USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 15
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carpenter, and at the same time, with the aid of all the books which he could obtain, applied himself to the study of construction, with the result that in the course of time he was able to take any contract that might be called for. He had been engaged in this way only six months when the railroad demanded skilled workmen. He offered his services and helped build a roundhouse. After this was completed the excellence of his work and his ability in management secured him employment in the carshops at a dollar and a quarter a day, with time and one-half for overwork and double time on Sunday. Sometimes his pay amounted to seventy-five dollars a month. In this position he made and saved money and here he remained until 1863.
The events of the Civil war aroused all Mr. Luppert's patriotism as an American citizen, and he gave proof of his allegiance to his adopted country by enlisting in the service of the government as a member of the Construction Corps at two dollars and a half a day. He served one year, at the end of which time he was discharged on account of illness.
In 1865 Mr. Luppert sold his property for seventeen hundred dol- lars, and was employed by the Fisher & Reading Lumber Company to erect necessary buildings and also tramways and dwellings for their employes, and in the fall of 1865 he built a building on a lot where the A. H. Heilman Furniture Company now stands, where he began his first business in the manufacture of furniture. In May, 1866, the entire plant was destroyed by fire, including the stock, both rough and finished, and all the books of the company. Mr. Luppert's troubles were magnified by this accumulation of losses, and in endeavoring to retrieve them he associated with himself several partners who did not all prove helpers. Therefore, in 1869, he purchased their interests and began in a small way for himself. He subsequently took as a partner Frederick Mankey and continued the connection under the firm name of Luppert. Mankey
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& Company until 1871. This firm is said to have been the pioneer steam furniture manufacturers of Williamsport. About this time Peter Herdic, the visionary philosopher, thought it would be best for them to increase their business facilities and therefore erected a brick factory for them, where the Williamsport Manufacturing Company's plant now stands. Under the title of the Williamsport Furniture Company they began the manufacture of desks and chamber furniture, and in 1871 he received ten thousand dollars to come to South Williamsport and erect his furniture factory. This offer Mr. Luppert accepted, sold his interest, and engaged in business with A. H. Heilman, under the name of A. H. Heilman & Company, on the south side. The name was subsequently changed to that of the Susquehanna West Branch Furniture Company. The business was continued until March 3, 1875, when the entire plant, through the carelessness of the watchman, was destroyed by fire.
At this time Mr. Fisher, who had advanced the ten thousand dol- lars, died, but this amount was still available. Then Peter Herdic ap- peared on the scene and said that the factory must be rebuilt, and so it was. At the same time a sawmill was erected on adjacent land, and Mr. Luppert was prospering once more and in a fair way to discharge his obligations, but his old enemy was still on his track. In 1878 the sawmill adjoining his own caught fire, and, owing to the lack of fire apparatus and protection, his own plant ignited from the sparks and was utterly destroyed. Three disasters of this nature, occurring within so short a time, would have crushed the spirit of many men, but Mr. Lup- pert was not to be daunted. Determined on making another effort, he rebuilt the structures by his own unaided endeavors, and resumed business. It was, however, for but a brief period. In 1881 his watch- man, who should have been on duty in the fire-room, when the fires were banked for the night, was elsewhere, the mill caught fire, and the total
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· destruction of the plant followed. It was valued at seventy-five thousand dollars and was only partially protected by an insurance of seventeen thousand.
At this time Mr. Luppert had been selling largely to a Baltimore firm, but had not been able to give them the quantity they wanted. This firm, in admiration of his pluck no less than of his business ability, advised him to rebuild on a larger scale, which he did. At the same time his former partners, the Williamsport Furniture Company, did all in their power to undersell him, the only result being a division of the trade. For this reason more push and pluck were needed in order to effect a beginning than on any previous occasion, but this was finally accomplished and the business once more firmly established, when the dry-house of the new factory caught fire and was burned to the ground, with no insurance.
