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 24
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WEST BRANCH HOTEL.
The West Branch hotel is located on Erie avenue, between Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets. It is kept by Nicodemus Smith, the oldest hotel man in Renovo. This house can accommodate twenty guests, and is kept in good style.
EXCHANGE HOTEL.
The Exchange hotel is located on the corner of Erie avenue and Fifth street. It is a large three-story frame building, erected by Frank Harvey, its present proprietor, in 1871 and 1872, and used by him as a hotel until 1882, when it ceased to be a public house, until reopened by Mr. Harvey in the spring of 1892. This hotel is one of the largest in the town of Renovo, and affords suitable accommodations for about sixty persons. It is run in first-class style, and is becoming quite popular with the travel- ing public.
PROFESSIONAL MEN OF RENOVO.
D. J. REESE, M. D.
D R. D. J. REESE was born in Berlin, Somerset county, Pa., March 10th, 1839. His father was a Lutheran minister. At the age of twelve years he entered Lititz academy, where he spent two years. At the age of fourteen years he entered the drug store of his cousin, Mr. John Gepfert, of Maytown, Lancaster county, Pa., where he remained until he reached the age of sixteen years, when his father placed him under the care of Dr. S. S. Wiest, of Lancaster county, Pa., to study medicine. He attended his first course of medical lectures at the Penn- sylvania Medical college, of Philadelphia, in the fall and winter of 1857 and 1858. Commenced the practice of medicine in the spring of 1858. In the fall of 1858 he moved to Ohio, where he married Miss Sarah E. Fisher, of Clayton, that state. From thence he moved to Michigan in the fall of 1859, where he practiced his profession until the commence- ment of the war, when he returned to Pennsylvania. Locating at Hyner, Clinton county, he has been a citizen of the county since. He attended his second course of lectures in the fall and winter of 1872 and 1873, graduating in 1873 from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Returning to Renovo he has been in the practice since, with the excep- tion of seven months, when he was located in Shamokin, Northumber- land county, Pa. He is now the oldest resident physician of the town of Renovo.
A. E. HEIMBACH, M. D.
Dr. A. E. Heimbach was born in Berks county, Pa., February 20th, 1863. His parents afterwards moved to Philadelphia, where he attended the public schools until 1880, when he entered the Keystone State Normal school, at Kutztown, Pa., and graduated from that institution in 1882. He followed teaching for seven years. He began the study of medicine in 1885, and entered Hahnemann Medical college, of Philadelphia, in 1887. After taking a three years' graded course in that institution, he graduated in 1890. After graduation he located for a time in Philadelphia. He next located in Allentown, where he practiced for ten months. He then came to Renovo, where he succeeded Dr. Van Fleet. Dr. Heimbach is a member of the Homeopathic School of Medicine, and rapidly rising in his pro- fession.
THOMAS P. ROACH, M. D.
Thomas P. Roach, physician and surgeon, was born at Lock Haven, September 12th, 1863. He is a son of Captain William Roach, who moved to Renovo in 1878. The subject of this sketch began the study of
ORRIN H. ROSSER, M. D.,
RENOVO, PA.
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telegraphy in Renovo in 1879, and in 1881 went to Driftwood, where he took charge of the Philadelphia & Erie telegraph office; while here he began the study of medicine with Dr. S. S. Smith. He continued to read medicine for eighteen months, when he went to Chicago, where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which institution he graduated in 1890. After his graduation he went to the State of Washington, where he passed an examination and was admitted to prac- tice medicine in that state. Not liking the country, he went back to Chicago, where he practiced his profession for a time. He then went to Pittsburg, where his diploma was endorsed by the West Pennsylvania Medical college; after which he located at Renovo, opening an office on the corner of Seventh street and Huron avenue, where he is now located. Dr. Roach is a very pleasant and courteous gentleman, who will some day hold a high position among the members of his profession.
O. H. ROSSER, M. D.
Dr. O. H. Rosser was born in Lock Haven, March 6th, 1866. He is a son of 'Squire W. H. Rosser, of Mill Hall, Pa. Dr. Rosser attended the schools of Mill Hall until April, 1882, when he entered the Central State Normal school, of Lock Haven, from which institution he graduated in June, 1883. From 1884 until 1886 he assisted his father in the axe busi- ness, and during the next year worked in the carriage and wagon shops of G. S. Garth & Sons, at Mill Hall. In June, 1887, he began the study of medicine with Dr. W. J. Shoemaker. In the winter of the same year he entered the Medical and Surgical college, of Philadelphia, and gradu- ated from that institution April 10th, 1890. Dr. Rosser was married April 17th, 1890, to Miss Nettie E. Welsh, of Lock Haven. He first located at Vanderbilt, Fayette county, Pa., where he remained but one year. He then located in Renovo, where he is at present enjoying a good practice.
