History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 63

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

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Bootstown grew up around the furniture factory of George Luppert, and the saw mills of Green, Sands & Company, and Valentine Luppert, the planing mill of the latter, and the mills of the Williamsport Iron and Nail Company. The original settlement was made by three colored men, (Caleb, Peter, and another) who bought land of Michael Ross, but never paid for it. They built a cabin near Kaiser's spring of to-day, and it was here that the negroes from all about the community held a jolli- fication on July 4, 1828, and upon returning to the north side of the river, iu two canoes, seven out of eight were drowned by being upset.

Just below this spring a number of Germans settled through the solicitation of George Luppert, all coming from Neuburg on the Rhine. After a time a man stole a pair of boots and the boys nicknamed him "boots," from which cause the village cams to be called "boots town," and finally Bootstown. The desire of the German element was to have it called Neuburg, but ridicule carried the day.

These two settlements-Rocktown and Bootstown-are now included in the bor- ough of South Williamsport, and their nicknames will soon be forgotten.

When the South Williamsport Land Company was organized and commenced

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

selling lots, a spirit of improvement seized the people and building commenced. Previous to this the ground was used for farming purposes. The growth of the borough has been rapid, and according to the census of 1890 the population was 2,900. As building increased it soon became apparent to the residents that it would be necessary to have the place incorporated in order that there should be some sys- tem observed in laying out streets and alleys, the establishment of grades, and other essentials only to be had by corporate government.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

This is next to the youngest borough in the county. The petition asking for its erection was referred to the grand jury, September 6, 1886, and a favorable report was returned the same day. There was some opposition on the part of citizens of Armstrong towuship, from which the territory would be taken, but the court on the 29th of November, 1886, confirmed the report of the grand jury and directed that " Rocktown, Billman, and vicinity," should be incorporated as "The Borough of South Williamsport."

The following burgesses have been elected in South Williamsport since its organization: 1887, first election, Daniel Steck; 1888, J. H. Spront; 1889, John Bender; 1890, O. L. Nichols; 1891, Oliver S. Kelsey; 1892, William L. Ellinger.

South Williamsport is divided into three wards. Its principal streets running east and west are River avenue, Lincoln avenue, Southern avenue, Central avenue, and Mountain avenue. Those running north and south are Church street, Main, Hastings, Market, Howard, George, and Curtin. Market is a continuation of Market street in the city, which crosses the bridge and runs to the southern part of the borough.

INDUSTRIES.

Although Michael Ross had a ferry about half a mile above, Seely Huling estab- lished another a few rods west of the mouth of Hagerman's run, where the ground is high, and this retained its popularity until supplanted by the bridge across the river on the same site. John Huling, son of Seely, built a saw mill on Hagerman's run where the Linden branch of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad crosses it. Together with other property, this passed into the hands of Ellis Schnabel, at sheriff's sale. This mill was one of the "thunder gust" variety, and at a low stage of water could not run, so Mr. Schnabel built a storage reservoir that would fill up during the night for use during the next day. The banks of this old work can yet be seen.

This was followed by the saw mill of Lutcher & Moore, near the mouth of the run. It was started in 1867-68 and operated for several years, when it was abandoned, the proprietors having found a more inviting field at Orange, Texas.

In 1850 A. Koch, Sr., purchased land of George F. Ott and built a mill in 1851-52. Owing to the gradual taking of the water of Hagerman's run by the Williamsport Water Company, it was so much crippled that in 1873, A. Koch & Brother put in steam power and ran for a year or two at a loss. The machinery was then sold to Robert Innes, of Bodinesville, and used in fitting up his mill at that place. The mill building was then moved a few rods south and converted into a

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BOROUGH OF SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT.

double dwelling house. The original brewery, a small affair, was completed by Mr. Koch in 1850-51, before the mill was erected. The Excelsior Brewery of to-day is a large establishment and supplied with all the modern improvements for the mann- facture of beer. Since the death of its founder it has been successfully conducted by August and Edmund G. Koch, brothers.

The Keystone Furniture Company had its inception several years after the close of the war, when George Lnppert established on the south side of the river the West Branch Susquehanna Furniture Company, in connection with A. H. Heilman & Company. Mr. Luppert had previously carried on the furniture business in Will- iamsport in partnership with Fred Mankey from 1863. and the plant of Luppert & Mankey is claimed to have been the pioneer steam furniture factory in the city. Mr. Luppert has been burned out several times, and he has suffered a total loss of $150,000, but with wonderful energy he has rebuilt his factory after each fire, and gone forward in the face of disasters that few men could have overcome. In Octo- ber, 1887, he erected the present factory, and has been sole proprietor of the Key- stone Furniture Company since that date: he gives employment to seventy-five operatives, and turns out from twenty-five to thirty suites of furniture daily.

