Philip Dieffenbacher, Turbotville Organ Maker

 

P.L. Dieffenbacher, Cabinet Maker & Organ Maker 
Turbotville, Pa

The Turbotville Honor Roll

The Turbotville Honor Roll, in Front of the Turbotville Fire Station

In early October 1942, shrubbery was planted for the Honor Roll Board on the front lawn of the fire house.  The names of the men and women in service were all listed and plans for the dedication were being made.

A partial listing of names on the old monument.

The Monument was dedicated in a Ceremony on October 25th 1942.

Approximately 300 people attended the services and unveiling of the Turbotville Honor Roll Sunday afternoon. The program was in charge of Harold Watson and Rev. Carl Smith, of the Watsontown and McEwensville Reformed churches, Rev. C. F. Booth, of the Baptist Church, Rev. R. A. Flower, of Zion Lutheran Church, and Rev. C.

S. Rudisill, of St. James Lutheran Church of Turbotville, took part in the dedication program. Rev. Rudisill read the names of the boys in service and a financial report was given by M.

L. Savidge.

 Selections •were played by the Turbotville Junior Band under the direction of Harold Koons, of Muncy. The main speaker of the afternoon Rev. Squire Schofield, of St. James Lutheran Episcopal Church, of Exchange, gave a talk on the bombing of England and the drafting of boys 14 years of age into the British Navy.

 The names of the boys in the service who were honored Sunday afternoon follow: Kenneth Webb, Edward FolImer Heffelfiger, George Shade, Doyle Shade, Homer Booth, Cecil Booth, Harold Kirkner, Roy Chamberlin, Wallace Barr, Herbert Barr, Thomas Richards, Donald Harvey, H. D. Rudisill, Clyde White, Edward Knapp, Robert Smith, James Dennen, Paul Ulrich, Ross Everhart, Nevin Lyons, Earl Craig, Rollie Sither, Eugene Laubach, A. B. Laubach, Lehman Snyder, Wilson Frey, Roy Sones, Charles Bomboy, Frank Bomboy, Sylvan Reese, Eugene Kramer, Ellery Auten, Charles Mazol. Anthony Mazel, George Betz, John Betz, Harvey Snyder, H. M. Reese, Frank Walter, Luther Hoffman, W. P. Housenecht, Willis Murray, George Hoffman, Donald Conard, Carroll Yerg, Walter Strouse, John St. Clair. Birchall Koons, Fred Laidacker, Arden Biddle, Deemer Golder, Glenwood Dewire, George McCollum, Aaron Fry, Sidney J. Keefer. Paul Laidacker. John Laidacker. Kenneth Neyhard, Nelson Cramner, Ralph Stine, Edward Reynolls, Clarence Betz, Wilbur Murray, Ned Fairchiids, Paul Specht, George Fredericks, Donald Bryson, Luther Pfleegor, Thomas Shoemaker, Samuel Lucas, Wm. Sypher, Richard Diggan. Harold Fritz, Glenn Shuman, Scott Gaid, John Schell, Harvey Berkheimer, Maynard Millheim, Daniel Walters, Robert Rishel, Nevin Laidacker, Robert Kurtz, George Showers, Wm. Zarr, Thomas Fitzpatrick, John Zarr, and Charles Pursel. 

Corporal Wallace M. Barr, Fort Eustis, Virginia, and Mrs. Barr, spent ¡Sunday •with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Barr, of Turbotville. 

The following members of the St. James Lutheran Episcopal Church, of Exchange, donated $10.00 to the Community Honor Roll Board at Turbotville; Rev. Squire Schofield, Randall Ellis, Jake Ellis and family, Harriet and Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Nora Kirkner, Mrs. Martha Mohr, Miss Emma Armatage, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Yocum, Mr.and Mrs. Edward Ulrich, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Welliver, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurley Stamm.

 The wooden honor roll eventually rotted, and the memorial had be be torn down, possibly sometime in the 1960s.

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September 1942

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The Lime Kiln In Turbotville

The Remains of the old lime kiln, in Turbotville Pa

Murdered Over Hunting Rights, Turbotville 1917

 

On December 8th 1917 46 year old Ward Plotts of Turbotville died in the Danville hospital of a fractured skull, inflicted by John Reynolds, a Turbotville farmer who believed Plotts was intending to hunt on his land.  

Ward Plots, born June 20 1870, was the son of George and Mercy [Hoffman] Plotts. He Married Maude Stella Ritter, and had 4 children, at the time of his death. He's buried in Turbotville Pa.

Ward and his 18 year old son Roy set out to hunt rabbits, each carrying a shot gun. The Plots farm and the Reynolds farm were roughly half a mile apart. As the Plotts headed down the public road, they met John Reynolds, who was carrying a pitchfork on his shoulder, on his way to a neighboring farm to assist with hauling in corn fodder. Reynolds, who owned a dairy farm, was following behind a milk wagon driven by his wife.

