USA > Pennsylvania > Montour County > Danville > Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania : a collection of historical and biographical sketches > Part 23
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Toby Town-This town, so called after a large and powerful In- dian by the name of Toby, stood on " Toby Run," a little above the insane asylum, about two miles above Danville. But whether it stood on the banks of the Susquehanna river near the mouth of Toby run, or on top of the high ridge of earth there along the river, I am not able to say. I passed along there in my boyhood days on my road to and from Reading, and heard various stories about Toby and his town, but can give no satisfactory account of them.
Ciassawango-This town stood still further up the river, but on the south side, and about half way between Danville and the town of Catawissa, but I cannot state where it stood. Who can ?
26I
DANVILLE INSTITUTE.
Riverside.
This beautiful suburban town is one of the most delightful places in this section of the State. It was laid out some ten or twelve years ago, mainly on the farm of Mr. Gearhart and Faux's addition. The survey was made by O. H. Ostrander. Lots were rapidly sold and many improvements were made. The neatness and taste of the dwellings and their surroundings add much to the pleasant appear- ance of the location. Already it has a borough organization, its churches, school-rooms and all the institutions of a fuil grown town. The charming location of Riverside combines the elements of beauty and convenience with a highly favorable place for business. It ad- joins South Danville, is convenient to the railroad depot on the D. W. & Hazelton railroad, and is surrounded by all that ministers to a pleasant home. With the broad Susquehanna river in front, the lively town of Danville on the opposite shore and the picturesque hills that mark the bold scenery around it, Riverside affords the most delightful place for a country residence. No doubt when our merchants and other active men of to-day, have made their fortunes and retired to enjoy the evening of life, you will find their elegant mansions in Riverside or South Danville.
Danville Institute.
This was an institution of learning established and conducted by J. M. Kelso, A. M., present Principal of the Danville Academy. It was located in the Montgomery building, corner of Mill and Bloom streets. The " Institute" enjoyed a high reputation for the thorough and substantial character of its course of instruction, not only in its immediate locality ; but among the best educators in the country. The young men instructed in the Danville Institute, were pronounced among the best prepared for a collegiate course of study.
In June, 1860, occurred the most noted annual examination, occu- pying three days. The hall was decorated with laurel and a profu- sion of beautiful flowers. A school examination ! what an important epoch in the happy period of girlhood or boyhood ! It constitutes a sunny waymark to which the weary traveler on the dusty road of life will often look back with a bounding heart. How often will each one in that happy throng turn back to drink again at the pure
262
HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
fountain of inspiration that gladdened the rosy hour of morning, and again to catch the thrill of the merry voices whose echoes will float on and on, until the shadows of evening come. Invested with peculiar interest were the passing scenes to those whose " school- going" days were over. To them it was an eventful period. And to them the fair young brow will never grow old, to memory dear, no darksome shadow will ever eclipse the light of that sparkling eye, nor cloud of sorrow shroud that joyous smile. In the memory of each the little school companion will linger forever in the form of a child. The following classes were under the special instruction of the Principal-John M. Kelso, A. M. :
Natural Philosophy.
E. M. Biddle, M. D. Brown,
I. Emma Woods, J. M. Jennison.
C. D. Biddle,
G. W. Mowrer,
Latin, Third. 3. E. V. Lotier, B. F. Cox,
C. W. Sholes. English Grammar, First.
E. M. Biddle,
C. D. Biddle,
5. J. M. Jennison, G. W. Mowrer,
J. H. Grove,
B. F. Cox,
J. B. Grier, M. D. Brown, M. J. Baldy,
P. H. Grove,
C. Gardner.
Algebra. 7.
E. M. Biddle,
C. D. Biddle,
G. W. Mowrer,
A. M. Russell, M. Moynehan, F. D. Brown, M. D. Brown.
Geography, First.
II.
C. D. Biddle, A. M. Russell,
263
DANVILLE INSTITUTE.
