USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 32
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Orchestra, and for the Stopper and Fisk Orchestra, the leading orches- tras of Williamsport. He served as bookkeeper for the Flock Brewing Company until April, 1905, and after the death of his brother Charles was appointed president and manager of the company, in which capacity he is serving at the present time. He is one of the directors in the Sus- quehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, a member of the Young Men's Democratic Club, the Williamsport Wheel Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Williamsport, and St. Mark's Luth- eran church. He was initiated in Ivy Lodge, No. 397, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, October II, 1897, and received the degrees of Fellow Craft, November 17, 1897, and Master Mason, December 17, 1897. In Lycoming Royal Arch Chapter, No. 222, he received the degrees of Mark Master, February 20, 1902; Most Excellent Master, February 20, 1902, and Royal Arch Mason, March 1I, 1902. In Adoniram Coun- cil, No. 26, Royal and Select Masons, he received the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master, March 19, 1903. In Baldwin II Com- mandery, No. 22, Knights Templar, he received the degrees of Red Cross, September 16, 1902; Knight Templar, October 21, 1902, and Knight of Malta December 16, 1902. In the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite he received the thirty-second degree, April 20, 1899, at Blooms- burg, Pennsylvania, and later with others instituted a Consistory in Williamsport, and is one of the charter members. Mr. Flock was mar- ried December 12, 1894, to Lillian May Bloom, born December 20, 1872, daughter of William Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Fisher) Bloom, the former named serving as secretary of the Williamsport Water Com- pany, and both being representatives of old and honored pioneer stock. Mrs. Flock was educated in the Williamsport public and high schools, and is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Flock are the parents of three children, as follows: Herman Frederick Will .
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iam, born October 1, 1895; Barbara Belle, born July 3, 1897; John Fred., born November 6, 1899. Mr. Flock purchased the R. Y. Nice property at 144 East Fourth street, remodeled the same in 1905, and is now the possessor of a modern and handsome residence.
G. E. OTTO SIESS.
G. E. Otto Siess was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 14, 1835, son of Andrew Joseph and Mary Magdaline Siess. He was reared in his native land, and received his education in the common schools of that country. He learned the book binder's trade and worked at that business in Germany for five years, and subsequently worked for several years in Paris, France.
In 1854 Mr. Siess came to the United States, and first located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1855 he came to Williamsport, where he found employment in a saw mill, and by close economy was able to save a small amount out of his wages. He afterwards engaged with Frank Campbell in the book binding business, purchased the plant in July, 1856, and the following year he removed it to the old site of the Gazette and Bulletin office. In 1858 he removed his plant to the corner of Pine and Fourth streets, where he also established a confectionery and fruit store in connection with his bindery. In 1861 he moved to the Academy of Music building, where he remained until 1868, and then removed to near the corner of William and Fourth streets. He disposed of his confectionery and fruit store, purchased new machinery and en- gaged in the book binding business and also conducted a stationery store. In 1874 he purchased the building later occupied by his son, William C., next to the Trust building, where he continued his busi- ness. Mr. Siess was the pioneer of the book binding business in Will-
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iamsport, and established the first bindery between Elmira and Harris- burg. In 1877 he purchased the "Times," and in October, 1879, the "Banner," and published the paper for five months. He sold it to Jacob Sallade, February 26, 1880, and retired from the printing and book binding business. Mr. Siess is vice-president, stockholder and director in the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank, the Savings Institution, and the Old Demorest Sewing Machine Company. He is a member of the Masonic order and is connected with the lodge, chapter and commandery. He adheres to the principles of the Democratic party.
Mr. Siess was married in 1856 to Elizabeth, born 1835, daughter of Barnhart Ziegler, of Williamsport, who bore him a family of five chil- dren : William C., who is engaged in the book and stationery business on West Fourth street; Mary, wife of Charles F. W. Flock; Louise, wife of W. D. Leeds; Amelia, wife of John Gerrsting, of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company ; and Tillie, wife of Howard Boyer, a Pennsylvania railroad freight agent. All are residents of Williamsport. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
THE EVENING NEWS.
