History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics, Part 23

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320


USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Potter County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Elk County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Cameron County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 23


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Respectfully, ELLA M. BOYCE.


The lady did not lose her position; on the contrary her salary was advanced, . and in July, 1889, the following assignment of teachers was made, which was adopted by the board: Central Brick Building: Anna McBride, principal; Helen M. Biscoe, first assistant; Oriana Wycoff, principal; Christine Miller, assistant; Sarah Bruce, Sallie Hamor, Luella Harris, Bessie Johnson, A. Hag- gerty, A. Herrick .- Annex : L. Heard, M. Silberberg .- Synagogue : Bertha James .- Centrat Wooden Building: Helen Shepard, Miss Angell, Annie Miller,


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


K. Murphy, J. Simons, H. Horton, B. Huff, M. Brown. - Third Ward: Belle Minard, Nellie Lewis, Cleora Prosser, L. Morton, S. Lewis, Francis Wann. - Fourth Ward: Jennie Renninger, Della Neely, H. Mason, A. Brennan. - Fifth Ward: M. Wann, M. Mead, H. A. Brown, I. Blanchard.


The actual expenses were, for year ending June, 1889: Salaries of superin- tendent and teachers. $16,559; of secretary and librarian, $411; of janitors, $1,242; fuel and contingencies, $1,078; supplies, $823; miscellaneous, $339; total, $20,452.


Late in the fall of 1878 the work of erecting the schools attached to St. Bernard's Church was begun, and school opened in them in September of the following year, the services of the Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph having been secured as teachers in the same. The maintenance of these schools is quite a heavy burden upon the congregation. These schools are free to all. There are some three hundred pupils upon the school roll, who are instructed and well grounded in all the primary branches without any expense to the tax- payers of the city. Of her educational advantages Bradford has good reason to be proud. The public school system is very nearly perfect, and the advanced methods, the thorough training, and the excellent discipline by which they have been distinguished, have drawn to their cordial support a class which in other cities depends almost wholly upon private schools. The newspapers of the city are, however, the great practical educators.


Churches. - The First Baptist church is contemporary with the first settle- ment at Bradford. In 1840 Rev. N. E. Chapin had an appointment as mis- sionary pastor, preaching in what was known as Col. Little's house, near the present oil exchange.


The Regular Baptist church of Bradford was organized under State laws in September, 1852, with Enos Parsons, Truman Sherman, W. F. Peckham, E. C. Olds, James DeGolier, C. Storms and Edwin Colegrove, trustees. In 1874 the church was reorganized under the labors of State Missionary Stowell, and T. J. Knapp, of Parker, became pastor in June, 1878. His labors were continued until July, 1879, when he resigned. The church was left pastorless until February, 1880, when Rev. Alfred Rose, of Westerfield, N. Y., accepted a call. The society was organized under legal form in December, 1880, and the constitution signed by the following named members: W. W. Brown, T. J. Powers. F. Z. Trax, P. T. Kennedy, W. H. Dennis, M. S. Cody, C. P. Cody, E. B. Chappelle, Alfred Rose, W. H. Powers, E. Crossman, Clara Prosser, Jessie. Browne, Jennie E. Rose and D. DeGolier. Among the trustees were Isaac Jones and A. K. Johnson. Services were held in the Opera House and other places until January 16, 1SS1, when the present house was dedicated. In April, 1882, Mr. Rose resigned, and in May following was succeeded by Rev. W. R. Baldwin, who served until February 15, 1884. At this time the church numbered 125 members, and was carrying a debt of $8,000. On Au- gust 1, 1884, Rev. James P. Thoms, of Cazenovia, N. Y., began his pastorate.


The Methodist Church of Tunuanguant was incorporated in July, 1848, with John F. Melvin, John O. Beardsley. Absalom Hutchinson, Seth Scott, Thomas Dolloff, William Beardsley, Daniel Warner, William R. Fisher, H. Webb, L. W. Fisher and A. S. Wheaton, stockholders or subscribers.


