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 22
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Much good has been accomplished by this organization. It has aided the church financially. In the early days of Renovo Methodism it assisted the trustees out of many a difficulty, where funds were wanted for immediate use.
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Their dues were but ten cents a month, and yet this com- paratively meagre saving, together with the efforts of the Christian women of the church in festivals, etc., brought into the treasury the handsome sum of $4,175. Among the women of the church who contributed largely to this grat- ifying result with both money and labor, and who deserve to be mentioned in this connection, are: Mrs. E. A. Beck, Mrs. W. H. Nicholas, Mrs. George W. Sapp, Mrs. James C. Dean, Mrs. James S. Hall, Mrs. Thomas Hawksworth, Miss Paulina Watson, Mrs. A. W: Cheesman, Mrs. J. W. Venatta, Mrs. R. M. Glenn, Mrs. B. A. Leisher, Mrs. R. M. Messimer, Mrs. George W. Corwin and others.
The present officers of the society are as follows: Mrs. James S. Hall, president; Mrs. W. H. Nicholas, vice pres- ident; Mrs. J. A. Poorman, secretary; Miss Kate Zimmer- man, treasurer.
The society is in a very flourishing condition at present. It has instituted a sinking fund into which all surplus funds are deposited, for the purpose of liquidating any debts that have accrued or may accrue to the church. They have also established what is known as the Sinking Fund Sewing circle, as an auxilliary to the Ladies' Aid society. This depart- ment is doing a noble work. Its officers are: Mrs. Miles Irvin, president; Mrs. Joseph Whitby, vice president ; Mrs. P. C. Moyer, secretary.
During the pastorate of B. P. King, a commodious brick parsonage was erected. This occurred in the summer of 1879. It is now one of the best homes for the preachers in the Central Pennsylvania conference. It is convenient and comfortable. It is supplied with steam heat and electric light. The furniture of the parsonage is excellent, and in fact in all its appointments it is first-class.
In 1882 the main body of the church was remodeled ; it was enlarged and reseated, a tower erected, and the general condition and appearance of the church has been very greatly improved and beautified. This was done at a cost of $8,195.30.
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The value of church property to-day is, - - $14,500.00 3,000.00
The value of parsonage property to-day is, -
Total value, - - -
-
- $17,500.00
The present trustees are: A. Kupp, president; P. C. Moyer, secretary; John O. Crites, treasurer; Peter F. Buck, Joseph Whitby, B. A. Leisher, John Green, J. J. Boyer and E. P. Thurston.
Rev. Findley B. Riddle, the present pastor of the M. E. church at Renovo, was born near Howard, Centre county, Pa., December 31st, 1829. His early education was re- ceived in the public schools. He also attended Dickinson college, at Carlisle, Pa., and the Biblical institute of Concord, N. H. He entered the Baltimore conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal church in 1857, and at the division of that conference fell with the East Baltimore conference in 1869. Upon the organization of the Central Pennsylvania con- ference, he became one of its members by being on a charge within its bounds. He has, during his ministerial career of over thirty-four years, served the church at Shamokin three times, and the St. Paul's, of Danville, twice. He has also served the First Street Methodist church of Altoona, the Berwick, Huntingdon, Tyrone, Lewisburg, Bloomsburg, and his present charge at Renovo. In 1879 and 1880 he was a delegate to general conference. Mr. Riddle has filled good appointments, and had a very successful ministerial career.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Catholic services were held in Renovo from the very start of the town. At first these services were held in temporary buildings, but later a handsome chapel and a fine parochial residence was built. Father Igo took charge of the parish in 1878, and rapidly built up a large congrega- tion. A flourishing parochial school has been held in the town for a number of years. A lot was purchased on the, corner of Huron avenue and Ninth street, upon which a· commodious and handsome church structure is now being
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erected. The following item, clipped from the Renovo Record of August 19th, 1892, speaks as follows concerning the laying of the corner stone of the new church :
Sunday was a day of unusual interest to the Catholic people of this place. As per arrangement it was the occa- sion for laying the corner stone of the new St. Joseph's Catholic church, located on the corner of Huron avenue and Ninth street.
There were a great many strangers here from Lock Haven, Williamsport, Driftwood, Emporium, St. Marys and other points along the line of the P. & E. railroad to witness the ceremonies. A special train, consisting of eleven cars, and containing upwards of 350 people, arrived here at 12:10 p. m.
