USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
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Evangelical Lutheran Church .- In July, 1880, Rev. J. Ash, of Shanon- dale, Clarion county, came here in the interest of the general council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to investigate what could be done towards es- tablishing a mission. Nothing ¿was done, however, until September, same year. The Rev. J. H. Kline, from Northampton county, came to Du Bois, and after consulting J. A. Terpe, J. J. Overdorf, S. P. Nelson and others, con- cluded to organize a mission, and preached in the Central school-house for some time. Then through the kindness of the Rev. W. M. Burchfield and the church council of the Presbyterian Church, held their services in the Presbyte- rian church for about six months, then sub-rented Scalen's Hall from the "Sons of Temperance." This was in the fall of 1883. This little congregation continued to worship here until the 24th day of November, 1884, when they dedicated their fine brick church, on Scribner avenue, (second ward). The size of this edifice is seventy by forty, with spire 116 feet high ; total cost $7,500. The bell in the spire of this church weighs 1,500 lbs. and has a sweet and clear tone. The first church council elected were : Daniel Frack, Isaac Frantz, S. P. Nelson and J. A. Terpe. On April 20, 1884, a Sabbath-school
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was established by electing superintendent, Rev. J. H. Kline ; assistant super- intendent, A. J. Hetrick ; secretary, Joseph A. Terpe ; treasurer, H. S. Knarr. The school is in prosperous condition ; about seventy-five scholars. The Rev. J. H. Kline resigned (on account of ill health) in July, 1885. His resignation was accepted, and an invitation was extended to Rev. I. K. Wismer, of Phila- delphia, who came and preached a trial sermon on September 6. He was accepted and installed December 6, 1885. The present number of communi- cant members is 124. The organization has good prospects for the future.
Reformed Church .- In the year of 1880 a Reformed congregation, consist- ing of twelve or fifteen members, was organized at Du Bois by a committee of Clarion classis of the "Reformed Church in the United States." For nearly two years succeeding its organization, this little congregation had no regular pastor, but was supplied with preaching occasionally by Revs. A. K. Kline, H. King, J. M. Evans, and others. On February 1, 1882, the congregation was organized as a mission, and its first pastor was Rev. D. H. Leader, who entered upon his labors as a missionary. The congregation worshiped in the Central school building (old) up till spring of 1883 (when the school building was removed to make room for the new brick building). Upon an invitation of Rev. Burchfield and the council of the Presbyterian Church, the congrega- tion occupied the Presbyterian church till their own house of worship was com- pleted. Some steps looking toward the building of a church had already been taken, and on Thanksgiving day, November 30, 1882, a meeting of the con- gregation was held to move in the matter of securing ground for the building of a church and parsonage. An excellent lot located on High street, (second ward), was purchased from E. M. Kuntz, and Christmas afternoon, 1882, a building committee consisting of W. E. Pifer, Joseph Pentz, L. E. Weber and David Walburn, with the pastor as leader and chairman, was appointed to se- cure plans and proceed to build the church.
On June 1, 1883, the church was commenced and the corner stone was laid July 1, 1883. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. H. Apple, D. D., of Saegertown, Pa. On November 30, of the same year, it was completed at a cost of $5,200, of which about $800 is unpaid but provided for. It was dedi- cated December 2, 1883, at which service Rev. E. E. Higbee, D. D., State superintendent of public instruction, preached the sermon. Good fortune seemed to favor the enterprise, and in a short time the membership increased to thirty-five. On July I, 1884, Rev. D. H. Leader resigned, the charge re- maining vacant until February, 1885, when Rev. W. M. Andrews became the pastor, but who resigned within the same year. Losses in membership have been sustained by frequent removals, death and other causes. Notwithstand- ing these losses, however, the number of communicants (January, 1887) was thirty-eight. The present energetic and efficient pastor is R. E. Crum, who began his labors in this church June 1, 1886.
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A Sunday school in connection with the church was organized February 22, 1882, is in a growing condition and numbers about forty scholars.