In retrieving his fortunes this time Mr. Luppert took as a partner I. N. Kline, and under the name of Luppert, Kline & Company the business was continued for one year, the title being then changed to the Luppert-Kline Furniture Company, Limited, with a capital of one hun- dred thousand dollars. The first year there were no profits and the stockholders were dissatisfied. Mr. Reading, of the former firm of Fisher & Reading, furnished enough money to put up a finishing-shop, in order that they might be able to produce finished work, all their work thus far having been done in the white or unpainted style. Although the firm was able to pay dollar for dollar, it was found that, owing to poor office work, there had been no profits, and consequently they sus- pended business. Mr. Luppert then bought what was left (valued at about fifty thousand dollars), at sheriff's sale, paying only five thousand dollars, and finished the articles which were then in the works. At this juncture, by the carelessness of the office department, the insurance
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policies were allowed to lapse until a stock worth seventy-five thousand dollars was left with an insurance of one thousand. While things were . in this state another fire came. Mr. Luppert then began to rebuild and start business again on a small scale under the name of the Keystone Furniture Company, and has continued the business to the present day, which is of great magnitude. His ancient foe seems to have at last discovered that it is useless for him to contend with a man of the un- quenchable spirit and indestructible fortitude possessed by his antagonist and to have retired from the contest. Today, simply by his own efforts, and spirit of true German determination, Mr. Luppert is the proprietor of an industry employing one hundred and fifty hands and is one of the wealthiest citizens of Williamsport. He manufactures nothing but chamber furniture, chiffoniers, et cetera.
Amid all the vicissitudes of his wonderfully eventful life Mr. Lup- pert has never forgotten to be a good citizen and has always enjoyed the highest esteem and fullest confidence of his neighbors. During his residence on the south side he has served on the city council and the school board, and is at the present time ( 1905) a member of the board of health.
Mr. Luppert married, March 11, 1856, Mary Welker, who was born in Bavaria, and the following children were born to them: Mary ; George, who died by an accident ; John, who married Jennie McCarthy ; Lizzie; Annie, who is the wife of E. V. Koch; and Valentine, who married Carrie Moore and has two children, Mary Ethel and Anna Ernestine. The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Luppert was in Pine street. where Mr. Luppert had purchased land. On this land he erected, in his spare time, a small house, the total cost of which, not including his time and material, amounted to fifteen dollars. In their present magnificent residence, surrounded by all that wealth can bring, both Mr. and Mrs.
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Luppert look back with pride and pleasure to this modest home of their early years. The entire family are members of the German Reformed church.
LAWRENCE H. DENNISTON.
Lawrence H. Denniston, one of the enterprising business men of Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and one of the promi- nent and well-known citizens of his town, was born in Blue Stone town- ship, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, in 1863, the son of Gilbert J. and Sarah J. (Miller) Denniston. Mr. Denniston's ancestral history will be found in the preceding sketch. He was reared in Porter township, and obtained his education in the public schools of that place. He later re- moved to Jersey Shore, where early in life he engaged in real estate speculating, in which enterprise he was attended with most gratifying success. He erected ten splendid residences in the third ward of Jersey Shore, thus contributing largely toward advancing the upbuilding and improvement of this town. In 1887 Lawrence H. Denniston entered the employ of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Com- pany, and since 1893 has held the position of conductor. Politically Mr. Denniston is a sound Republican, and in matters of religion accords with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Denniston has held the office of town councilman and is a member of the Order of Railroad Conductors, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 173, Williamsport.
In 1885 Lawrence H. Denniston was united in marriage to Miss Flora E. Dewey, born September 3, 1862, in Vermont, daughter of Frederick and Catherine Dewey, natives of Vermont, and of this union the following named children were born: Catherine, June 25, 1887; and Gilbert, February 28, 1901.
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JOHN H. WOLF.
Among its deceased citizens Jersey Shore remembers with respect John H. Wolf. The family to which Mr. Wolf belonged was of Ger- man origin, having been founded in this country by three brothers who emigrated from the Fatherland. One found a home in New York, another directed his course westward, and the third, who was the grand- father of Mr. Wolf, settled in Pennsylvania.
