USA > Pennsylvania > Montour County > Danville > Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania : a collection of historical and biographical sketches > Part 17
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His son, Henry H. Leisenring still continues the business and enjoys an extensive patronage. His gallery is now in the Mont- gomery building.
The Court-House.
The old court-house was built in -. Joseph Maus was the con- tractor, and the cost was $3,980 80-a little less than four thousand dollars. Included in the cost there were $64, for sixty-four gallons of whiskey consumed by the builders, and which is charged in the bill, at one dollar per gallon. The court-house occupied the site of the present structure, the ground having been donated for that pur- pose, by Gen. William Montgomery. The ground occupied by the jail was donated by Gen. Daniel Montgomery. Those who were em-
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
ployed on the work of the old court-house, under the contractor Joseph Maus, were John Bryson, John Stricker, Edwin Stocking, Alexander Johnson, Benjamin Garretson, Nehemiah Hand, William Lunger, Peter Watts, Peter Snyder, Frederick Harbolt, James Thomas, William Doak, D. Henderson, B. Long and D. Heller.
The new court-house was built in 1871. Mr. O'Malley was the contractor and architect. B. K. Vastine did the brick-work and H. F. Hawke & Co., furnished the massive cut-stone. It is a structure that reflects credit on the county and on all who were concerned in its erection. The county commissioners purchased the adjoining ground, on which the building occupied by the Friendship Fire Com- pany formerly stood ; and this addition with the building and sur- rounding improvements cost about $55,000. The commissioners exercised much care in the work, and with a due regard to public economy, they presented the county with a court-house in which every citizen can feel an honest pride. The first story is occupied by the offices of the commissioners, the prothonotary and clerk of the courts, the register and recorder, the grand jury and the sheriff. The second story reached by two broad stairways, is occupied by the court-room. It is furnished with all the modern appliances of comfort and convenience.'
For a number of years a park of deer have sported on the spacious grounds, the whole being inclosed by a tall iron fence.
David N. Kownover.
David N. Kownover was a native of New Jersey, but resided for some years in the northern part of this county. In 1839 he was appointed by the State authorities, superintendent of the North Branch canal, from Northumberland to Wilkes-Barre, an office which he held for thirty years. Soon after his appointment he moved to Danville and resided here until his death, which occurred in August, 1870, when he had about reached the allotted three score and ten years. When the canal passed into the hands of the company, he was reappointed ; and his efficiency, sterling integrity and fitness for the place, is best attested by his long retention in a position of so much importance, and one that many others sought so eagerly. His quick perception, good judgment and promptness in action on many occasions saved thousands of dollars both to the State and the
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
company ; whilst his intimate knowledge of human nature enabled him to secure the very best services from those under his control. David N. Kownover was universally respected as an honest, intel- ligent citizen, faithfully discharging his duties in all the relations of life. Such is the honorable record he has left behind him. I know only two of his sons, Harry and David F., and a daughter married to George S. Sanders. David spells the name with a C, and writes his name David F. Conover. He seems to have inherited much of the sterling qualities of his father. In 1862, while quite a young man, he became a clerk in a large jewelry house in Philadelphia, where, by his own merits, he gradually rose, until he became the head of the firm and the master of a fortune.
Public Schools.
The public schools of Danville are conducted with much care, and a high standard of teachers is required by the board of directors. There are now twenty-eight schools in this place, attended by one thousand five hundred and fifty-four scholars. Seven hundred and ninety-six males and seven hundred and fifty-eight females. The present board of school directors, (three for each of the four wards,) is composed of William C. Johnson, J. C. Rhodes and Dr. J. D. Mansteller of the First ward; George W. Miles, Samuel Mills and E. J. Curtis, Second ward ; E. Thompson, H. F. Hawke and E. C. Voris, Third ward; James Vandevender, F. C. Grau and J. R. Philips, Fourth ward. President of the board, J. D. Mansteller ; treasurer, E. Thompson ; secretary, E. J. Curtis.
Rev. M. C. Horine is superintendent of public schools and is said to be one of the most efficient officers who has served the county in that capacity.
The corps of teachers at present engaged in the schools of Dan -- ville, is as follows :
F. C. Derr, principal of high school.
Miss Mame Hughes, assistant.
