History

142 Shaw avenue Lewistown, PA

If anyone has pictures, stories, and or any history of this home at 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us at amy@zehr.net

This Folk Victorian restoration/revitalization is ongoing. If you enjoy old home restoration, please follow and subscribe to our video channel
- our channel also includes two other properties in a different area. For our Lewistown home, click onto the Playlists towards the top of the youtube page, (under the subscribe button), then click on the magnifying glass/search button and type in “Zehr Retreat”. Our videos pertaining to Lewistown, PA, should come up, you can scroll down thru to find playlists.

“A History of the Juniata Valley and Its People,” John W. Jordan, 1913 - rootsweb.com
- Before being named Lewistown, it was previously known as Ohesson, its Shawnee name. Lewistown was named in honor of William Lewis, “a member of the legislature from Berks county and to whose efforts was largely due the location of the seat of justice at that point, instead of below the long narrows, on the site now occupied by the county seat of Juniata county.”  The town was laid out in 1789 by Samuel Edmiston and James Potter. Lewistown was incorporated as a borough in 1795, and at the time in 1795, there were about 120 dwellings, a court house, and a jail.

Lewistown, PA is Mifflin county’s seat of government. Mifflin county’s eastern entrance is the Juniata River. Mifflin county was named after Thomas Mifflin (1744-1800). Thomas Mifflin was the first governor of Pennsylvania. Lewistown was named after William Lewis (1752-1819), “a Philadelphia Quaker, lawyer, legislator and federal judge.” (Images of America Mifflin County, Forest K. Fisher, 2008)

“A History of the Juniata Valley and Its People,” John W. Jordan, 1913 - rootsweb.com - The borough of Lewistown, PA, had a population of 523 in 1800, the first United States census, after Lewistown was incorporated.  “The Lewistown & Reedsville electric railway was established in 1900. The first line ran from Lewistown to Reedsville, a distance of about six miles. Subsequently the tracks were extended across the Juniata to Lewistown Junction and a branch east of Lewistown runs to Burnham and to Burnham Park, an amusement resort established in 1905 by the street railroad company.”

The northeast side of our house (142 Shaw ave.), left side if looking at it from the front, is facing S. Pine street, which early on was known as Dipple street, then as E. Pine street and later South Pine street. The Southwest side of our house, right side, if looking at it from the front, is facing 140 Shaw ave. The Southeast side of our house, the back, is facing 209 S. Pine street. The northwest side of our house, the front, is facing 143 Shaw ave. and we can enjoy the sunset from the front porch of our house and on our balcony on the second floor, in front of the house.

The Sanborn maps do not show the homes at the corner/intersection of S. Pine street (Dipple) and Shaw avenue in 1896 or before. Shaw ave. is drawn in and labeled on the 1896 map, but for fire insurance purposes no homes were shown in this area.
The 1896 Sanborn map shows the corner of Valley street with “Dipple” street, now named Pine street, with J. H. Dipple, Pottery at the corner of Valley and Dipple streets. (234 Valley street)

“John H. Dipple, son of George H. Dipple, was born in Germany, died in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in 1872. He was well educated, served his time in the German army, and was a potter by trade. After coming to the United States he settled, in 1852, in Lewistown and there engaged in the manufacture of pottery until his death. … He married, in Lewistown, Margaret Peters; she was born in Germany, died in Lewistown in 1902. Children: George, deceased; John H., deceased; Margaret; Annie; Andrew G. C., (see below); Ida; Viola, deceased: and Charles.” (“A History of the Juniata Valley and Its People,” John W. Jordan, 1913 - rootsweb.com)

“Andrew G. C., son of John H. and Margaret (Peters) Dipple, was born in Newton Hamilton, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1860. He was educated in the public school of Lewistown, and grew up with an intimate knowledge to the pottery business from boyhood. He worked with his father until the death of the latter, when his son, John H. Jr., continued the business for his mother. In 1901 Mrs. Dipple died and the business was continued by J. H. Dipple Jr. until 1906, when Andrew G. C. Dipple became sole owner and so continues.” (“A History of the Juniata Valley and Its People,” John W. Jordan, 1913 - rootsweb.com)

From ancestry.com - U. S. Craftperson Files for John H. Dipple, Lewistown, Mifflin county, PA. John was born in Germany in 1820. He ran his pottery business from 1850 until his death in 1872. From 1850 to 1854, the business name was Peters & Dipple. He was in business with his father-in-law, Henry Peters. In 1854, John purchased the Mathews’ pottery.
From ancestry.com - U. S. Craftperson Files for Anna Margretta Dipple (Mrs. John H. Dipple) - In Lewistown, Mifflin county, PA - She ran John H. Dipple’s business (stoneware & earthenware) after John’s death; her son-in-law, Austin Hyssong also helped as did her sons, John and Curt (Andrew Gregg Curtin Dipple). She ran the business from 1872-1897.
From ancestry.com - U. S. Craftperson Files for John H. Dipple Jr. - John Jr. and his brother, Curt, managed the pottery works after their mother’s death in 1901. John worked at this business from 1885 to 1906. John Dipple Jr. died on October 27, 1906.
The Dipple’s are buried in the First Methodist Cemetery, Lewistown, PA.

Andrew Gregg Curtin Dipple (Curt), took over the business when his brother, John H. Dipple, died in 1906. In 1938, Curt stopped making the hand-thrown pottery but continued with machine-made pottery. Curt died in 1952 and his son, John, closed the business in 1962.

July 6, 1874 The Meriden Daily Republican, CT - Storm In Pennsylvania. Fail of a Railroad bridge at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, over the Juniata river blew down about 4 p.m. on Saturday. Twenty-eight freight cars went with it, and three persons were killed and many injured. The following are the names of the killed: Charles Goshen, aged twelve, of Patterson, Pa.; William Bartley, aged eleven, of Mifflin, and Lewis Pilasticker, and old gentleman of Schuylkill county. Injured - Herbert Shorts and Clayton Weidman, of Patterson, Pa., and John Swan and Conrad Ulrich, of Lewistown. The Glamoragan iron company’s furnace was partially destroyed by the storm, killing Levi Bloomensteen, Henry Bloomensteen, and George Raynor, of Lewistown. Later - The Storm at Lewistown on Saturday was more of the nature of a tornado. The roofs of the Coleman house in the town and the lower hotel at the depot were blown off and several other houses damaged. The steeples of the Lutheran and Presbyterian churches were blown down. The total killed as far as heard from are seven; five are injured and several missing. The Mifflin boys were playing base ball with the Lewistown boys and had taken refuge in the railroad bridge from the storm.

From acrhive.org Full text of “A History of the Juniata Valley And Its People” - A congregation of German Baptists was organized in Lewistown in 1897, and a year later a neat church edifice was erected on Shaw avenue, between Spruce and Pine streets. The 1904 Sanborn map shows a church at 134 Shaw ave., “Dunkard Church”, with a “wagon shed” in the rear of the church.

April 12, 1895 Snyder County Tribune, Selin’s Grove, Snyder County, Pa.  - Lewistown will celebrate the centennial of its corporation as a borough, some time this fall. The celebration is to last three days, and will include an industrial display, civic parade and other public exercises.

Aug. 10, 1895 Altoona Tribune - The Veteran’s Encampment. To Be Held at Lewistown During the Centennial Week. Among the great attractions for centennial week at Lewistown will be the encampment of the Juniata Valley Veteran’s association, September 4 to 7, to be located on the Montgomery and Fees lots, near the borough station. A sufficient number of tents will be furnished by the state and will be put up and ready for occupancy by comrades on September 4. Camp Hulings, the name by which it will be officially known, will be a most attractive place, not only to the old vets who inhabit it, but to the public who visit it. The citizens of Lewistown have generously donated funds sufficient to light the camp with electricity, furnish an abundance of water and clean straw for tents, and wood for those who wish to do their cooking on the camp grounds.  … There will be many novel and attractive features of the Lewistown centennial, which will add to the pleasure and enjoyment of the visiting veterans. The railroad rates will be the same as those for the centennial celebration.

Aug. 21, 1895 Juniata Sentinel and Republican - A choir of 100 singers will take part in the opening exercises to the Lewistown centennial.

Sept. 6, 1895 The Philadelphia Times - Lewistown’s Centennial. Over Six Thousand Visitors Take Part in the Celebration and the Town Was Gaily Decorated. Special Telegram to The Times. Lewistown Junction, September 5. The first day of the centennial celebration dawned clear and incoming trains brought crowds of visitors until fully 6,000 strangers were present. The town was literally covered with bunting and decorations. The celebration opened with services, consisting of music by a large chorus, led by W. H. Calhoun, prayer by Rev. R. F. Wilson, and address by H. O. Lantz and the prayer and benediction. A Wild West scene was enacted on West Market street by a band of Indians capturing as stage coach from Pittsburg on its way to the Eastern cities and riding triumphantly into the town yelling and shooting. The boys’ bicycle race, one and one-half miles, was won by John Shields, who received a gold medal; Charles Scott was second, Paul Cressman third, Walter Trout fourth, Jesse Haffley fifth. The next feature of the centennial was a balloon ascension by the Jewell Brothers, of Trenton, N. J., who ascended 4,000 feet. The was followed by concerts in the public square by the Lewistown and Yeagerstown Bands and by a dress parade by the Juniata Valley Veteran Association at Camp Hulings. A combined band concert at the camp next entertained visitors and at 8 o’clock the illuminated bicycle parade moved over the principal streets of the town. Any number of ingenious designs were displayed on the wheels and all were pretty. First and second prizes were awarded the best decorated and illuminated wheels. An illuminated parade by the visiting veterans closed the day’s program.

Sept. 7, 1895 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown’s Centennial. The Second Day’s Celebration Was One to Be Remembered. An Immense Throng Present. The Great Parade Was Somewhat Marred by the Downfall of Rain but Was Nevertheless a Great Success. Knights Of Golden Eagle Meet. … If Lewistown’s centennial was a success yesterday it was doubly so today. The crowds were immense. Every train brought visitors and in crowds. When all the specials were here it is estimated that 12,000 strangers were on our streets, and it was a good natured crowd, taking jostling and giving it in hearty good humor, no one kicking if he or she got pushed or their toes tramped. It was a brave crowd, too, for they took the rain of the afternoon without a murmur in order to see the parade. The day opened pleasantly and the first train brought the advance guard of the host that followed. Everybody came and brought all their friends with them. Babies, even, were in evidence and the little tots had a hard time of it. The crowd was hungry, as was shown by the way the ample provisions made for the comfort of their “inner man” were stowed away. The day’s exercises were opened with a band concert at Camp Hulings, followed by another in the public square, and the bands were very much present all day, their uniforms setting off the gay colors of the decorations and mingling with the kaleidoscope changes of the passing crowds. Jewell Brothers gave another balloon ascension at 11 a.m., and it was witnessed by a much larger crowd than yesterday. The descent was on the cinder bank of the furnace, and the balloon fell into the river. Nothing more of sight-seeing except the antiquarian display occurred until 2 p.m., when the one feature of the centennial was due. In the meantime Jupiter Pluvius got in his work, and a rain took the color out of some of the decorations and the ardor from a few faint-hearted spectators, but could do nothing with those who intended going into the parade. Amid it all the parade formed and marched over all the principal streets of the town, and all the time the rain descended. The parade was composed of seven divisions, under the marshalship of General John P. Taylor, with Captain R. J. McNitt and Major W. T. McEwen as aides. The industrial display could not have been finer and could not be equaled for a town of the size. And then all the neighboring towns were represented by floats, indicative of their various industries and business houses. Printing presses, planing mills, tanners, blacksmiths, broommakers, brickmakers, bakers, shoemakers, in fact representatives of every trade and business were at work on their floats and were distributing their products to the assembled throngs watching the display. The orders made a fine showing, too, and deserve much praise for their long tramp through the mud and rain. After the parade the only things on the programme was a dress parade and band concert at Camp Hulings and the display of fireworks, which was fine. This closed the day and the centennial was a thing of the past.

April 4, 1899 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown, Pa., April 3 - About 2 o’clock this afternoon fire was discovered in the cellar of the two-story frame house on Shaw avenue owned by Samuel Dell and occupied by the grocery store of H. A. Walters. The contents of the store were saved but the building was damaged to the extent of $500.

Aug. 17, 1899 The Middleburg Post, PA - Edward Erdely on Monday shipped his household goods to Lewistown where he expects to make his future home.

Nov. 11, 1899 Harrisburg Daily Independent - Lewistown. Rev. Mr. Joseph has broken ground on Shaw avenue for a new house.

Public records say our home at 142 Shaw avenue was built in 1900. We believe this is around the time it was built. Most of the time these dates are not exact, but estimations. Sometimes the public records change build dates when building permits are obtained to do some major work on the home or porches are added or changed.