W. C. WEYMOUTH, M. D.
Dr. W. C. Weymouth was born near Bangor, Me., March 30th, 1854. His parents came to this state and located at Dunnstown in the fall of the same year. The family resided at Dunnstown until 1863, when they moved to Williamsport. Here the subject of this sketch attended the public schools for about eight years, then entered Davis' Commercial college, and graduated from that school in 1874. He then read medicine from 1875 to 1877, when he entered the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from there in 1880. He first practiced in Williamsport as city physician, but came to Renovo within one year after his graduation, and has remained ever since. Dr. Weymouth was married to Mary Louise Hogan, of Renovo, November 2d, 1881.
CHARLES L. FULLMER, M. D.
Dr. Charles L. Fullmer was born at Montoursville, Lycoming county, Pa., May 20th, 1859. Dr. Fullmer's early education was received in the schools of Montoursville. In 1878 he entered Dickinson seminary, at
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Williamsport, and graduated from there in 1880. After following the profession of teaching for about four years he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. McCormick, of Montoursville, Pa. In 1881 he entered Jefferson Medical college, in Philadelphia, and graduated from there April 1st, 1883. After receiving his diploma he located in Renovo. Dr. Fullmer was married to Clara F. Reed, of Montoursville, Pa., in June, 1883. He has been the physician and surgeon for the Philadelphia & Erie railroad company at Renovo since 1883. He received the Democratic nomination for coroner of Clinton county in August, 1891, and was elected to the office at the November election.
GEORGE B. HALL, M. D.
Dr. George B. Hall was born near Pleasantville, Bedford county, Pa., April 25th, 1867. He is a son of Dr. W. E. Hall, deceased, who was a resident physician of Renovo for many years. The Hall family moved from Bed- ford county to St. Marys, Elk county, in the spring of 1869. After re- maining there but a few months they moved to Renovo. Dr. Hall attended the public schools of Renovo, and graduated from the High school in 1881, and took a special course in the school in 1882. He then entered Lewisburg university, where he remained two years, after which he entered the office of his father and read medicine for two years. The next three years he spent at the University of Pennsylvania. After serving one year as yard clerk for the Philadelphia & Erie railroad company, at Renovo, he returned to the university and remained another year, grad- uating from there in March, 1891. Dr. Hall is at present the youngest physician in Renovo. His office is in the rear of the Dr. W. E. Hall estate, on Erie avenue.
W. C. HOLLAHAN, ESQ.
W. C. Hollahan, Esq., was born in Boalsburg, Pa. His early educa- tion was received in the public schools and at Boalsburg academy. He enlisted June 2d, 1862, in Company G, 148th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until December, 1865, when he was discharged as lieutenant. In 1866 he entered the Pennsylvania State college, and for a time had charge of the military department of that institution. He then read law with Hon. John Cesna, of Bedford, Pa., and in 1870 was ad- mitted to practice law in the courts of Bedford county. He came to Lock Haven in 1871; was a Republican candidate for district attorney of Clin- ton county against James Q. Deise, now deceased, and afterward against William Parsons, Jr. He was afterward an independent candidate for the Legislature against the regular nominees of both parties, and defeated by a very small majority. In the last congressional contest, although not a candidate, he received the complimentary vote of the Democratic County convention for Congress. Since 1889 Mr. Hollahan has been a resident of Renovo, where he follows the practice of his chosen profession.
PROMINENT CITIZENS AND BUSINESS MEN.
HON. JOHN UPTON SHAFFER.
