USA > Pennsylvania > Clinton County > Beech Creek > History of the Beech Creek Area of Clinton County, Pennsylvania > Part 8
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In July, 1971 Carl Mann, young son of Walter J. and Shirley (Spangler) Mann, was killed when he ran into the path of an automobile just east of the borough.
Our community received a tremendous shock on Wednesday, July 2, 1980. Around noontime on that day Bruce A. Bechdel, age 44, son of Dorothy (Bechdel) Bechdel and the late Claude H. Bechdel, was struck and killed by a truck. Bruce, who had operated the Bechdel Funeral Home following the death of his father in 1963, was hit while standing along the main highway east of town near an old farm home he was restoring. At the time of his death Bruce was leading a very busy and useful life. In addition to his undertaking duties he was a full-time high school teacher. His extra activities were directed chiefly toward his in- terests in history and antiques. He was president of the Clinton County Historical Society and was serving a number of other organizations in various capacities. In addition to his mother and wife, the former Helen Fontana, he was survived by two sons and one daughter. Just two days prior to his death Bruce had made plans with the authors of this history for a visit to the old, dilapidated Nestlerode Cemetery in Liberty Township. Having just learned of the existence of this cemetery he wanted to view the old markers. This alone is enough to confirm his in- terest in area history.
At noontime on September 19, 1929, when cashier J. A. Haugh was alone at the Beech Creek Bank, three men, already familiar with the layout, descended upon the bank in a daring daylight robbery. Mr. Haugh was held at gunpoint while the robbers scooped up the money; then he was locked inside the vault while they made their getaway. Mr. Haugh soon escaped from the vault by manipulating the controls from the inside. Suspecting that the trio was heading westward, he im- mediately alerted the Howard bank. Dr. George H. Tibbins, a member of our bank's first board, and a brother of its founder and president, Dr. P. McDowell Tibbins, was at the Howard bank when the call came in. Mr. Tibbins, being unsuccessful in stopping the robbers as they sped
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through Howard, immediately solicited the aid of Frank Williams, a brother of Beech Creek's bank director, Shuman S. Williams. Surmis- ing the route they might take, Tibbins and Williams took a short cut to a point on the highway leading from Bald Eagle Valley to Snow Shoe. As the robbers passed their hiding place they fired a shot to disable their vehicle. Either from damages inflicted upon a tire or the steering mechanism, or merely from the unsuspected gunshot itself, the driver lost control. The car crashed into the side of a concrete bridge. The driver (Delaney) was fatally injured. The other two (Shope and Kline) were forced to flee on foot. Concealed in Delaney's pockets and clothing was found $12,000. The remaining $270 of their loot was recovered that evening when Shope and Kline were found hiding in a railway boxcar at Milesburg. Delaney died at Bellefonte hospital that same evening.
The late Joseph Allen, a highly-respected army major, who lived last in Prince George County, Virginia, often recalled being questioned regarding the Beech Creek Bank robbery. On that particular day Mr. Allen was hitchhiking through our valley on his way from Fort Sam Houston, Texas to his home in New York State. The police, in their search for the two men who had fled, were not overlooking any leads, and Mr. Allen, strolling along the highway, became a suspect. After routine questioning he was released. Mr. Allen, a friend of Frederick and Doris (Bechdel) McDermott, died in early February, 1978.
The bridge over Bald Eagle Creek at the mouth of Beech Creek, a huge wooden structure without cover, was washed out in 1876. It has been reported that in that same flood most of the lumber at the local saw mills was washed away, several houses were destoyed and a child was drowned. In 1877 a steel bridge was built to replace the bridge that was destroyed the previous year. In February, 1975 this steel bridge fell in during a period of high water. The collapse was the result of an un- dermining of the first pier caused by the onrushing waters of the fast- flowing Beech Creek stream. Prior to the construction of Foster Joseph Sayers Dam a higher level of water in Bald Eagle had slowed the flow of Beech Creek's waters long before reaching the pier. The disappearance in recent years of the build-up, or delta in the middle of the stream at its mouth was a clear indication of the increased velocity at that point. However, it appears that nobody was aware of the erosion beneath the pier.
