July 2011 Millmont T..

Volume 12 Issue 3
The Millmont Times
JULY 2011
July 1, 2011
The
Swengel
Cornet
Band
Prior to the turn of the
20th century, and shortly
thereafter, a number of
villages in the West End
organized bands or orchestras. Musicians living
in Glen Iron, Laurel Park,
Millmont photographer U. H. Eisenhauer took this photograph of the
Weikert, Millmont, and
Swengel Cornet Band on May 31, 1909. Band members include front
Swengel formed bands
row left to right: Henry Ruhl, R. Ernest Ruhl, Archie Walter, Charles
that entertained residents
Knauss, and Roy Krebs. Back row: James E. Catherman, Lester D.
of their own neighborhood
Ruhl, Albert Linn Catherman, Adam Krebs, Jacob Knauss, Clarence
and surrounding commuFeaster, Newton Schreckengast, Charles F. Ruhl, and Gibson Rote.
nities.
According to a 1972 article written for the Union County Historical Society by the late R.
Ernest and Helen (Witmer) Ruhl, the Swengel Cornet Band was organized in January 1884.
The reason it was called “cornet” was because the band was comprised primarily of valved, or
wind instruments. The band consisted of a group of musically inclined men from the village of
Swengel, as well as nearby villages. Among the group’s primary organizers were the four sons
of Daniel and Margaret Knauss. Those sons included Schem, Jacob, William and Charles
Knauss.
One of the earliest performances by the newly formed band occurred in front of a hometown
audience at a festival held in Swengel just months after they formed. According to an article
published in The Mifflinburg Telegraph in February of that year, Professor Isaac Zellers of
Mifflinburg was then serving as band director.
As early as 1885 the Swengel Cornet Band was performing at parades, festivals, and Memorial Day events throughout the West End. They also had a new director, Professor J. W. Reit(Continued on page 2)
Hartleton Mailbox by Postmaster Gail Hanselman
It is officially summer…Yeah!!!! For those of us that go to work everyday no matter what
season it is, we still need to drive, so not much changes. Some of those changes include
whether we are using air conditioning or heat, the road conditions - snow, sleet, freezing rain
in the winter or road construction in spring, summer, and fall. Summer also means the kids
are out of school and free to play and ride bike with their friends. So for the drivers this
means it's time to pay extra attention watching for kids crossing the streets or chasing after a
runaway ball, jumping out from behind a parked car and/or listening to their music with the
headphones on. So look, listen, and look again.
Have you ever heard of Pictorial Postmarks or what is sometimes called “Special Cancellations”? As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. It's a specially designed
cancellation stamp, and if you are attending the event you can take your cards and letters and
have them cancelled with this pictorial postmark. But for the people that cannot attend the
event they can submit a mail order request.
Customers wishing to obtain a postmark should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of
their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of post(Continued on page 5)
Page 1
From the July 11, 1890 edition
myer. He continued serving in that role as late as 1889. At various times during the band’s of The Mifflinburg Telegraph:
existence Charles Knauss also served as bandleader.
……The Swengel Cornet Band
In 1886 the group’s organizers decided to have a bandwagon constructed. The purpose of advertise by posters that on
the wagon was to provide a means of transportation for the members, along with their
Saturday evening of next week,
instruments, to engagements throughout the West End. Jacob “George” Royer, Schem
July 19, a festival under their
Knauss, and John Lincoln Halfpenny served on the committee to oversee the construction control and in their behalf will
of a 7-seat bandwagon. Although he was not a member of the band Royer was connected
be held about one-fourth mile
to the Knauss family through his marriage to Clara Knauss, the older sister to the four
east of that village, to which
Knauss brothers who organized the band.
lovers of excellent dainties, subJames Milton Halfpenny and Charles Hursh were chosen to construct the bandwagon. In stantial food, etc, are cordially
the 1880 census 26-year old Milton Halfpenny was residing in Lewis Township with his
invited. Reserved seats for all
parents, William and Catherine (Lincoln) Halfpenny. His occupation was not listed. He
given on early call. Fail not to
subsequently intermarried into the Knauss family, his wife was the former Sarah Jane
drop into a good seat, eat to the
“Jennie” Knauss. They were the parents of six children, including: Chester B., Nellie R.,
full, and – pay for all you get.
Mary, Richard V.B., William R., and Anna.
In the same census Charles Hursh, age 29, his wife, Mary, and their two daughters, AnFrom the Mifflinburg Telenie and Maude, were also listed as residents of Lewis Township. At the time the census
graph May 15, 1896 edition:
data was recorded Hursh listed his occupation as “Coach Builder”.
Cornet Band Festival!
The Swengel Band Wagon had seven cushioned seats capable of transporting as many as
The Swengel Cornet Band will
20 passengers. The driver’s seat was slightly elevated above the six rear seats. Another
hold a Festival on Saturday eveunique feature of the wagon, which was 19 ½ feet long and 6 feet wide and 76 inches high, ning of next week, May 23, at
was the fifth wheel located beneath the front seat. This fifth wheel allowed the driver to
that place. They are making big
make sharp turns without fear of overturning. Because of its height the wagon was
preparations for it, in order to
equipped with running boards on either side of the wagon.
guarantee a pleasurable time to
The wagon was painted black. The sides of the wagon had letters painted in yellow on the all. All the choice delicacies of
end of each seat that spelled the name SWENGEL. On the dashboard of the wagon was a the season will be served. The
painted eagle with an American flag and olive branches. On the rear of the wagon was an proceeds for the benefit of the
oval painting showing a marine scene with lighthouse, clipper ships, and sea gulls.
organization, which same proAlthough it was possible to pull the wagon with the use of only two horses it was not un- ceeds should be a snug amount,
common for the team to be made up of four horses. Some of those who provided horse
as they have just purchased new
teams to pull the wagon included brothers Clarence and Henry Schnure, Newton Ruhl,
uniforms.