The 1900 census had a population of 4,451 residing in the borough of Lewistown, PA. Previously the 1890 census had a population of 3,273 residing in the borough of Lewistown, PA. The 1910 census had a population of 8,166.

We haven’t found out the exact build date or by whom our house was built. We read that Rev. George Joseph came to pastor at the Grace Church in Lewistown in 1894 and retired around 1898, and after his retirement he entered into the real estate business and had several homes erected on Shaw avenue. We don’t know if ours was one of those homes. The home George Joseph lived in was a double home, and from the 1910 Sanborn map, there were numerous double homes on Shaw ave. and those are the ones he most likely built. Our home at 142 Shaw ave. is not a double home, but maybe originally it was? (Rev. George Joseph, wife Agnes, son George Joseph jr., daughter Liddie, and daughter Sadie.) From the 1910 census - George Joseph 64 yo., owned home at 45 Shaw ave., wife Agnes 60 yo. From the 1920 census - George Joseph, clergyman, 74 yo. owned home at 45 Shaw ave. with his wife, Agnes 71 yo.
{March 4, 1922 The Evening News Harrisburg, PA - Lewistown, - The Rev. George Joseph, 77 years old, and widely known minister of the Evangelical Church, and formerly chairman of the Republican organization in Mifflin County, died suddenly at his home here last night. He had but recently returned home after having attended the general conference of the Evangelical Church at Lewisburg. Born at Cardiff, Wales, he came to this country in 1866, locating in Scranton. He entered the ministry in 1872, and served as pastor of churches in many towns in Central Pennsylvania, retiring from the active ministerial fifteen years ago owing to ill health. He had served as census enumerator, county auditor and county assessor. He is survived by two sons, George and Samuel Joseph.}

Our home (142 Shaw ave.) is situated on the corner of Shaw avenue and S. Pine street. We have learned that Pine street was originally named Dipple, see above Dipple information.

(In 1900 - renting in Derry, Mifflin county - Bellevire Avenue - James Russler 82 yo. born April 1818, farmer; wife Mary Russler 73 yo. born May 1827; daughter Cora Russler 31 yo. born Aug. 1868; son William I. Russler 47 yo. born April 1853, day laborer. By 1929 to 1948, Cora Russler Manbeck and John Manbeck owned our home at 142 Shaw ave. and it had been sold to them by Cora’s brother, William I. Russler, who also lived in our home.

1900 directory - Henry F. Snook (Mary E.), emp. Axe Works, home 142 Shaw ave.

1900 census - renting at (142 Shaw ave.) Lewistown PA. - Henry F. Snook, born March 1852, 48 yo., married 10 years, axe maker; wife Mary, born Sept. 1867 32 yo., married 10 years, 3 children born, 3 living; daughter Ellen Snook born Nov. 1892, 7 yo.; daughter Frances Snook, born May 1894, 6 yo.; daughter Mary Snook born Jan. 1896, 4 yo. (From1910 census - owned farm free of mortgage in New Armagh, Mifflin county, PA - Henry Snook 58 yo. Married twice, general farmer; wife Mary E. Snook 42 yo. Married once; daughter Eleanor M. 18 yo.; daughter Frances I. 16 yo.; daughter Mary E. 15 yo.)

Sept. 11, 1900 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown, Sept. 11 - About 5 o’clock last evening the large North American Tannery, owned by Calvin Green, of Lewistown, caught fire and in ten minutes it was seen that the fire had gained such control that the entire structure could not be saved. When the engines arrived it was found that, owing to the short supply of water, they would have to move over a quarter of a mile away for water supply, and by the time this was accomplished all the buildings were ablaze and the fire threatened to destroy the dwellings located on Shaw avenue. For a time thousands of dollar’s worth of tan bark already stacked in the sheds were threatened. With the exception of about $5,000 worth of leather the plant was entirely destroyed. Many prostrations occurred from the intense heat. The loss is estimated at $200,000, and is fully insured.

There were 114 homes on the 1904 Sanborn map on Shaw ave. Only 59 homes were on the 1900 census on Shaw ave. in Derry Township, which at that time, part of Shaw ave. was a part of Derry Township, and only 6 homes in the Lewistown Borough section of Shaw ave. For a total of 65 homes on the 1900 census for Shaw ave. There must have been many homes built on Shaw ave. during 1900 to 1904.

About 1902, William Ritzman located in Lewistown and had established a general mercantile business at the corner of Pine street and Shaw avenue, across Pine street from our house. (200-202 Shaw ave.)

1903 directory - Henry F. Snook (Mary E.), emp. Axe Works, home 142 Shaw ave.

Our home (142 Shaw ave.) appears on the 1904 Sanborn map. At that time, the current front porch was not on the home. The porch of 1904 went from one front bay window to the other front bay window on the Shaw ave. side. In 1904, there was no garage attached to the home, there were two small open back porches, which when we purchased had already been enclosed and were made into closet space and laundry area. In 1904, the bay window facing Pine street was not shown on the home, but the 1910 Sanborn map shows the Pine street bay window. It’s possible the bay window on Pine street was there in 1904, just that it wasn’t drawn in? or it could have been put in between the 1904 and 1910 maps. The 1904 map has “Pine (Dipple)” for today’s S. Pine street near our house. The 1910 map has “E. Pine” for today’s S. Pine near our house. The 1923 map has “E. Pine” for today’s S. Pine near our house.

The 1904 Sanborn map shows the home at 213 S. Pine street (in 1904 it was numbered as 205 Pine street), but does not show the double home at 211 & 209 S. Pine street. The street was named “Pine” with “(Dipple)”. The double home on the other side of our home on Shaw ave., 140 & 138 Shaw ave. is shown on the 1904 map with the garage building at the rear of 138 Shaw ave. The current home behind 140 Shaw ave. is not shown on this 1904 map, the home next to the alley way. The map shows a two-story wood frame home at 201 Shaw ave., at the corner of S. Pine street and Shaw ave., which is now a church parking lot. It also shows the building across Pine street from our house at 200 Shaw ave., which was originally a store, on this 1904 map, the building is “being built (Cement)”. The concrete block building at 200 Shaw ave. was just condemned in 2023. The map shows the home at 143 Shaw ave., at that time it was numbered 141. The home at today’s 141 Shaw ave. was not yet built. and is not shown on the 1904 map. It also shows the double brick home at “137 & 135” Shaw ave. and a double wood frame home at “133 & 131” Shaw ave., with 133 and 131 drawn directly across from the “Dunkard Church” (134 Shaw ave.). The double home at 133 and 131 Shaw ave. was destroyed by fire in 2018.

Feb. 21, 1904 The Philadelphia Inquirer - For Sale Grandfather’s Clock, standing over six feet high, said to be over 130 years old, in good running condition. C. A. Weland, 317 Shaw ave., Lewistown, Pa.

Feb. 6, 1907 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown’s Council. Lewistown - The council of this borough had a lengthy session with corporations last night. They met the Lewistown and Reedsville Water Company and renewed the old agreement with a few minor changes, one of the requirements being that the company place a reserve reservoir with a larger capacity adjacent to the city for fire purposes. The borough still retains the right of free water for all public uses. They also granted the Lewistown and Reedsville Electric railroad the right of way over certain streets for a period of seventy-five years. The railroad company is to pay, share and share alike with the city in building a bridge over the Kishocoquillas creek; pay $1,000 of the expense of straightening Shaw avenue; bring all streets to grade and put them in as good condition as they were when turned over to them, and pave and maintain ten feet of all streets on which their lines are run. …

The 1910 Sanborn map shows all 3 bay windows on our home at 142 Shaw ave. It also shows the double home next to us at the back of our home, on Pine street, 209 S. Pine street as “A”, not numbered yet, and 211 S. Pine street as “B”, not numbered yet, which was not shown on the 1904 Sanborn map. So, the double home at 209 & 211 S. Pine street, at the back of our home, was built circa 1905-1909.

The 1910 Sanborn map shows the home at 213 S. Pine street (in 1910, it was still numbered as 205 Pine street). The double home on the other side of our home on Shaw ave. 140 & 138 Shaw ave. is shown on the 1910 map with the garage building at the rear of 138 Shaw ave. The current home behind 140 Shaw ave., the home next to the alley way, is not shown on this 1910 map.
The map shows a two-story wood frame home at 201 Shaw ave., at the corner of S. Pine street and Shaw ave., which is now a church parking lot, which is kitty-corner from our home. It also shows the building across Pine street from our house at 200-202 Shaw ave., which was originally a store “Gen’l Store”. The concrete block building at 200 Shaw ave. was just condemned in 2023. The map shows the home at 143 Shaw ave., at this time it was still numbered 141. The home at today’s 141 Shaw ave. was not yet built, and is therefor not shown. It also shows the double brick home at “137 & 135” Shaw ave. and a double wood frame home at “133 & 131” Shaw ave. The double home, 133 & 131 Shaw ave. is shown directly across from the “Brethren Church (Dunkard)”, and this double home was destroyed by fire in 2018.
The formerly labeled “Wagon Shed” at the rear of the “Brethren Church” in now labeled “Hitching Shed”.

From the April 18, 1910 census - renting at 142 Shaw ave., Lewistown, PA - John W. Price 29 yo., shipping clerk at steel works, first marriage of 8 years; wife Bertha R. 27 yo., first marriage of 8 years; daughter Pauline E. 8 yo.; daughter Nellie E. 6 yo.; son Lefford H. 3 yo. (All born in PA.)

(1910 census - renting at 137 Pannebaker avenue, Lewistown, PA - James Russler 92 yo., own income; son William I. 57 yo., salesman for oil company; boarder (son-in-law) John A. Manbeck 49 yo., inspector at steel works; boarder (daughter) Cora A. Manbeck 41 yo.
owned home 137 1/2 Pannebaker avenue - James Albert 27 yo., moulder for steel foundry; wife Ethel C.)
(Ethel C. Russler Albert was a daughter of E. Rush Russler and Anna M. Prettyleaf Russler. Ethel Albert was James Russler’s granddaughter.)
By 1924 to 1948, Cora Russler Manbeck and John Manbeck owned the home at 142 Shaw ave. It was sold to them by Cora’s brother, William Russler.
[April 14, 1906 Altoona Tribune - Mrs. Mary M. Russler, wife of James Russler, died at the family residence in Lewistown Wednesday afternoon, of heart trouble, aged almost 79 years. Her husband and seven children survive. April 17, 1908 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - James Russler, of this city, celebrated his 90th birthday anniversary yesterday. Mr. Russler is hale and hearty and reads the newspapers without glasses. He is the father of seven children, all of whom were present at the celebration yesterday. They are Mrs. John A. Manbeck, with whom he makes his home; W. I. Russler, the successful candidate for sheriff on the democratic ticket, and Rush Russler, of this city; John I. Russler, Mrs. S. W. McNitt and Mrs. James Aitkin, of Milroy, and Mrs. Samuel Caldwell, of Strodes Mills. They came early and stayed late and none enjoyed the day better than Father Russler. April 7, 1911 Morning Tribune, Altoona, PA - Mifflin county lost its oldest citizen when James Russler, of Lewistown, died. He was born April 15, 1818, and throughout his long life was universally esteemed. For many years he was school director, also tax collector. He belonged to the Presbyterian church at Milroy.]

Confusing for sure, the 1910 Sanborn map has today’s 213 S. Pine street as “205” and today’s 211 S. Pine street as “B” and today’s 209 S. Pine street as “A”, while the 1910 census has 207 for today’s 213, 209 for today’s 211, and 211 for today’s 209. (The 1920 census has 205 for today’s 213, 207 for today’s 211, and 209 for today’s 209 as does the 1923 Sanborn map, “E. Pine”. “W. Pine” started after Valley street and Pine street intersection.)
From the 1910 census: Either the census taker made a mistake or these numbers were changing again around this time.
At 211 Pine street (Today’s 209, which was originally 209), renting - Rebecca B. Cubbison 52 yo. widow, keeper of boarders; daughter Hattie J. Cubbison 25 yo. single; daughter Elizabeth O. Cubbison 16 yo.; boarder Joseph L. Roup 45 yo. single, laborer at steel works
At 209 Pine street (Today’s 211, which was originally 207), owned home, Porter E. Schilling 30 yo., machinist for steel works; wife Anna S. Schilling 33 yo.; daughter Della L. Schilling 7 yo.; daughter Dera N. Schilling 3 yo.
At 207 Pine street (Today’s 213, which was originally 205), owned home, St. Clair Flickinger 27 yo., laborer for steel works; wife Alta E. Flickinger 27 yo.; son Joseph P. Flickinger 4 yo.

