History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 41

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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FIRST STORES.

The first store east of Lycoming creek, before Williamsport was laid out, was opened by William Hepburn and Samuel E. Grier about 1790, on the Deer Park farm, at the foot of what is now Park street, near where Judge Hepburn afterwards built his brick residence, which is still standing.

William Wilson opened the first store in Williamsport in 1801. It occupied a site on Third street, at the corner of South alley. Andrew D. Hepburn was the second storekeeper. He commenced business June 2, 1802, when quite a young man. He was a son of James Hepburn, the owner of the Mount Joy tract of land on the western boundary of the town, and was born at Northumberland, March 10, 1784. He came here probably to look after the estate of his father. Andrew D. Hepburn became quite prominent in the town. He served as county treasurer from 1806 to 1808, and was frequently appointed by the court to serve on road views and as commissioner in the division of townships. In fact, the name of no one of the time appears oftener in the records. He married Martha Huston, by whom he had seven sons and four daughters. She died, February 6, 1852, and her husband fol- lowed her March 6, 1861.

The first druggist was Henry Lenhart, who, in 1815, opened a drug store on the southeast corner of Third and Pine streets, where, in 1811, he had his hat shop. There are twenty-two drug stores in the city now.

SIXTY YEARS AGO.

To show the progress that has been made it may be mentioned that in 1830 there were only ten brick buildings in Williamsport, including the courthouse. They were located as follows: Octagon building, adjoining the present residence of John B. Hall, on West Third street, which was built for an academy; the court house grounds had not been graded, but were inclosed by a high rough board fence, which was much dilapidated; a small brick on the corner of Pine and Willow streets; brick hotel, "Sign of the Buck," Maj. James H. Huling, proprietor, on the site of the present First National Bank; a small brick east of the hotel; two-story brick, south- west corner of Third and Market; two-story brick on Mussina's corner, then owned by William Wilson; two-story brick on the corner now occupied by Kline's hard-

337

WILLIAMSPORT.

ware store, and the little brick law office of Andrew Tulloh, on Front street. There were no three-story buildings with magnificent fronts, such as we see to-day; few pavements or walks were laid and pedestrians had to make their way through the streets as best they could. There were but two churches, both unfinished-Pine street, and the stone church used by the German Reformed congregation. The Presbyterians held services in the court house. Third street terminated at West street. Academy street was the eastern limit of the borough, and the woods extended to where the railroad now crosses East Third street. Buildings were scattered " and far between." A frame honse stood on what is now the site of the "Old Eagle Hotel," and a small law office belonging to Robert Fleming was perched on the corner now occupied by the store of L. L. Stearns & Sons. This lot was after- wards occupied by the City Hotel, and at the time Fleming occupied it could have been bought for $300. The whole square had previously been purchased by Robert McClure for $400. Above this corner, on Pine street, there were very few build- ings, and the street terminated at the Ross graveyard-all beyond this point were fields and timber. There were no public improvements, no saw or other mills nearer than Loyalsock and Lycoming creeks. The only saw mill was the one owned by Cul- bertson at what is now Du Boistown. It was a small affair and could only run two and three months in the year on account of water. At this time the tax laid for borough purposes was $250!

In October, 1830, Jacob L. Mussina began the jewelry business on the south side of Third street and Market square in a small frame shop. In 1831 he put up a one-story shop on Pine street, on the site of the West Branch Bank; and in 1845 he purchased a small brick building on the northeast corner of Market square, where he carried on business for thirteen years and prospered. In 1858 he took down the old building and erected the three-story brick which is still standing, and in which his son Sylvester now carries on a large jewelry business.

Mr. Mussina was a mechanical genius, a fine mathematician, a splendid work- man, and greatly respected. He was of Polish origin, and was born in Aaronsburg, Centre county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1807. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age, he learned the trade of a watchmaker, and followed it to the close. March 18, 1834, he married Jerusha P. Bailey, of Williamsport, and five sons and three daughters blessed the union. One of the sons, J. Wood, is now president of the Merchants' National Bank. When the telegraph was introduced in Williamsport Mr. Mussiua became the first operator and sent the first message over the wires to Philadelphia, August 14, 1851. It contained twenty-seven words and cost thirty- seven cents. He also opened the first daguerreotype gallery in 1842. For many years he held various positions of trust both in civil and religious lines. He was a justice of the peace for ten years, and for over thirty years trustee and secretary of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, and for forty-three years he served as clerk to the return judges of the elections. He retired from business in 1866, and his death occurred January 8, 1888, in the eighty-first year of his age.

