Notes from
Monument Square
Newsletter of the
Mifflin County
Historical Society
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Volume XXVII Number 3
JUNE 2001
(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
MEMBERSHIP
We wish to acknowledge and welcome these new members of the Mifflin County Historical Society. Nineteen new annual members and three new individual life members have joined the ranks. Memberships allow us to operate the society office and open the museum every Sunday May to December, as well as other special programs throughout the year, such as Kid Connection in April and Home Town Christmas in November and December.
We thank these new annual and life members for joining the Mifflin County Historical Society!
New Annual Members
Anne Weenig, Salt Lake City, Utah
Ed & Cindy Porch, Lewistown
M/M Lewis C. Johnson, Burnham
Anna Earnest, Reedsville
Irene K. Ithrig, Westville, Ohio
Raymond Stine ,North Brunswick, N.J.
M/M George J. Harman, Jr., Mt. Union, Pa.
Larry & Dana Frye,Albuquerque, N.M.
The Matthews Family.State College
James H. Wagner.Beavertown, Pa.
Amos R. Shatzer .Charleston, Ill.
Gary & Norma Graham .Harrisburg
Clifford W. Kline .Midland, Mich.
Susan A. Wismer.Dalton, Mass.
Mark & Deanna Monroe.Lewistown
Lloyd & Susie Robinson.Santa Cruz, Calif.
Carol A. Pokrant .Bandera, Texas
Elizabeth Dutton.Boalsburg, Pa.
Karen Bonson, Milroy
Roxanne R. Seibert .Palmyra, Pa.
Carol M. Hepler .Fairmount, Ind.
Matthew D. Postlewaite .Cochranton, Pa.
Tammy Vardetti, Cheswold, Del.
Larry R. Cowan, Burnham
Carol Oakes, Lewistown
Dane Spriggle, Lewistown
Wayne & Kim Hower, Lewistown
Harry Steinberger, Burnham
Judy Mundy, Yeagertown
Patricia Beesley, Keizer, Ore.
Ed Conner, York, Pa.
New Individual Life Members
Mildred P. Steinberger, Novato, Calf.
Marie Deimler, Tularosa, N.M.
James H. Houser, West Chester, Pa.
Helen M. Sheaffer, Naples, Fla.
Thanks for renewing!
Individual, Family, Supporting and Civic Club annual memberships run from January to December. The renewal reminder in the January newsletter prompted an excellent response. Thank you so much for renewing and demonstrating your commitment to the historical society.
The dues structure has remained the same since the 1980s. As operating costs go up, our individual annual membership is still $10.
HELP US BREAK 500
Not since the the Mifflin County Bicentennial year of 1989 has the Mifflin County Historical Society had 500 annual dues-paying members. We usually hover around 450 or a bid higher.
Help us break 500. Invite a friend, relative or neighbor to join. New members receive a Welcome Pack, which includes a membership card, selected MCHS publications, and a copy of a previous newsletter.
Help us break 500 in 2001.
Meritorious Service Awards presented
at the
Spring Dinner Meeting
The Meritorious Service Award is given to members who have made outstanding and commendable contributions to the historical society. On Thursday, April 26, 2001, five individuals were honored for their exemplary service to the Mifflin County Historical Society. Receiving awards were Dr. Eleanor M. Aurand, and family representatives for the late Dr. John R.W. Hunter, the late Donald Kauffman, the late Garver McNitt and the late R. Lee Zeigler, Esq.
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OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY
Dr. Eleanor M. Aurand compiled the book, Mifflin Countians in the Civil War, served as board secretary, vice-president and president, was an active member of the committee, acting for the society board of directors, when the McCoy House was purchased. Dr. Aurand was elected Director Emeritus in 1985 after many years of service on the board of directors.
Dr. John R.W. Hunter served as board vice-president and president. He was instrumental in making the arrangements to move the society office and research library to the old Mifflin County Courthouse. Additionally, Dr. Hunter was a member of the McCoy House renovation committee.
Donald R. Kauffman compiled the monumental work, Cemetery Records of Mifflin County, a two volume set enumerating and detailing county cemeteries. He started the society newsletter and served as corresponding secretary and membership chairperson. Mr. Kauffman also planned society bus trips, which are still so popular today.
Garver M. McNitt served many terms as society secretary and board president. During his service as president, the arrangements to purchase McCoy House were completed. During his career as teacher and principal, Mr. McNitt also administered a high school history test, sponsored by the society.