THE subject of this sketch was born at McConnellsburg, Pa., March 27th, 1843. Upon arriving at the age of five years his parents moved to the western part of the state, leaving their son under the guardianship of an uncle bearing his name. Through his uncle's liberal means the lad received careful instruction through private instructors, and also in the public schools of the town. At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to the printing business, serv- ing the usual term of years. From a compositor he was promoted to the position of local reporter on the Fulton Republican, a position which he filled with distinction for one year. He then moved to Pittsburg, where he readily found employment as a compositor on one of the leading daily newspapers of that city. In February, 1862, be returned to his native place, where he purchased one-half interest in the Democrat, forming a partnership with Hon. Henry G. Smith, who subsequently became an as- sociate editor of the Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, and a member of the constitutional convention, held in 1873. He shortly afterwards married Salinda, a daughter of William B. Shaffer, of the same county. In 1865 Mr. Shaffer sold his interest in the Fulton Democrat, and accepted a position in the printing department of the New York World, which he held for nearly one year, when he returned to Pennsylvania and bought a half interest in two Democratic newspapers in the borough of Hanover -one English and one German. A difficulty having arisen between him- self and partner, he disposed of his interest in both newspapers and went to Baltimore, where he obtained a situation on the Daily Gazette, which he held for four years. In the fall of 1869, on account of failing health, he resigned his position to accept a similar one-local editor and business manager of the Clinton Republican, published at Lock Haven by George D. Bowman. After serving in that position for two years, his attention was drawn to the rapid growth of the new railroad town of Renovo, Pa., where he was induced by several of its prominent citizens to establish a weekly newspaper. On December 21st, 1871, he estabiished the Renovo Record, which has proved a business success. A few years later the newspaper was enlarged and improved, and soon became a power in moulding the political sentiment of the county.
During Mr. Shaffer's residence of over twenty years in Renovo, he was elected clerk of the town council for thirteen consecutive years-from 1872 to 1885. In the latter year he became the regular Democratic nom- inee for member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, to which he was elected over A. J. Schuyler, Republican, by 515 majority. He was also opposed at the same election by Hon. Joseph W. Merrey, who
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represented the county in the same body in 1881, and ran as an inde- pendent candidate. During his term at Harrisburg, Mr. Shaffer intro- duced and had passed a bill appropriating $15,000 for the completion of the east wing of the Central Normal school building at Lock Haven, which had remained in an unfinished condition for over ten years. The lumberman's lien bill was also introduced by him during that session, and passed the House by a large majority, which brought him much prominence in the lumber districts of the state. He also took much in- terest in legislation calculated to advance the educational and industrial interests of the state. After the adjournment of the Legislature, he was appointed by Speaker Boyer as a member of the Legislative State Commis- sion of lunacy and charities. He was the only Democratic representative in the House appointed on the commission, which was an especial mark of honor in the gentleman's legislative career. In 1889 he was renom- inated by the Democrats of Clinton county by an almost unanimous vote, and re-elected by a decisive majority over the Republican, Labor-Re- form and Prohibition candidates. During the winter of that year the Central Normal school building of Lock Haven took fire and burned to the ground, entailing a loss of over $100.000, upon which the state had but $10,000 insurance At the assembling of the State Legislature that winter, Mr. Shaffer introduced an appropriation bill for $100,000 to re- build the burned institution. The committee on appropriations were at first reluctant to make an appropriation for the purpose of rebuilding, but after careful consideration agreed to report the bill to the House for $75,000. When the bill came up on second reading, Mr. Shaffer suc- ceeded in attaching an amendment increasing the amount to $85,000, which subsequently passed both Houses and became a law. During the same session several other important bills in the interest of lumbermen and other constituents became laws, Mr. Shaffer was perhaps one of the most successful legislators that ever represented Clinton county. He was always at his post, giving the duties of his position his entire time. During his legislative terins he served as a member on the committees on congressional and legislative apportionment, constitutional reform, re- trenchment and reform, printing, mines and mining, besides on a num- ber of special committees appointed by the speaker. During the last session of the Legislature, (1891,) he went to Harrisburg at the urgent solicitation of the officers of the Central Normal school at Lock Haven, to assist the member of his county in getting through that body a further appropriation for the use of said institution. During that session another bill was passed, giving $20,000 to the school.
Mr. Shaffer has edited and published the Renovo Record for over twenty years. During his citizenship he has contributed much valuable service towards building up the town and making it what it is to-day- one of the most enterprising in the state.
HON. GEORGE R. McCREA,
RENOVO, PA.
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HON. W. KIPP CHESNUTT.
Hon. W. Kipp Chesnutt was born in Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., March 10th, 1845. His education was received in the public schools of Lewistown, which he attended about eight years. In 1859 he began learning the tailor trade with William Lind, of Lewistown. He worked there about four years. Then he enlisted and served the latter part of the war with the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, receiving an honorable dis- charge after the grand review, at Washington, D. C. He returned to Lewistown, and remained until January, 1868, when he located in Renovo. Upon his arrival at Renovo he entered the merchant tailoring business, in which he is still engaged. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the position for ten years, being elected twice and appointed once during this time. In 1886 he was elected one of the as- sociate judges of Clinton county by the Republican party, and held the position until he became postinaster, May 5th, 1890. Judge Chesnutt was married December 27th, 1870, to Miss Ruth Muthersbough, of Lewis- town. His wife died March 22d, 1890, leaving her husband and two daughters to mourn her loss. He was married again June 8th, 1892, to Miss Carrie Newell, of Punxsutawney, Pa. Judge Chesnutt is not only a popular man, but a useful one. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and a leader in his party.
