in the army, resumed his private prac-
tice. In 1878 he moved to Riverside, which
has since continued to be his home. During
the many years of his practice Dr. DeWitt has
not only proved his skill as a physician and
surgeon, but endeared people to him because
of his many amiable qualities, and rendered
efficient service to his community as a public
man as well. In 1873 he was sent to the State
Legislature to represent his district, and made
so enviable a record that he was returned in
1874, and in 1875 was made transcribing clerk
of the House. Dr. DeWitt married Sarah
Renn, and they had four children : A son who
died in childhood; William Oliver; Heber
Loran, who married Anna Morrell, and has
children, George and Sarah ; and Cora Irene,
who married William Mettler, and has one
child, Evelyn.
William Ohver DeWitt attended the local
schools at Snydertown, and also Danville
Academy, where he was under the instruction
of Professor Kelso. When only se\enteen
years of age he began teaching school, being
assigned to Valley township, Alontour county,
for two terms. From childhood Mr. DeWitt
displayed a decided inclination towards teleg-
raphy, stringing a wire between his house and
that of a neighbor. Over it he and a play-
mate managed to transmit messages, and their
success so fired the ready imagination of the
lad that he resolved to leam telegraphy prop-
erly as soon as circumstances would permit.
This boyish ambition was realized when he
became a student under the late A. M. Gear-
hart, agent and telegrapher with the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company at
Danville, Pa. Later Mr. DeWitt was made
assistant agent under his friend and instructor,
and after six months was appointed assistant
agent and telegrapher at the Shickshinny sta-
tion of the D., L. & W. railroad, in 1S81.
Within three months he had advanced suf-
ficiently to be offered the position of night
telegrapher for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company at Danville, which he accepted, and
held for eighteen months. His next advance-
ment was to the post of extra agent and teleg-
rapher for the Sunbury division of the same
road, where he was stationed for three years'.
At the expiration of that time he was ap-
pointed ticket agent and telegrapher at Nanti-
coke, Luzerne county, and held that for three
years, also. From there he was sent to Creasy,
Columbia Co., Pa., at which point he filled a
similar position for two and a half years, still
with the same company. For the next four
years he was agent and telegrapher at Mo-
canaqua, Luzerne county, thus rounding out a
service with the Pennsylvania Company cover-
ing thirteen years. He left this employ to be-
come agent for the Adams Express Company,
in which capacity he was stationed at different
points. In 1894 he took the superintendency
of the electric light plant at Shickshinny, Pa.,
and continued as such for two years, superin-
tending the construction and installation of
the plant and its operation. In i8g6 he came
to Catawissa to become superintendent of con-
struction at the Catawissa municipal electric
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
643
light plant, and superintended its operation
for four years. Having been brought into
contact with another branch of learning Mr.
DeWitt, always ambitious, began studying
electrical engineering, taking a course in the
Scranton Correspondence School, from which
he received a certificate of competency in 1S98.
In 1900 he superintended the construction of
the Lykens Valley & Northern \'alley Electric
railroad for a distance of twelve miles, spend-
ing about two years on this work. Mr. De\\'itt
then accepted the position of expert construc-
tion engineer with the Harrisburg Foundry &
Machine Works, which he represented
throughout the New England, Southern and
Middle States, installing steam and electric en-
gines and superintending construction work for
the company, with which he continued for three
years. During that time he installed the elec-
tric engine in the Charlestown (Mass.) navy
yard for the United States government; the
electric light plant at the State penitentiary at
Nashville, Tenn. ; and a 3,000-horsepower en-
gine at the plant of the Great Northern Paper
Company, of Maine. Returning to Columbia
county, he constructed the Columbia & Mon-
tour Electric railroad plant for the Harrisburg
Company. He then took charge of the Cata-
wissa municipal electric light plant and oper-
ated it for a year, after which he began the
construction of the plant of the Columbia
Power & Light Company at Irondale, convert-
ing the old Irondale furnace property into a
modern water-driven electric light and power
plant, one of the best in this section. This
took nearly three years, during which period
he established himself thoroughly at Blooms-
burg as a contracting and consulting engineer,
in which line he has maintained high standing
ever since. From 1908 to 1914 he had his
headquarters at Catawissa, where during that
period he operated the municipal electric light
plant, in addition to giving attention to his
private business, doing special work in engi-
neering. In 1914 he settled at Riverside.
Air. DeWitt owns a fine three-year-old
cherry orchard at Riverside in Northumber-
land county, containing 150 trees, and he takes
relaxation in caring for them during the sum-
mer months. He and his family now have
their home at this point, where in 1914 he
erected a handsome residence. He and his
brother Heber L. DeWitt own the DeWitt
Park at Riverside, South Danville, a tract of
twenty-six acres artistically laid out and
equipped with a pavilion 50 by 1 10 feet in
dimensions ; a dining hall 65 by 36 feet, and
large baseball grounds, with a grand stand.
The park is supplied with flowing water, and
upwards of $12,000 has been expended in its
development. It was originated by Dr. A. T.
DeWitt, and his sons carry on his good work,
which provides amusement and relaxation for
thousands who enjoy the many advantages of
these delightful summer pleasure grounds.
Mr. DeWitt is a member of Catawissa
Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M. Politically he is
a Democrat, and a strong supporter of the
principles of his party. His life is ordered
according to the golden rule, and he takes
pleasure in giving to others from his means.
In addition to all his other interests, Mr. De-
Witt finds time to act as special correspondent
for various scientific journals, in which his
articles relative to the subjects he knows so
well are highly appreciated and correctly
valued.
On Jan. 5, 1886, Mr. DeWitt was united in
marriage with Luella Gruver of Nanticoke,
Luzerne county, a daughter of Aaron and
Harriet (Wolf) Gruver. Mr. and Airs. De-
\\'itt are the parents of four children: Helen
graduated from the Bloomsburg State Normal
school and taught school at Stillwater, Colum-
bia Co., Pa., for two terms, until her marriage
to Reber J. Terwillger ; they have two daugh-
ters, Aladge Luella and Alarion Luanna, twins,
and the family reside at Bloomsburg. Flor-
ence was graduated from the Bloomsburg high
school. John Gruver is a high school student.
William Oliver, Jr., is also attending school.
JESSE Y. SHAMBACH, supervising prin-
cipal of the public schools of Berwick, Colum-
bia Co., Pa., was born in York, Pa., Alay 25,
1885. He is a son of Rev. Joshua Shambach
and Sarah (Yetter) Shambach.
He was graduated from the Bloomsburg
State Normal School in 1905. After teach-
ing several years he entered the University
of Alichigan, from which institution he was
graduated in 1913. He was elected to his
present position in April, 1913, for a term of
three years.
On June 19, 1913, Mr. Shambach was mar-
ried to Alary B. Lowry, a daughter of Joseph
and Rebecca (Nye) Lowry, of Dewart,
Pennsylvania.
GUY JACOBY, attorney at law of Blooms-
burg, Pa., was born in that borough May 27,
1859, son of Williamson Harrison and Han-
nah E. A. (Prentiss) Jacoby.
Tames Jacoby. grandfather of Guy Jacoby,
was born near Bethlehem, Northampton Co.,
Pa., and came to what is now Briarcreek
644
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
township, Columbia county, about 1840, lo-
cating a few miles from Berwick. There he
purchased a farm, and also followed his trade
of blacksmith, and while residing there was
elected justice of the peace. In his latter
years he retired and removed to the city of
Berwick, having a home on the present site
of the Young Men's Christian Association
building. He took an active part in the work
of the Methodist Church, in the faith of which
he passed away at the age of seventy-eight
years. Mr. Jacoby married a Miss Kurtz,
and both are buried at Berwick. They were
the parents of the following children : Anna,
who married Townsend Boone, and died at
Hazleton, Pa.; \\'illiamson H. : George D.,
who was a blacksmith at Berwick, and died
at the age of seventy-two years ; and Re-
becca, who married Roscoe Schuyler and
(second) George Derr, and now resides at
Turbotville, Pennsylvania.
Williamson Harrison Jacoby, son of James
and father of Guy Jacoby, was born Sept.
29, 1832, in Bethlehem, Northampton Co.,
Pa., and was a small lad when he accom-
panied his parents to Columbia county. As a
youth he began to learn the printer's trade,
completing his training in this vocation in
Philadelphia, in an office which was located
at the present site of the Philadelphia Press
building. Subsequently he went to Williams-
port, where for some time he was employed
on the Lycoming Standard, and following this
came to Bloomsburg and secured employ-
ment in the office of the Star of the North,
owned by George W. Weaver. Prior to the
Civil war Mr. Jacoby purchased this paper,
but during that struggle he laid aside per-
sonal interests to enlist in Company F, 178th
Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., with which he served
as quartermaster ; during his absence the pa-
per was conducted by a Mr. Shuman, of Cata-
wissa. On his return from the front he
resumed his duties as proprietor of this jour-
nal, and in 1868 was elected to the House of
Representatives from Columbia and Montour
counties. On the expiration of his term of
office he once more assumed the duties of his
newspaper work. He was elected in the early
seventies to the office of county recorder,
to which he was reelected, filling that office for
four successive terms. He again took up
newspaper work with the Milton Argus. Later
Mr. Jacoby went to Scranton, where he be-
came associated with the Tribune, and on
severing his connection with that paper went
to take charge of the Nanticoke A'eivs, where
he remained for some vears. His death oc-
curred at Erie, Pa., March 2, 1891, and he
was buried at Rosemont cemetery, Blooms-
burg. He was a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and of the Masonic lodge
at Catawissa, Pa. One of the foremost men
of his locality, he ever took a prominent part
in all that atTected his community, and in his
death the district lost a citizen whom it was
hard to replace. He served as a delegate
to State and national conventions, and was
widely known as an earnest party worker.
Mr. Jacoby married Miss Hannah E. A. Pren-
tiss, daughter of Noah S. Prentiss, and they
had children as follows : Guy ; May A., who
married Harry Shuler (both are deceased) ;
and Bessie H., who married Henry M. Rupert,
mail agent on the Bloomsburg & Sullivan
railroad.
Guy Jacoby, son of Williamson H. Jacoby,
received his early education in the graded
schools taught by Professor Wynkoop, fol-
lowing which he entered the Normal school,
and after leaving that institution became a
student in the Episcopal Institute at Reading,
Pa. He entered upon the study of law in the
offices of E. H. and R. R. Little, at Blooms-
burg, and when but twenty-one years old was
admitted to the bar of Columbia county. En-
tering at once upon the practice of his
profession, he has become known as one of
the ablest representatives of his calling in
Columbia county. In February, 1885, he was
elected to the office of justice of the peace,
and in six subsequent elections has been re-
turned to that position, which he is still hold-
ing. He is a Democrat in his political views.
Mr. Jacoby is a member of the Episcopal
Church. He is a past noble grand of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also
holds membership in the Knights of the Golden
Eagle and the Patriotic Order Sons of Amer-
ica. During his long residence in Blooms-
burg he has made a wide acquaintance, in
which he numbers many sincere friends.
Mr. Jacoby was married to Ida E. Drake, of
Monroe county. Pa. They have had no
children.
JOHN W. BIDDLE, D. D. S.. has been
following his profession at Millville ever since
he commenced practice, fifteen years ago, and
his dependable services have drawn a large
number of patrons who appreciate his con-
scientious-attention and advice. His parents,
Charles and Barbara Ann (Hileman) Biddle,
are residents of Dushore, Sullivan Co., Pa.,
and Mrs. Biddle is a native of that county,
where the Hilemans have been farming peo-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
645
pie for many years, having taken up new land
and developed it in the early days.
Charles Biddle was born in Germany, and
came to America when fourteen years old.
He has been engaged in farming and lumber-
ing. Seven children have been born to him
and his wife: Philip G., M. D., now located
in practice at Dushore, married Bessie Bry-
son ; Samuel, a dentist of W'illiamsport, Pa.,
married Mrs. Millie Gimmell ; Lizzie is the
wife of Andrew Spence, a mine engineer, liv-
ing at Meyersdale, Pa., and has one child, a
daughter Barbara ; John W. is next in the
family; Anna is the wife of Fred E. Hoffa,
a merchant of Dushore, and they have two
children, Barbara and John ; Emma is mar-
ried to George W. Jackson, of Dushore, a
cigar manufacturer ; Harry W., a druggist,
of Benton, Columbia county, married Myrtle
Terry, of New Albany, Pennsylvania.
John W. Biddle was born June i, 1872, at
Bradford, Pa. He was given excellent lit-
erary training, supplementing his common
school course with study at the Lock Haven
normal school and the preparatory school at
Towanda. He pursued his professional
studies in the Pennsylvania Dental College,
from which institution he was graduated in
1899, the same year settling at Millville, where
he has practiced to the present time. Dr.
Biddle has been an acquisition to the town in
more ways than one. He has done notable
work in the promotion of good government,
having been an active member of the town
council nine years, still belonging to that body,
and whether officially or as a private citizen
has always given his support to the best move-
ments set on foot in the community. Several
local fraternal bodies count him among their
influential members. He belongs to Lodge
No. 809, I. O. O. F., of Millville, and to the
Woodmen, and is a thirty-second degree
Mason, in that connection holding membership
in Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M.
He belongs to the Lutheran Church.
In Jvme, 1902, Dr. Biddle was united in
marriage with Edna Eves, of Millville, a
daughter of Chandlee Eves, and they had two
children, Charles C, born July 25, 1904, and
John E., born April 8, 1908. Mrs. Biddle
died at the birth of her son John. In June,
1910, Dr. Biddle married Edith Y. Eves, of
Millville, Pennsylvania.
JOSEPH BALDY KNITTLE (deceased)
was a prominent and useful citizen of Co-
lumbia county whose impress upon the pages
of the history of this portion of the State
will never be effaced. He was born April
12, 1830, in Catawissa (now Franklin) town-
ship, and during his life held many positions
of honor in the gift of the people.
The history of the Knittle family dates back
to early Colonial times. It is recorded in the
Archives of Pennsylvania that one Joseph
Knittle came to America in the sailing vessel
"Patience" and landed at Philadelphia Sept.
17- 1753- His son Michael was a resident of
Richmond township, Berks county, where he
died in 1789. His children were recorded
as : Frederick, Daniel, John Adam, Michael,
Rosina and Catherine. In his will Michael
and Daniel were named as his executors.
Daniel Knittle, father of Joseph B. Knittle,
came to Columbia county in 1795 and settled
near Mendenhall's mill, where he bought a
farm. His brother Frederick had preceded
him about a year. Here he built a home,
cleared the land and raised his family, dying
on the old homestead at a ripe age. His
children were : Joseph B. ; Jacob, who mar-
ried Angelina Doerr; Aaron S., who married
Sarah Campbell ; Reuben, who died unmar-
ried : Esther, wife of John Vought, of Elys-
burg, one of the first settlers in that section;
iMargaret, wife of Jacob Kostenbauder, a
prominent farmer of Franklin township ; and
Sophia, who died unmarried.
Joseph B. Knittle attended the public
schools, Millville Academy and Bloomsburg
Literary Institute (now merged with the State
Normal School). For a number of years he
taught school. During the Civil war he was
engaged in the hardware business in Ashland
and later in Centralia, while in the latter place
holding the office of justice of the peace.
After 1863 he removed to the old homestead
in Franklin township, where he spent several
years farming. He then removed to Cata-
wissa and entered the mercantile business.
He had studied surveying, which knowledge
was of great assistance to him, as he was
well acquainted with the lines of property
in the southern portion of Columbia county.
Mr. Knittle served as county auditor in
the year 1859; was a representative in the
Legislature "from 1879 to 1882 ; postmaster
at Catawissa from 1885 to 1889; and justice
of the peace in Catawissa from 1891 until
his death, which occurred Feb. 2, 1899. In
1864 he married Rebecca Berninger, daugh-
ter of Aaron and Phoebe A. (Yost) Bernin-
ger, of Main township, and to them were
born five children : Emma, Clara, Ella, Charles
(who died in childhood), and John Freeze,
the last named now (1914) pastor of the Zion
646
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Lutheran Church, better known as "The
Church of the Red Rose," at Manheim, Pa.
Mr. Knittle was a member of the Lutheran
Church and fraternally was connected with
the Odd Fellows and Masons, being an or-
ganizer in the latter and one of the best
known Masons of the eastern section of
Pennsylvania.
