USA > Pennsylvania > Clinton County > Historical and biographical work, or past and present of Clinton County, comprising a sketch of every town and township of the county from date of settlement up to the present time > Part 12
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Andrew D. Meloy, professor of natural sciences in the Lock Haven Normal school, was born in Carlisle, graduated at the Carlisle High school in 1883, and at Dickinson col- lege in 1888. After his graduation he spent one year as principal of Leitersburg academy, in Washington county, Md; was elected to his present position in the summer of 1889; came to Lock Haven in September of that year, and has been a successful teacher in the Normal ever since. Professor Meloy is a cultured gentleman and an instructor of marked ability. He is a telegraph operator, a physician ' and a minister, and frequently fills the pulpit of the various churches of Lock Haven, having been admitted as member
SUPT. D. M. BRUNGARD, LOCK HAVEN, PA.
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of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church at the meeting of that body, held in the spring of 1892.
LOCK HAVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Educational advantages in the early history of "Old Town" were naturally very limited. The first school house of which we have been able to secure any information was built about the year 1800. It was constructed of logs, and located on the bank of the Bald Eagle creek, near the north end of the Castanea bridge. It was a rude affair, and not particularly remarkable for anything but its slab seats, its old-fashioned fire place and broad chimney. At that early day the only branches taught in the schools were reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. There were usually two terms of school taught each year, making in all six months. Saturday afternoon of each week was allowed as a half holi- day, and not the whole of the day, as is the law now. Five or six dollars per month was the ordinary pay for a teacher, and $10 per month was considered a large salary for a first- class instructor. No female teachers were employed in Lock Haven previous to 1850. The school master often taught a singing school in the vicinity, which furnished not only amusement but profit to the young people of the com- munity and himself. The first teacher of whom we could learn, who taught in this ancient educational fortress above mentioned, was a man named Davis. An individual named Dr. Harrison weilded the birch and taught the "Rule of Three" at a later day. This old school house was aban- doned for school purposes in 1812, on account of its loca- tion being too far from the centre of the school population. School was then held a few years in a private dwelling that stood near the road leading from Lock Haven to Flem- ington, upon land owned at the time by the McCormicks. In 1818 a new school house was erected on a lot adjoining the Great Island church, near the old cemetery. This in- stitution of learning was also constructed of logs, but it was quite an improvement over the one before mentioned. In
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this building a modern invention in the shape of an iron stove took the place of the old fire place, and planed boards were used for benches.
In 1830 a school house was erected by Allison township. It was located on the tract purchased by Jeremiah and Willard Church. This house was within the limits of Lock Haven, and stood for many years at the lower end of Main street, just below Washington. It was a frame structure, and was afterwards moved further up Main street, and is still in use as a dwelling. In this house many of the present citizens of Lock Haven received the rudiments of their edu- cation. Among the number was J. N. Sloan, Charles Mc- Cormick, Robert McGhee and others. It was not until 1854 that the first building was erected for school purposes in Lock Haven. The house built at that time was the "old white school house," called "The Second ward school building," which was torn away in the spring of 1892, to make room for the new structure now in progress of erec- tion. School was opened in this building July 16th, 1855, for a term of ten months. The pupils at that time num- bered about 140, and were divided into three grades, gram- mar, intermediate and primary. A. K. Brown was teacher of the first grade, Orrin T. Noble of the second, and Miss Phœbe Hitchcock of the third. This was the only graded school in Central Pennsylvania at that time, outside of Phil- adelphia. The directors at that time were Hon. H. L. Deif- fenbach, Alexander Sloan, Hon. Allison White, T. T. Abrams, William Fearon, J. F. Batcheler and Dr. Eldred. Hon. H. L. Deiffenbach and T. T. Abrams are the only living members of that School Board. The former is blind, and a resident of Philadelphia.
During the first term of school, in 1855, the number of pupils increased so rapidly that it was deemed necessary to elect additional teachers, John H. Orvis being elected to , teach the transient pupils, and Miss Sarah McElrath, (now Mrs. J. N. Welliver), elected to assist Miss Phœbe Hitch- cock with the primary department. These teachers are all
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living. A. K. Brown is now a resident of Washington, D. C .; Hon. John H. Orvis is a resident of Bellefonte, Centre county, Pa .; Orrin T. Noble and Miss Phoebe Hitch- cock are residents of Lock Haven.
Among the prominent teachers who taught successfully in the public schools of Lock Haven previous to 1867 were J. N. Welliver, J. F. Clark, John L. Doty, W. A. Wilson, W. G. Leaman, J. G. Lineaweaver and George Wilson.