Charles Knauss, and Gibson Rote. Maintaining control of four horses while at the same
time maneuvering a wagon of this size, with up to 20 passengers, required the talents of a skillful driver.
The original uniforms worn by the band members consisted of red jackets, blue trousers, and blue hats, all of which were
trimmed with gold braid. The letters SCB (Swengel Cornet Band) were ornamented on the front of the hats. Later the band
uniforms were replaced with matching blue colored jackets, trousers, and hats.
About 1894, William L. Burd provided the group with a parcel of land where they erected a building to house their wagon.
The two-story wood frame building was constructed at the present day north addition of the Old Cedar Cemetery in
Swengel. While the first floor was used to house the wagon the second floor of the building was used as a practice hall for the
band members. For a period of time the band held twice-weekly rehearsals in their new quarters.
Summertime festivals were held in the area adjacent to the band house. People from throughout the West End flocked to
Swengel to enjoy the music, refreshments, and socialization. In addition to the hometown band there were occasions when
musicians from other sections of the county were present to entertain the crowds. The sleepy little village of Swengel was a
lively place as people from throughout the surrounding area gathered to enjoy the music.
An article published in the June 26, 1896 Mifflinburg Telegraph stated the following about the band, and its members:
On Saturday evening, with Charles Knauss as leader and four beautiful horses driven by Newton A. Ruhl, the Swengel Band
enlivened the vicinity of Ray’s Church with some of their best music. The band is composed of 18 young men and as nice and
well behaved bunch of young men you could hardly meet.
The Swengel Band also traveled to festivals, political rallies, parades, Sunday school picnics, commencement exercises, and
events in other sections of the county. While there was little compensation for individual members, the band earned a modest income to support their organization. The members were oftentimes rewarded with a meal or refreshments wherever
they performed.
The following newspaper article is from the August 1, 1902 edition of The Mifflinburg Telegraph:
On last Saturday evening the Citizens’ Band of this place assisted in furnishing music for a festival held in Swengel, by the
band of that place. There were four bands in attendance, and we dare say that the town was well supplied with music. There were
bands: Laurel Park, Centerville, Swengel, and Citizens. The attendance was very large and the festival proved a grand success
financially and otherwise.
During the evening the different bands furnished music, and at times would all play together.
(Continued from page 1)
(Continued on page 4)
Page 2
BIRD TALK
by Jim McCormick
Lush vegetation in endless shades of green, day lilies beginning to crowd the
roadsides, chicory’s subtle, baby-blue blossoms just starting to bloom, fields once
barren and brown, now, finally planted, green with crops, strips of winter wheat
turning golden brown, strawberry sundaes, evening thunderstorms breaking the
silence and lighting up the night sky, bumblebees and beetles, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, whether high or low, dark or sunny, everywhere there is a
place something is trying to grow-- that’s June!! And in this teeming mass of life,
of course, are the birds, coming in every size
and shape and color. As I look around this
wonder-filled display of nature, I am always
amazed at the diversity and beauty that surrounds us; it’s there for everyone to see, if only you take the time to look! If you
have ever watched a bird as it flies or as it lands on a branch and then moves
among the thick foliage, you get a feeling that they ‘belong’ there--it’s a perfect
match.
June is Fledge Month and the fledglings are everywhere. Anywhere you
come upon an adult bird in distress or exhibiting unusual behaviors, you know a
fledgling is not far away. I was walking along Shirk Road and saw a Mourning
Dove fly out of a thicket and immediately started flopping around on the road in
front of me, much like the broken wing display of a Killdeer. I had never seen
this behavior in a Mourning Dove before and knew there had to be a nestling or
fledgling nearby, but I couldn’t find the nest in the thick vegetation. On another occasion I saw what looked like Tree Swallows on the wire above me, but
they didn’t have the iridescent look of the adults. They just looked down at me
somewhat confused, their downy breast feathers blowing in the breeze. They
must have just fledged and were waiting to be fed. Within a week they were
flying like old pros, swooping and diving and swerving, seemingly playing tag
and nearly colliding in midair! It is truly amazing how quickly they had
learned to fly. Also along Shirk Road I came upon a mature Brown Thrasher in
a Mulberry bush. Normally it would have just flown away and hidden, but this
time it seemed to be ignoring me. There had to be a fledgling nearby and, of
course, there was one deep in the bush. The parents were feeding it green Mulberries, which it ate with enthusiasm. June is done now and all these fledglings
will all have to learn to fly and have to learn how to feed themselves. Most of
these fledglings must mature enough over the next couple of months to make
Above are two views of a Brown
their first long migration. Summer may be nearing half over, but there is much, Thrasher courtesy of Jim McCormick.
much more to see, so take the time to get out there and enjoy it!
Field Notes, by WCO Dirk Remensnyder
I received a call one night about a bear up a tree at the Bucknell college campus. Upon arrival I found
the young bear up a tree next to a dorm and two campus police officers trying to maintain order of 400
picture taking students. After darting the bear and with the drug taking effect the bear seemed to survey
the situation by looking at the throng of students and then down to the Game Warden and officers holding a blanket. If I could read a bears mind at that point I think that upon his survey he saw protection in
the form of the Game Warden and decided to go that route by climbing down and jumping into the blanket to be saved from the students.
