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 20
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JACOB BROWN.
Jacob Brown, senior member of the mercantile firm of Jacob Brown & Son, is one of the oldest business men in the city of Lock Haven. He was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, March 30th, 1820. He left his native country in 1837, and came to America, locating at Trout Run, Lycoming county, Pa., where he was employed for one year. He then went to Ralston, where he also remained one year. In 1839 he went to Farrands- ville, Clinton county, Pa. In 1840 he came to Lock Haven, where he re- mained two years, working at his trade, which was that of a joiner. In 1842 he removed to Muncy Creek, Lycoming county, Pa., where he spent two years in farming and lumbering. In the spring of 1844 he went to Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade until 1847, when he returned to Lock Haven, and was taken into partnership by his brother, George Brown, who was in the mercantile business. In 1852 the latter sold his interest to James Fearon. The firm name then became Jacob Brown & Company. At the end of the first year James Fearon died, and his
E. W. BIGONY,
LOCK HAVEN, PA.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
widow retained an interest in the business until she sold out to Mr. Brown, in 1856. Mr. Brown then sold W. H. Mayer a one-third interest in the business. The firm then became Brown & Mayer, and their place of busi- ness Water street, opposite the Fallon house. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Brown sold out his entire interest in the business to W. H. Mayer, and the following winter built himself a store room on Main street. In the spring of 1858 he started a general store in his own name. In 1869 he enlarged his stock of groceries, and from that time did not deal in any- thing but such goods as belonged to that department. In 1874 he took his son, B. F. Brown, and Peter Berger into partnership, and the firm name again became Jacob Brown & Co. Peter Berger remained in the business but a short time, and upon his retiring, the firm name was changed to Jacob Brown & Son, which name it still retains. Jacob Brown was married in May, 1848, to a Philadelphia lady. His children are Mrs. William Elliott, Mrs. Andrew Elliott, B. F. Brown and George W. Brown. The latter was for several years an assistant in the State bank of Lock Haven, and now is assistant cashier at the banking house of the Lock Haven Trust company. Another son, James, who was a civil en- gineer, died of typhoid fever in November, 1889.
E. W. BIGONY.
Eph. W. Bigony was born in Emety township, Berks county, Pa., March 9th, 1828. When he was six years of age his parents removed to near Pottstown, Montgomery county, where the younger members of the family received their education in the public schools. At the age of fourteen Mr. Bigony left home to work in the woolen mills of Marl- borough, Montgomery county. Here he spent seven years in learning the trade of carding and manufacturing woolen goods. In 1849 he secured a position in a dry goods store at Allentown, Pa., where he remained until 1853, when he went to Reading, Pa., where he engaged in the mer- cantile business until 1857. He then went to Troy, Pa., where he kept hotel for three years. Returning to Allentown, in 1860, he became a partner with John Y. Bachtle in the hotel business, having charge of the American hotel for two years. In 1862 he came to Lock Haven and took charge of the Fallon house, which he purchased from John Fallon, of Philadelphia, two years later. He sold the Fallon house, in December, 1867, to John Otenkirk, of Philadelphia, and went to Bellefonte, Pa., where he opened the celebrated Bush house. In 1872 he became a part- ner of the late W. W. Rankin in the coal business; which partnership lasted until the Central State Normal school of Lock Haven was opened, in 1877, when he sold out his interest in the coal business, and assumed the stewardship of the school, which position he held until 1883. In the spring of 1884 Mr. Bigony went to Ronceverte, W. Va., where he opened the Hotel Dickson. He remained there but ten months, when he returned to Lock Haven, and engaged in the coal, flour and feed business, which he is now following. Mr. Bigony was married to Mary B. Kanouse, of
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Allentown, Pa., in 1853. His family consists of three sons and one daughter, viz .: A. J. Bigony, city engineer of Lock Haven; Charles S., clerk in the P. & E. railroad office at Sunbury; Ephriam K. and Annie E. Bigony, of this city. Politically Mr. Bigony is a Democrat. As a busi- ness man he ranks among the best in the city.