On a bright Saturday morning in the Spring of 1978 the home of John and Helen (Streck) Miller on east Main Street was the scene of benevolence in action. Shortly after daybreak a group of men, about half of whom were sons and grandsons of James and Olive (Ellenberger) McKivison, had assembled at this residence. Their purpose was to place new roof shingles, an undertaking that Mr. Miller, then suffering
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an illness from which he never did recover, had been deeply concerned. In spite of his condition, the sound of steady hammering was sweet music to Mr. Miller, who was very grateful for what was taking place. The entire job was completed by noontime and each of about twenty- two men should have had the feeling of providing more beneficence in a half day than many of us bestow in a year.
In many ways our area benefits from the advances in technology and science and the planning that have been made in the last half century. Today we watch happenings around the world from our livingroom chair. We cook our meals on stoves that need no smoke stack. We refrigerate our foodstuffs without the need for an ice man. We use the old privy as a storage building if, perchance, it is still standing. We need to go only short distances to reach super highways and airports. However, conditions may have deteriorated in some respects. Fifty years ago the Philadelphia daily newspaper regularly reached town by railway express at 8:45 A. M. each day, Monday through Saturday, in- cluding all holidays. At that time a letter mailed to Mill Hall at 9:30 A. M. reached its destination one and one-half hours later. Even well after that time a house could be left unlocked day and night and even during brief absences with no fear of an intruder or robber. The tramp, on his endless journey, was served a meal on the doorstep, if not at the family table, with little or no apprehension on the part of anyone. Today anyone with the appearance and movement resembling a tramp must be viewed with suspicion. TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE.
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Chapter VIII
Success Cases Among Our People
In addition to those named elsewhere in this story, a number of our people have achieved success in one way or another. Henry C. Bol- linger, son of Christian and Eliza (Kirk) Bollinger reached the rank of colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War. Bollinger and his wife, Mary, a daughter of Joseph M. and Janetta (David) Smith, spent their latter years at Gettysburg, South Dakota. Dr. Britton Samuel Hall (1857-1894), son of Samuel and Sarah (McCloskey) Hall, became a highly regarded physician in the Lock Haven area before his untimely death. He is buried at Hays-Fearon Cemetery. Dr. Saylor J. McGhee, son of John and Julia (Harleman) McGhee, took a leading part in many Lock Haven civic, church and business activities, in addition to his busy medical practice. Saylor's nephew, Dr. Harrison J. McGhee (1888-1968), son of George C. and Minnie (Brady) McGhee, had a very similar career in Kane. The accomplishments of Dr. P. McDowell Tib- bins and his dedication to the community where he was born and reared, are extolled in other chapters of this story. The medical careers of Dr. Tibbins, his brother, Dr. George H. Tibbins, and their father, Dr. J. E. Tibbins are highlighted in chapter four.
George F. Hess (1876-1959), son of George D. and Anna Frances (Furst) Hess, very ably served our community in more ways than this space can list. In 1898, following his graduation from Lafayette College, Mr. Hess assumed the position of local correspondent for the Lock Haven Express, relieving his father, who had performed the chore since 1882. A collection of the Hess semi-weekly news items could very well serve, in itself, as a history of our area. During his time George F. Hess became the "Mr. Beech Creek," and a replacement for him has not yet come along. Jesse L. Brady (1862-1952) and Clarence A. Brady (1871- 1947), sons of Joseph and Sarah (Bitner) Brady, became ministers of the Christian Church, with Jesse eventually settling in California and Clarence in Michigan. Nevin McCloskey (1894-1954), son of Harry L. and Clara (Gephart) McCloskey, served many years in various loca- tions as Methodist minister. Ira McCloskey, uncle of Nevin, and son of
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Abner and Abigail (Mason) McCloskey, made his mark in the educational field. In the 1890's Ira left his teaching position in Liberty Township to become the first principal of the Howard High School. He later became principal of Flemington High School, and still later began a long tenure as superintendent of Clinton County Schools.
In 1895 Graffius Hubbard, son of Joseph Hubbard and his first wife, Harriet (Weaver) Hubbard, resigned his teaching position at Snow Shoe to become principal of the Patton, Pa. High School. While in the field of education Mr. Hubbard became a proficient orator and later served for many years as orator for the Clinton County Pomona Grange. Charlotte Hubbard, a daughter of Joseph and his second wife, Sarah (Packer) Hubbard, taking advantage of her musical talent became a highly-regarded piano instructor, first at Beech Creek and later at Jersey Shore. Sarah Hubbard was a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Robb) Packer. Malcolm Johnson (1896-1976), son of G. Mack and Sadie (Miller) Johnson, became superintendent of mines for Harbison Walker Refractories at Monument. Following retirement he returned to farming in the Beech Creek area. The senior Mr. Johnson, a son of Nathan Johnson and his second wife, Mary Jane (DeHaas) Johnson, had been named for Civil War General George B. McClellan, but later shortened his name.