PHILIP SPONENBERG, who is engaged
in farming in Briarcreek township, was born
in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., June
22, 1838, and is a son of George and Elizabeth
(Hass) Sponenberg.
The grandfather of Mr. Sponenberg was
born in Germany, whence he emigrated to the
United States, settling in Dauphin county.
Pa., where he spent the rest of his life en-
gaged in farming.
George Sponenberg, father of Philip Spon-
enberg, was born in Dauphin county. Pa., and
as a young man moved to Briarcreek, Co-
lumbia county. By occupation he was a con-
tractor, and he was a successful business man
and substantial citizen. He passed away in
1847, when still in the prime of life. His
wife, like himself, was a Pennsylvania Ger-
man, and that language was spoken in their
home. Mr. Sponenberg was twice married,
Elizabeth Hass being his second wife, and
they were the parents of the following chil-
dren : Samuel, James, Jane, Peter, Philip,
Sally Ann, Martha and Daniel, all now de-
ceased except Philip.
Philip Sponenberg, son of George Sponen-
berg, received an ordinary public school edu-
cation, and when a young man adopted the
vocation of farming. He was so engaged until
his enlistment, for three years, Oct. 27, 1862,
in Company H, 178th P. V. I., for service in
the Civil war. Not long thereafter he lost
his hearing from the effects of the heavy
cannonading, and was transferred to the am-
bulance corps, with which he served until
receiving his honorable discharge, at Camp
Curtin, Pa., July 27, 1863. He was known
as a brave and faithful soldier, at all times
capably performing the duties intrusted to
him. On his return to the pursuits of peace,
he again took up agricultural work, in which
he has been engaged to the present time with
much success.
On Sept. 4, i860, Mr. Sponenberg was
married to Miss Sarah Eckroth, who was
born Oct. 12, 1844, ^nd died June 14, 1914.
She was one of the seven children of Charles
and Eliza (Rhinard) Eckroth, of Mifflin
township, where Mr. Eckroth was engaged
in farming. Eleven children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Sponenberg, namely: James
E., a farmer of Ijriarcreek township, born
June 19, 1862, who married Sarah A. Boston;
Daniel H., born Nov. 3, 1864, a jeweler at
Picture Rocks, Lycoming Co., Pa., who mar-
ried Carrie Heath, and has two children;
George W., born Nov. 12, 1866, now em-
ployed in a furniture factory at Picture Rocks,
married Anna Naugle, and they have had
seven children, one deceased; Mary E., born
Feb. 27, 1869, married Albert Widger, of
Briarcreek township, a farmer and lumber-
man, and has five children ; William F., born
April 3, 187 1, employed at Scranton, Pa., by
the Pennsylvania Coal Company, served with
the 2d United States Cavalry for three years,
the greater part of which time was spent in
Cuba ; Ella, born March 10, 1873, married
Daniel Markle, of Berwick, who is connected
with the American Car Company, and has five
children; Martha A., born Feb. 21, 1875, who
married Harry H. Case, of Millersburg, Pa.,
and has had two children, of whom one is
deceased; Harry E., a butcher of Briarcreek
township, born Jan. 7, 1877, married Bertha
Ashton, and has six children ; Lewis R., born
Jan. 7, 1881, connected with the American
Car Company, married Rebecca Smith, of
Briarcreek township, and has two children;
Edward H., born May 12, 1882, farming in
Briarcreek township, married Minnie Curtis,
and has six children ; and Lela May, born Feb.
4, 1890, married John Warner, who is farm-
ing on his father-in-law's farm in Briarcreek
township, and has three children.
Mr. and Mrs. Sponenberg are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and have
reared their children in the same faith. He is
a Republican in his political views, and has
served as a member of the board of county
commissioners.
ADAMS. The Adams family is one of
long residence in Columbia county, where its
representatives have made the name synony-
mous with fair dealing and honest principles.
Anthony Adams, the great-grandfather of
John Kinney and Charles Adams, of Briar-
creek township, was the immigrant ancestor
of the family, coming from Germany to Amer-
ica at an early day.
Abraham Adams, son of Anthony Adams,
and grandfather of John Kinney and Charles
Adams, came to Columbia county, Pa., from
the eastern part of the State, and located on
a farm of 300 acres in Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, now in the possession of
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
647
Charles Adams. He married a Miss Miller
and their children were; Abraham, Joseph,
James, William, Thomas, Levina and Anna.
Until his death Abraham Adams cultivated
his property, carrying on general farming.
Following his demise his widow was taken
by her son William to Michigan, where she
died and was buried. Politically the father
was a Democrat. In religious faith he be-
longed to the German Reformed Church, in
Briarcreek township, and gave that denomina-
tion his hearty support.
Thomas Adams, son of Abraham Adams,
and father of John Kinney and Charles
Adams, was born in Briarcreek township on
the farm owned by his father. He grew up
on this property, and himself became a farmer
and miller. He received a common school
education, and assisted his father until he
began learning the trade of miller. Purchas-
ing a farm of eighty-five acres later on in
life, he had the assistance of his children in
operating it. About sixty acres of this tract
are now cleared, the remainder being left
for other purposes.
Thomas Adams married Regina Wenner, a
daughter of Daniel Wenner, whose wife's
maiden name was Gidding. Children as fol-
lows were born of this marriage: Frank died
in childhood ; Sarah Jane married Reuben
Witmire, and both are deceased ; Thomas
Milton, who married Alice Shaffer, lives at
Fowlerville, in Centre township. Columbia
county; James married Alice Dietterick, of
Nescopeck, Pa. ; Mary Ellen, who married
Webster Hippenstiel. Fives in California ;
Charles married Jennie M. Sitler ; John Kin-
ney married Ellen D. Sitler.
A Democrat, Thomas Adams was called
upon by his party to serve in various town-
ship offices, including those of overseer of
the poor and member of the election board,
and gave his constituents fair and honorable
service. For many years he was an earnest
member of the German Reformed Church of
Briarcreek township, which he served as a
deacon for a considerable period. His death
occurred when he was seventy-seven years
old; his wife passed away at the age of sixty-
three years, and both are buried in the ceme-
tery of Briarcreek.
Charles Ad.\m.s, son of Thomas Adams,
was born March 28, 1866, in Briarcreek town-
ship. Here he received his educational train-
ing, attending the district schools. Until the
death of his father Charles Adams worked
for him, and then purchased the interests of
the other heirs, so that he now owns the home-
stead of eighty-five acres, whidh is a portion
of the original 300 acres bought by Abraham
Adams when he located in Briarcreek town-
ship. To this Mr. Adams has added sixty
acres, forty acres of which is under culti-
vation.
Charles Adams married Jennie M. Sitler, a
daughter of Nathan and ^liranda (Varner)
Sitler, and a member of the fifth generation
from the American founder of the Sitler fam-
ily. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had the follow-
ing children : Ray Franklin, who was born Oct.
16, 1890; Maud May, born May 12, 1892;
Floyd Thomas, born July 14, 1896; Vida Ma-
rie, born July 6, 1903 ; and Hazel Ann, born
Aug. 6, 1904. Mrs. Adams was born May 25,
1871, and was educated, like her husband, in the
schools of Briarcreek township. Mr. Adams
is a general farmer, and has been successful
in-his work. The German Reformed Church
of Briarcreek township holds his membership,
and he has served the congregation as deacon.
A Democrat, he has been overseer of the poor
and gives conscientious service to his fellow
citizens.
John Kinney Adams, son of Thomas
Adams, was born in Briarcreek township, Co-
lumbia Co., Pa., April 5, 1872, and is now one
of the prosperous farmers of that township.
During his boyhood days he attended the
schools of his district, and worked for his
father on the homestead until he was twenty
years old. Following this he was employed
by his brother James in a flour mill for five
years, and then began farming on his own
account and for outside parties. After three
years he bought a farm of eighty acres, five
acres of which are in woodland. On this
property he carries on general farming, spe-
cializing on dairying, milking twelve cows of
mixed breeds. For thirteen years he sold his
product to customers at Berwick. While he
is a Democrat he does not feel himself bound
by party lines, but votes and acts independently
when he believes such a course will be to the
best interest of all concerned. Like the other
members of his family he belongs to the Ger-
man Reformed Church, and having been
brought up in its teachings has held to them
all his life.
In 1901 John Kinney Adams was united in
marriage with Ellen D. Sitler, who was born
June 26, 1877, in Briarcreek township. Grow-
ing up in her native township, she attended
the public schools of the neighborhood and
developed into a fine housekeeper and home-
maker. She, too, is a church member, be-
longing to the German Lutheran denomination.
648
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had children as fol-
lows: Frances Alarie, who died in infancy;
Flo Miranda, who was born March 21, 1902:
Ray Leonard, born Oct. 16, 1903 ; Harry
Nathan, born Feb. 18, 1905 ; Nathaniel Paul,
born May 16, 1908: Bessie May, born June 6,
1909; and Mary Rhoda, born Sept. 7, 1910.
The Sitler family, of which Mrs. John Kin-
ney Adams and Mrs. Charles Adams are mem-
bers, is also prominent in Columbia county.
The founder in America was named either
Michael or Simeon Sitler, and he settled on
the present site of the city of Baltimore, there
leasing for one hundred years land now com-
prising fully one-half of the city.
Simeon Sitler, son of the above, lived in
Centre township, Columbia Co., Pennsylvania.
Samuel Sitler, son of Simeon, was born in
Centre township, Columbia county, in 1799,
and died in 1863, aged sixty-four years. After
receiving his educational training in the schools
of his day and locality, he moved to Briar-
creek township, settling on the upper road
at the foot of Knob mountain. There he pur-
chased si.xty-four acres, which he placed un-
der cultivation, and upon it he built a log
house and barn. Later he added sixty-four
acres more to his original purchase, all of his
farm lying in Briarcreek township. Samuel
Sitler married Elizabeth Shaffer, a daughter
of Henry Shaffer, and they had children as
follows : Samuel S., who is deceased, mar-
ried Sarah Rheinard ; Levi, deceased, married
Hannah Bower ; Mary Ann, deceased, mar-
ried George Miller ; Fannie, deceased, married
Edwin Vought ; William, deceased, married
Margaret W'itmire; Nathan married Miranda
Varner; David died in childhood.
Samuel Sitler continued farming until his
death, always carrying on general agriculture.
In politics he was a Democrat. The Lutheran
Church held his membership, and he died firm
in its faith. He and his wife are buried in
the graveyard connected with that church in
Briarcreek township.
Nathan Sitler, son of Samuel Sitler and
father of Mrs. John Kinney Adams and Mrs.
Charles Adams, was born March 16, 1834,
and was educated in the schools of Briarcreek
township. He worked for his father until
a short time before he attained his majority,
at which time he left home to engage with
neighboring farmers, among them being
Messrs. Jackson & Woodin, Mr. Sitler operat-
ing their properties for some time. Later he
purchased twenty-eight acres and conducted
this farm for forty years, until he retired, and
for the last eight years he has been making
his home with his daughter, Mrs. Charles
Adams.
Nathan Sitler married Miranda \'arner,
born June 12, 1841, daughter of Joseph and
Caroline (Harmon) \'arner, and they had the
following children: One died in infancy; Wil-
liam died in childhood : Frank C, who married
Sadie Roberts ( she is deceased), lives at North
Berwick ; Caroline died at the age of seventeen
years ; Dora C. married Joseph Davis ; Jennie
M. married Charles Adams, of Briarcreek
township ; Joseph H. married Elizabeth Knorr ;
Samuel E. married Clara Myers ; Frances A.
married Leonard B. Thomas ; Ella married
John Kinney Adams ; Dilhmond A. married
Hannah Bower ; Nathaniel married first to
Florence Mosteller (deceased) and (second)
Lottie Evans, of Berwick, and has one child.
For many years prominent in politics in
Briarcreek township, Nathan Sitler was
elected on the Democratic ticket to the offices
of school director and supervisor, holding the
latter for four terms. The Lutheran Church
of Briarcreek township is his religious home,
and he was Deacon for many years, also serv-
ing many years as superintendent of the Sun-
day school held in the Knorr schoolhouse.
MARY EMMA \\^\LTER, who has be-
come so well known to the hesidents of Cata-
wissa, Columbia county, by her devotion to
the upkeep of the old Friends' meetinghouse
there, belongs to a famous family of Friends,
her grandfather. Dr. Gilbert Edward Hicks,
having been a cousin of Elias Hicks, founder
of the Hicksite branch of that denomination.
Dr. Gilbert E. Hicks was born 3d mo. 11,
1773, in Bucks county, Pa., and came to Cata-
wissa, Columbia Co., Pa., at an early day,
when peace had been restored in this section.
In 1794 he bought property here. He followed
his profession with great success, being a min-
ister of repute in the Society of Friends. He
died in 1836 and is buried in the cemetery of
the Friends' meetinghouse at Catawissa. Dr.
Hicks was twice married, his first union,
which took place in 1798, being broken by the
death of his wife and child. In 1801 he and
Catherine Hibbs, daughter of Joseph and
Sarah (Blaker) Hibbs, were united in mar-
riage in Roaringcreek meetinghouse, and the
parchment certificate, signed by a number of
witnesses, is in existence yet. They had two
children; Eliza ^'ioletta, born 12th mo. 28,
1802, and William T., born in 1807, who was
drowned in the Susquehanna river when seven-
teen years old. 7th mo. 25, 1825.
Eliza \'ioletta Hicks was first married, in
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
649
1828, to J. J. John, by whom she had one son,
Dr. J. J. John, the well known historian of
Shamokin, Pa. Her second marriage, 5th
mo. 25, 1839, was to John Walter, who was
born in 1796 in Chester county. Pa., and died
"th mo. 20, 1865, in Locust township, Colum-
bia county; he is buried at the Catawissa
Friends' meetinghouse. He was a miller and
followed his trade in his earlier life, later
taking up farming and also conducting a saw-
mill. Three children were born to John and
Eliza V. (Hicks) Walter: WiUiam" Edward,
who died 3d mo. 11, 1880, and is buried at
the Catawissa meetinghouse ; Mary Emma ;
and Anna Maria, who married George Orms-
by, of Philadelphia, and died in 1910. John
Walter had married for his first wife Abigail
Kille, and they had children : Sarah, Abner,
Ann Eliza, Henry, Susan, David and Rebecca.
Mary Emma Walter was born 9th mo. 4,
1841, and received a common school educa-
tion, with one quarter's tuition at Elysburg
Academy, in i860. She remained with her
parents as long as they were living. Her
mother died 2d mo. 15, 1889, in Locust town-
ship, Columbia county, after which the home
was sold and Miss Walter came to Catawissa
to'reside, in 1892, and quietly went to meeting,
whether anyone else came or not. While at-
tending Philadelphia yearly meeting she over-
heard someone who had learned her name
and place of residence say that the meetings
composing Roaringcreek monthly meeting
were laid down. Upon investigation she found
that the meetinghouses at Berwick and Cata-
wissa had been closed, the latter for twenty
years ; the property of the former had been
sold. LIpon her return home she continued
her inquiries into the matter and concluded
there was a work for her. The grounds were
overgrown with brush, and the place was sur-
rounded by distracting influences. Grass as
high as a man's head grew all around the
structure. A football team played in the yard,
a gunshop occupied part of the same, a goat
found pasture there, and the graveyard was
overgrown with poison vine. It was not an
inviting place to a woman, but although at
first she was alone in the spirit of the work
as well as in its actual performance. Miss
Walter set bravely about her self-appointed
task. Securing the key to the meetinghouse,
she had the roof mended and the place put
in order, and from that beginning has given
all her time to the building and grounds, until
she is now recognized as the custodian.
Though the work of getting everything in
order was not easy or brought about without
indefatigable labor, that was not as difficult
as it was to dislodge the "squatters" who had
taken advantage of the long abandonment of
the property. Though naturally retiring, and
of gentle disposition. Miss Walter did not
hesitate when she found it necessary to obtain
certain rights in her line of duty in a more
or less public manner, and when she found
she could not oust the intruders alone she
went to the town council to state her griev-
ances. She was given courteous hearing and
proper aid, and through her perseverance and
untiring efforts the grounds were finally
cleared of objectionable features. So well
did she sustain her point in the contentions
over these matters that one lawyer said, "I
would not want to meet her argument as
opposing counsel." Much of the work re-
quired to bring the place to its present con-
dition of beautiful order has been done by
her hands, and in spite of her advancing
years she continues to do most of it unaided.