E. L. MOORE.
E. L. Moore was born in Porter township, Clinton county, Pa., March 4th, 1841. His father, Jacob Moore, settled in what is now Porter town- ship, previous to 1880. Mr. Moore worked on the farm until he reached his twenty-first year. In August, 1862, he enlisted for the nine-months' service in Company E, 137th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. After serving his term of enlistment he returned to Clinton county. In No- vember, 1863, he started a grocery store, in company with George Beck. Their store was located below the canal, on Main street, Lock Haven. After the flood of 1865 Beck sold his interest to John R. Moore. The store was then moved to its present location, on Bellefonte avenue, and the firm of Moore Bros. conducted the business until 1880, when E. L. Moore purchased the interests of his brother, and since then has con- ducted the business. E. L. Moore was married in 1864 to Mary E. Millikin, a daughter of 'Squire Joseph Millikin, of Clintondale. They have two children.
JOSEPH CANDOR.
Joseph Candor was born in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county, Pa., February 22d, 1838. His early life was spent on his father's farm. He received his education in the public schools, which he at- tended during the winter months, until he reached his eighteenth year. He remained on the farm until 1864, when he entered the planing mill business, at East Lewisburg, Pa. He remained there until 1868, when he came to Lock Haven, and entered the hardware store owned by his brother, John Candor, Isaac Shaffer and Shaffer Johnson. He afterwards purchased the interests of Messrs. Shaffer and Johnson, and, in partner- ship with his brother, conducted the business until 1883, when he pur- chased the interests of his brother, and since that time he has conducted the business himself. Mr. Candor was married, in 1876, to a daughter of Austin Curtin, of Roland, Centre county, Pa. They have five children.
R. D. PECK.
R. D. Peck was born at Bellefonte, July 18th, 1856. He attended the public schools of that town until fifteen years of age. He came to Lock Haven in 1871, and for a time was owner and proprietor of the Opera House hotel and restaurant. In 1877 he became a partner of George Ronian, and the firm of Ronian & Peck continued to manage the Opera House hotel until 1882, when they sold out and took charge of the Cen- tral hotel, corner of Main and Grove streets. During the time he was at
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the Central Mr. Peck was a member of the brokerage firm of Lowe & Peck, with office in the Fredericks block. In 1885 he started a livery stable in the alley back of the court house, where his business is still lo- cated. He now keeps from twenty-five to thirty horses at all seasons 'of the year. His large stable is fully equipped with carriages, cabs, wagons, buggies, etc., and his horses are among finest kept for the purpose in the state.
R. D. Peck is one of the most prominent young business men in Lock Haven. From 1884 until 1887 he was a member of select council, and has served several terms as a member of common council, and is at pres- ent just starting on a term of three years as councilman. He has also served his ward as school director, and made a good official in that ca- pacity. Mr. Peck was married, in 1882, to Miss Emma M. Walters, of Lock Haven.
P. P. RITTMAN.
P. P. Rittman was born at Williamsport, Pa., in 1850, and came to Lock Haven when ten years of age. He attended the private school of Miss Bradford, on Bald Eagle street, and afterwards attended the old school house on Main street, and finished his school life at the old academy. After leaving school he learned the barber trade, and worked at the business for a number of years. In 1881 he started in the house furnishing business on the corner of Grove and Church streets, and later established a loan office in connection with his other business. In 1889 the building above mentioned became too small for his increasing trade, and he moved to his present location, on Bellefonte avenue and Main street, in what is called the Scott block, which he now occupies. The loan office is the only establishment of its kind in the city of Lock Haven. Money is loaned on goods at a percentage, and on any time the lender may desire; at the expiration of the allotted time the usual grace is allowed, and if the goods are not then redeemed, they are sold at a low figure and at a great bargain to the buyer. Mr. Rittman was one of the managers of the Lock Haven Building and Loan association, and was twice elected school director from different wards. He owes his present position among business men to his own energy and perseverance.
X. B. RINGLER.
X. B. Ringler was born in Lock Haven, April 30th, 1861. He attended the public schools until he reached his seventeenth year, when he entered the jewelry and watch making store of J. M. Fabel, where he remained for eight years. In May, 1883, he took a trip to Europe, and spent a season in traveling through the principal cities of Prussia, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, spending the Fourth of July of 1883 in climbing the Alps mountains. On January 1st, 1884, he purchased the Deitz hotel, now called the First Ward hotel. He remained there until January 1st, 1887, when he sold out and purchased the Opera House hotel and res-
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taurant, which he conducted until September, 1888, when he purchased his present business from the estate of J. M. Fabel. Mr. Ringler is a staunch Democrat. In February, 1891, he was elected councilman from the Second ward. He is a prominent member of the Lock Haven lodge of F. & A. M., and also a shrine member of Lu. Lu. Temple of Phila- delphia. He was one of the organizers of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Lock Haven, and is present treasurer of the order.
