USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Armstrong County, Pennsylvania her people past and present, embracing a history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 25
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
a private house on the corner of Jacob and Jefferson streets.
After the transfer of the log schoolhouse various subscription schools were started, car- ried on for a time and with varying success until the establishment of the public school system. One of these subscription schools was kept by a Mr. Jones and was located at the corner of an alley running parallel to Market street. Another was kept by David Simpson in a frame building on Jacob street. Still another was the one taught by Dr. Meeker, on Water street. The Houston schoolhouse was on the west side of Jeffer- son, near Jacob street, and was built for school purposes by Samuel Houston. It was carried on at various irregular periods by Thomas Cunningham, Jonathan E. Meredith and George Fidler, from 1830 to 1836.
The inauguration of the free school sys- tem in 1834 was a welcome innovation to the parents who had to exercise such care in the selection of a proper school for their children from the many good, bad and indifferent pri- vate ones that so far had failed to supply the necessary educational facilities.
The first school board election for the borough of Kittanning resulted in the elec- tion of Frank Rohrer, Samuel McKee, Find- ley Patterson, John R. Johnston, Joseph M. Jordan and Richard Graham.
The first schoolhouse erected under the new law was on the south side of Jacob street, and was one story, frame, contained two rooms and was heated by a stove. Notwith- standing repeated enlargements it finally was abandoned from lack of capacity for the grow- ing throng of knowledge-seeking youngsters. In 1842 Judge Boggs taught there, being en- gaged in all for fifteen months. Although the increase of capacity was long desired there was difficulty for several years in finding a suitable lot on which to build a larger struc- ture. Finally, through the generosity of Gen- eral Orr, the acre on which the present school- houses are located was purchased for $3.500 in 1871.
The second building was erected in 1868, at a cost of $29,700. For a time it proved adequate for the purpose, but necessity com- pelled its replacement in 1886 by the pres- ent large schoolhouse.
The schoolhouse last mentioned is a fine example of the architecture of nearly thirty years ago, and is commodious and conveniently arranged. It does not present a great con- trast to the modern and business-like high school adjoining it.
The high school was built in 1910 and is ample in size, convenient in arrangement and handsome in appearance. The lower floor is used for classrooms and the manual training department. The second floor has the prin- cipal's office, classrooms and the finest audi- torium in the county, where graduation exercises, lectures and meetings of the edu- cational associations are held. The heating of the building is of the most improved de- sign, and all modern methods of lighting and ventilation combine to make it a model school- house. The total cost was $75,000.
The high school, in addition to the usual classical courses and the manual training de- partments, has a commercial and typewriting course.
Professor T. C. Cheeseman is the principal of the high school and Professor F. W. Good- win has supervision over both the grade and high schools.
In 1913 the number of grades was 24; av- erage months taught, 9; male teachers, 7; female teachers. 19: average salaries, male, $112.93; female, $62.83; male scholars, 502; female scholars. 465 ; average attendance, 735 ; cost per month, $2.51 ; tax levied, $21,283.56; received from State. $4,127.82 ; other sources, $31.531.51 ; value of schoolhouses, $166,500 ; teachers' wages, $18.316.86; fuel, fees, etc., $16.755.63.
The school directors are: George G. Tit- zell, president ; Hon. John H. Painter, secre- tary; James E. Bush, treasurer ; John A. Fox. L. E. Biehl.
BANKS OF KITTANNING
At a meeting held in the grand jury room of the courthouse at Kittanning on Feb. 17, 1836, the first banking association was formed. Its title was the Mechanics' Savings Fund Company, and the officers were: William F. Johnston, president; William Matthews, sec- retary; Joseph M. Jordan, treasurer ; Fred- erick Rohrer, Nathaniel Henry, Francis Debbs, Hugh Campbell and Archibald Dickey, direct- ors. The stockholders were almost exclusive- ly mechanics, and it operated almost entirely among the workingmen. After a brief exist- ence it was dissolved.