Citations were issued to five different individuals for ignoring “Propagation area – do not enter” signs
that are designed to allow waterfowl to nest and raise their young without interference.
Page 3
(Continued from page 2)
Every one had a grand time and will long remember the pleasant evening spent in Swengel.
The band performed at the Lewis Township
High School Commencement held at the
Swengel Union Church on April 7, 1910. Three
members of that graduating class were, or became, members of the Swengel Cornet Band.
They included Luther Yarger, Roy Krebs, and
Ernest Ruhl.
Following the onset of WWI the Swengel Band
became less active. With band members developing other interests, and with fewer participants, the group eventually fell apart. The
Swengel Cornet Band’s last public performance
took place in Hartleton in the vicinity of
Mitchell’s Garage at the intersection of Old
Turnpike Road and Laurel Road in 1919.
The band house was subsequently razed and
that parcel of land became an annex to the Old
Cedar Cemetery.
In the 1972 publication for the Union County
Historical
Society, Helen Ruhl included memoThis photograph of the Swengel Cornet band was taken at Rock Oak Park in
ries of a few of the band members from decades
1914 photo. Shown in the front row left to right: James Catherman, unknown,
Luther Yarger, Archie Walter, Henry Schnure, unknown, and unknown. Back
earlier. Three of those former band members,
row left to right: Lester Ruhl, Clarence Feaster, Linn Catherman, Blaine Cather- Archie Walter, Earl Boop, and Ernest Ruhl reman, Jacob Knauss, Charles Knauss, unknown, unknown, Paul Knauss, and un- called a trip the band made to a picnic grove at
known.
Winfield circa 1909. They rode in the bandwagon to New Berlin where the four horses were
housed in a shed at Benner’s Hotel. The band members, along with their instruments, were loaded on the New Berlin/
Winfield narrow gauge railroad for the short trip a few miles to the east. Since the passenger cars of the train were filled
with church members going to the picnic the band members were forced to ride in a boxcar. After arriving safely at their
destination the band played “Onward Christian Soldier” as they departed the train and marched toward the picnic grove.
After the band dissolved and the band house was razed the wagon was housed at different locations in Swengel, including
the threshing machine barn located at the rear of the Charles Knauss home. Later the wagon was stored in a barn belonging
to Archie Walter.
Walter was the longest serving member of the band. He joined when he was 13 years old (about 1897). The teenager began
by playing the symbols, later playing the cornet and the clarinet. He remained with the group until they disbanded in 1919.
In 1927 when the Millmont P. O. S. of A. Band was organized former members of the Swengel Cornet Band decided to turn
any residual funds over to the newly formed band one mile to the west. In addition, some of those former members joined
the new band, including Archie Walter, Luther Yarger, Earl Boop, Paul Knauss, Jimmy Catherman, and Blaine Catherman.
The newly organized Millmont P.O. S. of A. Band had an opportunity to ride in the Swengel Band Wagon to the West End
Fair in Laurelton where they entertained fair attendees.
Kenneth Catherman, a resident of Millmont, recalled during the mid 1950’s when he hitched two of his father’s horses to
the Swengel Band Wagon and paraded it around the grounds during the West End Fair. Catherman remembered parading
the wagon (no passengers aboard) on two successive years at the annual county fair near Laurelton. During one of those outings the late Sam Catherman accompanied him on the drivers seat. Ken also recalled an episode during one of those outings
where the horses suddenly and unexpectedly decided to go in reverse. A new tractor parading immediately behind the wagon
was struck. The end result was damage to the front end of the tractor and the rear end of the wagon. Archie Walter, Elmer
Blyler, and Eugene Spangler made repairs to the wagon prior to its appearance at the Union County Sesquicentennial Celebration held on Tuesday July 23, 1963. Members of the Western Area Joint High School Band (now Mifflinburg High School
Band) performed various selections from the wagon during Union County’s 150th anniversary celebration activities held on
the grounds at Lincoln Park in Laurelton. Less than one year later the wagon was sold, and it left Union County.
The Swengel Band Wagon was sold when Archie and Pearl Walter had public auction on March 14, 1964. An antique
dealer from Catawissa, Pa purchased the wagon. According to the auctioneer at that public sale, Wayne Hess, the Swengel
Band Wagon was sold that day for $1,000.
Arthur L. Reist of Lancaster subsequently purchased the wagon from the individual in Catawissa and relocated the wagon
to Lancaster County. It continues to be housed in a barn by the Reist family. Reist, an authority and collector of Conestoga
and other horse-drawn wagons, had the Swengel Band Wagon on public display at the William Penn Memorial Museum in
Harrisburg for several months in 1968.
(Continued on page 5)
Page 4
(Continued from page 4)
Members of the West End Joint High School Band
perform at the Union County Sesquicentennial Celebration held at Laurelton on July 23, 1963. The only
person identified on this photograph is the late Terry
W. Shively (playing the trombone) sitting on the right
side of the front seat.
On June 3, 2007, Janice and I traveled to Lancaster County to get an
up close view of the Swengel Band Wagon and to meet the owner, Arthur Reist. Unfortunately the weather was uncooperative and the
owner was understandably reluctant to bring the bandwagon out of the
barn it was housed in due to the rain. As a result we were unable to get
any photographs of it. It is encouraging that the bandwagon is in excellent hands and is being preserved by the Reist family. However, it is
unfortunate that something so unique to the history of Swengel, and the
West End, was not preserved within the confines of Union County.
Residents in a number of small villages in the West End organized
bands or orchestras during the late 1800’s and early part of the 1900’s.