At 1:30 p. m., a procession, composed of the different Catholic societies in town, was formed as follows:
Chief marshal, Frank Harvey; Michael A. Toland, bearer of the American flag; James McNamara, bearer of the Irish flag; first division marshals, D. J. Connor and David Russell; Marks' Military band; 106 school girls dressed in white; seventy-six school boys in charge of P. H. Mulvi- hill and A. J. Rooney; St. Joseph's Temperance society, sixty-five members in regalia; second division marshals, John W. Russell, Joseph Lynch, Jr .; Citizens' Cornet band ; F. M. C. T. A. society, sixty members wearing white badges, Michael Cleary, captain; Patrick Nevens, bearer of society's banner; members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and carriages containing citizens.
The procession paraded the principal streets of the town, and then marched to the new church, where it was received by Right Rev. Bishop McGovern, of Harrisburg, and his assistants, Rev. Fathers Gormley and McCarthy, of Renovo, Maher, of Ridgway, Burke and Christ, of Lock Haven, Adams, of Emporium, Benton, of Steelton, and Messrs. Roken, of Philadelphia, and W. F. Dwyer.
The ceremonies of laying the corner stone were imme- diately begun by the bishop, by reading appropriate prayers
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for such occasions. The cross in the centre of the main altar was blessed, followed by the choir singing a fine selec- tion. The bishop then proceeded to spread the mortar and lay the corner stone. At the conclusion, the stone was blessed, and the bishop, accompanied by the priests, pro- ceeded around the foundation and offered up their blessings.
A tin box was placed in the corner stone containing, says the News, the names of the reigning pontiff, Leo XIII; also the names of the archbishop, right reverend bishop of the diocese, the pastor and assistant pastor of St. Joseph's church, and the attending priests, president of the United States, governor of Pennsylvania, the chief burgess of Renovo, principal officials of the United States, and also members of the congregation who have paid their assess- ments for the church in full to this date, principal coins of the United States for 1892, medals, copies of the Renovo newspapers, and papers of the county and state of last week.
This was followed by eloquent addresses by Rev. Father Burke, of Lock Haven, and Bishop McGovern, upon the progress of the Catholic church and her institutions in America. The congregation at this place was congratulated for the steps which had been taken to erect a new church, one which would ever be a monument of their thrift, in- dustry and Catholicity.
St. Joseph's church choir furnished the music; Mr. J. D. Ubil, director; Professor Charles Hagan, organist. The music was of a high character and finely rendered.
During the morning service 150 children presented them- selves for confirmation.
NOTE-We endeavored to secure a complete history of St. Joseph's Catholic church, but owing to various causes were unsuccessful.
RENOVO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools of Renovo were established in 1864. At that time there was but one small school house in what is now the town of Renovo, and the schools were held in
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temporary places. The first building erected for school purposes in the town was built in 1868. It was a two-story brick building, on the corner of Ontario avenue and Seventh street. This building contained four rooms.
In 1873 the Fourteenth street building was erected at a cost of $ 15,000. This building contains six well lighted and ventilated school rooms, neatly and well furnished with the most modern school appliances.
In 1883 the Seventh street school house was torn down, and a large eight-roomed brick structure erected in its place. This building was erected at a cost of $14,000.
Among the prominent teachers of the Renovo schools previous to 1875 were: S. Miller McCormick, Martin W. Herr, J. S. Kupp, H. S. Edson, C. S. Webner, who was principal from 1872 to 1874, and A. M. Snyder.
In 1875 Professor J. S. Reed, a former county superin- tendent of Lycoming county, was made principal, and A. W. Brungard, the present district attorney, was chosen teacher of the first grammar school. Later Professor Rank had charge of the Renovo schools. He resigned in March, 1889, and was succeeded by Professor C. B. Kelley, the present principal.
The names of the present teachers and the grades they are teaching are as follows: Charles B. Kelley, superintend- ent of schools; Isabella M. Dieffenbach, assistant principal ; Maud L. Sanders, Seventh street grammar school; Anna D. Stouffer, Seventh street intermediate; Myrtle A. Ken- dig, Seventh street A secondary; Josie M. Jones, Seventh street B secondary; Cora B. Bressler, Seventh street A primary; Mary A. Lafferty, Seventh street B primary; Teressa R. Dieffenbach, Fourteenth street grammar school; Mary A. Hall, Fourteenth street intermediate; Agnes S. Nicholas, Fourteenth street secondary; Tressa G. Hand - Fourteenth street A primary; Agnes L. Marr, Fourteenth street B primary; Bridget Mulvihill, Drury's Run school.
