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Watsontown Boot & Shoe Company
The Shoe That Made Watsontown
In the year 1870, on the site known as the Tannery Grounds, in the northern part of town, was erected the first building for a shoe factory.
Hollopeter, Bryson, Burns, Miller, and Caldwell formed the company
It grew so rapidly that in four years, a larger building was needed.
The Boot & Shoe Co building on Main street was then erected.
Passed through various hands, large interest purchased by Henry F. Algert in 1886.
In 1898 Algert became sole proprietor.
Principal product was boots. Algert made a specialty of Lumberman's shoes.
Jere Myerly tested first boots, worked as stitcher. Estella Westley bookkeeper, Simon Myerly Shipper for 20 years, Lawrence Lewis manager, Carl Heyt (native of Germany) sole cutting and heel making dept.
In 1870 the Postoffice was moved from Minerva Hall to the Shoe Factory building.
Record & Star Publishing office located on the second flood.
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Bakers Store
Celebrates It's 25th Anniversary This Year (1907)
One of the Most Successful Business Houses Of Watsontown
1882-1907
Opened as a grocery store 25 years earlier by Rev. L.G. Heck, who sold it to James Perry.
Later owned by William McCoy, then purchased by Farmers Alliance 11 years ago, who owned it for two months but "could not make a success of it"
it was sold to Michael Baker, who had no previous experience, but was raised on a farm in Union County and then worked at the Watsontown Planing Mill.
Three years ago the old building was moved back and a new two story pressed brick structure was erected in front.
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Advertisement for Bieber's Plymouth Rock Chickens
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Watsontown Lodge No 619, I.O.O.F.
Independent Order Of Odd Fellows
George Walters, Maynard Huhn
W.A. Nicely, S.B. Hillard
Lodge organized with 20 charter members in Milton on December 7 1867
Bachman, Knight, Johnson, Whitman, Krebs, Ware, Carl, Kline, Johnson, Yarnell, Tobias, Grier, Johnson, Thomas, Albright, Ellis, Berger, Miller, Gauger, Wyckoff
First meeting held at the Shay Building, or in teh hall over the store now occupied by W.W. Welsh. Hall was sublet to them by American Mechanic.
Changed name to Watsontown Lodge in 1871
Membership flailed through the depression of the 1870s, but recovered in the 1880s.
Moved to second flood of N. Gauger building, now occupied by Caldwell's store.
Then moved to second floor of the Mansion House, before moving to the Shoe Factory Building, and eventually to the Marsh block.
"The lodge never refuses an appeal for aid and is always among the first to lend a helping hand."
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The Marsh Block
Build in 1889 by Dr. W.G. Marsh
First floor - Dr Marsh's office and living rooms, ER Taggert Clothing Store
Second Floor - Family sleeping apartments, U.T.&T. Cos Exchange, & two club rooms
Third Floor - Two lodge rooms, occupied by I.O.O.F & K.G.E. Also used by Jr. O.U.A.M., the Royal Arcanum, and the Protected Home Circle
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Samuel Griffith Frey
Born September 14 1835, Berks County
Parents move to Buffalo Twp Union County by wagon in spring 1839
Clerked in several store, attended school at Old Mifflinburg Academy
Came to Chilisquaque twp, North'd County.
Worked in building Northern Central Railroad between Halifax & Dauphin in 1856
Employed at McCauleys Coal and Iron Railroad in 1857
Afterward, engaged in Farming, Hotel keeping and Mercantile business
Came to Watsontown in March 1876, began confectionery, ice cream, and baking in 1883
Followed surveying and civil engineering as a side line. County surveyor from 1874-1880.
Retired from active business in 1906, serves as Justice Of The Peace & does land surveying.
Borough engineer since 1879.
Married Jan 1 1857 to Miss Deborah Hackenburg. Three children survive - Mrs H.M. Knowlton, Emma, and Mrs S.B. Hilliard, all of Watsontown.
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"Stone Church" White Deer Valley
Central Concrete Construction Company
S.A. McFarland, Manager
"The growing scarcity of lumber and other building materials and the superior adaptability of concrete have established a business of remarkable present proportions and unlimited future possibilities. "
In addition to the Stone Church, also constructed the new M.E. Church at Allenwood, two buildings for Watsontown Door and Sash, One for Montgomery Door & Sash, a dwelling for John C. Waldron, and foundations in "this and adjoining counties"
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