FRANK McMAHON.
Frank McMahon was born in Ireland in 1839; came to Lock Haven in 1867. In 1862 Mr. McMahon entered the Army of the Potomac, and served served through the entire war, spending nine months in Anderson prison. He went to the army from Wayne township, Clinton county, Pa., and when he received his discharge, in 1865, he returned to his home. When the P. & E. railroad came to Lock Haven he secured employment as a brakeman, which position he held for two years. He then went into the hotel business as a partner of La Fayette Mosher. Two years later he started a grocery, and afterwards conducted a wholesale liquor store in connection with the grocery business. He remained in the liquor busi- ness for about twenty years. He still conducts the grocery store on Clinton avenue.
J. N. SLOAN.
J. N. Sloan was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county. He was a son of J. F. Sloan, who came to Lock Haven in 1839. He first located on Main street, where the tin shop of the late William Sloan now stands, and afterwards moved his building to the present site of Baker's store and tinware establishment. Here J. N. Sloan and his father carried on the furniture and undertaking business until they were burned out, in De- cember, 1862. They rebuilt and started again, only to meet with the same fate in 1868. They again rebuilt on Grove street. Here they did business until 1871, when J. F. Sloan died, and J. N. Sloan succeeded him. J. N. Sloan began the undertaking business at the age of fifteen years, and has followed it ever since. During the time he has been in the business he has buried over 5,000 persons. His father and grandfather before him were undertakers. The latter resided for many years in Wil- liamsport. The first hearse used in Clinton county was built by J. F. Sloan. It was a rude vehicle at that time. He was the only person in Clinton county who followed undertaking as a business, and was often called upon to attend funerals in the most remote parts of the county. Times have changed since the days of the elder Sloans. J. N. Sloan now conveys the dead to their last resting place in a magnificent hearse. Dark and costly plumes wave over the head of the sleeper, and no one could wish a more magnificent coach.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
J. B. BRICKER.
J. B. Bricker was born at Newville, Cumberland county, in 1854. His father was Captain John Bricker, who came from Cumberland county, and settled in Lock Haven in 1877. He followed the business of under- taking previous to his coming, and for nearly ten years after his arrival in Lock Haven. J. B. Bricker took charge of his father's business in 1886, and has followed it ever since. In 1883 he started a livery, sale and exchange stable on a small scale, but his business constantly increased, and at present he owns one of the most complete and best equipped livery stables in Clinton county. He has combined the livery and undertaking business, and is prepared to attend to work in either line. He has made it a point to familiarize himself with all things connected wtih the burial of the dead, and as a funeral director has no superior.
D. M. MAY.
Ex-Sheriff D. M. May, now proprietor of the Harmonia hotel, was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1843. He went to Renovo in the fall of 1864. In January, 1865, he came to Lock Haven, and took charge of the restaurant which was then located at the P & E. station, on Clinton avenue. In August, 1865, the said restaurant was moved to Renovo, and D. M. May continued as its manager until September, 1865, when he started in the market business, running two market cars between Erie and Renovo. In September, 1868, he entered the mercantile business at Renovo, and con- tinued in the business until the fall of 1872, when his store was burned. He then became a railroad contractor. and followed the business for two years. In 1874 he opened the European house, at Renovo, and continued as proprietor of the said place until21884, when he was elected sheriff of Clinton county. In 1888 he became proprietor of the Keller hotel, on Grove street, where he remained until the winter of 1890, when he moved to his present place of business. D. M. May is married to Margaret Bridgens, a daughter af Robert Bridgens, and sister of J. Warren Bridg- ens, of Lock Haven. They have five children living, two sons and three daughters. D. M. May was elected constable of Renovo in 1865, and held the position four years. He also served as chief burgess of the same place for one year, being elected in 1868.