The majority of the teachers in the Renovo schools are normal school graduates, and all but four have attended
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
normal schools. The Misses Hall, Stauffer, Marr, Nicholas, Jones and Dieffenbach are all graduates of the Central State Normal school of Lock Haven, Pa. Renovo's teachers are an intelligent body, and the Renovo schools are in a very flourishing condition. The people always use judgment in selecting men to act as directors, and everything has always been done that tends towards the elevation of the Renovo public schools. The present board of directors are as fol- lows: Thomas A. Roberts, president; Joseph R. Kendig, secretary; John W. Sheldon, treasurer; M. A. Houlahan, George Fox and Joseph P. Green.
Professor C. B. Kelley, present principal of Renovo public schools, was born at Le Roy, Bradford county, Pa., in 1868. When but eight years of age his parents moved to Canton, Pa. Professor Kelley graduated from the Canton high school as validictorian of his class, and later graduated from the Mansfield State Normal school. After teaching a district school for one term, he was elected to a principal- ship in Sullivan county. Here he met with success, and after gaining quite a reputation as a teacher, he secured a position as supervisory principal of the Renovo schools in the spring of 1889, being elected to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Professor Rank. His work was satis- factory to the board of education, and he was elected unan- imously in 1891, and again in 1892.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Renovo Record is an independent Democratic news- paper, established December 21st, 1871, by John U. Shaffer, its present editor and proprietor, as a four-page, seven- column newspaper. It was enlarged in 1883 to an eight- column newspaper, which size has since been maintained. The office is well equipped with a Campbell power press and Gordon job press, the latest styles of job type, etc. The Record has always been a live, progressive newspaper, advocating progress and improvement. It has gained a large circulation, and is recognized as one of the best ad- vertising mediums in its locality. Mr. Shaffer, the editor,
HON. JOHN U. SHAFFER, EDITOR RENOVO RECORD.
دم م
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
was twice elected as member of the lower house at Harris- burg by the Democrats of the county, and made an accept- able representative to both parties. During his twenty years residence in Renovo, he held the position of clerk of council for thirteen consecutive years, and has always been prominently identified with the best interests of that thriv- ing borough.
The first number of the Evening News, the only daily paper published in Renovo, was issued September 21st, 1883. It was established by John P. Dwyer and the late James Reilley. It was begun as a five-column, four-page paper. The News, by its vigorous yet modest style, soon won the favor of the people of Renovo.
The Evening News was started with the idea that what Renovo needed was not a political organ, but a paper that would present the local news, and it therefore declared in its salutatory that the "Evening News will take no political stand other than to battle for the right," a platform of polit- ical independence that has since dominated its course.
The News for the first two years was printed on a Wash- ington hand press, but as the circulation increased this was abandoned, and a Campbell cylinder press superseded it.
In October, 1884, the firm of Dwyer & Reilly was dis- solved, Mr. Dwyer purchasing his associate's interest and assuming the entire management of the paper.
In September, 1889, the Republican Publishing company, of Williamsport, tendered Mr. Dwyer the editorial and busi- ness management of the Republican of that city. The position was accepted, and Mr. Dwyer, on leaving Renovo October 15th, left the News under the charge of P. A. Kinsley, who continued its management until the following December, when the News was sold by Mr. Dwyer to M. J. Dillon. The first paper under the new proprietorship was issued December 26th, 1889. In March, 1890, P. A. Kinsley returned to the News, and has since been associated with Mr. Dillon in the editorial management of the paper.
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Mr. Dillon made a number of improvements in the plant, among which was its removal to larger quarters, and the in- troduction of steam power for running the presses.
The News, which had for nearly seven years been pub- lished the same size at which it had commenced its mis- sion, was enlarged by M. Dillon to six columns June Ist, 1890. In the spring of the following year the press, which had done service for upwards of five years, was re- placed with a new Hoe stop-cylinder press, a fine piece of printing machinery, which has a capacity of 1,500 papers per hour. A cutting, pasting and folding machine was also added at the same time.
Owing to the constant extension of its equipments, the News, in November, 1891, went into commodious new quar- ters in a three-story brick building on Erie avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets. The presses, boilers, engines, etc., occupy rooms on the ground floor; the business offices are on the second floor, and the editorial and composing rooms are on the third floor. These departments are heated by steam and lighted by electricity.
The office is thoroughly equipped for doing general job printing.
The weekly edition of the Clinton county News was es- tablished March 21st, 1888. It is an eight-page paper, in- dependent in politics.
CORPORATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
T' HE First National bank of Renovo was started August 18th, 1887. It is located on Erie avenue, between Third and Fourth streets. The officers of the bank are as follows: President, James Murphy ; cashier, W. B. Reilly; directors, James Murphy, Luke Binder, John Reilly, C. Grugan, John Ward, James O'Hagan, M. F. Murphy, W. C. Weaver and James A. Williamson. Capital, $50,000; surplus, $10,000.
BANK OF RENOVO.
The Bank of Renovo was started in March, 1884, by A. W. Cook. In May, 1885, Cook sold out to Patrick Kane and F. H. Ross. In 1886 the latter sold his interest to Mr. Kane, who is now the sole owner and pro- prietor of the Bank of Renovo. The institution is not incorporated, but is valued at $125,000. Patrick Kane is president, and John T. Kane, cashier.
RENOVO BOROUGH WATER WORKS.
Renovo procures its water supply from Petes' run, in the mountains at the south of the borough. The reservoir, which has a capacity of 2,500,000 gallons, was built in 1873. The contract for the erection of the basin was awarded by council, July 21st, 1873, to Patrick Shelley and Frank Harvey, of Renovo. Work was commenced that month, and was completed in November of the same year. It was formally accepted by council for the borough on January 7th, 1874. The amount paid Shelley and Harvey for the work was $7,085.44. On July 21st, the council also awarded a contract to V. B. Scheid and H. T. Jarrett, of Lock Haven, for putting in the water pipes, plugs, etc. The size of pipe is as follows: From the reservoir to and across the river, ten inches; on Erie avenue from Third to Ninth streets, six inches; on cross streets, four inches. The amount paid Scheid and Jarrett was $39,273.53. In later years the pipe was extended on all the streets from Ninth to Seven- teenth. In October, 1891, a new ten-inch main was placed in on Huron avenue, at a cost of $5,000. In the summer of the same year, a new reservoir, with a capacity of 1,300,000 gallons was built on Petes' run, at a point one-quarter of a mile above the old reservoir, the object of which is to hold a reserve supply of water for emergencies. Water from this upper dam is conducted by troughs to the main basin. The im- provement was made at a cost of $1,200. The water is of the best quality, coming from springs in mountain ravines. The revenue in water rents from patrons of the works is from $3,800 to $4,200 per year. Council now has under consideration plans for the reconstruction of the old res- ervoir, by erecting stone walls and grouting the bottom.
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ELECTRIC LIGHT.
The Renovo Edison Light, Heat and Power company was incorporated November 29th, 1886. The company was formed for the purpose of fur- nishing electric light to the people of Renovo, but under its charter it also has the right to supply steam for heat and power purposes, in which business it has not, however, engaged. Capital, $20,000.
Stockholders-Philip B. Shaw, Godfrey Hess, K. D. Weed, J. J. Crocker, J. C. Hill, John S. Gersting, of Williamsport, and James Mur- phy, of Renovo. President, Godfrey Hess; secretary, John S. Gersting.
The general manager, who has charge of the station and local business of the company at Renovo, is James H. Sheddy.
The station has two dynamos. The location of the plant is on Spruce street, between Huron and Ontario avenues.
SOUTH RENOVO LAND COMPANY.
The South Renovo Land company was formed in 1881 by John W. Smith, Charles McKee, P. H. Sullivan and James O'Hagan. Their ob- ject was the improvement of the village of South Renovo. They built the bridge across the river which was carried away by the June flood of 1889. Under the management of the land company, the town of South Renovo has been greatly improved, and it is now an independent borough. Lots are being sold, and the town is being rapidly built up with neat and substantial dwellings. A new bridge was erected during the winter of 1891 and 1892. The location of the new town is a favorable one, as it stands above high water mark. The present members of the company are as follows: Samuel Gustine Thompson, president; C. R. Wainright, Joseph Wainright, Charles S. Hinchman and James O'Hagan.
PHILADELPHIA & ERIE FIRE BRIGADE OF THE RENOVO SHOPS.
The Philadelphia & Erie Fire brigade was organized November 21st, 1879, with the following charter officers: James R. Shuster, chief en- gineer; John B. Michael, assistant engineer; A. H. Corinth, secretary to chief engineer; Samuel F. Dedier, foreman; George R. McCrea, assistant foreman; John Spencer, engineer; S. B. Taylor, stoker; John Lynch, driver.
The officers for 1892 are as follows: James R. Shuster, chief engineer ; Samuel F. Dedier, assistant engineer; M. Carrns, foreman; John E. Houlahan, assistant foreman; Joseph A. Wilmer, engineer; P. J. Wil- mer, stoker; John Lynch, driver; John E. Houlahan, secretary to chief engineer.