The Protestant Episcopal Church .- At the instance and request of several members of the Protestant Episcopal church, residing in Du Bois, the Rev. Dr. J. H. Hopkins, of Williamsport, Pa., visited Du Bois in 1881, and held the first services after the manner and usages of the Episcopal church. The Presbyte- rian house of worship was kindly offered by the officers and minister in charge, and was afterwards several times used by visiting clergymen of the Episcopal Church. No regular weekly services were held until Rev. G. B. Van Waters was sent by Bishop Whitehead of the diocese of Pittsburgh, to take charge of the mission. Early in August, 1883, soon after his arrival, a subscription was started for the purpose of building a church. When a sufficient amount was pledged to justify the enterprise, work was begun and a church building soon campleted, costing about $2,600, located on a high, large and sightly lot, in the 3d ward, donated by the late John Du Bois. Rev. Van Waters continued in charge until Easter, 1885. From April until September, 1885, the church was without a regular minister, services being occasionally conducted by Rev. Joseph Barber, of Sugar Hill, Pa., and by a lay reader. Rev. H. Cruikshank took charge of the mission in September, '85, and who remains to the present time (1887). The present communicant membership is fifty-six, average at- tendance at Sunday-school is about fifty. The distinctive name of the organi- zation is " Church of Our Saviour."
Places of Amusement .- Mankind are always happier for having been happy; so that if you make them happy now, you make them happy many years hence by enjoyment of it. The people of Du Bois were not and are not exempt from the natural law above indicated, that " Mirth is the spice of life." Their first or earlier amusements were that of a Literary Society, which met over the storeroom of J. B. Ellis as early as 1874, with an occasional magic lantern, with Bible scenes, and comic views, or sometimes a strolling " Punch and Judy" performer. This state of affairs in the amusement circles lasted until 1879, when Eureka Hall, on Courtney street, was opened by Sig. Bosco, with a gift show in September of the same year. In 1880 a stock company built an opera house on Long street, which was opened in November, 1880, by the Alice Landon Combination, but was destroyed by fire the third night after its open- ing (the first large fire in town). Barrs's Hall, on Courtney street, was then transformed into a so-called opera house, with a stage so small and low that a tall actor would almost touch the " flies." It was used until 1883, when the Central Opera House was built by a stock company, of which L. A. Brady, L. Butler, J. M. Troxell, and Andrew Smith, and others, were the projectors and principal stockholders. Up to the opening of this large hall, with a seating capacity of nine hundred-ground floor-the plays were rather of an inferior order, as good troupes would not stop for want of a good house or hall. This
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house is located on Courtney street, near " Plank road," central Du Bois. It was opened on January 2, 1883, by the Gertrude Elliott Company, scoring a success from the start. Boyer & Hibner are the present (1887) managers. The Du Bois Opera House was built by the late millionaire lumberman, John Du Bois. The building was commenced in the spring of 1885, and completed in the fall of 1886. The seating capacity is 1,200 on the third floor and gallery. The stage is 32 by 58 feet, twenty-six feet opening, eight large and well fur- nished dressing-rooms, sixteen complete sets of scenery, and a full stock " set stuff." The auditorium is furnished with the Du Bois patent folding opera chair, lighted throughout with Edison incandescent light, heated by the Sturtevant Caloric system, which consists in fanning hot air from the Du Bois Iron Works by a seven-foot fan. Two of the best scenic artists in the United States were employed seven months getting up the scenery of this house. This opera house is located in East Du Bois, Third ward, near the A. V. depot, and is, without doubt, the finest in western Pennsylvania. It was opened on Decem- ber 4, 1886, by Lawrence Barrett in " Richelieu ;" E. B. Nettleton, manager.
Du Bois New Store .- In this connection we will mention Mr. Du Bois's new store rooms, as they are in the Opera House building, and complete the original and unique plan of the late Mr. John Du Bois. The building and fur- nishment stands to-day as he intended-the expression of his own idea. The building stands on a heavy stone foundation, 61 by 140 feet in size. The frame is made exceptionally strong, and is still further strengthened by heavy brick walls, cement covered, and painted in rectangular blocks to imitate stone. The store is divided into three aisles, the central one being nine feet between the counters, while the side aisles are seven feet wide. The main entrance is through heavy double doors on the north face of the building, on each side of which are large plate-glass show windows, each being 15 feet by 9 feet, and 5 feet deep. The cashier's desk is semi-circular in form, and stands at the end of the aisles, facing the center one. At the southwest corner is the elevator shaft, in which runs a handsome Marshall elevator, 6 by 42 feet, the motor being water and atmospheric pressure. The basement is a very large room used as a ware-room and meat market, etc. The second floor is divided into fourteen rooms-seven on each side of a seven foot hall, which runs through the entire length of the building. Four of these rooms form the suite of offi- ces for the general business of the firm, the remaining rooms being devoted to store purposes. Mr. C. R. Fowler is manager, and has been identified with the business since its inception in 1874. There are fifteen employees in connection with the store. The establishment is lighted throughout with the Edison in- candescent electric light.