Near this manufactory is the saw and planing mill of Valentine Loppert. The saw mill has a capacity of 12.000,000 feet annually, and the planing mill 35,000 feet daily.

The largest industry in the borough is the Williamsport Iron and Nail Works, established in 18S2 with a capital of $100,000. The company was reorganized, April 15, 1892, as follows: C. La Rue Munson, president; John Y. Schreyer, secretary; John M. Young, treasurer; John Jenkins, general superintendent; direct- ors: W. A. Schreyer, S. W. Murray, W. A. Heinen, C. La Rue Munson, Constans Curtin. The company manufactures nails and iron and employs about 120 men.

United States Machine Company is the title of a new industry started on South- ern avenue. The officers are Justin J. Pie, chairman; Charles H. Bates, secretary and treasurer; John I. Hales, manager; Robert Eason, superintendent. They man- ufacture all kinds of wood-working machinery; they are also iron founders.

POSTOFFICES.

South Williamsport has two postoffices. The first, established September S, 1881, was called Billman, and H. Russell Kerchner was appointed postmaster. June 23, 1887, the name was changed to South Williamsport, and Kerchner was continued in office. His successor and present incumbent, Samuel B. Woodmansee, was appointed December 11, 1890.

Another postoffice, called Burlingame, was established January 29, 1886, and Capt. William Sweeley was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded, February 25, 1891, by Aaron E. Scholl, present incumbent.

CHURCHES.

There are four churches in the borough. Messiah's Lutheran was first erected in 1868, and rebuilt in 1888-89. It has a membership of about 250, and 275 Sun- day school scholars. This church was organized out of such families as the Wises, Lutchers, Weigels, Rickarts, Jarretts, Aults, and Turks, who at one time were the representative families of St. Mark's, of the city.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The Methodist Episcopal church, situated on Southern avenue, near the nail works, has a membership of 150. Sunday school scholars, 200; W. D. Campbell, superintendent; Rev. G. M. Glenn, pastor. The church property is valued at $3,000.

The United Brethren church, organized in 1886, has a membership of about ninety, and 140 Sunday school scholars. Rev. Henry Denlinger, pastor.

St. John's chapel, Episcopal, was built in 1887. It is a neat structure. Rev. W. H. Graff, rector.

SCHOOLS.

There are elegant brick school houses, provided with all modern improvements, and ten schools in the borough. Eight months were taught by three male and eight female teachers. The males were paid an average of $57.50 per month, and the females $42.85. About 600 scholars were enrolled.

CHAPTER XXXV.

BOROUGH OF MONTGOMERY.

SCENERY-HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT-THE POSTOFFICE-BOR- 1 OUGH GOVERNMENT-BOARD OF TRADE-SECRET SOCIETIES-THE PRESS-SCHOOLS- CHURCHES.

T THERE is much bold and beautiful natural scenery in easy view from the bor- ough of Montgomery. Just across the river rears that abrupt range known as Muncy Hills, which has figured in history from the time of the advent of the first white men in this valley; and within their dark and hidden recesses many strange and startling scenes have been enacted. On the west side of the borough line the escarpment of Penny Hill is presented, with its craggy face aud overhanging cliffs, covered with stunted foliage and ferns in summer time, and glittering icicles when the frost king reigns.

Montgomery stands in the midst of historic surroundings. Cornelius Low, whose rough experiences are detailed in the review of Clinton township, leased the land now occupied by William Thomas from Francis Allison in 1778. It was a part of this land that Mr. Thomas petitioned the court to have excluded from the borough limits. In the year 1783, John Lawson settled on the site of the borough; and in 1784, Nicholas Shaffer settled ou what is now known as the Porter farm. In 1795 he built a mill, but it was burned in 1820. It was rebuilt as speedily as possible. The old ruin may yet be seen. The farm of John Lawson passed through many hands until it finally became the property of John G. Huntingdon, who owned it when the Philadelphia and Erie railroad was graded in 1853. At that time Henry Bower owned the land south of Black Hole creek, and Jacob Herbst adjoined Hunt-

533

BOROUGH OF MONTGOMERY.

ingdon on the north, while the only building on the ground now occupied by the borongh was an old saw mill owned and operated by Jonathan Bower, which stood directly behind the Decker block. These facts are vouched for by the Montgomery Mirror, of December 19, 1890. Just below the saw mill, along the creek, was a wool- carding mill owned by John G. Huntingdon. It was a primitive affair, but it sup- plied a great want in the settlement. The house lately occupied by Miss Lydia Bower was built in 1852, and is the oldest house in Montgomery. This was the extent of the town forty years ago.