From the 1910 census, next door to the side of our home on Shaw ave. at 140 Shaw ave., renting John W. Sheperd 44 yo., molder for steel works; wife Mary A. Sheperd 43 yo.; daughter Alice R. Sheperd 22 yo.; son Frank M. Sheperd 19 yo., milk wagon driver; son John S. Sheperd 9 yo.; son Roy G. Sheperd 7 yo.; daughter Mare E. Sheperd; son Robert J. Sheperd 5 yo.
At 138 Shaw ave., renting, Ralph G. Landis 19 yo., laborer for steel works; wife Julia M. Landis 22 yo.; son Newman G. Landis 1 yr. 4 months old; Family #2 William Stanton 29 yo., shipping clerk for steel works; wife Laura Stanton 27 yo.

From the 1910 census, 201 Shaw ave., - not listed on the 1-51 pages of the census in this section. At 207 Shaw ave. - 207 was not listed on any of the 1-51 pages of this census in this section. 215 Shaw avenue was listed just above 209 Shaw avenue in census order, no mention of it being omitted or no mention of no one being home, so possibly 207 and 209 were one family home at this time?
At 209 Shaw ave. - Renting, Vernon M. Yoder 29 yo. engineer at silk mill; wife Erma C. Yoder 27 yo.; son Verbert R. Yoder 3 yo.; daughter Harriet E. Yoder infant

From the 1910 census, across the street from our home on at 143 Shaw ave. - Mary C. Wagner owned home, 54 yo. widow; son Herman L. Wagner 23 yo. single, clerk at post office; daughter Florance M. Wagner 18 yo. single
At 137 Shaw ave., owned home, Atkson J. Dunmyer 51 yo., foreman at steel works; wife Margaret M. 48 yo.
At 135 Shaw ave., renting, William T. Malanphy 51 yo., blacksmith for steel works; wife Maggie M. 49 yo.; son Charles B. 22 yo. single., laborer odd jobs; grandson Albert Wynn 8 yo.

April 28, 1910 - born to John W. Price. Jr. 30 yo. and Bertha Rose Leffard Price, 28 yo., of Lewistown, a daughter Evelyn Josephine Price. (John was born in Yeagertwon, PA. Bertha was born in McVeytown, PA.)

Feb. 11, 1912 Buffalo Courier, NY - $30 Weekly, both sexes; no capital, or canvassing requires; particulars free. Manbeck’s Mailing Bureau, Lewistown, Pa.

In 1917 - Charles Shenk, was listed at 142 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, PA. (Info. from the Motor Vehicle Registrations and Licenses Issued.)

The two rear back open porches at the rear of our home (142 Shaw ave.) were enclosed circa 1917.

March 9, 1917 The News, Newport, PA - Lewistown borough council at its meeting Monday evening decided to pave with bricks at least three leading streets next summer. The property owners and officials of the town have decided that brick paving is the most satisfactory and economical method of improving the streets. Lewistown boasts of having more paved thoroughfares than any other borough of its size in Pennsylvania. … Coal and wood have become so scarce in Lewistown that children appeared on the streets during the cold weather this week begging for corn cobs to kindle sufficient fire to keep from freezing and to cook meals. …

Oct. 22, 1918 Altoona Tribune - Several Lewistown Boys Are Wounded. Their Names Appear on the Casualty List but They Expect to Be Back at the Front Soon. … Private John W. Johnson whose name appears in the casualty lists as “severely wounded in action” is a son of Mrs. Margaret VaRankin, 209 Shaw avenue, by a former marriage. The young man enlisted here July 12th, 1917, and at last reports was still affiliated with company M, 112th, U. S. Infantry who has been through some of the hardest fighting of the war. The step father, John J. VaRankin although far past the age limit for the draft enlisted in the service as an interpreter, speaking seven languages. …

Dec. 14, 1918 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown, Pa. - Health Officer George Joseph, reports that there are over 100 cases of influenza in the town. It had about died out and the new outbreak here is causing much alarm. In the Seven Mountain region the disease has broken out among the hunters, there being thirteen cases in one camp.

Jan. 17, 1919 The News, Newport, Pennsylvania - Lewistown News For Perry County Folks. … Mifflin County Poor Directors reorganized, Monday electing George W. Carson of Belleville, president; Wm. J. Burns of Reedsville, vice-president; and A. S. McKee of McVeytown, secretary of the board. W. I. Russler was re-elected steward and Mrs. J. A. Manbeck matron of the County Home. (William I. Russler owned our home (142 Shaw ave.) pre February 28, 1924, when he then sold or gave our home to his brother in-law, John A. Manbeck, and to his sister, Cora Russler Manbeck.)

From the Jan. 3, 1920 census, Daniel L. Shenk 48 yo. town decorator was renting our home at 142 Shaw ave. He lived here with his wife, Anna R. 48 yo., children; son Charles B. 18 yo., repaired automobiles at a garage on own account, daughter Katherine C. 16 yo., daughter Elizabeth S. 14 yo., son Jay M.10 yo.

Some Shenk family history: 1910 census - renting at 32 North Fifth street, Lebanon, PA - David L. Shenk 38 yo., married 13 years, dry goods clerk; wife Annie R. 38 yo.; son Charles B. 8 yo.; daughter Catherine C. 6 yo.; daughter Elizabeth S. 4 yo.; son Jay M. 1 yo.
Nov. 25, 1910 - Lebanon Courier and Semi-Weekly Report - Decorator Shenk Leaves The Bon Ton Store. He Accepts Position As Manager At Lewistown. His Work in Lebanon Ends on Next Saturday Evening. Daniel L. Shenk, residing at 32 North Fifth street, who for the past ten years has been connected with the Bon Ton Department Store, of this city, has resigned, to take effect on Saturday evening, November 26. Mr. Shenk has been the decorator, and in charge of the dress goods department, and has accepted the management of E. McMeen’s large department store at Lewistown, Pa. He will assume his duties next Monday morning. The announcement of Mr. Shenk’s departure from this city will be received with much regret and in the county by many friends. For the past two years Mr. Shenk has been the successful president of the Lebanon County Christian Union.
1930 census - owned home at 347 West Fifth street, Lewistown, PA - Daniel L. Shenk 58 yo., commercial traveler, dry goods; wife Anna R. 58 yo.; Family #2 - Jay M. Shenk 21 yo., weaver at silk mill; wife Violet M. 22 yo.; son Jay R. 2 years 11 months; daughter Elizabeth 1 yo.
July 24, 1940 The Evening News - Members of the Shenk family will hold their fourth annual reunion at Willow Mill Park, near Hogestown, on Sunday. The program will open at 10 o’clock Sunday morning, and a devotional service will follow at 10:30 o’clock under the leadership of the president, Daniel L. Shenk, of Lewistown. …
Jan. 22, 1947 Lancaster New Era - Deaths. Rev. Daniel L. Shenk, seventy-five, Lewistown.
Jan. 22, 1947 The Daily News, Lebanon, PA - Daniel L. Shenk Dies; Former Resident Here. Daniel L. Shenk, of Lewistown and formerly of Lebanon, died on Tuesday morning in the Lewistown Hospital of complications. He was seventy-five years of age and had been ill for the past seven weeks. Mr. Shenk is a well known resident of Lebanon having been employed at the Bon Ton store a number of years. He was also an active member of the United Brethren Church and served as a local minister in several Lewistown churches. There survives his wife, Anna; two sons, Charles, of Elizabethtown, and Jay, of Lewistown, and two daughters, Mrs. Horace Davis, of Berwick, Pa., and Mrs. William Freeland, of Halifax, Pa.
Jan. 23, 1947 The Daily Item - Rev. Daniel L. Shenk, 75, died Tuesday morning in Lewistown Hospital, where he had been a medical patient since December 1. A resident of Lewistown, he was the pastor of the Central Union and Locke Mills churches. He was also a trustee at Lewistown YMCA. Born November 5, 1871, in Dauphin county, he is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and a sister.

From the Jan. 3, 1920 census, next door to the back of our home, 209 Pine street - Leonard W. Seibert 54 yo., locomotive engineer, owned the home; wife Ida M. Seibert 57 yo. widow; son Leonard W. Seibert 13 yo.; daughter Ethel N. Miller 17 yo. (See March 1, 1927, Says 207 for 209.)
At 211 Pine street, which was still numbered 207 in 1920, renting was Brooks S. Garlin 22 yo., mill hand at steel works; wife Elizabeth I. Garlin; daughter Ethel M. Garlin 1 yo.
At 213 Pine street, which was still numbered 205 in 1920, Roda E. Guss 38 yo. single female, owned home, knitter at Hose Factory; mother Sara E. Guss 61 yo. widow
(The 1920 census has 205 for today’s 213, 207 for today’s 211, and 209 for today’s 209 as does the 1923 Sanborn map, “E. Pine”. “W. Pine” started after Valley street and Pine street intersection.)

From the 1920 census, next door to the side of our home on Shaw ave. at 140 Shaw ave., renting Charles F. Brisbin 35 yo., moulder at steel works; wife Helen B. Brisbin 34 yo.; daughter Mary K. Brisbin 11 yo.
At 138 Shaw ave., owned home, John S. Murphy 59 yo., house plaster; wife Laura A. Murphy; grandson John W. Brisbin 12 yo.

From the 1920 census, 201 Shaw ave., owned home Harry B. Singleton 56 yo., foreman at steel works; wife Anna O. Singleton 54 yo.; son Richard H. Singleton 21 yo., apprentice at steel works; son Harry M. Singleton 18 yo., apprentice at steel works (In 1910, this family owned a home at 217 Logan street, Lewistown, PA)
At 207 Shaw ave. - renting, Blanchard Swyers 42 yo., machinist at steel works; wife Zella M. Swyers 35 yo., packer at silk mill; daughter Martha K. Swyers 6 yo.; son Jack C. or Z. Swyers 3 yo. (In 1910, Blanchard Swyers was living with his Uncle Thomas Swyers, Aunt Clara Swyers, and cousin Thomas P. Swyers, in Waterloo township, Ward 2, Blackhawk county, Iowa.)
At 209 Shaw ave. - couldn’t find this on the 1920 census

From the 1920 census, across the street from our home on at 143 Shaw ave. - Mary E. Wagner owned home, 61 yo. widow; sister Lilla C. Himmelwright 74 yo. widow. None listed for both under occupation.
At 141 Shaw ave., owned home, Arlanda Mertz 45 yo., postal clerk at post office; wife Gertrude B. Mertz 36 yo.
At 137 Shaw ave., owned home, Atkinson J. Dunmire 61 yo., pipe fitter for steel works; wife Margaret A. 56 yo.
At 135 Shaw ave., renting, Charles E. Carothers 31 yo., laborer for steel works; wife Hannah N. Carothers 30 yo.; son Edward N. Carothers 9 yo.; son Albert J. Carothers 6 yo.

1920 census - William I. Russler, Head Warden of Mifflin County Almshouse, 66 yo. at Green Avenue, Derry PA, renting on a farm, Alms House; sister Cora A. Manbeck 57 yo., Matron; brother-in-law John A. Manbeck 58 yo., trucker; Inmates: George Terguson 79 yo.; Adam White 78 yo.; George Weaver 75 yo.; Charles Young 52 yo.; Abraham Fowler 84 yo.; Amos White 58 yo.; Robert Fields 49 yo.; Clyd Peck 47 yo.; Frank Robison 54 yo.; Cyrus Brown 43 yo.; John Holestine 78 yo.; John Barlett 59 yo.; Elmer Filson 48 yo.; Frank Koons 79 yo.; Joseph Kaufman 76 yo.; Webster Klose 70 yo.; Michael Haller 71 yo.; Jesse Lauver 45 yo.; Joseph Swanger 45 yo.; James Smith 60 yo.; Massie Barger 46 yo.; Ada Minehart 70 yo., cook for Alms House; Ella Seabolt 41 yo., Servant to Worden; Rose Chambers 53 yo.; Elsie Hester 44 yo.; Alice Sigler 68 yo.; Alice Hardsich 41 yo.; Annie Moore 41 yo.; Mary Gibson 75 yo.; Eliza Webb 62 yo.; Martha Michaels 64 yo.; Catharine Silks 53 yo.; Elizabeth Eby 62 yo.; Ella Rhodes 45 yo.; Rachel Berkheimer 67 yo.; Jannie Yetter 50 yo.; Annie Tolan 67 yo.; Grace Snook 23 yo.; Catharine Pollsgrove 55 yo.; Mary Thompson 52 yo.; Annie Schatzer 87 yo.; Sarah Wilson 62 yo.

Jan. 7, 1920 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - The Mifflin county poor directors with Daniel Brought and D. Homer McNitt as new members, took the oath of office and re-organized by electing W. J. Burns, the hold over member as president; D. Homer, McNitt, vice president; S. E. McCoy, clerk; W. I. Russler was re-elected steward and farmer at a salary of $600 per year. Mrs. John Manbeck, matron, at $150 per year and J. M. Woods, attorney, at $25 per year.

Sept. 29, 1920 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown, Pa. - The Rev. George Joseph, Lewistown’s health officer, inspecting the sanitary conditions in a home here yesterday, told the mother she must take a bath and put clean clothes upon herself and wash her dirty-faced children and give them a bath also, and then clean her house if she did not want it put under quarantine.