S. M. Gibbs, Miss H. Alexander, R. P. Laird, Miss E. C. Wilson,
Miss M. Richardson,
Miss Maggie C. Madden, F. Ream, Miss A. Richardson,
Miss S. Musselman,
Miss L. M. Bloom,
I3
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
Miss M. O. Hughes,
Miss Carrie Matcham,
Miss A. McDermot,
Miss A. M. Whitman,
Mrs. R. B. Maxwell,
Miss Lizzie Coxey,
Miss Annie Hiatt,
Miss Maggie Kramer,
Miss Annie Yerrick,
Miss Ruth Weaver,
Miss A. Irvine,
Miss M. Tillson,
Miss A. Johnson,
Miss Lizzie Antrim,
Miss A. Jones,
Miss Ida V. Grau.
By the common testimony of the community, this corps of teach- ers have never been surpassed, in this place.
Mystery of the Mine.
In December, 1873, the dead body of Bernard Westdossal was accidentally discovered in an abandoned mine, between this place and Mausdale. The evidences of murder were plain and clear ; but no clue to the perpetrator could be found, until years later when a man formerly of this place, was convicted of murder in a western State, who confessed the murder of Westdossal for the sake of his gold watch. Bernard Westdossal had been a lieutenant in the Prussian army, and made some progress in studying for the priesthood ; but became reduced in circumstances, came to this country and was selling pictures at the time he was murdered.
Peter Baldy, Sr.
Peter Baldy, senior, came from Northumberland to Danville in 1814. He was a blacksmith but soon engaged in merchandizing and dealing in grain. In 1839 he built the stone, steam mill on Church street. By care and industry, closely watching the corners and being fortunate in his speculations, he amassed a very large for- tune, and became one of the wealthiest men in this part of the State. He was the first president of the first bank established in Danville. He was always a substantial supporter of the Protestant Episcopal church to which he belonged from the time of its organization in this place, and left $50,000 to that church, in his will. During the war Mr. Baldy contributed liberally to the comfort of the volun- teers of this place ; especially to the " Baldy Guards," Captain Ramsey, and the "Fencibles," Captain Shreeve. Nearly twenty years ago, Mr. Baldy retired from active business and spent the
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EAGLE FOUNDRY.
evening of life in the quiet of his home on Market street, where he died on the 24th day of November, 1880, at the ripe old age of ninety-two years and nine months, lacking a few days.
Co-operative Iron and Steel Works.
The Co-operative Iron and Steel Works, are among the most en- terprising and successful business institutions of Danville. It is true that the principle upon which the works are based, have often failed in practice, but in every case the failure could be traced to misman- agement. There is perhaps only one way to conquor success, and that is in wisely marking out a line of conduct and then placing its execution in the hands of an able and discreet manager. The con- trolling power must ultimately terminate in a unit; however the elements may be diversified, their combined power must culminate in a single point. Then success depends primarily on wise councils, and finally on the intelligent execution of those councils ; but there must be no subsequent interference ; only holding the manager re- sponsible for a judicious use of the power placed in his hands. The adverse of this rule has been the ruin of many co-operative institu- tions. The Co-operative Iron and Steel Works were established in 1871. Some six acres of ground were purchased of Jacob Sechler, Sr., and the stockholders erected their mill on the most approved plan and with all the modern facilities for the manufacture of iron. The capacity is 15,000 tons per annum. Perry Deen was the first president and L. K. Rishel has been secretary, treasurer and general manager since the organization. Peter Baldy, Jr., is president at the present time. J. D. Williams is manager of the mill and Samuel Mills is roller. There is one thing of which the management of the Co-operative can justly boast, and that is, that through all the long years of business depression, their mill never stopped a single day for lack of orders; but steadily moved on through the panic, until the present time when it is in full and successful operation. Ten years of experiment has proved the co-operative system a success. No better rails are made in the country and no rail mill gives more abundant promise of success in the future.
Eagle Foundry.
The Eagle foundry was built on the site of an old iron manufac-
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
tory, on Ferry street, by Moore & Stewart, in 1837-38. In the latter year Samuel Huber became the chief moulder and he remained there some ten years. In February, 1839, the foundry was totally destroyed by fire. Some two or three years subsequently, the foun- dry having been re-built, it was operated by Stewart, Biddle & Lloyd. After the lapse of a few years they added a machine-shop and among other things they made a steam engine. Lloyd and Stewart now retired and the firm was Moore & Biddle, in a year or two it was reversed and made Biddle, Moore & Co. This was about 1845 and so it continued until 1850, when it was William Biddle, agent, and so it has been conducted to the present time. Stoves of various patterns, plows, &c., are made at the old Eagle foundry.
