Notes from Monument Square
Newsletter of the Mifflin County Historical Society
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Volume XXV Number 3 JUNE 1999
(Text version of Society News & Notes)
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Office & Research Library,
1 W. Market St., Suite 1
Lewistown, PA 17044-2128
Phone (717) 242-1022
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McCoy House Museum
17 N. Main St., Lewistown
Sunday afternoon
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
(May thru December)
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Newsletter Editor : Forest K. Fisher
MCHS e-mail: mchistory@acsworld.net
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Society News & Notes
New Members
We wish to acknowledge and welcome these new annual and individual life members of the Mifflin County Historical Society. Memberships are a vital source of income, allowing the historical society to operate the office, research library and museum as well as other special programs.
Roberta Guininan, Lewistown
George & Doris Scott, Lewistown
Jeff Erion, Silverado, Calf.
David Garver McNitt, Thornton, Pa.
June Aitkins, Lewistown
Cheryl A. Gocken, Milford, Ill.
Kraig & Susan Kratzer, Burnham
Mr. & Mrs. George Scott, Lewistown
James & Mildred Moyer, Milroy
Charles A. Glenville, West Chester, Pa.
Maureen Banner, Millerstown, Pa.
Joseph Shirk, Lewistown
Floyd & Gladys Kibe, Milroy
Cynthia Buffington, Lewistown
Mr. & Mrs. Lowell P. Dorman, Rock Island, Ill.
Nancy A. Simmons, San Diego, Calf.
Steven W. Winegardner, Washington, D.C.
Patsy E. Henry-McCaffrey, Lewistown
Robert & Christine Wileman, Lewistown
Yvonne Ross, Belleville
Rick Edmiston, State College, Pa.
Robert A. Hower, Lewistown
Cassie Campbell, Burnham
James Kent Shannon, Reedsville
Joan R. Spagnoletti, Lewistown
New Life Members
Susan E. Earp, Lewistown
Victoria Cross Shimp, Tempe, Ariz.
Charles L. Hershberger, Lewistown
Paula R. Hershberger, Lewistown
Reader’s Response
Comments from our readers arewelcome and will be shared as space allows. Thanks for writing.
Dear Mr. Fisher:
Having just read the Society News of George Zaborowski Interpretive Specialist for the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and as I am working on the Stewart Genealogy at present, thought you might like to read what I found in one of my notes. Alexander Stewart (half-brother of my father Chester Stewart) and his wife rode the roof of a house during the Johnstown flood and went home to Eden Hill (between Tyrone and Water Street) to recuperate.
Robert Stewart (Chester Stewart’s great-grandfather) bought 640 acres for 481 pounds sterling in 1793 with one owner between him and William Penn. The area is still known as Eden Hill. Sincerely,
Maxine (Stewart) Rhodes
P.S. Andrew (Andy) Stewart, brother of Alexander was a traffic cop on the main thoroughfare in Johnstown and had a 52 inch girth
Thanks, Maxine for your very interesting letter.. I’m sure our readers will enjoy the results of your research.
Alexander’s adventure reminds me of the similar fate of Jack’s Creek residents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Riden, who fell asleep the night of June 1, 1889, only to awaken as their house was floating down the Juniata, eventually coming to rest two miles from Mifflintown! They, too, were rescued from their precarious perch on the house roof. – Editor
Society’s home on the Internet
www.McCoyHouse.com
A special thanks from the Mifflin County Historical Society goes out to society member Douglas Armstrong of Reston, Virginia, who recently presented the Mifflin County Historical Society with an incomparable gift – our own web page.
McCoyHouse.com was up and running this spring and contains many elements that will help streamline inquiries to the society’s office. It contains an email link to the newsletter editor, who in turn can direct questions and inquiries to the proper source. Although the purpose of this email contact is not to answer research questions, some queries are easily answered and a response can go out the same day. Other questions require more specific information.
Our web site contains additional pages that include details on: The Research Library, Society Hours, Membership Info, Society Resources, Research by Mail and Publications for Sale. Those who access this site via their computer can, with a few clicks of the mouse, have most common society questions answered anytime of the day or night.