Oct. 2, 1920 Harrisburg Telegraph, PA - Lewistown - In spite of the sudden change in the weather Lewistown is crowded today with visitors, who are here for the Firemen’s Field Day celebration. The air is chilly. Notwithstanding thousands have come to see the parade and join with the firemen in their festivities. All industries in Mifflin county are closed so that their employees may take part in the demonstration. The people of Mifflin county have a warm place in their hearts for the firemen who, frequently, are called into the country to fight flames. They are showing their loyalty today by their presence here. Lewistown is dressed in gala attire for the event, the National colors being in evidence on all sides. This morning the crowds went to the fair grounds where the races were held, with the exception of the plug race, which took place in Shaw avenue. This afternoon the parade is in progress and Lewistown’s streets are thronged with people, who came from nearly every town and village in this and adjoining counties. Bands have been playing since early forenoon and the celebration will continue until the Darktown parade, to be held tonight, concludes the program of the day. New features, not on the program in former years, are the automobile and motorcycle races, which are to be held this afternoon at the conclusion of the parade. Thousands came to witness the airplane exhibition, which was on the day’s program, and which, in spite of the wind, was expected to take place during the day. This evening there will be band concerts by visiting organizations. The fourth game of the series of seven being played between the Highway team of the Standard Steel Works and the Episcopal team of Lewistown for the championship of Mifflin county is scheduled for late this afternoon on the Boy Scout field and the football season is to be opened in Mifflin county by a game late this afternoon between the football team of the Standard Steel Works and the American Legion team of Lewistown. The parade traversed all the principal streets of the town. …

Oct. 5, 1920 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown, Pa., Mrs. C. Fern Brisbin, of 140 Shaw avenue, was hit by a motorcycle driven by Raymond Searer, on a street crossing near her home. Her dress was torn off her body and she was dragged a hundred feet. Her condition is serious, her left arm and parts of her body being badly lacerated.

Jan. 6, 1921 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - The poor directors of Mifflin county met today and organized by the election of W. J. Burns as president; Daniel Brought, vice president; W. I. Russler, steward; Mrs. J. A. Manbeck, matron; S. E. McCoy, clerk; attorney, J. M. Woods. The steward received an increased salary from $500 to $600 per year. (On Feb. 28, 1924, W. I. Russler (brother in-law of John A. Manbeck, and sister of Cora Russler Manbeck), sold our home at 142 Shaw ave., Lewistown, PA. to “John A. Manbeck and wife”.)

Oct. 24, 1921 Harrisburg Telegraph, PA - Lewistown’s indoor carnival and rummage sale opened today with city firemen making a house to house canvass for articles to be auctioned off to raise funds for the equipment of city play grounds. The carnival will be held in the building of the Belmont Motor Company on Shaw avenue, one of the largest in the city.

Nov. 26, 1921 Buffalo Courier NY - Ladies - Are you earning $50 weekly; if not, why not? Details free; strictly legitimate. C. A. Manbeck, Lewistown, Penna.

Jan. 28, 1922 The Evening News, Harrisburg, Penna. - Lewistown - Conditions at the Mifflin County poor farm are critical. The steward, W. I. Russler, says he has twenty-two men sleeping in two large rooms, the beds banked against each other so closely that it would be impossible for them to fall from their beds. There are twenty-seven women who are also being taken care of at the home and the calls are coming hourly for coal and other necessities. Never in the history of the Juniata Valley has so much distress been brought about by a cold wave of a few days.
(On Feb. 28, 1924, W. I. Russler (brother in-law of John A. Manbeck, and sister of Cora Russler Manbeck), sold our home at 142 Shaw ave., Lewistown, PA. to “John A. Manbeck and wife”.)

Jan. 19, 1923 The Evening News, Harrisburg, Penna. - Mr. and Mrs. James Aitkin are spending several days with Mrs. Aitkin's brother, William Russler, steward at the county home.)

The 1923 Sanborn map shows our home at 142 Shaw ave. with the two former back open porches enclosed. There still is no garage attached to our home as there is today.
Our current front porch shows up on the 1923 Sanborn map, but does not wrap around to the side of Pine street as it does today. It also shows the double home next to us at the back of our home, on Pine street, 211 is labeled “207”, and 209 is labeled “209”, Pine st.
In 1924, our home at 142 Shaw ave. was sold by William I. Russler to his sister, Cora Manbeck and her husband, John A. Manbeck, along with two other properties on Brown street. William Russler was the brother of Rush Russler, who married Annie Prettyleaf. We have been told that at one time, this area was farmland owned by the Prettyleaf family and that Annie was a daughter of that Prettyleaf family. In 1900 and in 1910, Rush and Anna Prettyleaf Russler were living at 210 Logan st. Lewistown, PA.
Back in 1900, about the time this home is thought to have been built, William I. Russler 47 yo. was living on Bellevire Avenue in Derry Township, Mifflin county, PA working as a day laborer. He was living with his parents, James Russler 82 yo. farmer (renting) and Mary Russler 73 yo., and sister Cora Russler 31 yo.
In 1910, William Russler was living at 137 Pannebacker avenue, Lewistown, PA along with his father, James and his sister, Cora A. Russler Manbeck and his brother-in-law, John A. Manbeck 49 yo., who worked for the steel works.
In 1920, William Russler was living at and was a worden for the Alm’s house in Derry township. Cora Manbeck was the matron of the Alm’s house and her husband, John, was a trucker. The Alm’s house had 41 inmates.

The 1923 Sanborn map shows the home at 213 S. Pine street still numbered as 205 E. Pine street. The double home on the other side of our home on Shaw ave. 138 & 140 Shaw ave. is shown on the 1923 map with the garage building at the rear of 138 Shaw ave. The current home behind 140 Shaw ave. is now shown on this 1923 map, the home next to the alley way, so this home was built after the 1910 map and before this 1923 map. The map still shows a two-story wood frame home at 201 Shaw ave., at the corner of S. (E.) Pine street and Shaw ave., which is currently a church parking lot. It also shows the building across Pine street from our house at 200-202 “202” Shaw ave., which was originally a general store and appears to still be a store at this time in 1923. The building at 200 Shaw ave. was just condemned in 2023. The map shows the home at 143 Shaw ave., at this time it was numbered 145. The home at today’s 141 Shaw ave. shows up on this map and is labeled “141”. It also still shows the double brick home at “137 & 135” Shaw ave. and a double wood frame home at “133 & 131” Shaw ave. The double home, 133 & 131 Shaw ave. is shown directly across from the now labeled “Brethren Church." The former “Hitching Shed” behind the church is now gone and a much smaller one-story wood frame building is drawn close to the alley behind the church. The map shows a single wood frame home at 127 Shaw ave., with a wood frame building behind 127 “Carpet Cleaning” as 127 1/2 Shaw ave.

April 12, 1923 The Perry County Times, New Bloomfield, PA - Wanted - Fuller Brush Company needs a good reliable man for representative in New Bloomfield and vicinity, opportunity to start business of your own. Nationally known and advertised concern, excellent earnings and chances for advancement. Reference required. Married man or man with car preferred, but not necessary. Write of call R. E. Gottshall, 206 S. Pine Street, Lewistown, Pa.

Oct. 31, 1923 The Danville Morning News, PA - Kearns Co. Buys Lewistown Plant. Truck Concern Will Have Headquarters There But Will Retain Property Here. In Danville Three Years. Local Plant Will Be Used for Service and Distribution and Building Fire Trucks. The headquarters of the Kearns-Dughie Motors Company is to be moved to Lewistown, where the concern had acquired the plant and assets of the Belmonts Motors Corporation. … the transaction marking one of the closing chapters of the Belmont concern which is now in process of liquidation. “By its acquisition of the factory the Kearns-Dughie Company comes into possession of a brick building containing 70,000 square feet of floor space and four acres and 32 perches of land almost in the heart of Lewistown with railroad siding facilities. This is one of the biggest real estate deals announced here for some time. … For the past several years the Kearns-Dughie Company has been manufacturing Kearns trucks at its Danville plant. The business has outgrown the Danville factory and the company was forced to seek larger quarters. The plant is located on ground adjoining to Shaw Avenue and Chestnut streets, those thoroughfares flanking wings of the big structure, which will immediately be remodeled to meet the needs of its new owners. … Charles M. Kearns, of Beavertown, and M. V. Dughie, of Lewistown, are the men that have been manufacturing and marketing the Kearns trucks for the past several years at Danville. Mr. Kearns is in charge of production and has had 14 years practical experience in the manufacture of trucks. Mr. Dughie directs the sale of the trucks and has charge of the business end of the company. As soon as the plant is made ready for production the company, expects to put 50 mechanics at work and from that point build on up to plant capacity. In the event plant capacity is reached the company will be in a position to give employment to 300 men and will be able to turn out 1,000 trucks yearly. … it has no intention of abandoning its Danville plant, which will be retained as a sales and service station.

Feb. 21, 1924 The Daily News Huntingdon, PA - Conditions in the Mifflin County Almshouse located in Lewistown were denounced as “disgraceful and shocking” in a report submitted yesterday to Dr. Ellen C. Potter, welfare director by Bromley Wharton, director of the bureau of assistance. … The poorhouse itself was said to be far less fitted for human habitation than a nearby barn which housed the livestock of the poor farm. … Mr. Wharton’s report to Dr. Potter reads: “When I arrived in Lewistown on February 15, I ascertained that the meeting of the poor directors and the county commissioners was to be held at ten o’clock. I visited the home before going to the meeting so that I might observe for myself the conditions existing in the almshouse. Steward Russler accompanied me on my tour and introduced me to the matron, Mrs. Cora A. Manbeck. Both these officials have the interest of the home at heart and welcome any suggestions that will improve the conditions in this apology for a home. I found 23 women and 22 men in the poorhouse. The inmates are housed in what was taken over as a county home more than 70 years ago. Every bed is filled and instead of having 45 inmates there should not be more than 20. It is hard to find words to adequately describe this institution as conditions are so deplorable. The place is utterly unfitted for a county home. The rooms are bare and cheerless and as it was very cold outside on the morning I visited the place, the men’s department was cold. The women’s department was not much better. It was a little warmer as they have a pipeless furnace. There is no hospital or provision for the sick. The inmates have to remain in their beds in the same room with the remainder of the alms house population. Their quarters are ordinary rooms with the partitions removed from some of them. There were five persons ill in bed on the morning I visited the home while all the inmates complained that there had been a veritable, epidemic of colds recently. One inmate died of asthma on February 14. The plaster has fallen off the walls in many of the rooms and the whole house is in a dilapidated condition. The matron complains that it is impossible for her to keep the vermin away. Much as she scrubs and cleans, they secrete themselves in the old walls. The kitchen in the basement looks dark and dismal and the alleged dining room in the basement is the same. Rats are numerous and it is impossible to get rid of them. In my opinion, it is a totally unfit place for these old people to live. A physician come when needed and is visiting the institution daily now on account of the illness of so many inmates. The barns and the pigpens are in good condition and the farm of 200 acres is well managed by the steward. As far as I could ascertain from the noonday meal, the inmates are given plenty of food and good quality. I particularly asked the steward if the sick had milk and eggs and he said they did. After I had completed my tour, I went to the courthouse at Lewistown where the county commissioners and the poor board were meeting in joint session and asked that I be given an interview. The steward accompanied me. I told these gentlemen what I thought of the situation; that Dr. Potter would condemn this home as I did and that it was a disgrace to Mifflin county and the State of Pennsylvania; that a community which had such splendid schoolhouses, that was building a new $250,000 bridge over the Juniata; that had a memorial park to the soldiers on the river bank; that had great industries like the Standard Steel Company and one of the largest silk mills in Pennsylvania should have better accommodations for the housing of its poor and unfortunates. It would be useless to put up an annex to this home. The only solution is a new home. They have 200 acres of good land and something should be done and done quickly. The poor board and the county commissioners promised to take the matter up at once and acknowledged that the last grand jury had condemned the institution. I feel confident that something will result from our efforts.” Mr. Wharton’s trip was the result of a complaint registered by a Lewistown citizen against the construction of an annex to the existing poorhouse.

On Feb. 28, 1924, W. I. Russler (brother in-law of John A. Manbeck, and sister of Cora Russler Manbeck), sold the home at 142 Shaw ave., Lewistown, PA. to “John A. Manbeck and wife”.

Dec. 2, 1924 The News, Newport, PA - Lewistown - Elizabeth S. Shenk became the bride of William B. Freeland of Penbrook, at the bride’s parental home, 142 Shaw Avenue, Lewistown, Thanksgiving Day afternoon, three o’clock. Rev. S. E. Koontz, pastor of the bride tied the nuptial knot. Mrs. Freeland is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Shenk.