P. H. Grove, R. M. Grove,
J. H. Grove, Augustus Taylor,
H. E. Sechler,
E. J. Curry,
James Frazier,
Elizabeth Rishel,
Lafayette Unger,
Stephen Ridgway,
C. W. Sholes,
Andrew Schroth,
Sarah Ketcham,
Latin, Seeond.
I7
P. H. Grove, J. H. Grove,
J. H. Kase, R. M. Grove,
A. M. Diehl.
Latin, First. IO.
J. B. Grier,
J. M. Jennison.
E. M. Biddle,
Geometry. ¥3. G. W. Mowrer,
F. D. Brown. University Arithmetic. 14.
J. M. Jennison,
P. H. Grove,
J. B. Grier,
G. W. Mowrer,
A. M. Russell,
M. D. Brown,
J. H. Kase,
Emma Woods,
C. D. Biddle, Sarah Ketcham,
F. D. Brown.
A. M. Russell,
C. D. Biddle, P. H. Grove, R. M. Grove,
Reading. 19. James Frazier, J. H. Grove, A. Taylor, A. M. Diehl,
A. M. Diehl, Michael Moynehan, E. A. Laubach,
M. J. Baldy, Peninah Bright,
264
HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
Henry Wireman,
E. Rishel,
E. Kaufman,
E. V. Lotier,
E. A. Laubach,
'E. Woods,
M. M. Grier,
M. Henrie,
H. E. Sechler,
S. Ridgway,
C. Gardner,
C. W. Sholes,
P. Bright,
S. Ketcham,
E. J. Curry,
A. Scroth,
C. L. Martin.
Intellectual Arithmetic. 18.
C. D. Biddle,
A. M. Russel,
P. H. Grove,
L. Unger,
J. B. Grier, E. A. Laubach,
E. M. Biddle,
M. D. Brown,
G. W. Mowrer, M. J. Baldy,
E. Woods.
The following classes were under the charge of Miss M. Hughes :
Geography, Second. 2
C. H. Brady,
W. Lyon,
J. C. Grove,
E. Lyon,
D. Levi,
J. Sechler,
W. Thatcher,
M. M. Grier,
E. Kaufman,
M. J. Waples,
J. Seidel,
E. Harder,
D. Richards,
L. Wolf,
J. Mowrer,
E. V. Lotier.
Geography, Third,
K. Baldy,
E. Laubach,
A. E. Beaver,
E. Williams,
K. Beaver,
T. Blue,
E. H. Baldy,
C. H. Stover,
A. Imogene Brower,
W. Roberts.
Arithmetic.
6.
C. B. Brady,
K. Baldy,
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DANVILLE INSTITUTE.
C. Gardner,
M. Henrie,
J. C. Grove,
M. J. Waples,
J. Sechler.
E. Harder,
J. Seidel,
J. Frazier,
D. Levi,
C. Savage,
A. Schroth,
L. Kirk,
H. Wireman,
C. L. Martin, · J. Mowrer.
Second Reader. 16.
W. Thatcher,
K. Beaver,
T. Blue,
A. E. Beaver,
C. Stover,
E. Lyon,
W. Roberts,
W. Lyon, A. I. Brower,
L. Williams.
History.
4.
E. M. Biddle, J. M. Jennings, J. H. Kase,
L. Unger.
Third Reader.
8.
J. C. Grove,
J. Seidel,
E. H. Baldy,
D. Richards,
D. Levi,
C. Savage,
J. Sechler,
L. Kirk,
C. H. Brady,
M. J. Waples,
J. Mowrer, P. Bright,
L. Wolf,
E. Harder.
Arithmetic.
R. M. Grove, S. Ridgway,
9.
A. M. Diehl, C. W. Sholes,
1
A. Taylor.
K. Baldy,
J. B. Grier, A. M. Russell, M. J. Baldy,
266
HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
E. Kauffman,
M. J. Baldy,
M. M. Grier,
E. Curry,
P. Bright,
E. V. Lotier,. E. Laubach, M. Moynerhan,
J. Grove.
Arithmetic.
J. Grove,
E. Kaufman,
C. Sholes,
J. Frazier,
E. Curry,
E. Rissel,
P. Bright,
E. V. Lotier,
J. M. Jennison.
English Grammar. 18.
