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 26
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Its operations were at first confined to Greene and Logan townships, but in 1862 were extended to Porter and Lamar, shortly afterwards to Wayne, Crawford and Dunnstable townships, and in 1872 were extended to Lycoming, Union, Snyder and Centre counties.
Its presidents have been : 1861, Philip Wohlfort ; 1862 to 1873, W. A. Murray; 1873 to 1892, General D. K. Heckman. Vice presidents, 1862 to 1873, General D. K. Heckman; 1873 to 1883, James F. Berry; 1883 to
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
1892, D. K. Heckman. Secertaries, 1861 to 1863, J. E. Roush; 1863 to 1868, George A. Achenbach; 1883 to 1892, D. M. Morris. Treasurers, 1861 to 1877, Joseph Snook; 1877, D. M. Morris, Samuel Stamm, George Wagner.
The first board of directors was Joseph Caldwell, Joseph Snook, Gen- eral D. K. Heckman, John B. Schrack, Robert Kleckner, Philip Wohl- fort, William Bartges, John Heckman, Jr., Jacob Kahl, H. H. Fessler, George Brungard, Jacob Sankey.
The present officers and directors are as follows: D. K. Heckman, president ; Isaac Frantz, vice president ; D. M. Morris, secretary; George Wagner, treasurer. Directors-D. K. Heckman, Clinton county; Philip Gramly, Clinton county ; Robert Furst, Clinton county ; A. N. Heckman, Clinton connty; Joseph W. Hubbard, Clinton county; Samuel Suiter, Clinton county; Isaac Frantz, Clinton county; S. L. Mull, Lycoming county; B. Zerby, Lycoming county; Adam Bartges, Centre county ; S. L. Strohecker, Centre county; G. W. Himmelrich, Union county.
POST NO. 379, DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, G. A. R.
Post No. 379, Department of Pennsylvania, G. A. R., was instituted September 28th, 1883, by G. T. Michaels, of Post 122, assisted by Com- rades Austin Curtin, A. J. Spangler and others, and was named George W. Moyer post, in memory of a young Loganton soldier, son of Dr. Jonathan Moyer, who was shot in action at Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia. The following were elected officers of the post: William F. Moyer, post commander; Charles C. Harbach, senior vice commander; Robert H. Karstetter, junior vice commander; Daniel Keister, adjutant of post; Hiram L. Murray, Quartermaster of post; William C. Weber, officer of day; John Berry, surgeon; John H. Matter, chaplain; Charles W. Con- ser, officer of guard; Lewis F. Rockey, sergeant major; George B. Yea- ger, quartermaster sergeant; John A. Heller, ordinance officer.
Present officers: Commander, William F. Moyer; senior vice com- mander, George B. Yeager; junior vice commander, Frank J. Boling; Adjutant, William C. Weber; quartermaster, John F. Rockey; surgeon, John B. Rumberger; chaplain, Charles W. Conser; officer of day, Isaac S. Duck; officer of guard, Jerry A. Fiddler; sergeant major, Daniel Keis- ter; quartermaster sergeant, Samuel C. Frankenberger.
Following are the past post commanders in order of their rank: Wil- liam F. Moyer, William C. Weber, John F. Rockey and Charles W. Conser.
The following is a list of the names and army record of service of soldiers resident in the borough of Loganton at this time:
Second Lieutenant John Berry, Company G, 210th Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, served 9 months.
Sergeant William C. Weber, Company B, Second Battalion, 16th Reg- iment United States Infantry, served 36 months.
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Sergeant Daniel Keister, Company D, 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, served 17 months.
Corporal Robert H. Karstetter, Company B, 11th Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, served 44 months.
Corporal Jeremiah A. Fiddler, Company G, 210th Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, served 9 months.
Sergeant William F. Moyer, Company D, 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, served 46 months.
Sergeant Charles W. Conser, Company D, 7th Reserve Volunteers.
Private George B. Yeager, Company D, 203d Pennsylvania Volun- teers, served 9 months.
Private Paul Greninger, Company G, 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 12 months.
Corporal Henry Wren, Company K, 143d Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 20 months.
Private George Tibbens, Company E, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Private Emanuel Huber, Company G, 210th Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 9 months.
Teamster John Ludwig, Company G, 210th Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 9 months.
Private Jonathan Snyder, Company G, 210th Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 9 months.
Private Isaac Knepp, Company D, 11th Michigan Volunteers.
Private John A. Heller, Company C, 210th Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 9 months.