March 10, 1925 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - Citizens are at work and making definite progress toward completion of the elaborate program with which they will entertain the thousands of visitors expected for the Old Home week celebration here, from June 28, to July 4, inclusive. This week will begin with special services in all churches Sunday which will be followed by Opening Day, Old Home Day, Fireman’s Day, Fraternal Day and Military Day, with parades on the last four mentioned days. The Standard Wheel Works have offered the use of their band the entire week and the executive committee will engage several other bands to supply the music during the week. A contract has been signed with the John B. Rodgers Company to direct the outdoor historical pageant which will be given during the week depicting the history of Mifflin county, from the middle of the eighteenth century to 1925. Many former Mifflin county people express an intention to attend from all parts of the country. A committee of the Mifflin County Association of Philadelphia, is making plans for the several hundred former residents of the county now residing there, to be present here during the week.

May 13, 1925 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown Woman Dies After Long Illness. Mrs. Bertha Rose Price, wife of John W. Price, 44 years old, died today. Deceased was a daughter of the late Joseph Leffard of McVeytown, and is survived by her husband, John W. Price, shipping clerk for the Standard Steel Works, one son, John W. Price, jr., and daughters, Pauline and Evelyn, at home; Nellie of Akron, Ohio, the mother, Mrs. Joseph Leffard, now 77 years old, three brothers, William R. Leffard, Miles City, Mont.; Chas. G. Leffard, agent at Mount Union, and J. Howard Leffard, agent of the Penna. Railroad at Bellwood; one sister, Mrs. Walter (Mabel) Settle, Lewistown. Funeral service Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at her late home, No. 25 N. Brown street, Lewistown. Interment in Mattawana cemetery, McVeytown. (The Price family lived in our house, at 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA, at the time of the 1910 census.)

Aug. 3, 1926 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The Mifflin county almshouse was closed yesterday by order of District Attorney John T. Wilson, who said he would board it up and place a notice, “Closed by Order of the State Welfare Society,” on the building. The inmates were disposed of as follows: Seventeen farmed out in Mifflin county; eight to Adams county poorhouse, Gettysburg; four to the State Hospital for Insane, Harrisburg; two to Polk Home For Feeble-Minded Children; one to the Lewistown Hospital; William Duffy took to the road; four were taken by Mrs. Cora Manbeck, matron, to aid in the work and must be cared for in the matron’s quarters. (Mrs. Cora Manbeck, home at 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA)

March 1, 1927 The Evening Sun - Engineer Is Fatally Stricken At Throttle. Leonard W. Seibert, Father of Mrs. Rush C. Little, This Place, Has Sudden Death. Leonard William Seibert aged 61 years, 6 months and 6 days, father of Mrs. Rush C. Little, Hanover, passed away unexpectedly at the Lewistown hospital, Friday afternoon, 4:30 o’clock after less than an hour’s serious illness. He arose from his bed in the morning, enjoying his usual degree of health, ate his breakfast and went to his work at the Standard Steel Works, Burnham, and ate a hearty dinner and resumed his work in the afternoon at the steel plant, not complaining of any sickness. At 3:40 o’clock in the afternoon while he was serving as an engineer of a locomotive in the transportation department, fellow employees signaled for him to start his locomotive. The engine did not move and he received a second signal “to go,” and again the locomotive was not moved. Then an investigation was made and it was found that he had been stricken by illness in the cabin of the engine where he was leaning over against the engine side, not able to answer any signal to pull the throttle of his locomotive. The stricken man was taken to the first aid station of the steel plant and then removed to the hospital, where he died ten minutes after he had arrived there. Physicians stated that the sudden death was caused by heart trouble. Mr. Seibert leaves his wife, whose maiden name was Miss Ida E. Elter of Chambersburg where they were married on April 14, 1887. Surviving him, are also three sons and four daughters, as follows: Norman L. Seibert, 51 Valley street; Merle E. Seibert, Gettysburg; Leonard W. Seibert at his parental home; Mrs. Walter C. (Emma) Riley, 207 South Pine street; Mrs. Rush C. (Mary) Little, Hanover; Mrs. Brooks G. (Elizabeth) Garland, Williamsport; Mrs. Clarence C. (Ethel) Miller at her parental home. The funeral services were conducted at the late residence of the deceased, 207 South Pine street, Lewistown, this afternoon, 2:30 o’clock, by the Rev. Carl R. Simon, pastor of the deceased. The burial will be made in Mt. Rock cemetery, beside the body of the son of the deceased, John Arthur Seibert, aged ten years, fatally injured by a coasting accident along North Pine street, Lewistown, several years ago. (See 1920 census, at this time, 207 Shaw ave, is today’s 209 Shaw ave. Also see April 2, 1948, when address was 209 Shaw ave.)

Oct. 1, 1927 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown. The official count filed noon Thursday, … shows little change in the ballots cast for Mifflin county at the primaries … ; director of the poor, W. I. Russler, 1,210; … (On Feb. 28, 1924, W. I. Russler (brother in-law of John A. Manbeck, and sister of Cora Russler Manbeck), sold our home at 142 Shaw ave., Lewistown, PA. to “John A. Manbeck and wife”.)

May 18, 1928 The Brockway Record, Brockway, PA - Pennsylvania Weekly Industrial Review. … Lewistown - Annex to be built to high school building of Lewistown public school district. … Lewistown - Shaw Avenue undergoing repairs. Lewistown - Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania to install 100 telephones in Coleman Hotel. … Lewistown - Bell Telephone Company will spend about $250,000 in this place during 1928. … Lewistown - Mail service here improved through addition of westbound train Number 13. …

Jan. 18, 1929 Elizabethtown Chronicle, PA - Pennsylvania Weekly Industrial Review. … Lewistown - Construction started on new plant for manufacturing company. … - New ice plant under construction on Shaw Avenue will be completed about April 1.

1929 Lewistown directory - John Manbeck (Cora) home at 142 Shaw ave.; W. I. Russler, director of poor, residence 142 Shaw ave.; Dayton Aitkin, emp. Viscose, residence 142 Shaw ave. (Dayton was Cora Manbeck’s sister’s son, so therefor Cora’s nephew); Ella Seabolt, residence 142 Shaw ave.; Eliza Webb, residence 142 Shaw ave. Interesting is that Ella Seabolt had been the servant to William Russler at the Alm’s house, and Eliza Webb was an inmate at the Alm’s house. A newspaper article said that Mrs. Cora A. Manbeck took 4 of the inmates with her when the Alm’s house closed in 1926.
Interesting tidbit from Nov. 17, 1913 The Danville Morning News - Lewistown, Nov. 16. A huge elk weighing 700 pounds was killed at the borders of Seven Mountains near Siglerville, yesterday by Dayton Aitkin. He says he mistook it for a deer. Five hunters fired at the animal, but Aitkin was the only one lucky enough to hit it. Aitkin went before a justice of the peace and furnished bond for the $200 fine he will have to pay for killing protected game. His father was the informant, thus keeping half the fine in the family. Not in many years had an elk been seen in Mifflin county, which is a hunter’s paradise. The animal was probably driven by hunters from the State game reservation in Centre county.
Dayton McDowell Aitkin died Sept. 22, 1958 from carcinoma of the larynx of 6 months. He previously had been supervisor of State Forest. He was born July 2, 1883 to James T. and Laura Russler Aitkin.

From the April 2, 1930 census, John M. Manbeck 69 yo. owned the home at 142 Shaw ave. worth $6,000; wife Carrie A. (Cora) 60 yo.; lodger and brother-in-law, William I. Russler 76 yo., who had sold the Manbeck’s the home in 1924; lodger Ella Seabolt 56 yo. widow (No one in the house had employment listed.) Interesting is that Ella Seabolt had been the servant to William Russler and she was one of the inmates listed at the Alm’s house in 1920.

From the April 2, 1930 census, next door to the back of our home, 209 Pine street - Ida M. Seibert, owned home worth $8,000, 61 yo. widow; son Leonard W. Seibert 23 yo., single, pattern maker at steel mill; daughter Ethel N. Miller 27 yo.; son-in-law Clarence C. Miller 30 yo., pattern maker at steel mill; granddaughter Audrey N. Miller 2 yrs. 10 months old
At 211 Pine street, which was still numbered 207 in 1930, Walter C. Riley 41 yo., renting for $25, baker at bake shop; wife Emma Riley 41 yo.; son Raymond C. Riley 22 yo. single, winder at silk mill; son Nevin M. Riley 21 yo., spinner at silk mill; son Clifford S. 16 yo.; daughter Elizabeth I. Riley 15 yo.; daughter Mary E. Riley 7 yo.
At 213 Pine street, which was still numbered 205 in 1930, George D. Kephart 41 yo., owned home worth $4,000, laborer at silk mill; wife Rhoda E. Kephart 45 yo.; boarder Harold E. Werner 24 yo., laborer at steel mill; boarder Hans E. Loven 25 yo., no occupation listed

From the 1930 census, next door to the side of our home on Shaw ave. at 140 Shaw ave., renting for $35, Samuel B. Myers 67 yo., axe maker at axe factory; wife Abbie L. Myers 53 yo.; son Harry D. Myers 24 yo. divorced, chemist at silk mill laboratory; son Russell S. Myers 22 yo., spinner at silk mill; son Milford J. Myers 20 yo., temperer at axe factory; son Robert E. Myers 15 yo.; grandson Harry Myers Jr. 4 1/2 years old; daughter Barbara S. Lauder 39 yo. divorced, sorter at silk mill; daughter Helen D. Hutchison 16 yo. married.
At 138 Shaw ave., renting for $35, Charles W. Henkle 29 yo., automobile salesman; wife Catherine R. Henkle 28 yo.; son Willis G. Henkle 10 yo.; son Charles W. Henkle 8 yo.; son Richard D. Henkle 5 yo.; father-in-law Willia A. Reed 48 yo. widow, pipe fitter at steel mill.

From the 1930 census, 201 Shaw ave., owned home worth $8,000 - Paul C. Boynton 34 yo., auto mechanic at garage; wife Ursa S. Boynton 33 yo.; son Paul C. Boynton 8 yo.; son William S. Boynton 6 yo.; son Richard C. Boynton 3 yo.; lodger Josephine Bobbs 19 yo. single, reeler at silk mill. (By 1940, the Boynton’s or Boyston’s were living in Baltimore, Maryland.)
At 207 Shaw ave. - renting $20, Zella M. Swyers 45 yo. widow, packer at silk mill; daughter Martha K. Swyers 16 yo., sorter at silk mill; son Jack C. Swyers 13 yo., street newsboy; daughter Janet A. Swyers 9 yo. At 209 Shaw ave. - renting $24, Samuel H. Bearley 47 yo., bill poster for advertising company; wife Annie R. Bearley 37 yo., cook at restaurant; son Jasper H. 16 yo., bill poster for advertising company; daughter Esther K. 15 yo.; daughter Lathea I. 9 yo. (In 1920, this family was renting at 14 West Elizabeth street, Lewistown, PA)

From the April 16, 1930 census, across the street from our home on at 143 Shaw ave. - Marian W. Hendren, 52 yo. widow, owned home worth $9,000; son Joseph W. Hendren 29 yo. single, none for occupation.
At 141 Shaw ave., owned home worth $9,000 - Arlanda Mertz 55 yo., postal clerk at post office; wife Gertrude B. Mertz 47 yo.
At 137 Shaw ave., owned home worth $1,100 - Atkinson J. Dunmire 72 yo.; wife Margaret M. 68 yo.
At 135 Shaw ave., Maud Elder 50 yo. widow, owned home worth $4,000, teacher at public school; daughter Grace Elder 11 yo.; lodger Ella M. Gogel 63 yo. widow, domestic at hotel

Dec. 19, 1930 Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA - advertisement for Christmas Turkey “Holiday Brand” - selected turkeys are slaughtered at our plant in Altoona, which is one of the most modern dressing stations in the state of Pennsylvania. … The Gutwald-Kelly Co. Specializing In Fresh Dressed Poulty. Partial List of Reliable Stores Selling Our Fresh Dressed Poultry. … Lewistown, PA. Baron’s Meat Market, Hannah St. - Carl Z. Monie, 24 Valley St. - Erdley & Snook, 200 Shaw Ave. - Heimel’s Market, 12 W. Market St. - Herbster & Aurand, 210 N. Grand St. - Hoffman Grocery, 143 W. 3rd St. - National Market Co., 16 E. Market St. - L. B. Searer, 102 S. Main St. - J. E. Smith, 302 S. Main St. - R. M. Swanger Cash Market, 204 W. Market St. - Wertz Bros. 50 Shaw Ave. … (Edward Erdley 55 yo., owned home at 210 4th Spruce st. Lewistown, retail merchant in groceries, employer; wife Annie M. 53 yo., daughter Geraldine L. 13 yo.) (Russell S. Snook 27 yo. owned home at Spanogle St. Lewistown, retail merchant of groceries; wife Elizabeth M. Snook 26 yo.; son John E. Snook 2 yo.)