RENOVO.
A BOUT the year 1825 William Baird left Jersey Shore, and with his canoe loaded with provisions and a few household goods pushed his way up the Susquehanna, and settled on the bank of the river, twenty-eight miles west of Lock Haven. He found there a rude dwelling that had been built several years before his arrival, and in it he made his home. A few years after this he married Margaret Stout, and the couple were soon surrounded by a family of sons and daughters, who, by their industry and perseverance on reaching manhood and womanhood, made the spot selected by their father a beautiful and fertile farm. They continued to cultivate the farm until the lumbering interests of the region became a source of profit. The young men then turned their attention to the new industry, and were amply rewarded for their labor. When the resources of the section became known to men of wealth, they decided to construct a railroad through the valley. With them to think was to act, and in 1847 several preliminary surveys were made, and ten years later the projected road from Sunbury to Erie was started, and in 1862 the whistle of the locomotive first awoke the echoes of the valley. The old inhabitants of the place hailed this event with joy, as all felt it was the opening of a new era of prosperity. They felt that it would enable them to obtain not only the comforts but the luxuries of life. The railroad was rapidly pushed on to Erie, and as trade and travel sought the convenience of this thoroughfare, substantial work shops became a neces- sity, and the P. & E. railroad company decided to locate their shops on the plateau upon which was the homestead farm of William Baird. At this juncture several influential capitalists organized the P. & E. land company. The said company then purchased the Baird farm, and conveyed all that part of it lying north of the railroad to the P. & E.
JOHN E. HOULAHAN,
CHIEF BURGESS OF RENOVO, PA.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
railroad company, who at once set to work erecting their extensive shops for the accommodation of the growing in- terests of the road.
The round house was the first building commenced. The foundation upon which it stands was laid in August, 1863. The work was carried on under the supervision of H. R. Campbell. Skillful and energetic mechanics and laborers were in great demand, and they came in scores from all parts of the country. The work did not stop until the machine shops, store-houses, offices, wood departments, etc., were completed. The buildings were all built of brick, many of which were made on the ground. About this time the railroad was completed to Erie, and the site upon which the town of Renovo now stands was made the eastern ter- minus of the middle division. J. J. Lawrence was the first superintendent. He resigned the position in 1865.
A. M. Cleveland was the first trainmaster in Renovo, William H. Ginter, the first train dispatcher, and F. Petrekin, the first express and ticket agent. Harry Alford, as en- gineer, brought the first passenger train from the east, and W. L. Foster, as engineer, brought the first one from the west. He also ran the first engine into the round house. The railroad station was finished in the latter part of 1865, and the Renovo house erected in 1869, and attached to the station. The hotel and station both stand on ground set apart for the purpose by the land company when they laid out the town. The land belonging to the hotel includes the site upon which the old Baird dwelling stood.
In 1864 Major G. J. Ball, an enterprising member of the P. & E. land company, was made agent for the said com- pany. He offered lots for sale upon such easy terms that they sold readily, and the town was built up rapidly. For a time almost every house in the place was a boarding house. The U. S. hotel, which was the first built of its kind in the town, was erected by Jacob Von Ulrich in 1865. This was for a time the popular resort of the shop employes and the railroad men.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Through the efforts of Rev. Rendall, a Presbyterian min- ister, a chapel was erected and dedicated to God and the public schools. This structure was for a time occupied in common by the different religious denominations, but it soon became too small. Rev. J. B. Mann about this time succeeded in securing the erection of a Methodist chapel on Seventh street. These buildings were used until 1867, when both congregations were able to build more commodious structures.
Miss Brown taught the first public school in Renovo, Miss M. A. Heverly the second. Both were excellent teachers.
In the spring of 1865 the railroad company erected a row of double houses on Sixth street, which accommodated twelve families. At the close of 1865 there were not a . dozen dwellings east of Sixth street. In 1866 the railroad company erected a number of dwellings, principally for the officers and foreman of the company, near the still waters of "Swampoodle." From this period the rapid growth of Renovo commenced, property increased in value, and soon the fields around the town were dotted with houses, and the streets filled with an industrious, energetic and pros- perous population, numbering in 1870 over 2,000. In 1879 the population had increased to nearly 3,000.
