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RELIGION
Harmony United
Presbyterian Church congregation was first called Boiling Spring Church
with Scrubgrass and Cool Spring societies, but the name was later changed
to Harmony. The first service was held in 1800 and it is probable
that a congregation was organized that year. The first pastor, Rev.
Thomas McClintock, arrived in 1803. Four acres of land was
purchased from Thomas McCoy in 1807 for
twelve dollars, and on this was erected a small log cabin. Church
was held in it in the winter and in a tent in the summer. Then a
large log building was erected. During the pastorate of Rev.
Don Montgomery the brick building was torn down and moved into
Harrisville and erected on the present sight.
Several changes
have been made inside and more space was purchased for parking.
The 1976 pastor is
Rev. William Milligan. Trustees are William
Hanlon, James Henry, John Bickel, Larry Hay and Ralph
Jamison. Elders are Gerald Grossman,
Ralph Erb, Donald Thompson, Kenneth Greene, David Dennis, John Finch,
Douglas Mathew, Robert and Clinton Cokain and Dale
Sopher. There are now 270 members.
The Methodist
Episcopal Church in Harrisville was organized by Rev.
William Carroll in 1834 with the original membership of 14.
Early meetings were held in homes and the public school. The first
church was built in 1842, situated on Mill street. In 1895 the old
church was sold and a brick church was built on land donated by Ash
Walker. The church was not the center of the circuit when it
started but was in 1897. The church officially became the United
Methodist Church in 1969, and, the Evangelical United Brethren joined in
1970. The original membership was John McConnell,
Josiah Hardy, Robert Walker, Robert Knowlton, Abner McGill and William
McGill and their families. 1976 shows 300 members under the
leadership of Rev. George Elgin.
Trustees are Richard Fryman, Robert Wilkewitz,
George Walter, Robert West, Harold Eakin, Malcom Barron, Wayne Donaldson,
Carl Eakin and Paul Taggart.
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Faith
Orthodox Presbyterian Church was
organized when a group under the leadership of Rev. Robert Atwell met Aug.5, 1936 in the
Harrisville High School. There were seventy five charter members. Land was
donated by F. F. Karns and a small church was
built on Church Street. First services in the new church was Jan. 31,1937.
In 1966 Harrisville
and New Hope churches became one under the
present name Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church. A new church was built
on land donated by William Speer, under the
leadership of Rev. George
Morton.
First
officers with Rev. Atwell were J. H. Craig, A. W.
Brandon, W. E. McBride, W. T. Benedict, J.
B. Speer, S.
D.
Morrison and J. W.
Gilmore, Elders,
and F. F. Karns, Clifford Rea and W.
K.
Sperr,
deacons.
The
present officers under the leadership of Rev.
Leonard Coppes are David Bovard, William Keister, Arthur
Armour, James Karns, Thomas Armour, Donald McCall, Jack Covert and William
Cypher, Elders, with Robert L. Barnes,
William Speer, Lawrence Houston, John Bennett and Dennis
Blom, Deacons. William Smith is
treasurer.
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EDUCATION
The
first school established in
Harrisville was a frame building erected in 1830, and the first teacher was Samuel
E.
Harris. Then came James
Kerr and Chauncy Hamilton.
In 1865 a high school
or academy was established
here by W.
Thomas of West Sunbury.
An academy was once
located on the property where Mrs.
Floyd Humphrey now lives.
Legislation in 1893
brought free books and the 1895 act called for compulsory attendance
for all children under thirteen. With the
continuing increase in tax levies
and the enabling legislation, one of the high schools was established in
1907 in Harrisville. It closed in 1958 when the Harrisville area joined
the Slippery area jointure. Harrisville now has Harmer Elementary School with kindergarten through fifth grades. Teachers at present are Mrs. Robert Stackman, Mrs. Alton Reep,
Mrs.
Stanley Hurd, Mrs. George Cratty, Mrs.
Glenn Adams and Mrs. Linda
Dessy.
Some
of the teachers through the years
the readers may remember were Lettie
Worthington, Ruth Braham, Roy Imbrie, Joe Cochran, Joseph Dugan, Grace
Braham, Sara Speer, Florence Reynold,
Julia Humphrey, Mary Gilmore, Rosetta Humphrey, Florence Craig,
Calvin Hogg, Ethel McQuown, Edith McDonald, Marion Orr, Aletha Humphrey,
Elizabeth Remaley, Elda McConnell,
E. J. Eisenhauer, Martha Mclntire and Catherine
Simmons.