Even on hot summer days she may be found
busily engaged in the graveyard or elsewhere
about the property, and in spite of the warn-
ing of physicians against overwork, because
of a weak heart, she enjoys her labors and
asserts that she is better physically for them.
To quote her own words, "I cannot sit down
idly, and I feel this is just as much my mission
as the spoken word is the minister's, although
my ministry is a silent one."
Miss Walter is usually the only worshiper
on Firstday. On Sabbath morning she goes
to the house and stays all day. When the
weather requires she kindles fires in the old
sheet iron stoves. At first a few others came
or went as they pleased, but gradually they
stayed away and she is left to hold weekly
meeting alone. Yet many visitors come on
Sunday afternoons, particularly in the sum-
mertime. Miss Walter says : "I talk with
hundreds as they come around asking of the
way, the truth and the life, and if they begin
on points of difference we get on points of
unity before long and find the gospel is the
same, no matter how we divide in sentiment."
Fifteen Episcopalian ministers have taken the
opportunity of an interview, while other min-
isters of every sect and people from almost
every State in the Union have come to see her,
for her adherence to the faith and her preser-
vation of the meetinghouse property arouses
sentiment in the minds and hearts of all, and
they desire to know more of a sect that can
produce such as she. To quote from the Phil-
adelphia North American of Sunday, Oct. 17,
1909: "Of all the figures that the religious
650
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
life of America has produced none is more
inspirational than this venerable Quakeress."
"For the morning hour of worship she sits
alone (outwardly) and communes with the
spirit according to the practice of the So-
ciety of Friends. With no thought of being
conspicuous or of doing anything unusual —
anything more than her simple duty as she sees
it — she has for the past eighteen years, with
some few exceptions when absent from the
place, sat in meeting thus on Firstday
morning."
Very occasionally passing Friends stop and
hold an "appointed meeting." Some years
ago Joseph S. Elkinton, of Philadelphia, and
Joseph Thomasson were there, and a good
company gathered in the old house, including
a class of girls brought from one of the
churches by their teacher. Once a year, in
6th month, a session of Roaringcreek monthly
meeting is held in the house, as the members
are on their way to attend Fishingcreek half-
year meeting, at Millville, Pa., and this is the
only executive meeting held there, the other
business sessions being held at Bear Gap, the
Roaringcreek house being used but once a
year, in 8th month, when a reunion is held.
For a few summers a non-sectarian men's
organization, called the "Brotherhood," has
held weekly meetings on Firstday afternoons
in the yard, when the benches are carried out
of the house and used. This organization for-
merly met in one of the churches of the place,
but was requested to vacate when liberal dis-
cussion of religious matters became a part
of the proceedings. The meetinghouse
grounds were freely granted for their use
when Miss Walter was asked, and the attend-
ance grew from seventy-eight to two hundred,
about three hundred names being now on
the roll. Alany railroad men are among the
members, and these erected a footbridge and
railing at the entrance to the yard as a small
token of gratitude for the privilege of holding
the meetings on the ground. These weekly
meetings are attended by prominent men of
Catawissa and other points. \\'illiam J. Creasy,
of the State Legislature, whose home is two
miles out of town, being often seen there.
Many strangers come occasionally and fre-
quently call around during the week following
to learn more. From 12 o'clock to 4, on Sun-
day afternoons, when the Brotherhood meet-
ing convenes, it is not unusual for twenty-five
or thirty people to call, and there have been
as many as fifty.
Miss Walter has the admiration and respect
of all the residents of Catawissa and vicinity,
in fact of all who have heard of her simple,
unfailing devotion. To quote again from the
paper previously mentioned, "In a town of
2,200 people, with five churches of average
attendance, it is fair to say none receives
more consideration for works done than does
this one woman who herself composed the
entire congregation, week after week."
The Catawissa meetinghouse is built of
logs and retains its early architecture of 1774
unashamed. The board shutters and the win-
dow frames fit as closely as do those of more
recent times, and the narrow doors in front
open one on either side of the necessary par-
tition of the early days, when men and women
Friends occupied opposite sides of the house.
So exact was the building that a small window
in the back of the house must needs be placed
so in the middle that a half of it is on either
side of the division. The old lock, which
came from England just before the Revolu-
tion, is still here, but not used. Within are
the benches moved from the earlier meeting-
house, perhaps as far back as 1740 ; the exact
date cannot be learned. Built, as it was, in
the midst of a pine forest, the upper cuts of
the trees felled for the purpose were doubt-
less used for the outer walls, while the larger
butt cuts were hand-sawed for lining boards.
Pitch pine surely shows its lasting qualities,
for while the knots stand out in relief no sign
of decay is evident in the partition, lining
boards or benches, hand-carved slightly by
the penknives of boys of many a bygone gen-
eration. The stoves, one on either side, are
of the sheet iron variety, and stand on brick
and mortar foundations.
Elias Hicks has preached in this house, as
have John Comly, Hugh Judge and other noted
ministers of that early day, as well as John
J. Cornell, of Baltimore ; Allen and Sarah
Flitcraft, of Chester, and others of more re-
cent date.
Although cement has been recently used to
calk the interstices between the logs, there
yet remains some of the clay and stone filling
of the earlier day.
As the house now stands, its back is to the
street, but when it was built it fronted the
old Reading road, which wound its way
through the woods, but is there no more. The
ground has so filled up around the door that
only the top stone of the old-time horse block
remains above ground, a memento of the time
when women as well as men rode many miles
to meeting on horseback. . . .
Now the notices of "trespassing forbidden"
adorn the massive oaks within the inclosure.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
651
The men of the town nailed a penalty notice
on the fence one winter not long ago, during
Miss Walter's absence. Within, however, is
a unique notice for which a man is not re-
sponsible. It reads : "Games of all kinds are
forbidden on these premises, and birds are not
to be disturbed under any circumstances."
Miss Walter takes much interest in the "light
housekeeping" of the birds, and loves to have
them around her there.
The graveyard adjoining is nearly full, and
holds within its precincts not only members,
but many descendants of Friends, who claim
right of burial through their ancestry. Here
the dates run from the early days of the twen-
ties and thirties on, while very many brown-
stone slabs, doubtless far antedating these,
bear neither name nor date, or at most the ini-
tials of the name only. Here we find the
names of those early adherents, Sharpless,
Hughes, John, Clayton, Hartman, Walter,
Hayhurst and others. Some who desired mon-
uments— something more than the low stones
prescribed by Friends — secured a tract of land
wherein they can erect such as pleases them
without restrictions. This tract adjoins the
original graveyard on the southwest.
Catawissa is an Indian name, meaning "pure
water," the Shawanese Indians having estab-
lished a wigwam here in 1697. All the white
settlers at first were Friends, but others came
later. The first house was built by Moses
Roberts, a Friend, and is still standing, un-
recognizable, however, as such. Unlike the
meetinghouse it preceded by one year, it has
taken on another coat, giving it the appearance
of a stone house, while the "Quaker Church,"
as it is called, retains its original appearance,
as has the sect its original faith.
The first school was also built by Friends,
in 1797, ten years after Mr. Hughes had laid
out streets and called the place Hughesburg,
but finally returned to the Indian name it yet
retains.
Twenty years after the building of the meet-
inghouse the first church communion was held
in a private house, the first church not being
erected until 1804. The first Methodist serv-
ice was not held until 1834, yet that denomina-
tion has now the largest congregation in the
place. The old stone mill, built in 1801, is
yet standing, a part of it being used for grind-
ing. The paper mill, built in 181 1, has re-
cently been abandoned.
No passenger train ran through Catawissa
until Sunday, July 15, 1854, and previous to
that Friends attending yearly meeting in Phil-
adelphia had to drive by long stages during
the day, stopping at hospitable homes over
night.
HARVEY L. KLINETOB, Oph. D., oph-
thalmologist, at Berwick, Pa., was born at
Fairmount, this State, June 5, 1861, and is a
son of Daniel and Mary (Shaffer) Klinetob.
Stouft'er Klinetob, Dr. Klinetob's grandfa-
ther, was an early settler in Salem township,
Luzerne county, where he engaged in farm-
ing.
Daniel Klinetob, father of Dr. Klinetob,
was born in Salem township, Luzerne county,
and followed farming there in Fairmount and
Salem townships for twenty-two years. His
death occurred in 1897, in his ninety-second
year. He married Mary Shaffer, who was
born in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co.,
Pa., daughter of David Shaffer, who owned
and operated a farm near Evansville, in Briar-
creek township. The mother of Dr. Klinetob
died in 1901. There were eleven children born
to Daniel Klinetob and wife, as follows; Bow-
man, who is a farmer in Luzerne county ; Wil-
liam, now deceased; Fannie, widow of H.
Holmes, who was a teacher of music; Dennis,
who is a resident of Beach Haven ; Minerva,
who is the wife of William Young, of Beach
Haven ; Goodwin, who is a resident of Loyal-
ville, Luzerne county; Nathaniel, who is a
resident of Berwick; Lafayette, a resident of
Beach Haven, R. D. ; Harvey L. ; Guin, who
is a dentist at Berwick; and Phamie, who is
the wife of Fred Callender, a merchant at
Beach Haven.
Harvey L. Klinetob attended school during
his boyhood at Ross, Pa., afterwards in Briar-
creek township, Columbia county, subse-
quently the high school at Huntington Mills,
Pa., and still later was graduated from the
Kingston (Pa.) Seminary. He followed farm-
ing for a few years, but in the meanwhile
continued his reading and study, particularly
along the line of optics, in which he found
himself greatly interested. This resulted in
his taking a course of study in the Philadel-
phia Optical College, from which institution
he was graduated in December, 1908. He then
located at Berwick and engaged in practice,
but in a short time entered the McCormick
Medical College, at Chicago, making a spe-
cialty of ophthalmology and graduating in
this branch of medical science on Oct. 21,
1909. Since then Dr. Klinetob has been es-
tablished in the Dickson building, Berwick.
In 1912 he formed a partnership with his
son Dalbys under the name of Drs. H. L.
Klinetob & Son.
652
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
On Nov. 20. 1895, Dr. Klinetob was married
to Sallie Bender, who was born July 10, 1871,
at Stillwater, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of
Elias and Rebecca (Markle) Bender. Her
father was a farmer during the earlier part
of his life and later engaged in merchandis-
ing. He is a veteran of the Civil war and
during his service was employed for a time
in making shoes for the soldiers. He now lives
retired and makes his home with his chil-
dren. His wife Rebecca (Markle) died in
1909.
Dr. and Mrs. Klinetob have had five chil-
dren: Dalbys B., Sept. 30, 1896; Reka, July
5, 1898; Renna, May 8, 1900 ; Darwin, Aug.
15, 1904; Modeska June 14, 1907. Dr. Kline-
tob and his family belong to the First Metho-
dist Episcopal Church at Berwick. He is
greatly interested in Sunday school work, hav-
ing taught a class for eighteen years, and has
been assistant superintendent of the school.
He is very active in church work and is serv-
ing on the board of stewards and as assistant
class leader. Fraternally he belongs to the
Knights of Malta and to the Junior Order of
United American Mechanics. Professionally
he is connected with the National Society of
Ophthalmology, and is acquainted with the
leading men of science in the country who de-
vote their time and efforts to the perfecting of
this important branch of medicine.
Dr. D.^lbys B. Klinetob, son of Dr. Har-
vey L. and Sallie (Bender) Klinetob. was born
at Berwick, Pa., Sept. 30, 1896. He attended
public school in the borough and while passing
through the Berwick high school entered the
McCormick Medical College, at Chicago,
where he was graduated in ophthalmology,
Aug. 15, 191 2. Since that year he has been
associated in practice with his father.
JOSEPH A. CREASY, a farmer of Centre
township, Columbia county, was born Jan. 24,
1859, in that township, son of Lafayette
Creasy.
John Creasy, grandfather of Joseph A.
Creasy, was a farmer. He located in MifHin
township, Columbia Co., Pa., on a farm of
200 acres, but as this land was of very poor
quality he sold it, and moved to the tract of
400 acres in Centre township on which he
spent the remainder of his life. While work-
ing in a wheat field he drank some cold spring
water, and the reaction developed a chill
which caused pneumonia, from which he died
when only about forty-eight years of age. His
remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at
Miliflinville, but his wife was buried at the
Brick Church graveyard in Briarcreek town-
ship. Politically he was a Democrat, but held
no offices. The German Lutheran Church
held his membership. Prior to leaving Mifflin
township John Creasy married Margaret Diet-
terick, and they had the following children :
Elias married Elizabeth Hower. and both are
deceased ; Jacob married Fannie Freas, and
both are deceased; Caleb is deceased; John,
deceased, married Mary Runyeon, and lived
at Fishing Creek ; Philip married Rachel Ha-
genbuch ; Stephen, who married a Western
woman, lives in Iowa ; Lafayette is mentioned
below ; Effie, who is deceased, married Daniel
Hess, of Mifflinville; Hettie married Isaac
Snyder, and both are deceased ; Hannah mar-
ried A. Folmer, and both are deceased : Wil-
liam died at the age of twenty-one years.
Lafayette Creasy, son of John Creasy and
father of Joseph A. Creasy, was born in
Mifflin township, Columbia Co., Pa., Jan. 2,
1 82 1, and worked on his father's homestead
until he was eighteen years old. At that
time he began learning the blacksmith's trade,
working with a Mr. Wright, remaining for
three years at Lime Ridge. When John
Creasy died his son Philip bought half of his
homestead, and the remaining half was di-
vided equally between Elias and Lafayette.
The latter later bought 125 acres additional.
On his property he carried on general farming
until nineteen years prior to his death, when
he retired and moved to Bloomsburg, spend-
ing the remainder of his life in that city, in
a residence which he purchased. He was
stricken with paralysis during a visit to his
daughter at Wilkes-Barre. Pa., and died from
the effects of the stroke when about eighty
years old. His widow survives, now about
eighty-five years old, and makes her home at
Wilkes-Barre. After the death of Lafayette
Creasy his property was divided, Joseph tak-
ing one fourth of the original farm of his
grandfather, Caroline the 125-acre farm which
she later sold, and Martha the Bloomsburg
property. Lafayette Creasy was a Democrat
in political faith. For a number of years he
was a valued member of the Methodist
Church at Fowlerville, but later transferred to
that at Bloomsburg.
Lafayette Creasy married Catherine Kirk-
endall, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy I Rey-
nolds) Kirkendall, and they had the follow-
ing children : Martha, who married Charles
Conner (deceased), resides at Wilkes-Barre,
Pa. ; Caroline, who married George M. Mc-
Larney, also lives at Wilkes-Barre ; Joseph
A. was the only son.
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
653
Joseph A. Creasy attended public schools
in Centre township, and worked for his father
upon the homestead until he was thirty years
old. He then rented a farm of 125 acres
which he bought later on, and lived upon this
property for eighteen years. For the last
five years he has resided upon his present
farm, which he inherited, and he also owns a
farm of eighty-two acres near Columbia Park
formerly known as the Hell farm, and 118
acres in Briarcreek township, known as the
Conner farm (which is operated by William
Evans), his holdings aggregating 400 acres,
devoted to general farming. Mr. Creasy is
a Democrat, and has served as tax collector
of his township. Fraternally he belongs to
Washington Lodge No. 265, F. & A. M., of
Bloomsburg; Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218,
R. A. M. ; Mount Moriah Council, No. 10,
R. & A. M. ; Crusade Commandery No. 12,
K. T. ; Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second de-
gree, A. A. S. R., and Irem Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S. For many years he has been a
member of the Lime Ridge Methodist Church,
which he has served in all the offices, and he
is a teacher in the Sunday school. Mr. Creasy
has been superintendent of the latter body,
and is now serving as assistant superintendent.
On Dec. 31, 1890, Joseph A. Creasy mar-
ried Mary I. Millard, a daughter of Mordecai
and Sarah J. (Hoffman) Millard.
Joseph ]\Iillard, the immigrant ancestor of
the family, came from England in company
with his brother and located in Columbia
county. Pa., taking up land that lay between
Briar creek and the farm of Joseph A. Creasy.
He married Phoebe John.