In 1853 Samuel Hartzell erected a small two-story frame building, which he used as a shoemaker shop and confectionery combined. He afterward sold it to Mr. Huntingdon, who sold it to Mr. King. During the occupancy of it by King it was burned in 1857, but was soon rebuilt.

In 1856 John G. Huntingdon sold ont to Robert Montgomery, whose son, R. B. Montgomery, is the present owner of the brick hotel known as the Montgomery House, and other property. It is from him that the borough derives its name.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

As late as 1859 P. M. Barber came to Montgomery, and with his arrival the first business of any importance was begun. He built a distillery where the planing mill of Henderson, Hull & Company, now stands. This was the beginning of Mr. Bar- ber's success. Associated with him in the distillery were Robert Kleckner and Benjamin Bardo. The distillery was abolished in 1869, and on its site was erected a planing mill, which was the parent industry of Montgomery. It has been twice destroyed by fire and nearly torn asunder once by a boiler explosion, but it was always rebuilt and is still running. The firm was composed of P. M. Barber, A. B. Henderson, Jesse Rank, and Nathan Fowler. Mr. Barber was an active, energetic, and progressive man. In 1870 he made the first plot of the town. Mr. Barber, who was a native of New Jersey, died suddenly in Philadelphia, November 4, 1891, in the sixty-second year of his age.

At the time the distillery was running Henry Bower owned all the land west of Black Hole creek, between the river and the property of Mahlon Printzenhoff, up to the brow of Penny Hill. Mr. Bower being very old his son Jonathan managed the estate. On the 13th'of January, 1866, while in the act of crossing the railroad track with his team, he was struck by a passing train and received injuries which soon caused his death. After his decease the estate was disposed of, except a small portion.

A machine shop was started about 1870 by a stock company, but it made slow progress until Levi Houston came in 1873 and took charge of it. Possessed of fine executive abilities, and being very active, Mr. Houston soon built up a large and profitable business. Having purchased the plant he enlarged it from time to time, until it attained its present large size. The remarkable growth and prosperity of the Montgomery Machine Shops have been the wonder and admiration of all. His trade does not only cover the United States and Canada, but extends to all foreign countries where wood-working machines are used-even to distant Australia. Mr. Houston employs over 250 hands and the most cordial relations exist between the two. Two years ago he erected a large brick planing mill near the shops. These industries have been a great advantage to the borough.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The planing mill of Henderson, Hull & Company was started in 1869. It has shared the adversities and prosperities incident to the growth and development of the town. A. B. Henderson is president of the company; Dr. A. P. Hull, a well known physician, is treasurer, and William Menges, secretary. Twice has the mill been destroyed by fire and rebuilt. It is now running and doing a large business.

In 1889 a new industry called the Montgomery Table Works was started by a company of which H. M. Weller is president and William Decker treasurer. They manufacture modern and common tables, in new and original designs of every description.

THE POSTOFFICE.

On the 26th of March, 1836, a postoffice was established here and called Black Hole. Samuel Rank was appointed postmaster and he served until April 10, 1839, when Hugh Donly was appointed. His successors have been as follows: John Fleming, appointed July 28, 1841; John Kinsey, July 29, 1845; Isaac A. Yoder, February 8, 1851; Michael Sechler, April 21, 1852; Frederick Hess, February 19, 1853.

Black Hole postoffice was changed to Clinton Mills, July 9, 1853, and John Kinsey was appointed postmaster. His successors have been Samuel Hartzell, appointed January 14, 1859; John Kinsey, February 9, 1859.

Clinton Mills was changed to Montgomery Station, May 25, 1860, and Phineas M. Barber appointed postmaster. He was succeeded November 16, 1865, by Samuel Hartzell, who is still in office after a continuous service of over twenty-seven years.

BOROUGH GOVERNMENT.