The Christian
Public School of Western Pennsylvania was established in Harrisville
September 1974. This school has grades one through six. Teachers are Terrance
Caldwell and Miss Mary Baak. The school has 39 students and the
directors are, Thomas Armour, chairman, James Depew,
Lawrence Houston, James Karns, John Bennett, Dennis Blom and Mrs.
Thomas Armour.
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BUSINESS
POST OFFICE
-- The first post office was established in Harrisville
April 17,1819, with postmaster then Ephraim Harris.
[Mrs. John H.
(Emily
Fleming) Forker was appointed postmistress of Harrisville in
1880.] It has had several locations through the years and the present
building was dedicated on March 24, 1962 when Kenneth
Eakin was postmaster. The
present postmaster is Harold
Uber.
TELEPHONE
-- The first time the telephone
was in Harrisville was 1896 and was known as Harrisville Telephone
Company. It is now known as the Peoples
Telephone Company.
BANK -- The
First National Bank of Harrisville was started in 1903 and has served the community
since that time. It is now the
Harrisville branch
of the Mellon National Bank and
Trust Company.
COKAINS BARBER
SHOP -- Clifton Cokain started his barber
career in 1927 when he worked
for Earl Surrena in his shop in the bank
building. In 1931 he moved his shop to the Dave Kyle
building, then in 1950 to
the Humphrey building.
He moved to his present location
in 1958.
PENN-GOLD ICE
CREAM FACTORY -- In 1929 J. H.
“Jay” Hughes started the ice cream factory for the Vengold
company. When he became owner in 1930
he changed the name to Penn-Gold.
For years people for miles around have come to enjoy the best ice cream in
the area. The present owner is his son, Marcel
Hughes.
MONTGOMERY BLOCK
WORKS
-- Many years ago Andrew
Montgomery built the block works and continued in business until
his death. Then his son, Leroy ran the
business and built a new
building. He sold the business Aug. 1974 and it is now Montgomery Block, Division
of Penngrove Redi-mix
Concrete.
SPOT
RESTAURANT -- The Spot Restaurant, formerly owned by Mr.
and Mrs. James
Davidson was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. James
Phillips in 1947. After the death of Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Phillips has continued to operate
the business.
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BEAUTY SHOPS
-- June
McGill started her beauty
shop on Main Street in 1949.
Sandy
VanDyke has a shop in her home on Prairie street
since July 1967.
Sue
Strange has a shop in her new home on the Grove City Road. She
started a shop in 1970.
FUNERAL HOME
-- The Harold
C. Jamison
Funeral Home was opened in Jan. 1956.
FLORIST -- Walter
and Walter Florist was started in March 1959 by Maxine Walter and her
brother Shirl. Maxine
is now owner and operator of the shop.
THOMPSONS
WHOLESALE GREENS -- James Thompson started
his
business in 1930 and continued until his
death in 1970. It is now operated by his son, Fred
Thompson.
HARRISVILLE
HARDWARE -- The hardware has been operated by Wayne Donaldson
since he bought it from J. R. Houston in
Jan.7, 1955. [see photo at left.] Donaldson also became the owner of the Kings Table Restaurant
on Main Street Feb. 1976.
HENRY’S MARKET--
Henry’s Market has been operated by James Henry
since he purchased it from William McKee in 1958.
CIRILLO REST
HOME -- Mrs.
Pauline
Cirillo opened the Rest Home
May 1960 and has been operating
with a home type atmosphere ever since.
BONETTI
CONVALESENT ROME
-- The home was built in 1962
by Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Bonetti with 10
beds. As of Jan. 1,1976 it has been
named Bonetti Health
Care Center, Inc. and has 40
beds.
H. AND F. AUTO
STORE -- Dale
Fye
opened the auto supply store
Nov.20, 1961, located in the old Brown furniture store.
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DR.
RAYMOND
SALOOM -- Dr. Saloom came to
Harrisville and opened an office on Prairie Street in 1961.
WADE CERAMIC
SHOP -- Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wade opened a
ceramic shop in their home in 1965. They now teach and supply American
Beauty Products within a radius of fifty miles. Debby Wade
and Debby Fye are employed as
casters.
HARRISVILLE DRUG
STORE -- John Fugh purchased the local
drug store from the Harve Drug Corp., Grove City on Feb. 1, 1970.
STURGEON
INSURANCE AGENCY -- The insurance agency was purchased from Raymond
Orr in 1970
by H.
James
Sturgeon.