Reese Millard, son of Joseph Millard, was
born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
April I, 1789, and was educated in the schools
of his native place. For many years he car-
ried on general agriculture on a farm of 175
acres in Centre township. In political faith
he was a Democrat. A member of the Society
of Friends, he attended meeting at Millville
and Berwick, and is buried in the cemetery at
the latter place. Reese jMillard married (first)
Catherine Rittenhouse, who was born in 1788,
'and died in April, 1823. They had the follow-
ing children : Phoebe, who died in childhood :
William, who married a Miss Moore ; Joseph,
who married a Miss Hutchinson ; Phoebe (2) ;
Anne, wife of William Bowman ; Rebecca,
wife of James Tubbs ; and Catherine, wife of
Charles Conner. The mother of these was
buried at Berwick. Reese Millard subse-
quently married (second) Elizabeth Horton,
who was born July 24, 1790, and they had
the following children: Mary married D. K.
Sloan : Frances L. married Jesse Hoffman ;
Alordecai married Sarah J. Hoffman ; Reese
married Jane Fowler.
Mordecai Millard, son of Reese Millard and
father of Mrs. Creasy, was born in Centre
township April 7, 183 1, and attended school
there until he was twelve years old, after
which he studied by himself, being a great
reader and very ambitious. He became the
owner of 175 acres of land, but later sold
half of this property to a Mr. Harlman. Mr.
Millard was greatly interested in politics, and
in 1867 was elected sheritf of Columbia county,
which necessitated his residence at Blooms-
burg. He served as sheriff for three years,
and from 1871 to 1872 was doorkeeper of
the House of Representatives at Harrisburg.
In 1875 he moved back to his farm in Centre
township, where he died Feb. 20, 1897. In
November, 1890, he was elected associate judge
on the Democratic ticket, and reelected in 1895
for a term of five years, dying in office. For-
merly a member of the Masonic and Odd Fel-
lows fraternities, in later life he gave those
relations but little thought. A man of genial
disposition, he made and retained friends, and
was widely and favorably known throughout
Columbia and adjoining counties. He and his
wife are interred at the Brick Church in Briar-
creek township. While residing at Blooms-
burg he was one of the stewards of the State
Normal in that city for the period of one year.
In December, 1852, Mordecai Millard mar-
ried Sarah J. Hoffman, who was born Oct. 17,
1833, a daughter of William and Anna (Diet-
terick) Hoffman, and died in February, 1905.
Their children were: William Horton, born
Jan. 10, 1855 '• Anna Elizabeth, born Dec. 17,
1856; Mary Imogene, born March 4, 1859,
who married Joseph A. Creasy ; Reese E., born
March 16, 1861, who died April 3, 1861 ; John
Lewis, born April 30, 1862, who died Dec. 3,
1869; Frances Hoffman, born Oct. 22, 1864,
who died Dec. 4, 1869; Ernest Elias, born
Nov. 28, 1866, who married Edna Moore on
Aug. 30, 1894 ; Charles Brickway, born Nov.
30, 1869, who died March 14, 1871 : and Har-
riet L., born July 9, 1873, who died Oct. 11,
1881.
]\Irs. Mary Imogene (Millard) Creasy,
daughter of ^lordecai Millard and wife of
Joseph A. Creasy, was born in Centre town-
ship March 4, 1859, and died Aug. 3, 1910.
She is buried at the Brick Church in Briar-
creek township. Mrs. Creasy received her
educational training in the schools of her
native township and at the Bloomsburg State
654
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Normal School. A woman of admirable Chris-
tian character, her untimely death occasioned
much sorrow, not only to her immediate
family, but to all those who had the pleasure
of her acquaintance.
JAMES S. EDWARDS, of Bloomsburg,
a business man of recognized standing, was
born at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., June 30,
1859, son of Henry and Ellen (Stewart) Ed-
wards.
Some time before the Revolutionary war
three brothers, Mario, Edward and James
Edwards, sailed from England, and coming
to America settled on a farm where the city
of New York is now located. Mario, who
was a bachelor, purchased several large tracts
of land, one of which consisted of thirty-five
acres now included in one of the finest sections
of the metropolis, another, of fifty-five acres,
is principally located in Jersey City. Mario
Edwards bequeathed his property to his broth-
ers Edward and James, and all died within the
space of a few years. Being in comfortable
circumstances their families did not care for
the farms, scattering east and west, and the
government took charge of the property in the
name of the Edwards estate, selling portions
of it with the reservation that the title still
belong to the family should the descendants
ever claim it. The matter dragged along in
the courts of the Empire State until the
supreme court decided that those heirs who
could be located should appear at New York
July 27, 1896. Of these three brothers, Ed-
ward Edwards was the great-great-great-
grandfather of James S. Edwards. He mar-
ried Susan Boone.
John Edwards, second son of Edward Ed-
wards, settled in Virginia about 1772.
William Edwards, son of John Edwards, and
great-grandfather of James S. Edwards, was
born in 1774 near Fairfax, Va., a family
record says in "Sonder" county. Not long
thereafter he accompanied his parents to Jer-
sey, where they reared their family, and then
came to Pennsylvania, but in later life went
West, where his death occurred. William Ed-
wards had the following children : David ;
William ; John ; Catherine, who died unmar-
ried ; and Elizabeth, who married Thomas
Webb.
William Edwards, son of William, and
grandfather of James S. Edwards, spent his
life in agricultural pursuits in Briarcreek
township, Columbia county, where his death
occurred. He was buried at Berwick. He
married Margaret Culp, daughter of Jonathan
Culp, and they had children as follows : John ;
Samuel ; Thomas ; William ; Henry ; Nathan ;
Edward, born Aug. 9, 1813, who died June 15,
1889: Elizabeth ( Betsy), who married Samuel
Gettis ; Katie, who married Abraham Culp ;
and Margaret, who married Jacob Shafter.
Henry Edwards, son of William, and father
of James S. Edwards, was born three miles
from Berwick, in Columbia county. Pa., and
early in life learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed in conjunction with farm-
ing. He sulifered from a paralytic stroke in
middle life, and for thirty years was an invalid,
dying at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
George M. Lockard, at Bloomsburg, in 1898,
when seventy-nine years of age. He was a
Methodist in his religious belief, and was
buried near the old homestead in Briarcreek
township. Mr. Edwards married Mrs. Ellen
(Stewart) Thompson, daughter of James
Stewart and widow of Joseph Thompson, and
they had the following children : William T.,
who is deceased ; Salinda, who married John
Lockard ; George Z., who is engaged in min-
ing ventures at Salt Lake City, Utah ; Eliza-
beth, who married Thomas Geddis and lives
at Bloomsburg ; and James S. Mrs. Edwards
had two children by her former marriage :
Alexander H. Thompson, who served in the
Union army during the Civil war, subsequently
became a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and
died at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; and Esther J.,
widow of George M. Lockard, who died Dec.
13, 1900. Mrs. Edwards's first husband,
Joseph Thompson, was born at Espy, Colum-
bia Co., Pa., and was a potter by trade. When
a young man he went to Michigan, and there
died in 1841, being buried at White Pigeon,
that State. Following his demise the widow
and her two children returned to Columbia
county, where she met and married Mr.
Edwards.
James S. Edwards, son of Henry Edwards,
was educated in the public schools of Blooms-
burg, and in his youth learned the trade of
blacksmith, which he followed for about six-
teen years at Nanticoke and three years at
Wilkes-Barre. At the end of that time he
went out to Utah, locating about fifty miles
south of Salt Lake City, and became superin-
tendent of the Chloride Point silver mine, con-
tinuing to be interested in the mining business
for about seven years. At the end of that
period he returned to Pennsylvania and pur-
chased a farm at Orangeville, Columbia
county, but three years later came to Blooms-
burg and bought out the coal business of J.
G. Quick, the largest in the city. Since 1907
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
655
Mr. Edwards has continued to conduct this
business, which is located at the Reading sta-
tion, and which has enjoyed a healthy and
continuous growth, his trade being now one of
the largest in that line in the city. He is known
as one of the substantial men of Bloomsburg,
and among his associates bears a reputation
for strict integrity.
Mr. Edwards married Mary Jennings, a
daughter of John Jennings, of Nanticoke, Pa.,
and they have had the following children:
George Z., a traveling salesman, who makes
his home at Eureka, Utah; Anna, the wife
of Julius C. Hardie, a practicing physician at
Garfield, Utah ; Mary S., who died when six
months old ; and Thomas, who is still attending
school. Socially Mr. Edwards was made a
Mason in Rocky Mountain Lodge, No. ii,
F. & A. M., at Mercur, Utah, and on return-
ing to his native county transferred his mem-
bership to Oriental Lodge, No. 460, at Orange-
ville, Pa. With his family he attends the
Presbyterian Church. Essentially a business
man, he has never cared for the struggles of
public life, but has not been indiliferent to the
duties of citizenship, and has supported all
measures making for the progress of his com-
munity and the betterment of its people. His
wide circle of friends testifies eloquently to
his universal popularity.
JAMES HARVEY LITCHARD has one
of the finest farms in Anthony township, Mon-
tour county, and besides looking after his agri-
cultural interests has been associated with
other business in the vicinity and active in
public life. He is at present serving as super-
visor of his township. Mr. Litchard is a native
of Lycoming county, Pa., born on the old
homestead Feb. 5, 1863, and he is a great-
grandson of Joseph Litchard. The latter came
to this country from England with his parents,
when eight years old, and the family first
located in Berks county, Pa., eventually settling
in Lycoming county. Pa., where they secured
land and built the old home which is still
standing.
James Litchard, son of Joseph, was born at
the old home place mentioned, and died in
1876, aged ninety years. He married Anna
Strauss, and they had a family of ten chil-
dren, all now deceased.
Jacob Litchard, son of James and Anna
(Strauss) Litcjiard, was born in 183 1 on the
old home place, farmed there all his life, and
died Oct. 28, 1906. He married Margaret
Trick, who was born in Lycoming county in
1S37, daughter of John Trick, and died when
thirty years old. Four children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Litchard: Alfred H., of Ex-
change, Alontour county; Clara, deceased;
Alice, deceased; and James Harvey. The
father remarried, his second wife being Cath-
erine Shumaker, of Lycoming county, daugh-
ter of Benjamin and Hannah (Opp) Shu-
maker. There was one child by this union,
Minnie, now the wife of Isaac Michael, of
Lycoming county. Mrs. Litchard, now (1914)
seventy-seven years old, is still living on the
old homestead.
J. Harvey Litchard passed his early life in
his native county, receiving his education in
the public schools. After his marriage he
moved to the farm he ik)w occupies, in An-
thony township, Montour county (and which
he inherited after his father's death), and to
its cultivation and maintenance he has since
devoted the greater part of his time, with re-
sults that show how skillful a farmer he is.
He raises general crops and stock, and has
made a thorough success of his work, being
considered one of the most progressive agri-
culturists in his end of the county. His fine
place, highly improved and intelligently cared
for, is a model estate, and stamps the owner
as a man of enterprise and practical ideas.
About six years after his marriage he bought
a farm of sixty acres, and he also owns the
Bitler farm of fifty-three acres, adjoining, as
well as a timber tract of thirty acres. Mr.
Litchard is one of the directors of the
Farmers' National Bank of Exchange, Mon-
tour county, is a stockholder and director in
the Strawberry Ridge Creamery Company, a
member of Exchange Grange, No. 65, P. O.
H., and has been quite influential in the ad-
ministration of public affairs in his township.
He served two terms as township auditor, and
is at present supervisor, to which office he
was reelected in 1913, for four years. In
politics he is a Democrat, in religious connec-
tion a member of Trinity Reformed Church,
at Strawberry Ridge.
On Dec. 24, 1895, Mr. Litchard married
Laura Alice McVicker, who was born Jan.
5, 1869, on the old McVicker homestead near
old Derry Church, only child of Wilson C.
McVicker. Mr. and Mrs. Litchard have no
children.
Mrs. Litchard's parents, Wilson C. and Ada
M. (Pickard) Mc\'icker, are now (1913) liv-
ing retired in Anthony township. The father
was born May 8, 1846, the mother Tan. 23,
1847.
William McVicker, the founder of the Mc-
\'icker family in America, was a native of
656
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Ireland, born April 3, 1733, and on coming to
this country first located in Northampton
county, Pa. Thence he came to what is now
Anthony township, Montour county, settling
near Derry Church, where he first bought 120
acres of land. On this place he resided until
his death. Only two acres of it were cleared
when he came, and he not only succeeded in
improving it greatly, but added to it until his
holdings were extensive, for he was one of
the prosperous men of his day. By trade he
was a shoemaker, and some of his tools are
still in the possession of his descendants. He
died in 1808. He was prominent among the
organizers of the historic old Derry Presby-
terian Church, in what is now Anthony (for-
merly part of Derry) township, and his pos-
terity have taken an equally zealous interest
in its welfare, his great-grandson, Wilson C.
McVicker, father of Mrs. J. Harvey Litchard,
having served as elder and Sabbath school
superintendent. William McVicker married
Eleanor Nelson, who preceded him to the
grave, and they were buried in the cemetery
of old Derry Church.
James McVicker, son of William, was born
in 1790 (an old account says he was born in
Northampton county, and was a child when he
came with his parents to Anthony township).
He married Sarah Miller in Montour county,
and they were the parents of twelve children —
si.x sons and six daughters, Rebecca, wife of
J. K. Shultz, of Derry township, and Wil-
liam being the last two survivors. The father
died in March, 1869, the mother in February,
1862.
William McVicker, son of James, was born
April 21, 1814, in what is now Derry town-
ship, and was married in this county March
2, 1 84 1, to Mary, daughter of Samuel and
Jane (Miller) Craig, natives of Pennsylvania
and early settlers in Montour county, whence
they removed in 1820 to Clark county, Ohio,
where Mrs. McVicker was born. Both her
parents died there and are buried in the Muddy
Run cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. McVicker were
the parents of six children : Samuel Craig,
of Watsontown, Pa. ; Wilson C. ; Sarah E.,
widow of James Schooley, of White Deer
\'alley, Lycoming Co., Pa. ; John R., of An-
thony township, who died July 18, 1907; and
Emma Jane and Mary Luella, both deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. McVicker were both members
of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McY^icker
owned sixty-five acres of land in Anthony
township, where he resided until his death,
which occurred in November, 18 — .
Wilson C. McVicker was born within a half
mile of where he now resides, and has always
made his home in this township. He bought
his present farm of seventy- four acres in the
spring of 1868. He also has a wood lot in
Columbia county, of fourteen and a half acres.
He was married in Montour county Feb. 4,
1868, to Ada M. Pickard, born in Bradford
county, Pa., and only child of James and Mar-
garet (Clark) Pickard, both of Bradford
county. The former is buried in Bradford
cemetery, and the latter made her home with
her daughter, Mrs. McVicker, until her death,
in October, 1891. Mrs. Margaret (Clark)
Pickard was a daughter of Robert and Jane
(Wilson) Clark, the former of whom came
to this country from Ireland with his parents
when four years old.
Mr. and Mrs. McVicker are members of
Derry Presbyterian Church. He is a member
of Exchange Grange, No. 65, P. O. H.
WILLIAM MORRIS HAGER, secretary
of the American Car and Foundry Company,
was born in New Milford, Pa., a son of Sal-
mon S. and Emma (Scott) Hager. His ante-
cedents settled in Schoharie county, N. Y.
From there his grandfather. Nelson W. Hager,
removed in 1850 with his family to New Mil-
ford, Pa. His son Salmon S. Hager (father
of William Morris) enlisted in the 141st Regi-
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mus-
tered in as sergeant, in July, 1862; he was
wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, and was
promoted to first lieutenant in July, 1864;
taken prisoner at Deep Bottom, Va., on Aug.
16, 1864, and confined for eight months in
Libby, Salisbury and Danville prisons, and
mustered out with his regiment at the close
of the war.
In 1872 Salmon S. Hager accepted a posi-
tion as agent of the Lackawanna Railroad
Company and moved to Gouldsboro, Pa.,
where he also carried on a coal and lumber
business. He was an unwavering Republican,
taking a deep interest in local politics, and
especially in school matters. In 1886 and
again in 1888 he was elected a member of
the Pennsylvania Legislature, although the dis-
trict was Democratic.
Emma Scott, mother of William Morris
Hager, is a descendant of Henry Scott, of the
County of Suffolk, England, whose son
Thomas came to this country and settled in
Connecticut in 1634.
Mr. Hager received his education in the
public schools of Gouldsboro, Pa., and the
Wyoming Business College at Kingston,
Pa'. He learned telegraphy when a boy, and
PIji,^.„ ^.^.,....