In professional baseball Blaine W. Kunes, son of Frank and Carrie (Woodward) Kunes, was a long-time player in the St. Louis Cardinal organization, and later managed several minor league teams. Perry M. Mann (1914-1971), son of Frank and Anna (Dickey) Mann, was officer in charge of the Chambersburg barracks at the time of his retirement from the Pennsylvania State Police. Elwood L. Rohrbaugh, son of I. J. and Grace (Keiler) Rohrbaugh, recently retired as superintendent of Clearfield schools. Berwyn L. Miller, son of Charles W. and Mae (Mc- Carthy) Miller, held a number of important government positions prior to and following a brief tenure as controller in the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce. G. David Hess, son of George F. and Mary (Quigley) Hess has written and published several books of poems, some of which depict former residents, while others describe objects of in- terest within the community. In his 1979 book, "Woven Nights and Days," Mr. Hess dedicated the following poem to the authors of this story:
Beech Creek's Four-Wheel-Drive and Four-Wheel-Steer Truck
Eleven days before I got to Earth Upon May twenty-sixth, nineteen-fifteen, The Beech Creek Truck and Auto Company - Through stock sale for one hundred thousand grand,
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Financed to make the heavy-duty trucks Upon the space that Spotts's store takes up - Had one truck climb Lock Haven's courthouse steps To demonstrate its ruggedness and power, Photographed for a calendar to show. At least one other truck was done, a third, Perhaps, but never cars assembled, ere Bankruptcy hit the proud investment five Years later, from no sales yet bills - so Dave Packer recalled the early enterprise
Stockholders dreamed would make some of them rich From four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-steer design.
Dr. Howard Peters, son of Elmer and Marie (Mann) Peters, and Dr. Malcolm Heimer, son of Carl and Ethel (Phillips) Heimer, have dis- tinguished themselves in the field of science. Mr. Peters recently com- pleted the requirements for an additional doctorate, this in the field of law. He is now specializing in patent law. Wayne Miller, son of Robert and Eleanor (Bechdel) Miller, has been promoted to high management positions in the F. W. Woolworth chain. Barry Lingle, son of Harry A. and Vera (Thompson) Lingle, is west coast manager of Mobil's company-operated service stations. Clair J. Glock, son of Walter and Ellen (DeLong) Glock, was a civil engineer with the New York Central Railroad at the time of his death in 1967. Joseph D. Clark, son of W. Harold and Lula (Bechdel) Clark, followed his father's footsteps into the firebrick industry, and is presently in an important management position with General Refractories Co. Allan W. Lingle, son of Richard and Mabel (Brady) Lingle, has served in a number of high government positions in Alaska, including one term as state director of banking, finance and insurance. The latter three, Glock, Clark and Lingle, grew up together, each served in WWII, and each graduated from Penn State University, after which Mr. Lingle went on to receive a degree in law at Dickinson.
Many of the herein named persons, who have been singled out as suc- ceeding in their particular endeavors, were products of our rural schools. The authors of this story were never convinced that the "Little Red Schoolhouse" was not providing a quality background for higher education. Their classmates in high school and beyond were from both rural and graded schools, with the rural-trained students equally or better prepared for advance training. In spite of the lack of indoor toilets and piped drinking water rural schools had one big advantage. The lower grade pupils, especially those who were inclined toward learning, could gain much from the teachings and recitations in the higher grades. During the 1950's, when the reformers reached a peak in
Two World War I soldiers, Doctors P. McDowell Tibbins and George H. Tibbins, flank their father, Dr. J.E. Tibbins, who is wearing his Civil War cap.
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closing and consolidating schools, two products of our one-room, un- graded schools, both already named, were destined to be the top stu- dents in their high school graduating class. One of our rural-school- trained pupils, then living in a foster home, is currently a successful physician in the Philadelphia area, and many others became very suc- cessful in such fields as nursing and teaching.
Following a period of duty as an MP in the Marine Corps, Gary Kunes, son of William and Vivian (Fravel) Kunes, entered police work in Washington, D. C. He has since served as officer and detective in the State College borough police force, and is now deputy sheriff of Centre County. It is widely predicted that Gary will rise still further in the field of law enforcement. Following his graduation from Bucknell University in 1931 Harold A. Robb, son of Leonard and Edith (Gloss- ner) Robb, was elected principal of the local high school, a position he held for about ten years.