Moreover, McCoyHouse.com presents a broad view of the historical society’s background and facilities. Through pictures and text, visitors to the site can also find out about the McCoy House Museum, Major General McCoy, and the society’s various collections.
Armstrong maintains the Mifflin County page for the Pennsylvania Genealogical Project, PAGenWeb, our state’s component of the US GenWeb. This is a volunteer enterprise on the World Wide Web that enables genealogical researchers to trace family roots nationwide. In addition to our new web site at McCoyHouse.com, Armstrong also maintain three other sites, the Mifflin County site for the PAGen Web (http://www.rootsweb.com/~pamiffli), his personal site, (http://www.rootsexchange.com) and his company's web site (http://www.eventonline.com).
You might ask yourself, why would someone put so much time into a project like this. Let Douglas Armstrong’s own words from his personal web page give you the answer:
“I have been searching for my roots for about 15 years. With the birth of my son in 1996 and my twins in September 1998, I have renewed my search with an emphasis on preserving our past for our children's futures.”
The Mifflin County Historical Society is delighted to receive this generous gift.
USGenWeb Statement
“We are a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. This Project is non-commercial and fully committed to free access for everyone.”
Mifflin County Pennsylvania Genealogy Home Page, our part of the USGenWeb Project on the World Wide Web is maintained by society member Douglas Armstrong. The page has been visited 4747 times since January 1, 1999.
Please meet...
Members of Our Board
Fran Mackneer
Lewistown resident Fran Mackneer has been a member of the board of directors since 1994. As chairman of the Museum Committee, she is always on the lookout for new and historically interesting ways to exhibit items from the society’s permanent collection housed at the McCoy House.
Fran’s interest in preserving the past for future generations is just one reason she gives for her commitment to the historical society. She also enjoys working on the museum’s acquisitions, planning special exhibits and taking groups through the museum. Fran hopes to help develop increased community interest in our society.
A retired Mifflin County School District educator, Fran enjoys volunteering. In addition to her commitment to church, the Mifflin County Library also benefits from her many donated hours. She resides in Lewistown with husband Lee. The Mackneers have one son, Jeff.
Fran Mackneer — a member of our board. We wish to acknowledge and thank our board members. To keep the Mifflin County Historical Society moving forward, it takes the many, many hours of dedicated and volunteered service each is willing to give.
Research volunteers applauded
Our volunteers are indeed the best! It has long been known, and frequently remarked by those who utilize the library materials, that MCHS research volunteers go that extra mile. They are courteous, helpful and dedicated to searching out those family facts hidden in our county’s records.
An example of just such gratitude recently came our way. A former county resident visited the research library while on a trip from Florida. Here are his email comments which the newsletter editor received following that visit:
Our library volunteers include Mary Barr, Mary Reed, Frances Shirk, Margaret Spahr, Lois Dunmire, Anne Price, Barry Narehood, Jean Warner, Marian Barr and Winona Simmons. Thank you volunteers. You have made our research library a special place indeed. You are very much appreciated.
I would like to tell you how much help the people at the Historical Society were the day I spent researching my ancestry. I could have not wanted any better assistance than what I received from Winona (Simmons). She went beyond any of my expectations.
My thanks to your organization.
Albert Lee Rothrock
Oak Hill, Florida
News from McCoy House
Wedding Attire Through the Years
You could almost hear the strains of The Wedding March, as the 1999 McCoy House Museum season opened Saturday, April 24 with Kid Connection. The display of wedding related items, including wedding dresses that are part of the museum’s collection, was a success. A large number of groups by special arrangements viewed the exhibit as well as Sunday visitors.
The display embraced a diverse collection with such items as invitations, cake toppers, jewelry, and even a ring bearer’s diminutive suit.
Twenty-eight wedding gowns were displayed, ranging from an early 1857 dress worn at the wedding of Anna Mary Aikens to Andrew Swartzel to a gown from the 1969 Lewistown wedding of Charlene Costa to Kevin Conway.
One gown, worn by Jane Lash in 1951 when she married Robert Seager was nylon, made from a parachute used by the bridegroom during World War II
The Mifflin County Historical Society would like to thank the many individuals who so generously shared their family heirlooms for the exhibit, Wedding Attire Through the Years.
