USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 52
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
S. Craig & Son, dealers in groceries. This store was established in 1865 by Samuel Craig, as a general store, until 1871, when Mr. Craig associated with him his son, W. F. Craig, until his death, 1885, since which time W. F. Craig has continued the business under the same firm name. This store is located in the Matson block.
Thomas K. Hastings, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; successor to A. B. McLain. This store was started in the McCracken building about 1872 by S. H. Smith, then moved to the Clements House block, and about 1876 A. B. McLain bought out Smith and removed to Central Hotel building. Mr. Mc- Lain sold his stock to T. K. Hastings, in February, 1885.
Joseph Caldwell, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; successor to Mrs. Robert Clements, who sold to Mr. Caldwell in January, 1884; located in McCracken Hall building, on Main street.
James M. Canning, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; established in May, 1876; located in Marlin Opera House building.
William F. Wanner, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. This store was started in the spring of 1866 by S. J. Marlin, who sold to Mr. Wanner in 1876. It is now located in White Hall building, Main street.
Taylor D. Rhines, dealer in groceries, flour, feed, etc. ; established in June, 1885; located in P. P. Blood's building, Main street.
Joshua Jones & Son, dealer in groceries, flour, fruits, etc. This store was started about 1877 by Mrs. C. E. Clements, who afterwards sold to D. Burns, and Burns disposed of the business in January, 1886, to the present firm ; located in East Main street.
James Braden & Company, dealers in groceries, flour, etc. This firm was first James Braden & Brother, who purchased the store from Alpheus Walker, in February, 1879. James F. Braden was associated with his father and uncle in the business, February, 1884, and the firm changed to James Braden & Co. This store is located in their own building, on Main street.
J. H. Rhodes & Son, dealers in groceries, flour, feed, etc. This business was established in 1873 by J. H. Rhodes and S. W. Smith, as Rhodes & Smith, and after Mr. Smith retired, Mr. Rhodes having associated his son, Harvey, with him in 1878, as Rhodes & Son ; located on corner of Barnett and Main streets.
Cummings & Morrison, dealers in groceries, flour, feed, etc. This store was started first by Miller & Stevens, who sold to WV. P. Sted, who in turn dis- posed of the goods to Campbell & McGiffin, in August, 1885, and in August, 1886, William Campbell bought the interest of his partner in the business. The present firm purchased from Mr. Campbell in 1887; located on Main street.
W. P. Steel, grocery, bakery and ice cream parlor ; started in 1883 ; lo- cated on Main street.
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HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE.
Levi Lerch, dealer in groceries, queensware, flour, feed, etc .; purchased the stock of Abram Snyder in 1877, which was then located on East Main street ; then removed to the Dougherty building, on site of present opera house, and from there, in 1883, to the Red Mill south of the iron bridge.
Daniel F. Hibbard, dealer in groceries, flour, feed, etc .; establishicd in 1877 ; located south of covered bridge, in Mabon's addition, South Side.
George H. Simpson, dealer in groceries, flour, etc. ; started in business in November, 1877 ; located in " Litchtown," East Side.
James P. Black & Son, dealers in groceries, flour, etc. ; established in April, 1882 ; located in Litchtown.
Charles Sitz, feed store ; started in fall of 1881 ; located in Litchtown.
George Zetler, dealer in groceries, flour, feed, etc. This business was es- tablished by James I. Brady & Co., May, 1885, and sold to Mr. Zetler, June, 1887 ; located at Longview.
William H. Zetler, grocery store; started in 1886 by D. W. Leitzell and sold to Mr. Zetler in June, 1887; located at Longview.
Joseph Henderson & Son, dealers in tinware and stoves; commenced busi- ness in fall of 1866; located in his own building, corner of Main and Barnett streets ; since 1876 the business has been conducted by Mr. Henderson, indi- vidually.
G. A. Pearsall & Son, dealers in hardware, successors to Long & Pearsall. This store was started June, 1867. Mr. J. E. Long retired from the firm Jan- uary, 1876, and in August, 1881, Mr. Pearsall associated his son, Elmer E., in the business with him; located in their own building on Main street.
Kennedy & Co., dealers in hardware. This store was first established by William Kennedy and M. H. Hall, under the firm name of Kennedy & Hall, in March, 1867. In August, 1873, Mr. Hall retired from the firm, and the business was conducted by William Kennedy until July, 1880, when Samuel Chambers became associated with Mr. Kennedy, and the firm is since known as Kennedy & Co. It was first located in the old Evans block, until the fall of 1873; then removed to Clements House, then to the present location in Marlin's Opera House building, November, 1883.