In the spring of 1866 the place was incorporated as a borough, and the first election under the charter held. The officers elected at that time were: Captain J. S. Hall, chief burgess; Jacob Givler, Patrick Shelley, J. Y. Rothrock, W. H. May and Peter Quinn, councilmen; William Hartzig and D. M. May, constables; W. P. Baird and John Reilley, justices of the peace; P. C. Moyer, James Murphy, J. S. Hall, W. P. Baird, Joseph Whitby and M. Forbes, school directors; Dr. Reynolds and R. Walthall, overseers of the poor; Joseph Whitby, judge of election; J. D. Glenn and A. Shenefelt, inspectors; J. R. Kendig, auditor.
Under the above council the principal streets and avenues were graded, and board walks laid. The first meeting of the council was held June Ist, 1866.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The first brick building in town was erected by Captain Edward T. Swain, for a drug store and dwelling, which is still occupied by him. Not until the beginning of 1872 did others use brick. In that year Messrs. Murphy & Co. erected two handsome brick business houses on Erie ave- nue, near the corner of Fourth street. Then followed dur- ing the same year the building of the Selle brick block, P. O'Hagan's brick store, the Binder hotel, the National bank building, besides a number of handsome brick dwellings.
The first brick pavement in the town was laid in 1870 by Nathan Sterner.
The first dealers in merchandise in Renovo were Messrs. Lowe & Munday, who began business in 1863. They sold out to Messrs. Wells & Baird. The room used by them was built on the river bank in 1863, and afterwards moved to Erie avenue. In its basement ex-Sheriff D. M. May kept a grocery and variety store, and the upper story was used as the office of the Renovo Record at the same time. In 1864 the firm of Wells & Baird changed into Wells, Murphy & Co., and afterwards to James Murphy, and the business of J. B. Given & Son was the next one started. It was started in 1865.
The Renovo industrial co-operative association, No. 1, was started January Ist, 1872, under a charter received May, 1871.
For 1871 there were, besides the above named stores, six groceries and confectioneries, six dry goods stores, and six millinery and dressmaking establishments, one tobacco store, two drug stores, three merchant tailoring establish- ments, two bakeries, two meat markets, one stove and tin- ware store, one furniture store, one bank, one newspaper office, and a large library and a reading room. There was also a town hall, an Odd Fellows' hall, a Masonic hall, a building and loan association, a cornet band, six graded schools, nine secret societies, three physicians, one lawyer, and history tells us but one able-bodied loafer.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
On the spot where once stood the rude cabin of William Baird, we now find a rich and prosperous town, where once the echo of the savage war whoop was heard, and where the Indian warrior sped his light canoe on the placid waters of the Susquehanna, we now find naught but the peaceful hum of industry. The Indian warrior has gone, in obedience to the laws of civilization, and on the extreme western con- fines of his own native land he is making a feeble stand for the remnant of his heritage.
In 1878 the borough was divided into two wards, called the First and Second wards.
On May 16th, 1887, the borough, by a decree of the court, was divided into three wards, called the West, Mid- dle and East wards. Under this decree each ward was en- titled to two councilmen.
On January 8th, 1889, the court decreed that the borough should have nine councilmen, three for each ward, and the number was increased at the election which followed in November.
CHIEFS OF POLICE.
The first chief of police of Renovo was George W. Vernes, who was appointed to that position by Chief Bur- gess Benjamin F. Rumberger, on February 9th, 1883. Previous to that time the principal peace officer was the high constable. Mr. Vernes served until December 31st, 1887, upon which date he resigned.
Philip Paul was appointed chief of police by Burgess James H. Ferguson, March 5th, 1888, and he served until March 12th, 1889, when he was shot by Charles Cleary.
John M. Wilson was appointed May 27th, 1889, and served for one month. He was reappointed by the burgess June 24th, but failed of confirmation before council.
Thomas H. Kane was appointed August Ist, 1889, and served until February Ist, 1890.
William Lynn was sworn in May Ist, 1890, and served to May 3d, 1890. Resigned.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Emery Power was sworn in June 6th, 1890, and served until August 3d, 1890. Resigned.
I.ee Berry was appointed September 22d, 1890, and still occupies the position.
CHIEF BURGESSES OF RENOVO.
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