About the year 1867 it was deemed necessary to build another house for school purposes. Accordingly, the struc- ture now known as the East Main Street church was erected and used as a school building until 1869, when the old Court House was purchased by the school district, and the Main street building was sold. Following the above named teachers came A. H. Strayer, who, after being con- nected with the schools for several years, was elected county superintendent of Clinton county, and was also county treasurer from 1879 to 1882.
B. F. Winters, afterwards alderman, was also a prominent teacher at one time; also Miss Celia Elwood, (afterwards Mrs. J. F. Clark,) Miss Kate Reed, (now Mrs. Gucker,) and Miss Addie Russell, (afterwards Mrs. I .. B. Schuyler.) During the spring and summer of 1868 the Third Ward school building was erected, and on January 4th, 1869, four schools were started under the principalship of Professor A. N. Raub. Before the term was fairly started, Professor Raub was promoted to the district superintendency, and A. D. Rowe made principal in his place. The High school at that time was divided into the Boys and Girls' High school, but was united in 1873. A. D. Rowe was succeeded as principal of the Boys' High school by Austin Leonard, who was succeeded in his turn by C. Lenker, a graduate of Millersville Normal school. After being principal of the Boys' High school for one year, he was promoted to the dis- trict superintendency, Professor Raub having been ap- pointed county superintendent to fill out the unexpired term of A. D. Rowe, who resigned September Ist, 1871. During
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Mr. Lenker's term as district superintendent, S. M. Mc- Cormick held the principalship of the Boys' High school, and Miss Agnes Reiley the principalship of the Girls' High school. They held their positions for two years. Mr. Lenker was elected superintendent of the school of North- umberland in the fall of 1872. Professor Raub was then recalled to the city schools and elected the first commis- sioned city superintendent of Lock Haven. John A. Robb, who was at that time principal of the First Ward grammar school, was elected principal of the Lock Haven High school, with Miss Agnes Reiley as assistant. In 1874 Miss Sallie E. Rhoades was elected an additional assistant in the High school. Immediately after the election of Professor A. N. Raub as city superintendent, he submitted a schedule of study for all the grades, which was adopted. Professor Raub resigned his position in 1875 to accept the principal- ship of the State Normal school at Lock Haven. He was succeeded as city superintendent by John A. Robb, who has filled the position ever since. Miss Agnes Reiley suc- ceeded Mr. Robb as principal of the High school, and re- tained the position until 1888, when she was succeeded by W. J. Wolverton, ex-county superintendent of Northumber- land county, who is at present filling the position. When Miss Reiley was promoted to the principalship of the High school, Miss Sallie E. Rhoades became assistant prin- cipal, and J. Ferdinand Dauer became second assistant. Mr. Dauer was succeeded in 1887 by Miss Annie Warner, who fills the position at the present time. The teachers of the other grades have changed from time to time. John P. Anthony, at present alderman from the First ward, was principal of the First Ward grammar school for a number of years. He was succeeded in 1891 by Ira J. Fox.
The Fourth Ward school building was erected in 1882, and school opened there in 1883 with six teachers, George A. Barner being principal of the grammar school. He was succeeded in 1887 by J. D. Stoughton, who in his turn was succeeded by E. E. Adams in 1888. Edward Widenhamer
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succeeded E. E. Adams in 1890. He was succeeded in 1892 by J. E. Wilson, the present principal.
Isaac Rumberger was elected principal of the Second Ward schools in 1889, and holds the position at the present time.
J. Milton Furey was elected principal of the Third Ward schools in 1888. He held the position four terms. He then gave up the profession of teaching, and B. F. Klep- per was elected to the position.
A. J. Schuyler and Thomas P. Meyer were successful teachers in the Lock Haven schools for several years.
The new school building, being erected in the Second ward of Lock Haven, will, when completed, be the finest structure of its kind in Clinton county.
The names of the teachers now holding positions in the Lock Haven school are as follows: John A. Robb, city superintendent; High school, W. J. Wolverton, Sallie E. Rhoades, Annie J. Warner; First ward, Ira J. Fox, Sadie Probst, Annie Bruner, Jennie Donaldson, Jennie Walters, Mary Armstrong and Mame Henry; Second ward, Isaac Rumberger, Bertha Masteller, Julia McCabe, Chrisse Haberstroh and Minnie Henry; Third ward, B. F. Klepper, Annie J. Fisher, Sadie Wynne, Clara Wagner and Mae Datesman; Fourth ward, John E. Wilson, Ada C. Waldron, Mrs. O. H, Emery, Mary Kean, Pearl Klapp and Mary Mc- Inerney; substitute teachers, Lizzie M. Robb and Annie Rhoades.
