History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 45

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

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The Lycoming Electric Company was organized in September, 1889, with a capital of $100,000. Officers for 1892: President, John R. T. Ryan; vice-presi- dent, Addison Candor; treasurer, John Lawshe; secretary, H. R. Rhoads; directors: John R. T. Ryan, Addison Candor, John Lawshe, H. R. Rhoads, Moses Ulman, Henry W. White, and C. M. Lawler. The plant, which furnishes 175 arc lights to the city under contract for five years, has over 3,000 sixteen-candle power incan- descent lights capacity, and also furnishes power to the Williamsport Passenger Railway Company. Its boiler, engine, and electric power capacity is about to be increased, giving 900 to 1,000 horsepower, or 400 to 500 more horsepower than it now has-nearly double.

The Williamsport Steam Company, started for the purpose of warming buildings, offices, and private residences, was organized in 1884 with a capital stock of $150,- 000, the bulk of which was taken by citizens of Williamsport. The cost of the plant was $112,000, at least $60,000 of which was for labor. They put up a building in which were placed six boilers of 125 horsepower each, and mains over five miles in length were laid underground in the principal streets. On the 1st of November, 1884, the company commenced furnishing steam, and the first year they heated 2,784,000 cubic feet of space. It has since run up to about 10,000,000 cubic feet. About 9,000 tons of bituminous coal, at a cost of $15,000, are consumed annually, and the works are in operation seven months in the year. Buildings a mile distant from the boilers are easily warmed. The officers for 1892 are: President, E. R. Payne; secretary, James A. Pugh; directors: H. W. Watson, B. C. Bowman, J. R. T. Ryan, Henry W. White; managers, P. B. Shaw and Godfrey Hess. About seven miles of main pipes have been laid. The water used in making steam costs $975 a year.

TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE FACILITIES.

In August, 1851, the Susquehanna River, North and West Branch Telegraph Company constructed a line to Williamsport and opened an office in the jewelry store of J. L. Mussina, who was the first operator. The first message from the city was sent by Hon. James Armstrong; the first business message was sent out on the 14th of Angust, 1851. The line was purchased by the American Telegraph Company and subsequently merged into the Western Union.

The telephone was introduced into Williamsport by H. R. Rhoads, and the first exchange was opened May 1, 1879, with twenty-five subscribers. This was the sec- ond exchange in the State, the Erie District Telegraph Company having displaced the call box about one year earlier. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh followed shortly after in the same year. The Williamsport system was constructed, and owned, by

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Mr. Rhoads until October, 1880, when it became a portion of the Central Pennsyl- vania Telephone and Supply Company, incorporated with an authorized capital of $1,000,000. The system has since been extended by taking in Scranton, Wilkes- barre, and Hazleton. The combined number of subscribers now exceeds 3,500, with some 5,000 miles of wire. The Wilkesbarre exchange was also opened by Mr. Rhoads, January 1, 1880, in connection with L. C. Kinsey. The line in this city comprises 385 miles, with the following number of telephones in use: Business, 145; residence, 107; total, 552; Jersey Shore, 23; Muncy, 20; total in the county, 595. ' The officers of the company are: President, H. R. Rhoads: vice-president, Richard O'Brien; general manager, R. M. Bailey; secretary and treasurer, J. E. Wilkinson.

STREET RAILWAY.

The Williamsport Passenger Railway Company was organized under a special charter issued to Peter Herdic in 1863. Its capital was then $75,000, but since its purchase by the present owners, and to provide funds for the electric equipment, it has been increased to $250,000. This will be further increased to meet the contem- plated extensions to be made from time to time.

The road was first opened with two horse cars in September, 1865, for the State fair held here at that time; and it was conducted as a horse road until August 6, 1891, when the first electric ear was run on Third street, and the Fourth street line was put in operation in November, 1891. Its present equipment is twelve sixteen- feet electric cars, and about seven and a half miles of track. The increase in pas- sengers carried over horses is about ninety per cent. The officers for 1892 are: President, H. R. Rhoads; vice-president, H. C. Parsons; treasurer, John Lawshe; secretary, J. F. Starr; superintendent, H. C. Young.

OPERA HOUSE.

The Lycoming Opera House Company was chartered May 19, 1891, with the fol- lowing officers: President, H. W. Watson; secretary and treasurer, John L. Guin- ter; directors, Charles R. Stearns, Fred H. Sweet, Emanuel Andrews, J. W. Pierson, Charles J. Cummings, William C. King, and H. W. Watson. The building is situ- ated on West Third and Laurel streets, and has a seating capacity of 1,800. It cost $85,000.