Private Isaac S. Duck, Company F, 195th Pennsylvania Volunteers, served 9 months.
Present meetings of post are first and third Saturdays in each month, at 2.30 o'clock p. m.
LOGANTON CORNET BAND.
Loganton cornet band was organized July 20th, 1886; chartered Sep- tember, 1886, with the following members: H. B. Karstetter, T. T. Parker, S. W. Snyder, J. C. Goodman, E. E. Herlacher, Pierce Zellers, John Womeldorf, M. E. Breon, F. M. Gramly. F. G. Berry, A. J. Breon, F. F. Morris, Elmer Morris, W. H. Smith and Frank Moyer.
The first officers were: President, F. G. Berry; secretary, F. M. Gramly; treasurer, F. F. Morris; leader, J. M. Stover.
The present officers are: President, J. A. Houtz; vice president, A. L. Heller; secretary, F. M. Gramly; treasurer, Samuel Stamm; trustees, W. F. Moyer, J. C. Berry, W. R. Goodman, D. L. Stamm and J. Barner.
P. O. S. OF A.
Washington camp, No. 202, P. O. S. of A., was instituted in 1872, and re-chartered in 1881, but has lately been abandoned.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
LOGAN HOUSE.
The only hotel in the borough of Loganton is the Logan house, owned by Peter Meitzler, and run at the present time by Mrs. R. W. Cole. The Logan house is quite a prominent summer resort, and is generally thronged with guests during the summer months. The house itself is a commodious frame structure, pleasantly located near the celebrated sulphur springs. Under the management of Mrs. Cole and her son, Harry, the Logan house has become quite popular. All guests receive the best of treatment. The tables are supplied at all times with the best the season affords. The best of wines and liquors are constantly kept on hand, and everything meets the requirements of a first-class hotel.
PROMINENT MEN OF LOGANTON.
GENERAL D. K. HECKMAN.
G EN. D. K. HECKMAN was born on the Heckman homestead, near Loganton, September 23d, 1823. He received a limited education in the public schools of his day. He was married January 4th, 1849, to Elizabeth Kline, of Gregg township, Centre county, Pa. By this marriage he became the father of two sons, J. Kline and Isway Heckman, and two daughters, namely: Regina, married to R. W. A. Jamison, and Minerva, now the wife of W. H. Smith. General Heckman's first wife died February 11th, 1870, and he was again married March 14th, 1874, to Hannah Slear, of Forest Hill, Union county, Pa. General D. K. Heck- man is one of Sugar Valley's most substantial and prosperous citizens. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has held various township offices, but would never allow his name to be used as a candidate for other than a local office. He is at present president of the Sugar Valley Mutual Fire Insurance company, and has been a member of the company since its organization. Mr. Heckman now owns and tills the Heckman home- stead, a fine farm of 200 acres, located one-fourth of a mile west from the town of Loganton.
LEVI CONSER.
Levi Conser, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Sugar Valley, was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pa., July 28th, 1819. His father, John Conser, moved to Rebersburg, Centre county, Pa., in 1822. Here Levi Conser received such an education as the time and place afforded. At the age of nineteen he started in the tailoring business at Loganton, Pa. He next purchased a half interest in two country stores, one at Loganton, and the other at Logan Mills. Later he sold out his interest in the stores, and bought from his brother, Rev. S. L. M. Conser, a one-third interest in the steam saw mill, located at Dunnstown. When the panic of 1857 came, the firm gave up business. Levi Conser returned to Loganton and began farming on the lands of his father-in-law, Anthony Kleckner. He followed farming until the death of Colonel Kleckner. He next secured the mail route from Salona to Sugar Valley. The surplus income he invested in a confectionery; the investment was profitable. In 1863 he found himself possessed of a stock of goods fully paid, and $650 in cash. He then visited Philadelphia, and with his capital, and help of friends, returned to Loganton with over $3,000 worth of merchandise. He remained in the mercantile business for a period of over twenty-five years, carrying with him, through his whole business career, a reputation for honesty and integrity not ex-
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celled by any man. Levi Consor was for fourteen years of his life a Democrat, but never agreed with his party on the subject of tariff. He continued a protective tariff Democrat until slavery became a political question, when, failing to agree with his party, he joined the Republican ranks. He never held or asked for an office. He has been an earnest friend to the Sunday school cause, and in May, 1840, established, at Loganton, the first Sunday school in Sugar Valley. He served as justice of the peace for many years, being elected to the office the first time before he was twenty five years of age. He has always been greatly interested in school matters, and desirous of securing for his family the full benefit of a first-class education. One of his sons is now a professor in the Central Pennsylvania college at New Berlin, Union county, Pa., and an- other, Dr. T. C. Conser, is a practicing physician of Salona, Clinton county, Pa. Honored and respected by his fellow men, Levi Conser still lives, and aids according to his ability every good cause.