The present School Board consists of the following named persons: First ward, H. L. Gould, L. R. Paup and Lewis Winner; Second ward, Herman Simons, Samuel Z. Martin and Charles Shoemaker; Third ward, J. W. Bridgens, G. L. Morelock and J. N. Welliver; Fourth ward, G. T. Michaels, T. P. Meyer and Simon Seid.
THE LOCK HAVEN ACADEMY.
Another important institution of learning which flourished in the early history of Lock Haven was the old academy, which was founded in 1840 under the Act of Assembly, ap-
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propriating $2,000 to each county for the building and maintaining of an academy. For three years following its opening it received $400, and the fourth year $200 from the State, and then the appropriation was withdrawn. The insti- tution not being a self-sustaining one, became involved in debt, and was finally sold by the sheriff. It was bought by private citizens, and the school continued until 1870, when the structure was torn away to make room for the Exchange building. The academy was presided over for a number of years by Rev. Hugh Pollock, as principal.
Professor John A. Robb, present superintendent of the Lock Haven public schools, was born at Palmyra, Lebanon county, Pa., March 13th, 1843. He attended the public schools of Palmyra until fourteen years of age, when he entered the academy of his native town, where he remained four years. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves, but was rejected on account of his youth. He afterwards enlisted and served nine months in the 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers. Upon his return home he entered Annville college, in Lebanon county, where he remained four years. After leaving college Professor Robb taught two years in Lebanon county, and four years in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa. In 1870 he came to Lock Haven, and took charge of an intermediate grade in the public schools of the town, which he taught one year. He then taught the First Ward grammar school, and for two years held the principalship of the Lock Haven High school. In 1875 he was elected city superintendent. In February, 1887, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the Northwestern college of Naperville, Ill. Professor Robb was married in 1867 to Ellen J. Miller, of Belleview, Lebanon county, Pa. They have had six children, five daughters and one son.
W. J. Wolverton, present principal of the Lock Haven High school, was born in Upper Augusta township, North- umberland county, Pa., March Ist, 1841. He worked on his father's farm in summer, and attended the district school
J. B. G KINSLOE,
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR CLINTON REPUBLICAN, LOCK HAVEN, PA.
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in winter, until he reached his sixteenth year, when he en- tered the Sunbury academy. While taking his fourth year's course at this institution the war broke out, and he enlisted in Company D, of the Tenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, but was excused from service a couple of months later on account of physical disability. After another term at the Sunbury academy, he entered Bucknell university in the year of 1861, and graduated from that institution with high honor in 1863. After teaching a term of school at Bernock, Pa., and another at Danville, Pa., he gave up teach- ing and entered the law office of the Hon. Simon P. Wol- verton, of Sunbury, where he read law for two years, being admitted to the bar of Northumberland county in 1865. His course once more led him to take a literary turn, and he again became a teacher for the next sixteen years. He was prominently connected with the educational interests of Northumberland county, being elected county superin- tendent of that county in 1881, which position he held until 1887. He was elected principal of the Lock Haven High school in 1888, which position he now fills. Professor W. J. Wolverton is a gentleman of scholarly attainments, zealous in the cause of education, and a Christain man, whose worth is duly recognized by the citizens of Lock Haven.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper published in what is now Clinton county was started in August, 1838, one year before the county was formed. It was at first called The Eagle, but in 1839 the name was changed to The Clintonian. J. B. G. Kinsloe and Robert McCormick purchased The Clintonian, and started a paper called the Clinton County Whig. This paper continued in existence under different owners until 1847, when the machinery, presses, etc., were removed to . Jersey Shore.
The Clinton Tribune, the first number of which was issued December 26th, 1849, was the next newspaper. This sheet was started by Adam J. Greer, assisted by H. E. Shoe- maker. The former sold out his interest in the Tribune in
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1850 to R. W. Rothrock, who published the paper until April 6th, 1852, when Colonel W. T. Wilson became a partner. R. W. Rothrock on September Ist, 1852, sold his interest to his brother, W. P. Rothrock. Colonel W. T. Wilson conducted the paper until February 15th, 1853, when he sold out to Cather Flint and H. M. Flint. Cather Flint retired from the business July 18th, 1853, and H. M. Flint continued the publication until October 10th, 1854, when Daniel Bower purchased the concern and published it a few months, when he sold out to Thomas Martin, who changed the name of the paper to The Watchman. D. S. Dunham became the publisher one year later, and continued the publication until March, 1861, when the publication of The Watchman was suspended.