The borough of Montgomery is built on territory taken from Clinton township, which was originally a part of Washington, erected August 23, 1785. It is the youngest borough in the county. June 7, 1886, a petition praying for incorpora- tion was presented to the court and immediately referred to the grand jury for consideration. A favorable report was returned, but exceptions were filed, Septem- ber 3, 1886, and the application was held under advisement during the balance of the year. January 8, 1887, William Thomas petitioned the court to have that part of his farm embraced by the proposed borough limits excluded, as he desired the land for agricultural purposes. His request was granted and a new line run, when, on the 27th of March, 1887, court entered a decree organizing "The Borough of Montgomery."

The first borough election was held in April, 1887, and the following officers were chosen: Burgess, Dr. A. P. Hull; councilmen: Parker H. Houston, David F. Love, John J. Johnson, Robert H. Ainsworth, Rankin Fowler, Thomas E. Grady; high constable, William E. Myers; tax collector, William Waltman; justices of the peace, S. J. Bardo and W. W. Achenbach; assessor, Edward Felsberg; overseers of the poor, Daniel Achenbach and John P. Fowler; school directors: Samuel Hartzell, D. W. Shollenberger, William Welshaus, James S. Rhoades, B. F. Barto, and J. P. Fowler; auditors, S. B. Henderson, W. H. Fowler, Alfred Hayes; judge of election, Moses Alston; inspector, Elisha Shelley. Since this election the bur- gesses have been as follows: 1888, William Menges; 1889, Daniel Achenbach; 1890,

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BOROUGH OF MONTGOMERY.

Daniel Achenbach; 1891, L. C. Kinsey; 1892, William Menges. D. F. Love served as borough secretary from 1887 to 1889; J. L. Miller, 1890; H. M. Wellar, 1891; L. C. Kinsey, 1892.

The principal streets running east and west are Houston avenue, Montgomery, Broad, and Wagner streets. The latter is a short street. Those running north and south are Kinsey, Main, and First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth. The southern limits of Montgomery are bounded by the river. Black Hole creek runs through the borough and serves as a first-class sewer. The railroad facilities are excellent, as the Philadelphia and Erie and the Philadelphia and Reading railroads parallel each other in passing through the town.

Montgomery is well supplied with stores and shops, and during the last three years no borough in the county has made more substantial progress. Many of its residences are models of neatness, and some of them occupy elevated and pictur- esque positions.

BOARD OF TRADE.

The Montgomery Board of Trade was incorporated in 1891. The officers are as follows: President, A. P. Hull; first vice-president, William Menges; second vice- president, William Decker; treasurer, Henry Decker, Sr .; secretary, Thomas E. Grady.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

White Deer Lodge, No. 399, I. O. O. F., organized April 5, 1872; number of members, 80.

David L. Montgomery Post, No. 264, G. A. R., organized July 12, 1882; num- ber of members, 55.

Washington Camp, No. 285, P. O. S. of A., organized December 24, 1887; number of members, 58.

John Brady Encampment, I. O. O. F., organized July 18, 1891; number of members, 35.

J. R. Housel Camp, No. 56, Sons of Veterans, organized October 5, 1891; num- ber of members, 18.

Montgomery Council, No. 511, Jr. O. U. A. M., organized October 16, 1891; number of members, 71.

THE PRESS.

A weekly paper named the Montgomery Mirror made its appearance May 18, 1889. It was started by Fosnot & Burr, of the Watsontown Record and Star, and a local editor employed. The type was set at Montgomery, when the forms were taken to Watsontown to be printed. At the end of three months the local editor suddenly departed, when Mr. Fosnot took charge of the paper. On the 28th of March, 1890, Edward B. Waite was employed as associate editor. A short time afterwards Fosnot purchased Burr's interest in the papers and managed both for several months. Finally he sold the Mirror, June 30, 1890, to H. P. Smith and Thomas E. Grady, of Montgomery, and they retained Waite as local editor. The new firm purchased a press and moved into more eligible rooms. On the 26th of March, 1892, Smith sold his interest to James McCutcheon and a new firm was

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

formed. When first started the Mirror was a small sheet, but it steadily grew until it became a handsome folio of seven columns to the page. It is "independent in everything; neutral in nothing."

After becoming a partner in the publication of the Mirror, Thomas E. Grady was persuaded to start a monthly named Railroad Topics, devoted to " railroads and railroading," and the first number appeared in April, 1891. It is the only railroad journal published in central Pennsylvania and has been well received.

SCHOOLS.

Montgomery has three schools. The report for 1891 shows one male and two female teachers, at a salary of $40 a month each. Number of male pupils, 66; female, 82; average attendance, 119. The census of 1890 'gives the borough a population of 777.