HON. GEORGE R. McCREA.
Hon. George R. McCrea was born at Holidaysburg, Blair county, Pa., February 14th, 1849. The family afterwards moved to Altoona. Mr. McCrea attended the public schools, and graduated at the High school. In 1863 he became an apprentice in the Baldwin locomotive works, where he remained four years, learning the moulding trade. In 1867 he came to Renovo, where he remained for five years. He then went to Pitts- burg, and afterwards to Canada, returning to Renovo, and locating per- manently in 1878. He worked for a time in the car shops, but in a short time entered the mercantile business, in which he is still engaged. He also went into the oil business at Tiona, Warren county, Pa., in 1888, and is yet interested in the business. Politically Judge McCrea has always been a Republican. He was elected a member of Renovo council in 1880, and served for three years. The Renovo Record of April 10th, 1884, speaks of Mr. McCrea as follows:
"Mr. McCrea went into council at the urgent solicitations of our sub- stantial taxpayers, to give the people a business administration of affairs, and he succeeded well. He had no friends to reward, and no enemies to punish. He served two years as the chairman of the fire committee, and was a member of the finance and highway committees. Being clear- headed, quick to discriminate between right and wrong, and a ready de- bater, he assumed a leading position from the start, and maintained it throughout his term. As president he was conservative and indulgent, though a good parliamentarian. He was always able to handle business
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with dispatch, and to the great satisfaction of his constituents. His loss as a member will be generally regretted. But few men in Renovo are able to fill his place."
He became a candidate for county treasurer against Wallace Gakle in 1884, and was defeated by 234 majority. In 1887 he became a candidate for sheriff against D. M. May, and was defeated by a majority of 106. On May 7th, 1890, he was appointed associate judge of Clinton county by Governor James A. Beaver, to fill the unexpired term of Judge W. K. Chesnutt, who had resigned. In the fall of 1890 he received the nomina- tion of his party for associate judge, but was once more defeated by a majority of 106; this time by Judge James W. Clark, the Democratic candidate.
Judge McCrea is closely connected with the business interests of Renovo, and prominently connected with the different organizations of the town. He is a charter member of Washington camp, No. 88, P. O. S. of A., a member of Renovo lodge, No. 595, Dexter encampment, and No. 163, I. O. O. F. He is a charter member of Renovo lodge, No. 595, and past master of the order. He is a past high priest in Lafayette chapter, No. 163, Royal Arch Masons, and past commander in Hos- pitaller commandery, No. 46, Knights Templar. He is district deputy grand master for Clinton, Cameron and Elk counties; also a thirty-three degree member of Philadelphia consistory, A. & A. S., R. F. M., and a member of Lu Lu temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
JOHN GREEN.
John Green, superintendent of the blacksmith department of the Renovo car shops, was born at Portsmouth, Va., May 10th, 1839. He began learning the blacksmith trade at the age of fourteen, serving an apprenticeship of six years. After learning his trade he went to the state of North Carolina, where he worked at making machinery for cotton mills until 1861. At the breaking out of the war he went to Raleigh, N. C., where he worked for a time in a Confederate locomotive shop. After working for a time in other places in the South, he ran the blockade, and went to Plymouth, N. C., where the Northern gun boats were stationed at the time. While there he gave the Union officers much valuable information that afterwards proved a benefit to the Union cause. From there he went to Fortress Monroe, where he was employed by the Federal government at making gun carriages. After leaving there he worked for a time at the Portsmouth navy yard, and afterwards at the Baltimore locomotive works. He was also employed for a time in the shops of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and at the Washington navy yard. Mr. Green was married on the day that Abraham Lincoln was elected to his second term, to Miss Mary Delcher, of Baltimore. From 1864 until the summer of 1866, Mr. Green worked in different parts of the South. In August, 1866, he went to Williamsport, and in the spring of 1867 he
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went to Elmira, N. Y., where he was employed for a time in the railroad shops. In 1868 he came to Renovo, and remained three months. At that time he made the frames for the first engine turned out of the Renovo car shops. The engine, 1068, is still on the road. Mr. Green went from Renovo to Elmira, where he remained until the fall of 1869, when he again went to work for the Baltimore & Ohio road for one year. In August, 1870, he went to Altoona, where he was employed in the car shops. In July, 1872, he was promoted and sent to Sunbury to take charge of the Pennsylvania railroad company's blacksmith shops. He remained there but three months, when he was sent to Renovo to take his present position. Mr. Green is the father of nine children, three of whom are dead. Two of his children are married. Superintendent Green is quite a genius, and has succeeded in patenting many valuable and use- ful articles. He is the inventor of nine different patents, nearly all of which pertain to railroad cars. He is well liked by all his employes, and is one of Renovo's best citizens.