The Kittanning Bank was incorporated in 1857 with a capital of $200,000. It weathered the specie payment suspension of 1858 and continued in business until 1866, when it was changed to a national bank. In the following year it ceased existence.
Soon after the passage of the national bank
KITTANNING PUBLIC SCHOOL
KITTANNING HIGH SCHOOL
PODANE LIBRARY
ASTOP. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
THE LEN VOUS PUBLIC LIENARY
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
act in 1863 the First National Bank of Kit- tanning was organized ( 1863), beginning busi- ness in 1867. The Kittanning Bank having closed, most of the business reverted to the new bank and the cashier also transferred his position to it. The capital stock of the First National was $200,000. At the expiration of the charter in 1883 this bank was closed.
The Allegheny Valley Bank was established in 1872, with a capital of $100,000, and con- tinued in business for several years. The officers were: Dr. T. M. Allison, president ; Simon Truby, vice president ; James S. Moore, cashier.
The Farmers' National Bank was estab- lished in 1884. The capital is $100,000. Its present officers are: J. A. Gault, president ; George G. Titzell, cashier; ›George B. Flem- ing, assistant cashier ; Charles R. Moesta, book- keeper ; J. A. Gault, Harry A. Arnold, Harry R. Gault, H. A. Colwell, Floy C Jones, W. Pollock and George G. Titzell, directors.
The Safe Deposit and Title Guaranty Com- pany was established in 1890, with a capital of $135,000. The officers are: W. B. Mere- dith, president ; James McCullough, Jr., vice president ; John A. Fox, secretary and treasur- er; Frank J. Atkins, assistant treasurer ; Freda Gerheim, teller; Fred Ashe, teller ; James McCullough, H. A. Heilman, Irwin T. Campbell, W. B. Meredith, Frank Neubert and John A. Fox, directors.
The Merchants' National Bank was organ- ized in 1897, with a capital of $100,000. The present officials are : G. W. McNees, president ; J. R. Einstein, vice president ; James M. Pain- ter, cashier; Paul L. McKenrick, assistant cashier ; George W. McNees, J. Frank Graff. John H. Painter, C. T. N. Painter, J. R. Ein- stein, James E. Brown, Paul L. McKenrick and James M. Painter, directors.
The Armstrong County Trust Company was incorporated in 1902, with a capital stock of $125,000. The present officials are: Harry R. Gault, president; Oliver W. Gilpin, vice president ; H. G. Gates, secretary and treas- urer ; A. L. Sheridan, assistant secretary and treasurer : Frederick McGregor. teller : Ned Lee, bookkeeper ; Harry R. Gault, Dwight C. Morgan, George W. Reese, S. H. McCain, D. B. Heiner, Floy C. Jones, James H. Corbett, W. A. Louden, Oliver W. Gilpin, J. R. Ein- stein and H. G. Gates, directors.
A. Colwell, James McCullough, Jr., H. G. Luker, John D. Galbraith, W. Pollock, F. S. Noble and Harvey Claypool, directors. Mr. William Pollock, the cashier of this bank, was also the cashier of the old Kittanning Bank, and has been continuously in the banking busi- ness for over fifty years. His keenness of judgment is still unimpaired.
The Kittanning Insurance Company was in- corporated in 1853 and for some years did a fine business all over the Union, but bad man- agement caused it to suspend in 1890.
Miss Freda Gerheim has the honor of be- ing the only lady bank official in Armstrong county, holding the position of teller in the Safe Deposit and Title Guaranty Company, where her admirable tact and constant cheer- fulness have won her the esteem and confi- dence of a large clientele.