In 1831 Jacob C. Welper, noted for his eccentricities, erected a two-story stone building on what is now the site of Mayor Keller's hardware store. He had a red line about a foot wide painted around the house, just below the second story windows. This building was long used as a cigar manufactory, and it was a landmark until the march of improvement caused it to be removed for the present brick structure.

338

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

By act of April 11, 1840, Williamsport, for the first time, was authorized to have a licensed auctioneer. Previous to this sales were conducted by any one who had tact for the business by public outcry.

On the 24th of July, 1841, John Wise, the famous balloonist, made an ascension from Williamsport which attracted the attention of the people for miles around. It was his thirtieth ascension and was witnessed by hundreds of spectators. The balloon rose gracefully to a great height and then sailed over Bald Eagle mountain and was soon lost to view. He descended in White Deer valley, landing in front of the house of Mr. Deeter, badly frightening two women, who were the only inmates. Mr. Wise succeeded in convincing them that he was not an evil spirit, when they came out and viewed the wonder. The inhabitants of the valley soon collected in force to gaze upon what was regarded as a great curiosity. After taking supper with Mrs. Shaffer the balloonist returned to Williamsport the same evening, followed by his airship on a wagon.

CHAPTER XXI.

WILLIAMSPORT (CONTINUED).

BOROUGH ORGANIZATION-CITY GOVERNMENT-WILLIAMSPORT AND NEWBERRY POSTOFFICES-

GREAT FLOODS-EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT-FLOUR MILLS, DISTILLERIES, AND TANNERIES-FOUNDRIES AND MACHINE SHOPS-THE LUMBER INDUSTRY-SUSQUEHANNA BOOM COMPANY-RIVER DAMS-LUMBER RIOTS-LUMBERMEN'S EXCHANGE-FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS-MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURERS-FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-WATER, GAS, ELECTRIC LIGHT, AND STEAM COMPANIES-TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE FACILITIES STREET RAILWAY-OPERA HOUSE-A FAVORITE PLACE FOR CONVENTIONS-MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS-SECRET SOCIETIES.

THE act incorporating Williamsport as a borough was approved by Gov. - Thomas Mckean, March 1, 1806, and its material points are given herewith from the official record:

Be it, etc., That the town of Williamsport, iu the county of Lycoming, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into a borough which shall be called " The Borough of Williamsport," and shall be comprised with the following bounds: Beginning at the West Branch of the river Susquehanna; thence N. 31° W. 150 feet to the northeast corner of East and Front streets; thence along East street including the same N. 31° W. 1,994 feet to a point on Michael Ross's land; thence S. 59° W. 556 feet to the northwest corner of Mulberry and North streets; thence along North street including the same S. 59° W. 1,448 feet to the northeast corner of Williams and North streets; thence S. 59° W. 556 feet to a post on James Hepburn's land; thence S. 31° E. 1,062 feet to the southwest corner of West and Third (or Maiu) streets; thence along West street including the same S. 31° E. 932 feet to the northwest corner of West and Front streets; thence S. 31° E. 240 feet to the river; thence down the same the different courses and distances thereof to the place of beginning.

And be it etc., That it shall and may be lawful for all persons having resided within the said borough six months next preceding the election, and being entitled to vote for members of the

341

WILLIAMSPORT.

General Assembly on the first Monday of May, in each and every year hereafter, to meet in the court house in said borough, and then and there elect by ballot between the hours of 12 and 6 o'clock in the evening, one reputable citizen therein who shall be styled " The Burgess of the Borough," and five reputable citizens to be a town council, and shall elect a high constable.

Sec. 3 declares that the burgess and town council "and their successors forever," shall be one body politic and corporate in law by the name of "The Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Williamsport, in the county of Lycoming," and shall have perpetual succession forever.

Sec. 4 enjoins that if any person shall be elected burgess or councilman, and, after official notification shall refuse or neglect to act, he shall be fined $20 for the use of the corporation.