A. M. Russel,
C. Sholes,
E. A. Laubach,
R. M. Grove,
P. Bright,
J. H. Kase,
E. Curry,
H. Wireman,
E. Rishel,
M. Moynehan,
M. Henrie,
E. Kaufman,
S. J. Ketchum,
S. Ridgway,
E. Woods,
L. Unger,
First Reader.
W. Russel,
J. Mitchell.
The classes were thoroughly examined in their several branches of study, and afforded a pleasing evidence of the systematic course, the order, the complete and rapid progress of the pupils which gave to the Danville Institute its high reputation. It is proper as well as just to the Principal to remark that the same advantages are now afforded at the Danville Academy.
J. H. Kase,
R. M. Grove,
H. Wireman,
S. Ridgway,
M. Moynehan,
I2.
A. M. Diehl,
A. M. Diehl,
267
BUSINESS.
Business.
It is proper in a work like this to take at least a hasty glance at the business operations of Danville at the present time. A single glance will show the enterprising and progressive spirit of our peo- ple. All our great iron works, which are the mainspring of life and activity, are in full operation. Night and day the busy workers with ceaseless energy, are converting the ore into iron, and fashioning it into finished rails. But other branches of trade are no less essential to the growth and general prosperity of Danville. Professional men, merchants, traders, mechanics, artisans and laborers, all contribute to local as well as general prosperity and happiness. So we honor the patient worker in every department of industry, as each and all contribute a share in securing the blessings of life. Let us then take ! a cursory glance at our leading business establishments and in so do- ing, as near as possible, give expression to popular sentiment.
There are twenty-two dry goods stores in Danville; fifteen of groceries and fruits ; three hardware stores ; three gents' furnishing goods ; five millinery and trimming stores ; five clothing stores ; seven drug stores ; six cigar stores ; three jewelry stores ; two book stores ; four confectioneries, and fourteen miscellaneous. Among the busi- ness houses are the following :
J. Doster & Son are the leading dealers in furniture and are do- ing a very large business, in town and the surrounding country. Their cabinet warerooms are on Mill street.
William C. Davis conducts the most extensive confectionery and ice creamery in Danville or in this quarter of the State. The popularity of his ice cream extends to all the surrounding towns, and accordingly he ships large quantities, daily by railroad. His facili- ties for its manufacture are ample for the large demands at home and abroad. His assortment of confections and fruits of all kinds, with courteous attention, have made his rooms a popular resort, and him- self one of the live business men of Danville.
Kramer & Co. are doing a very extensive trade in their treble store, in the Opera House block. This is the largest store in town, that is conducted by individual enterprise. It contains a very large stock of dry goods and notions, embracing the latest styles and pat- terns of dress goods and fancy articles. The housekeeping grocery and provision departments are complete. They have an extensive
268
HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
country trade and consequently are always supplied with fresh pro- duce to supply the wants of the town. Will G. Kramer is the gen- eral superintendent and knows how to popuralize a business estab- lishment.
We have six excellent drug stores ; but this does not indicate an unhealthy town. But our druggists sell a great variety of useful and fancy articles.
J. W. Philips is proprietor of the well known drug store, known as "Grier's old drug store," in the Montgomery Building.
James C. Sechler's drug store, in Chalfant's building, merits special note in connection with the general business of Danville. Mr. Sechler has had practical experience in his profession for four- · teen years and for the last eight years has occupied his present loca- tion and met with deserved success. His drug store is well sup- plied. His attention is courteous, his carefulness proverbial, his medicines selected with judgment and he holds an honorable place among the enterprising business men of Danville.
Dr. Jordan keeps the "Cottage drug store" on East Market street.
Dr. S. Y. Thompson keeps a first class drug store in Ramsey's building.
R. D. Magill, opposite the Opera House, keeps one of the lead- ing drug stores in this place.
Mr. Mc Kinn manages the Dr. Gosh or Centennial drug store opposite the old bank.