MEDICAL MEN
The resident physicians of Kittanning are: Thomas M. Allison, L. Dent Allison, William J. Bierer, John M. Cooley, Frank W. Hile- man, John T. Deemar, Roscoe Deemar, Charles J. Jessop, Samuel A. S. Jessop, Charles H. Furnee, Thomas N. McKee, John K. Kiser, Elenor J. Lawson, Charles S. Mc- Given, Robert P. Marshall, Frederick C. Monks, Charles J. Steim, Joseph J. Steim, Robert F. Tarr, Jay B. F. Wyant.
The Kittanning General Hospital is under the charge of Boyd S. Henry, with a com- petent corps of nurses and assistants.
A number of the leading citizens of the county have organized for the purpose of build- ing and equipping an institution for the use of the public, under the title of Armstrong County General Hospital. Subscriptions are being obtained and the requisite buildings are soon to be built in Kittanning, on their lots adjoining the court house, at a cost of $100.000.
The dental profession is represented by Drs. E. H. Wright, J. D. Sedgwick, Charles E. Manon, J. K. Eyler, H. W. Schall. The opti- cal profession of Kittanning is composed of Profs. J. M. Logue and J. A. McMillen. Dr. D. A. Gorman is resident veterinarian.
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS
As Kittanning is the county seat and the courthouse is located here the majority of the legal profession are residents of the bor- ough, so a list of them would only be a repeti- tion of the sketch of the bench and bar of
The National Kittanning Bank was char- tered in 1902, with a capital of $200,000. The present officers are : H. A. Colwell, president ; W. Pollock, cashier; F. S. Noble, assistant cashier ; J. Douglass White, bookkeeper ; H. the county. We will refer the reader to that
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
sketch for a complete list of the members of Company, and contracted with the Crandall the legal profession who have in the past made their home here, as well as those now resident in Kittanning.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Daguerreotyping was introduced in 1860 and the old wet plate process took its place in 1863. C. C. Shadle was one of the first operators in Kittanning, coming here from Apollo in 1869. Walter S. Otto began busi- ness here in 1887 and is still located on Mar- ket street. A. S. Schreckengost started in for himself in 1890 and is located on Market, near the city hall. The leading artist in this line is John R. Leister, who lately purchased the studio of Mr. Shadle, and has the best equipped establishment in the county. Mr. Leister is also a prominent member of the musical circle of the town and especially popu- lar with the younger set.
DAUGHERTY VISIBLE TYPEWRITER
If Kittanning is to be known in history in the future it will be at least famous among the mechanics of the world as the home of James Denny Daugherty, the inventor of the first visible typewriter in the world, the class of machine that has gradually forced itself to the front of the writing machine trade. For a time none of the standard machine manu- facturers would accept the innovation, but at the present time the typewriter that is "blind" has little sale.
Mr. Daugherty, who is the court stenog- rapher of Armstrong county and one of the leading lawyers of the county, as well as a facile and famous speaker, is also a natural mechanic. When he left college in 1879 he decided to study stenography, then in its in- fancy, and with commendable enterprise he bought one of the old Sholes-Glidden typewrit- ers, afterward the Remington. Even with this slow and crude machine he became able to take testimony without the use of steno- graphic notes. The annoyance of raising the carriage of the machine caused him to work out the idea of a visible writer and in 1881 he made the first working model of a type- writer with writing in sight. A successful working model made of iron was developed by him in 1883.
For a time his other duties prevented a continuance of the typewriter development, but in 1889 he had his idea patented. In 1891 Mr. Daugherty, together with Joseph Buffing- ton, Charles J. Moesta and William Rum- baugh, formed the Daugherty Typewriter
Typewriter Company, of Groton, N. Y., to manufacture two thousand of the machines according to the Daugherty model. Mr. Daugherty went to Groton and personally supervised the work.
In 1894 the business had grown so exten- sive that the present brick factory was built at Kittanning and the work entered into with a complete new equipment, under the man- agement of Mr. Daugherty. From that date until the present time the works have run full time, with the exception of seven and one- half months, caused by the temporary em- barrassment of the firm.