J. A. HOUTZ, M. D.
Dr. J. A. Houtz was born at Lemont, Centre county, Pa , in 1846. He was educated in the public schools and at Pine Hall and Boalsburg academies. In 1867 he began the study of medicine with Dr. S. L. Van Valza, then a resident physician of Boalsburg, Centre county, Pa. In 1868 he entered Jefferson Medical college, at Philadelphia, and graduated from there in March, 1871. For a short time after his graduation he followed the practice of his profession at Snow Shoe, Pa. In December, 1871, he located at Loganton, where he has remained ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Philadelphia. Dr. Houtz is a radical Republican, but takes no active part in politics outside of local affairs. He has served several terms as school director of Loganton, and a num- ber of terms as chief burgess, and is filling the latter position at the pres- ent time. He is a single man, and makes his home at the Logan house. Dr. Houtz is considered one of the leading physicians of Clin- ton county, and has always been very successful in his chosen profession. He and his partner, Dr. W. R. Goodman, are the only resident physicians within the limits of Sugar Valley.
W. R. GOODMAN, M. D.
Dr. W. R. Goodman was born April 9th, 1851. He is a son of George Goodman, one of the old settlers of Sugar Valley. Dr. Goodman re- ceived his early education in the public schools of Loganton, and later attended select school at Salona. He also spent one year at the Blooms- burg Normal school, and eighteen months at Union seminary, now Cen- tral Pennsylvania college, at New Berlin, Pa. After leaving school he taught four terms at Loganton. After a season spent in traveling through the Western states, he entered the store of Witmer & Co., at Lo- ganton, where he clerked for one year. He then entered the office of Dr. J. A. Houtz, and read medicine for one year, after which he entered
W. R. GOODMAN, M. D.,
LOGANTON, PA.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Jefferson Medical college, where he remained until he graduated, in March, 1880. After his graduation he located at Reedsville, Mifflin county, Pa., and later located at Rebersburg. After a season spent in the latter place he removed to Loganton, and entered into partnership with Dr. J. A. Houtz, and has continued the same up to the present time. Dr. Goodman was married, in 1880, to Anna M. McCloskey, daughter of Ab- ner McCloskey, of Beech Creek. They have two sons. Politically Dr. Goodman is a Democrat. He has several times been elected chief burgess of Loganton, and is now filling his second term as school director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Odd Fellows. He owns a handsome brick residence in the borough of Loganton, where he resides.
JOHN BERRY.
John Berry was born in Logan township, then Centre county, March 8th, 1827. His father was William K. Berry, one of the first settlers of Sugar Valley. John Berry received his education in the common schools. At eighteen years of age he learned the mason and stone cutting trade, which he followed for fifteen years. For about three years he kept hotel in Loganton, in one of the first buildings erected in the town. He then went to Potters Mills, Centre county, Pa., where he kept hotel for one year. From there he entered the army, enlisting in Company G, 210th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 24th, 1864, serving until he was mustered out of service, at Arlington Heights, Va., May 30th, 1865. He then returned to Loganton, where his family then resided, and again went into the hotel business at the same stand. After following this business for a time he entered the lumber business, which he followed for fifteen years. In April of 1889 he was appointed postmaster by President Harrison, to succeed D. M. Morris. During his military service Mr. Berry was Second Lieutenant of Company G. He has filled various bor- ough offices, serving five years as constable and four years as supervisor. Mr. Berry was married in 1847 to Catharine Morris, a daughter of David R. Morris, and a sister of John and Daniel Morris, now residents of Lo- ganton. They have had six children, four now living. One of his daugh- ters is married, and now a resident of Oregon. Another is married, and lives in Johnsonburg. The other two, one daughter and the son, reside in Loganton. Mr. Berry has served as postmaster of Loganton under Lincoln's and also Grant's administration.
JOHN MORRIS.
John Morris was born in Berks county, Pa., September 16th, 1835. He came to Sugar Valley in 1838. In early life he learned the weaving trade, and for a time followed weaving homespun goods for clothing. He received a common school education, and at the age of eighteen years began an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade. He was married February 8th, 1858, to Jane E. Wirth, a daughter of Henry Wirth.