Gymnasium Association .- Pursuant to a call or notice in the public prints, a meeting was held in the Central Opera House, August 4, 1885, to organize a gymnasium association. P. S. Weber was the temporary chairman, who
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tersely stated the object of the meeting, and the importance of physical exer- cise, and the benefits to be derived from an organization of this kind. The plan met with approval, and an organization effected by the election of the fol- lowing permanent officers: Frank Weiser, president; E. F. Vosburg, vice president ; W. S. Hollister, secretary ; J. P. Martin, assistant secretary, and J. E. Du Bois, treasurer. The first board of directors was composed of D. D. Delaney, D. E. Hibner, H. Landis, A. S. Moulthrop, and Hugh McCollough. The association started with about twenty-five members, but steadily and healthily grew to a present membership of over fifty. McCollough's Hall (First ward) was rented and properly equipped, which was occupied until January 1, 1887, when they moved into larger, more convenient and comfort- able quarters in Knarr's new brick block, on Courtney street (Second ward). The association has a reading room, to which its members have access at all times, on the tables of which can be found the best American periodical litera- ture, as well as foreign. The motto of the association is : " Mental improve- ment through physical development."
There is also an amateur dramatic club in connection with the association, composed of members of the gymnasium, which club rendered "Solon Shingle" in the Central Opera House on April 20, 1886. It proved a decided success, financially as well as otherwise, and they reproduced "Solon Shingle " in Brookville, Pa., in May, 1886, where another success was scored, winning the hearty good will and respect of all who favored the club with their patronage. The dramatic club of the association also rendered "Ten Nights in a Bar- room " on March 22, 1887, to a full and well pleased house, giving entire sat- isfaction. The association has a promising future, no debts, and 'a "snug " surplus in the treasury.
Bands .- The elements of music are in everything around us; they are found in every part of creation ; in the chirpings of the feathered choristers of nature ; in the voices or calls of various animals; in the melancholy sound of the waterfall, or the wild roar of the waves; in the hum of the distant multi- tudes, or the dying cadence falls lightly on the ears as it agitates the trees of the forest as when the hurricane sweeps around.
All these contain the rudiments of harmony, and may be easily supposed to have furnished the minds of intelligent creatures with such ideas of sound as time and the accumulated observations of succeeding ages could not fail to improve into a system. What ages passed before the full-fledged brass band was evolved would be hard to fix; suffice it to say that a band is now considered a necessity in every civilized community, and that Du Bois early realized the fact by starting out with a martial band known as "Daddy " Cummings's "sheep-skin " band, organized early in 1877. It kept its organi- zation for about three years. About the middle of July, 1877, an effort was made to organize a brass band. The elements which were to compose it could
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not agree, being millmen, miners, and others; the great struggle seemed to be about the name, some wanting one, and others another, which, however, was amicably settled at a " meeting and social dance " on " Island No. 10," near the present fair-ground, by the writer, in a speech, requesting that the new band should be called the " Excelsior," urging the organization to try and live up to its name, and advance higher and higher. A few seemed dissatisfied and formed a rival band, composed almost exclusively of miners, calling it the " Rochester " band. It prospered for several years with varied success and finally changed its name to " Dush " band, but the long strike in 1885 disin- tegrated it. The " Excelsior " too had its reverses ; it also reorganized in 1880, but retaining its old name, and in the fall of the same year it was the successful competitor for a silver cornet at the Jefferson county fair at Brook- ville, Pa. This success gave prestige and great popularity. In June, 1881, it was made a chartered institution, known as the " Excelsior Cornet Band As- sociation," but in the spring of 1883 it was " down " again, and was sold out, and disbanded for a few weeks, and again reorganized as " Excelsior Cornet Band of Du Bois," but tenaciously holding to " Excelsior," by which name it had gained the reputation as the best band in the entire country around. Its musical director is H. S. McCautry; its leader is John Stanton ; business manager, John Murphy. The organization is in good standing, has no debts, and a surplus in its treasury.