1932 directory - 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA - John Manbeck (Cora) home; William I. Russler, residence; Ella Seabolt residence

March 16, 1932 Harrisburg Telegraph - Marriage Licenses - Lewistown - … Leonard W. Seibert, Lewistown, and Miss Anna M. Rupert, McVeytown; … (Leonard W. Seibert, Jr., 209 S. Pine street, Lewistown.)

Jan. 27, 1933 Mount Union Times - Shade Gap - Mr. and Mrs. Ebert W. Pyles spent Saturday night with Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Pyles are at home to their friends at 135 Shaw avenue, Lewistown, Pa.

Dec. 17, 1933 - John A. Manbeck of 142 Shaw ave., 72 yo., retired trucker, died Dec. 17, 1933 and is buried in Saint Marks Cemetery in Lewistown. John’s parents were Isaac Manbeck and Elizabeth Walters Manbeck. John died of arterial artery general sclerosis.

William Russler, 80 yo., retired Steward of Alm’s House, died March 6, 1934. His parents were James Russler and Mary Rakard Russler.

March 6, 1934, William I. Russler of 142 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Pa - certificate of death - white male single, born April 25, 1853. 80 years, 10 months, 11 days. Retired Steward at Alms House. His father, James Russler; his mother, Mary Rakard. Informant, Mrs. Cora Manbeck of 142 Shaw Ave. Lewistown, Pa. Death due to acute dilatation of heart, contributory - myocarditis
Grave stone has William I. Russler, Mount Rock Cemetery, Lewistown.

March 8, 1934 The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa. - William I. Russler. William Irvin Russler, 80, for many years steward of the Mifflin county home and one of Lewistown’s best known citizens died at his home (142 Shaw ave.) in that place Tuesday following a sudden heart attack.

1934 directory - 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA - Cora Manbeck, widow of John Manbeck, home; Ella Seabolt residence; Vera Dunn residence, emp. Viscose

Our home had been divided into 4 separate living quarters at one time, with two living quarters down stairs and with two upstairs. The two downstairs had to share the first floor bathroom which is at the back of the home, originally which had the two open porches on each side of the bathroom. The two upstairs living quarters had to also share a bathroom on the second floor which was directly above the first floor bathroom. Also later, our home had 3 separate living quarters, one on the first floor, and two and the second floor.

Dec. 30, 1937 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - Although there has been a marked recession in the steel and rayon industries of this community, figures released by the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce show that 1937 has been one of the most prosperous years in Lewistown industrial history. There was an industrial payroll of approximately 8000 workers who received $11,000,000 during 1937.

The April 6, 1940 census at 142 Shaw ave., has Cora A. (Russler) Manbeck 72 yo. widow, owned home worth $5,000; lodger Vera E. Dunn 24 yo. single, and lodger Ella Seabolt 61 yo. widow living in the home and Anna J. Nale 73 yo. widow, renting for $18. All 4 of the above women were in this same house in 1935 according to this census. Also, 1940 census: at 142 Shaw renting for $20. was Harry Jr. Sheets 28 yo. barber, with wife Edna M. 26 yo. waitress at restaurant.
In 1934, Anna Nale, widow of Charles Nale, was living at 34 Chestnut street Lewistown, PA. Mrs. Anna Nale, 77 yo., died Sept. 25, 1944 in Derry, Mifflin county, PA at the Lewistown Hospital. She was still living at 142 Shaw ave. She had been in the hospital 11 days for angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. She also had diabetes mellitus. Anna was born May 31, 1867 to John C. McClintic and Jennie Mitchell McClintic.

The 1940 census also has renting at 142 Shaw ave. for $20. - Harry Jr. Sheetz 28 yo., a barber, renting here, with his wife, Edna M. Sheets 26 yo. waitress at restaurant (Harry Ellsworth Sheetz, he was the sixth child born to his parents, Harry Ellsworth Sheets and Luretta Darlington Sheets)
WWII Draft Card - had 142 Shaw Ave., then crossed off and had his parents address of 130 Elizabeth St., then in parenthesis had residing at 22 E. Hale St. 29 yo. Had Ray’s Batlls Shop at 135 Logan st. as employer as Barber crossed off, then Std. Steel Works in Burnham, PA as employer. [In 1932, Harry E. Sheets, Jr. was at 130 Elizabeth st. Lewistown, PA. appears with his father, Harry E. and mother, Lauretta. March 3, 1932 Harry married Edna M. Hassinger. In 1934, Harry E. Sheetz (Edna M.) barber at J. R. Harris residing at 104 Green ave. Feb. 8, 1950 filed for Veteran Compensation, living at 625 West 5th St. Lewistown. Was born Sept. 3, 1911 in Juniata , Mifflin, PA. Had entered service March 30, 1942 in New Cumberland, PA. Separated active service Oct. 24, 1945 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He died Feb. 20, 1995, and is buried in Juniata Memorial Cemetery.] Spelled Sheets and Sheetz.

From the 1940 census, next door to the back of our home, 209 Pine street - owned home worth $2,200, Ida M. Seibert, 71 yo. widow; daughter Ethel N. Miller 37 yo.; son-in-law Clarence C. Miller 40 yo., spinner at steel mill; granddaughter Audrey N. Miller 12 yrs. (All lived in this home in 1935.)
At 211 Pine street, which was still numbered 207 in 1940, renting for $21, William Heane 39 yo., viscose worker at textile mill; wife Erna I. Heane 30 yo., waitress at cafe (The Heane’s did not live in this home in 1935, but were living in Lewistown.)
At 213 Pine street, which was still numbered 205 in 1940, George D. Kephart 52 yo., owned home worth $2,200, spinner at silk mill; wife Rhoda E. Kephart 56 yo. (Both lived in this home in 1935.)
206 Pine street, is on the 1940 census, owned home worth $2,500 Claude A. Went 50 yo., bookkeeper for transportation company; wife Myrtle M. Went 49 yo. (Both lived in this home in 1935 according to this census.)

From the 1940 census, next door to the side of our home on Shaw ave. at 140 Shaw ave., renting for $22, Charles F. Klawitter 47 yo., vicose worker at textile mill; wife Hilda L. 42 yo.; son William A. 16 yo.; son Charles F. Jr. 14 yo.; son Kenneth K. 11 yo.; son Robert U. 6 yo.; son James H. 1 yo. (This family was not living in this home in 1935, but were in Lewistown); Renting at 140 Shaw ave. for $20, William H. Davis 25 yo., laborer for wholesale grocery; wife Mabel I. Davis 29 yo., winder at textile mill; daughter M. Nona Davis 5 yo. (The Davis’s did not live in this home in 1935, but were living in Lewistown.)
At 138 Shaw ave., renting for $22, Willis A. Reed 59 yo., foreman pipe fitter at steel mill; daughter Katherine R. Henkle 38 yo., viscose worker at textile mill; son Charles W. Henkle jr. 18 yo., laborer for ice distributor; son Richard D. Henkle 15 yo. (This family were all living in this home in 1935 also.)

From the 1940 census, 201 Shaw ave., I couldn’t find this address listed on the census, somehow it may have been missed?
At 207 Shaw ave. - renting $20, Zella M. Swyers 45 yo. widow, packer at silk mill; daughter Martha K. Swyers 16 yo., sorter at silk mill; son Jack C. Swyers 13 yo., street newsboy; daughter Janet A. Swyers 9 yo. (The Swyers were living in this home in 1935.)
At 209 Shaw ave. - renting $20, Eugene R. Bigelow 27 yo., assistant manager chain grocery; wife Martha K. Bigelow 26 yo., viscose worker at textile mill; daughter Barbara A. Bigelow 6 yo. (The Bigelow’s lived in this home in 1935.) (By 1950, the Bigelow’s were living in Bellefonte, PA.)

From the 1940 census, across the street from our home on at 143 Shaw ave. - renting for $30, Lawrence E. Odell 69 yo. retired; wife Charlotte M. Odell 63 yo.; lodger Arthur O. Mathna 29 yo. single, assistant manager for 5 & 10 store (All 3 had lived in Lewistown in 1935, but not in this home.)
At 141 Shaw ave., owned home worth $6,000 - Arlanda Mertz 66 yo., retired; wife Gertrude B. Mertz 57 yo. (Both lived in the home 1935.)
At 137 Shaw ave., owned home worth $3,000 - Margaret M. Dunmore 78 yo., she also lived here in 1935; nephew Charles B. Malanaphy 55 yo., works W. C. A., did not live in this house in 1935; grand niece Agnes N. Malanaphy 16 yo., according to this census, she lived in this house in 1935 At 135 Shaw ave., renting for $25, Elmer J. Shieldo 36 yo., carpenter; wife Nellie B. or P. Shieldo 35 yo.; daughter Elizabeth 14 yo.; mother-in-law Elizabeth Smith 56 yo., matron at grade school; brother-in-law James Smith 18 yo. single (This family had lived in Mt. Union, Huntingdon, Pa. in 1935.)

Aug. 27, 1942 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - Marvin W. Schlegel, Harrisburg, assistant State historian, who visited the rooms of Mifflin County Historical Society here and inspected the war history project, termed it one of the best in the State to date. Schlegel is in charge of the State-wide project of Pennsylvania Historical Commission which is gathering data on the current war effort and defense program in Pennsylvania. The local project, being administered jointly by Mifflin County Library and Mifflin County Historical Society, is collecting and classifying all newspaper clippings and other material which tells the story of the local war effort.

Mrs. Anna Nale, 77 yo., died Sept. 25, 1944 in Derry, Mifflin county, PA at the Lewistown Hospital, She was still living at 142 Shaw ave. She had been in the hospital 11 days for angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. She also had diabetes mellitus. Anna was born May 31, 1867 to John C. McClintic and Jennie Mitchell McClintic.

July 9, 1945 The Gazette and Daily, York, PA - Mr. and Mrs. Leonard W. Seibert, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Seibert, Lewistown, spent the week-end in Hanover visiting Mr. and Mrs. Merle E. Seibert and Mr. and Mrs. Rush C. Little. (The Seibert family had lived at 209 S. Pine street, Lewistown, see 1920 census - 1950 census.)

Jan. 22, 1947 The Daily News, Lebanon, PA - Daniel L. Shenk Dies; Former Resident Here. Daniel L. Shenk of Lewistown and formerly of Lebanon, died on Tuesday morning in the Lewistown Hospital of complications. He was seventy-five years of age and had been ill for the past seven weeks. Mr. Shenk is a well known resident of Lebanon having been employed at the Bon Ton store for a number of years. He was also an active member of the United Brethren Church and served as a local minister in several Lewistown churches. There survives his wife, Anna; two sons, Charles, of Elizabethtown, and Jay, of Lewistown, and two daughters, Mrs. Horace Davis, of Berwick, Pa., and Mrs. William Freeland, of Halifax, Pa. (Daniel L. Shenk and his family lived in our home at 142 Shaw ave., at least from 1917 to 1924, and at that time he was the town decorator.) Jan. 23, 1947 The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA - Rev. Daniel L. Shenk, 75, died Tuesday morning … A resident of Lewistown, he was the pastor of the Central Union and Locke Mills churches. He was also a trustee at Lewistown YMCA. Born November 5, 1871, in Dauphin county, he is survived by …

March 30, 1948 - Cora Manbeck, 78 years, 7 months, 22 days, of 142 Shaw Ave. died March 30, 1948. Cora was born Aug. 8, 1869. Ethel Albert was informant on death certificate. Cora’s parents were James Russler and Mary Rakard Russler. Death due to cerebral hemorrhage due to arteriosclerosis. Ethel C. Russler Albert, was Cora Russler Manbeck's niece. Ethel's father, Rush Russler, was Cora's brother. (From 1910 census - renting at 137 Pannebaker avenue, Lewistown, PA - James Russler 92 yo., own income; son William I. 57 yo., salesman for oil company; boarder (son-in-law) John A. Manbeck 49 yo., inspector at steel works; boarder (daughter) Cora A. Manbeck 41 yo.
owned home 137 1/2 Pannebaker avenue - James Albert 27 yo., moulder for steel foundry; wife Ethel C. Albert)

About 1948 - Mrs. Ella Seabolt moved from Lewistown to go live with her daughter, Mrs. Charles S. Miller Sr., of, Warners, NY. See Seabolt below for more information. It is highly likely she lived in our house right up to the time that Mrs. Cora Manbeck died.