George Vanvleit, dealer in stoves, tinware, and hardware; successor to S. T. Dougherty. This store was first started by T. P. McCrea & Bro., in 1868, who disposed of it to Mr. Dougherty, in 1879, and the latter sold it to the present proprietor, December, 1880.
Rankin & Dunn, dealers in tinware, stoves, and hardware; successors to John Lutz, from whom they purchased the store in August, 1886; located in Brady building, East Main street.
Thompson & Chesnut, merchant tailors. The business was first started January, 1870, by M. C. and W. A. Thompson, the former retiring May, 1873. Then W. A. Thompson carried on the business until December, 1879, when
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
he formed a copartnership with J. M. Chesnut, as Thompson & Chesnut ; located in Bishop building, Main street.
C. P. O'Loughlin, merchant tailor. This business was first started by John J. Nyland, in 1876, who closed out in 1879, and worked for some time for George Vanvliet ; then the shop was opened by C. P. O'Loughlin, an appren- tice of Mr. Nyland, January, 1880 ; located in Matson building.
T. W. Chesnut, merchant tailor ; established April, 1885; located in Bonnet building, Pickering street.
J. L. Reicheter, merchant tailor ; established in spring of 1887 ; located in Verstine building, East Main street.
J. T. Carroll, boot and shoe shop ; first started in 1862; located in his own building, East Main street.
Enoch Loux, boot and shoe shop. This shop was started by H. S. Lithgo in the fall of 1867, and January, 1884, purchased by Mr. Loux; located on East Main street.
Thomas Wesley, boot and shoemaker; started in November, 1854; located on Pickering street.
John E. Carroll, boot and shoe shop; started October, 1883; located on Pickering street.
William Smith, boot and shoe shop ; successor to Glenn & Smith ; started in September, 1866. Mr. Glenn retired in April, 1886. Located on Main street.
Anthony Bonnet, gunsmith ; first commenced business in Brookville, in April, 1865 ; then removed to Clarion, April, 1868, returning to Brookville, March, 1882.
Ferdinand Warner, tannery ; built in 1875. The work done is generally what is called " share work," for farmers ; located in South Brookville.
Dentists .- Dr. C. W. Stebbins located in Brookville about 1860 and prac- ticed his profession as surgeon dentist until his death in 1882. His wife, now Mrs. C. Yeaney, who had mastered dentistry under the instruction of her hus- band, has carried on the business since his death. Her office is located in the McKnight building, Main street.
Dr. M. B. Lowry, surgeon dentist, came to Brookville about 1860, and has practiced here ever since. His two sons have adopted their father's profession, one being a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental College, and the other a stu- dent of that institution; located in the Guyther and Henderson building on Main street.
Dr. William G. Bishop, surgeon dentist, first located in Reynoldsville in 1874, and in 1883 established his office in Brookville, retaining his practice in the former place until 1885. He is located in the Bishop building, Main street.
F. W. Ingraham & Co., general agents for pianos, organs, etc. This agency was established November, 1873, by A. H. Steadman, who continued
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HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE.
the business until December 31, when he left Brookville, in order to accept a position with Whitney & Raymond, manufacturers of the United States organ, and general music dealers of Cleveland, O., aud is now a member of that firm. Mr. Steadman was succeeded by F. W. Ingraham and Peter B. Cowan, under the firm name of Ingraham & Cowan. October 1, 1886, Mr. Cowan retired from the firm, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Ingraham & Co., Mr. Ingraham being the manager. Since the agency was established, they have sold a large number of pianos and organs ; now located in White Hall building, Main street.
D. C. Whitehill, dealer in pianos and organs, sewing machines, etc .; busi- ness established July, 1886; located in Clark bank building.
John F. & G. E. Brown, general insurance agents, successors to C. O. Ham- mond. This agency was first established by McMurray & Weidner, who were succeeded by J. A. Scott. Then J. H. Maize assumed charge and formed a co-partnership with C. O. Hammond, as Maize & Hammond, and on Mr. Maize retiring from the firm the business was conducted by Mr. Hammond until his death, August, 1882, when John F. and G. E. Brown purchased the business , from the estate of the latter ; located in jail building.
N. G. Pinney, general insurance agent, came to Brookville in 1878 to solicit insurance for the agency of Samuel G. W. Brown, of Kittanning, and in 1880 started in the business for himself. He now represents ten large com- panies ; located in Marlin Opera House block.
Hamilton & Reed, general insurance agents, established September, 1882 ; office in the old " Red Lion " Hotel building.