Railroad Exhibit
McCoy House will host an exhibit of railroad memorabilia to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Lewistown Junction this summer.
Railroad items are still needed for the July exhibit and need not be limited to the Pennsylvania Railroad, but may include memorabilia from local lines, such as the Kish Valley Railroad.
Help make this a varied exhibit of transportation history. Contact the society’s office at 242-1022.
Acquisitions
The Mifflin County Historical Society receives a variety of books, clothing, paper items, artwork and many other artifacts that reflect the county’s heritage. We wish to acknowledge and thank the following donors for their generosity:
Sen. J. Doyle Corman, Bellefonte, Pa. - Variety of photos containing Sen. Corman in Mifflin County events - i.e. Ground Breaking Ceremonies, Pa. State Fire School, etc.
Glenda Chilcote, York, Pa. - Genealogies for: Crissman, Havice, Treaster, Sunday, Brown.
Anne Shatzer Price, McClure, Pa. - Medicine case which belonged to Dr. Charles J. Stambaugh of Reedsville (1870 - 1952) .
Mifflin County Garden Club, Beth Laughlin, Lewistown - Crock from the Mifflin Co. Garden Club in Commemoration of their 50th Anniversary 1933 - 1993.
Harvey C. Eby, Jr., Lewistown - Collection of photographs showing covered bridges from the state of Pennsylvania.
Carloe A. Campbell, Lewistown - Photos: The Yeagertown Band; Y. H. S. Girls’ Basketball Team 1929-30; Graduation photo and a book.
Ruth McKee Bottomley, Berkeley Springs, W. Va. - Binder: Genealogical data on McKee, Hoge, Mairs, Sidle and related Families with a history of areas where they lived and hardships endured.
Georgia Olsen, Lewistown - Yearbook: 1999 L.A.H.S. Lore
Mifflin County Planning Commission, Lewistown - Book: The Role of Religion in Motivating Sustainability: The Case of the Old Order Amish in Kishacoquillas Valley, Pa. by David P. Hockman-Wert A thesis, Dec., 1998
William C. Conrad, St. Marys, Pa. - Bound volume of newspapers: McVeytown Journal dated July 22, 1909 - June 13, 1912 Donor’s grandfather owned and edited the newspaper.
Society acquisitions on display
McCoy House is the repository for the many hundreds of artifacts donated to the historical society.
The Civil War items shown above include a battlefield souvenir, a small bible, found at Chancellorsville by Gen. W. S. Mitchell in 1863 and given to Lewistown Presbyterian minister, O. O. McClean.
Stop by the McCoy House for a visit. Open every Sunday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. through December.
Queries
JORDAN - Writer desires correspondence
The writer would like to correspond with anyone searching the line of David Jordan (1746 - 1822) and Isabella Courley (Jordan) circa 1763 - 1826. Isabella’s parents were Adam and Mary Courley.
William Jordan, Sr.
1647 Double Creek Rd.
Crown City, Ohio 45623
Notice of death received
George Edward Wert
1920 - 1999
This newsletter received word from society life member Cheryl Joan Wert, that her father, a former Mifflin County resident, George Edward Wert died March 3, 1999 in Kingston, New York. He was 78 years old. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania on April 10, 1920, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Brown V. Wert. He was one of four children, of which only one survives.
George was raised in the area, later moving to Ulster County, New York. He and his family frequently returned to Mifflin County to visit their Wert relatives and other friends.
Cheryl noted in her letter that the family lived for awhile in New Lancaster Valley. Cheryl also noted that although she was born in Kingston, New York, her sister Sharen was born in a Lewistown Hospital.
Those wishing to correspond may write to this address:
Cheryl Wert
302 Washington Ave.
Kingston, NY 12401-4443
STROLL THROUGH OVER 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
Take a walk around Lewistown and encounter tales of dancing bears, medicine shows, balloon launches, escaped slaves, military heroes, sporting events and a train robbery! You will learn of scandals that occurred on the street corners.
