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Rolland B. Follmer & J. P. Wilson
A Pioneer Business House
Leading Hardware Stove, and Tinware Store of this section
Established in 1866 by F.H. Knight, and for 38 years successfully operated at present location
Now owned and managed by Follmer and Wilson, two progressive young business men.
Heavy and shelf hardware, stoved, heaters, and tinware
Lamps, house furnishing goods, paints, oils
Electrical supplies, Plumbing, Steam Heating, Roofing and spouting
Rolland B. Follmer, senior member of the firm, is a former Watsontowner, being a son of J.M. Follmer, one of the pioneer residents of the town. Mr. Follmer left here in 1882, after traveling over the greater part of the United States in the interest of the Dr. D. Jayne Medicine Co. of Philadelphia, returned to his native town.
J.F. Wilson is also a native of Watsontown, son of Dr. C.G. Wilson, well known to the older citizens. Mr Wilson was engaged in the telephone and electric light business for a number of years, traveling extensively in this work and other engagements previous to locating here.
Messrs Follmer and Wilson purchased the old established F.H. Knight store in September 1906 and are giving the business their undivided attention. A force of skilled and experienced workmen is employed.
The establishment is one of the busiest business marts in town.
Barr Table Company
THE WATSONTOWN TABLE WORKs commenced business in the car shops building in 1878 being started by Jos Hollopeter and Jas. W. McLain,. Samuel Miller, George Burns and Isaac Stryker were afterwards added to the firm. Subsequently Ario Pardee became proprietor of the works, which were removed to his lower planing mill. Later the plant passed into the hands of J. G. Bower and F. H. Miller, who built the preset building and operated the works successfully for a number of years, when it passed into the hands of a stock company known as the the West Branch Table Works. In 1897 Mr. George B. Breon acquired possession of the plant and the firm name was then changed to the Breon Table Company.
June 15, 1906, the plant was purchased by the Barr Table Company, and Mr. J. W. Barr, who for four years had charge of the business for Mr. Breon, assumed the entire management and control. Under Mr Barr's management the plant has been greatly improved by the installation of new, up-to-date machinery and appliances, including complete collector system.
With an established reputation for superior work the new firm has introduced more progressive methods, not only adding to the quantity but quality of the product. The business has increased twenty-five per cent under the management or Mr. Barr, the out-put reaching an annual average of $125,000. Sixty-five hands are employed and the factory is continuously operated to its full capacity.
THE BARR TABLE COMPANY is recognized as a leader in the industry, manufacturing a larger number of the higher grades of tables than any factory in this part of the state. A greater portion of the tables produced are of the finest quartered oak, the designs being mainly originated by Mr. Barr, who is an expert designer and architect, and thoroughly familiar with every detail of the business and with the wants of the trade.
The adjoining illustration shows one of the new designs for 1907. Catalogue of other designs may be had for the asking.
Bryson Post No, 224," Department of Pa., Grand Army of the Republic, was organized September 20 1881 by Capt. John F. Parker, then Commander of Henry Wilson Post, No. 129, Milton, assisted by a large delegation from that Post. The officers installed were: F. A. Roan, Commander: J. M. Follmer, Senior Vice Commander; E. W. Fosnot, Junior V. C.; T. G. Caldwell, Officer of the Day; J. R. Messinger, Officer Of The Guard; Geo. P. Straub, Quartermaster; T. H. Kisner, Surgeon; Rev. David Kennedy, Chaplain; Am brsbe Lamm, Adjutant; Sergt. Major, law. C. Fasnot.
The Post rented the hall in the Hogue Building, now the property of the Farmers National Bank, and have occupied the same quarter continuously until the present time. The above picture shows the room as it is to-day, one of the neatest and best equipped In the Department. Since its organization the Post mustered into its ranks 188 members. Out of that number 58 have died, 94 have withdrawn or were dropped from the rolls, leavinga present membership of 46.
The following comrades have served the Post as Commanders:
1881, F. A. Reen;
1882, Lew. C. Fosnot:
1883, 0. F. Benson;
1884, James Cummings
1885 Wm. H. Kline;
1886, J. H. Wagner;
1887, J. R. Housel;
1888, John R. Cooner;
1889, Wm. L. Baker;
1890, T.H. Kiser;
1891 S G. Stadler;
1892, Wm. D. Moyer;
1893, J. N. Messenger;
1894, Geo. P. Straub;
1895, Samuel B Morgu;
1896, Alfred Diehl;
1897 S. R. Averill:
1898, Wm. L. Baker;
1899 Lew. C. Fosnot;
1900, J. R. Messinger;
1901, James Zettlemoyer;
1902, F. A. Reen;
1903, I. W. Long;
1904, M. 0. Ellert;
1905-06, S. B. Morgan;
1907, Geo G. Kilmer.
The Post meets every Friday evening, and has rarely failed to have a quorum at its meetings. It has and continues to carry on its rolls the best citizens of the town, and still continues to maintain its reputation as one of the most active Posts In the Department, rarely failing to be represented at encampments, and being represented frequently on the staffs of the Department and National Commanders. Its observance of Memorial Day has been kept up every year since organization. It holds services in eight cemeteries decorating the graves of over two hundred deceased comrades.
Frequent campfires and entertainments have been held all proving very successful. During the winter months joint meetings have been held with the Lewisburg and Milton posts, which events have been very interesting. After twenty-six years of faithful service in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic, the handful of surviving comrades realize that their organization must soon be numbered with the things of the past, and that in very few years, they must relinquish the work to the hands of their sons and daughters, and they are gratified to know that willing hearts and ready hands will perpetuate the patriotic duty which the organization has by precept and example firmly imbued into the the hearts of the rising generation.