A FAVORITE PLACE FOR CONVENTIONS.

Williamsport has always been a favorite place for the meeting of religious and civic societies. Two State Democratic conventions have been held here. The first met in 1850 and nominated a State ticket. The last met in 1881 for a similar pur- pose. Both were largely attended and their proceedings were exceedingly lively.

Many State conventions of the various secret societies have met here from time to time. The Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church has met here twice, and conferences of other religious denominations have been held often, such as the presbytery and synod of the Presbyterian, conventions and convo- cations of the Episcopal, and synods and conferences of the Lutheran and Evangelical churches.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

BRANDON PARK.

Brandon Park, in the northeastern part of the city, contains forty-three acres and was the gift of A. Boyd Cummings. It was so named by him in honor of his only sister, who married John Brandon, one of the early publishers of The Gazette. The gift was a munificent one and will forever remain as a memorial of its generous donor.

MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

To the late J. L. Mussina belongs the credit of organizing the first brass band in Williamsport in 1831. It was composed of the following members: J. L. Mussina, John S. Hyman, Henry D. Heylmun, Abraham Rothrock, Renben Ruch, John Roth- rock, Jacob W. Hyman, S. Strayer, and a few others. It was called the Williams- port Band, and J. L. Mussina was chosen leader. Subsequently Joseph Grafius became a member and was elected captain. Christopher Lawrence, J. W. Hyman, and A. K. Mabic served as leaders. About 1856 Daniel Repasz took charge of the band, and under his instruction it attained great proficiency. He introduced new and improved instruments, and under his management it came to be known as the " Repasz Band," a title which it has borne to the present day. As a band it became very popular. Mr. Repasz continued to serve as leader until old age forced him to retire. As a musician he had few superiors, and when no longer able to use an instrument he would attend the band meetings and listen with a critical ear to the music. This veteran musician was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, April 18, 1813, and died in Williamsport, November 21, 1891. He had been a resi- dent of Williamsport for over fifty years and was the last of the original members of this famous musical organization. He served as an alderman in the Third ward for a quarter of a century. The Fisk Military Band attended his funeral and in accordance with his request played his favorite dirge, "Flee as a Bird." A son and a daughter, G. Morris Repasz and Mrs. M. A. Pray, survive him.

The Repasz Band served in the late war, first in the three months' service in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and then in the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers for about a year. The band is composed of thirty-five members; man- ager, Anthony Smith; leader, Herdic Wood.

G. Morris Repasz, one of the old members, has in his possession a key bugle which his father, Daniel Repasz, purchased from the late Hon. Samuel Linn more than forty years ago. At that time Linn was the leader of a band at Bellefonte. 'Squire Repasz used the bugle in leading his band many years. It is now treasured as a valuable relic.

The Stopper and Fisk Orchestra was organized, September 1, 1877. It has twelve members. Manager, L. J. Fisk; leader, Charles Fischler. They have a second organization called the "annex," which enables them to fill two engagements the same night.

The Fisk Military Band was organized, May 6, 1880. Present number of mem- bers, twenty-five; manager, J. F. Moorehead; L. J. Fisk, director and musical leader.

The Star Orchestra was organized in September, 1890, and consists of ten members. Manager, J. P. Langlois; leader, F. E. Haswell; musical director, G. Bert Repasz.

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The Metropolitan Orchestra organized June 16, 1891, with eight members. The manager is Aloysius Stopper, with Sylvester Vogel as leader.

The Elite Orchestra is another musical organization, with John Hazel, the celebrated cornetist, manager; leader, Gus Lettan.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

The oldest Masonic lodge is No. 106, F. and A. M. It was instituted by special dispensation of the Grand Lodge directed to Brothers John Cowden, John Boyd, James Davidson, and Enoch Smith, Past Masters, July 1, 1806, who installed Will- iam Hepburn as W. M., James Davidson, S. W., Samuel Coleman, J. W., and John Kidd, secretary. . It is supposed that the lodge was opened in a building on the north side of Third street, opposite what is now the First National Bank. In 1822 room was secured in the court house, where meetings were held for several years.