The Philadelphia & Erie Fire brigade meets every Saturday afternoon, between the hours of 3 and 5 o'clock, for practice. The alarm for practice is sounded by a whistle on the boiler room of the machine shop at 3 o'clock. All members are compelled to respond, and are put through a drill for two hours. The number of members of the brigade is limited to twenty. As soon as one drops out another is elected to fill the vacancy. There are eight officers and twelve men for duty, and they are
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arranged as follows: Four pipemen, four linemen and four men for hy- drants. The Philadelphia & Erie Fire brigade, although intended for the protection of the railroad company's property, is allowed to attend fires in the town or in any other place in case of need, and is frequently called upon to go to wrecks where fire has broken out. They are equipped with a handsome new La France steam fire engine, which was purchased at a cost of $4,500, two hose carriages and 3,000 feet of the finest quality of cotton hose.
WEST BRANCH HOSE COMPANY, NO. 2.
West Branch Hose company, No. 2, was organized May 12th, 1873, with the following officers: R. M. Messimer, chief engineer and presi- dent; E. P. Dowling, secretary; W. H. Messinger, foreman; M. F. Neylon, first assistant foreman; Michael Cleary, second assistant foreman.
The present officers of the company are as follows: John Hagan, chief engineer; M. A. Houlahan, president ; J. T. Hagan, vice president ; H. W. Green, secretary; E. P. Dowling, treasurer; M. A. Houlahan, John Hagan and G. H. Felmilee, trustees; H. Bodley, foreman; Charles Hagan, first assistant ; James Kepler, second assistant.
The West Branch Hose company was organized with fourteen mem- bers, hence could not elect a complete list of officers at their organization The company now has an active membership of forty-five. Owing to the number of members and the completeness of their equipment, the West Branch is always in condition for actual services. This organization meets the first and third Tuesdays, of each month, in their parlors on Fifth street.
RENOVO JEWEL LODGE, NO. 249, I. O. G. T.
This lodge was organized January 23d, 1867, with the following charter officers: Chief templar, W. K. Crites; vice templar, Elsie Richarts, chaplain, J. Y. Rothrock; secretary, U. S. N. Crouse; assistant secre- tary, W. B. Crawford; financial secretary, C. B. Ashcom; treasurer, Dr. J. P. Ashcom; marshal, P. C. Moyer; deputy marshal, Jennie Cauff- man; I. G., Mary Moyer; O. G., J. D. Cummings; R. H. S., Joseph Fessler; L. H. S., Mollie Crouse; P. C. T., G. W. Givin.
The present officers are: Chief templar, George Boyer; vice templar, Clara Kepler; secretary, C. E. Bricker; assistant secretary, Annie D. Stouffer; financial secretary, Frank Trump; treasurer, G. F. Living- stone; chaplain, J. F. Rimer ; marshal, George Weight; deputy marshal, Lillie Sholl; guard, Ella Good; sentinel, Harry Sapp ; past chief templar, Levi Musser; lodge deputy, W. J. Nicholas. Lodge meets every Thurs- day evening in Spangler's hall, corner Huron avenue and Sixth street. Present membership, 147.
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CASTLE, KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE.
Pennsylvania Railroad castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, was organized at Renovo Tuesday evening, March 15th, 1892, with thirty- five members and the following charter officers: H. H. Rockwell, P. C .; Frank Bodley, N. C .; Charles Spotts, V. C .; J. F. Rimer, H. P .; H. L.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Shaffer, M. of R .; A. F. Spangler, S. H .; Svante Johnson, K. of E .; trustees, A. L. Kepler, William Gilliland and T. C. Livingston; medical examiner, Dr. O. H. Rosser. The castle meets every Tuesday evening in the G. A. R. hall.
DIVISION NO. 1, A. O. H.
Division No. 1, A. O. H., of Clinton county, was organized at Renovo, April 12th, 1888, with the following named persons as charter officers: P. D. Shelan, C. D .; M. A. Houlahan, president; Patrick Nevius, vice president; John Hayes, recording secretary; William Duffy. financial secretary ; Thomas Flynn, treasurer.
The present officers are: James Smyth, C. D .; M. A. Houlahan, pres- ident; Thomas Mclaughlin, vice president; James Connors, recording secretary ; John Hayes, financial secretary; John Bailey, treasurer.
The A. O. H. meets every Tuesday evening in Murphy's hall, on Fourth street, where they have fitted up rooms at a cost of several hundred dollars. Their rooms are kept open every evening for the members. The A. O. H. has greatly flourished ever since its organization. It was in- stituted with but twelve members, and now has eighty four members in good standing.
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