In 1897, through the incompetency of a manager of the factory, a lot of 2,500 ma- chines were cast into the scrap heap. This was a severe blow to the little company, as they had never caught up with their orders and the hundreds of agents around the country de- manded deliveries at once or cancellation of contracts would be made. As they could not get out the orders, the firm was compelled to suspend, and in 1897 the plant was sold to a company, who renamed the machine the Pittsburgh Visible Typewriter.
This company later sold the Daugherty patents to the Union Typewriter Company, who control all of the factories in the "trust," and thus the other machines were soon fitted with the necessary visible feature. For a time Mr. Daugherty was a member of the experi- mental staff of the Union Company, but in 1913 severed his connection, and has now associated himself with the Underwood Type- writer Company, being consulting mechanical expert for the president, John Underwood. The Underwood has taken most of the speed prizes, but is now having Mr. Daugherty de- sign an adding, subtracting and multiplying attachment, to be built into the Underwood as an integral part of the machine. So far Mr. Daugherty has progressed toward the completion of this addition to his other origi- nal improvements to writing machines with encouraging speed, and it is to be believed that in the coming year he will have again intro- duced a radical change in the construction of the typewriter. This invention, however, will not be rejected and ridiculed as his first one was by the short-sighted public, but will have the hearty cooperation of one of the largest factories of typewriters in the world.
KITTANNING IRON AND STEEL COMPANY
Nails were made by John Miller, Alexander Colwell and Robert Speer at different periods
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
from 1811 to 1825. The iron from which the at different periods by the company in the nails were made was packed over the Alleghe- way of improvements. nies from the East.
The first foundry was started by Adams & Thompson in 1843, and was first operated by horsepower. They made plows and other agricultural implements of those days. The next foundry was that of Anderson & Buf- fington, in 1853. It produced stove and other castings. Hulings & Robinson's foundry be- gan in 1857, and was also a stove foundry. A severe explosion, which injured no one but damaged the home of Judge Boggs, occurred in 1870 at this foundry, which was then called Robinson & Crawford's. Mccullough's Na- tional Foundry started in 1873.
The rolling mill was built in 1847, and was put in operation in January, 1848. The cost was chiefly furnished by the solid men of Kit- tanning. The original firm name was the Kittanning Iron Works. Then in the muta- tions of ownership the firm names were
The company gave employment in its fur- Brown, Phillips & Co., Brown, Floyd & Co., nace, mill and coal bank to about 400 men R. L. Brown & Co., Martin, Brickel & Co., and to about 300 more elsewhere, chiefly in and Meredith, Neale & Titzell. Connected its iron mines. with it were a foundry and nail factory. The products were common bar, rod, sheet and hoop iron, nails, and castings. It gave em- ployment, while in full operation, to about 150 men.
The buildings and machinery were so much injured by fire Wednesday night, Dec. 18, 1867, that the then proprietors, Martin, Brickel & Co., did not repair them, but sub- sequently sold their interest therein to Mere- dith, Neale & Titzell, who rebuilt the plant and operated it until 1873, when the panic caused a suspension of the business. The works con- sisted of sixteen puddling furnaces, three trains of rolls, twenty-two nail machines and one squeezer. The annual capacity was 7,000 tons of iron.
The Kittanning Iron Company, Limited, was organized in October, 1879, with a capital of $150,000. The firm was composed of James E. Brown, James Mosgrove, J. A. Colwell and C. T. Neale, of Kittanning, together with the firm of Graff, Bennett & Co., of Pittsburgh, the members of which were John Graff, James J. Bennett and Robert Marshall. Henry King was also associated with the firm. The prop- erty of Meredith, Neale & Titzell was bought, greatly enlarged and improved, and in 1880 they began to operate again. New puddling furnaces were constructed and the capacity of the blast furnace was increased to 50,000 tons per annum. Fully $100,000 was expended
The company then owned several thousand acres of iron land and leased several thou- sand more in the Allegheny valley, in Arm- strong and Clarion counties, the ore from which was used without admixture in their blast furnace. When the pig-iron went to the puddling furnaces it was mingled with about one-fourth of its own bulk or weight of Lake Superior ore. The coke used was also manu- factured at works from coal mined in the immediate vicinity.