James A. Wensel (1857-1918), son of George and Ellen Eliza (Quigley) Wensel, a former schoolteacher, became deputy prothonotary of Clinton County. He later became deputy county treasurer, and still later a prominent figure in the banking business at Avis. Kenneth R. Brungard, who was born to Louden D. Brungard and his second wife, Minnie (Breining) Brungard, at Beech Creek in 1923, followed his father's footsteps in the banking business. Kenneth began his banking career at Hughesville, later served as officer-in-charge and president of the Citizens Bank of Muncy, and currently is a vice presi- dent of Fidelity National, a large chain of banks with headquarters in Williamsport.
William Fearon, who was born in Beech Creek Township on December 16, 1815, followed civil engineering for the four years prior to 1840, at which time he took up farming near Salona. In 1843 he was elected Clinton County prothonotary and register and recorder, a com- bination position at that time. In 1854 he was elected to the first of two terms in our State legislature. In 1876 he was appointed to complete the term of Lock Haven alderman, G. W. Bachelder, lately deceased, and in 1877 was elected to a full term in that position.
James David (1828-1892), a local native, and Joseph Hubbard (1825- 1906), who had come here from Bald Eagle Township, both served as county commissioners in the late 1800's. John McGhee, a son of John and Elizabeth (Linn) McGhee, served as a Clinton County auditor from 1890 to 1893. Robert Clark, son of James and Rebecca (Quigley) Clark, was a county sealer of weights and measures in the early 1900's. Robert W. Bullock, son of C. E. "Dix" Bullock and his first wife, Mary (Mann) Bullock, was a long-time Clinton County Register and Recorder. Sheldon Bitner, son of Christie and Catharine (Barthol-
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omew) Bitner, was county veterans representative for a number of years. Joseph Berry, son of H. Clair and Mabel (DeHaas) Berry, was Clinton County highway superintendent during most of the 1970's. In 1979 Frederick D. Lingle, son of Harry A. and Vera (Thompson) Lingle, and a Lock Haven attorney, was elected by a large majority vote to the position of Clinton County's district attorney.
It is observed that in addition to our natives who "made good" a number of persons who had come here from elsewhere established themselves as first-class citizens. A perfect example is Joseph W. Mer- rey, a native of England, who came to this country at age twenty. After engaging in a number of business enterprises elsewhere in our county, and after his marriage to widow, Eliza (Magnus) Bailey, he settled in Beech Creek. Here he served as justice of the peace, school director and borough councilman. During the early 1880's he served briefly in the state legislature. In 1888 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention that renominated President Grover Cleveland, who later lost the election to Benjamin Harrison. It seems reasonable to assume that Mr. Merrey was responsible for the planting of maple trees on Mill Street, all the way from Main Street to its southern end. Some time after the planting of these trees, most of which are still standing, the name of the street was officially and very appropriately changed to Maple Avenue. Mill Street was originally named for the large sawmill near the end of the street. This street was laid out to start at the borough line near the old covered bridge, continue in a generally northern direction, cross Main Street and end at the location of the present railroad bed.
As mentioned elsewhere, Victoria (Claflin) Woodhull-Martin became a presidential candidate on the Women's Rights ticket in 1872. If not born here, Victoria was born just before her family moved to Beech Creek, or very shortly after they moved from here. When Belle- fonte Academy was established by an act of the State Legislature in 1805, three men from our township were named to the board. They were John Fearon, Matthew Allison and James Boyd.
Following a very successful career as a high school and college teacher and athletic coach, W. Max Bossert turned to government. Max served several terms as county commissioner prior to his tenure in the State House of Representatives. Max and his wife, Edith (Hoy) Bossert, an accomplished artist, live on the old Fearon farm, in the area where our first permanent settlers located. Dr. George H. Messerly (1911-1981) was born here to Conrad and Estelle (McCloskey) Messer- ly. He graduated from Lock Haven High School, earned his doctorate at Pennsylvania State University, and had a distinguished career in fields of science.
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OUR FIRST LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM
Front Row: Jay Uhler, Bill Myers, Bill Bitner, Jim Bitner, Special Mascot Sharon Mann, Thurlow Dunlap, Ray Kitchen, Mascot Rickey McClure, Ralph McCloskey, Doyle Scantlin, Larry McCloskey. Back Row: Bob Brungard, Bob MeCloskey, Irvin Scantlin, Dick Gundlach, Umpire.Bill Mann, Manager Delmas McCloskey, Scorer Dale Kleckner, Joe Ed Hills, Ronald Bitner, Dick Toner, Terry Dunlap, Barry Lingle.