M. B. Goodrich.
Maxwell B. Goodrich, for whom the Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in this place, is named, was one of the most gallant and generous hearted among the loyal soldiers, who with our brave and bold went out to battle. He was first lieutenant in company H, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, at the time he was mortally wounded in the Wilderness on the 5th of May, 1864 ; but he lingered until the 4th of June, when he died and was buried with the honors of war in Danville. "That was just like Max Good- rich," said the boys, when W. M. Snyder of company H was killed by a rebel sharpshooter at Williamsburg and Goodrich, who was then a sergeant, stepped out in front and shot the sharpshooter, thus speedily avenging the death of his comrade. And now, every year his well-known grave, in the old Grove church-yard, is strewn with the flowers of May, not only by his surving comrades ; but by the hands of ladies fair, who with a kind remembrance of the once noble- hearted Max Goodrich, deck with the garlands of honor, the mound where he sleeps.
Danville Bridge.
On the 2d of January, 1828, a company was chartered by the State to build a bridge across the Susquehanna, at the town of Dan- ville. The company was organized as follows: President, Daniel Montgomery ; treasurer, James Loughead ; secretary, John Cooper ; managers, John C. Boyd, William Colt, Peter Baldy, Sr., William
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DANVILLE BRIDGE.
Boyd, Andrew McReynolds and Robert C. Grier. On the 3d of March in the same year a contract was made for the construction of the bridge, with John P. Schuyler and James Fletcher, who at once commenced the work, and in January, 1829, it was completed ; be- ing accepted by the company in February, as finished according to contract. The Governor was notified of the fact, as the State origi- nally held a small amount of stock in the bridge. Daniel Hoffman was elected the first toll collector, at the annual salary of sixty-five dollars. Previous to the 14th day of March, 1846, eleven dividends had been declared, on that day the bridge was swept away by a flood in the river. Daniel Blizard was carried down on a fragment of the bridge and was rescued with great difficulty near the old stone house. Subsequent to that date there was no dividend de- clared until. 1863. After the loss of the bridge in the great freshet of March, 1846, a contract for its rebuilding was made with Chester Evans, and David N. Kownover ; but Evans disposed of his interest to Kownover and David N. Kownover alone carried on and finished the work. This second bridge stood the storms and floods until 1875 when it too was swept away by the high water, on the 17th day of March in that year. The bridge was at once rebuilt in the ensuing season. H. F. Hawke & Co. did the stone work and the super- structure was erected by the Smith Bridge Company, of Ohio. The toll collectors from the first opening of the bridge to the present time, were Daniel Hoffman, Rudolph Sechler, E. Mellon, Isaiah S. Thornton and Joseph Hunter. Mr. Joseph Hunter took charge in 1851 and with rare fidelity and very general satisfaction, has dis- charged the duties of the position for thirty years.
I need not stop to say that this bridge is a great public benefit. Everybody knows it. I need not speak of its substantial character. Everybody feels it.
The bridge is one fourth of a mile in length. It has a pleasant and covered footway on each side, entirely shut out from the road- way.
The officers at present are: President, Thomas Beaver ; treas- urer and secretary, E. H. Baldy, Esq .; managers, William H. Ma- gill, Alex. J. Frick, E. W. Conkling, John H. Grove, Amos Vas- tine, J. Hudson Kase ; toll collector, Joseph Hunter.
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
Planing Mills.
The first planing-mill in Danville, was Duncan C. Hartman's, in the brick building that was originally built for a wollen factory, by Doctor Petrikin. This was in 1839. It was burnt. About 1857 Levi Berger built a large planing-mill, by the canal in the rear of Reed's brick building at the north-east corner of the canal bridge, on Mill street. Mr. Burger furnished his mill with the most ap- proved machinery and did a very large business until 1872, when this mill too, with all its valuable contents, was totally destroyed by fire. In 1869 Voris, Heigh & Gregg built a large planing-mill by the canal on Ferry street.
Manufactories.