R. Lee Ziegler served as board vice-president and president. He was a leader in securing a good financial footing for the society. He audited the society’s financial records and helped establish an endowment fund. Mr. Ziegler served as the historical society’s legal council.
This is just a brief listing of accomplishments these individuals achieved on behalf of the society.
In recognition, each recipient’s name is inscribed on a plaque prominently displayed in the historical society’s research library, located in the old courthouse.
Society Book Sale
Held May 3 & 4
The historical society held a book sale in the hallway of the Old Mifflin County Courthouse on Monument Square in Lewistown, Pa. May 3 and 4, 2001. Many used books and society publications were sold.
We wish to express our thanks to the many volunteers for making this a successful effort. From planning, to giving of time during the the days of the sale, thank you everyone for all your help.
A special thanks to all those individuals who visited the book sale and made a purchase. Thanks for your support!
Book Sale Planning Committee included:
Mary Reed, chair
Jean Suloff
Dan McClenahen
Paul Fagley
Marian Barr
Margaret Spahr
Winona Simmons
Frances Shirk
Forest Fisher
Joe Deihl
Karen Aurand
Set-up, clean-up and those who helped the days of the sale included:
Joe and Darlene Deihl
Jean Suloff
Karen Aurand
Dottie Aurand
Marian Barr
Lola Kearns
David McNitt
Forest Fisher
Winona Simmons
Ray Allison
Maryann Hornyak
Peggy Goss
Mary Reed
Gerry Purcell
Cabinets for Sale
The historical society has a pair of wooden cabinets or bookcases for sale.
Each is constructed of dark wood, perhaps walnut or stained, of similar design. Both are 5 feet wide and 5 feet, 5 inches in height, with a removable 6 inch trim on top.
There are four shelves in each and both have sliding glass doors. One glass panel is cracked.
When it was located in the McCoy House basement, the back of one has what appears to be water damage caused by a burst pipe.
The cabinets probably came from the office of Casper Dull, but were never accessioned into the collection.
BIDS ACCEPTED
UNTIL AUG. 1, 2001
If you are interested in one or both cases, and would like to see them, please contact the society office at 242-1022 during business hours (10 to 4 any Tuesday or Wednesday) to arrange a visit to the warehouse behind the McCoy House Annex. Bids must be in writing, including your name, address and phone number, in a sealed envelope. Deadline for submitting a bid is August 1, 2001.
2002 Calendar Project
The Mifflin County Historical Society is proceeding with its second annual calendar. Picture the Past - 2002 already has twenty individual and almost ten business sponsors, about one third of the way compared to last year’s final totals.
Individuals can become 2002 calendar sponsors for $10.00 Individual sponsor names will appear on the inside cover of the calendar with a list of other sponsors.
Businesses can become 2002 calendar sponsors for $40.00 and have their business card ad appear on one of the twelve calendar pages. Businesses should send their company’s business card or copy equal to a standard business card.
Help make our 2002 calendar project another success. Become a sponsor today. A convenient Individual and Business Sponsor Form is located on page 11. If our business sponsors would like to help us market the 2002 calendars in their place of business, be sure to check the box at the bottom of the sponsor form.
Deadline for sponsorship is July 15, 2001.
This allows us time to finalize the layout, so that we can get the calendar to the printers in time for sale at the Fall banquet in September.
SOCIETY SPRING BUS TOUR
Forty-three members and friends of the Mifflin County Historical Society trekked to Oglebay and Wheeling, West Virginia on Saturday, June 2, 2001, destined for a long day of touring this historic area.
Pronouncing the excursion a success, tour organizer and historical society program chairman Ray C. Allison, recently explained that the group visited Oglebay Mansion and Glass Museum. The travelers also were able to walk the Mansion grounds and later visited Central Market in downtown Wheeling for a lunch stop.
After lunch, the Victorian houses of the town were on the itinerary, including Eckhart House, Hess House and the Hazlett Fields House. The group was treated to seeing the beautiful wooden floors, stained glass and very ornate woodwork throughout the houses.
During the afternoon, the group viewed an exhibit of fashion dolls of the Nineteenth Century. According to literature provided the tour by The Cultural Center of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, these dolls were used as a means of conveying the fashion of the day, from garments, accessories and hair styles in miniature replicas. Dressmakers and milliners would then duplicate these fashions for their clientele.
The group finished the full day by enjoying a great buffet at Wilson Lodge back at Oglebay Mansion.
Watch the newsletter for future tour information.
BOSTON - FALL TOUR
ALL FULL - ALL SEATS TAKEN!
For inclusion on the
waiting list contact ...