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
657
after leaving school held the positions of oper-
ator at Gouldsboro, Pa., and bookkeeper in
Scranton. Pa., and New York City. In 1890
he resigned to accept a position with The
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company
at Berwick, Pa. In 1892 he was elected as-
sistant treasurer of the company, and after-
wards treasurer. This position he held until
1899. He was also secretary, treasurer and a
director of the Berwick Water Company : was
a member of the board of trustees of the First
Presbyterian Church for a number of years,
secretary of the board, and member of the
building committee during the construction of
the new church. In 1899. when the American
Car and Foundry Company was formed, he
went to New York, was elected assistant treas-
urer and assistant secretary and afterwards
secretary of the company, and has since occu-
pied that position.
Mr. Hager is a director of the American
Car and Foundry Company, the American
Forged Nut Company, and a director and sec-
retary of the American Car and Foundry Ex-
port Company. He is a member of the Penn-
sylvania Society in New York, the Railroad
Club of New York, the Wayne County (Pa.)
Society of New York, and the New York
Railroad Club, the Scott Family Association
and the Old Time Telegraphers' Association.
He is fond of automobiling. fishing and hunt-
ing : is an enthusiast on agriculture and has
a farm near his old home at Gouldsboro, Pa.,
where he is establishing a herd of thorough-
bred Ayrshire cattle, and raising fruit and
other farm products.
Mr. Hager married Anna Edkin Rhodes
Nov. 28. 1888, at Gouldsboro, Pa., a daughter
of Sydenham H. Rhodes (who at that time
was a large lumber manufacturer in Pennsyl-
vania) and Hannah M. (Foulke) Rhodes, a
descendant of Rhirid Flaidd, Lord of Penllyn,
"who dwelt in Rhewaedog Wales in the
Twelfth Century." Edward Foulke. County
of Merionethshire, Wales, came to this coun-
try in 1698, and settled at Gwynedd, Pa. His
grandson. Richard Foulke, was a member of
the Colonial Assembly in 1761-68.
Mr. and Mrs. Hager have their home at
Roselle, N. J. They have two sons, Russell
and Horace, born in Berwick, Pennsylvania.
^Ir. Hager is a member of the Cranford
Golf Club and the Roselle Casino. He served
several vears as trustee of the First Presby-
terian Church of Roselle. and has shown a
keen interest in educational affairs : he was
called to the board of school trustees after
the burning of the Roselle school building and
42
was chairman of the finance committee during
the construction of the new high school build-
ing. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
JOHN G. AIcHENRY, who at the time of
his death was sen-ing his third term as Con-
gressman for the Sixteenth district, Pennsyl-
vania, was a native of Benton township,
Columbia county, bom April 26, 1868, and a
representative of one of the oldest families of
this region.
Daniel McHenrj', great-grandfather of John
G. McHenry, was bom in the North of Ire-
land, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and came to
this country before the Revolution, in which
he fought with the Colonial forces. He was a
pioneer settler in Columbia county. Pa., leav-
ing his former home with an ax and six
months' provisions, and taking up a claim of
six hundred acres in Fishingcreek township
(where the borough of Stillwater is now lo-
cated), later owned by his grandson Daniel
McHenry. He felled trees and built a log
cabin, the first building erected in the county
north of Orangeville, with the nearest neighbor
at that town, six miles distant, and the nearest
market at Northumberland, thirty-four miles
away. His family was soon established there.
He married Mary Stevens, sister of Col. Wil-
liam Stevens, a disting^iished officer of the
war of 181 2, and a well known horseman of
Steuben county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Mc-
Henrj' had the following children: Benjamin,
who owned a part of the old homestead, fol-
lowed farming and lumbering, and died of
yellow fever while going down the S.-sque-
hanna river with a raft ; Daniel was the grand-
father of James B. McHenr\% ex-sheriff of
Columbia county ; John is mentioned below ;
Uriah was a farmer, and by trade a shoe-
maker; Moses, born in 1791, died in 1855;
Elias, a farmer and lumberman, was occupied
all his life in the place where he was bom
(he was a colonel in the State militia and a
very active man in every way) ; Martha was
Mrs. Colley ; Susan was Mrs. Edgar. The
father is buried at St. Gabriel's Church in
Sugarloaf township, the mother in the ceme-
ter>' at Stillwater.
John McHenry, son of Daniel, above, was a
farmer, owning a large tract of land in Benton
township where all his children settled but
Sally ( Mrs. Thomas Young) and Matthew,
who lived in Jackson township. It was he who
started, in a small way, the distillery which his
grandson John G. McHenry developed into
such a large establishment. He was known
as "the old hunter," and it is said that he never
658
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
failed when he went after a deer, the records
showing that he killed about two thousand.
By his marriage to Helena Cutter he had ten
children : Jennie, who married Joseph Lem-
mons and (second) Amos Ellis; Elizabeth,
wife of Lorenzo Mendenhall; Samuel C. ;
Stephen ; Ephraim ; Matthew, of Jackson
township: John; Rohr; Maria, who married
Thomas Hess ; and Sally, who married Thomas
Young.
Of the above family, Rohr McHenry, now
deceased, was the father of John G. McHenry.
John G. McHenry was one of the remarka-
ble figures of his generation in Columbia
county. His education was acquired in the
local country schools and at Orangeville Acad-
emy. In his youth he drove a lumber team,
and had ambitions to enter the legal profes-
sion, but he decided to enter business first,
and the magnificent scale upon which his
operations were conducted speaks well for the
ability which justified his hopes of a successful
career. He became a farmer, manufacturer
and banker, becoming president of the Colum-
bia County National Bank, State superin-
tendent of the Grange banks in Pennsylvania,
head of the great distilling company which
bore the McHenry name, and founder of the
Pioneer Farms, one of the most ambitious
agricultural projects ever launched in this vi-
cinity. A fuller account of his business opera-
tions will be found in the chapter on Benton
township. Mr. McHenry was elected to rep-
resent the Sixteenth district in Congress three
successive times, and was serving his third
term at the time of his death, Dec. 27, 1912.
He held a position on the Appropriations com-
mittee. He was interred in the Benton ceme-
tery.
Mr. McHenry married Mary Wolf, daugh-
ter of Edward Wolf, of Pottsgrove, and they
had two children, John G. and DeArmond.
DAVID EMMET MURRAY, late of
Catawissa, though he died in his prime, had
made a reputation in two fields of high en-
deavor. As a horticulturist and orchardist he
was a master juggling with nature, and his
attainments as an entomologist well supple-
mented his knowledge of vegetable life, fitting
him for the work of consulting specialist, in
which he achieved wide fame. He was also a
minister of the ]\Iethodist Church and during
the years of his active work as such a leading
evangelist, retiring from that profession be-
cause of an affection of the throat.
Born Aug. 29, 1869, at Liverpool, Perry Co.,
Pa., he was a son of John W. Murray, of Har-
risburg, who survives him, as do four brothers :
Jacob, of Liverpool, Pa. ; and Burt, Elmer
and Isaac, all of Harrisburg. David E. Mur-
ray early manifested a studious disposition
and ambition for education which forecast
his busy and useful career. \Mien a boy he
went to work, following the towpath on the
canal, and studied as he walked along, so that
he had prepared himself for teaching by the
time he reached young manhood. In 1887 he
taught school in Perry county. He attended
the normal schools at Millersville and Lock
Haven, graduating from the latter June 25,
1890, and meantime, in 1888, had obtained the
degree of A. B. In 1893 he was elected prin-
cipal of the Catawissa schools, which position
he held for two years (being first teacher in
the high school during that time), and after
leaving taught three years in the schools at
Reedsville, Clearfield county, where he studied
for the ministry. His first charge was at Alex-
andria, in the Central Pennsylvania Methodist
conference, and from there he went to Iro-
quois, of the South Dakota conference. He
held two other appointments in that confer-
ence, at Miller and Leeds. Sufl:'ering from an
aft'ection of the throat, he retired from the
ministry and returned to Liverpool about 1906,
taking up the studies to fit him for a position
in the Pennsylvania Department of Agricul-
ture, division of zoology, which he held at the
time of his death, being regarded as one of the
most efficient men of that division. In -1902
he received the degree of Ph. D. from the
University of Chicago. During his service in
the ministry in South Dakota he did a great
deal of evangelistic work and was recognized
as one of the leading evangelists of the North-
west.
In 1910 IMr. Murray built one of the hand-
somest homes in the borough of Catawissa, on
Fisher avenue, into which he moved in De-
cember of that year. The spacious grounds
surrounding it he turned into a miniature hor-
ticultural experiment station, and at the time
of his death he was also engaged in orchard
demonstration work in Somerset county. It
was not only in the region of his own home
that Mr. Murray became known as an expert
in his chosen profession, but his fame spread
all over this country and even to Europe.
Famous specialists journeyed to this little
Pennsylvania town to consult and watch him
in the wonderful work of his hands. From
France, England and Holland they came to
learn from this wizard of the orchard. It was
a treat to visit beautiful "Roselawn," and a
number of magazine writers came hither to
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
659
obtain material for articles which have been
widely read and enjoyed by thousands. Only
the rarest and best stock was selected, and the
results were worthy of the attempt.
Mr. ]\Iurray was a member of the Horti-
cultural Society of Pennsylvania, had served
as president of various horticultural and agri-
cultural societies, and was president of two at
the time of his death, as well as chairman of
the Columbia County Pomological Society
and member of the Catawissa Grange. Some
time ago he published a brochure on technical
horticulture and agriculture which is consid-
ered an authority by the different State gov-
ernments. Socially Mr. Murray was a thirty-
second-degree Mason and Shriner, and associ-
ated with the important organizations, social
and commercial, of Catawissa, his great
energy carrying him into every progressive
movement. Public school work and religious
enterprises interested him specially. A mem-
ber of the Methodist Church from childhood,
he continued to labor zealously in the cause
after giving up the ministry as a profession,
his training combining with his love for the
work to make his cooperation valuable. For
some time he was jjresident and leader of the
Brotherhood of St. Matthew, the men's or-
ganization for the study of the Bible that for
a time made Catawissa noted in the men's
forward movement.
Though he had not been in good health for
a year Mr. Murray's death, on Sept. 29, 1914,
was sudden and a severe shock to the commu-
nity. On Sunday he had taken some of the
Methodist choir members out to the Mclntyre
Church in his car, and though not well on
Monday morning seemed as usual in the after-
noon. The end came quickly and without
warning early Tuesday morning. He was
buried in the Hillside cemetery.
On Oct. 20, igo6, Mr. Murray married
Phoebe Fisher Osmun, daughter of William J.
Fisher, who survives him with their adopted
son, Edward D. The latter was born Sept.
II, 1906.
WALTER J. VINCENT, farmer and stock
raiser of Valley township, Montour county, is
a member of the third generation of his fam-
ily in the county, where he was born June 9,
1879, on the old Mncent homestead in Liberty
township. He is a son of Henry Mncent, and
grandson of Job Vincent.
Job Vincent was born in England, as was
also his wife, Lydia (Roberts), and they
were married in that country. By trade
he was a mason. He brought his family to
America in 1852, landing at New York City,
and soon afterwards settled in Danville, Mon-
tour Co., Pa. The family consisted of seven
children.
Henry \'incent, eldest in the family of Job
and Lydia \'incent, was born in England,
Dec. 25, 1844. and came to America with his
parents. He had but limited educational op-
portunities in his youth, as at the age of ten
he commenced work in the rolling mills, be-
ing thus employed until he was thirty-two
years of age. He worked on contract for
several years and during that time also found
opportunity for studying law, taking a course
at Columbia College, New York City, where
he was graduated in 1878. He was admitted
to the bar in Xew York, and the same year
in Alontour county. Pa. Subsequently he
commenced the practice of law at Danville,
in 1879, and entered into a partnership with
James Scarlet which continued for two years.
Mr. Vincent then conceived the idea of estab-
lishing the Danville Stove Manufactory, or-
ganized a stock company, and was elected its
first president. The success of this business
was largely due to the energy and determina-
tion of Mr. Vincent. It is now known as
the Danville Stove & Manufacturing Com-
pany. In 1863 he married Sarah Taylor,
daughter of William Taylor. She was also
a native of England, born near the birth-
place of her husband, and came to America
the same year as Mr. Vincent, both locat-
ing the same year at Danville, where they
met for the first time and were afterwards
married. Eight children were born to their
union, namely: Elizabeth, now Mrs. E. P.
Gregory, of Danville ; Thaddeus ; Henry ;
Thomas G. ; Victor; Robert; Walter J., and
William. Mrs. Vincent is a member of the
Methodist Church.
Mr. Vincent ser\'ed as a member of the
council of Danville. In 1862 he enlisted in
Company A, I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry, and participated in several great
battles, among which were Antietam, South
^Mountain, Fredericksburg and Chancellors-
ville, as well as many minor engagements and
skirmishes, having several narrow escapes.
Five balls entered his clothing, and at the
battle of Antietam his coat sleeve was com-
pletely shot off.
Walter J. Vincent had common school ad-
vantages, and learned farming at home until
twenty years old. He took a six months'
course at the State Agricultural College, and
then returned to the old homestead, where he
has been fanning ever since. He is a success-
660
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ful young man, and his progressive methods
have placed him among the most enterprising
citizens of his section. Mr. \ incent is a
member of the Eagles, belonging to Lodge
No. 838, of Danville.
In 1899 Mr. Vincent married Stella Fry,
who was born May 16, 1879, in Valley town-
ship, daughter of Jonathan and Mary
(Hiedcr) Fry, who came from Berks county,
Pa., many years ago ; they now live at Maus-
dale. Four children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Vincent: Robert T., now (1913)
thirteen years old; William L., eleven; Emer-
son, nine; Thaddeus, seven. Mr. \'incent was
brought up a Methodist, and Mrs. \'incent is
a member of the Lutheran Church at Maus-
dale.
CLARENCE E. KREISHER, of Cata-
wissa. attorney at law, is one of the leading
members of this profession in the southern
end of Columbia county. Born in Cleveland
township, that county, March 26, 1874, he is
a son of George Kreisher and grandson of
John Kreisher.
John Kreisher lived in Berks county. Pa.,
until he located in what is now Cleveland
township, Columbia county, where he worked
at clearing and developing the farm he pur-
chased, dying there after a useful life. His
remains were interred at Xumidia. The chil-
dren of John Kreisher were: George; John;
Daniel ; Solomon ; Leonard ; Mary, who mar-
ried John Fisher; and Sarah, who married
Jacob Kelchner.
George Kreisher, son of John, was born in
Columbia county and grew to manhood's es-
tate upon the farm, learning agricultural work
thoroughly. Shortly after his marriage, in
1859, he bought a property of his own in the
vicinity of Esther Furnace, in Cleveland
township, 108 acres of land upon which he re-
sided until his death, in 1897. He is buried
at the Esther Furnace Church. George
Kreisher married Mary Bahme, daughter of
Benjamin and Mary Bahme, of Berks county.
Pa., and children as follows were born to this
union : Sarah, who married Emanuel Rhoads,
died in 1910; Ellen died unmarried in 1892;
Benjamin resides at Mainville, Pa.; Kate
married Edward Yeager ; Mary married Lewis
J. Horn, of Ashland, Schuylkill county;
Lucinda died in 1876; Clarence E. is men-
tioned below ; Laura, who is unmarried, re-
sides at Catawissa ; Elizabeth married Charles
Keifer, of Catawissa.
Clarence E. Kreisher, son of George, at-
tended the old Furnace schoolhouse in Cleve-
land township, and later took a course at the
Bloomsburg State Normal School, from which
he was graduated in 1897. For six years he
taught school, and at the same time read law
with W. H. Rhawn, of Catawissa, being ad-
mitted to the bar of Columbia county in
September, 1900. He has since been admit-
ted to practice in both the Superior and
Supreme courts of Pennsylvania, and the
United States Circuit and District courts. His
offices are conveniently located in the First
National Bank building at Catawissa, and he
carries on a general law practice. The confi-
dence in which Mr. Kreisher is held is shown
by some of the public interests intrusted to
him. He is solicitor for Locust, Roaring-
creek, Cleveland, Franklin and Catawissa
townships, the Roaringcreek Valley and
Farmers' Union Telephone Company, and the
First National Bank of Catawissa ; since 1909
he has been a director of the latter institution,
and he is also a director of the All Wear Shoe
Company, of which he is secretary, having
attained considerable prominence in the busi-
ness world as well as in his profession. A
popular Republican, in 1908 he was the can-
didate of his party for the State Assembly,
but was defeated by 565 votes, an exceedingly
small majority in view of the fact that this is
a very strong Democratic district. The suc-
cessful candidate was Hon. William T.