Danville is a manufacturing center of great importance. Its abund- ant material and facilities for transportation to and from all points of the compass, are unsurpaseed. Iron ore, coal, and limesone in inexhaustable quantities are stored all around it, and we are blessed with all the advantages that could be desired, for the extensive manu- facture of iron in all its forms. Nature has been lavish with her gifts, and the enterprise of our people, has largely developed the abundant resources of this locality. The iron works established here with its army of operatives, have also opened a wide door for other manufactories, as well as a market for surrounding farmers and pro- ducers. The ground for a variety of mauufactories that might be carried on here with large profits, is not yet occupied ; but the necessities of the future will inevitably plant them here. Capital seeking remunerative investment will surely be attracted to this place when its advantages are fully understood. Not only nail, wire, axe, and other factories connected with the iron trade ; but such as are designed to supply the wants of the thousands who are workers in iron. These supplies could be manufactured here and furnished to the operatives at less cost than they now pay for the same articles. It is therefore the interest of every working man to encourage the location of all kinds of manufactories in this place. Especially would a cotton-mill or some establishment employing boys and girls, prove a great blessing to the " street children " and their parents, as well as to the community in general. Productive labor with a com-
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MONTOUR IRON AND STEEL WORKS.
bination of interests alone can build up a town. Simply buying and selling does not add a penny to the value of an article; or to the wealth of the community. It is creating an article or increasing its value that makes your wealth, builds your cities, and moves the world.
I say, therefore, with a full knowledge of the situation, and with full confidence, to my best friend : if you wish to invest capital in any department of industry, Danville is one of the most promising fields in the State.
Montour Iron and Steel Works.
In the whole wide range of subjects connected with the past his- tory of Danville, this immense establishment is the most important in a business point of view, and is at the same time the most dif- ficult to trace through all its extensions and its changes of owners, operators and managers. To note its history in detail from 1838 to the present time would be a history in itself, and would require a volume larger than this to give a full and complete idea of its origin and its progress through the sunshine and shadow of more than forty years. It is to be hoped that before the past is entirely buried in forgetfulness, and while there are still living witnesses of its be- ginning, rise and progress, some one possessing the ability will search the old records, tax the memory of its pioneers and give us a complete history of this great enterprise, with a note of each owner, operator and manager. In a work like this, a general sketch is all that can be expected, and this sketch is as nearly correct as the facts can be gathered at this day. The charcoal furnace, No. I, was built by B. Patterson in 1838. It stood beyond the Mahon- ing steam mill of to-day and near the railroad crossing. It has now entirely disappeared. About 1840, Chambers built the twin fur- naces, Nos. 2 and 3. These were among the very first in the coun- try, that made iron with anthracite coal. Benjamin Perry was the leading spirit in the production of anthracite iron. Furnace No. 4 was not built until 1845. The Montour Iron Company owned the works and they were for some time represented by the firm of Mur- dock, Leavitt & Co. This firm consisted of U. A. Murdock, Edward Leavitt, Jesse Oakley and David Wetmore. Henry Bre- voort was resident superintendent. The rolling-mill was built
-
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
in 1844. (A. G. Voris was a general agent and builder, who was for many years connected with the works, as builder, purchasing material, selling iron and having the renting of the dwellings in charge.) T. O. Van Alen built the store-house, now known as the company store in 1844 and conducted the store and the flouring - mill until about 1850 when he sold to Conely, Grove & Co. He was also resident agent for a time. The rolling-mill was completed in 1845 and here the first T rail was made. The U rail had been made before this date ; but to Danville belongs the honor of having on the 8th day of October, 1845, produced the first T rail that was ever made-a rail that now connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and checkers with iron roadways every civilized country in the world. In 1843 the furnaces were leased to Benjamin Perry, Alex- ander Garretson, Cornelius Garretson and William Jennison. Their contract was for two years. Harris was the manager at the rolling- mill in its first operation and was succeeded by M. S. Ridgeway, the manager at the present time. The foundry and machine shop was established by Heyward & Snyder in 1839, but they were pur- chased by the company in 1852. From 1847 to 1849 the rolling- mill was operated by Ridgeway, Allen, Heath and Stroh. The resident agent of the company at that time was Warren Murdock. He occupied the position until the advent of the Grove Bros., about 1850 or 1851. Peter and John Grove managed the works until 1857. During their regime the new mill was built, adding much to its extent and capacity, which is now 45,000 tons of iron rails per annum. In 1857 the entire works passed into the hands of I. S. Waterman, Thomas Beaver, William Neal and Washington Lee, as trustees for the creditors of the Montour Iron Company. They operated the works as trustees until 1859 when the entire interest in the whole concern was purchased by Waterman & Beaver. They also purchased the real estate with all the franchises of the company and changed the name to the Pennylvania Iron Works. They oper- ated the works with great success and general satisfaction. In 1868 Thomas Beaver, Dan Morgan, C. Mulligan, George F. Geisinger and Dan Edwards operated and shared the profits of the works. This combination was successful and continued until 1874. In 1876 Thomas Beaver sold his interest to I. S. Waterman, retaining by purchase the mansion house on the hill, with twenty acres of ground.