RAY C. ALLISON
(717) 248-9321
34 GRAND PARKWAY NORTH
LEWISTOWN, PA 17044
Death Notices Received
Thekla M. Leeper
Thekla M. Leeper, 89, of Lewistown, Pa., died Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at the Lewistown Hospital.
Born January 23, 1912 in East Chicago, Ill., she was the daughter of the late William H. and Fannie (Bentzel) Metzger. Her husband, Herbert A. Leeper, died December 7, 1978.
She was survived by sisters, Anna Mary Keim, South Pasadena, Fla. and Frances M. Miller, Franklin Ave., Lewistown; and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Herbert A. “Andy” Leeper. (See below)
She was a Mifflin County Historical Society life member and recipient of the society’s Meritorious Service Award.
She was a member of the society’s board of directors and served as executive secretary for WMRF Radio in Lewistown for many years. She actively volunteered in her church and community.
Services were held at 2 p.m. June 3, 2001 at Heller-Hoenstine Burnham Funeral Home, 108 First Ave., Burnham, Rev. Gerald A. Krum officiating. Interment was at the Vira Methodist Cemetery.
Dr. Herbert A. Leeper, Jr.
Dr. Herbert A. “Andy” Leeper, Jr., 58, of Hammond Crescent, London, Ontario, Canada, died May 24, 2001, in the emergency room of Lewistown Hospital.
Born November 5, 1942, he was a son of Thekla M. Leeper of Lewistown and the late Herbert A. Leeper, Sr. His wife, Genese A. (Warr) Leeper survives, as does his two sons, William (Rob) Leeper and Terrence John (TJ) Leeper, both at home.
Dr. Leeper was a professor at the University of Western Ontario, active in his community and a volunteer coach in youth sports. He was a life member of the Mifflin County Historical Society.
Services were held at Heller-Hoenstine Burnham Funeral Home, 108 First Ave., Burnham, Rev. Gerald A. Krum officiating. Interment was at the Vira Methodist Cemetery.
QUERIES
Meteer/McTeer
Mateer/Nelson
Everitt/McMurtry
In about 1785, James Meteer/ McTeer/Mateer of E. Pennsborough Twp. and wife Elizabeth (Nelson of Sherman’s Valley) moved north into present Union Twp. near Belleville along Stone Mountain.
Their children were Robert, William, Dorcas (Potter), Isabella (Work), Mary (Aitkens), Jennet (Steel), Joseph, James Jr., and John. Elizabeth’s brother Robert Nelson, Jr. had also moved to Union Twp. by about 1790. James Jr. succeeded his father on their land.
In 1813, James Jr. had married Perthena (McMurtry) Everitt of Armagh Twp.
Would be pleased to share information on the Mateer /McTeer / Mateer descendants and would appreciate contact from anyone knowing of these families, their origins, and family members.
(906)- 524-6426
James W. Meteer
913 Meador St.
L’Anse, MI 49946 - 1617
e-mail - jimmsr@up.net
BOLLINGER/FOUST
McCORD/ _______
My surnames in Mifflin County are Bollinger/FOUST and McCord/ _______. In my search this past month, I see that my ancestors may have lived in Mifflin County for over 100 and some years (1755 thru 1880s). If there is a member of these lines I would love to correspond with them.
Eileen Sena
9671 Lame Horse Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89123
e-mail: 5stokes98@aol.com
Editor's Desk
One of the historical society’s recent improvements goes unnoticed when you enter the old courthouse on Monument Square. Look around the office or the library or even in the hall and you won’t see it. It is a profound change, affecting the way research is conducted and publications are purchased.
Give up? It’s sort of a trick question, though. These innovations are to our web site at www.mccoyhouse.com.
Originally, Douglas Armstrong of Reston, Virginia brought the society into the modern technological age when he volunteered to maintain an Internet site for us. He became our first webmaster. This was our first leap into the unknown of Cyber Space. This is a true milestone in the society’s 81 year history, considering that in the year of our charter, KDKA, the country’s first radio station, was just a year old.
Douglas registered our Internet name, mccoyhouse.com and paid the necessary fees as his contribution to the society. He also maintained the PA GenWeb Project’s Mifflin County genealogical site. All very time consuming.
As a family man, though, Douglas moved on to other things and passed the torch earlier this year to another Virginia resident, Cynthia Rosenberry.
I’ll introduce Cynthia to our members and friends in the August newsletter. In the meantime, if you have Internet access, please take a look at www.mccoyhouse.com. The site offers features we never could have provided in those pre- Internet days.