Creasy. Mr. Kreisher has served three years
as president of the town council. Fraternally
he is a member of the Odd Fellows and the
K. G. E. He is a consistent member of the
Lutheran Church, to which he is giving val-
uable service as one of the church council
and president of the finance committee.
Mr. Kreisher married Minnie Irene Stew-
art, daughter of Charles and Catherine
(Earnest) Stewart, of Cleveland township,
Columbia Co., Pa. They have had the fol-
lowing children : Margaret, Kathryn and
Clarence William.
DANIEL BENJAMIN BECK, contractor
and ornamental cement worker, of West
Berwick, Columbia county, was bom Aug.
7, 1857, in Mahoning township. Carbon
Co., Pa., son of Daniel and Anna (Garber)
Beck.
Jonas Beck, the grandfather of Daniel Ben-
jamin Beck, was born in Germany, from which
country he emigrated to America with a
younger brother, but on reaching the United
States they became separated and never again
saw one another. Jonas Beck settled in
Northumberland county, Pa., but subsequently
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
661
removed to Carbon county, where he took up
200 acres of land, and this he cleared and put
under a high state of cultivation. He con-
tinued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits
throughout the remainder of his life, and be-
came one of his community's prosperous and
influential men. His death occurred when
he was eighty-eight years of age, at the old
homestead place. Mr. Beck was a Democrat
in his political proclivities, and was promi-
nent in the ranks of his party in his section,
being honored by election to nearly all of the
township offices. He also took an active and
helpful part in the work of the German
Lutheran Church, of which he was a con-
sistent member. He held nearly all of the
church offices, at one time or another, and
donated the lumber and land for St. John's
Lutheran Church, known at this time as
Beck's Church. He and his good wife were
buried in the graveyard of that church. They
were the parents of the following children:
Thomas, who married a Miss Wannamaker,
both now deceased ; Daniel, who married
Anna Garber ; Jonas, who settled in Ohio, and
died there (he was married) ; Christina, who
married M. Brettney, both deceased; Mary,
who married a Mr. Dilger, both now deceased ;
and Hannah, who is the widow of John Mil-
ler, of Carbon county.
Daniel Beck, son of Jonas Beck, and father
of Daniel Benjamin Beck, was born on his
father's farm in Mahoning township. Carbon
Co., Pa., Dec. 27, 1820, and died in the same
community Nov. 27, 1904. He received his
education in the public schools of Carbon
county, and worked on the home farm with
his father, learning thoroughly the numerous
details of agricultural work. He made farm-
ing his life work, and was an industrious, com-
petent and energetic farmer and stockraiser,
owning a good property of ninety acres, which
he finished clearing before he died. Like his
father he was a Democrat, and so active that
he was elected to all of the public offices in
Mahoning township within the gift of his
fellow citizens. He also was active in the
work of St. John's (Beck's) German Lutheran
Church, in which he held many offices, and in
the graveyard of that church he and his
good wife were buried. Mr. Beck well merited
the high esteem in which he Was held by
those with whom he came into contact, for
his life was filled with honorable dealing and
kindly deeds and no stain or blemish mars
his record. He married Anna Garber, daugh-
ter of August Steigewald Garber, and they
became the parents of the following children :
Emmeline, who became the wife of Frank
Acker, of Lehighton, Pa. ; Louise, deceased,
who was the wife of Charles Fretz, of Le-
highton ; Amanda and Matilda, who both live
at that place ; Eli, who is married and lives
on the old homestead in Carbon county ;
Charles, who is married and lives at Hazleton,
Pa. ; and Daniel Benjamin.
Daniel Benjamin Beck, son of Daniel Beck,
had his educational advantages in the district
schools of Mahoning township. Carbon county.
Like other farmers' sons of his day and local-
ity he secured his schooling during the winter
terms, and the rest of the year applied himself
to the innumerable tasks that fall to the lot of
country lads. It was not his desire, however,
to become an agriculturist, and when still a
youth he went to Hazleton, Pa., where he
learned the carpenter's trade, for ten years
thereafter following that vocation at Scranton,
Pa. Succeeding this, for five years, he was
engaged in contracting at Scranton, his resi-
dence in that city covering a period of fifteen
years. The poor health of his wife at that
time necessitated a change, and accordingly
Mr. Beck moved his family to Catawissa,
where for eight years he followed farming and
carpentering, and then disposed of his inter-
ests and came to West Berwick. Here he
found a ripe field for his activities, and has
been steadily building up a large and lucra-
tive business as a contractor. He has also
branched out into other lines, having for the
last eight years been manufacturing cement
blocks with a high degree of success, and was
the pioneer in that line in his section. He
has built all the cement block houses now
(1914) in Berwick and West Berwick. Mr.
Beck has business abilities far beyond the aver-
age, is energetic, enterprising and industrious,
and has won success and recognition solely
through the medium of his own efforts. In
politics he has followed in the footsteps of his
father and grandfather, and is known as one
of the active Democrats of his part of the
county. While a resident of Catawissa he
served two terms in the capacity of auditor,
and since coming to West Berwick has been
several times a member of the election board.
He is president of Lodge No. 18, Order of
Beavers, of Berwick. He is a deacon in Grace
Lutheran Church, has been a member of the
board of trustees for two terms, or about six
years, has also served as president of the
church council for six years, is a member of
the Christian Endeavor Society, and has been
secretary of the Sunday school for two terms,
previous to which he was teacher of a class.
662
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
All manner of religious work receives his
able cooperation, and his charities are many.
A progressive, alert and public-spirited citizen,
he has ever been ready to assist others in
promoting measures for the public welfare,
and his activities in this direction have earned
him a place among the men who are developing
and advancing this section.
Mr. Beck was united in marriage with Clara
M. Beminger, who was born Oct. i, 1856, at
Slabtown, in Locust township, Columbia Co.,
Pa., daughter of Jonas and Savilla (Deily)
Berninger. Five children have been born to
this union, as follows : Gertrude Irene, born
April II, 1885, who became the wife of Charles
F. Kreigh and is now living at Montgomery,
Pa.; Andrew Merrill, born Feb. 24, 1887, who
married Anna Ertwine, and is a resident of
West Berwick, Pa. ; Raymond George, born
March 11, 1893, living with his parents, and
now clerk in a store at West Berwick ; Ruth
Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1895, and Robert
Edward, born March 8, 1900, both at home.
JoN.\s Berninger, father of Mrs. Beck, was
born at Slabtown, in Locust township, Colum-
bia county, Pa., and was there educated in the
public schools". At various times during his
life followed the trades of carpenter and
wheelwright, and also engaged in farming
to some extent. He died at Catawissa, Pa.,
at the age of eighty years, in the faith of the
German Lutheran Church. In political mat-
ters he was a Democrat, but his modesty pre-
cluded any idea of his holding any position of
public preferment. His unfailing good nature
made him popular with all who knew him. He
married Savilla Deily, who was born at Allen-
town, Pa., Alay i, 1833, and died in the fall of
1909. She was a faithful member of the
German Lutheran Church, and in her younger
years had been active in church affairs.
PHILIP GIDEON SHULTZ, a partner in
the Benton Store Company, the largest de-
partment store in the town of Benton, was
born there, March 4, 1871, son of Peter B.
Shultz, grandson of Philip Shultz and great-
grandson of Daniel Shultz, one of the old
pioneers of Columbia county.
Philip Shultz, the first of the family to come
to America, was for a time a resident of New
Jersey, later removing to Rohrsburg, Green-
wood township, Columbia Co., Pa., where he
farmed, married and died, passing away April
5, 1816, at the age of seventy-five years. His
wife followed him to the grave September,
1828, at the age of eighty-four. Daniel Shultz,
his son, settled near Rohrsburg about 1800,
when the country was a wilderness, and there
cleared a farm. He married Elizabeth White
and had six children : Philip, James, Isaac,
Samuel, John and Sarah. Daniel Shultz died
April 30, 1S52, at the age of eighty-three, and
his wife passed away March 24, 1853, at the
age of eighty-eight.
Philip Shultz, grandfather of Philip G., was
a native of Greenwood township, whence he
moved to Benton township and bought a farm.
There he lived until his death, at the age of
eighty-seven, his remains being interred be-
side those of his wife in the Hamlin church-
yard. To Mr. Shultz and his wife Sallie
(Kitchen) were born nine children: Elias,
Daniel, Russell, Jane, Wheeler, Henry, Peter
B., Hannah and Elvira.
Peter B. Shultz, father of Philip G., was
born Sept. 29, 1831, in Benton township, and
was a farmer all of his active life. He is
now living retired with his son, Rohr M.
Shultz, in Benton township. He was a mem-
ber of Company A, 179th Regiment, Pennsyl-
vania \'olunteers, and served in all the actions
in which that regiment participated during the
Civil war. He married Sabra Gearhart, who
died in November, 1911, and they had three
children : Wilbur L., a farmer of Benton
township ; Rohr M., also a farmer in that
township ; and Philip G. Peter B. Shultz is a
member of the Hamlin Methodist Church to
which his wife also belonged. She lies at rest
in the little burying ground beside the church.
F'hilip G. Shultz passed through the country
schools and a summer school at Benton and at-
tended one term at Kingston Seminary. For
eight terms he taught school in Benton town-
ship, and then clerked in the general store of
Alfred McHenry, in Benton, for three years.
For three years more he was with the Smith-
Waters Company, and then when the Benton
Store Company was organized in 1905 became
its secretary and manager. The other officers
then were: R. T. Smith, president; T. C.
Smith, treasurer; and W. A. Butt. The firm
continued in business with these officers until
February, 191 2, when Mr. Shultz and Mr.
Butt purchased the interests of the other mem-
bers, and in March of that year incorporated
the present firm, W. A. Butts being president
and P. G. Shultz, secretary and treasurer. The
firm has enjoyed a fair share of prosperity
The store building is 44 by 72 feet in dimen-
sions, containing two stories and basement,
and a large stock of merchandise is carried.
Four clerks are employed all the year round.
In 1896 Mr. Shultz married Lellie Grossley,
daughter of B. W. and Margaret (Hirleman)
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
663
Grossley, and they have four children : Vera,
Ruth, Hobart and Kermit. Mr. Shultz is a
Democrat, and has served for ten years on the
school board, of which he is now secretary.
He is a member of Benton Lodge, No. 667,
F. & A. M. He and his wife are members of
the Christian Church.
BENJAMIN F. KESTER, deceased, was
one of the most respected residents of Blooms-
burg, coming of an old and honored Quaker
family of Columbia county. He was born Oct.
22, 1833, son of Joseph Kester, of Madison
township.
Paul Kester, grandfather of Benjamin F.
Kester, lived in Bucks county. Pa., where he
died. But little is known of him.
Joseph Kester, son of Paul Kester, was
born Nov. 18, 1790, in Bucks county. Pa., and
located in Columbia county, owning the farm
of 120 acres in Madison township upon which
he died. He was laid to rest in the burial
ground at Millville, passing away July 14,
1852, in his sixty-second year. Joseph Kester
married Elizabeth Ogden, a daughter of Isaac
and Rachel Ogden, born Aug. 10, 1791, who
died April 19, 1874, aged eighty-two years,
eight months, nine days. Both belonged to
the Society of Friends at Millville and were
earnest, good people who carried out in their
everyday life the principles of their faith.
The children of Joseph Kester and wife
were as follows : Isaac, born Nov. 28, 1813,
died at Millville, Pa. ; Charles, born Sept. 13,
1815, died at Millville; George, born Nov.
4, 1817, died in Greenwood township. Pa.;
Enoch, born Oct. i. 1819, died at Roaring
Creek, Pa.; Rachel, born Nov. 26, 1821, died
in Madison township when a child; Arnold,
born Sept. i, 1823, died in Greenwood town-
ship; Jane, born March 18, 1827, married
Joseph Kester, a second cousin, on Nov. 11,
1851 ; Anna, born Sept. 22, 1828, married
Parker Kester, a second cousin ; Hiram, born
Aug. 4. 1831, died in Greenwood township;
Benjamin F. completed the family.
Isaac Ogden, the maternal grandfather of
Benjamin F. Kester, was born Dec. 13, 1767.
His wife, Rachel, was born Feb. 29, 1768.
They had children born as follows: Eliza-
beth, Aug. 10, 1791 ; John, Sept. 24, 1793 ;
Jacob, May 5, 1797; Hannah, Oct. 16, 1799;
Mary, Jan. 30, 1802; Charity, May 21, 1804;
Benjamin, March 11, 1813 ; Thomas, March
17, 1814: Abigail, Sept. 11, 1815; Jane, Oct.
21, 1817.
Benjamin F. Kester attended the local
countrv schools, and assisted his father on the
home farm, growing up to respect his parents
and honor the laws of his country. When old
enough he began farming for himself in
Mount Pleasant township, and later bought a
farm in Madison township, which he con-
ducted for many years. When he felt that it
was time for him to retire he sold his farm
to his son Willits. and moved to Bloomsburg.
where he lived for two years before his death.
He passed away May 20, 191 3, and was in-
terred in the Friends' burying ground at Mill-
ville.
On August 8, 1856, Mr. Kester married
Mary Ann Millard, a daughter of William
and Lydia (Houch) Millard, of Roaring-
creek township. She died May i, 1893, aged
fifty-eight years, and is buried at Millville,
Pa. They had the following children : ( I )
Wilham Millard, born Sept. 22, 1858, is a
traveling salesman with headquarters at Wil-
mington, Del. (2) Lydia A., born April 4,
1862, married Esebias Dieffenbach. (3) Wil-
lits B., born Oct. 8, 1865. was reared an agri-
culturist and was engaged in farming at Dutch
Hill, Madison township, until 191 1, when he
came to Bloomsburg. now operating a farm
near town. He married Ida M. Kline, a
daughter of William and Phoebe E. (Reich-
ard) Kline, and they have two children, Veda
E. and Phoebe Zoe, both attending the Blooms-
burg high school.
Benjamin F. Kester resided with his son
Willits and family, and was very fond of his
grandchildren, who are bright, attractive girls.
All of his life Air. Kester was a member of
the Society of Friends at Millville, and en-
joyed meeting with his old friends at stated
times in the historic meetinghouse there. The
last of the family of his parents, he was one
of the finest examples of the sturdy stock from
which he sprang. All his life he upheld the
belief of his people, and used the plain speech
of the Friends. Like others of his faith his
word was held equally binding with his written
promise, and was so accepted by those with
whom he did business. A quiet, unassuming
man, he won respect and inspired confidence,
and the community was better for his pres-
ence in it, for the influence he exerted was
good.
NORMAN J. HENDERSHOTT, late of
Bloomsburg. was a well-known druggist of
that place for many years. He was a native
of the town, born in February, 1846, son of
Joseph W. and Melvina (Jacoby) Hender-
shott, whose children were; Lavilla (wife of
664
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Dr. A. B. Jamison), Norman J., Albert and
Annie (Mrs. H. W. Sloan).
Norman J. Hendershott obtained a public
school education. He became the first agent
of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail-
road Company at Bloomsburg, where he re-
mained until his enlistment in the Union army,
for service in the Civil war, in 1861. He acted
as commissary, and was with his regiment
in all its activities until the close of his term.
Subsequently he went to Washington, D. C,
and became a clerk in the war department,
from which he was later transferred to the
treasury department. In 1867 he returned to
Bloomsburg and engaged in the drug business,
carrying it on for the next twenty-one years,
during which period he became one of the suc-
cessful merchants of the town. After giving
up his Bloomsburg store he again went to
Washington, D. C, where he was employed
as a drug clerk for several years, in 1894 com-
ing back to his home town. After farming
one year he retired from active pursuits be-
cause of failing health, and his death oc-
curred Aug. 21, 1896. He was a member of
the Episcopal Church.
On May 20, 1886, Mr. Hendershott mar-
ried Mary M. Grotz, daughter of John K.
Grotz. She now resides on Main street,
Bloomsburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Hendershott
were born two children, Harry and Norman,
the former of whom died in infancy. Norman
was killed on the Bloomsburg & Sullivan rail-
road when eighteen years old ; he was a
student at State College.