About a year after the company began busi- ness they purchased a gas well, about three miles west of the works, which had been struck by parties boring for oil three years before. The gas from this well was conveyed to the works in 334-inch pipes, and this has since been the only fuel used in the puddling process.
In 1907 a new furnace stack, 19 feet across the bosh and 80 feet high, was erected and went into blast in 1909. The production is 250 tons per day, or 75,000 tons a year. The train of three high muck rolls turns out 20,- 000 tons of muck bar in a year.
The company ceased to operate its mines in 1903, and now purchases the coke and ore used in the furnace. The old gas well is still producing moderately, the company also hav- ing bored others, and buys additional gas from outside wells.
The number of employees in the plant av- erages 300 during the working periods. The capitalization of the plant is impossible of estimation, owing to the many frequent ad- ditions and improvements that have been made in the past.
The officers of the present Kittanning Iron & Steel Company are: F. C. Neale, president ; H. A. Colwell, vice president and superintend- ent ; John D. Galbraith, treasurer, and Lamont Bixler, secretary.
BRICK AND CLAY MANUFACTURES
The pottery manufacture had its inception in the shop of John Black in 1814. He was. also a schoolmaster whenever the trade slack- ened. Isaac Scott, George Gabel, John M. Dosch and John Volk were his successors at different times in later years. Earthenware was the product.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Brickmaking was started in 1805 by Paul Morrow, in the northern limits of the town. He supplied the brick for the first courthouse. John Hunt, James Daugherty and William Sirwell were his successors. This plant was the predecessor of the one of Daugherty Bros. Brick Co., on Grant avenue, now in operation. They have 4 kilns, employ 10 men and pro- duce 10,000 brick per day.
The largest works is that of the Kittanning Brick & Fire Clay Company, at the end of the borough limits, in the hollow below the cemetery. They have 20 kilns, using gas from their own wells, and their capacity is 100,000 brick per day. Employees, 100. The officers of the company are : S. C. Marshall, president ; R. G. Yingling, secretary and treasurer ; S. E. Martin, superintendent.
The Kittanning Clay Manufacturing Com- pany are on Oak avenue, and operate 13 kilns, employing 65 men. Their output is 35,000 brick per day. The officers are: John H. Painter, president ; George W. McNees, secre- tary, treasurer and general manager.
BREWERIES
What was called "strong beer" was brewed on a small scale between 1820 and 1830, on Water street. After that there was an interval of cessation of the industry until 1849, when the brewing of lager beer was introduced. At the present time there are two breweries of lager beer in Kittanning, the Elk Brewing Company and the Kittanning Brewing Company. Their output is marketed all over the county and those adjoining.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
The principal confectionery and ice cream parlor in town is that of Paul Libarakis, who is a native of Sparta. He is very popular with his townsmen and has become identified with the progressive business men of Kittanning.
Kittanning is well supplied with hotels. The Reynolds House, kept by Harry Reynolds, is the oldest and is still a popular resort for the traveling public. The Citizens Hotel is a quiet hostelry next to the Hotel Steim, and is noted for its home-cooked meals. The Ho- tel Steim is the most modern and largest es- tablishment, on the corner of Market and Grant avenue. The old Eagle House is the original rivermen's resort in early days, and from its doors the old-time stages used to de- part to various points in this and adjoining counties. The Elderton stage is the last rem-
nant of those pioneer vehicles still in service. Other hotels are the Central, Alexander, Ver- non, Linnon and Nulton. The Dugan Hotel, kept by the late Nish Dugan, was a famous old-time hostelry but now out of commission.