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MONTOUR IRON AND STEEL WORKS.
In 1880 I. S. Waterman sold the whole establishment to the Read- ing Railroad Company and the works have since been conducted in the interest of that corporation. As before remarked it is very difficult to get the changes exactly, as scarcely any two men agree on the exact date of occurrences that should be correctly stated in a work like this. The reader may rest assured however, that in the main our sketch is correct and reliable.
It only remains to add a few notes which a sense of justice seems to demand. Of the proprietors who preceded Thomas Beaver, I know nothing personally ; but of Mr. Beaver everybody in Danville can speak confidently, he having resided here for the last twenty- three years. Among the enterprising men of business, who have directed their energies to the development of our natural resources, and who have most notably contributed to the substantial interests of Danville, is Thomas Beaver. His life affords a noble example of human capabilities under the influence of our free American institu- tions, and the abundant material afforded to intelligent industry, without regard to accidental circumstances. In his early boyhood, Mr. Beaver worked on a farm at two dollars and fifty cents a month. He afterwards engaged in merchandising and visited Philadelphia to purchase his goods before he was eighteen years old. Through the energy and the executive ability that has characterized him through life', he succeeded until he became one of the prominent merchants of the city, and finally joint proprietor of one of the largest estab- lishments in the State ; employing more than a thousand men and producing more than one hundred tons of iron rails in a single day, in connection with a store in which he employed more than forty clerks and during his proprietorship sold goods to the amount of between eight and nine millions of dollars. No man could be bet- ter adapted to meet the requirements of his important and respons- ible position, requiring quick perception, comprehensive thought and at the same time a watchful care of the most minute details. Of course he amassed a fortune ; one half of all his profits, on a fair calculation, he donated to charitable, educational and religious pur- poses, and what is equally rare he knows how to enjoy the blessings of wealth not only in the personal comfort it affords ; but in adding to the happiness of others, in quiet acts of true benevolence, that always return to bless the giver.
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
The name of the works has been changed to the " Montour Iron and Steel Works." The organization is as follows : President, W. E. C. Coxe of Reading, Pa. ; general manager, F. P. Howe, Dan- ville ; treasurer, S. W. Ingersoll, of Philadelphia. Mr. Coxe is well known by our people he having formerly resided here, during his connection with the works, some sixteen years ago. He also took an active part in the local affairs of the town and acted as mar- shal on several public occasions. Mr. Howe is managing the works with general satisfaction and great success. The chief operators in the various departments are Dan Morgan superintendent of the blast furnaces. He has occupied that position for many years, and is more particularly noted in another portion of this book. M. S. Ridway, manage ; P. J. Adams has been in the machine shop about as long as any other ; and in an establishment like this, long years of employment is a test of industry and skill. George Lovett is the su- perintendent of labor, and time keeper, a position of responsibility requiring activity and constant watchfulness. William Cruikshank is the moulder, a position formerly occupied by the genial Henry Gearhart. Captain Gaskins occupies his old place at the weigh scales, Joseph Bryant at the stock scales. There are many others filling important positions that it would be a pleasure to name. A. W. McCoy is chief clerk in the office. C. 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 Gear- hart, M. C. Gearhart, John Walize and many engineers, heaters and workers whose names are unknown to the writer whose brain and muscle 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 thirty-nine stationary steam-engines and four locomotives. The works are now (February, 1881,) running to their full capacity night and day. They are crowded with orders and all the army of iron-workers have constant employment.
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