FRANK HARVEY.
Frank Harvey was born in Ireland, October 18th, 1845, and came to the United States with his father in 1850. The family landed at Phila- delphia, and went direct to Allegheny county, Maryland. Here the sub- ject of this sketch attended school until he reached his sixteenth year, when he went to work in the coal mines. From that place he came to Broad Top, Pa., where he worked in the mines, and on the Broad Top railroad until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the 125th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Colonel Higgins. This company was organized by J. J. Lawrence, then superintendent of the Broad Top railroad. The regiment in which he served was mustered out of service, and Mr. Harvey received his discharge at Camp Curtin in May, 1863. All the old employes at Broad Top, who lived to come back, re- turned to Broad Top, and secured their old positions in the mines or on the railroad. When Colonel Lawrence became superintendent of the old Sunbury & Erie railroad, (now P. & E.,) Mr. Harvey came with him to Emporium, then the headquarters of that road, and secured a position as engineer of the Erie Express, then a night train, and held the position until December 30th, 1869, when he resigned. He then embarked in the mercantile business, starting a general store on Seventh street, Renovo. In 1870 he began the erection of his Exchange block, located on the corner of Erie avenue and Fifth street. In 1872, when the Exchange block was completed, Mr. Harvey started the Exchange hotel, and : uc- cessfully conducted the same until 1882. From 1882 until 1885 he fol- lowed railroad contracting with P. H. and Thomas Kane, of Renovo. He was appointed Democratic postmaster of Renovo November 13th, 1885, and held the position until the appointment of his successor, Judge W. K. Chesnutt, in May, 1890. During the time he was in the postoffice, he started a general store in the Exchange block, with his son, John F. Harvey, as manager. The latter is at present manager of his father's
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general store in Johnsonburg. In 1873 Harvey & Shelly built the Renovo water works. In 1890 Mr. Harvey was a candidate for county treasurer, but feeling that the claims of several other candidates were stronger than his own, he withdrew, to await a more favorable opportunity.
AUGUSTUS N. STEVENSON.
The subject of this sketch was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pa., June 14th, 1840. He received a liberal education through private instructors, and in the puble schools of his native town. He was the eldest son of Joseph S. and Margaret Stevenson, who were descendents of the first settlers of the county, where they became prominent in the agricultural and business interests of the West Branch valley. At an early age of life the subject of this sketch entered the merchandising es- tablishment of his father, where he served several years, gaining a gen- eral knowledge of the business. In the latter part of the year 1862 he obtained a position as baggage master on the old Catawissa railroad; his run was between Williamsport and Tamaqua. During this period the Civil war was going on, when he, like many loyal spirits, resigned his po- sition to enter the army of the Union. He became a member of Colonel John E. Wynkoop's Cavalry Regiment, which was assigned duty along the Potomac river. After serving the time of his enlistment, the regi- ment was discharged from service, when he entered a hardware store at Milton, Pa., where he served as a salesman for nearly two years, and ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the business. In the beginning of the spring of 1868 the construction of the Low Grade division of the Alle- gheny Valley railroad, between Driftwood and Red Bank, was com- menced. Colonel G. A. Worth, of Elmira, N. Y., became contractor for the building of section 5 of said road at Mix Run, Cameron county. He employed Mr. Stevenson as paymaster, hook-keeper, &c., who established his headquarters at Mix Run. He remained there from March, 1868, to November, 1869, when the section was completed. During that time Colonel Worth gave employment to several hundred men. In Jan- uary, 1869, Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Margaret Camp- bell, of Milton, Pa. In 1870 he was employed as general manager of Martin & Worth's large supply store at Lawsonham, Clarion county, Pa., which did a business of over $100,000 a year. Before finishing their con- tract at Lawsonham they received another to build several sections of road, with headquarters at Penfield, Pa , where another supply store was established. Mr. Stevenson was transferred as general manager, where he conducted their business until the contract was nearly completed.
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