At that time there was a strong antimasonic sentiment among the people, . and it finally culminated in an open attack on the lodge. On the evening of June 17, 1829, the room was broken into by a mob of infuriated men, who pitched the paraphernalia and furniture through the windows for the purpose of breaking up the place of meeting. According to tradition the lodge was in session, and the members made their escape through the windows, being afraid to face the mob. The movement was a highhanded outrage, but so violent was public feeling, that the handful of members had to submit. Rev. Henry Lenhart, the secretary, gathered up the books, papers, and emblems, and carried them to his house for safe keeping.

The breaking up of the lodge by mob force caused a great sensation at the time. After this it remained dormant until January 30, 1846, a period of seventeen years, when the charter was revived by the Grand Lodge and meetings were resumed. From that time to the present no interruptions have occurred.

The following are given in the order of their organization: Baldwin II Com- mandery, No. 22, September 13, 1866; Adoniram Council, No. 26, September 16, 1866; Ivy Lodge, No. 397, F. and A. M., September 28, 1867; Lycoming Chapter, No. 222, March 11, 1869.

St. John's Lodge, (colored) No. 26, A. Y. M., organized October 27, 1847. George Roach was the first Worshipful Master, supported by Daniel Hughes as senior, and James Smith as junior, wardens. The other lodges are: St. John's Chapter, No. 40, A. Y. M., organized May 18, 1869; Lycoming Lodge, No. 70, F. and A. M., organized March 15, 1888; St. John's Commandery, No. 5, organized February 18, 1889.

Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 26, 1845. Officers: Oliver Watson, N. G .; John White, V. G .; Henry S. Gilbert, Sec .; Samuel Jones, A. S., and John B. Beck, Treas.

Williamsport Lodge, No. 570, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 21, 1863. Jacob Rohe, N. G.

Amazon Lodge, No. 662, I. O. O, F., was instituted April 12, 1869. William Mitterer, N. G.

Iona Lodge, No. 729, I. O. O. F., was instituted September 3, 1870. G. C. Sweeley, N. G.

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Custer Lodge, No. 855, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 19, 1890. John B. : Ort, N. G.

Elderton Lodge, No. 855, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Elderton, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1873. Surrendered charter, 1889; charter granted to Custer Lodge.

Brandon Lodge, No. 1007, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 13, 1891. T. E. Beck. N. G.

West Branch Encampment, No. 136, I. O. O. F., was instituted September 2, 1865. Officers as follows: J. W. Leonard, C. P .; Matthew Gowland, H. P .; Michael Laedlein, S. W .; Francis D. Green, J. W .; D. D. Else, Scribe; Jacob Rohe, Treas., and Fred Kasten, Guide.

United Encampment, No. 44, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 7, 1879. Jacob Rohe, C. P.

Canton Wildey, No. 3, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., was mustered into serv- ice, March 12, 1886. William Goehrig, Commandant.

Williamsport Uniform Degree Camp, No. 3, I. O. O. F., was instituted January 25, 1882. Through change of law, reinstituted into Canton Wildey, No. 3, P. M., I. O. O. F., March 12, 1886.

Canton Ridgely, No. S, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., was mustered into serv- ice March 13, 1886. Henry B. Eberly, Commandant.

Williamsport Council, No. 927, Royal Arcanum, was instituted October 19, 1885. Henry B. Eberly, Regent.

Utility Council, No. 1364, Royal Arcanum, was instituted April 20, 1891. Robert A. Jaggard, Regent.

Bashan Lodge (colored), No. 1430, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, was insti- tuted August 16, 1869. West Branch Lodge, No. 3443, was instituted December 17, 1891.

Mount Olivet Commandery, No. 17, Knights of Malta, organized September 17, 1887; Lelolde Commandery, Kuights of Malta, No. 77, organized January 9, 1891.

Lycoming Castle, No. 123, K. G. E., organized August 26, 1886; Custer Com- mandery, No. 123, K. G. E., organized October 19, 1886, with forty-five members.

West Branch Lodge, No. 98, K. of P., was instituted in July, 1867, and is therefore the oldest in the city; Susquehanna Lodge, No. 199, K. of P., was insti- tuted October 14, 1869; Williamsport Division, No. 19, U. R. K. of P., was insti- tuted June 17, 1884; West End Lodge, (Newberry,) No. 276, K. of P., was insti- tuted August IS, 1889.

CEMETERIES.