Cabinet Manufactory, started in 1859 by Craig & Wilson. In May, 1879, Andrew Craig purchased the interest of his partner, Enoch Wilson. He was succeeded in 1881 by Haines Brothers. It is now owned by B. F. Haines, H. B. Craig, and Bartlett & Sons; located at foot of Jefferson street.
I. Aaron, dealer in furniture, etc. This business was established by O. Brown, and purchased from his estate by Mr. Aaron in 1883; located in Corbet building, West Main street.
L. R. Rousseau, upholsterer and carriage trimmer ; commenced in 1885 ; located in Rodgers block.
Carroll & Hamilton, harness manufactory. It was first started in 1867 by S. G. Newcom and James K. Hamilton, and in March, 1869, James K. Hamilton got entire control. Then in 1875 James T. Carroll was associated in the busi- ness. Mr. Hamilton has been in the harness and saddlery business since 1863, with the exception of three years- 1871-1874-that he was associated with Joshua Williams in the livery business. This shop is located in the old Red Line Hotel building, Main street.
Smathers & De Haven, saddlery and harness. C. Smathers first started in the harness business with the late Colonel Charles Mclain, as McLain &
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Smathers, and in 1858 sold to McLain, who managed the shop until he went into the army. Mr. Smathers has been running the present shop for about eighteen years, and in 1881 associated with him John H. De Haven; location on Main street.
Samuel Frank, saddlery and harness making, started March, 1874; located in Brady building, East Main street.
The first foundry was built on the northwest corner of Main and Valley streets, on site of McCracken Hall building, by a man named Coleman, in 1841, who in a short time sold to Evan Evans, who in turn sold to Wilkins & Cor- bet, who moved it to the location now occupied by the foundry of Edwin English. They operated it for a while and then sold to John Gallagher and George Mclaughlin who, in 1850, sold to the present proprietors, Edwin and Daniel English. Since 1855 the former has owned and operated the property. This foundry was first run by water-power, supplied by a dam built for the purpose, but the water supply not proving adequate, horse-power was substi tuted.
After the foundry was removed to Water street, Snyder & Adams, in 1857, started a blacksmith shop on the same site on Main street, which they con- tinued about a year, when Mr. Adams retired, and the shop was continued for some time by Mr. Snyder. Mr. Wilson Adams, who came to Brookville in 1851, carried on the blacksmithing for about twelve years. He still resides in Brookville.
In 1853 the Washington foundry and machine-shop was built by J. P. Wann and Patrick McTaffe. They commenced the manufacture of plows, stoves, etc, and done mill repairing. In 1857 McTaffe sold his interest to Orlando Brown, who, at that time, resided in Angelica, Allegany county, N. Y. The same year Mr. Brown came to Brookville with part of his family, consisting of wife and two children, Orlando H. and Carrie-now Mrs. J. E. Long. He brought with him new machinery and men skilled in mechanical arts and put new life into the foundry and machine business. The other son, James L., came to Brookville in 1858 from the West, and went to work for Wann & Brown as an apprentice. The principal business was building circular saw-mills and repairing. Having no railroad connection nearer than Kittan- ning, most all the goods came by boat from Pittsburgh to Mahoning. At the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, stagnation followed in all branches of business. The foundry and machine-shop was closed for six months or over, with nothing to do and no men to work, as most every able-bodied man that could stand the hardships had enlisted, either in the three months' call for vol- unteers or for a longer period. The finding of the Seneca oil, or petroleum, on Oil Creek, opened up a new industry. The excitement attending the dis- covery created a demand for machinery, engine and boiler and boring tools. The business, at that time in its infancy, had to be created. Mr. Brown de-
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HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE.
signed and built an eight-horse-power engine and boiler for the oil trade; five and six-horse-power was considered ample to handle the heaviest tools at that time and to bore a well to the required depth.
In 1863 James L. Brown leased Mr. Wann's interest for one year. At the expiration of time of lease he bought Mr. Wann's interest in the foundry and machine business. In 1864 the partnership of Brown & Son was changed to Brown, Son & Co., having taken in Mr. John P. Roth as equal partner. By that time the business had increased to justify enlarging their works and by putting in new machinery, making a specialty on engines and boilers, gang and circular saw- mills. In 1875 the entire property was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt immediately and put into successful operations, when Mr. Brown disposed of his interest to W. H. Jenks, son of Judge W. P. Jenks. In 1877 the new works were again destroyed by fire, this time consuming the entire plant, except the foundry. Messrs. Brown & Roth then sold the relics to W. H. Jenks, who rebuilt in 1878, and at the present time is manufacturing engines and boilers. The celebrated Hercules Turbine water-wheel, which is known all over the world as one of the most powerful wheels of its size ever produced, giving the best percentage at part and whole gate, was manufac- tured by Brown, Son & Co., where all the minute details were conceived and brought out by the patentees-James L. Brown and John B. McCormick. The sole manufacturers of the Hercules wheel are the Holyoke Machine Com- pany, of Holyoke, Mass., and at Worcester, Mass. The Hercules wheel is used in Italy, France and Germany. Mr. Jenks, who is a graduate of Yale College, has made mechanics his study. In 1886 he enlarged his shops, which are all built of brick in the most approved style.