The Glen Iron Orchestra, Laurel Park Band, Weikert Band and the
Millmont P. O. S. of A. Band are some that come to mind. These musicians entertained audiences with hymns, patriotic melodies, and rousing music popular during their era. These small bands, and their members, played an important role in the social fabric of the communities
where they were located as well as the localities where they entertained.
Active for more than three decades, the Swengel Cornet Band proved
to be one that was long-lasting. Unfortunately, like so many other
things that have faded away in the West End over the years, the era of
the small community band has also long since passed.
TLS
Sources: R. Ernest and Helen Ruhl’s article published in the 1972 issue of Heritage for the Union County Historical Society; and The Mif-
flinburg Telegraph.
I would also like to thank Arthur Reist and his family of Lancaster County; and Kenneth Catherman of Millmont.
Thank You!
I would like to thank the following people for making monetary donations toward the publication of this newsletter: Mr. &
Mrs. Ronald Keister of Laurelton; Leon and Betty Klock of Herndon; Arnold and Dorothy Gilkey of Mifflinburg; Isabel
Kline of Millmont; Richard Lutz of Denver, Pa; and Caroline Wenrick of Hartleton.
I would also like to welcome the following new subscriber: Ralph Rawheiser, Wilmington, DE.
Thanks also to everyone who renewed their subscriptions for an additional year. Your support is what helps to make this
newsletter possible, and is greatly appreciated!!
I would also like to thank Sandy Winegardner of Mifflinburg for donating some Shively family memorabilia and newspapers clippings; and Orville Dunkleberger for sharing photographs of the King and Zimmerman families and for sharing his
memorabilia of the Red Iron Bridge that was built over Penns Creek below Millmont in 1899 and razed in 1976.
(Continued from page 1)
card thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope for postcard in a larger envelope and address it to the post office where the event was held.
Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a larger
envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns
the items under addressed protective cover. The request must be postmarked no later than thirty days following the requested pictorial postmark date. The Mifflinburg Post Office does a pictorial postmark every December for the annual
Christkindl Market.
This is something fun and easy to collect. Just visit your local post office to see what new pictorial postmarks are available.
Or if your community is having a special event talk to your postmaster to see if a pictorial postmark can be made for the
event.
New stamps coming in July….Owney the Postal Dog, on sale July 27th, available on a pane of 20; U.S. Merchant Marine,
on sale July 28th available on a pane of 20 in four designs.
The small photograph in the upper left hand corner of page one shows a view of the Millmont Railroad Station and the
flower beds. Standing in the flowerbeds is long time station agent Abraham E. “Abe” Grove and his son. The Millmont Station, with its well manicured lawn and flower gardens was one of the most photogenic along the length of the L. & T. Railroad. In addition to Grove the flowerbeds in the lawn around the station were maintained by John Mark. Mark was employed as labor foreman by the railroad and lived in the house located at 63 Maple Street, adjacent to the station.
Page 5
Biography of
John Lincoln Halfpenny
The following sketch of John Lincoln Halfpenny was taken from the Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, including the counties of Centre,
Clinton, Union and Snyder, published by J. H. Beers & Co. in 1898:
“Among the enterprising and successful agriculturists and business men of Lewis
township, Union county, this gentleman takes front rank. His entire life has been passed
here, his birth occurring in Buffalo township, May 3, 1850, and he comes of a distinguished family that has borne an important part in the advancement of Central Pennsylvania.
His paternal grandfather, Mark Halfpenny, removed from Montgomery county, Penn.,
about the year 1806, where he resided for a number of years, then removed to Columbia
county, near Washingtonville, and finally Lycoming county, Penn., near Muncy, in
1823. Here his sons, James, H. S., John, Mark and William R. were employed in the
woolen factory owned and operated by Samuel Rogers. In 1837 they located in MillPhotograph of John Lincoln Halfpenny heim, Centre county, where they engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods until the
courtesy of Shirley (Showalter) Boyer of spring of 1841, when they came to Laurelton, Union county, Penn., where James and
Mifflinburg.
Mark established a woolen factory, and William R., the father of our subject, turned his
attention to agriculture. William R. married Miss Catherine E. Lincoln, and they became the parents of three children—Hannah, wife of Wm. E. Smith; James M., a prominent mechanic of Lewis township, Union
county, who married Miss Sarah J. Knauss, daughter of Daniel Knauss; and John L., of this review. He was named after his
maternal grandfather, John Lincoln, of Union county, Penn. The family is one of prominence, having the respect and esteem of
all who know them.
During his youth, John L. Halfpenny was provided with excellent educational privileges, being a student for some time in the
Lewisburg Academy (now Bucknell College), and completing his literary course in the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport,
Penn. For ten years thereafter he successfully engaged in teaching school through the winter months, while the summer seasons
were spent in farming. In the spring of 1884 he purchased the homestead in Lewis township, on which he is now residing, and
besides its cultivation he is also interested in the milling business, in partnership with A. E. Grove, owning and operating a grist
mill and saw mill on Penns creek in Lewis township. A wide awake progressive business man, he was met with success in his
undertakings, and is now numbered among the substantial and reliable citizens of his community. Possessing a liberal education
and of pleasing address, he makes friends readily, and has the happy faculty of being able to retain them. His political support is
given the men and measures of the republican party, and although not a member of any Church, he is a believer in the Christian
religion.
Mr. Halfpenny was married to Miss Asenath Knauer, a daughter of Samuel Knauer, a miller by trade, who at one time owned
and operated the Berlin Iron Works (furnace and forge) in partnership with John H. Church, on Penns creek, in Hartley township, Union county. Three children bless this union, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Paul E., October 1, 1882;
Grace E., February 13, 1884; and Samuel Lincoln, July 6, 1889”.