The " McCautry " band was organized in the spring of 1885, composed mainly of residents of the Third ward; it seemed to be on a fair way to success, but its life was too short to make much of a record, for it kept up its organi- zation only about one year.
The "Roscoe Orchestra" of the Roscoe brothers and others, deserves favorable mention, as it often furnishes music for theatrical troupes with honor to itself and delight to its audiences.
Manufacturing Interests .- Next in importance after the vast manufactur- ing interests of J. E. Du Bois, is the large tannery of Du Bois & Van Tassel Bros. It has been erroneously stated by some of the public prints that the entire concern is owned by John E. Du Bois. This is a mistake. Mr. Du Bois is simply a partner in the business, and the management is separate from the large business affairs of Mr. Du Bois. The tannery is located in the Third ward. It was erected in the summer of 1884, and commenced operations September I, the same year. It employs about seventy-five men, and has a capacity of one thousand hides per week. The production is what is known as " Rough " leather, and is finished ready for sale, and is principally sold to curriers in the city of Boston, Mass., who finally finisli it for the manufacture of ladies' shoes. This tannery uses all the hides which the surrounding coun- try supplies, but the great bulk comes from the West and Southwest, also occasionally from England and Germany. This firm employs all the latest
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improvements in their line, and is on a constant " look-out " for new and prac- tical machinery. The consumption of hemlock bark averages about seven thousand tons per year, at five dollars per ton. It is the intention of this firm to enlarge their tannery to double its present capacity during 1887.
Fuller's Mills .- In 1876 J. B. Shaffer (deceased, and who lost an arm in the erection of the Du Bois " Big Mill"), who was an experienced and expert mechanic, erected a nice and substantial saw and shingle- mill one hundred and four by thirty-two feet, two stories high. He did successful business up to the time of his death, which occurred several years later. This mill, known as the " Centennial " mill, with about thirty acres of " bottom " land was sold to Ha- mor & Kuntz, at Orphans' Court Sale, who in June, 1883, sold the mill with several acres of ground to Sydney Fuller, who remodeled the mill, putting in a circular saw, shingle, lath and picket machinery, also stave, broom, rake and fork-handle machinery; capacity per diem, 20,000 boards, 16,000 shingles, 5,000 lath, 3,000 pickets, and about 3,000 broom handles and 4,000 staves. In 1886 he built a planing-mill in connection with the saw-mill, which turns out flooring, siding and all kinds of planing-mill work. These mills run about two- thirds of the year, giving employment to a considerable number of men and boys. J. A. Tayler is general superintendent.
Sash and Door Factory .- The sash and door factory of Messrs. Barber & Scully was commenced in 1883, but owing to some difference with the late John Du Bois, bearing on the supply of rough lumber, they discontinued in the spring of 1886 and removed their machinery. The large and conveniently located factory building is now standing empty.
City Flouring Mills .- In 1873 Barr & Co.'s planing-mill was built. A few years later it was purchased by W. T. Ross, who remodeled it in 1879, mak- ing it a burr-system grist-mill. In 1884 he changed it into a " new process mill," and reconstructed it throughout by putting in a complete "gradual re- duction system " on rolls, with an average daily capacity of sixty bbls. flour, making what is known as " straight" grade flour, also all kinds of feed and meal. The power is furnished by a Bigler, Young & Co. fifty horse power en- gine. This mill enjoys shipping facilities second to none in the county, being provided with a private siding to its doors. Its supplies are principally brought from Buffalo and Chicago. The mill is situated in the first ward, near the B. R. & P. depot.
Wingert's Planing-Mill .- In the spring of 1882 there was a citizens' stock company organized and known as the "Du Bois Wood Manufacturing Co.," which never succeeded beyond the erection and operation of a planing-mill.
In 1884 Heberling Bros. bought up the stock and continued to operate it as a planing-mill. In the fall of 1885 Heberling Bros. sold to William Win- gert, who remodeled and improved it to some extent, stocking it with the re- quired rough lumber, running it till the end of '86, when he leased it to Walter
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Hatten, who now operates it as a planing-mill, doing all kinds of planing-mill work. The mill is located in first ward adjoining Bell, Lewis & Yates's coal yard.
ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.