Machinery Hall .- C. A. and C. F. Carrier, dealers in all kinds of agricul- tural implements, hardware, stoves and tinware, commenced June, 1886; lo- cated in the old Rink building, Main street.
Shoe Manufactory, George W. Stewart, proprietor, established autumn of 1886; located in Arthur's building, Main Street. The capacity of the manu- factory is four hundred pairs of shoes per day, employing twenty-seven men.
Singer Manufacturing Company, J. P. Lucas, agent. This agency was first established by A. L. Schnell, who sold the Singer sewing machines from 1866 until 1879. He was succeeded by W. H. Dunlap, who was in charge until the winter of 1885. Since April, 1886, J. P. Lucas has had this agency. Since 1879 they have sold over twenty-five hundred machines.
Marble Manufactory, John S. Moore, proprietor ; started February, 1872 ; located in his own building, East Main street.
Carriage manufactory, M. G. Murphy ; started in 1874; located in rear of Opera House building. Mr. Murphy has worked at his trade in Brookville since 1870.
Andrew Stefl, wagon-maker, commenced business March, 1864; located on East Main street.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
E. Snyder & Son, blacksmiths. Mr. E. Snyder first began the blacksmith- ing business in Brookville in 1857, and has been constantly engaged in the same, with the exception of from 1872 to 1876, when he was in the livery business. He associated his son, George W. Snyder, with him in 1876. Their shop is located in their own building, East Main street.
Robert R. Brady, blacksmith, commenced in Brookville in 1851, having worked about two years at Port Barnett, where he first located in 1849. W. E. Snyder has been associated with him since February, 1885 ; located in Mr. Brady's own building, east end of Main Street.
Abram Snyder, blacksmith, came to Brookville in the fall of 1852 and formed a partnership with William Stewart, which only continued about nine months. He was in the grocery business from 1865 to 1877, starting the first regular grocery store in the town. Since 1877 he has been in the blacksmith- ing business ; located on Valley street, north end of iron bridge.
J. C. Snyder, general blacksmith This shop was started in 1873 by D. G. Gourley and Charles Harris, J. C. Snyder taking the place of Mr. Harris, who removed from Brookville in 1880. In 1881 Mr. Gourley also retired, and then Mr. Snyder alone conducted it until 1884, when he associated his brother with him, and ran the business as J. C. Snyder & Brother until 1886, since which time he has had control himself. In 1873 M. G. Murphy and J. S. Van Buskirk had a carriage manufactory in connection with this shop. Since 1878 George H. Grove has had charge of the wood work department, while J. S. Van Buskirk attends to the painting ; located on Barnett street.
T. K. Snyder's blacksmith-shop, started in 1858 or 1859, by D. C. Riggs ; then by Arad Pearsall. In 1862 Samuel W. Snyder purchased it, and upon his death, in July, 1886, he was succeeded by his son, T. K. Snyder ; located in Litchtown.
Warren P. Bowdish, blacksmith and wagon-shop, started in 1884; located in Litchtown. Mr. Bowdish has worked at his trade in Brookville since 1856.
John Engle, blacksmith and machinist, located in Brookville in 1858, formed a partnership in 1867 with James L. Whitman, under the firm name of Engle & Whitman. Whitman retired in 1869, and from 1870 until 1876 he was associated in the manufacturing of carriages, buggies, etc., in connection with blacksmithing, with Daniel Barns, and since 1886, has been engaged in a machine-shop with James Brick, as Engle & Brick.
A. E. Smith, plumber and gas-fitter, commenced September, 1884.
D. G. Gourley, blacksmith and wagon-maker, present shop started May, 1884; location Water street. Mr. Gourley with J. J. Patterson is engaged in the sale of the Kramer wagon and buggies.
Daniel Long, blacksmith and machinist and gunsmith, came to Brookville in 1848, and learned his trade with his uncle, William McCullough, and in 1856, started a shop of his own, which he ran until May, 1863, when he went to work
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HISTORY OF BROOKVILLE.
in the foundry of Brown & Wann, doing the forging and machine work He remained in this establishment during all the changes that took place in the management, until 1880, when he started a shop for himself on his own prop- erty, corner of Jefferson and Barnett streets.