In June, 1861, W. C. Kress and Jesse H. Berry began the publication of The Lock Haven Press. This was a strong Republican sheet, on whose page the name of W. C. Kress appeared as editor. After a prosperous existence of one year and a half, the office with all it contained was destroyed by fire, and the paper suspended publication December 4th, 1862.
Wilbur & Shriner established The Clinton County Demo- crat in 1840, but for various reasons it did not flourish under their management. It was also published for a time by John R. Eck. The Clinton Democrat, which was pub- lished at this time by S. S. Seeley, was purchased in 1844 by H. L. Dieffenbach, who in June, 1845, united The Clinton County Democrat and The Clinton Democrat. which had heretofore been rival sheets. H. L. Dieffenbach sold out in January, 1850, to George Crawford. Lyons Mussina became a partner of Crawford in 1851. This firm sold out in 1862 to Henry Frysinger, who in his turn surrendered his claims to Atwood & Wilson in 1864. This firm con- tinued the publication of The Clinton Democrat for two years, when they were succeeded by J. W. McEwen, who in his turn was succeeded by Dieffenbach & Martin. The latter sold his interest to a man named Wilson, who shortly
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withdrew, leaving H. L. Dieffenbach proprietor. This gen- tleman was succeeded by John H. Orth, who in 1867 sold out to J. W. & W. P. Furey. The former withdrew. W. P. Furey continued the publication of the paper for two years, when he sold out to Whaley & Orth, the latter dying in 1870. J. C. Whaley became the publisher, which posi- tion he held until his death, which occurred December 30th, 1880. At the death of Mr. Whaley, his widow assumed the proprietorship of the paper, and continued its publication with H. B. Marshall as business manager, and H. L. Dief- fenbach as editor. The latter was succeeded February 9th, 1882, by E. H. Thielecke. Mrs. Whaley sold out Septem- ber 14th, 1885, to James W. Clark, John T. Noble and Ira M. Harvey, who published the paper until May 23d, 1888, under the firm name of Clark & Co. The Democrat News and Publishing company was then incorporated, with the following officers: James W. Clark, President; I. M. Harvey, Treasurer; John T. Noble, Secretary. This com- pany has continued the publication of the Clinton Democrat until the present time. The weekly is a four-page, thirty- two-column sheet, and the daily, which is published in con- nection with the weekly, a four-page, twenty-eight-column sheet. Both papers are what their names imply, Demo- cratic, and strongly uphold the measures of the Democratic party.
A daily sheet, called The Independent, was started, in 1869, by R. A. Kinsloe & Bro., who sold out in a short time to A. B. Henderson, who changed the name of the paper to Quid Nunc, but the shock given it by the change of name was too much for its weak state, and it died a few months later.
The first number of the Evening Express, which is now being so successfully published by Kinsloe Brothers, sons of J. B. G. Kinsloe, appeared March Ist, 1882. It is a 28- column, 4-page sheet, issued from the office of the Clinton Republican, and published every afternoon except Sunday. The local editor of the Evening Express is James C. Mc-
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Closkey, who, by his untiring industry in securing reliable news for his paper has done much to bring it to its present state of popularity and usefulness.
The Clinton Republican, which is yet in existence, and the leading organ of its party in the county, was first estab- lished by George Bowman, in 1863, and sold by him to J. B. G. Kinsloe, in 1864. Mr. Kinsloe has been its publisher ever since. The Clinton Republican is one of the best weekly papers published in the State of Pennsylvania. It is a 48-column sheet, and the largest paper published in Clinton county. The office of the Clinton Republican is located in the Kinsloe block, Main street, Lock Haven, Pa.
The Enterprise was started by H. Byxbe and D. S. May- nard, October 10th, 1873. This sheet was Republican in politics, but chiefly devoted to the manufacturing interests of Clinton county, and to the development of her natural resources. The paper was published but a short time, when it ceased to exist.
