Valley Girl Views: The Carriage Works In McEwensville

"A. Mauser & Brother's carriage works were established in 1839 by William Hood, who built a frame shop forty feet square on the west side of Main street. In 1848 he moved this building back from the street and erected in front of it a two-story frame structure forty by forty-four feet; he also built a brick blacksmith shop on the opposite side of the street. In 1870 Mr. Hood disposed of the establishment to Alem Mouser, and in 1875 the present firm was formed with Cain Mouser as junior member. They employ fifteen men and manufacture a large amount of new work. " - History Of Northumberland County by Bell

Alem Houser married Hannah Hood.

The Old Carrige Works Building Still stands along main street in McEwensville.

“Around the turn of the century there were two telephones in the town. The Bell was at Watson’s Store and at the home of Armstrong’s. Later phones were installed at the Gearhart Foundry, A. & C. Mauser’s carriage works and the J.G. Smith’s residence. A number of years later, the West Branch Bell Telephone Company began operations and built lines throughout the area.”
- McEwensville In History By George Wesner

In 1839 William Hood built a frame shop 40 feet square on the west side of Main Street.

Mr Hood also built a brick blacksmith shop on the opposite side of the street, where the metal parts for carriage, coaches, phaetons, buggies, surreys, spring wagsons, buses and sleighs were made.

A McEwensville Made "Phaeton' Carriage

"ALEM MAUSER, of the firm of Mauser Brothers McEwensville, was born

in Montour county, Pennsylvania, July 21, l846, son of Michael and

Catharine (Wortman) Mauser. He attended the district schools, and at

the age of seventeen years came to McEwensville and was engaged in

William Hood's carriage shop as an apprentice, remaining there six years, when

he purchased the business from his employer. A few years later he took

as a partner his brother Cain, and they now employ fifteen men. He was

married, December 22, 1869, to Hannah M., niece of William Hood, and

they are the parents of two children: Sallie H. and Harry S. Mr. Mauser

and wife are members of the German Reformed church of McEwensville. "

1891

"CAIN MAUSER, carriage manufacturer, was born in Montour county,

Pennsylvania, August 14, 1849, son of Michael and Catharine (Wortman)

Mauser. His grandfather, Christian Mauser, was a native of Northampton

county, Pennsylvania. Michael, the father of our subject was a carpenter

by trade, but was principally engaged in farming. He died, October 15,

1854, leaving six children: an infant, deceased; Mary, Mrs. Lewis

Bayler; Alem; Cain; Emanuel, and Michael. His widow married Anthony

Faust, and to this union three children have been born, but one of whom

is living, Peter Faust. The subject of this sketch was educated in the

common schools, and at the age of seventeen years learned the harness

making trade; he then clerked in a general store at Orangeville,

Columbia county, Pennsylvania, after which he took a trip West. After

his return he learned the carriage trimming trade, and in company with

his brother Alem has since been engaged in the manufacture of carriages

at McEwensville. He was married, December 12, 1877, to Emma C. Wesner,

of McEwensville. Mr. and Mrs. Mauser are members of Messiah Lutheran

church."

1911

In August of 1928, the Miltonian reproted that Mr & Mrs Cain Mauser and Mrs & Mrs Michael Mauser, Prof and Mrs Deitrich and Mrs Hannah Mauser and Robert Braun motored to Danville Wednesday to attend the Mauser reunion.

1910

Mary Elizabeth Welliver was the bookkeeper at the A and C Mauser Carriage works during the absence of H.W. Huling in August of 1928. Huling was expected to return from Philadelphia that September.

In October of 1894, Cain & Michael Mauser carriage builders of McEwensville delivered a "fine buggy" to Dr Graham in Sunbury.

Harrison Guinn, born in 1831, worked for 40 years as the wheelwright at the Mauser Carriage Shop.

March 1961 - The building was purchased for $500

The Carriage Works Building as it appears on google maps, now.
Inside the building, the walls are covered in writing - assorted historical dates and events were written on the walls and beams.

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For More Local History & Stories of McEwensville

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/02/mcewensville-pennsylvania.html

For More History & Stories From The Susquehanna Valley

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

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Carriage & Wagon Manufacturers in McEwensville:
Everett S. H. (dealer), McEwensville
*Mauser A. & Bro. (light and wagon) McEwensville
Rotharmel W. I. (wagon), McEwensville

Kerr John W. (wagon), McEwensville

William Hood died in May 1898. As he sold his business to Alem Mauser, and died in the home of Alem, and Alem married a Hannah Hood, it's pretty likely that Alem was his son in law.

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