John Lincoln “Link” Halfpenny is perhaps best known for his milling operation southeast of Millmont. He came into the
business after marrying Asenath Knauer. Asenath’s father, Samuel Knauer, owned the mill prior to Halfpenny and Abe
Grove’s purchase of the business in 1895. In 1903 Halfpenny and Grove converted their mill into a hydroelectric generating
facility after signing a 25-year lease agreement to supply Mifflinburg Borough with electricity. Over the next year the facility
was transformed from a milling operation to a hydroelectric facility, or “Power Plant”, as it was locally known. Light poles
were erected and wires were strung from the power plant to the borough several miles to the east. Electric lights were first
turned on in Mifflinburg on June 10, 1904.
Years later (May 1923) this facility furnished electric power to the village of Millmont. Following the expiration of the lease
agreement with the Mifflinburg Borough, the owners decided to sell their operation to Pennsylvania Power & Light Company. That transfer of ownership took place in December 1930.
John and Asenath were the parents of three children – Paul, Grace, and Samuel. Asenath Halfpenny died in 1929. Following his wife’s death, and after selling the business to P.P. & L., Halfpenny retired and moved from his home at 99 Creek
Road to Mifflinburg where he resided with his daughter, Grace.
John L. Halfpenny died in 1942 at age 91. He and his wife, Asenath, are buried in the Old Cedar Cemetery in Swengel. Also
buried nearby is their daughter Grace E., a well known school teacher, who died in 1949, and their son Samuel L. Halfpenny. Sam was married to Candice Whitmer. They were married briefly before his untimely death in 1921 at age 32. Paul
E. Halfpenny, the eldest of the children died in 1947. He is buried in the Mifflinburg Cemetery.
Page 6
Mid-August Rural Heritage
Days Events at
Dale/Engle/Walker Historic Farm
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, UNION COUNTY:
Wednesday, August 10th from noon to 4:00 p.m.
opens four days of special events at the Dale/Engle/
Walker historic property for area families and their
summer visitors.
Wednesday features old-fashioned children’s
games, hands-on crafts, pony rides and pony cart
rides. Activities include making cornhusk dollies;
making butter, soap, and paper; spinning wool, doing Celtic calligraphy, scratching designs on eggs
dyed with onion skins; making pottery and building
a stone wall. Learn about beekeeping and blacksmithing, and tour the 1793 hearth furnished with
period cookware. Lunch of barbecued hamburgers
and hot dogs, as well as fresh-made soft ice cream
are available at low cost. School and childcare
groups are encouraged to attend. There is no admission fee.
Thursday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m., Eli M. Reiff
will talk about the history of our Plain Sect
neighbors: Dunkards who settled in White Spring in
the 1770s , the Amish who followed in the 1830s, and
the Old-Order Mennonites in the 1960s. Seating at
this event is limited and reservations are required;
call the Union County Historical Society at 524-8666.
Friday, August 12th will feature a Celtic dance
workshop by Tier na Nog dance school from Bellefonte at 4 PM and later, an evening performance
starting at 6:30 PM. Those attending should bring
their own folding chairs. There is no admission fee
for either event.
Saturday, August 13th, is the final and largest event
in Rural Heritage Days, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00
p.m. There will be an all-day chicken barbeque and
potato/corn roast, plus watermelon, headed by the
Reiff family, horse-drawn wagon rides, and live music. Activities include rope making, charcoal making
and shingle making, horseshoeing, potting and limestone masonry, tin- and blacksmithing, bee keeping,
powder horn carving and gunsmithing. Hit-andmiss engine machinery will make souvenir wooden
boxes, rolling pins, and bats. Draft horses will plow
the fields, farm machines will bind and thresh wheat,
and demonstrators will fill grain bags and bed ticks,
and cut grass with scythes. Women — or the distaff
side — will put seats in old chairs, make rye straw
hats, quilts, and rugs; dye eggs with onion skins for
scratch decorating; and demonstrate open-hearth
cooking using many of the utensils made by blacksmiths and tinsmiths such as those on site. Custom
orders can be placed with the craftsmen such as furniture makers, blacksmiths, and more.
For the complete schedule visit the web site
www.unioncountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 570524-8666.
Looking Back
The newspaper article below was originally published in the July
19, 1923 issue of The Mifflinburg Telegraph.
Glen Iron To Have Big
Industrial Plant Soon.
____________________
Big Power Dam To Be Built.
Pipe And Nut Wrench To Be
Manufactured.
____________________
Glen Iron will soon be the scene of a large industrial plant, which
will be erected there in the near future. The Glen Iron Power and
Tool Co., has been organized and the following officers elected:
President: John T. Church.
Vice President: J. W. Shook.
Secretary: Marlin W. L. Boop.
Treasurer: R. F. Boop.
The old Church Iron Ore Furnaces property and mines will be reopened and the ore used in the manufacture of a pipe wrench of
which Mr. R. F. Boop is the inventor, also the J. W. Shook nut
wrench. A large dam will be built on Penns Creek to furnish electric
power for the factory, machine shop and foundry. From this plant
electric current will be supplied to different towns in the West End of
Union County.
The company has been incorporated under the laws of the State of
Delaware for $500,000 for which amount common stock has been
issued and is now being sold. Much of it has been bought by citizens
of the West End and throughout Union County, who wish to see the
town of Glen Iron and Union County boom.
Without a doubt this will mean that Glen Iron will become an industrial center, and in fact this industry will be a fine thing for the
entire county.