The First Methodist Church of Bradford was incorporated May 30, 1878, with Loren G. Peck, J. H. Harris, A. DeGolier, H. S. Baker, L. B. Blakes- lee, A. W. Newell and John Brown. The object of legal association was to acquire property and build a house of worship. For many years before this an organization existed in Bradford, but regular services were not commenced under the auspices of such organization until October, 1876, when Rev. J. A.


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


Copeland was appointed pastor. Until March, 1887, the Opera House was used for public worship. At that time their new church was completed, which has since been enlarged. Mr. Copeland was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. C. W. Cushing, D. D., and in 1882 by Rev. D. W. C. Huntington, D. D. The mem- bership of the church at present is over 500, and the average attendance at the Sunday-school is almost 400, under the care of fifty-five officers and teachers. Rev. G. Chapman Jones concluded a four-years term as pastor in September, 1889. At that time he reported 553 members and thirty probationers. Mr. Huntington was reappointed in the fall of 1889.


The First Congregational Church of Bradford was organized in May, 1854, with T. Lambert, V. Waggoner, W. W. Norton, E. D. Norton, M. C. Fuller, C. D. Webster and E. S. Niles, trustees. Samuel Porter and P. L. Webster, with the trustees, signed the petition for incorporation.


The Bradford Meeting-House Association was incorporated June 21, 1871, with P. L. Webster, J. E. Blair, T. W. Cole, Benjamin Jewett, Thomas J. Melvin and Abram K. Johnson, trustees. The society was formed to control the property of the Congregational Church, vice E. D. Norton, A. K. Johnson and F. Newell, the trustees of the old Congregational society of 1853-54, of Littleton Village, who were acting in 1866.


The Universalist Church was organized here early in the "fifties," as told , in the sketch of Editor Haffey, but meetings were irregular. In later days serv- ices of this denomination have been held here.


St. Bernard's Church. Previous to the discovery of oil in the northern field there was no resident Catholic pastor in Bradford. The few members of that denomination located at this point and in the immediate vicinity were oc- casionally visited by a priest from Newell creek, and among the first to thus visit them was Very Rev. J. D. Coady. now pastor of St. Titus Church, Titus- ville. His field of missionary duty, though extensive in respect to territory. embracing, as it did, the counties of Mckean, Potter, and parts of Elk, was, however, limited in respect to numbers. The summer of 1877 witnessed the climax of the oil excitement in this section; people began to flock to it from every point of the compass, and Bradford grew rapidly from a mere hamlet to a full-fledged city. It was in the fall of this year that Rev. William Coonan, present pastor of St. Bernard's Church, was appointed by Bishop Mullin. of Erie, to look after the spiritual wants of the Catholic population, and build up the church. After some debts, which had been contracted pre- vious to his taking charge, were satisfactorily adjusted, immediate preparations were made for the erection of a suitable church edifice. Heretofore the little congregation had worshiped in what used to be the old village school-house, which, together with the grounds attached, they had purchased, and upon which the present church parsonage and schools are erected. In the spring of 1878 the present church, 44x100 feet, was commenced, and was occupied the fol- lowing December, though not dedicated until the summer of 1879, at which time it was almost completely paid for. The school buildings were begun in the fall of 1878, and opened by the Sisters of St. Joseph in September, 1879. In 1881 the Catholic cemetery was established on the Brown farm, one mile southwest of the city. Work on the proposed large brick and stone church will, it is said, commence in the spring of 1890.


The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford was incorporated in June, 1879, the following named having hitherto signed the constitution: Theodore Ladd, C. D. Webster, A. M. Davis, C. H. Hoffman, A. L. Kinkead, J. M. Arm- strong, R. G. Williams and William M. Boggs. Among the directors were Bernard Hook and W. J. Mccullough. The society was originally organized