The log house of Amariah Sutton stood near the site of the "red barn," now owned by Hon. R. J. C. Walker, and the surrounding land was his farm. Sutton was one of the leading men of the times. On the 20th of March, 1776-three months and fourteen days before the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed- he conveyed (See Deed Book V, page 385) to James Hagerman, Andrew Culbertson, Edmund Huff, and Thomas Hughes, trustees of the Lycoming congregation, in con- sideration of 5s, a piece of land in these quaint words:

A certain lot or piece of land of 28713 acres, on the north side of the great road, containing one and a quarter acres, with buildings and improvements thereon, for a public burying place.

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forever; and also to build a meeting house thereon for the public worship of God by the majority of the Protestant people of the said congregation thereon forever. And likewise also to raise a school house thereon for the education of the children of the settlement thereabouts therein successively forever; provided always that the people of the aforesaid congregation, or a majority of them, have liberty at a future day to add to or diminish the number of the trustees, or that any one or more of them be and continue to act as trustees only during the pleasure of the majority of the people of said congregation. And if it should be found expedient hereafter at any time or times to turn any one or more of said trustees out of said office of trusteeship, or any remove away, or any are removed by death, that it shall be legal for the people to convene. . and the majority of them may turn ont any one of said trustees and elect others in their places. They are also authorized to hold the ground for a burying place, while Protestants only, for a school and meeting house, forever.

This is the oldest burying ground in the county that we have any account of that was set apart by deed for that purpose. The burial grounds at Muncy and Hall's are perhaps older, but the author is not aware of any legal conveyances designating them for such purposes.

It was in this graveyard that the killed in the massacre of June 10, 1778, which occurred within a few hundred yards of the spot, were buried. And here also the bodies of the men killed by the Indians in the early autumn of 1778, while cutting grass on the flat near the present trotting ground, were buried. These were among the first interments. Sutton, Hepburn, and many others of the original settlers, were buried there, and some of their tombstones may yet be seen. The remains of others have been removed to Wildwood.

Realizing the importance of having a place of burial near the limits of his town -the Sutton graveyard being considered too far to the west-Ross set aside a plot of grouud in a field on his farm, which is now occupied by the residences of David Stuempfle, Mrs. Godfrey Hess and others, on Fourth street near Penn, for that pur- pose. He afterwards designated a square on Pine street for a cemetery; this ground, known as the Pine street, or Ross, graveyard, was set apart for that purpose in 1796 by Michael Ross, the founder of Williamsport. It comprised a square of ground, and in it the founder and his family were buried. It was his intention to convey the ground on Pine street to the borough, but dying before he could execute the papers, it remained for his descendants to carry out his intentions by deed. It was not laid out regularly in lots and the dead were buried promiscuously. The ground as early as 1850 was filled to overflowing and it was apparent to all that burials there would have to be discontinued. Interments ceased about 1856. July 1, 1867, councils passed an ordinance making it the duty of the city surveyor and street commissioner, one year after its passage, to remove the monuments, head and footstones, grade and lay out the grounds for a park. S. L. Youngman, Esq., who lived opposite the ground, then put up a board on a tree labeled "Ross Park," and it has been known by that title ever since. But instead of being made a park, it is a general receptable for building material and rubbish. In 1887 the city erected a small brick building on the southwest corner for police headquarters and a lock-up, which is still used for such purposes.

Next to the Fourth Street graveyard the Lycoming (Newberry) burial ground is the oldest in the city. There are no records to show when it was set apart for that purpose, as it was doubtless started when the Indians claimed the land. Settlers were on that side of the creek as early as 1770, and interments were very likely made 22

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there soon after. Possibly it may be older than the Sutton graveyard. The Cul- bertson settlement on the south side of the river was made very early, and it is not improbable that the dead from that side were brought to this ground for interment. Settlers on the river as far up as Level Corner used to bury their dead at Newberry. The ground was enlarged as necessity demanded, and in 1850 the stone from the old church were used to build a wall for its protection. Hundreds of interments have been made in this ground, and it is still used.

In 1850 Abraham Updegraff and Samuel H. Lloyd, while engaged in laying out an addition to the borough on the east, concluded to set apart eight acres for a cemetery. They laid out the ground in lots with convenient avenues, and agreed that when enough had been realized from the sale of lots to reimburse them for the ground, they would make over to the cemetery company the balance to be used in improvements. A comfortable brick house was put up for the sexton, and the place was named the Williamsport Cemetery. Soon after it was opened the remains of many who had been interred in the Ross graveyard were removed to this new cemetery, among them those of Michael Ross and family. This cemetery is still in use. The secretary and treasurer is William H. Sloan, cashier of the First National Bank.