We wish the officers of this new company success in their enterprise.
From the diary of the late Elder Greene Shively, born in
White Springs in 1870 and a resident of Millmont from 1918
until his death in 1954:
Monday July 13, 1931. Clear and 55 degrees. I worked in the
garage until 10:30 a.m. Then mother and I went with Bro.
Starook to the funeral of Charles Teichman at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Harry Braucher. We ate dinner and at 2:00 services were held at the house. Mervyn (Mensch) offered the scripture. Sammy (Starook) prayed and preached about 30 minutes.
My text was from Psalms 23. He restoreth my soul. Teichman
was interred in the Brethren Cemetery. He was born in Limestone Township Feb. 15, 1846 and died July 10, 1931, aged 85
years 4 months, and 25 days. He was a member of the E.V.
Church. He wanted to be baptized some years ago but couldn’t
get him to go into the water deep enough to be baptized. I received $3.00.
Page 7
Recipe of the Month
by Janice (Dorman) Shively
Gram VonNeida’s Beans & Potatoes
quently prepared this dish
for the two of us.
There was no
recipe. Pap
kindly guided
3 C. green and yellow beans, stemmed and snapped in half me as I prepared
2 C. new red potatoes cut into bite size pieces
it those first few
¼ C. evaporated milk
times: more po1 T. butter
tatoes he would
Salt and pepper to taste
tell me. He liked
the beans tender.
Steam, or cook, beans for 12 minutes for al dente, about I liked them
16 minutes for tender beans. In a separate pot cook pota- crunchy. Sometoes for 9- 11 minutes, depending on your preferred done- times this was the main course and other times it was
ness.
served as a side dish. Although Pap has passed away, I
still enjoy this meal around this time of the year. And alDrain beans and potatoes and combine in a bowl. Top
ways, I recall those cherished wonderful memories of my
with butter and pour evaporated milk over top. Season
Grandparents.
with salt and pepper, stir and serve while piping hot.
This is a very forgiving recipe, as you can increase the
As a youngster I frequently visited with my grandparamount of beans or potatoes, use more or less milk and
ents, Earl and Miriam VonNeida of Hartleton. I have
butter, or none at all. The freshness of the early summer
fond memories of how Gram made this combination when vegetables is quite palatable.
the first beans and potatoes came in from Pap’s garden.
After Gram passed away, and I moved in with Pap, I freENJOY!
Recognize Anyone?
In the June issue I published a photograph of the Hartleton School class of 1914, shown below. At the time I asked
the readers if they could identify anyone in the photo. Shortly after the issue was published I received a letter from
Eleanor (Hoffman) Hoy of Mifflinburg indicating that she had the same photograph in her collection. She also indicated in her letter that she had the names of thirteen of the students. Hoy said that her mother, Mildred (Eberhart)
Hoffman, identified thirteen of the students sometime around 1963. While she did not recall the name of the
teacher, those students who are identified are as follows - back row left to right: Robert Wilson, unknown boy, unknown girl, Charles VonNeida, Sarah Catherman, unknown girl and unknown boy. In the middle row: Minnie
Dorman, Miriam Lukens, Arletta Wert, unknown girl, unknown Shirk, unknown girl, Mary Schnure, Catherine
Wilson, unknown boy (with arm in a sling) and the little girl in front of Catherine Wilson is unknown. Front row:
Frank Printzenhoff, unknown boy, Bruce Wagner, unknown boy, Maynard Hoffman, and John Wilson.
Eleanor also offered the names of other students who may be in this photograph but she is unable to attach a
name to the face. Those names include:
Ralph Wilson, Catherine Wilson, Robert
Wilson, Wilber Lukens, Warren Schnure,
Esther Dorman, as well as other members of
the Shirk family. Eleanor also noted during
a telephone conversation that at least two of
the female students in this photograph went
on to become teachers. Those girls were
Mary Schnure, who later married Matthew
Burrell, and Catherine Wilson.
My thanks to Eleanor for her assistance in
helping to identify some of the students in
the photograph and for taking the time to
write those names down and send them to
me. Her assistance is greatly appreciated.
Page 8
Penlines From my
Kitchen to Yours
REUNIONS
The 58th Annual K/Catherman Family Reunion will be
held at Pavilion #1 at the Mifflinburg Community Park on
July 9th beginning at 10:00 a.m. Scheduled activities include genealogical consultations, announcements, picnic
lunch, family history tour by car caravan, and Chinese auction Bingo. To register or for more information contact
May 18, 2011
Diane Bailey at 610.441.3378 or Kristin Gessner at
Kurwin and Ruth Ann Martin of Mifflinburg have a
daughter named Laurie Ella. She has two brothers and 570.524.6156.
one sister. Grandparents are Nathan and MaryElla
**********
Martin and Norman and Ella Mae Martin.
The annual reunion of Joseph and Ellen C. (Boop) Hartley
May 29
descendants
will be held at the Anthony Selin Park in
Aaron Martin of Lewisburg was able to be at church,
Selinsgrove,
Pa
on Sunday July 24 beginning at 11:00 a.m.
after needing a couple weeks of rest with his legs eleMeal time will be 12:00 noon. Attendees are encouraged to
vated.
May 31
bring a covered dish to share. There will also be an opporToday was the wedding of Bishop Esra Zimmerman
tunity to win a family history book. For more information
of Mifflinburg and Lydia Ann Martin of Lancaster
you can call Jim Hartley at 570.374.4067 or email at
County. (Esra was a widower for nearly two years).
[email protected]
by Lucy Hoover
Nathan and MaryElla Hoover family of KY were in
our area over the weekend. They came for the wedding.