Meet a courageous woman who was kidnapped as a young girl, raised a family in the wilderness, lost and then regained her eyesight, and help establish a town.
Sites you will pass include the meeting place for the very first troops who went off to the Civil War, the location of a factory producing one of America’s first compact automobiles, the home of a famous health tonic, and the first drive-through window in the region. Plus so much more in this 60 plus minute video. Order now.
Walking Tour Video – $15.00
(tax included + $2.00 shipping)
(Delivery – 1st week of November, 1999)
The Mifflin County Historical Society’s
Spring Bus Tour visited Historical York,
Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 12, 1999
Watch for a report on that trip in the August Newsletter
Fall Bus Trip Update
Initial plans are for Oct. 1, 2, &3 and may include the 56th Annual Waterford Homes Tour & Craft Exhibit - Virginia’s Oldest Juried Craft Fair + side trips to D.C. area.
COMPLETE DETAILS IN THE AUGUST NEWSLETTER
People in the News in Mifflin County
March 31, 1898 – Andrew Wolfkill of Lewistown, a well known conductor between Sunbury and Lewistown, will tomorrow complete the honorable record of forty-four years in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He entered service April 1, 1854. In 1864, he was transferred to the Milroy branch and then to Lewistown and Sunbury. It is hoped he will have many more years of service before being shifted to the long siding.
April 7, 1898 – The pension of Lt. Col. Thomas Hulings was restored to $20.00 a month. He was killed in battle at Spottsylvania Court House. He was in the Twenty-fifth, a captain in the Twelfth, and a Lieutenant in the Forty-ninth Volunteers. His widow, Mary B. Hulings, is the daughter of Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant General of the United States during the entire war. She was pensioned, but marrying again lost it. She was compelled to obtain a divorce from her second husband and now is living on scanty support and her physical powers are rapidly declining.
May 12, 1898 - The following people from Mifflin County are students at Millersville Normal School: Margaret Carney, Mary Snook, Reedsville; Carrie McCoy, Charles McCoy and William Corbin, Granville; Ralph McNitt, Milroy; Orris Pecht and Clyde Stull, Siglerville; Theodore Ramsey,Locke’s Mills; John Runk, Newton Hamilton; and Frank Warner and Albert Carney, Belleville.
June 30, 1898 - Rev. D. W. Woods of Gettysburg has a very interesting article on “The Stamp Tax Box” in the June issue of St. Nicholas Magazine, the article dealing with the Revolutionary relic now dwelling in the home of D. W. Woods of Lewistown, being the box in which the repeal of the Stamp Act was brought to this country from England.
From People In The News In Mifflin County
Volume II (1886 – 1899) Dan McClenahen 1995
Editor’s Desk
I must apologize. This edition of the newsletter is running about two weeks late. I COULD tell you that while I was digging through the extensive archives at the Old Courthouse, I came across an astounding find – a little known local historical fact with national repercussions. My research has taken up so much additional time, the newsletter schedule was thrown waaaay off.
Of course that’s not true. It would be nice, if I could find such an Earth-shattering bit of knowledge, to rock the headlines. I guess it’s the press of modern life I’ll blame. We try to stuff so much into our schedules, we say, “I’m too busy to get it all done.” That’s the conventional wisdom, anyway.
And I won’t kid myself about retiring to get more free time. I’ve been told not to expect any more extra time after I retire someday. EVERY retired person I talk to, who has thrown off the harness recently, tells me their busier than ever! I’m thinking, “How is THAT possible?”
In any event, late or not, I think you will enjoy Memorial Day – 1924. As I read about the parade that day, I got so absorbed in picturing the events of May 30, 1924 – visualizing the unfurled flags, red, white and blue bunting along the streets, hearing the band music, picturing the last of the wizened Civil War veterans, hearing the words of the main speaker and the notes of Taps sounding across seventy-five years – I was crying as I typed.
We should take the time to stop and reflect on where we’ve been and where we are going. That’s what history is all about, it makes you think. Whether it’s your family history or the county’s.
Enjoy the newsletter. Welcome our new members. And if you have the time, stop by the McCoy House some Sunday for a visit. I might see you there.