Isaac Wolf, son of this emigrant ancestor, was born in McEwens- ville, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and was by occupation a shoemaker. In early manhood he migrated to Clinton county. During the latter part of his life he abandoned his trade, which he had hitherto followed, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm on which he ended his days. He married, January 29, 1849, Elvina Shoe- maker, also a native of McEwensville, and their children were: John H., mentioned at length hereinafter; Isaac; Sarah C., deceased; Mar- garet E .; Mary M .; Rachel A .; and Charles, deceased.
John H. Wolf, son of Isaac and Elvina (Shoemaker) Wolf, was born June 29, 1850, in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the common schools of his native place. He chose for his life-work the occupation of a farmer, to which he assiduously devoted himself until 1888, when he became a resident of Jersey Shore. He was a citizen of sterling qualities and served with efficiency as supervisor of Porter town- ship. In accordance with the traditions of his family he was a Repub- lican in politics and a Lutheran in faith.
Mr. Wolf married, in 1880, Anna Hibeck, and they were the par- ents of four sons: Henry, I. Otto, Charles and William, twins. The death of Mr. Wolf, which occurred October 23, 1889, was mourned by all who knew him, feeling as they did that by this event his family had lost a kind husband and father, and the community an estimable citizen.
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Mrs. Wolf is the daughter of Henry Hibeck, who was born in Ger- many, and in 1853 emigrated to the United States and settled at Charla- ton, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, where he lived ten years. He was a prosperous lumberman, and like all his family a Democrat in politics and a Lutheran in religious belief. He married in 1854, Anna B. Koerner, also a native of Germany, and of the children born to them only two grew to maturity : Mary, who married M. N. Thomas; and Anna, who became the wife of John H. Wolf, as mentioned above. Mrs. Hibeck died March 28, 1889, and her husband survived her ten years, passing away in 1899. Henry and Anna Hibeck, in early life, united with the Lutheran church and were consistent members till death, having been charter members of Zion Lutheran church of Jersey Shore.
JAMES M. CHESNUT.
James M. Chesnut, proprietor of a large cold-storage warehouse in Jersey Shore, was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1857, son of John and Elizabeth (Flora) Chesnut. His parents were natives of Fulton county, and his grandfather, George Chesnut, was the son of a pioneer in that locality. John Chesnut was a well-known educator of Fulton county in his day and taught school for a period of twenty-two years. He was the father of a large family of children, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely : George, Charlotte, James M., Eva, Alice B., Jennie, Annie (who is no longer living), and Ella.
After concluding his studies in the public schools, James M. Ches- nut, at the age of seventeen years, went to West Virginia, where for some years he was engaged in the milling and lumber business, and during that time he acquired considerable knowledge of the millwright's trade. In 1880 he went to Hughesville, Pennsylvania, where his father
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had purchased a flouring mill, and there his knowledge of milling in general was still further increased. Realizing the necessity of acquiring a technical knowledge of mechanics, he pursued a course in the Inter- national Correspondence School at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and he sub- sequently attended the Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Commercial College, from which he was graduated in 1882. He next turned his attention to teaching school, which he soon relinquished to accept the position of bookkeeper with J. H. Connoly and Company in Shamokin, Pennsyl- vania, but, deciding to devote his efforts to mechanics, he connected him- self with the works of the Tide-Water Pipe Company of Muncy, Penn- sylvania, where he remained eighteen months. His next occupation was that of an engineer in a planing-mill, and with a view of varying his experience he for a time served as shipping clerk for J. K. Rishell Fur- niture Company of Hughesville, Pennsylvania. He was later employed to install the machinery for the Muncy Manufacturing Company, was for a time engineer and machinist for George Lupert, and became con- nected with the Wycoff Pipe Works. During his association with that concern he made various improvements in their line of products, being the patentee of a species of patent (bit) reamer for making wooden pipe, which became a very profitable branch of their business, and he organized the Williamsport Wooden-Pipe Company, of which he be- came superintendent. In 1902 he erected, in association with a partner, a planing-mill in Jersey Shore, which he operated under the firm name of J. M. Chesnut Company, Incorporated, and sold out to Frank Ulmer and C. B. Bastain; it was destroyed by fire June 8, 1904. He also erected a cold-storage warehouse and a vinegar manufactory, both of which he is now carrying on successfully, using a gasoline engine and other improved apparatus. These enterprises are among the finest of their kind in this part of the county. In addition to his industrial prop-
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erty, he owns considerable real estate in Jersey Shore, and has erected two dwelling houses. He has recently gone to May, South Carolina, to erect a planing-mill and conduct a lumber business.