June 3
Clair and Marian Weaver have a son named Austin
James. He is their first child. Grandparents are Melvin
and Elva Weaver and David and Ruth Hoover.
June 4
James and Susie Brubacker of Millmont had a
Newswanger family reunion. Approximately 300 people were there for lunch.
Our family went to Lake Tobias. On the way we
stopped at the Elizabethville Community Yard Sale. At
one yard sale Curvin had been standing very still.
When he moved he heard a girl say “I thought he was
a statue, I wondered what it cost!”.
Tonight sister Anna stopped in to visit with us. She
brought our cousin Walter Brubacker of MO along.
June 15
We went to the ordination in New York, where my
brother, Samuel, was a candidate, along with ten others. Eugene Hoover (39) was ordained to be their new
minister.
The Juniata Mennonite Historical society will
hold its annual meeting on Saturday, July 9th.
Topics will include: Our boys at the Lewisburg
Penitentiary, 1942 – 1946; The History of the
Early Families of the Buffalo Mennonite
Church; Christian Van Gundy, the Mennonite
Indian Fighter and Other Local Indian History.
Lunch will be provided and a bus tour of the
area will take place in the afternoon. The meeting will be held at the Buffalo Mennonite
Church, 4445 Hoffa Mill Road, Lewisburg, Pa
starting at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public.
Bob Franks, President of Warrior
Run/ Fort Freeland Heritage
Society will do the reading of the
Declaration of Independence.
Reading of The
Declaration of
Independence 2011
July 17th 6:00PM
Gutelius House at
5th & Green Sts.
Mifflinburg, Pa.
We cordially invite the 21st
century public to join the
18th century colonial dressed
public to gather at the Gutelius House at the corner of 5th
and Green Streets in Mifflinburg, Pa. to hear the 18th century town crier read the Declaration of Independence.
The reading shall be followed by a hip, hip, hurrah and a
musket gun salute followed by refreshments and an open
house. You are advised to bring a lawn chair to this event.
This event is hosted by the Regina Hartman Society of the
Children of the American Revolution, Shikelimo DAR Chapter, and the Preservation Mifflinburg Inc.
The reading will wrap up our week long history day camp
in conjunction with the Buggy Museum, Preservation Mifflinburg Inc., Mifflinburg Heritage Revitalization Association, and the Susquehanna Valley Spinners and Weavers
Guild.
The Jacobs Brothers will present a concert at the Mifflinburg Park on July 2, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Mifflinburg First Church of the
Nazarene.
Page 9
Blessings from the Bible
By Brenda Weaver
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:
for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee,”
Psalm 9:9-10.
We had hoped and prayed for a good crop. The income from our strawberry fields usually helped meet our expenses throughout the year. This year we hoped the berry income would help us recover from the blow cancer
had dealt to our finances.
Then came the rains. And more rains. For two months it rained more than the sun shone. When the strawberries ripened it was easy to tell we’d experienced a partial crop failure.
I walked through the fields in the shadow of my husband as we realized this would be a tough year. I could have
fretted. Normally I do. But my husband wasn’t fretting, and his calm acceptance and quiet reassurances blessed
my soul.
Fewer berries meant fewer expenses and less work. So the season turned out to be less taxing in more ways than
one. And God still poured out His blessings upon us.
Snatches of verses followed me through long, busy days. “All things work together for good…” “Though the fig
tree shall not blossom…and there be no herd in the stall… yet will I rejoice in the Lord.” “I will joy in the God of
my salvation; God the Lord is my strength.”
*
*
*
*
*
*
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” Proverbs 31:28.
I’ve been observing and learning from some mothers recently.
The mother killdeer looked a bit silly when she fluffed up her feathers and charged my six-foot, two-inch husband as he walked toward her nest. How I could identify with her! I get riled too when our nest is in danger.
When charging didn’t scare off my husband she feigned injury. He didn’t follow her away from the nest like she
hoped he would, but he did carefully mark her nest so he could miss it with the cultivator.
The mother deer looked at us curiously while her fawn bounded through the tall grass, darting first one direction, then another. Then the doe quietly turned and ambled into the woods, her thin-legged fawn calmed, and
high-stepping docile behind her.
Mother and father screech owl blinked sleepily from a neighborhood tree. On the branches around them sat
four owlets wide-eyed—and hungry I suppose. I chuckled, remembering the nights I blinked sleepily while tending to hungry newborns. Though they were obviously tired during their daylight vigil, the owls stayed seated
calmly between their young ones and our group of curious neighbors.
What can we learn?
Protect your nest, even if people think you’re silly. Stay calm in the face of possible danger. Sacrifice for the
sake of your children, and be watchful of strangers. By God’s grace, and the good decisions of your children, they
will appreciate all you’ve done and faithfully follow in your calm and careful footsteps.
Prayer for Today:
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your blessings. We really do have much to thank You for. Help us to be careful parents
and thank You for the examples You provide in the natural world around us.
Free Newsletters!
Would you like to receive The Millmont Times each month at no charge? Would you like to receive The Millmont Times in
color each month? Well, it is as easy as visiting our website at: www.millmonttimes.com
Find the year and month you would like to read. Using your “right click” on your mouse select an issue. Using your “left
click” select “Open Link” and presto - there it is! You can save them on your computer or you can print it off at your leisure.