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


June 19, 1877, with twenty-four members. For more than two years the con- gregation was without a regular place of worship, during which time services were held in Wagner's Opera House, the Universalist Church, the Academy of Music and other places. In the fall of 1875 the lecture room of the church was completed, and a place was thus provided for the services. The church edifice itself was not finished until the following spring. On May 30, 1SS0. the church was dedicated, $5,000 being raised on this occasion to pay for the same. The following autumn the excellent pipe-organ, which is still in u'se, was purchased at a cost of $1,600. Rev. R. G. Williams, now of Nelson, Penn., was the first pastor of the church, and continued his ministry for one year and a half. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Ross Findley, now of Con- neaut, Ohio, who was pastor of the church from May, 1879, until May. ISS2. The present pastor, Rev. Edward Bryan, was installed November 15, 1882. The church is now in connection with the presbytery of Erie, to which it was transferred from the presbytery of Buffalo by the general assembly. On Sep- tember 4, 1889, Bryan resigned his office as pastor after seven years' service. During that period $51, 172 were collected for missionary and church purposes. Rev. M. J. Eccles came in February, 1890.


The Protestant Episcopal Church of the Ascension petitioned for incor- poration May 27, 1880. The signers were W. W. Mason, A. B. Put- nam, L. C. Blakeslee, W. F. Crane, I. Beam, J. A. Ege, S. L. Wilson, J. R. Mattock, S. H. Durston, T. L. Shields, E. F. Willetts, A. C. Scott, J. F. Merrill, Peter T. Kennedy, C. L. Wheeler, Ed. R. Shepherd, Lynford Lard- ner, C. A. Seigfried, H. G. Cutting and F. Winslow, of Bradford, with C. A. Cornen and W. N. Hanna, of Kendall. The Rouseville, Penn., church build- ing was moved to Bradford, rebuilt, and was used up to January 19, 1890, when it was burned. The society proposes to erect a new building this year.


The United Brethren Church is one of the modern religious organizations of the city. The membership is small, but flourishing.


Beth Zion Congregation was incorporated in December, 1880, with Jacob Olshoffsky, Philip Nusbaum, Alexander Simpson, Moses Ruslander and A. M. Mayer, trustees. The names of S. Auerbaim and Asher Brown also appear on the record. A temple was erected on South Mechanic street, and dedicated in the spring of 1881. The services are conducted according to the reform principles of modern Judaism. That is to say, prayers and sermons in the English language are connected with the Hebrew ritual. Rev. Samuel Weil has been the Rabbi ever since the founding of the congregation. The congre- gation numbers forty members, besides many seat-holders. The Rabbi con- ducts, besides the Sabbath-school, a day school in which Hebrew and German are taught.


The First Bradford Orthodox Hebrew Congregation was incorporated in March, 1881, with P. Freidman, David Levi and Isaac Nusbaum, trustees. The petition was signed by Joseph Rosenberg, H. Cohn, Dan. Silberene, Raphael Michael, B. Jacobs and L. Graff.


The African Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1880 by Rev. Mr. Cyrus. The following fall Rev. R. H. Jackson was appointed to this charge, and for three years served the church in the capacity of pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. R. H. Henderson, who, after serving for two years, was succeeded by Rev. S. H. Lacey in a pastoral service of one year. Rev. C. H. Brown was then appointed. The highest number of members in con- nection with the church at any one time is seventy-two; the lowest reported membership, thirteen.


The Swedish Church was incorporated September 4, 1888. The congrega-


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


tion, like others of this faith in the southern townships of Mckean county, pushes forward valiantly to gain a place among the old religious societies of the city.


Rev. Clim Gim, educated in the Lane Seminary for Presbyterian mission work, came to Bradford in 1881 to address Judge Ward's Sunday-school class of Chinese pupils.


Ben Hogan, referred to in the history of Tarport, is now an Evangelist. The following concerning this extraordinary man is taken from a local paper:


Ben Hogan, old-time gambler, cracksman, confidence man, bounty jumper, dive- keeper and pugilist, who left the oil country eleven years ago with the reputation of being the wickedest man in the world, is back again after his long absence, going from town to town, visiting his old haunts, greeting his old friends, and-preaching to them the gos- pel! Packed houses greet him, and although crude, ungrammatical, and with a vocabu- lary not at all extensive, he holds the interested attention of ignorant and cultivated alike with the forceful and rudely eloquent recital of his past adventures, and the story of his marvelous conversion. As he looks from the platform he can see the faces of many of his old patrons-the man who drank his liquor at Pithole, the habitue of his dance- house at Babylon, the ex-oil prince who spent his $100 a night on board the infamous " floating palace " at Parker's Landing, and the driller who patronized his place at Tar- port. They all come to hear Ben preach the gospel. For how many men does the whirli- gig of time work such wonders as it has for Ben Hogan, Evangelist?