Abraham Grotz, grandfather of Mrs. Hen-
dershott, came to Bloomsburg in 1806. He
was born in Easton, Pa., and in 1806 removed
to Bloomsburg, where he built the first frame
house in the town and was engaged in the
manufacture of silk and fur hats, made by
liand, until 1832, in which year he moved to
Ohio. Locating near Uniontown, Stark
county, he purchased a farm and became a
prosperous farmer, remaining there until his
death, which occurred when he was seventy-
five years old. He married Mary Kuhn,
daughter of John Kuhn, who also attained an
advanced age, and they became the parents
of the following children : Eliza, Julia Ann,
David, Rachel, John K., Maria, Rebecca,
Susan and Abraham.
John K. Grotz was born at Bloomsburg
Oct. 22, 1810, in a frame house on the corner
of Iron and Second streets, one of the two
frame houses he could remember as the only
ones in the town in his early boyhood. He
learned the trade of harnessmaker early in his
life and followed it with Isaac Green until Sep-
tember, 1830, at the head of Market street.
That year Mr. Green went West and Mr.
Grotz succeeded to the ownership of the estab-
lishment. He then purchased the lot where he
afterwards had his permanent home, erecting
a shop there and later a residence. He con-
tinued to follow harness-making until 1866,
when he retired therefrom to devote his at-
tention to a tannery which he built in 1851
on a lot on Hemlock street, which he had pur-
chased in 1850. He continued to operate his
tannery with almost phenomenal success un-
til 1870, when on account of his declining
years he decided to retire, and he died at
Bloomsburg June 20. 1908, in his ninety-eighth
year. Mr. Grotz was a widely known citizen
of Columbia county, and held in affectionate
esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He
was a self-made man, in the best sense, having
nothing but his own eft'orts, industry and en-
terprise to aid him when he started in busi-
ness. He was enterprising and always had
the interests of his native town and county at
heart. Associated with many other local busi-
ness ventures besides those mentioned, he was
one of the original stockholders and a director
of the National Bank of Danville; was one of
the original organizers and stockholders of
the First National Bank of Bloomsburg, but
sold his interest in 1870 and became a di-
rector of the Banking Company of Blooms-
burg; was a director of the B. & S. Railroad
Company, and a stockholder in the D. L. &
W. R. R. Company. He was a Democrat in
politics and served many times as treasurer
of the board of poor directors for the dis-
trict of Bloomsburg. which office he held for
over twenty years. He also filled many minor
positions. He was always regarded as a valu-
able counselor, and much respected for his
excellence of character, gentleness and kind-
ness of disposition, and politeness of man-
ner. Because of his excellent memory he was
often referred to in regard to some event
which transpired during his earlier life. He
was wonderfully preserved for one of his
years.
Mr. Grotz married Elizabeth Fister, daugh-
ter of Thomas Fister, of Catawissa, Pa., and
they became the parents of six children : Mary
M., widow of Norman J. Hendershott ; Har-
vey H.. formerly cashier of the Bloomsburg
Banking Company ; Henry C, who lives in
a house in Hemlock township, where the tan-
nery formerly stood; one that died in infancy;
Susan C, and Thomas F.
In religious belief Mr. Grotz was a faith-
j6^/i/^}^
i- Ta
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
665
ful member of the Lutheran Church. So-
cially he was at one time a member of the Odd
Fellows lodge.
DANIEL F. KNITTLE, miller at Knittle's
Mills, Catawissa, Columbia county, was born
in Franklin township, that county, in 1850,
son of Aaron S. Knittle and grandson of
Daniel Knittle, one of the first settlers in the
county. The history of the Knittle family
dates back to early Colonial times. It is re-
corded in the "Archives of Pennsylvania" that
Joseph Knittle came to America on the ship
"Patience" and landed at Philadelphia Sept.
17, 1753.
Michael Knittle, son of Joseph, was a resi-
dent of Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa.,
where he died in 1789. His children were:
Frederick, John Adam, Michael, Daniel,
Rosina and Catherine.
Daniel Knittle, grandfather of Daniel F.,
came to Columbia county in 1795 and settled
in Franklin township, near Mendenhall's mill.
His brother, Frederick, came about a year
previously. Both were farmers, their farms
lying side by side. Daniel's children were:
Joseph Baldy, formerly postmaster at Cata-
wissa and a legislator for one term ; Jacob, who
married Angelina Derr ; Aaron Shultz ;
Reuben, who died unmarried ; Esther, wife of
John Vought, of Elysburg; Margaret, wife of
Jacob Kostenbauder ; and Sophia, who died
unmarried.
Aaron Shultz Knittle, father of Daniel F.,
followed agricultural pursuits for the whole of
his busy life. He resided at first on a tract
of 104 acres in Franklin township, and later
moved to Mount Carmel, where he died, being
buried at Sharp Ridge, Montour county. He
married Sarah Campbell, a daughter of Oba-
diah Campbell, in Elysburg, and the children
of that marriage were: Joseph C. ; John;
Dallas ; Daniel F. : Mary, who married Frank-
lin P. Maurer; Emma, Mrs. Blakely ; Jane,
married John Frederichs ; and Laura, married
to Silas Everitt.
Daniel F. Knittle was educated in the public
schools of Catawissa and Orangeville Acad-
emy, and after graduation taught school in
Columbia county for eight years. He selected
the mercantile business, taking a clerkship for
a time, and then going to Girardville, Schuyl-
kill county, where he remained some years.
Locating in Locust township, Columbia county,
he started a store, and resided there for three
years. For a time thereafter he farmed at
Elysburg. and then came to Catawissa, where
he entered into partnership in 1897 with Clark
Rhoads. Three years later he bought out his
partner and enlarged the business, adding
lumber, grain and coal, and building a grain
elevator. Next he purchased the old McKelvy
mill, which has a history of almost one hundred
years, and has remodeled and greatly im-
proved it. With the mill property he acquired
seventeen acres of land, which he farms. He
has a large trade in the county, his mill being
famed for its products.
Mr. Knittle married Fannie E. Marks,
daughter of Adam and Margaret (Kosten-
bauder) Marks, and they have had the follow-
ing children : Eugene, who died at the age of
eleven ; Bertha, who also died when eleven
years old ; Ralph, a minister ; Henry, in charge
of the lumber, coal and grain branch of his
father's business ; and John, at school, at
Wyoming Seminary.
Mr. Knittle is a Democrat. He was auditor
of Ralpho township, Northumberland county,
and justice of the peace of Catawissa borough
for five years. He is a member of the United
Brethren Church of Fisherdale, Cleveland
township, and has served as an officer of that
church. He has been a member of the I. O.
O. F. since he was twenty-one and is connected
now with Good Will Lodge of Mindora, hav-
ing attended all of the meetings but two for
a period of five years, making the trip at
night in all kinds of weather, over a distance
of ten miles, on poor roads. Mr. Knittle is one
of the progressive business men of Catawissa
and commands the respect of the community in
general.
Obadiah Campbell, son of Obadiah, a
pioneer of this State who settled in Northum-
berland county, was a man of note in that
county. He was born in New Jersey in 1776,
and came to the county in 1779, where he was
reared on the home farm, now the south end
of the town of Elysburg. He ran a large saw-
mill and was very thrifty in his habits. He
died in 1865, and his wife, who was Elizabeth
Shipman, died in 1866. Both are buried near
the Sharp Ridge Methodist Church. Ten chil-
dren were born to their union : Nicholas ;
Mary, wife of William Thompson; Hannah,
wife of James Hile ; Jane, wife of Elijah
Yocum ; Obadiah S., who married Eliza Teats ;
Elizabeth ; Joanna, wife of John McMurtrie :
John, married Mary A. Fuller; Sarah, wife
of Aaron Shultz' Knittle, and mother of Daniel
F. Knittle ; and Jackson, who settled on one
of the two farms into which his father's 300-
acre tract was divided, Elijah Yocum, his
brother-in-law acquiring the other.
666
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ROBERT ALLEN CARSE, of Berwick,
mechanical engineer, has been engaged in a
responsible capacity by the American Car &
Foundry Company throughout the period of
his residence in the borough. Since Decem-
ber, 1912, he has been assistant chief drafts-
man. With the broadening of his experience,
supplementing a thorough training, his work
is gaining steadily in value, and he has the
prospect of a favored career in his chosen
profession.
Mr. Carse is of Scotch extraction, his grand-
father, Alexander Carse, coming from Had-
dington, near Edinburgh, Scotland. He set-
tled at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he
died. He was a stonemason by occupation,
and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
His six children were: John, Robert, Peter,
Alexander Elder, Janet and Margaret (Mrs.
Watt).
Alexander Elder Carse was born Oct. 9,
1843. ''1 Edinburgh, Scotland, and grew to
manhood in Canada. He was educated at
Hamilton, Ontario, and starting business life
early as a clerk in Toronto, by the time he
was twenty-one years old owning a store of
his own. Later he came to the United States,
first to New York and afterwards to Detroit,
where he clerked in the freight station of the
Michigan Central Railroad Company. When
thrown out of employment by the fire which
destroyed that station he went to Kalamazoo,
Mich., where he acted as yardmaster for the
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company
and also as telegraph operator. After a time
he became interested in the lumber business in
northern Michigan, being associated in his
operations there with William Mitchell and in
the West with Holbrook Brothers. He was
also engaged as civil engineer by the Grand
Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company, and was
employed by Chicago firms on numerous oc-
casions to estimate timber in British, Colum-
bia. He traveled extensively all over the
West. Mr. Carse finally went to Kentucky,
locating at Richmond, where he continued
the lumber business. He died Aug. 26, 1910.
Mr. Carse was a Presbyterian in his religious
belief, and he belonged to the Masonic fra-
ternity, holding membership in a blue lodge
in Michigan. On political questions he was
independent.
I\Irs. Eva M. (Allen) Carse, wife of Alex-
ander Elder Carse, was born April 5, 1853,
daughter of John B. Allen, of Kalamazoo,
Mich., and died March 24, 1887, at Kalama-
zoo. She had one sister, Ida, who married
Calvin S. Smith, general agent for the Penn
Mutual Life Insurance Company in Chicago,
111.; he died Dec. 26, 1910. Mr. and Mrs.
Carse had two children, Robert Allen and
Sophia Blanche; the daughter, born April 20,
1874, married Matt Hacker, and is living in
Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Robert Allen Carse was born May 10, 1885,
at Big Rapids, Mich. He attended common
school at Kalamazoo, took a course in the
Caldwell high school at Richmond, Ky., and
then entered the Kentucky State University at
Lexington, studying mechanical engineering
under Prof. F. Paul Anderson, dean of the
department. He was graduated in 1907 with
the degree of B. M. E., and the same year
came to Berwick to enter the employ of the
American Car & Foundry Company, being
placed in the mechanical department under H.
P. Field. At present he has charge of sample
castings, approval of weights, etc., and in
December, 19 12, was made assistant chief
draftsman.
Mr. Carse married Rozella B. Williams,
daughter of Richard H. and Hannah (Thorn-
ton) Williams, at one time of Haverstraw,
N. Y., later of Danville, Pa. Mr. Carse at-
tends the Presbyterian Church at Berwick.
He is independent of political associations.
Mrs. Carse's grandfather, John T. Williams,
her first ancestor in America, came to this
country from England, where he was bom
and reared, and was engaged in the iron busi-
ness. His wife's maiden name was Maybury,
and their children were : William Maybury,
Maria Elizabeth, John Thomas, Sarah Ann
(married George Kinn), Mary Eliza, Joseph
Henry, James Knox Polk, Richard H. and
Emma Jane.
Richard H. Williams was born April 11,
1847, at Haverstraw, N. Y. He came to
Danville, Pa., when the family settled there,
and spent his early years at that place. Upon
reaching manhood he worked in the rolling
mills there and at Harrisburg, and in 1873
came to Berwick, where he helped to build and
start the rolling mills. Returning to Danville
for a time, he came back to Berwick in 1877,
and was engaged in the same capacity there
until his death, Oct. 7, 1891. By his marriage
to Hannah Thornton, born in 1845, ^^'ho sur-
vived until Nov. 14, 1913, he had the follow-
ing children : William Edwin ; Walter, who
died voung and is buried in Harrisburg ;
Mary,'Mrs\ F. W. Bush; Gertrude, Mrs. C.
C. Paden ; and Rozella B., Mrs. Robert Allen
Carse. of Berwick. The father was a mem-
ber of the Episcopal Church, the mother a
Presbyterian in religious connection. He be-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
667
longed to the Knights of Malta and the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, and was asso-
ciated with the Democratic party on political
issues.
Michael Thornton, the maternal grandfather
of Mrs. Carse, had the following children:
Edward, Benjamin, Isaiah, Xancy, Tamar,
Hannah and Peggy. Of these, Isaiah, born in
1814, was a business man at Danville, engaged
in the shoe trade, and died in i860. His wife,
Barbara (Ernest), born in 1816, died in 1885,
aged sixty-nine years. They had children as
follows : Leah Ann married George E. Hunt ;
Mar>' Margaret married Will H. Smith ;
Hannah married Richard H. Williams ; Mi-
chael Grier married Elizabeth Taylor and
(second) Clara Taylor; Lewis married Caro-
line Kindt; Eva died young; John married
Nellie Ellen E. Leahy ; Rozella married Deo-
zra Taylor.
MAURICE J. GIRTON, principal of the
Hemlock high school, at Buck Horn, Colum-
bia county, was born at his present home in
Hemlock township, Dec. 16, 1889, son of
Stewart M. Girton.
The family is of English extraction, but
the original immigrant is not known. Jacob
Girton, the founder of the family in Colum-
bia county. Pa., settled one mile above Buck
Horn, where he became the owner of a large
tract of land. He married (first) Ann Appel-
man, and they had the following children :
Matthias. William, Philip, Baltas, Esau, Lena,
Hannah, Sarah A. and Elizabeth. For his
second wife Jacob Girton married Catherine
Lilly, by whom he had no children. Both
belonged to Heller's Church, in Madison town-
ship, Columbia county, where they are buried.
Matthias Girton, son of Jacob Girton, was
born Feb. 3, 1796, and died Nov. 8, 1852, aged
fifty-six years, nine months, five days, upon
his homestead in Hemlock township, where he
was an extensive landowner. His wife was
born in 1795 and died April 5. 1846, aged
fifty-one years. Both are buried in the New
Columbia cemetery. Their children were:
Matthias A., who died in Hemlock township;
Caleb Hudson ; Eliza, who married John
Everett; Ellen, who married Robert Moore;
Sarah, who died unmarried ; Jacob, who died
in Madison township ; and Samuel, who died
in childhood.
Caleb Hudson Girton, son of Matthias Gir-
ton, was born Aug. 8, 1836, and died July 19,
1877. He owned the property upon which his
son Stewart M. Girton is now residing, and
developed this farm of 104 acres, putting up
all the buildings upon it. He rounded out his
life upon that place, dying there, after having
gained universal confidence and respect in his
comnumity. He is buried in the cemetery at
New Columbia, Pa. Caleb H. Girton married
Sallie Zeisloft, and they had children as fol-
lows : Harriet, who is unmarried ; Stewart
M.; Ella, who married J. Frank Emmitt ; and
Nora, who married Hervey McHenry, a son
of Samuel McHenry.
Stewart M. Girton, son of Caleb H. Girton,
was born on his present property, Nov. 30,
1865. His educational training was gained
in the public schools of his neighborhood, and
he assisted his father in operating the home-
stead until the latter's death, after which he
helped his widowed mother. When eighteen
years old he assumed charge of the property,
and eventually came into possession of it, and
he carries on general farming very profitably,
having made a success of his life work. He
married Ermina M. Hartzel, a daughter of
Jacob Hartzel, and they have had the follow-
ing children : Laura. Maurice J., Lois, Robert
and Earle. Mr. Girton is a Democrat in his
political views, and while a member of the
school board of Hemlock township has served
as president, secretary and treasurer of that
body. For many years he has been a con-
sistent member of the Methodist Church, and
one of the leading men of his congregation.