CHURCHES.

A neat Lutheran church attracts attention by its commanding position on the hill. It has a large and growing congregation. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1872 by Rev. P. B. Marr. The present membership is about seventy- five, and the building is free of debt. The Clinton Baptist chapel was built in 1887 by the Baptist congregation, which formerly held services in the old meeting house opposite Thomas's mill. The congregation is an old one, having been formed in 1832. The chapel is a neat frame structure and cost $2,000. Occasionally serv- ices are held in the old building, but the regular Sunday services are held in the new chapel, which was dedicated in 1888.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

MUNCY, FAIRFIELD, UPPER FAIRFIELD, AND MILL CREEK.

MUNCY .- AN EARLY BOUNDARY LINE-DISINTEGRATION-HISTORIC GROUND-EARLY LAND TRANSACTIONS-GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY - VILLAGES - POSTOFFICES - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES.

FAIRFIELD .- ORGANIZATION-EXTENT AND POPULATION-GEOLOGY-SETTLEMENT-GOVERNOR SHULZE-THE RAWLE COTTAGE-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

UPPER FAIRFIELD .- ERECTION-CHANGE OF NAME-GEOLOGY-PIONEERS-VILLAGES-POST- OFFICES-MILLS-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.

MILL CREEK .- FORMATION-PIONEERS-ECONOMIC RESOURCES-HUNTERSVILLE-CHURCHES- SCHOOLS.

L YCOMING county, in addition to one city and nine boroughs, is divided into forty-two townships, or civil subdivisions. In area the county is the second largest in the State, having, according to the figures of the Land Office, 1,213 square miles. Centre is the largest, containing 1,227 square miles. Of the townships of Lycoming county, Pine is the largest in area, containing 48, 640 acres, and all others

Levi Houston

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MUNCY TOWNSHIP.

will be compared with it when speaking of relative size. Porter is the smallest, containing 2,880 acres, and therefore is the forty-second in size. Mill Creek is the youngest. The geological references are condensed from a forthcoming exhaustive work on the geology of the county by Abraham Meyer. The census of 1890 gave the county a population of 70,579.

MUNCY TOWNSHIP.

Muncy is the mother of all the townships in Lycoming county, north of the river. It was created by order of the court of Northumberland county, April 9, 1772, sitting at Fort Augusta, and was the sixth of the seven townships into which that great county, just formed, was divided. Its original boundaries were defined as follows:

Beginning on the west side of the West Branch of the Susquehanna opposite the end of Muncy Hill; thence up the West Branch to opposite the mouth of Lycoming; thence crossing the Branch up Lycoming to the head thereof; thence by a southeast line to the Muncy Hill; thence along the top of the same to the West Branch, and crossing it to the beginning.

Whilst the southern and western lines are clearly defined, the northern and eastern are indefinite, until the range of Muncy Hills is struck. It is clear, however, that a great territory was included within these lines, a territory that has since served to make fully twenty townships. And, although Muncy was the first 120 years ago, she has been so mercilessly shorn of her territory that to-day she stands the twenty-seventh in relative size in the county, and has an area of but 9,440 acres.

Muncy derives its name from the Monsey tribe of Indians that once dwelt within its borders. When it was erected Mordecai Mckinney was appointed a justice of the peace. He was followed by Robert Robb, who was appointed July 29, 1775, and again on the 26th of October, 1791. The first constable was John Robb.

An Early Boundary Line .- The indefinite northern boundary line seems to have concerned many of the inhabitants early in the present century, and a commission was appointed to more clearly define it, judging from the following curious report addressed to the "Judge of the court of common pleas for the county of Lycoming," found among the old papers relating to the township:

We the subscribers being named by Joseph Priestley, Jr., on the one part, (acting in behalf of the settlers on the back parts of Muncy township, in the beech woods,) and sundry inhabitants of the front part of Muncy township aforesaid, to take into consideration and report what may appear to us as a proper boundary line between the said township and one to be erected, (if agreed to by the court,) including the back parts and the settlements above alluded to, on conferring together now agree to give it as our sense that it will be proper that a line beginning at Muncy creek at the Indian picture, and extending westwardly or northwestwardly, until it intersects the road as it now stands, leading from Abraham Webster's towards John Hill's, two miles to the north of the said Webster's; and from thence westwardly or southwest- wardly, corresponding with the general course or direction of the Allegheny mountain, until it strikes Loyalsock creek, shall constitute the said division line and be the northern boundary of Muncy township aforesaid.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 63

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