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They had five children, two of whom are dead. Those living are Henri- etta, wife of John Brown, and Emma and Sallie, who reside with their parents. Mr. Morris was, for a number of years, extensively engaged in lumbering. In 1877 he purchased the Loganton grist mill, and in 1890 greatly improved the same by converting it into a roller mill.
J. H. BOONE.
J. H. Boone was born in New Berlin, Union county, Pa., August 31st, 1840. His father, Benawell Boone, located where Booneville now stands, over fifty years ago. In early life Mr. Boone attended the common schools of Logan township, and prepared himself for the profession of teaching, which he began in 1860. He followed the profession for five years. He then learned the plastering trade, which he followed during the summer months for several years. He then began the marketing business, which he followed for over twenty-five years. Mr. Boone and his two brothers were instrumental in securing the postoffice at Boone- ville during the time Hon. George A. Achenbach was in the Legis- lature. They requested him to use his influence in the matter, and he advised them to fill out the petition, leaving the name of the office a blank. When the papers were returned, they saw the worthy gentleman had played a joke on them, and placed the name of Booneville where they had left the blank. From this time on the office and village was called Booneville, in honor of the first settler and his sons. Mr. Boone removed to Loganton in 1887. In 1888 he was elected constable of the borough, an office he has filled ever since. He was for several years justice of the peace for Logan township. J. H. Boone was married in 1862 to Rebecca Renninger, of Green township. They have three children living. Their eldest son is a useful citizen, and a member of the Green township school board. Their second son, Harry E. Boone, was born blind. In 1889 Harry entered the institution for the blind in Philadelphia, where he in- tends taking a seven years' course; although not one-half of his term has yet expired, he is now able to use the pen and type writer with almost perfect skill. The other child is a daughter, who resides with her parents. Mr. Boone owns a neat and cozy home in Loganton, where he resides, and a farm in Green township. He is a substantial and useful citizen, and a friend of education and improvement.
J. K. HECKMAN.
J. K. Heckman, one of the successful farmers and Democrats of Green township, was born near Loganton, March 3d, 1852. He received his education in the public schools, and at Millersville Normal school. In 1876 he went to the West and spent some time traveling through the different western states with the idea of locating, but seeing no place that he liked better than his own green vale, he returned and purchased the large and valuable farm upon which he now resides. Mr. Heckman was married in 1883 to Della Cole, a daughter of Mrs. R. W. Cole, of
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Loganton. J. K. Heckman is a son of General D. K. Heckman, one of the most respected and useful citizens of Sugar Valley. Kline, as he is always called, is an uncompromising Democrat, and one of the leading politicians of his section. The fine farm upon which J. K. Heckman resides is located about one mile west of the borough of Loganton. He has surrounded himself with all the comforts of farm life, and enjoys his blessings as an honest man should.
C. W. CONSER.
C. W. Conser was born May 31st, 1841. He is a son of Levi Conser. He received his early education in the public schools. He served several years as an apprentice in the cabinet making shop of John F. Sloan at Lock Haven. In April, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in Company D, 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. After serving eighteen months he returned home, and was made enrolling officer of his district. In the autumn of 1864 he again enlisted, and served in the 203d Regiment, until mustered out of service at Philadelphia in June, 1865. After the war he returned to Loganton, and followed his trade for about ten years. He then started a confectionery store and barber shop. He also followed the marketing business for a time. C. W. Conser was married Decem- ber, 1864, to Margaret Gheen, of Nippenose valley. They have two children, one son and one daughter, both married and residing at Loganton. Mr. Conser was elected and served one term as justice of the peace, being elected in February, 1885. He is at present conducting a novelty store, which he started a short time ago.
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BEECH CREEK BOROUGH.
N EARLY all the land now occupied by the borough of Beech Creek formerly belonged to a tract surveyed, in 1769, to Lieutenant Wiggin. It is located on the east side of Beech creek, extending one mile back from the mouth of the stream. The tract was originally covered with a heavy growth of oak, hickory, pine and poplar timber. In 1842 the best of the oak was taken off by John Nestlerode, Solomon Strong and William Parsons. The lumber was used for mounting cannon and manufacturing of artillery wagons.