Page 10
West End News:
The Eagle Scout Project on the Village Green in Millmont
In order to obtain his Eagle Scout award, Josh
Hornig, a member of Troop 525 and a recent graduate of Mifflinburg Area High School, was looking for
a project where he could donate his time, talents,
and financial resources. Josh’s mother, Polly Hornig
and Tom Catherman of Millmont were coworkers at
Rolling Hills Manor. When Polly discussed her son’s
search to find an Eagle Scout project, Tom expressed his desire to have some much needed improvements made to the gazebo, picnic pavilion, barbecue pit, and playground area on the Village Green
in Millmont. Catherman, who is the president of the
newly reorganized Village Green Association, then
met with Josh and they discussed aspects of the proposed renovation project.
After assessing what materials were necessary to
complete the project Josh visited Cole’s Hardware
and Mifflinburg Lumber. Much to his surprise these
two Mifflinburg stores graciously donated several
Front row left to right: Tom Catherman, Dakota Christianson, and
Erica Christianson. Back row: Karen Arneson, Philip Arneson, Andrew gallons of stain and paint necessary to complete the
project. He also went to Country Farm & Home
Rute, Zach Hornig, Rick Hornig, and Josh Hornig. Jared Moser was
where he purchased flowers to plant around the gaabsent when this photograph was taken.
zebo. Josh, and some interested volunteers spent
Sunday June 11 through Thursday June 15 working on the project to beautify the areas on the Village Green. Their
efforts have gone a long way towards making improvements to the area.
Josh Hornig’s scout troop meets at the St. George Catholic Church off Buffalo Road in Mifflinburg. The leader of
Troop 525 is Dennis Keiser. As noted above Josh graduated with the Class of 2011 at the Mifflinburg High School. He
plans to enter Lock Haven University in the fall where his goal is to obtain a degree in business administration. Thank
You to Josh Hornig, and his coworkers, on behalf of the entire Millmont community, for a job well done!
Acid Remediation Project on Buffalo Creek
One of two acid remediation ponds located near the headwaters of
Buffalo Creek off Buffalo Flat Road in Hartley Township.
For those who enjoy leisurely drives on the vast network of Bald Eagle District Forest roads I might suggest a visit to the acid remediation project located at
the headwaters of Buffalo Creek in Hartley Township.
The project began when the Merrill Linn Conservancy and their sister organization, the Buffalo Creek
Watershed Alliance, were awarded monies from the
Growing Greener Fund for a passive treatment facility off Buffalo Flat Road. The headwaters of Buffalo
Creek once supported a wild brook trout population.
Acid rain, which falls from the sky in the form of rain
or snow, resulted in a significant decrease in the
aquatic life. As a result the fishery population that
thrived in the stream was reduced to zero.
This project is designed to divert water from Buffalo
Creek into two artificial wetlands areas where it then
filters through beds of compost and limestone, thus
becoming less acidic. The natural chemical and biological reactions increase the water’s alkalinity and
(Continued on page 12)
Page 11
(Continued from page 11)
raise its pH level prior to returning to the mountain stream.
Work on the project began in September 2008 under the direction of Dietz-Gourley Consulting, LLC crews from
Earthmovers, Unlimited, Inc. They cleared trees for the access road, prepared the site for the creation of the two passive water treatment basins, and installed a small dam for the water intake.
On Saturday June 11, 2011 an “Open House” was held at the site of the remediation project. If you would like to visit
the site for yourself take Route 45 to Stony Run Road (just east of Route 235). Travel 3.2 miles then take a right onto
Buffalo Flat Road. Continue 1.6 mile until you come to a gated road to your left. There you will see a sign, which provides additional details about the project. When Janice and I visited the site on Sunday, June 12 we had an opportunity to see Mountain Laurel blossoms at their peak. While the meandering mountain ride was enjoyable, the sight of
the forest ablaze with white and pink mountain laurel in bloom made the ride even more spectacular.
July Birthdays & Anniversaries
2 – Carolyn Bowersox
2 – Shanda Bingaman
3 – Olivia Hackenberg
3 – Kody Catherman
3 – Mary K. Campbell
5 – Robert Klingman
5 – Roger Shoemaker
7 – Dennis Shively
7 – Scott Kline
8 – Catana “Tina” Zimmerman
9 – Rachel Shively
9 – Brooke Catherman
9 – Jeremy & Elisa Beaver - 2005
9 - Franklin Gross
9 – Jerry L. Starks
11 – Bill Chappell
11 – Mervin Zimmerman
12 - Harvey & Brenda Ilgen - 1959
13 – Barry Cooper
The Millmont Times
P. O. Box 3
Millmont, PA 17845
Page 12
13 – Mary C. Kahl
15 – Donald R. Miller
14 – Adran Martin
17 – Randall Aikey
17 – Robert & Carolyn Wagner – 1971
18 – Dolores & Gerald Starks - 1965
18 – Esther Keister
18 – Aaron Reiff
18 – William Fultz
19 – Kass Beebe
19 – Glen G. Catherman
20 – Nancy Prutzman
20 – Ruth Hoover
21 – Ralph Sheesley
21 – Ricky Sholter
22 – William & Doris Fultz – 1955
22 – Donald & Carolyn Bowersox - 1972
22 – Elva Brubaker
22 – Jonathan Martin
22 – Esther Nissley
23 – Shelby Hackenberg
23 – Donald Long
24 – Sarah Hoover
25 – Frank Raker
26 – Becky Wenrick
26 – Michael Jones
26 – Bailey J. Koonsman
26 – Donald Zechman
27 – Donald Bowersox
28 – June Rowe
28 – Phyllis Ruhl
29 – Ethel Stover
29 – Oakley Whitesel
30 – Eli Shirk
30 – Jeannette Lasansky
31 – Shirley Eberhart
31 – Baris Göktaş
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