April 2, 1948 The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA - Mrs. Ida Elter Seibert, widow of L. W. Seibert, died last evening at 6:20 o’clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence Miller, 209 South Pine street, Lewistown, following an extended illness at the age of 80 years. Her husband preceded her in death about 20 years ago. Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Clarence Miller with whom she resided; Mrs. Rush D. Little and Merle Seibert, Hanover; Mrs. Brooks Garland, Williamsport; Norman Seibert and Leonard W. Seibert, Jr., Lewistown, and a brother, William Elter, Chambersburg. Mrs. Seibert was a member at St. John’s Lutheran church, Lewistown. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at … Interment will be in Mt. Rock cemetery, Lewistown.

(May 27, 1948 The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA - Jay A. Stimely, 46, a native of McClure, died Tuesday in a hospital at Springfield, Mass. of complications after an illness of five years. He was a son of the late Charles and Lizzie Yetter Stimely. Mr. Stimely lived for some years in Lewistown where he was employed by the American Viscose Company and more recently at Springfield where he worked for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He is survived by his wife, the former Marion Aurand, one son Russell, of Pittsburgh, and six brothers and sisters, including Mrs. Merrill Shirk, of Mifflintown. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Fretz Funeral Home, Lewistown, and burial will be in Mount Rock Cemetery there. In 1950, Marian B. Stimely 48 yo. widow, sales lady at retail department store was living in our home at 142 Shaw ave. and was the possible new owner of the home after the Manbeck's.)

July 16, 1948 The Daily News Huntingdon, PA - Move To Take Over Church In Lewistown. Articles of incorporation of the Shaw Avenue Church of the Brethren in Lewistown has been filed in Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas, this being the newest development in the struggle between the pastor, the Rev. Harold Snider, and the Central Pennsylvania Elders Conference, dating over a long period. When the pastor and the elders failed to see eye to eye on doctrinal matters, he applied for incorporation papers under the name of Calvary Brethren Church. When the church elders came into court to oppose this the local group withdrew the incorporation petition. Meanwhile, the Middle District elders served notice on Rev. Snider that he was ousted as pastor beginning in May, 1948, and he must relinquish possession of the parsonage on Shaw Avenue as of Aug. 1, this year. Backed by a majority of the church membership, he has refused to be dislodged, but has continued in charge of the church and in occupancy of the parsonage. The incorporation papers filed in Prothonotary G. I. Howe’s office at Lewistown by Attorney P. E. Fetterolf state that the “initial registered office of the corporation shall be 134 Shaw Avenue,” which is the address of the church edifice. “The purposes for which the corporation is to be formed shall be to worship God, to teach and preach the truths of the Bible, to engage in the work of saving souls and promote world-wide evangelism. The term for which the said corporation is to exist shall be perpetual.” The corporation is to be organized upon a non-profit basis and the amount of assets it will have to start its corporate functions are as follows: Church property, 45,000; parsonage, $5,000; personal property, $5,000; total, $55,000. The signers of the papers stated that “they constitute a majority of the membership of a committee authorized to incorporate, by a vote of all of the members present at a meeting of the said church held on July 12, 1948.” The “new” church promises to adhere to the presbyterial or elders’ form of government in this statement: “The church or congregation acknowledges itself to be a member of and to belong to the Church of the Brethren and as such it accedes to, recognizes and adopts the constitutions, canons, or ecclesiastical laws, doctrines, disciplines and worship of said Church of the Brethren in the United States, and the constitution and canons or ecclestistical laws of the district known as the Middle District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Jan. 25, 1949 The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA - Lewistown - Mrs. Carolyn Bennett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Miller, and Joseph G. McElwain were married in St. John’s Lutheran Church Friday evening. The Rev. Dr. S. E. Wicker officiated. The couple was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. McElwain, Jr. son and daughter-in-law of the bridegroom. A reception was held at the Moose home following the nuptials for about 50 guests. During the dancing at the reception the bride fell and fractured her left wrist and was removed to Lewistown Hospital where she was admitted for observation over night. (From 1950 census they were living in the rear of 140 Shaw ave., alley way house.)

Sept. 29, 1949 The Daily News Huntingdon, PA - For Sale - Complete business and dwelling, located at 200 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Pa. Building consists of 7 rooms and bath on 2nd floor with food market and lunch counter on 1st floor. Doing a good business. Must sell at once, due to ill health. Come and see this splendid offer. A sacrifice price to quick buyer. William Glover, 200 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Pa.

Feb. 27, 1950 Sunbury Daily Item - Loss In Area - Owned Building Blaze At Lewistown $350,000. Loss in the worst blaze of Lewistown history that razed a large two-story building owned by Oscar Dietz, of Danvillle, and Mrs. Clara Jenkins, of Northumberland, Friday night rose today to an unofficial estimate of $350,000. Mr. Dietz placed his loss at $50,000, though at Lewistown it was estimated that it would require more than twice that amount to replace the structure at present building costs. He said his sister and he planned to rebuild but in what length of time would be determined by action of the insurance company, plus whether or not the tenants at the time of the fire would contract to re-occupy space in the new building. Cause of the fire that destroyed the building at Shaw avenue and Chestnut streets in downtown Lewistown remained unknown today pending the arrival of State Fire Marshal Sgt. George Hahn of Hollidaysburg. While it was originally believed that an explosion in the Dillree Motor Company, located on the first floor on the Shaw avenue side of the building, resulted in the blaze, further investigation indicated that it may have started on the second floor. Several men had been working during the afternoon putting together boxes for the purpose of sending out chicks from the Pennsylvania Farm Harchery on the second floor. Possibility of a smoldering cigarette was advanced. Biggest losses were incurred in the hatchery, $175,000 and Penn Furniture Company, $55,000. Other damage included Rittenhouse Body and Fender Works, $10,000; Dillree Motor Company, $40,000; Superior Ice Company storage plant, $3,000; a nearby apartment house, $500. Termed most disastrous fire in Lewistown history by Fire Chief Nelson Yearick, there have been but two previous fires that even came near to Friday night’s total damage. In 1902 a block of buildings on Marble street and several stables and horses burned. In 1919 the Hyman and Cohen building was consumed by flames in another spectacular blaze. It was the second time that fire struck the Dietz-Jenkins building site. In 1890 a structure was destroyed ad the building destroyed Friday night was immediately erected. S. M. Dietz purchased that building in 1930 and a month later upon his death willed it to his children, Oscar Dietz and Mrs. Clara Jenkins.

The 1950 census had a population of 13,894 residing in the borough of Lewistown, PA.

1950 April census 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA - Marian B. Stimely 48 yo. widow, sales lady at retail department store; apartment #2, Mary B. Prettyleaf 75 yo. widow, coal salesman, coal retail dealer, own business; apartment #3 Marian W. Hendren 71 yo. widow
(In 1929, Marian Hendren was at 143 Shaw ave. In 1930 - Marian W. Hendren 52 yo. widow owned 143 Shaw ave. worth $9,000; son Joseph W. 29 yo. no occupation listed. 1934 directory - Marion W. Hendren home at 143 Shaw ave; Jos. W. Hendren r at 143 Shaw ave; Melvin W. Hendren, teacher r 143 Shaw ave.
Marion W. Hendren born Aug. 18, 1877, died July 14, 1957 at 79 years of age, at the time she was living at 332 Rockland rd. Wayne, PA. She died in Hanover General hospital from coronary thrombosis. She was widowed, Samuel G. Hendren. Her father’s name was Sylvester B. Weber. Her mother’s name was Annie Rarick. Informant was Joseph W. Hendren of Westminster, Md.
July 15, 1957 The Evening Sun, Hanover, PA - Mrs. Marian W. Hendren. Mrs. Marian Weber Hendren, 80, who had been visiting at the home of a son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Hendren, 460 East Green Street, Westminster, died yesterday at the Hanover General Hospital where she was admitted Saturday. She had previously resided at the home of another son, Melvin Hendren, in Wayne. She is survived by the two sons. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church, Lewistown, Pa., with burial there in St. Mark’s Cemetery. Local arrangements are in charge of F. A. Sharrer and Son, Westminster.)

From the 1950 census, next door to the back of our home, 209 Pine street - Clarence C. Miller 50 yo., stereotyping; wife Ethel N. Miller 47 yo.; daughter Audrey N. Trenster 22 yo., stenographer for state highway department; grandson Gerald M. Trenster 2 yo.
At 211 Pine street, which was still numbered 207 in 1950, Edward E. Page 33 yo., washer of yarn at chemical rayon plant; wife Miriam E. Page 27 yo.
At 213 Pine street, which was still numbered 205 in 1950, George D. Kephart 61 yo., laborer in spinning department at chemical rayon plant; wife Rhoda E. Kephart 67 yo. (Both lived in this home in 1935.)
206 Pine street, 1950 census Claude A. Went 60 yo., purchase agent for transportation company; wife Myrtle M. Went 59 yo. (Both lived in this home in 1935.)

From the 1950 census, next door to the side of our home on Shaw ave. at 140 Shaw ave., Vincent D. McLaughlin 44 yo., assistant foreman at Chemical rayon plant; wife Ruth M. McLaughlin 42 yo.; daughter Shirley J. McLaughlin 14 yo.; brother-in-law J. Phil Ruhl 31 yo., retail clothing salesman at retail clothing store (Our Deed mentions 140 Shaw ave. being “now or formerly owned by C. F. McLaughlin”); at rear of 140 Shaw ave., Joseph G. McElwain 56 yo., maintenance at steel mill; wife Caroline J. McElwain 55 yo. (See Jan. 25, 1949 article for their marriage.)
At 138 Shaw ave., William H. Green 33 yo., lead burner at Chemical rayon plant; wife Dora M. Green 33 yo., machine operator at shirt factory; son William J. Green 14 yo.; son John H. Green 8 yo.

From the 1950 census, 201 Shaw ave., I couldn’t find the this address listed on the 1940 census, somehow it may have been missed on the 1940? 1950; #1. Meade F. Kemrer 44 yo.; wife Verna E. Kemrer 45 yo., manage paint and wallpaper at retail store; son Meade F. Kemrer 11 yo.; #2. upstairs Hettie R. Taylor 80 yo., never married; #3 Tressie Sigler 58 yo.
At 207 Shaw ave. - Elizabeth Walters 34 yo., never married, coning dept. at Rayon Chemical factory; mother Blanche Walters 66 yo. widow
At 209 Shaw ave. - Vera J. Parks 51 yo. widow

From the 1950 census, across the street from our home at 143 Shaw ave. - Milton Wm. Myers 40 yo., spinning dept. at Rayon Chemical factory; wife Lynette Myers 39 yo.
At 141 Shaw ave. - Arlanda Mertz 76 yo., retired; wife Gertrude B. Mertz 67 yo. (Both lived in the home 1935.)
At 137 Shaw ave.,Carl B. Miller 26 yo., cabe processor at Rayon Chemical factory; wife Helen I. Miller 28 yo.
At 135 Shaw ave., James William Houtz 33 yo., manages clothing retail store; wife Lillian C. Houtz 28 yo., sales lady at retail clothing store

April 11, 1950, application received for Veteran Compensation for WWII, Milton William Myers of 143 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Mifflin county, PA. Born Feb. 25, 1910 in Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county, PA. Served Oct. 28, 1943 to Dec. 12, 1945. Navy. At time of entry into service was living at 27 West 4th street Lewistown, PA. $260.00 due.

June 14, 1950 The Daily News Huntingdon, PA - For Sale - Home with 6 rooms and bath on second floor, with large storeroom on first floor which can be used for a self-service market or converted into two 4-rooms-and-bath apartments. Bargain to quick buyer. Call at 200 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Pa.

July 11, 1950 The Daily Item, Sunbury PA - Buses Roll At Lewistown As 41-Day Strike Ends. … The number of bus operators was reduced from 28 to 20, and the number on the payroll has been lopped from 40 to 29 in the plant of the Lewistown Transportation Company. …

The garage does not appear to be attached to our home (142 Shaw ave.) in an arial picture we have seen from the 1950’s. The former back open porches are enclosed, which we had found to have been enclosed around 1917.

Oct. 29, 1951 The Daily Item - First Church of the Brethren and its parsonage in Lewistown will be disposed of at a Mifflin County sheriff’s sale November 16, it has been announced. The properties have been seized and are to be sold as the Lewistown Brethren Church by virtue of a witt of fieri facias. The church building fronts 60 feet on Shaw avenue and has a depth of 150 feet. The two-story frame parsonage occupies a lot 45 by 150 feet. The church was the center of a factional dispute between members of the congregation in the past year.

Dec. 31, 1953 Tyrone Daily Herald - Real Estate. Six room house, modern conveniences. Five car garage, space of four more. 1402 Bald Eagle ave. Write Marie Matts, 201 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Pa.

1958 - Marian Stimely, 142 Shaw Avenue, Lewistown, Pa. (The Evening Review, East Liverpool, Ohio)

Aug. 10, 1961 The Perry County Times, New Bloomfield PA - For Sale - Large building on lot 30x150 feet, with 7 rooms and bath on 2nd floor. 1st floor now being occupied as an antique shop. Apply at 200 Shaw avenue, Lewistown, Pa.