Wildwood Cemetery, for rural beauty and eligibility of location, is exceedingly attractive. It is situated on high rolling ground northwest of the city, overlooking the valley and river, and affording a view that is most charming to the eye. The Cemetery Association was incorporated August 18, 1863, and sixty acres purchased, which were subsequently increased to about eighty. The charter is perpetual. The well remembered civil engineer, John M. McMinn, was employed to lay out the grounds. Robert Faries, also an engineer of high standing, assisted him. With a thorough knowledge of landscape engineering, Mr. McMinn also united an intelli- gence for his work and an exquisite taste which enabled him to arrange the walks and drives to the best advantage. The result was the production of a cemetery that calls forth the admiration of all who pass through its grounds. The numerous lot holders have taken great pains to beautify and adorn their plots. Stately monuments and other appropriate memorials are found on every hand; native trees spread their branches over the graves ; evergreens serve as rich settings to marble and granite; flowers bloom in luxuriance and load the air with the fragrance of their perfume. The officers are as follows : Dr. W. F. Logan, president ; John F. Laedlein, secretary and treasury; Daniel Curns, superin- tendent.

Mound Cemetery, on a high knoll near the bridge of the Northern Central railroad across Lycoming creek, was laid out recently. It commands a fine view of the city, the river, and surrounding country.

The latest cemetery is called Grand View. It is on the old cemetery road above the northern limits of the city, and is well named. Standing on its heights a panoramic scene of unsurpassed grandeur is unfolded to the eye. The enclosure consists of sixty acres, and the company was chartered in 1891. The officers are : President, J. W. Mussina ; secretary and treasurer, J. H. Boyer.

St. Bonifacius Cemetery is located at the corner of Henry and Wyoming streets. The eastern part of the ground was purchased in 1859. The western part was quired in 1881, and consecrated October 18, 1885. Sexton, Charles Baierle.

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Mt. Carmel Cemetery is located east of the Northern Central railroad, and south of Wildwood, on high ground. It was purchased by Rev. Eugene A. Garvey for the congregation of the Church of the Annunciation. It contains thirteen and a half acres.

The Williamsport Jewish Cemetery is located at the corner of Almond and Tucker streets in Lloyd's addition.

CHAPTER XXII.

WILLIAMSPORT (CONTINUED).

THE FIRST JOURNALISTIC VENTURE AT WILLIAMSPORT AND ITS SUBSEQUENT HISTORY-SUC- CESSION OF NEWSPAPERS TO THE PRESENT TIME-RELIGIOUS, HISTORICAL, LITERARY SOCIAL, AND MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS.

THE first newspaper founded in Williamsport was the Lycoming Gazette, by William F. Buyers. He was born in Sunbury, January 12, 1782, son of John Buyers, a prominent merchant, and learned the trade of a printer with Breyvogel. In Kennedy's Gazette of October 26, 1801, the statement is made that " William F. Buyers has now established a printing office at Williamsport," from which it is inferred that he entered on his career as a newspaper publisher immediately after completing his apprenticeship.

It would seem from this that the Gazette was started in the autumn of 1801. Buyers was then in his twentieth year. He is first assessed in Loyalsock in 1802 with "one printing office." In 1805 he is assessed with "one house and lot, $75; one horse, $16; occupation, printer, $100;" total valuation, $191.

No copies of the first issues of the paper are known to be in existence. It was printed on very coarse paper 20x17, and had four columns to the page. The oldest known copies that have been preserved are dated 1806 and 1807, and they bear his name. A copy dated January 22, 1807, before the writer, is Volume V, No. 45, which would run it back to 1801. The early years of his publication were attended with many vicissitudes. He frequently missed a publication day, and doubtless was often on the point of giving up his enterprise in despair. But he struggled on and succeeded in founding a newspaper which has had many eminent men- including a Governor and chief justice-connected with it.

Buyers published the Gazette alone until 1808, when William Brindle became associated with him as a partner, and he soon after disposed of his interest and returned to Sunbury. Some time in 1812 he established the Sunbury Times, which he continued until 1816 or 1817. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 Buyers raised a company and was made captain. It was attached to the Seventy-seventh Regiment. On the 13th of December, 1815, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Alexander Hunter, of Sunbury; in 1815-18 he served as commissioner of North- umberland county. In the meantime (1816) he was a Federal candidate for Con-

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 45

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