Williamsport remained a borough from 1806 to 1866, a period of sixty years, and according to law elected a chief burgess every year. But the most diligent search has failed to develop who her burgesses were for thirty-eight years. On account of fires and floods the early records have been lost. The records that have been pre- served show the following burgesses up to the time borough government ceased: 1844, Joseph B. Anthony; 1845, Adolphus D. Wilson; 1846-47, A. J. Little; 1848-49, Hepburn McClure; 1851-53, Thomas W. Lloyd; 1854-56, Elisha Covert; 1857, W. W. Willard; 1858, Hepburn McClure; 1859-61, S. M. Crans; 1862, Hiram Mudge; 1863-66, S. M. Crans.

CITY GOVERNMENT.

It was not until after 1850 that the borough of Williamsport began to show signs of rapid improvement. The population was then only 1,615; but in 1860 it had jumped up to 5,664, and the outlook was very encouraging. The lumber business, which afterwards proved to be such a powerful factor in the progress of the town, was just beginning to develop. In 1853, a restless, irrepressible, and progressive man, Peter Herdic, settled in the borough, and his presence soon infused new life into every branch of business. He projected all kinds of improvements, built houses and mills, and proclaimed that a new era was about to dawn in Williams- port. He was sleepless and untiring-imbued with a marvelous spirit of enterprise -and endowed with a keenness of perception that won both admiration and envy; he forged ahead and drew the lumbering car of fogyism after him in spite of every effort on the part of many to hold it back, until it became apparent to all that there was to be a new Williamsport.

In 1866 he was instrumental in having an act passed incorporating Williamsport as a city. It was approved January 15, 1866, and the old borough, which had existed for sixty years, passed away. The act defining the first boundaries of the city reads:

By extending the northern boundary line of the former borough of Williamsport in a straight line west to Lycoming creek; thence down said creek in a southerly direction, the several courses and distances, to the West Branch of the Susquehanna river; thence easterly along the northern bank of said river to the southwestern corner of the boundary of the former borough of Williamsport.

After defining the duties of the officers of the new corporation, the act divided the city into four wards, as follows: East, Centre, West, and Lycoming. The three

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

first were to remain as first laid out by the borough; Lycoming ward was to em- brace all the territory west of the former west boundary of the borough. An elec- tion for mayor was provided to be held on the third Wednesday of May, 1866. With this new condition came a higher order of municipal organization. The last burgess was Samuel M. Crans, and the first mayor was Maj. James M. Wood, who was elected May 17, 1866, his competitor being the last burgess.

The act provided, furthermore, that whenever fifteen or more freeholders residing on lands adjacent to the city desired to be annexed, they could petition council, which was authorized to admit them.

In the winter of 1866 a few citizens of Newberry submitted a petition to the grand jury praying to have a borough organized, the limits to be from Lycoming creek west to the lands of D. W. Foresman, and from the river north to the Williamsport public road. Several farmers on the "Long Reach," fearing to be left out, and seeing the advantages of the taxable property in the proposed borough, opposed the movement with a petition, signed by a number in the surrounding country. The grand jury reported against the borough applicants. In the mean- time another petition was prepared, in which it was proposed to make the north line of the Dodge property the southern line of the borough; and the western boundary the eastern line of the Reighard farm. Much feeling among the parties was engendered and it was difficult to agree on any lines. Before the grand jury met Peter Herdic and Thomas Updegraff had a petition prepared and presented to the city council praying that the "adjacent " territory west of Lycoming creek be annexed to the city in accordance with the provisions of the act of incorporation. Common council voted in favor of the appeal, but the select branch opposed it. That stopped proceedings in council, but Herdic with his fertility of resource soon conceived another plan. At that time S. C. Wingard was the member of Assembly from this district, and Herdic to succeed in his scheme secured the old petition, tore off the names of the signers and had a new petition written praying to have the territory west of the creek annexed to the city, to which he attached the names, and it was forwarded to Mr. Wingard. As the signers were . well known Mr. Wingard had the annexation bill promptly passed. There being no objection, as the citizens were not aware of what had been done, Governor Geary approved the bill, March 21, 1867. The clause of annexation is as follows:

Beginning at the southeast corner of the farm of H. C. Packer on Market street; thence in a northerly course by line of said farm to a point opposite the south side of Gilmore's lane; thence in an easterly course along the south side of said lane, and by a line in the same course to the west side of the farm of Samuel H. Lloyd; thence by the several lines of said farm and the line of the late borough of Williamsport to the West Branch of the Susquehanna river; thence westwardly along said river to the eastern line of Woodward township; thence north- erly along said eastern line until it intersects a line extended from the northern boundary of said city, as it is now established, and in range therewith; thence eastwardly along said extended line, and the northern boundary, to the place of beginning.