Geo. W. Fisher has a fine drug store in Kaufman's building, op- posite the Company store.
H. M. SCHOCH has built up an extensive trade at his large and excellent dry goods and grocery store, on Mill street. His store is to-day among the very best in Danville.
WILLIAM H. HASSANPLUG came to Danville more than thirty years ago. He was a clerk for some years and afterwards had a store in Reynold's building. Subsequently he had charge of the dry goods department in the company store, where in purchasing and disposing of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods he became thor- oughly acquainted with the trade, and his selections are therefore judiciously made. He now has a large double store in Sechler's building on Mill street, where he does a large business especially in dry goods, and boots and shoes.
269
BUSINESS.
Mrs. J. S. Huber's " Boston Shoe Bazar," is the most elegant establishment of the kind in this quarter of the State. It is located in Loeb's block on Mill street. Mrs. Huber deals exclusively in ladies', misses and children's wear. She keeps a large stock in great variety embracing the latest styles and is extensively patronized by the elite as well as others in town and in the surrounding country. This is our pioneer store in that department of trade.
Gomer Thomas, is the most extensive dealer in music and musical instruments, not only in this place but in this section of the State. His place is on Mill street, sign of the Golden Base Viol. He sells pianos and organs at figures that insure the largest sales-a com- plete musical bazar embracing every variety of instruments, with all the popular sheet music as soon as published. His judgment can always be relied on, as he is himself a musician of some prominence, having devoted some attention to teaching and also made his mark as a composer. A number of his compositions have been published and rank deservedly high in the class to which they belong. He is still on the sunny side of life and by exercising his talents, could attain an honorable position among the composers of the day.
RAMSEY CHILDS is one of the successful business men of Danville. He started in modest style on a small scale; now he has one of the largest stove, sheet-iron and tinware establishments in town. He is located in the Opera House block, where by industry and fair deal- ing he has built up an extensive trade.
WILL G. BROWN, in the retail tobacco and segar trade, leads the way. His place is in Schuster's building opposite the City Hotel. He keeps all qualities, sorts and brands of the weed, maerschaums, pipes and holders, together with a variety of curiosities. In a word this is the most popular segar store in town and Will G. Brown is a popular, young business man, whose excellent qualities will never fail to gather around him, a host of friends. It is a pleasure to speak of those whose sterling principles are sure to redeem our prophesies of the future.
A. M. Diehl's "New York Tea Store " in Mr. Lyon's block on Mill street, is the most complete fine grocery and fruit store in Dan- ville. His catalogue embraces an extensive variety of home and tropical fruits, fancy confections, spices and the rarest brands of teas, coffees and sugars, giving his patrons, all the advantages enjoyed in
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
the cities, in hundreds of articles that had never been kept in this place. . He has built up an extensive trade, especially in the finer assortment of goods in his line.
Seidel Brother is a firm eminently worthy of mention in these pages. They are in the line of dry goods and notions, on Mill street, near the Montgomery building. Their house is known as the " Bos- ton Store." They keep a good selection. The senior member of the firm is engaged in a wholesale house in the city and this gives them a peculiar advantage in selecting the right goods at the right time. They do a large business and add materially to the general trade of Danville.
I. T. Patton agent, has built up an excellent trade in the dry goods, grocery and provision line, on Wolf's old corner.
Sheldon & Co., in the Brown building adjoining the Opera House, have one of the largest stores in Danville and they are doing a very heavy business in general merchandizing. Their extensive trade keeps a large force of clerks constantly employed. Their selections of dress goods, ladies' and gent's furnishing goods, notions and housekeeping goods are full and complete and Sheldon & Co., con- tribute materially to the tide that marks the progress of Danville.
Jacob Loeb, an old and substantial resident of Danville, keeps a snug grocery and does a snug business in his own building on Mill street.
Brief Notes.
In looking over the town of Danville to-day, we find quite a num- ber of live business men apart from those engaged in manufacturing. It would be pleasant to note many of the leading business men in the various pursuits that give life and form to the current of trade, and that mark the line of local progress, but space will not permit.