Although the youngest member of the newspaper family of Will- iamsport, the "News " has long since passed the infantile state of its existence, and its makeup and general appearance equals if not surpasses its journalistic brethren of that city. In fact, the " News " never passed through the swaddling-band and kilt periods of life, as it appeared at its birth in a well-fitting suit of tailor-made long clothes, and has worn them ever since, although compelled by necessity to change its wardrobe fre- quently during the growing stage. Coming into the world as a waif
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during a tempestuous period in the history of Williamsport journalism, its unusual precocity and indefatigable activity at the start was such as to secure its admission to newspaperdom in the face of sternly applied parental opposition. That it has always conducted itself with propriety is fully attested by the fact that it is now and has been for some years one of the leading dailies in the city, and like any other self-made indi- vidual, it has every reason to be proud of its achievements.
The Evening News was established April 16, 1894, and was the outcome of a general strike among the union printers employed upon the daily newspapers in Williamsport. The strike occurred on Friday morning, April 13, and on the following Monday its first issue made its appearance as a four-page six-column morning newspaper. There had been no preparations for its publication prior to the strike, but on Sat- urday, April 14, when it became evident that the difficulty between the printers and their employers would not be immediately adjusted, a hastily appointed committee representing the Williamsport Typograph- ical Union made a hurried arrangement with Mr. George S. Lenhart, publisher of the "Breakfast Table," a Sunday newspaper, whereby his type and press could be used for the purpose of printing a daily sheet, to be conducted by the union. A sufficient quantity of white paper for its first edition was purchased at a local book and stationery store and carried to the " Breakfast Table " office, a primitive log structure located on Pine street, south of the canal, and here the " News " was born. The paper continued to be published under the direction of the local Typo- graphical Union for several weeks, or until the organization of the News Publishing Company (Limited), who changed it from a morning to an evening paper. The new company was composed exclusively of union printers, and every position in every department was occupied by a member of the Typographical Union.
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The election of a general manager culminated in the choice of Harry G. Reed, who labored diligently and faithfully in its behalf for a period of nearly nine years, or until his death, which occurred in Feb- ruary, 1903. Under his fostering care the waif grew to maturity, ac- quired an abundance of genuine prosperity and its columns were aug- mented from time to time in order to accommodate the increased adver- tising patronage resulting from its enlarged circulation.
On August 27, 1894, the News office was removed from the log cabin on Pine street to the three-story frame building at No. 319 Hepburn street, where it was printed with its own type and issued from its own press. In May, 1900, the company removed its office and equipment to the present location, 313 West Fourth street, a fast perfecting press and linotype machines were installed, and the "News" is now issued from one of the best equipped daily newspaper establishments in the city.
Many of the original members of the company are still connected with it. Its officers are: President, Mr. E. L. Schuyler ; secretary, Mr. J. B. Gohl; treasurer, Mr .. John L. Foster, and the board of manage- ment is composed of Messrs. E. F. Wolf, E. L. Schuyler, Mr. R. H. Peard, Mr. John Bischof and Mr. J. B. Gohl. Mr. Elmer L. Schuyler acts as editor, and the business department is in charge of Mr. Edmund F. Wolf, who was elected to succeed the late Mr. Reed.
CHARLES W. OPP.
Charles W. Opp, a representative citizen of Montour county, Penn- sylvania, whose residence is located directly on the edge of Lycoming county, was born August 28, 1852, in Muncy Creek township, a son of John Philip and Abigail ( Andrews) Opp, and grandson of John and
28 .
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Sarah M. (Fiester) Opp, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of this section of the state.
John Philip Opp ( father) was born in Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, June II, 1822. He attended the common schools of that day during the winter months, as was the custom of boys reared in the country, and later turned his attention to farming and lumbering, from which occupations he derived a goodly income. He was one of the well known and influential residents of Muncy Valley, contributing in various ways to its growth and prosperity, and filling several township offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was one of the corporators of the Citizens' National Bank of Muncy, and was a director of that institution from its organization. He cast his vote with the Republican party, the principles of which he firmly believed to be for the best form of government. He was united in mar- riage to Abigail Andrews, in 1846, and eight children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. The surviving members of the family were: J. Reed, Coleman, Charles W., John P., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Oakley died aged about fifteen.