Any one acquainted with the territory can see, by following the line, how adroitly the work of annexation was accomplished without mentioning the name of the pop- ulous district west of Lycoming creek that it was designed to secure by legislative enactment. It is needless to add that many of the Newburyites, and especially the farmers living along the river above the town, were indignant when they found themselves living in an incorporated city without their consent.

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WILLIAMSPORT.

By this bit of "sharp practice," to use no harsher phrase, old Newbury, Jays- burg, and a vast territory west of the creek, became a part of the city, and to this day there is a feeling of jealousy between the citizens above and below the rail- roads in Newbury, while many members of both factions unite in denouncing the method employed by Herdic to annex them.

By this last act the city was divided into seven wards, as follows: All that part east of Vanderbelt, Penn, and Henry streets, to constitute the First ward; all east of Market and west of Vanderbelt, Penn, and Henry, the Second ward; east of Hepburn and west of Market, the Third ward; west of Hepburn, north of Fourth, and east of Fifth avenue, the Fourth ward; south of Fourth, west of Hepburn, and east of Park, the Fifth ward; west of Park and Fifth avenue, known as Woodward lane, and east of the eastern bank of Lycoming creek, the Sixth ward; all west of Lycoming creek, the Seventh ward.

No further change occurred until 1878, when the Second ward was divided, by making all that part north of Fourth street the Eighth ward. No further divisions occurred until December 5, 1891, when the First and Sixth wards were divided by decree of court, after the electors had so requested by vote. These divisions were demanded by the increase of population, which made it difficult to receive and count the votes at elections in a reasonable time. The city is now divided into ten wards, but a view has been held for the purpose of dividing the Seventh ward, ( Newberry , ) and a favorable report was made in June, 1892.

The area of territory within the city limits is about seven square miles, or 4,500 acres; and it is divided almost equally east and west by Lycoming creek, which forms the boundary between the Sixth and Seventh wards. The city engineer re- ports the total number of miles of paved and unpaved streets, roads, and alleys within the city boundaries, at seventy-five and one-half miles. The site of the city is mainly a bench in the river valley, on the north side of the stream, which consists of loose river debris to a considerable depth. This bench or river plain slopes grad- ually up to the hills north of the city, which rise to a height of 800 to 850 feet above the river. Williamsport lies in latitude 41° 14', and one minute west of the merid- ian of Washington. The lowest step of the court house is 505.4 feet above the level of the sea.

The first mayor under the city charter was Maj. J. M. Wood, elected May 17, 1866. His successor was William F. Logan, elected May 15, 1867; re-elected, May 20, 1868. An act of Assembly passed this year required all "city, ward, borough, and township elections to be held on the second Tuesday of October" following, and provided "that officers whose terms expire shall hold over." Under this law Mayor Logan held over until October, making his term of office a year and nearly five months.

The fourth election was a very exciting one. Peter Herdic and H. C. Parsons were the candidates. Herdic spent money lavishly and was elected by 816 majority. It was generally believed at the time that his triumph cost him $20,000. In the heat of the campaign it was not an uncommon thing for saloon keepers to find ten and twenty dollar bills among their bottles on the bar. How they got there no one seemed to know, but that they were put there for a purpose was apparent. Herdic's administration was a lively one and many curious things were done.

344

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

A new law relating to the city, approved March 22, 1870, required city elections to be held on the second Monday of May each year thereafter. It was also provided that officers should hold over.

Maj. James H. Perkins succeeded Peter Herdic, May 9, 1871. His successor was S. W. Starkweather, elected May 14, 1872, and re-elected in May, 1873. The lumber riots occurred during the first year of his administration.

The time for holding elections was again changed by the passage of a supple- ment to the election law, which required city, borough, and township elections to be held on the second Tuesday of February .. Under this act Martin Powell was elected the eighth mayor, February 17, 1874, and re-elected in 1875. In the tenth contest ex-Mayor Starkweather was elected, February 15, 1876.

By the passage of the " Wallace law," the office of controller and treasurer was created and the term of the mayor extended to two years. Ex-Mayor Logan was elected, February 19, 1878, for the third time. He was succeeded by F. H. Keller, February 17, 1880. His successors have been as follows: H. C. Parsons, February 21, 1882; S. M. Crans, February 16, 1884; William N. Jones, February 16, 1886; James S. Foresman, February 21, 1888; F. H. Keller, for the second time, February 18, 1890. The act of May 23, 1889, extended the term of the mayor to three years.