James McCormick runs a line of omnibuses to meet the passenger trains on all the railroads passing this place .- Alfred B. Patton runs a local express. Both are great public conveniences .- Elwood Gar- rett is and has been for eighteen years the ever reliable bill poster of Danville .- A. M. Diehl's New York Tea Store presents a new feat- ure in its splendid assortment of home and tropical fruits .- William G. Brown has a museum of rare curiosities in his segar store oppo- site the City Hotel .- William C. Walker has served as street com-
27 1
CONCLUSION.
missioner, chief of the fire department, burgess and councilman .- George B. Brown has held ten offices and agencies all at the same time .- Mrs. S. J. Huber's "Boston Shoe Bazar," exclusively devoted to ladies, misses and children, was another step towards the coming city .- Thomas Woods & Son have the oldest shoe store. in town, + opposite the opera-house .- There are seven first class drug stores in town, and yet it is a remarkably healthy place .- Moyer Lyon is the oldest butcher in town. He has built two elegant blocks of brick buildings on Mill street .- J. Doster & Son lead in the furniture trade. -The leading sewing machine agency, is the Singer Manufacturing Company, Mr. McClosky agent, Mill street .- William C. Young in- surance agent, in the Montgomery building, and Harry Vincent op- posite the opera-house.
Conclusion.
And now, more than a long century has passed away and after the fluctuating tide of a hundred years from the lone hut of the pioneer to the stately mansions and the great iron manufactories that con- trol the pulse of business life ; here we are to-day ; in the full tide of local prosperity ; possessing the elements of growth and prosperity, that cannot fail to stimulate our men of enterprise to develop more and more the innate wealth and power of this locality, until Dan- ville shall occupy the high place as a manufacturing and commercial center, attainable through the gifts of nature and the force of human intelligence. But to reach the goal desired, we must profit by the lessons of wisdom we read in the book of experience. True, there are causes of local depression that lie beyond our reach, but in others, both the "cause and the antidote " are indigenous. The philo- sophic fact must be recognized that whilst capital is the motive pow- er, labor produces all the wealth of the world. Both are essential to the prosperity of this or any other locality. Idle hands and idle capital are equally reprehensible. The man who becomes rich and hoards up his money with miserly greed, or fails to use it in giving employment, is an idler as low in the scale as the loafer, and as use- less as the tramp. Then let the men of wealth look into the face of their responsibilities. Let them remember that their hoarded thou- sands were drawn from the common current that keeps the arm of labor in motion, and that buried wealth is robbery of the public.
.
27 2
HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
Let them throw it out into the current of trade ; build up new enter- prises of local industry, giving employment to the honest toiler, the mechanic and the artisan, who, in turn, will aid not only in build- ing up a city, but in giving a stronger and healthier tone to public · sentiment. The man of wealth is but a steward of God in the world ; and if in a spirit of selfishness, like the rich fool of whom we read, he considers it his own, and hoards it up, or employs it in adding house to house ; buying when others are forced to sell, and selling when others are forced to buy, clutching the utmost penny until the palsy of death unlocks his iron fingers, he becomes a hindrance in the way of local prosperity, whatever his pretentions may be.
Whatever of local advancement we enjoy we owe to the working men and the live men of business, who build and control our manu- facturies. They are workers who contribute to make labor and capi- tal productive. It is the arm of labor that forges out the real wealth of the country ; but capital wisely employed, is no less essential. Hoarded wealth, like the dead sea, never turns a wheel nor drives a forge. The active stream must do the work.
Then let the old man of to-day fall asleep in peace and with the light of hope in his farewell glance on the scenes of his earthly toil ; knowing that those who come after him will come up chastened from the season of depression and reap all the advantages God has given us in the hills and streams around us, where inexhaustible sources of wealth conspire to make this a teeming centre of trade, where the strong foundations of local prosperity may be securely laid.
Let the active men of to-day, in a wider sphere and a more com- prehensive spirit, combined with the energy and courage of their fathers, grasp the advantages before them and much may yet be done before their sun of life shall set, to elevate this place up towards the fulness of its capabilities.