Cemeteries. - About fifty-seven years ago three acres were donated to the settlers of Littleton for a free burial-ground. This tract was located on Ken- nedy street. In the winter of 1880-81 the cemetery on the Tarport road was opened.


The Oak Hill Cemetery Association of Bradford was incorporated in De- cember, 1883, with W. R. Weaver, Enos Parsons, C. C. Melvin, P. M. Fuller and P. L. Webster, stockholders. In ISSI the Catholic cemetery on Washing- ton street was opened. This is located on the H. Brown farm, one mile south- west of the city.


Hospital .-- The project of establishing a hospital was first started by Gen. Kane. He recognized the necessity for an institution of that kind to care for per- sons disabled in the oil field; and in April, 1881, the McKean County Relief Soci- ety was organized and incorporated. A hospital was to be erected on Mount Raub, but on account of the General's death the project was abandoned. Rev. D. B. Wilson, well known for his charities, next revived interest in the matter, but before his plans could be properly carried out he died, in ISS5. The Brad- ford Hospital Association was incorporated August 4, 1885, on petition of the following named supporters: H. F. Barbour, M. B. Pierce, A. L. Weil, P. M. Shannon, L. Emery, Jr., H. W. Eaton, R. B. Stone, Edward Bryan, J. T. Jones and M. McMahon. By public and private donations and entertain- ments the hospital fund grew, and that worthy institution was placed upon a substantial footing. The hospital was opened in May, 1887, and placed under the direction of Mrs. M. Krider, matron.


Societies, Etc. - In the order of Masonic* advancement and organization, the Blue Lodge comes first under consideration.


Union Lodge No. 334. Up to the year 1858 there was not a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons within the borders of Mckean county, and there was none nearer than Warren, known as North Star Lodge No. 241. In that year a number of Masons living in the village decided to form a lodge. The con- sent of North Star Lodge No. 241 having been given, the following brethren petitioned the grand lodge of Pennsylvania for a warrant of constitution: Samuel Boyer, Montour Lodge, 168, N. J. ; Nelson Parker, North Star Lodge, 241; G. F. Peckham, Ellicottville Lodge, 307, N. Y .; William Beardsley,


* Masonic history is taken from the Star of July, 1889.


4/11


RB Stone


ARTOTYPE J M BEERS & CO CHICAGO


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


Ellicottville Lodge, 307, N. Y .; J. L. Savage (lodge not given); Jasper Marsh, North Star Lodge, 241; Jonathan Marsh (lodge not given); J. C. Ackley, Brownville Lodge. At a quarterly communication of the grand lodge, held March 7, 1859, the warrant of constitution was granted for a lodge in the vil- lage of Bradford, Penn., to be known as Union Lodge No. 334, signed by the following grand officers: Henry M. Phillips, R. W. G. M. ; John Thompson, D. G. M. ; David C. Sterrett, S. G. W. ; Lucius H. Scott, J. G. W .; Peter William- son, grand treasurer; William H. Adams, grand secretary. On August 3, 1859, the lodge was duly constituted, and on that day held its first meeting. The first officers were Samuel Boyer, W. M .; Nelson Parker, S. W .; George F. Peckham, J. W. ; Wilson Beardsley, secretary; Jasper Marsh, treasurer: J. S. Savage, S. D .; J. C. Ackley, J. D. The following have served as masters of the lodge: George F. Peckam, S. Boyer, A. K. Johnson (three years), William Burton, H. W. Glass, T. H. Stock, Nelson Parker. George T. Keith, L. B. Prosser (two years), G. D. H. Crooker (two years), James Broder, J. W. Brennan, F. W. Davis, T. J. Melvin, James E. Blair, F. P. Wentworth. E. D. Matteson (two years), C. L. Wheeler, E. A. Boyne, D. S. Kemp, Walter Grubb, William K. Laney. The officers of the lodge in 1889 were A. D. Sloan, W. M. ; James M. Stevenson, S. W. ; Henry Trumbower, J. W .; Lewis C. Longaker, treasurer; C. P. McAllister, secretary; and in 1890, J. M. Stev- enson, Henry Trumbower, S. R. Dresser, C. L. Wheeler and C. P. McAllister. C. L. Wheeler is district deputy grand master of the Twenty-second District of Pennsylvania, comprising the counties of Mckean and Potter. Up to 1875 the lodge grew in numbers but moderately. At that time the remarkable growth of the city set in and the lodge felt the effects of it in an increased prosperity and interest. The lodge has now a membership of 240, and its members not only comprise many of the leading and best citizens of Bradford, but are seat- tered all over the land, in almost every State and Territory. The lodge is also in a flourishing condition, financially, being out of debt and having $2,000 in property and invested funds. Applications for membership are received at nearly every meeting, and the total inadequacy of the present lodge room to accommodate comfortably one-half the membership has made the building of the new Temple a necessity. There were 225 members in March, 1890.