Charles W. Opp attended the common schools adjacent to his home, thereby gaining a thorough and practical education, which is so essential to success in life. His industry and perseverance in the cultivation of his land has been rewarded by large harvests, from which he derives a goodly income wherewith to provide his family with the necessaries and some of the comforts of life. His political views coincide with those advocated by the Republican party, to which he has given his support since attaining his majority. He is an honored member of the Grange.
Mr. Opp married, March 27, 1886, Harriet Catherine Bartlow, who was born in Moreland township, September 20, 1863, a daughter of Amos and Mary Jane (Minnier) Bartlow, natives of Germany, who
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were the parents of seven children, namely: Joseph W., Margaret, William, Lorena, dead; Harriet Catherine, Martha Jane and John Davis Bartlow. Six children, all of whom are unmarried and reside at home, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Opp: Harvey O., born February 26, 1887; Walter W., born April 23, 1890, and died in infancy; Abigail, born October 12, 1891; Effie M., born June 25, 1893; Bruce A., born Janu- ary 29, 1897; and Wilbur R., born December 6, 1899.
THE WILLIAMSPORT "SUN."
The Williamsport "Sun," with its circulation of over eleven thou- sand daily, and a Tri-Weekly circulation of over four thousand, en- joys the distinction of being recognized as among the leading news- papers of Pennsylvania. The present "Sun" is the outgrowth of what were originally the "Weekly Sun and Democrat" and the " Weekly Banner." The former was established in Williamsport in July, 1870, by Col. Levi L. Tate, a veteran newspaper editor, whose tombstone in Wildwood cemetery now bears the tribute, "Fifty years an editor."
The publication of the " Weekly Banner " was begun by E. B. Haines, in June, 1874, and in February of the next year he began the publication of an evening daily " Banner." In 1879 the " Banner " was sold to G. E. Otto Siess, who, in 1880, sold the plant and paper to Jacob Sallade & Son. That year they had also purchased Colonel Tate's " Sun and Democrat."
The Messrs. Sallade merged the two publications into the "Sun and Banner," continuing to print both daily and weekly editions. Charles T. Huston was editor. A year later J. M. Wolf and Company
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purchased the paper, and in 1882 a stock company, under the corporate title of The Sun and Banner Publishing Company, was formed.
Two years subsequent to the company's formation, James. W. Sweely, a practical and successful young newspaper man, secured control of the paper and assumed its business and editorial management. He changed its name to the " Sun." It was from the time of Mr. Sweely's assumption of control that the "Sun" began its career of substantial ascendancy. Mr. Sweely was its managing head for just twenty years, or until his death, in January, 1904, at which time the "Sun " had grown from the little four-page paper of eleven hundred circulation to a seven-column eight-page paper of almost ten thousand circulation. The " Weekly Sun " has been gradually growing also until it developed first into a Semi-Weekly and then into a Tri-Weekly, its present form.
The "Sun," when it was begun, occupied quarters at the south- west corner of Market Square, but in 1894 it was moved into its own building at the corner of Government place and Willow street. A short time thereafter the "Sun " absorbed the "Daily Republican " and later the " Daily Times," both competitors in the evening field, and the best portions of the equipment and subscription lists of these two papers were added to it. The "Sun" is equipped with four Mergenthaler type-setting machines and a Goss Straightline sixteen-page perfecting printing press, with a capacity of 20,000 complete papers, folded and counted, per hour. Its plant and equipment has kept pace with modern ideas and is complete and perfect for its needs.
The politics of the "Sun " is Democratic. Its circulation, beside that in the city proper, embraces all the towns of the West Branch Val- ley and many others contiguous thereto.
The management of the " Sun," at the death of James W. Sweely. was placed in the hands of George E. Graff, he having been assistant
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manager to Mr. Sweely for several years prior to the latter's death. In the editorial conduct of the "Sun " much character and zeal has been given it by John R. Bixler, its present editor-in-chief, who has been with the "Sun," on its editorial staff, for almost twenty years. Its excellent local department is in charge of City Editor Elmer E. Per- son, whose experience and ability in the Central Pennsylvania news field is second to none.