According to Roy Potts, Reynolds accused the men of hunting on his land. The two men engaged in a verbal quarrel, and Reynolds, according to Roy, "used language and made accusations" that they could not stand for. Ward Potts, smarting by Reynolds accusations, decided to invoke the law. Turning around, the father and son proceeded back to their own farm to hitch up the horse and wagon and drive to the office of the Justice of the Peace for the purpose of taking legal action. IN a short time, the father and son overtook Reynolds, who was still following the milk truck driven by his wife, with a pitchfork on his shoulder.

Plotts informed Reynolds that he intended to take legal action against him for the words he had used, and the accusations he had made. Roy said that his father was carrying his gun in his left hand, swinging it at his side. Reynolds, without warning, raised the pitchfork and struck Potts on the head. Potts dropped to his knees, and while in that position, Reynolds struck him over the head a second time. Reynolds then jumped into the milk wagon with his wife and rode away.

All of this occurred near the barn at the Plotts farm. Roy called for his mother, and along with his sister, the three of them carried Ward Plotts inside and sent for Dr Muffly. Muffly later took Plotts to Geisinger in Danville.

The high constable locate John Reynolds without difficulty, and took him into custody at the county jail. On reaching Danville, Reynolds expressed a desired to visit Ward at the hospital. The constable complied with the request, and escorted him there.

Dr Gemmil, who cared for Plotts at Geisinger, testified that Reynolds admitted striking Plotts twice, when the man had pulled a gun on him.

Roy Plotts, the son, adamantly denied that his father had pulled the gun, or made any threats. He stated that his father had reminded Reynolds that he would not quarrel with him. He explained that the two families had been strained for some time, but that the trouble had never before assumed a serious nature.

Reynolds was taken to jail, to be tried after the funeral. After the funeral, testimony was waived, and Reynolds remained in jail until court convened again the second week of January 1918.

On January 14th 1918, Reynolds changed his plea to guilty of voluntary manslaughter. His attorney made an effective plea for clemency, and he was sentenced to not less than 8, nor more than 10, years in the Eastern State Penitentiary.

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For those related to my husband (which is by my approximation, roughly half  of the three county area... )  One of the pallbearers was Howard  Mahlon Smith 1876-1969 (Dan's great grandfather). 

Ward's wife, Maude Estelle Ritter, was the daughter of John W. Ritter 1856 - 1907 who married Sarah Ella Shetler.  John W. Ritter was the brother of Mary Jane Ritter  - both children of Zebedee & Anna [Fox] Ritter.  Mary Jane Ritter married Jacob Snyder and was Dan's great great grandmother.

Zebedee Ritter

John W. Ritter

Maude E. [Ritter] Plotts

Zebedee Ritter

Mary Jane [Ritter] Snyder

Susan Bertha [Snyder] Smith

And this is where it gets extra confusing.

Dan's maternal great grandparents include:

Benjamin Franklin Smith & Susan Bertha Snyder

Howard Mahlon Smith & Margaret Bessie Aunkst

Yep.  Two Smith lines.  

Benjamin Franklin Smith and Howard Smith were cousins - their paternal grandparents were John & Hannah [Stofflet] Smith.

Susan Bertha Snyder married Benjamin Franklin Smith - Dan's maternal great grandparents.  They were the parents of Lloyd [Grandpa Smith]

Howard Mahlon Smith (the pallbearer at Plotts funeral) married Margaret Aunkst.  They were the parents of Marion [Grammie Smith]

So Howard was related to Ward Plotts wife - but distantly.

ALSO - just yesterday I was sorting out some photos to scan for the Truckenmiller Christmas party here this week-end, and I found this one:

Locust Grove School

Which according to Dan's Aunts, "was mostly Plotts and Truckenmiller kids"

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Find More Stories & History Of Turbotville Here:
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And More Stories, Photos, & History From Other Local Towns Here:
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Our Genealogical Connection: Maude Ritter was the daughter of John W. & Sarah Ella [Shetler] Ritter.  John's sister [Maude's Aunt] Mary Jane Ritter, who married Jacob Snyder, was Daniel Truckenmiller's great great grandmother. https://heathersgen.blogspot.com/2012/02/zebedee-ritter-1826-1913.html

Covered Bridge Over Warrior Run Creek

Covered Bridge over Warrior Run Creek, near Turbotville Pa

On the Susquehanna Trail, as you cross the creek to enter McEwensville.

"Bridge over Warrior Run Creek, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Bridge was built between 1831 and 1835 and rebuilt around 1906, according to Amos Gloze, who was located at Warrior Run in 1831 and saw the building of the bridge."

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An Index Of Covered Bridges In The Susquehanna Valley
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-covered-bridges-index.html

The Hailstorm of 1871

On July 16 1871, a severe hailstorm ravaged the area from Crescent, through Montoursville, Turbotville, and Washingtonville.  Birds and livestock were killed, many roofs were full of holes, and hail was a foot thick on the ground.

Harold Anspach, the National AAU Middleweight Champion from Turbotville

 

On May 17th 1948 - Harold Anspach, professional boxer, left Turbotville for training in N.J.

Anspach, a marine, and dairy farmer, was the 1946 National AAU middleweight champion.