The almshouse is located a short distance north of the city, where those unable to care for themselves find a home. As it belongs to the city it is under the direction of the overseers thereof. The county proper has no institution of the kind and each township therefore has to care for its own indigent. The question of building a poor house has often been discussed, but it has never been carried out. As early as October 14, 1851, a vote was taken by the county "for and against" a proposition to erect a poor house. It resulted: For poor house, 1,560; against, 1,996. Years afterwards the question was discussed again, but nothing came of it. The overseers of the city have at times talked about buying a large farm and erecting buildings, where the paupers who were able could be used in cultivating it, but it never has been carried out, and the overseers have been content with the present cheap, inadequate quarters.

WILLIAMSPORT AND NEWBERRY POSTOFFICES.

In 1799, when the commissioners commenced to build the jail, there was no postoffice in Williamsport. The nearest office was at Northumberland, nearly forty miles away. Application was at once made to the department and orders were issued to open an office at Williamsport. The date of the appointment of each postmaster from that time to the present is as follows: Samuel E. Grier, August 12, 1799; Henry Hughes, April 20, 1819; Hepburn McClure, May 18, 1839; Joseph K. Fred- erick, July 1, 1841; Joseph S. Titus, Angust 30, 1843; J. J. Ayres, July 29, 1845; Channcey Donaldson, May 8, 1849; Charles Kalbus, January 6, 1852; Jacob S. Maxwell, May 5, 1853; Theodore Wright, January 12, 1855; Thomas Throp, Sep- tember 3, 1855; John R. Campbell, April 30, 1861; Horace E. Taylor, August 8, 1865; Jacob Sallade, August 27, 1866; J. J. Ayres, April 20, 1867; John S. Graf- ius, April 5, 1869; Robert Hawley, July 30, 1869; Frank J. Burrows, January 19, 1882; William F. Logan, February 10, 1886; John B. Emery, present incumbent, March 25, 1890.

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WILLIAMSPORT.

The two first appointees held the office about twenty years each. Henry Hughes lived in a log house on East Third street, where he kept a hotel. It is now owned by Mrs. Toner, and a saloon occupies one end of the building. In the saloon part the postoffice was kept. Hughes had a corner of the bar room enclosed when he kept the office.

When Hepburn McClure succeeded Hughes he removed the office to a building which stood on the site of Hicks's book store. He introduced letter boxes and made other improvements. At that time the daily mail matter was carried in a pair of saddle bags!

Of the twenty-two postmasters who have served the people of Williamsport for ninety-two years, one-half are deceased. One of the survivors, Theodore Wright, has been chief editor of the Philadelphia Record for ten years or more.

The following table of receipts of the office from 1800 to 1891, together with the gradual increase of salary, shows the growth of the postal business of Williamsport in nine years less than a century :

Calendar years.

Gross receipts. Compensation.

1800.

87 52

S 30 88

1810.

125 98

46 85

1820.

281 30

. 88 71

1830.

573 57

175 59

1840.

1,904 86

602 33

1850.

1,622 15

611 19

1860.

4,404 86

1,781 04

1870.

18,190 07

3,750 00

1880.

22,834 31

2,800 00

1889.

39,394 38

2,800 00

1890.

44,830 28

2,900 00

1891.

44,838 09

3,000 00

The act of Congress passed March 3, 1845, reducing postage on mailable mat- ter, accounts for the falling off iu gross receipts between IS40 and 1850.

Through the efforts of Hon. R. J. C. Walker in 1882, an appropriation was se- cured to purchase a site on which to erect a building for a postoffice and United States court house. The appropriation was afterwards increased to $225,000. The site, on Fourth and Hepburn streets, cost $44,093.11, several lots with buildings having to be purchased. The building proper, which is an elegant stone structure, cost $164,000. The total cost, which includes the heating apparatus, grading the grounds, furniture, site, etc., was $208,430. It is seldom that the cost of a public improvement falls short of the amount appropriated. The building in its interior arrangements is first-class, and the furniture and equipments are complete in every respect. The United States court rooms are in keeping with everything else, and are much admired for their convenience and comfort.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 41

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650