John G. Hammer, a prominent business man of the city, who has taken an active interest in the "Sun" from its beginning, is president of the Sun and Banner Publishing Company.
GEORGE B. MERRILL.
Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, is the home of quite a number of men who were thrown upon their own resources at an early age, and whose natural aptness and energy were developed and strengthened by contact with the world, resulting in making their lives more than ordinarily successful in worldly prosperity, and winning re- spect. Among this number is George B. Merrill, one of the oldest lum- bermen in this section of the state in point of service, and a worthy representative of a family whose early ancestors were Huguenots, they leaving their home in France to escape religious persecution, and settling in England, from whence three brothers of this family emigrated to America, locating somewhere in the state of Massachusetts, but sub- sequently their paths in life separated and therefore their descendants are to be found throughout the various states in the Union.
Paul S. Merrill, grandfather of George B. Merrill, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Stephen, who bore him three children, as fol-
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lows: Elizabeth, Ellen and Paul S. Merrill. Mr. Merrill died when his youngest child was but two years of age.
Paul S. 'Merrill, father of George B. Merrill, was born in New- berryport, Maine, and was there reared and educated. When seven- teen years of age he went to the northeastern part of his native state, where he at one time served in the capacity of clerk and later studied law. After his marriage to Caroline Blanchard, who was born in Cum- berland county, Maine, a daughter of John Blanchard, a farmer, and a descendant from a long line of sea-faring men, Mr. Merrill settled in the town of Blanchard, where at one time he occupied the responsible posi- tion of sheriff of the county. When his son, George B. Merrill, was ten years of age he moved to the town of Shirley and there practiced his profession of law, settled estates, and took an active and prominent part in the political affairs of the town, his support being given to the Demo- cratic party, whose principles he advocated throughout his lifetime. About the year 1870 he removed to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and there practiced law up to the time of his demise, June 15, 1892. His wife, whose death occurred in Lock Haven, bore him a family of eight children, among whom was Paul B., who died in 1886; he was a lum- berman in Lock Haven and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. George B., mentioned at length hereinafter. John C., a prominent and successful lumberman in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
George B. Merrill was born in Piscataquis county, Maine, De- cember 10, 1838. He spent his boyhood days on a farm in his native state, and his educational advantages were acquired in the district school, which he attended during a portion of the time until he attained the age of fourteen years, at which time he began to earn a livelihood for him- self, drawing supplies to lumber camps in the winter months and work- ing on the farm during the summers, and when old enough he was
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made manager of the farm. In September, 1858, when almost twenty years of age, he came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and later went to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, on a canal boat, there being no railroads running at that time throughout that section of the state. Mr. Merrill worked in the woods for three of his uncles, who were engaged in the lumber business, having located in Lock Haven about the year 1856, and he continued this occupation until the fall of 1861, when he pur- chased a piece of woods, a portion of the property of a farmer, and began lumbering on his own account, selling his first thousand feet (white pine) for four dollars per thousand on the bank; this was on Anderson creek in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. From that small beginning he gradually increased his business, purchasing and clearing from time to time large tracts of lumber lands, and at the present time (1905) is the owner of an extensive and lucrative lumber business, conducting the same on Dent's Run, Elk county. For a period of almost twenty years Mr. Merrill gave his personal attention to the woods, putting in the logs and performing various other duties equally essential and important, and in the year 1865 475,000,000 feet of logs was put into the Susquehanna river, a portion of which was put in by Mr. Merrill. In the latter named year a company was organized known as N. Shaw & Co., consisting of Neamiah Shaw, Paul B. and George B. Merrill, and this continued to exist until 1901, when the firm was merged into that of George B. Merrill & Company. Mr. Merrill is also largely interested in the coal business, holding membership in the Dent's Run Coal Company, one of the lead- ing enterprises of Elk county. He was also at one time extensively interested in the manufacture of fire brick at Lock Haven, Clearfield county, and at present holds stock in the company, which was organized by him in 1884. From this brief account of his business career it is plainly seen that Mr. Merrill is what might be termed a self-made man.