In politics Mr. Chesnut is a Prohibitionist and has been twice a candidate for the assembly. His religious affiliations are with the Meth- cdist Episcopal church. In 1883 he married Miss Barbara E. Crosth- waite, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, daughter of M. P. and Rebecca Crosthwaite, the former of whom is a Methodist minister. Mr. and Mrs. Chesnut have four children, namely: Durbin L., Eva M., Lawrence E., and June V. Chesnut.
TUNISON C. DINGLER.
One of those men whose influence, in whatever community they may reside, is invariably on the side of progress and reform was Tunison C. Dingler, for many years one of the most highly respected citizens of Jersey Shore.
The father of Mr. Dingler was John Dingler, a blacksmith by trade and a first-class mechanic. He married Martha Coryell and their children were: Charlotte, John, Sarah J., who resides in - Williamsport, in the home with C. C. Gibson, and the only living member of the fam- ily; Joseph, George, and Tunison C., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Dingler was in all respects an excellent man. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church.
Tunison C. Dingler, son of John and Martha (Coryell) Dingler, was born April 15, 1826, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. In 1836 his parents moved to Jersey Shore and it was there that the remainder of his life, with the exception of the period during which he was learning the saddler's trade at Williamsport, was passed. After serving his ap-
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prenticeship he returned to Jersey Shore and there conducted his business for many years. Subsequently, in company with Dr. Smith, he became a dealer in general merchandise and in 1880 bought out his father-in-law, John Durell, a merchant of long standing. This business was conducted by Mr. Dingler during the remainder of his life. After the big fire of 1883 he erected a large store building on Main street, where he resumed his business, now occupied by C. M. Irvin, hardware. In 1889 his store was flooded, having seven feet of water on the first floor. He was obliged to move his business to Allegheny street, where he continued until his death. His widow and family reside on the old homestead on Alle- gheny street, on the bank of the old canal.
As a citizen of Jersey Shore, Mr. Dingler was for many years one of the most conspicuous figures in moral reform. The temperance cause found in him a zealous champion, and in conformity to his convictions he cast the first vote which the Prohibition party ever received in Jersey Shore. During the civil war he took an active part in raising funds to enable the state to furnish and equip the troops going to the front. He held the office of deacon in the Baptist church.
Mr. Dingler married, in 1850, Margaret E. Durell, and of their twelve children eight are now living: Martha, at home; Sarah H., at home; Clara, at home; Annie, who married J. H. Groff and is the mother of four children, three of whom are living, Susan B., Charles S., de- ceased, Mary D. and Meredith; Charlotte, who is the wife of H. F. Bubb, of Milton, Pennsylvania, and they have two sons, Tunice and George L .; John D., who married Mary Bowersock, now deceased, no issue; Tunison C., who married Grace Brown, and they have four chil- dred, Robert B., Meriam Albina, John Durell II and Charlotte; and Harry D., of Williamsport.
Mr. Dingler closed his useful and profitable life on March 25, 1893,
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but will long be remembered as a man and a citizen whose influence for good was felt throughout the entire community as long as he lived.
Mrs. Dingler is a daughter of John Durell, who came from New Jersey, and his wife from Little York, Pennsylvania, and settled in Williamsport. In 1825 he removed to Jersey Shore, where he engaged in mercantile business, and at the time of his death was the oldest mer- chant in the place. He was also extensively engaged in the lumber business, owned and operated two sawmills and ran two boats on the canal. He was one of the early directors in the Williamsport Bank. Politically he was a staunch Democrat, and in religious belief a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he was a liberal contributor. His wife was Sarah Peterman, and they were the parents of the follow- ing children: Mary, who married Richard Bodine and had seven chil- dren, three living; Margaret E., who became the wife of Tunison C. Dingler, as mentioned above; Martha; Henrietta, wife of John Potter, now deceased; Henry, deceased, married Clara Hammet, who resides in Jersey Shore and part of the time in New York, no issue ; John, deceased ; and Sarah, deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Durell were most highly and deservedly esteemed by all who knew them.