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OUR FIRST JUNIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM - 1961
Richard Miller, Dana Masden, Daniel Fravel, Steven G. Miller, Daniel Bagley, Thomas Bitner, Gary Miller.
Manager Robert Miller, Steven G. Miller, Larry Butler, Frederick Lingle, Wayne Miller, James Masden, David Lingle, Assistant Manager Richard Bitner.
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Chapter IX
William and LaFrances (Strong) Parsons were early residents of our town. When their third son was born here on August 10, 1844 he was given the same name as his father. Following graduation from Yale in 1868 young William entered law school, and received his degree the fol- lowing year. Shortly thereafter he was admitted to the Clinton County bar, and later, following an appointment as district attorney, was elected to that same position.
James Chatham was born on April 24, 1814 in what is now Wayne Township in our county. Prior to and following his marriage to Henriet- ta DeHaas, a daughter of John P., III, and Hannah (Morrison) DeHaas, he distinguished himself both locally and county wide. While still a young man, according to historical accounts, he was a leader in local church work. Following one term as our county sheriff he operated a local store for two years. At age forty this ambitious gentleman decided to enter the field of law, and two years later began full practice. In 1861 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Represen- tatives. The local chapter of the DAR was named for his grandfather.
Giles W. Halenbake came to our area from New York state and mar- ried Frances "Fannie" Johnson, a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Willis) Johnson, early area settlers. In 1850 Mr. Halenbake was elected to a three year term as a county auditor. The Ross Library in Lock Haven was named for Anna (Halenbake) Ross, a daughter of the Halenbakes. Another county auditor was Jacob Bitner, who was elected to the position after moving from our area to Nittany Valley. He was a son of Christian and Nancy (Dice) Bitner. His wife Nancy was a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (McCloskey) Hall.
John McGhee of Liberty Township married Julia Harleman, a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Starns) Harleman of our township, and settled here. In 1890 John was elected to a full term as a county auditor. As is indicated elsewhere, John, an outstanding, public spirited citizen, held numerous township and borough offices prior to and following his tenure as auditor. The McGhees' house, built on Main Street in 1854, is currently occupied by Dorothy Hunter, a daughter of John H. and Etta (Mann) Hunter. It may be the oldest house in town.
Old newspaper accounts plus information provided by a great grandson, James Bobb of Hershey, reveal that Cline Quigley, son of Michael and Mary (Clark) Quigley, served at least one term as a Clinton County associate judge. Cline is best remembered as a success- ful lumberman and as a proprietor of the local hotel. As noted elsewhere he served as postmaster during the administration of James Buchanan. His nephew, Henry Quigley, later became judge of Centre County.
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Lodges, Organizations and Miscellaneous Activities
Over the years many of our organizations were joint efforts with Liberty Township, Beech Creek Township and Beech Creek Borough participating. An excellent example is the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 302, which was organized in Blanchard by Civil War veterans following that war. The post was named for a Beech Creek Township soldier who was killed in battle. He was George Harleman, son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Starns) Harleman. Following World War I Beech Creek Post 623 of the American Legion was organized and named for two Liberty Township soldiers who had likewise lost their lives in battle. They were Howard W. Bitner, son of Howard and Sarah Frances (Johnson) Bitner and Joseph R. Bechdel, son of Jacob C. and Lydia (DeHaas) Bechdel. Howard W. Bitner's father, also named Howard, had died the same year that young Howard was born. However, the boy later gained a step-father, Alfred Ferguson Bitner, a cousin of his father. Our churches were organized on an intercommunity basis and on several occasions in earlier years our com- munities were served by one post office.
A Beech Creek chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) was chartered in 1850. However, this group and their sister lodge of Good Templars both disbanded after a fire destroyed their meeting place in 1855. Around 1874 the Patriotic Order Sons of America (POS of A) established a local camp. At a later date a companion organization, the Patriotic Order of America (PO of A) was formed for women. In November, 1874 the Grange of Patrons of Husbandry was organized. At that time the store of James Clark on Water Street became affiliated with the lodge, catering particularly to grange members. The local grange is still an active group. Also around 1874 the Washingtonians, a national group opposed to the sale of intox- icating beverages, developed a strong organization in Beech Creek.
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