Let the boys of to-day, with an eye to their future and fast ap- proaching responsibilities, arm themselves with all the nobler quali- ties of mind and heart, to fight and win the battles of life. Let them resolve now in the morning years of their lives, to take their places when the time shall come, in the ranks of progress to advance the standard their fathers reared, up to the summit of local prosperity, moral, mental and physical, in all thai tends to the growth, the honor and happiness of the future city of Danville.
y
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APPENDIX.
18
[THE following articles, selected from the miscellaneous writings of the author, are appended at the request of friends who desire their preservation in a more durable form than the columns of a newspaper. ]
HOME.
H OW many volumes of touching pathos have been written in memory of home and its returnless joys. How the wierd spirit lingers around its hallowed endearments, and how oft in the stillness of night it recalls the burn- ing hopes whose diamond flash illumined every rising wave in the dawn of life's bright morning ! How the stricken heart of the lone wanderer, far away from the unforgotten scenes of childhood, ever turns from the present to commune with the loved ones who gathered around the family hearth, or bowed before its consecrated altar ! Where are now the golden links of the household band-the joyous group whose echoing notes of glee still mingle with the voices of the night ? Some estranged and alone are struggling in the battle of life, and some have gone to the city of the dead.
In dreams we read again the sweet memorials of the past-again the pilgrim beside the dusty road revisits the cot of his birth-again he treads his native hills, decked with a richer foliage and canopied with a brighter sky. Even the wayward man of sin and sorrow, though steeped in poverty and crime to the very lips, will sometimes pause in his mad career to revel again in the memory of the fadeless joys that cluster around the home of his childhood. Oh yes, and the crowning glory in that bright vision will be the image of his mother.
The exile may love the country of his adoption, yet the fondest affections of his heart will cling forever to the land of his birth. No lapse of time, no change of circumstances, nor streams of joy, nor floods of sorrow can blot the primeval record, nor cool the patriotic fervor of his heart. Under all the varied scenes of life he presents the evidences of his origin, the characteristics and the love of his native land.
Far away from the home of his boyhood, the aged pilgrim lies down to die, but in the farewell hour of his life, he turns to read again the gilded pages of youth and recalls once more the glowing scenes under the roof-tree or the village green.
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HISTORY OF DANVILLE.
Who has not heard of the old Welshman who had wandered to the western wilds of America, and who for half a century had for- gotten the language of Wales ; but who in the final death struggle, as memory traveled back to his far off home and paused amid his native hills, the language of his childhood returned once more and in its pure accents the hallowed name of his mother was mingled with his dying prayer. The old man was a child again and of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Home ! Oh is it not a potent word ? A word that thrills the bur- dened soul of the far voyager, even as his bark of life is moored in the port of death,-a word that ever wakes and tunes a chord of undying melody in the throbbing heart of Nature's child, through- out all her vast domains.
Heart. Memories.
There is enshrined in every human heart, the bright dream of youth, the golden hope of childhood. And there the memory of those first impressions, pure desires and cloudless joys will live for- ever. Sorrow and misfortune may fling their dark shadows around our pathway ; disappointment and anguish may chill the better feel- ing of our nature ; crime may weave its sombre folds around the heart ; the wild storms of passion may sweep its chords; dishonor and shame may shroud its altar ; but all these can never blot from its tablets the record of childhood's hours-its first impressions, its budding affections, its dream-like joys. Nor can the pride and pomp of power, or wealth, or fame extinguish the light of its inner chambers. No, never. The felon doomed to die, turns back once more when the star of hope has set, to read the one bright page, in the light of life's young morning. The aged christian too, as the evening twilight gathers around him, and as he waits in patience and in hope for the Reaper-death ; still turns to catch the gleam of its far off rays, and in the light of a living faith he trusts in a renewal of youth, in a more enduring form beyond the grave. Oh yes, there is, in the depth of every human heart, one warm and sunny spot where nestle the images of early love and the sweet remem- brances of childhood's home. There they will remain even to the final hour with all the bright memories that cluster around that glad-
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