WILLIES SMOKE
HOUSE -- The smokehouse,
located on route 8 at the edge of
town was started by William McKee on May
1,1972. He sells smoked meats and cheese.
YARDS ANTIQUES
-- Yards
antiques is the former Marie
Hanlon shop on Main Street. It was purchased by Mrs. Richard
Yard Jan. 2, 1975.
Other places of
business in Harrisville are three gas stations operated by Jay
Stillwagon, Jr., Robert Manno and Harold
Stillwagon. Ed Phipps Auto shop; Speciality Insurance; Turner Insurance; Edwards Garage; Limestone
Mineral Corp.; Robert Hovis
plumbing and heating; Frank Sabin
Contracting; Barrons Garage, Sally McCabes
Greenhouse; Maple Spring Campground
and Kozy
Rest Kampground.
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SOCIETY
There were four organizations between 1881 and 1893 that do not exist
today but some may remember or have mementos of their existence.
Harrisville Lodge, Number 2397, K. of H. was organized May 21, 1881
with seventy members. In 1895 there were twenty six members.
Z. C. McQuillen Post, Number 246, G.A.R., was mustered in May 12, 1882,
with the following veterans: C. M. Brown, A.
J. McCoy, Lemuel McGill, L. R. Cummins, W. A. Seaton, W. J. Neyman, A.J.
McCoy, Samuel Seaton and J. W. Shull.
Harrisville Council Number 427, Fr.O.U.A.M, was instituted April 7,
1890. Some of the councilors were James
McMillan, Robert Cochran, William Gilmore, J. C. Campbell, E. A. King and
H. P. Cummons.
Harrisville Tent, Number 187, K.O.T.M., was chartered July 22, 1893,
with twenty five members. E. A. King
was record keeper. The first three commanders were Thomas
Cokaine, E. E. McConnel and D. W. Humphrey.
Dr. Seidle was physician and they met in the K. of H. Hall.
W.C.T.U. started in Harrisville in July 1880. 1976 officers were
elected with Mrs. Raymond Snyder, President; Mrs.
Ada Erb, Vice-president; Mrs. James Barnes,
Secretary and Mrs. George Buchanan,
Treasurer.
Harrisville Womens Community Club was organized in 1925 with the help
of the Butler County Home Economics Office. The first meeting was a
lesson on patters. 1948 marked the year with the name Harrisville
Community Club, with Julia Humphrey as
president. The first annual flower show was held in the High
School. A 50 year celebration was held August 4, 1975. 1976
officers are Mrs. Mylon Ruppenthal,
President; Mrs. David Dennis, Treasurer and Mrs.
George Buchanan, Secretary.
Scouting has been in Harrisville through the years. Junior Girl Scouts
this year are under the leadership of Mrs. David
Braham, Mrs. Larry Cobb and Mrs. David Faith. Brownie leaders
are Mrs. Albert Peters and Mrs.
John Sauro.
Boy Scouts are active with Scoutmaster Richard
Montgomery, and the Cubmaster is Larry Upton.
Den Mothers for the Cub Scouts are Mrs. David
Stoops, Mrs. Larry Upton and Mrs. James Miller.
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Harrisville Firemens Association - - The Harrisville Fire Company and
Relief Association was the name on the application of the corporation
filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth on the 13th day of October
1938. It was filed in compliance with the requirements of an act of
the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania entitled,
"Nonprofit Corporation Law" approved May 5, 1933. The
names on the incorporation were E. Paul Orr, Robert
Bollman, Raymond Orr, Bert Barnes, Kenneth Eakin and Dr.
W. D. Imbrie. The number of directors was set at five and
they were Raymond Orr, Paul McCandless, James
Thompson, Lewis Gilmore and Arthur Humphrey.
1976 officers are James Thompson, Fire Chief;
Harold Uber, James Winder and Roger Riddle,
assistants; Dennis Sopher, President; Johan
Stalker, Vice-president; Doug Younkins,
Secretary and Harold Uber, Treasurer.
James Thompson, Rick Uber and Douglas Yard
have training in Emergency Medical Technician and also are instructors for
the American Heart Association in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.
Firemens Auxiliary was organized in 1953 with Mrs.
Dallas Gillchrist as president. The present officers are Mrs.
John Fisher, President; Mrs. Robert West,
Vice-president; Mrs. Gail Hutchinson,
Secretary; and Mrs. Victor Redfoot,
Treasurer.