Knights of Labor .- Eureka Assembly, No. 136, was instituted in 1875, and, as all assemblies at that time, its sessions were held secretly.
In January, 1878, the first general assembly met in Reading, Pa., and shortly after charters were granted to the different assemblies, and sessions were held openly. This assembly obtained its charter in June, 1879. In a few years the assembly had a membership of about three hundred, composed mostly of miners and mill men. A rupture brought it down to six members in good standing. This number held the charter by paying all the taxes to the general assembly till the seventh member, by a transfer card, was added, now making a legal quorum. Meetings were regularly held from that time forward, membership again began to grow, and at the present time this assem- bly has enrolled sixty members in good standing. Its membership is com- posed of the better class of miners, lumbermen, laborers, school teachers, merchants, etc., making it a very conservative assembly, owing to the diversi- fied interests it embraces; but on one point the members are radical and united, that is : " Arbitration and no strikes."
The assembly is in a healthy, growing condition, with fair future prospects. Place of meeting is in Knarr's new brick block, Courtney street, second ward.
I. O. O. F .- The Du Bois City Lodge, No. 951 I. O. O. F., applied for a charter in August, 1877. A charter was granted on September 5, and the lodge was instituted October 16, 1877, with twenty-four charter members, on the second floor, over Tracy & Barr's grocery, on Long street. June 10, 1881, it held its first meeting in the "Schwem Block," now "Loeb's," on the third floor. On December 10, 1886, it removed to the " Knarr " brick block, third floor, Courtney street, being one of the finest halls in the town. Its present membership is seventy-five. Officers when instituted (October 16, 1877), were: J. P. Taylor, N. G .; P. B. Weaver, V. G .; Ed. Cotter, secretary ; A. L. Hoy, assistant secretary ; W. G. Irvin, treasurer. The financial stand- ing of the order on October 31, 1886, was as follows: Money invested, $1,- 166.66 ; money in the treasury, $1,223.II ; furniture and regalia, $829.23. Total, $3,219.
Chivalric Lodge, No. 475 K. of P .- This order was instituted September 8, 1881. T. J. Boyer was the originator (in the town) and was elected its first presiding officer. Forty-one members were initiated on the day of its institu- tion. Its present membership is 104 ; number of deaths (during its institution to the present time) two. This order is based on " Damon and Pythias," and its origin dates to (immediately after) the close of the late war. Its object then
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was to again establish the feeling of fraternal love between the North and the South. A worthy object indeed !
G. A. R .- Early in the fall of 1881 Captain L. M. Truxal, J. A. Johnston, James Hines, and others, conceived the idea of organizing a "Post " of the G. A. R. in Du Bois. In October the same year a meeting was called for the purpose of making application, at which meeting the following names were signed on the application, viz. : Captain L. M. Truxal, Major James Hines, J. A. Johnston, Thomas J. Foster, Sylvester Moulthrop, A. M. Slack, D. D. Moore, R. T. McConaughy, D. W. Thurston, John McGinnis, Calvin Dixon, Henry Lindsay, Mortimer Farley, Isaac Hendricks, W. T. Ross, William M. McIntosh, T. W. Thorpe, William Thompson, John Crawford, and Andrew King. These names were engrossed on the charter. The post is called the "J. W. Easton Post," in honor of an old worthy and intelligent soldier, who enlisted in Company J, Pennsylvania Militia, on November 9, 1862, and was discharged July 28, 1863. He came to Du Bois in 1872, was a carpenter by trade, and died in 1878, respected by all. After the name had been chosen, the application was sent to headquarters at Philadelphia. The charter was granted on the 27th day of October, 1881. The first regular meeting was held in the " Odd Fellows Hall," November 5, 1881, at which time Captain L. M. Truxal was elected commander, and J. A. Johnston, adjutant. The organ- ization grew steadily until it increased to a membership of 124; but, through injudicious selection of officers, removals from town, deaths, etc., the member- ship was gradually reduced, so that, at the present time (January, 1887), it only numbers eighty. The financial standing of the order is good-no debts, and a surplus in the treasury.
S. of V .- This organization is of recent birth, but bids fair to become an enduring order in the United States. In point of time, other orders should take precedence in this narrative, but owing to its close connection with the G. A. R. (being an out-growth of the same), we give it space immediately after the G. A. R.
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