Bradford Chapter, R. A. M., No. 260. In the summer of 1880 a number of Royal Arch Masons residing in this city discussed among themselves the formation of a new chapter, and the result was an application to the grand chapter for a charter signed by the following companions as charter members: C. L. Wheeler, Joseph H. Simonds, W. R. Weaver, W. A. Rix. James Broder, J. C. Sturgeon, W. M. Keeler, C. D. Buss, W. H. Clarke, W. C. Husband, John Stinson, Michael Murphy, W. F. Jordan, E. P. Pooler, C. C. Melvin, Henry Trumbower. The charter was granted by the grand chapter, and on September 6, 1880, Bradford Chapter, R. A. M., No. 260, was constituted and the new officers installed. The occasion was one of great interest in Masonic circles for many miles around. The grand officers of the State were nearly all present and conducted the impressive ceremonies in the presence of a large assembly of chapter masons, including many distinguished men of high posi- tion and character. The first officers, of the new chapter, installed were Joseph H. Simonds, M. E. H. P. ; William R. Weaver, king; William A. Rix, scribe; Charles L. Wheeler, treasurer; Robert T. Thompson, secretary. The chapter at once entered upon an era of unexampled growth and prosperity. At the end of the first year the membership had been increased to eighty - seven, at the end of the second year to 122, and at the end of the third year to 155. Since then the growth has been steady, and at the present date the roster num-


10


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


bers 210 companions, and the invested funds and property of the chapter amount to about $2,500. Following are the past high priests who have served in that capacity since the constituting of the chapter: Joseph H. Simonds, W. R. Weaver, W. H. Clarke, David S. Kemp, Phillip M. Shannon, H. Trumbower, Elias Urquhart, Francis W. Sprague and E. F. Sawyer. This chapter elected the following named officers in December, 1889: F. J. Collins, H. P .; George W. Ashdown, K .; James M. Stevenson, scribe; Charles L. Wheeler, treasurer; Charles P. McAllister, secretary, and F. W. Sprague, representative. The membership is now (1890) 200.


Bradford Council No. 43, R. & S. M. In the early part of January, 1888, a number of royal and select masters residing in Bradford met to consider the advisability of establishing a council of royal and select masters. At an informal meeting held February 9, 1888, it was decided to apply for a charter at the grand council meeting at Erie, Penn. On Friday evening, May 4, 1888, the grand council held a special meeting in this city, constituted Bradford Council No. 43, R. & S. M., and installed the following officers: F. J. Collins, T. I. G. M .; L. E. Mallory, D. I. G. M .; J. H. Youngs, P. C. of W .; C. L. Wheeler, Treas. ; E. F. Sawyer, Rec. With the exception of P. C. of W. and recorder, the above officers were re-elected for this year. Companion Youngs and Companion Sawyer declined a re-election, and Companions D. C. Greene- wald and C. P. McAllister were elected as P. C. of W. and recorder. The offi- cers of this council elected in December, 1889, were L. E. Mallory, T. I. G. M .; S. R. Sheakley, D. I. G. M .; C. S. Hubbard, P. C. of W .; C. L. Wheeler, Treas. ; C. P. McAllister, Rec. ; J. R. Goldsborough, F. W. Sprague and J. W. Hogan, trustees. The membership is 147, or the third in strength in this State.


Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T. In the early months of 1881 the matter of instituting a Commandery of Knights Templar began to be discussed. Among the new residents of the city were many members of the order who had located in the great northern field to stay, and they wanted a templar home. On April 30, 1881, a preliminary meeting of members of the order was held, and a petition for a dispensation forwarded to the grand commandery, with the following charter members' names affixed: J. H. Simonds, C. L. Wheeler, Victor Gratter, Casper Taylor, R. T. Thompson, James Broder, W. R. Weaver, A. C. Hawkins, J. M. McElroy, E. A. Drake, J. R. Goldsborough, C. H. McKevitt, J. B. Farrel, O. F. Schonblom, L. E. Hamsher, W. H. Brad- ley, Marion Henshaw, John Bird, Joseph Overy, W. L. Yelton, J. C. Stur- geon, H. Trumbower, T. B. Hoover, W. C. Hayes, D. S. Scoville, W. P. Shoemaker, John T. Farmer, W. H. Spain, F. M. Cole, W. H. H. Fithian, J. M. Stevenson, W. Warmcastle, M. A. Sprague, W. F. Kelley, D. F. Sieg- fried, John Eaton, J. B. Wheaton, W. C. Husband. H. C. Sanderson, Sey - mour Peck, W. H. Clarke, Alfred Smedley, Charles A. Bailey, J. E. Haskell, W. A. Rix, Frank A. Smith, W. F. Jordan, J. B. Flisher, John Stinson, A. B. Walker, Charles D. Buss, John C. Holmes, Enos O. Adams and Ed. Good- win. On May 13 the dispensation was granted, and on May 18, 1881, the first con- clave of Trinity commandery was held, with the following officers: Joseph Simonds, eminent commander; C. L. Wheeler, generalissimo: Victor Gratter, captain-general; Casper Taylor, treasurer; Robert T. Thompson, recorder; John C. Sturgeon, prelate; James Broder, senior warden; William H. Clarke, junior warden; J. R. Goldsborongh, standard bearer; William A, Rix, sword bearer; John Stinson, warder; W. H. H. Fithian, sentinel. At the meeting of the grand commandery in that same month the charter was duly granted, and R. E. Sir George W. Kendrick, grand commander of the State of Penn-


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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.


sylvania, appointed Wednesday, September 28, 1881, for the constituting of Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T. The members of the new commandery resolved to make the occasion one long to be remembered, both as a social and Masonic event of the city, and they more than succeeded. The most elaborate preparations were made, both for the reception of the grand officers and the entertainment of the guests of the occasion. The new commandery so auspi- ciously constituted increased rapidly in members, and soon ranked as one of the most vigorous and most ably officered and conducted templar organiza- tions in the State. At the present time the membership numbers 198. The commandery has within the last few years lost many prominent members by death, among them the First Commander E. Sir Joseph H. Simonds, to whose earnest intelligent efforts are due more than to any other one man, the constituting of both the chapter and commandery, and their success and effi- ciency. Following are the past commanders in order of service: Joseph H. Simonds, Joseph M. McElroy, Charles L. Wheeler, Phillip M. Shannon, Win- field Scott Watson, James R. Goldsborough, Harry A. Marlin. The officers for 1889 were James R. Goldsborough, eminent commander; Henry F. Bar- bour, generalissimo; William R. Weaver, captain-general; Phillip M. Shan- non, treasurer; W. H. H. Fithian, recorder. The officers for 1890 are H. F. Barbour, E. C .; W. R. Weaver, G .; F. J. Collins, C. G .; C. L. Wheeler, Treas., and C. P. McAllister, Rec. The present membership is 200.




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