The Daily Journal was established by the Journal associ- ation. Its first issue appeared October 15th, 1877. The said association was composed of the following named gen- tlemen: H. Byxbe, A. S. Grow, Ira M. Harvey and John T. Noble. The Daily Journal was published from the office of the defunct Enterprise. . A. S. Grow was editor until April, 1878, when he resigned and went to Bellefonte, where he assumed the editorship of the Bellefonte Republican. Returning to Lock Haven, July 28, 1879, he purchased the Journal office from the association, and assumed control of the Daily and Weekly Journal, The former having been es- tablished by H. Byxby, in January, 1879. Mr. Grow con- tinued the publication of the two papers until 1883, when the publication of both ceased.
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lation of Code staven.
CAPT. R. S. BARKER,
POSTMASTER, LOCK HAVEN, PA.
ORGANIZATIONS AND CORPORATIONS.
LOCK HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
T HE first fire company of Lock Haven was the Good Will, organized September 18th, 1857, with a membership of 40. The first officers of this company were: James Chatham, President; Jacob Bam- berger, Secretary, and R. S. Barker, Treasurer. The apparatus was of a crude nature, and consisted chiefly of an old-time hand-engine. The company remained in actual service until the breaking out of the Civil war, when many of its members enlisted. For want of members the company disbanded. For nearly three years the town was without any fire organization, and fires were numerous.
i'he citizens becoming alarmed for the safety of their property, the council appointed N. Shaw, Rufus Reed and George Curts, a committee to purchase a steam fire engine. Thev purchased a second-class engine from Button & Blake, of Waterford, N. Y., and secured two hose car- riages and 1,000 feet of hose. The cost of the entire outfit was but $3,- 500. On account of the venerable and smoke-begrimed appearance of the engine when in use, it received the name of Black Maria, or Smut Mill. As soon as it arrived a meeting of citizens was called, at the office of N. Shaw, October 31st, 1863, to organize a fire company. Mr. Shaw was chairman, and Thomas Yardley, secretary, of the meeting. From this meeting of citizens the first Cataract fire company was formed, which lasted for several years, doing some excellent work with the limited means at hand. As it labored under many disadvantages the company finally disbanded, about three years after its organization.
Thus for two years more the town was left to the mercy of the devour- ing element, and much valuable property was destroyed. The citizens again became alarmed. Council was asked to appoint a committee to take some action for the safety of property. Council appointed on the com- mittee Jacob Brown, R. H. Boggis and Rufus Reed, who called a meet- ing of citizens at the Court House, April 24th, 1866, Jacob Brown, act- ing as chairman, and R. H. Boggis, as secretary. Hon. L. A. Mackey made a few remarks in behalf of the citizens, and, as no one seemed willing to do anything more than to talk, W. C. Kress announced that he would serve as a volunteer fireman for one year, and called for others to follow. This action brought out 44 volunteers. Mr. Kress made a motion that the chairman appoint twelve persons from the list of those who had volunteered to organize a company, and ballot for new members. The men appointed, or the Original Twelve, as they are called on the records, were: Wheeler Shaw, M. B. Hering, R. S. Barker, F. Hays, J. W. Harris, W. C. Kress, A. Frank, R. Easton, James Majar,
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Robert Houseal, James F. Becker and John Ardner. These twelve men met in the council room, which is now occupied by the telephone ex- change, and elected M. B. Hering, president, and J. W. Harris, secre- tary. Another meeting was called for May 1st, at which the Cataract steam fire company, No. 1, was organized, or it might be termed the re- institution of the old Cataract company. On May 8th, 1866, it was per- manently organized, electing officers and members. A constitution was adopted on May 29th, 1866. The old Smut Mill, or Black Maria, was turned over to the new company, and did active service for several years, doing duty at fires, or pumping water from cellars until it was turned in for $1,400 as part payment on the new Silsby steamer, purchased in 1874 and still in use.
The Cataract fire company, as organized in 1866, is not now in exis- tence as an actual fire organization, but is yet in existence as a company, having never disbanded. Whenever a member dies the surviving mem- bers meet and pass resolutions of regret. The Cataract, No. 1, was really the start of Lock Haven's excellent department of to-day. Many com- panies have sprung up and flourished for a time, some of them excellent ones, which are not in existence now. Among the number was the Dauntless hook and ladder company, organized November 28th, 1868; the West Branch bucket company, No. 1, organized March, 1869; on July 2d, 1870, changed to West Branch bucket and hose company, No. 1; on January 23d, 1871, again changed to West Branch hose company, No. 2, as disbanded on January 14th, 1874; the Citizens' hose company, or- ganized on January 14th, 1873, disbanded in April, 1875; the Empire hose company, which organized on February 24th, 1874, and several others have passed out of existence.
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