Thomas K. Litch & Sons. This is one of the largest lumber firms in Jeffer- son county. The first mill on the site of these mills was erected in 1830, by Robert P. Barr. The grist-mill was erected in 1833, the carpenter work be- ing done by Richard Arthurs, and the roofing by Luther Geer, sr. This was the last work of the kind done by Mr. Arthurs, before he commenced to read law.
In 1850 Thomas K. Litch purchased the property of Mr. Barr, and soon erected a new saw-mill. In 1856 both saw-mills were burned down, but were almost immediately replaced by a large steam mill, with a capacity of three million feet of boards per annum. The grist-mill was rebuilt in 1869-70, and soon after a tub and bucket factory was erected. The latter is not now in opera- tion. Mr. Litch was the indefatigable manager of his own vast business interests as long as his health would admit, and at his death, which occurred August 14, 1882, he was succeeded by his wife and sons in the management of the business. The firm which still retains the old name of the T. K. Litch & Sons, is com- prised of Mrs. T. K. Litch and her three sons, Thomas W., Harry C. and Ed- ward A. Litch. The firm cut about five million feet of lumber each year, and at this rate of cutting it will be fully twenty years before they will cause the last tree on their land to fall. They work oak, pine and hemlock timber, and manufacture lumber, lath and shingles. Bridge and building timber, however, is their specialty. Their mills and yards are situated near the mouth of the North Fork, where they occupy about ten acres of ground. In 1884, at a cost of $25,000, they erected a saw-mill fitted with the finest of modern improve- ments, and having capacity for cutting fifty thousand feet per day, it being one of two mills in this country having what is called the steam feed, the motive power consisting of an 18x24 inch Corliss engine, and a battery of three large boilers. The firm ship principally to Pittsburgh, where they have an office un- der the management of Joseph B. Eaton, a nephew of Mrs. Litch; but they send a large share of their output to Philadelphia. When Mr. Thomas K. Litch first came to Brookville, he brought with him from Pittsburgh, Mr. Silas, Miller, who has ever since been the firm's faithful engineer. Among those who were for many years in Mr. Litch's employ were John D. Smith, Charles Sitz, and William Goss. The large flouring mill is now under the management of Mr. B. F. Haines. The biographical sketch of Mr. Litch will be found elsewhere in this volume.
The Blaine Mill .- This mill was built in 1882 by James E. Long and A. J. Brady, and has since been operated by Long & Brady. It is situated at the mouth of the Five Mile Run, on Sandy Lick, near Longview, and cuts from
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
three million to five million feet of boards, and one million lath per year, be- sides manufacturing fence pickets, etc. The firm controls seven thousand one hundred and thirty acres of timber land, upon which there is enough timber to supply the mill for twenty-five years. Of these lands five thousand seven hun- dred acres is owned by J. E. Long & Son, Charles Corbet and L. A. Brady, and the balance by Brady & Long. The mill-site was purchased from R. D. Taylor and others.
The firm of Marlin Brothers, composed of Silas J. and W. D. J. Marlin, was formed in November, 1872, at which time they purchased of Newton Tay- lor two tracts of land situated in Union and Eldred townships, containing about three hundred and fifty acres on which was erected a good steam saw-mill, two or three dwelling houses, barns and other buildings ; besides this they also got the timber on some other tracts, for which they paid $35,000. They went to work that fall and, up to 1886, cut, manufactured and marketed, about one million feet of pine and hemlock lumber a year. The price of lumber being low, the mill was allowed to stand during the summer of 1886, but was stocked and started up in the spring of 1887. They expect to finish up on this tract in about two years more. The firm own a valuable tract of timber and coal land in Winslow township, the lumber from which they will probably manufacture after they are through on Mill Creek, if they don't dispose of it before that time.
The Marlin Opera House building was erected by S. J. Marlin, in 1883. Besides the large and elegantly fitted up opera house, with a seating capacity of over nine hundred, the building contains six large store-rooms and eleven offices.
E. Hall & Son, manufacturers and shippers of rough and dressed lumber, etc. Enoch Hall and Charles B. McCain built the planing-mill in the fall of 1869, and commenced working lumber April, 1870. E. Hall bought the in- terest of his partner in the establishment in December, 1870, and then formed a copartnership with his son, Clarence R. Hall, as E. Hall & Son. This firm manufactures lath, shingles, sash, doors, mouldings, etc., and besides their home trade ship extensively both rough and dressed lumber. Their mill is situated on the old depot road, west of the iron bridge.
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