Ford Birchard & Purity Candy

 

Purity Candy was founded in 1907, and still operates today.

Did you know that the man who founded Purity Candy also held at least three patents, including one for an airship, and that he also published a book?

Purity Candy was founded in 1907, by Ford Gould Birchard, "an inventor of note"

Birchard got his start as a confectioner in Williamsport, where he was located from 1894 through 1900. Assorted articles state that he then "went south" before going to Eagles Mere, and finally to Lewisburg in 1907.

In 1917 he filed for a patent on a spring wheel, and in 1926, for an airship. There's record of an earlier patent on a candy machine.

In 1931, F.G. Birchard published a book. The New York Times listed it under "latest books received": OUT OF THE RUT. By Ford G. Birchard. 8vo. Boston, Mass.: The Christopher Publishing House. $1.75. Criticism and advice regarding current problems.

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THE HISTORY OF PURITY CANDY

In 1957, the Daily Item reported on the Purity's 50th anniversary. "Purity Company, now located at 25 North Eighth Street has been identified with Lewisburg since 1907..."

The company began in "a small building on North Second Street, formerly occupied by the W.H. Gilbert Gun Shop. This building has been used for storage purposes only during recent years. Not far from the place of manufacture, Purity's retail outlet was a storeroom on Market Street, now occupied by Champion Shoe Repair."

The Lewisburg Journal had described the companies opening location as "The Purity Candy Co is a new concern that has opened for business in the small store room in the Linn building opposite the journal office." - Lewisburg Journal Oct 25 1907

The firm began with two owners - Birchard, and W.H. Amer of Williamsport. Amer sold his interest to W.H. Banhaf of Muncy, and Banhaf then sold his interest to Roy Birchard, son of Ford. Father and son then continued the operations.

Ford Birchard retired in 1949. He died on February 7 1954, at age 95.

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Misc Notes:

1894 - Ford Birchard confectioner, 1st avenue Williamsport

1898 - Ford Birchard was listed in the Williamsport directory as a confectioner at 230 W. 3rd and 236 Campbell st. In the 1900 directory, he was still at the 3rd street address.

1907 - "The Purity Candy Co is a new concern that has opened for business in the small store room in the Linn building opposite the journal office." - Lewisburg Journal Oct 25 1907

1908 - The Purity Candy Company and Morrow Notion Stores exchanged places from the Linn Building to the Marsh Stand respectively

Roy Birchard was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad before joining his father in the candy business.

On March 6 1912 - Purity Candy Company of Lewisburg opened a store in Milton

1912 - "Through the courtesy of the management of the Orpheum Theater and the Purity candy company, the boys and girls of the town were treated to an entertainment of moving pictures and a box of candy at the Orpheum on Christmas Afternoon"

In 2025, Purity has locations in Lewisburg, and Allenwood Pa.

Ford Gould Birchard 1859-1954

Buried in Wildwood Cemetery

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The Lewisburg Journal Office on the 1913 map

(I didn't see it on the 1906 map, but I didn't look too closely0