JOHN M. JONES.
John M. Jones, a practical farmer and industrious citizen of Ly- coming county, Pennsylvania, was born in Germany, October 29, 1857, a son of John and Christina Jones. John Jones, Sr., was born in Ba- varia, Germany, January 16, 1827. He was a miller by trade, which oc- cupation he followed in his native country, being familiar with the process by which a high grade of flour was manufactured. He mar- ried his wife Christina in the Fatherland, and there their first two
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children, Margaret and John M., were born. John Jones and his fam- ily emigrated to the United States in 1859, locating in Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Jones engaged in lumber- ing and operating saw mills until 1878. In that year he purchased a tract of farming land in Clinton county, comprising thirty acres. In 1891 he purchased a farm in Lycoming county, comprising one hun- dred acres of fertile, well laid out land. Mr. Jones was an excellent farmer, and brought his two properties to a high state of cultivation. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones after their arrival in this country, namely : Henry, deceased : William; Mary ; Carrie; and Frank, born in 1874. The death of John Jones occurred August 16, 1904. His widow died in September, 1905. Henry and Frederick Jones, the brothers of John Jones, accompanied him and his family to this coun- try. Henry is now deceased, as is also Frederick, who returned to the old country.
John M. Jones, second child and eldest son of John Jones, Sr., like his father, follows agricultural pursuits. He and his two brothers, William and Frank, occupy and conduct the farms in Clinton and Ly- coming counties. John M. Jones is an industrious, enterprising farmer, and a useful member of the community. He is deeply interested in edu- cational matters, and is now serving as school director.
In 1892 John M. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Tabitha Dorey, a daughter of Richard and Virginia (Baird) Dorey. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. John M. Jones, Harry L. Carrie, a sister of John M. Jones, married Graham Smith; Frank, a brother, who mar- ried Mary Homler in 1904, to whom was born one child, a son, Clarence ; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Charles Shaw, and had one child, now deceased. Mr. Jones, our subject, is a Democrat.
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EDWARD K. FIESTER.
One of the leading business men of Jersey Shore is Edward K. Fiester, who is of German extraction. His father, Reuben Fiester, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he was an extensive farmer, but later engaged in business as a butcher. During the Civil war he served as a private in the Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania In- fantry, and also in the ninety-day troops, receiving honorable discharges from both organizations. He married Lydia Schrair, also a native of Lycoming county, whose ancestors came from Germany, and their chil- dren were: James D., deceased; Edgar D., Mary, Angeline, Emma, Carrie, and Edward K., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mrs. Fiester was but fifty-eight years old at the time of her death, while her hus- band survived to the advanced age of eighty-five years, eight months and twenty-five days. He died February 10, 1902.
Edward K. Fiester, son of Reuben and Lydia (Schrair) Fiester, was born January 19, 1840, in Muncy Creek, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, and was educated at the common schools in his native place. He then learned the blacksmith's trade, but his labors were early inter- rupted by the outbreak of the Civil war. June 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve, and before the expiration of his term participated in the following battles: Granes- ville, Fredericksburg and Mechanicsville. In the last-named engage- ment, which took place June 27. 1863, he received a gun-shot wound in both thighs, and was honorably discharged the same year.
On his return to civil life Mr. Fiester settled in Jersey Shore, where for twenty-five years he was employed as carriage blacksmith by G. P. Nice. October 12, 1891, he went into business as head of
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the firm of E. K. Fiester & Son, proprietors of marble and monumental works. Their yard is an extensive one where can be found all kinds of granite, both foreign and domestic, and where the best workman- ship is furnished. . From the day of its organization to the present time the firm has carried on a flourishing business. Since 1903 Mr. Fiester has resided in a beautiful and commodious house erected by himself. His record as a citizen is noteworthy. For fifteen years he served as school director, and for twelve years was a member of the borough council, during one year holding the office of president of that body. For a period of four years he served with universal satisfaction as post- master of Jersey Shore. He holds the office of treasurer in the Method- ist Episcopal church, of which he and his family are members.
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