The credit of starting the town belongs to Michael Quigley, who about the year 1812 bought thirty acres of the Wiggin's tract, and erected a grist mill, which is still in use, now owned by Furst, Hess & Co., and Proctor Myers. Michael Quigley built a dwelling about the same time, a part of which was used for a store; the first person using it for that purpose being Buck Claffin, father of Mrs. Victoria Woodhull. The same room was afterwards occupied by George Furst and Henry Gast. Furst withdrew from the firm, and Gast afterwards sold out to Cline Quigley and Andrew White. George Furst bought a lot from Michael Quigley, on the corner of Main and Harrison streets, and erected a frame building, which he used as a store until 1879, when he erected the large two-story brick store room, which is now occupied by George D. Hess as a store room. Quigley & White remained in business, in partnership, for a time in a building erected by Quigley, a few rods west of the grist mill. The firm dissolved, and White built a room a few rods west of the one erected by Quigley, which he occupied as a store. Quigley remained in the same room until 1850, when he rented to Houzeal & Miller, of Jersey Shore. This firm failed in 1852.
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The same room was then occupied by Silas Hess until 1856. In 1866 Silas Hess and S. Mobley bought out Cline Quigley. They sold to Henry Berry, Charles Cade and Daniel Bitner, in 1871. These parties were succeeded in 1875 by Cline Quigley, who kept a grocery until 1879. The same room was occupied by George Furst & Son during the erection of the brick structure, and after they left it Quigley again held possession for a time. He finally sold out to Johnston & Bergner. The building then burned and was never rebuilt.
Andrew White occupied the room he built in 1848 until 1856, when he gave up business and moved on a farm in Bald Eagle township. He sold his store to Silas Hess, who sold to Thomas & Mason. Richard Berryhill then pur- chased the place, and occupies it at the present time.
In 1865 John McGhee built a store room, and started a store. He sold to Thomas & Mason; afterwards changed to Thomas & Co. In 1868 they sold to Brown, Hastings & Co. This firm occupied the room until 1872, when they gave up business. The same room was next occupied by J. S. Hall and William Bitner ; next by John W. Cook. In 1880 John McGhee again took possession of the place, and opened a general store, which he is now conducting. In 1869 B. & J. Liggett purchased a lot from Solomon Strong, and erected thereon a large frame store room, and opened a general store. In 1873 B. Liggett sold his interest to S. Mobley and E. K. Parsons. The name of the firm was J. Liggett & Co. After doing business for several years the firm failed.
The same room used by J. Liggett & Co. was then oc- cupied by John Mobley, H. F. Mobley and S. Mobley. This store is now conducted by Mobley & Hall.
H. H. Berry and Charles Cade erected a store room on the opposite side of the street from the Liggett building in 1875. These parties conducted a general store for a time, but finally failed. The room used by them is now used as a store room by George Williams.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In 1852 B. Klapp purchased Houzeal & Miller's lumber establishment, and started a store. They sold in 1854 to A. Shonce, S. Saylor and Israel Day. These parties con- ducted the mercantile business at the same stand until 1860. when they built the store room in the east end of the borough, now owned by Joseph W. Merrey. They did business in the new room under the firm name of Buckley, Saylor & Co. until 1868, when the lumber firm changed to Saylor, Day & Morey. The firm of Hess, Knecht & Miller then conducted the store on a large scale until the failure of Saylor, Day & Morey, which catastrophe threw the mercan- tile firm into bankruptcy. These were all the stores ever kept in the borough of Beech Creek.
In 1814 Michael Quigley built a fulling mill south of the grist mill. At that time these two mills were the only man- ufacturing establishments in the village.
The next industry was the saw mill erected by Quigley & White. Both the fulling mill and the saw mill were used several years, and then allowed to go into decay.
In 1839 Solomon Strong came from New York state, and began the manufacture of fanning mills on a large scale.
These mills soon became quite popular. They found a ready sale all over Pennsylvania, and many were shipped by boat to Maryland. In 1846 George Furst and L. G. Andrews erected a factory for the manufacture of fanning mills. They followed the business for many years. G. Q. Williams and S. C. Keyes & Son also followed the business for a time, after Furst & Andrews had given up manufac- turing.
These were the leading manufacturing establishments of the borough, even up to the present time, outside of the lumber industries.
About 1837 John Orner started a tailor shop in the build- ing now occupied by Roland Gunsaullis as a dwelling.
Ashur Packer built a small tannery about the same time ; John Packer built a blacksmith shop; Samuel Clark, a cooper shop; John I. Packer started a shoemaker shop in
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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY.
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