Prof. Maurice J. Girton has carefully pre-
pared himself for his profession. After tak-
ing a common and high school course in Hem-
lock township, being graduated from the lat-
ter in 1909, he entered the Bloomsburg State
Normal School, from which he was graduated
in the class of 191 1. Following this he was
appointed to the Emmitt school in Hemlock
township, and made such a success of his
work during 1911-12 that he was placed at
the head of the Hemlock high school at Buck
Horn, which position he still ably fills. An
enthusiast in his work. Professor Girton en-
ters into it with all his heart. He is proud
of the fact that he belongs to the same pro-
fession as does the head of the nation, and
strives in every way to be worthy of his
calling. A thorough student, he keeps himself
abreast of the trend of events, and aims to
enlarge his outlook on life with further study
and travel. Not only is he an able instructor,
but possessing a broad mind and sympathetic
nature he is able to get the correct viewpoint
of the pupils placed in his care, and is honored
and loved by them, as he is esteemed by their
parents, who appreciate his worth. Professor
668
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Girton is unmarried and resides with his par-
ents.
PERRY DeLONG, a leading harnessmaker
of Orangeville, was bom Jan. i6, 1843. ^"d is
a son of William, grandson of Samuel, great
grandson of John, and a descendant of one
of the oldest Huguenot families in America.
The first settler of the DeLong family on
this side of the Atlantic was Peter, a French
Huguenot, who came to America in 1732,
following the example of many other Protest-
ants who had to leave their country after the
revocation of the edict of Nantes. In Rev.
Mr. Stapleton's "Memorials of the Huguenots
in America" he has the following: "The pro-
genitor of the DeLong family was Peter De-
Long, originally spelled de Lang, who came
to Maxatawny township, Berks Co., Pa., at
an early day, from the State of New York,
where the family had originally located. The
family will ever be distinguished by the heroic
achievements of Lieut. George W. DeLong, of
the American navy, and leader of the ill-fated
'Jeanette' polar expedition, in which he per-
ished. Peter DeLong died at an advanced
age in 1760, leaving seven children: John,
Henry, Jacob, Michael, Abraham, Frederick
and Barbara. His will is on record at the
courthouse in the city of Reading, Pennsyl-
vania."
Peter DeLong married Elizabeth Webber
and lived in Ulster county, N. Y. His son
John, great-grandfather of Perry DeLong, re-
sided in Northampton county. Pa., and had a
son Samuel.
Samuel DeLong, the grandfather, lived at
Sunbury, Northumberland county, but later
went West, where he died. He was a horse
trader. He married Elizabeth Plank, and they
had the following children : Henry, Edward,
Jesse. William, Catherine and Polly.
William DeLong, father of Pern,', was bom
at Orangeville, March 3, 1813, when it was but
a small village. After a Hmited schooling he
took up the trade of shoemaker, at which he
labored for fifty-five years, dying in 1890.
He was a poor boy, but by patient industry
and perseverance he acquired a competence in
later life. He married in Februar)', 1842,
Rebecca, daughter of Lewis Labenberg, of
Catawissa, and they had five children : Perry ;
Mary E., wife of Wesley Hutton; Catherine,
who died unmarried ; Jerome B., of Orange-
ville ; and Clement V., deceased.
Perry DeLong was educated in the public
schools and the Orangeville Academy, and
began teaching at the age of eighteen. He
taught eleven winters, meantime assisting his
father in the summer. In 1870 he engaged in
harnessmaking and has followed the trade ever
since, building up a fine patronage drawn from
the entire surrounding country as well as the
town. In 1864 he enlisted in the Independent
Battery A, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and
served for ten months of the Civil war. He
married Rebecca, adopted daughter of Daniel
Keller, and they have had children as fol-
lows: Laura \^, wife of John Unger; and
William C, unmarried, who is teaching at
West Berwick and resides at home. Mr.
DeLong is commander of Peeler Post, No.
435, G. A. R., has been connected with Moun-
tain Lodge, No. 264, I. O. O. F. since 1864,
and is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Jerome B. DeLoxg was born at Orange-
ville, Pa., Oct. 23, 1858, and attended the pub-
lic schools and Orangeville Academy. After
teaching four terms in Orangeville, Mount
Pleasant and Benton township he engaged in
the stove, tinware and hardware business at
Orangeville, where he now has an extensive
establishment. He married Flora A. Colder,
daughter of Abraham Colder, of Stillwater,
Columbia county, and they have had five chil-
dren: Pearl, wife of W. E. Pitts; Jean, wife
of George G. Jones; Lulu, wife of W. A.
Lemon; Zella, wife of W. E. Zeigler; and
Leon, at home. Mr. DeLong is a Democrat,
has sened as councilman, borough auditor,
school director, and twice as mercantile ap-
praiser of Columbia county. He also is a
member of Mountain Lodge, No. 264, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
MacINTYRE— M.\cDONALD. The tradi-
tional history of the Maclntyre clan states
that they are a sept of the MacDonalds of
Sleat, and they are entitled to use the Mac-
Donald badge, which is "the heather," and
to wear the MacDonald plaid, although the
Maclntyres have one of their own. The Mac-
Donalds first became powerful in the year
1 135, when Somerled (a Norseman), or
Samuel, married Efifrica, daughter of Olave
the Swarthy, king of Man and the Isles.
This hero, for such he undoubtedly was, Sam-
uel, did more to free his countrymen from the
rule of the Danes and Norwegians than any
other, and in consequence, attained to a power
greater than has fallen to the lot of any sub-
ject of present Scotland. His origin seems-
to be clearly "Pictish," of an ancient people
of North Britain, inhabiting the eastern coast
of Scotland, and first mentioned in A. D*
296. Architectural remains of a singular char-
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
669
acter still exist in parts of Scotland which are
traced to the Picts, and we learn that they
were of uncommon bodily strength.
Somerled's — or Samuel's — father's name
was Gillbrede, which was a Pictish name, and
signified a follower of St. Bride. He, Samuel,
was killed at Renfrew, when invading Scot-
land, in 1 164, and left four sons : first, Dougal,
from whom descended the Lords of Lorn ; sec-
ond, Angus; third, Olave; and fourth, Reg-
inald. From these came all the families of
the surname of MacDonald.
There is every reason to believe that the
Columbia county (Pa.) branch of the fam-
ily are descendants of the second son, Angus,
who sheltered Bruce in Dunavertie, in 1306.
Donald, Lord of the Isles, was a son of Angus,
and he entered into a treaty with Richard
II., on the footing of a sovereign prince, and
after marrying the Countess of Ross was
killed in the battle of Harlaw. in 141 1. His
fighting force comprised seven hundred men.
In the year 1625 one of his descendants and
namesake, Donald MacDonald, was created a
baron by Charles I. and married "fair Janet
MacKenzie,'' of Kintail. Their son was Sir
James MacDonald, of Sleat, who joined Mont-
rose in 1644 and fought at Worcester in 1651.
During Montrose's invasion of Argyll, in
1644 and 1645, they marched through Glen O,
near Bunawe, in the district of Lorn, which
was the country of the ]\laclntyres. One bri-
gade was commanded by a MacDonald. and
supposing himself to be still among the Camp-
bells, who were the hereditary enemies of
the MacDonalds, whom for ages they had
tried to ruin and supplant, he ordered all
the houses in Glen O to be burned. The in-
habitants fled, and the dwelling of the chief,
which was roofed with heather, was the first
to be given to the flames. A burning coal was
brought from the hearth and thrust into the
deep thatch. But before the fire had made
much headway the commander was told that
this was the house of the "Chief of the Mac-
Intyres." "Then forbear," he cried, "and
e.xtinguish the flames, for it is the house of
our ow^n blood !" The coal was extracted from
the roof, and as a relic, to prove the respect
paid by a Scotchman to ties of kindred, this
house was carefully preserved by the Mac-
Intyres until they came to America.
We give but a partial history of the Mac-
Donalds — enough to show that they were a
powerful clan, and of noble blood. Robert-
son, the historian, says that this clan "by every
rule of antiquity, power and numbers are fully
entitled to be spoken of before any other."
The surname Maclntyre is in Gaelic Mac-
an-t-saoir, which means "the carpenter's son,"
and this is the story of its origin : On one oc-
casion the Chief MacDonald's galley sprang
a leak. The hole was discovered by one of the
clansmen, who forced his thumb into it, then
cut it off and left it there, so that he might
assist in sailing the galley. By so doing he
saved the crew from drowning. He was ever
afterwards caller "Saoir-na-hordaag," mean-
ing the "thumb carpenter." Sometime later
this man's son, who was known as "Mac-an-t-
saoir," meaning the "carpenter's son," left
Sleat in his galley resolved to seek his for-
tune elsewhere. He took with him a white
cow, vowing that wherever the cow would lie
down to rest after landing, there he would
settle. He kept this cow, and settled at Glen
O, Loch Etive side, a place still known as
Larach-na-Ba-Baine, which means "the site
of the white cow."
It is a well known fact that the Maclntyres
of Glen O occupied these lands for a period of
six hundred years prior to 1806, which takes
us back to 1206. There was a strong colony
of Maclntyres residing for many genera-
tions at the village of Cladich, Loch-awe,
where they carried on an e.xtensive weaving
industry ; a specialty with them was the pro-
duction of very finely woven hose and garters,
which were made in the various clan tartans.
No Highland costume, however costly, was at
that time considered complete without a pair
of Cladich hose and garters. Each clan in
Scotland has its tartan or plaid. The women
wear dresses of it ; the men, kilts, sashes,
stockings, garters and caps.
The name Maclntyre occurs in the Eglinton
memorials, under date of 1490, when Gille-
christ Maclntyre witnessed a letter of rever-
sion by the rector of the Church of St. Mary,
at Rothsay, and Christino Maclntyre wit-
nessed an instrument of Sasine in the same
rector's favor. John Maclntyre composed the
salute, "Failte Phriousa," on the landing of
King James, in 171 5.
Duncan Ban Maclntyre, one of the best
modern Gaelic poets, was born in Druinlaig-
hart, in Glenarchy, in 1724, and fought at
Falkirk under Colonel Campbell of Carwhin.
He became a member of the Highland Fen-
cibles, with which regiment he served until it
disbanded in 1799. He excelled in all kinds
of verse, his poems going through three edi-
tions, and all good judges of Celtic poetry
agreed that nothing like the purity of his
Gaelic, and the style of his poetr}', has ap-
peared in the Highlands since the days of
670
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Ossian, a Scottish hero and poet who lived in
the second and third centuries, composing in
the Celtic language. Duncan died in Edin-
burgh in 1812, and was buried in the "Grey
friars." In 1859 a stately monument was
erected to his memory at Delmally, near the
head of Loch-awe.
The Alaclntyres of Glen O were the chiefs.
(i) Duncan Maclntyre of Glen O married
.Mary, daughter of Patrick Campbell, of Bar-
caldine, Para, Beag. He died in 1695.
(2) His son, Donald, was his successor.
He was twice married (first) to Janet, daugh-
ter of Archibald MacDonald, of Keppoch, and
they had one daughter; and his second wife
was Catherine, daughter of MacDonald of
Dalness. They had three children. James,
Catherine and Mary.
(3) James was his father's successor, and
was born in 1727. He studied law, but gave
it up totake charge of Glen O, on his father's
death. He was a fine scholar, and a poet of
some note. He was married to Ann, daughter
of Duncan Campbell, of Barcaldine, and sister
of "Cailien Ghlinn lubhair." They had three
sons and six daughters: Donald, Martin and
Duncan, and Catherine, Ann, Isabel, Mary,
Lucy and Jean. Duncan, the third son, was
the poet mentioned above. He was captain
of the Highland Fencibles, and died in 181 2.
(4) Donald, the eldest son of James, suc-
ceeded his father as chief of the clan. He
was a doctor, and went to New York in 1783.
His wife was Esther Hames, and they had
four sons, James, Donald, Thomas and Mar-
tin. His death occurred in 1792.
(5) James, the eldest son of Dr. Donald
Maclntyre, succeeded his father as clan chief-
tain. He was born in Newburgh, Orange Co.,
N. Y., in 1785. In 1806 he went to Scotland,
and in 181 7 married Ann, daughter of Peter
Campbell, of Carries, Glenarchy. He re-
turned to the United States in 1822, and set-
tled on a farm in Fulton county, N. Y. They
had six sons : Donald, Peter, James, Ewan,
Archibald and Martin. He died in 1863.
(6) Donald, his eldest son, was then chief.
He settled on a farm near Fonda. His wife
was Phoebe Shepherd. They had one son,
James, and four daughters. He died in Oc-
tober, 1887.
(7) James, his only son, born in January,
1864, succeeded him, and if living is the pres-
ent chief of the Maclntyres.
There is somewhere in the Maclntyre fam-
ily a ring, having engraved on it the crest and
motto. It was originally in the possession of
Mr. Duncan Maclntyre of Leith, son of Rev.
John Maclntyre, LL. D., of Kilmonivaig.
This ring was examined by Duncan Ban Mac-
lntyre, the famous poet of Glenarchy. and he
composed some Gaelic verses descriptive of
the ring, and of the armorial bearings of the
clan.
The Maclntyres fought under the banner
of the Stewarts of Appin in 1745, and held
the very distinguished position of hereditary
foresters of the Stewarts, Lords of Lorn, and
were connected by marriage with an heiress
of the Stewart family in 1435. About this
time the family spelled the name "M Yntyr."
Their slogan, their war cry, is "Crua Chan"
(a mountain near Loch-awe). Their badge is
the same as the AlacDonalds, the heather.
Their clan pipe music is, "We will take the
highway." Their motto is "Per Ardua,"
which means "Through Difficulties." The
Scottish families entitled to use their plaid
or tartan are the MacTears, the Tyres and the
Wrights. The name is properly spelled Mac-
lntyre. The foundation of their tartan is
green, of medium shade, with wide bars of
darker green, crossed with narrow bars of
white and red. The small blocks formed
where they cross each other are dark blue.
[Copied from a record.]
The following is from a newspaper ac-
count :
All roads led to Mclntyre church yesterday
for the members of the Mclntyre clan, who
held their tenth annual reunion there, on the
historic grounds given by their ancestors
years ago.
Those present were the descendants of Jo-
seph Maclntyre, who, when he came from
Scotland, 'settled in Columbia county. He
married Alice Yarnell, a Quaker girl, who was
conspicuous for her. bravery and aid in dress-
ing the wounds of soldiers who escaped the
massacre of Wyoming in 1778. Their daugh-
ter Mary married John YoCum, thereby con-
necting two of the prominent families of the
county of those days.
Members of this clan came from Williams-
port, Altoona. Herndon, Lewistown. Hazleton,
Bloomsburg, Scranton, and .Seattle, Washing-
ton.
The occasion this year was celebrated by a
fine dinner in the grove, after which a business
meeting was held. The reunion program
opened with a prayer by Rev. Whitney, of
Bloomsburg, followed by inspiring singing by
Amos Hile, of Catawissa. Airs. O. S. Sher-
wood, of Hazleton, the historian of the clan,
gave the result of her research into the
genealogical records of the family, tracing
COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
671
them back as Maclntyres to the year 1300,
when this sept possessed the country of Glen
O, near Bunawe, in the district of Lorn, in
Scotland, going still farther back to the origin
of the MacDonalds from whom the Macln-
tyres descended, the founder being Somerled,
or Samuel, who first became powerful in the
year 1335. The MacDonalds were nobles,
and they are by every rule of antiquity, power
and numbers, fully entitled to be ranked with
the highest in their country. An address on
"The Benefit and Pleasure of Family Reun-
ions" was delivered by Rev. E. H. Yocum, of
Lewistown, followed by a splendid talk by
George C. Yocum, of Scranton, his subject
being, "If you cannot do what you like, like
what you do." The other speakers were Rev.
Faus, Dr. Kline and J. C. Erwin, of Seattle,
Wash., who also delighted the assemblage with
two select recitations.
The following are the officers of the associa-
tion: President, Dr. Fox, of Catawissa; vice
president, J. P. Hoagland, of Williamsport ;
treasurer, E. D. Tewksbury, of Catawissa ;
secretary, Bessie Long, of Catawissa ; assist-
ant secretary, Owen Kostenbauder, of Cata-
wissa ; committee on program, Archie Hoag-
land, of Williamsport. Mrs. O. S. Sherwood,
of Hazleton, Mrs. Hulda Chcrrington, of Mill
Grove.
Following of the clan were present from a
distance : Dr. and Mrs. C. L. Erwin and son
Lincoln, of Seattle, Wash.; Rev. Dr. E. H.
Yocum, of Lewistown ; George C. Yocum, of
Altoona; J. P. Hoagland and daughter. Miss
Dorothy, of Williamsport ; D. W. Yocum, of
Herndon ; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Sherwood, of
Hazleton; !Mrs. J. L. Wolverton, of Blooms-'
burg.
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