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American Legion Post 852 was organized in 1946 with Robert
Hoffman as Commander. Before the year ended he went into the
service and the year was completed by Wayne Lumley.
1976 officers are Donald Snyder,
Commander; Nick Argostino, and Chester
Glen, First and second Vice Commanders; Larry
Osburn, Adjutant; Henry ,
Finance Officer; Rechard Shields, Chaplain; Gerald
Ritenour, Historian; Ray McGarvey,
Service Officer; Elmer Belshaw, S. at Arms; Lawrence
Jones, assistant; Carl Jones, Judge
Advocate; Carl VanDyke and Neal
Forrst, Trustees.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 852 was organized when a meeting was
held October 1946 with Mrs. Virgil Rea, chairman
and Mrs. Ralph Humphrey, acting
Secretary. The planning committee was Mrs. Raymond
Orr, Mrs. Clyde Long, Mrs. Roy Riddle, Mrs. Robert Stake, Mrs. Ralph
Spence, Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Humphrey.
There were 93 charter members, and the first officers were: Mrs.
Ralph Humphrey, President; Mrs. Lester
Buchanan and Mrs. Tom Brown, First and
second Vice-presidents; Mrs. Virgil Rea,
Secretary; Mrs. Raymond Orr, Treasurer; Mrs.
Samuel Adams, Historian; Mrs. August Hoffman,
Chaplain and Mrs. George Walter, S. at
Arms. The present officers were Mrs. Gerald
Ritenour, President; Mrs. Clyde Long
and Mrs. James McFeaters, First and
second Vice-Presidents; Miss Nora Long, Secretary; and Mrs.
David Braham, Treasurer; Mrs. Victor Redfoot,
Chaplain; Mrs. Dean Hart, S. at Arms and Mrs.
Gail Hutchison, Historian.
Harrisville Lions Club first officers were installed in the High School
July 12, 1948 with R. Paul Brown as
President; R. L. Orr, W. J. McKee and Robert
Lynch, First, second and third Vice-Presidents; Russell
Brown, Secretary; John B. Cooper,
Treasurer; Dr. Robert Stake, Tail Twister and
Roland McDonald, Lion Tamer. Directors
were Paul Cathcart, John
Craig and A. W. Say. 1976
Officers are Harry Meier, President; Jack
Edwards, Robert McFate and Ronald
Coulter, first, second and third Vice-President; Larry
Osburn, Secretary; Wayne Waddlington,
Treasurer; Bruce Ryder, Tail Twister; and Wesley
Herr, Lion Tamer. Directors are James
Bennett, Leroy Montgomery, James Buchanan, Donald Lumley and Clifton
Cokain.
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Harrisville Community Band was organized in 1965 by Rev.
David Kennedy. It is now under the direction of Michael
Formick with 42 members.
Home and School Association was organized many years ago for parents
and teachers. The 1976 officers are Mrs. Larry
Frampton, President; Mrs. Gary
Snyder, Vice-President; Mrs. Richard Hogue,
Secretary and Mrs. William Lees, Treasurer.
Harrisville Deer Hunters: John Craig, Paul
Cathcart, W.D. Imbrie and Ed Hutchinson
met in Ed Rihels garage to organize the first
Deer Hunters Association. Rihels garage was located on the place
Henrys Market is now. The first membership cost fifty cents, and in
1938 when Ralph Moyer was secretary there
were 851 members. This is the oldest sportsmens club in Western
Pennsylvania.
They used to serve dinner in the high school building with Mrs.
Frank Gerlach as chairman, Chester Glenn as
co-chairman and Earl Hovis as cook.
From six to eight hundred were served each dinner.
Two day field meets were held on the Tom Kyle
farmland beside what is now the Spot Restaurant. They also held the
old time carnivals and street dances at the villiage green. Grover
Moyer had a popular popcorn wagon. Clifton
Cokain used to sell shells in his barber ship for the club.
Charter member still living are George Bailey, Oren
Martin, Andy McGill and Ed Hutchinson.
1976 shows 300 members and a clubhouse with 178 acres of land east of
town. They operated the Maple Spring Campground with seventy
hook-ups for trailers. Present officers are Ralph
Humphrey, President; Roy Peffer,
Vice-President; Paul Montgomery, Treasurer
and Peter Demattes, Secretary. Montgomery
and Demattes have held their office for 18 years. Trustees are Park
McKee, George Albert, Edgar Kinsel, Jay Stillwagon Sr. and Douglas
Younkins.
Park McKee has one of the first membership
buttons.
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