SONS OF VETERANS.
For a town the size of Watsontown, S. D. Morgan Camp, No. 225, Pa. Div., Sons of Veterans, is the equal of many camps in much larger towns not withstanding the fact that it has been organized but two years.
he camp was mustered in July 31 1905 with 59 charter members and at the present time is in a flourishing condition, the membership having reached 104.
The company of Reserved of the military part of the order was mustered in as Co. H, Third Regiment, Pa Div, October 30 1906, with 34 members and 25 funs. The company now numbers 58 men, 35 of whom are fully equipped with guns and uniforms.
The ladies Auxiliary was organized April 9 1907, with a charger membership of 29.
The organization and town boasts of the only Sons of Veterans Band in this sate It was organized February 19 1906 with 18 members and was mustered in as Trate's Third Regiment Band, S.V.R. January 7 1907, with 25 members fully uniformed and equipped with a fine set of new instruments. They have favorable prospects of a membership of 35 before they are two years old. During the short time since organized the Band has met with the remarkable success, and wherever it has filled engagement had received the highest praise of efficiency.
The grand Army of the Republic needs the assistance of every Son of A Veteran in the land, and if they don't receive it, the Sons are shirking their duty and not worthy sons of the men who offered their lives to preserve the Union. As Sons of Veterans we should ever bear in mind that the high honor of bein Sons of Veterans is not due to any services which we rendered, but is out privilege because our fathers dared to do and if need be to die for the right. It is our duty to show to the world that we are worthy of the title we bear. This we will endeavor to do by respecting the memory of our country's defenders both those who are still permitted to stay with us and those who fell in battle or have since responded to the last roll call.
Daniel W. Kemble was born November 26, 1857. Starting as a water boy for the Pennsylvania Canal Company while yet in his "teens," he served that company thirty-two years, closing his service as foreman of this division of the West Branch Canal, with head-quarters at Port May, near Watsontown. Here he operated a supply store in connection with his canal supervision for fifteen years. After the abandonment of the canal he continued to operate the store until April 1, 1904, When he purchased the McFarland market and store in Watsontown and has operated the same successfully until the present time. Mr. Kemble carries a very complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, fruits, vegetables, oysters and fish in season, and has Wilt up an extensive trade by careful and courteous attention to the wants of the people. Mr. Kemble is at present a menthol of the Borough Council, having serve': one year, and in this duty as in at other positions he is recognized as z progressive citizen, and an honorable honest, liberal-minded man. He is az active member of S. B. Morgan Camp Sons of Veterans, and of Watsontown Lodge and Encampment of the I. O. O. F.
John McFarland, one the best known early residents of this section, was a native of the north part of Ireland, and was born in 1817. Be came to this country when about sixteen years of age. and soon developed the sterling, industrious and ambitious qualities of his race. After working for a number of -years on a farm, near what is now the city of Reading, he became a contractor on the Little Schuylkill Railroad, and assisted in laying the first strap-iron rails on that road. Later he was a contractor on the Catawissa Branch of the P. R.R'y building a portion of the road and of the Big Mountain tunnel, near East. Mahanoy Junction. After completing this work, ;Nit,. McFarland came to this sect ion, purchasing two farms and the grist mill near Warrior Run Church. These properties were greatly improved with new buildings and the mill placed in first, class condition. In 1808 Mr. McFarland built the Watsontown Flouring Mill, operating it and dealing in grain for over twenty years, during which he refitted the mill with it complete equipment of full roller process machinery, making it one of the best in this part of the state. In 1890 he sold the mill to Follmer, Fowler & Co. and retired from active business. Mr. McFarland built: the handsome home, caner Main and Eighth streets, now occupied by his son, and in many ' other ways showed his progressive spirit. He died in 1807, loved and respected by all who knew him.
Capt. William F. Ungard was born at Mill Hall, Pa. October 22 1853. Like other distinguished citizens, he began his career as a mule driver on the canal, engaging in that occupation before becoming nine years of age. One year later he went on a farm, remaining at this occupation until the age of sixteen. Following this he engaged in boating and lumbering.
Mr. Ungard came to Watsontown in 1878, and boated for the late E. L. Matchin until Mr. Matchin’s death. In 1893 he took charge of the coal business and continued in that and the ice business until the fall of 1906.
During the following winter, Mr. Ungard was engaged in the restaurant and milk business, and in the spring purchased and occupied the Allenwood Hotel. This stand he has completely remodeled and placed in first-class condition for the accommodation of the public. Under his progressive management the hotel is rapidly becoming one of the most popular in this section.
Mr. Ungard is a self-made man in the best sense of the term, having practically made his own way in the world from childhood. He has raised a family of six boys and one girl, and his life has been a strenuous one, full of hard work and trying experiences.
On May 17, 1902, the soldiers monument was dedicated at the Watsontown cemetery with "imposing ceremonies".
General J.P.S. Gobis delivered the oration. The Bryson post had began plans for the monument a few years prior, but after raising a few hundred dollars, the project was abandoned. In 1901, another effort was made, with a "Popular One Dollar Subscription" raising the necessary funds. The plot was donated by the Cemetery Association, near the soldier burial lot, which had previously been donated to the post.
On this lot was alos mounted a large canon from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
"Overlooking the town and seemingly guarding it, the combination is an impressive one, reflecting the patriotism of a grateful community - an honor to the town and the price of all surviving members of the Grand Army of the Republic.
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