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He started out on the journey of life with little save his own energetic and industrious disposition, but by means of his sterling qualities he has succeeded in attaining a high position for himself both in a financial and social way. In June, 1886, he took up his abode in Williamsport and has since made this city his headquarters, his home. He supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never sought or held office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to busi- ness pursuits. He is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 196, Free and Accepted Masons, of Lock Haven, and a member of the Knights Tem- plar. He attends the Episcopal church.
Mr. Merrill was united in marriage to Miriam S. Wiggin, of Greenville, Maine, a daughter of Andrew Wiggin, a lumberman of Maine and a descendant of an English ancestry. One child was the issue of this union, Philip S. Merrill, who married Margaret Reynolds, and they are the parents of one child, George B. Merrill. Philip S. Mer- rill is a member of the firm of George B. Merrill & Brother, at Dent's Run, Elk county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Merrill has a beautiful residence in Vallamont, Williamsport, one of the finest in the city, surrounded with well kept and spacious lawns, stately trees and handsome flower- beds, and the house is thoroughly equipped with every modern improve- ment that will conduce to the comfort and ease of its inmates. The public and private life of Mr. Merrill are alike above reproach, and his honorable, upright career has gained him the confidence and good wishes of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
EUGENE BERDSON BARDO, D. D. S.
Among the representative members of the dental profession in the city of Williamsport may be mentioned the name of Dr. Eugene B. Bardo, a native of Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, born January 3, 1875.
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John B. Bardo, father of Dr. Bardo, is a son of Elijah Bardo, and his birth occurred in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. His en- tire active career has been devoted to farmning and auctioneering, in which latter vocation he has gained a large degree of prominence and financial success. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Hostetter, who was born in McAlisterville, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, was edu- cated at McAllisterville Academy and the Triscora Female Seminary, and prior to her marriage taught school in Lycoming county. She was a member of the Progressive Brother church, and faithfully and con- scientiously performed all the duties pertaining to wifehood and mother- hood. On June 20, 1904, after a week's illness, she passed away at their home about three miles below Montoursville, Pennsylvania, aged fifty- one years. Mr. Bardo and his wife were the parents of three children : Eugene Berdson, mentioned hereinafter; S. Viola, born August 17, 1877, in Fairfield, Lycoming county. She was educated at the Muncy Normal school, devoting her time to music and teaching in the public schools. In 1904 she was united in marriage to Mr. Alva Atherholt of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, where she now resides. During August, 1905, a little boy was born, Harold Bardo Atherholt. Roscoe R., born May 23, 1883, in Fairfield township, Lycoming county. He attended the Muncy Normal and the Lock Haven State Normal school. He now is resid- ing at home with his father.
Eugene B. Bardo acquired a practical education in the public schools of Fairfield township and Muncy Normal School, and the following six years followed the vocation of teaching. He served two years in the Bastress school, one year in the schools of Fairfield township and one year at Loyalsockville, one year in the Road school in Fairfield township, and two years as principal of the Lloyds Addition School. In 1898 he entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which he
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was graduated in 1902. He was a member of the Piere Dental Society of Philadelphia during his collegiate course. He was at once appointed dental surgeon at the Incurable Hospital, Philadelphia, and in addition to these duties practiced his profession in the city of Philadelphia, his offices being located on Chestnut and Broad streets, he serving as man- ager of the Dental Parlors. In 1903 he took up his residence in Wil- liamsport, Pennsylvania, and August 2 of that year opened an office at No. II East Market square, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He has built up one of the largest prac- tices of any dentist in the city, this being wholly due to his superior workmanship, and his offices are thoroughly equipped with every mod- ern appliance for all kinds of dental work. Dr. Bardo is a member of Abraham Lincoln Council, No. 513, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Montoursville, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in poli- tics. He is a man of strong mental and physical powers, is what is termed a self-made man, having earned the money to defray his col- legiate course, and is honest and upright in every particular.
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