The jewelers of Kittanning are: E. S. Hutchison, H. H. Weylman, William B. Hutchison and John A. Rupp.
Cigar factories are operated by William F. Kirst and Neurohr Bros.
The automobile industry is well provided for in Kittanning by the following firms, most of whom operate garages: Moorhead Motor Car Company, Walker & Crim Motor Com- pany, Kittanning Motor & Traffic Company, Kittanning' Auto Company, and Fisher & Lambing.
James McMasters operates the only carriage works in town, and the High Street Flour- ing Mills are operated by L. Pollock.
The Crown Bottling Works, under the management of George Gould, are producers of many varieties of bottled soft drinks.
The Peerless Laundry Company occupies the old Armstrong Electric Company building. and has an up-to-date establishment, fitted out with the latest machinery for clothes cleansing.
The local undertakers are George E. Kline, H. E. Montgomery, C. E. Walker and John WV. Rhodes.
Hoey & Gallagher, Louden & Smith and the Kittanning Foundry Company are the local steel and iron founders.
Architect-Robert H. Megraw.
Bakers -- A. L. George, C. Huth, W. J. Ma- SO11.
Books and stationery-Furnee & Kenner- dell.
Builders' supplies-American Planing Mill Company, Heilman Bros., J. S. Claypool Lum- ber Company.
Church pew manufacturers-Kittanning Seating Company.
Clothing-Joseph & Kennerdell, I. R. Grus- kin. M. Silberblatt.
Coal dealers-Snyder Bros. Coal Company. Contractors-James M. Heilman, O. C. Rairigh. B. L. Willard, Daugherty Bros.
Department stores-J. A. Gault & Com- pany, Kinter Dry Goods Company, The Ar- cade. B. Nevins, People's Store, Pittsburgh Store.
Florists-J. W. Glenn, Brodhead Bros.
Gas and oil-T. W. Phillips Gas & Oil Company.
Gas and oil well contractors-Louden & Smith Company.
Grocers-McClister, Wray & Company, C.
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
E. Ritchey, Banks Bros., Bowser Bros., G. W. genitors, but many of the graves are in a sad Fennell, Charles A. Gerheim, Joseph W. Glenn, W. C. Heidersdorf, Lesser & Baker, Harry Lurie, Moore & Bruner, McClurg Bros., Thomas Norr, William Stewart & Son.
Hardware-James McCullough, H. G. Luker & Company, McConnell & Watterson, Kittanning Supply Company.
Harness-George P. Kron.
House furnishings - Kittanning Supply Company.
Insurance-HI. E. J. Putney.
Liverymen-H. E. Montgomery, H. T. Frailey, G. A. Dodge, Louis Haverstroh.
Loans and mortgages-A. L. Ivory & Sons. Lumber-J. S. Claypool Lumber Co., American Planing Mill Company, Henry Schaffer Lumber Company.
Meat markets-Frank Blaney, Ellermeyer Bros.
Monuments and stone work-Philip M. En- terline, Joseph A. Schaffer & Son.
Oils-Atlantic Refining Company.
Pianos-W. F. Frederick Piano Company. Produce, wholesale-Daniel Schaffer.
Real estate and insurance agents-H. E. J. Putney, Roy W. Pollock, A. L. Ivory & Sons, George H. Burns, Fox & Stone, H. A. Arnold. Restaurants-A. L. George, James Baker. Shoes-M. L. Bowser, O. N. Wilson.
Tailors-F. Moesta & Son, P. H. Bush, P. M. Feilbach, Charles Gura.
CEMETERIES
The dead of this town were at first interred in a plat on McKean street, near Arch, do- nated by Dr. John Armstrong. This plat was later sold and the bodies removed. A few of the ancestors of the present citizens were buried in the little cemetery on Pine Run, in East Franklin township. A part of a field on Market street, near the river, was once used as a burying ground, Robert Duncan, one of the proprietors of the Manor, being interred there.
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