A veteran of World War II, Anspach served in the Marines from 1944 to 1946, and was stationed at Cherry Point North Carolina, home of the "Flying Leathernecks".  

While in the Marines, Anspach won the Amateur Boxing Championship. 

In 1946 Anspach won the National AAU Championship, winning 216 bouts and losing just three. 

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More Stories & History From Turbotville, Pa

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MILTON - Harold A. Anspach, 85, of Laidacker Road, formerly of rural Turbotville, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at Geisinger Medical Center, where he had been admitted Thursday.
He was born Oct. 5, 1923, in Watsontown, a son of the late Emery L. and Edna G. (Buss) Anspach. On April 29, 1944, he married the former Leilla R. Bower, and they celebrated 65 years of marriage last month.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the Marines from 1944 to 1946. While in the Marines, he won the Amateur Boxing Championship and in 1946 won the National AAU Championship, winning 216 bouts and losing only three. Following his military service, he continued professional boxing for a few years, mainly with Stillman's Gym in New York.
Harold retired from ACF Industries, Milton, where he worked for 35 years. He also was a dairy farmer in Delaware Township for 20 years.
He was a faithful member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Turbotville, a member of Watsontown Lodge 401, Free & Accepted Masons, the Williamsport Consistory and California Grange 941 and a longtime member of the Elk Run Hunting Club, Sullivan County.
Harold enjoyed watching sports programs and earlier in life loved hunting.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Martin L. and Sharon and Gary L. and Carol, all of Danville, and Chris D. and Dorothy of Lewisburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Alice M. and Walter "Chubb" Laidacker of Milton and Diane D. and Charles Dillman of Frackville; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Nevin C. Anspach of rural Turbotville; and three sisters, Irene A. Sechler of Turbotville, Shirley M. Whitman of Milton and Nancy D. Quintin of York.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Daniel J. Dillman, in 1983, and two brothers, Lee and Bernard Anspach.
Friends are invited to call from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Paradise Street, Turbotville, where the funeral will follow at 11 with his pastor, the Rev. Erwin C. Roux, officiating.
Burial will follow in Twin Hills Memorial Park.

When the Fair Was Held In Turbotville

The Turbotville Fair, 1958 

The Turbotville Community Fair ran annually from 1935 to 1969,  but prior to the community fair, The Northumberland County Fair was regularly held at Turbotville, as early as 1868.

1869

On October 7th 1869, Francis Irwin shot Robert Montgomery at the Turbotville fair.

"David Childs and Francis M. Irwin, two roughs from Montour County, created a great disturbance at the Turbotville Fair.  In an attempt to arrest them, Irwin shot Robert Montgomery."

The fair is regularly referred to as the annual fair, with the number of years listed pointing to the fair originating in 1937.  However, the 1939 Fair Booklet lists the fair as the 5th Annual, making the first year of the fair 1935, not 1937.

The judges stand for the Turbotville Fair

Turbotville hosted a community agricultural fair  on the grounds beside the community center from 1935 through the 1960s.    Prior to the 1930s, the fair in Turbotville was held north of  Turbotville on the road to Comly.

1930's, Fuller's Purina Display at the Turbotville Fair

In the 1930's, Ralph Fuller displayed his hardware and Purina products at the fair.

The first Turbotville Community Fair was held in October of 1935, in connection with the annual school fair held by the vocational school. 

1951

1952

1953

1953

In 1955 Becky Yoder was in charge of the 9th grade concession stand, and Neil Hons is shown attempting to ring a goose for a prize.

1957

1958

1959

1964

In 1964 the Daily Item called the fair the "27th Annual".   In 1951, It was referred to as the 14th annual fair.  A booklet from the 1939 fair however, states that it was the 5th Annual, making 1935 the first fair, not 1937.  

 The 1964 fair featured a pony pulling contest and an annual chicken bbq.  The Oak Valley Rangers were scheduled to present three shows.There were several rides for the kids, food stands, and concessions.

1964

1965

1965

Twins Salie & Maggie Lerch at the Turbotville Fair

Barbara Durlin, 6th grader, at the Turbotville Fair in 1968

The last fair was held in 1969.  In May of 1970, the fair was cancelled due to lack of interest.

1970

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Find More Stories & History Of Turbotville Here:

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And More Stories, Photos, & History From Other Local Towns Here:

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"The first piece of land he [John Watson]  ever bought was that now occupied as the fair grounds at Turbotville, but he never moved to it. " The History of Columbia & Montour Counties.

Name: Franklin Irwin

Age in 1870: 15

Birth Year: abt 1855

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Dwelling Number: 212

Home in 1870: Lewis, Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Race: White

Gender: Male

Post Office: Watsontown

Occupation: Farm Laborer

Attended School: Y

Household Members:

Name Age

Anthony E Gauger 36

Mary E Gauger 34

Ella D Gauger 10

Curtis C Gauger 8

William A Gauger 7

Franklin Irwin 15

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Not fair related - come back to later - 

The Best, Worst, and Most Unusual, by Bruce Felton and Mark Fowler

1964