May 3, 1962 The Perry County Times, New Bloomfield PA - At 200 Shaw avenue, Lewistown, Pa. This sale will include antique oil lamps, old tin ware, iron banks, sleigh bells, old clocks, spool chests, stands, tables, butter churn, walnut hall rack, high back walnut bed, two jelly cupboards, picture frames, old sewing cabinet, lot of old dishes and many other items. Also corner property, lot 30’ by 150’ laying thereon erected stone building, consisting of seven rooms and bath on second floor, large attic, with large room on first floor. New furnace and large basement. Property to be offered May 5 at 2 p.m. Property will be open for inspection Thursday, May 3, 1962, from 1 to 5 p.m. Household items - One platform rocker, red overstuffed chair, studio couch with cover, two 9 by 12 rugs, one single bed complete, spinet desk, vanity dresser, two pairs curtain stretchers, yard ornaments. Seller reserves the right to accept or reject all bids. Selling due to ill health. Gertrude F. Glover - William H. Glover and John French, Auctioneer April 19, 1962.

Nov. 18, 1962 - Maurice DeHaven Smith 74 yo., born July 22, 1888 in Franklin county, died Nov. 18, 1962 in Philadelphia at Jefferson Medical College Hospital (carcinoma of esophagus). His parents were Harvey J. Smith and Elizabeth Ensminger Smith. His wife was Ruth G. Smith. At the time of his death was living at 142 Shaw Ave. Lewistown, PA.

Nov. 19, 1962 Public Opinion Chambersburg, PA - Maurice D. Smith, 74, of 142 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, formerly of town, died early yesterday morning at Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia. He had been ill since Nov. 1. Born on July 24, 1888, in Franklin County, he was a son of the late Harvey J. and Elizabeth Ensminger Smith. He was a senior active member of the Chambersburg Rotary Club. His wife, Ruth G. Smith, died in 1950. Mr. Smith was a food agent for the State Department of Agriculture for 20 years, retiring in 1956. In early life he was engaged here with his father in the flour and feed business. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Judson B. Sartain, of Hempstead, Long Island, and Mrs. Edward Ross, Honolulu, Hawaii; three sisters: Mrs. T. A. Zullinger, 148 E. Queen St.; Mrs. Thomas Gehret, 380 Glen St., and Mrs. Robert Ebersole, Harrisburg. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. from the Sellers funeral home, in charge of the Rev. Dr. Rodney T. Taylor. Burial will be made in Norland Cemetery. Friends will be received at the funeral home Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

June 10, 1964 Tyrone Daily Herald - Joseph G. McElwain, 70, of 140 Shaw ave., rear, Lewistown, a brother of George McElwain, Tyrone, died Sunday afternoon in Lewistown Hospital. He had been in failing health for four months. He was born at Marengo, Centre County, Dec. 30, 1893, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John McElwain. His first wife, the former Martha Gregg, is deceased. He is survived by his second wife, the former Carolyn Miller, and two children, Joseph G., of Lewistown, and Mrs. Albert (Martha) Miller, Lancaster. Step-children surviving are Mrs. Dorothy Comstock, Redwood City, Calif.; Mrs. Mary Arnold, Lewistown; Mrs. William (Julia) Blackshaw, East Northport, L. I., N. Y.; Gregg Sourbeck, Newark, Del.; Mrs. Bernard (Emma) Lawler, Milford, N. J., and John P. Sourbeck, Glenwood; the following brothers and sisters: Herbert, Lewistown; George, Tyrone; Jack, Chambersburg; Mrs. Gertrude Daniels, Altoona; Mrs. Hope Hilliard, Warriors Mark; Mrs. Wave Burns, Pensacola, Fla., and Mrs. Mary Luke, Asheville. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. He retired from Standard Steel in 1959 after 43 years service. Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Lewistown, followed by burial in William Lind Memorial Cemetery.

July 16, 1964 The Perry County Times, New Bloomfield, PA - Property 7 rooms and bath, with large store room. Gas heat, new roof, and 60 ft. yard. For any kind of business or apartment house. Located in Lewistown. Price reasonable. Selling due to death of husband. Apply at 200 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, Pa.

June 16, 1965 Centre Daily Times, State College, PA - ACME Markets advertisement … Meet The Recent Winners! … $100.00 Winners - Judith A. Bannon, 138 Shaw Ave, Lewistown …

March 28, 1968 The News-Sun (Newport, PA) - Divorces Granted … Robert P. Shick, 234 Market St. Newport vs. Doris M. Shick, 142 Shaw Ave., Lewistown;…

July 3, 1970 The Daily Item Sunbury PA - S. Heintzelman, Union Co. Native. Mrs. Sadie M. Heintzelman, 84, of Lewisburg RD3, died at 5:30 a. m. today at the Evangelical Home of the United Methodist Church, Lewisburg RD3, following a brief illness. She had previously resided at 142 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, before entering the home in August of 1967. She had earlier lived in Lewisburg. A native of Union County, she was born in Hartleton on Nov. 2, 1885 a daughter of the late William Wilson and Jennie Huffnagle Musser. Her husband, Ammon A. Heintzelman died on Oct. 29, 1944. She was a faithful and active member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Lewistown. She was very active in the church while she lived in Lewistown. Surviving is a son, William Musser Heintzelman, of Claymont, Del. Three grandchildren, William W. Heintzelman, of Newark, Del., Nancy Heintzelman of Claymont, and Mrs. Judith Meese, Memphis, Tenn. also survive as does a sister, Mrs. Ethel Behnke of Cleveland, Ohio. Funeral services will be Monday at 2 p.m. from the chapel of the Evangelical Home of the United Methodist Church, Lewisburg RD3, with Rev. Allen W. Reed, administrator of the home, officiating. Interment will be in the Lewisburg Cemetery. Visitors will be received by the family Sunday after 7 p.m. and on Monday from noon until time of service at the chapel. Funeral arrangements are in charge of the James L. Schwartz home for funerals, 247 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg.

In June of 1972, Hurricane Agnes has been said to have crippled the local economy of Lewistown, PA. The flooding had “submerged much of the American Viscose Corporation plant, then a division of FMC Corporation. The facility, located on the banks of the Juniata River across from Lewistown proper, manufactured rayon fiber (primarily for rayon-belted automobile tires), polyester and Avistrap.” (wikipedia.org)

June 29, 1979 The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa. - Lewistown - A funeral was conducted today in Lewistown for Carl S. Ament, 74, of 209 S. Pine St., who died Tuesday in his home. Among his survivors is a stepsister, Mrs. Emily Rarick of Beavertown.

Doing google searches, the following names came up as at one time living at 142 Shaw ave.; Joan Loewen (1977-1980), John Barley, Patricia Lou Lauver, Steven L. Lauver, Andrea L. Lauver, Andrea E. Scott, Andrea L. Fosselman, Amy Harpster, Amy M. Brown - Elder Amy Brown, Brian Harpster, Marian Stimely (died March 7, 2019), Jack Earley, and Thomas Clark. For the first few years after we purchased 142 Shaw ave., we were getting "junk" mail for Amy Harpster, nothing important, just "junk mail".

From 1977 to 1980, Joan Loewen rented two rooms on the second floor toward Pine street while another woman rented the other side of second floor. They used the front door to enter the home and to go up the stairs, Joan went left at top of stairs, into what was then a kitchen and sitting area. The kitchen had a small stove and refrigerator with a small sitting area. Her bedroom, at the front of the home, had a queen size bed with a dresser and a nice sitting lounge chair. The bedroom was wall-papered. She called the two rooms that she rented a “Bed Sitter.” The two upstairs “Bed Sitters” shared the bathroom at top of stairs in the hallway. She thinks her landord’s name was Mrs. Fosselman, who lived in the whole downstairs. The garage was attached to the home at that time and Joan parked her car in front of the garage on Pine street. Joan thinks that Mrs. Fosselman also moved out of the home in 1980.

Nov. 21, 1981 Public Opinion - Administrator’s Notice … on the estate of Wilbur D. McLaughlin late of the Borough of Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA, deceased, … C. V. McLaughlin, Admrx. 140 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, PA 17044 …

“The 1990’s saw the loss of several plants, including Masland and Lear, as well as Standard Steel filing for reorganization bankruptcy.” Talking about the Economic downturn of Lewistown. (wikipedia.org)

Google search has Andrea L. Fosselman at 142 Shaw ave., Lewistown PA from Oct. 1993 to Nov. 2001.

Sept. 3, 1995 Centre Daily Times - Lewistown: Celebrating 200 years of hometown history - Situated along the Juniata River about 30 miles south of State College is one of Centre County’s best kept secrets: the borough of Lewistown. Though the borough actually belongs to Mifflin County, Centre Countians know it is as a wonderful place to shop, dine and have fun. Beautiful architecture and historic landmarks mix in with dozens of owner-operated shops, a variety of restaurants and well-known department stores. In addition to the opportunities the borough offers everyday, Lewistown is also known for its wide range of community celebrations such as Kids Connection, Goose Day and the annual Mifflin/Juniata Arts Festival. This year, the community has even more to celebrate as the borough commemorates its bicentennial. The community has been celebrating this special occasion all year long and will wrap up events with a spectacular parade on September 23. The 23rd is also the day the borough will celebrate Goose Day, an old English custom properly known as Michaelmas Day. The Mifflin County Jaycees will sponsor events from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 23 at Lewistown Rec Park. If the old folklore is true, your participation in the Goose Day celebration will bring you prosperity in the year to come. (For those of you who don’t know the story behind this festival, usually celebrated on September 29, it is a religious holiday on which the Feast of Saint Michael is celebrated. In England, the festive dinner usually featured goose, and soon the legend started that “if you eat goose on Michaelmas Day you won’t want for money all year round.”) When you consider the fact that “Goose Day” dates back to the year 480 AD, you realize that Lewistown takes history seriously. The Lewistown area itself dates back to Indian civilization. When “white man” came to the area in 1752, the land was still a Shawnee territory. A 1754 treaty with the Iroquois allowed pioneers to begin settling in the lush valley, and soon a man by the name of Samuel Edminston (Edmiston) bought 300 acres and started a town. Edminston (Edmiston) named the town after a friend of his, William Lewis. Lewistown was named the Mifflin County seat in 1789, and by 1795, the year the borough was incorporated, it boasted 120 dwellings, a courthouse and a jail. As is common in many parts of Central Pennsylvania, steel and iron were a mainstay to the borough’s economic and industrial development. In 1795, it was Freedom Forge that smelted the native ore. That forge later became Freedom Iron Company, and then, in 1875, Standard Steel. In 1989, history repeated itself as the management team took over ownership of the company and renamed it “Freedom Forge.” This 200-year-old business is still a big part of the area’s economy providing specialty steel products to companies worldwide. For those of you who have not yet discovered this “secret” land of festivals, food and fun, take a drive out Route 322 and see what Lewistown has to offer. Every time I go there, I discover some new treasurer. As a matter of fact, while I was taking pictures of the house on the left, I discovered a place called “Tiny Town.” An owner of this Valley Street home carved a miniature village out of a limestone cliff behind the house. The town is equipped with a lighthouse, church, many houses and other buildings which I could no longer make out. From what I was told, the owner used to light up the “town” during holidays and special events. So, whether it’s to see “Tiny Town” or to see the whole borough of Lewistown, you should really make the trip. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! By B. J. Clitherow Real Estate In-Sites Editor.

In 2001 - The former apartment house at 201 Shaw ave. was purchased by the Brethren Church of Shaw ave. and the house was torn down for a parking lot for the church. The Church allows the public to park there, except on Sundays. (Info. from a neighbor.)

According to real estate websites, our house sold on April 5, 2002 for $46,000.

From fb Mifflin County Pennsylvania Memories: “My wife and I lived there from 2002, to 2014. We knew it was old, and needed lots of TLC. Not sure if was still there when you bought it, but the one upstairs bedroom was painted in a Noah’s ark decor. Glad someone is bringing it back to its beauty.” Brian Harpster, Jan. 2024.

As to who painted the Noah’s Ark room; “Her name is Laurel Patton. Her maiden name was Laurel Tate. My wife has an extensive Noah’s ark collection, so Laurel put countless hours painting the room.” Brian Harpster, Jan. 2024.

“oh gosh. Every time I drive by I wonder if it was still there.” - “best of luck in all the renovations! It’s an amazing house with so much potential!” Laurel Patton, Jan. 2024

The 2010 census had 8,338 people; 3,742 households, and 2,030 families residing in the borough of Lewistown, PA.

2014 google says Nancy J. Dauenbaugh lived here? Paul R. Dauenbaugh ? Living in Nescopeck, PA now?

When we purchased this home in 2014, the original Dutch lap wood siding was covered with asphalt composition shingles made to appear as a brick home. We started by removing the asphalt shingles to get back to the original wood siding. Some refer to the Dutch lap siding as German lap siding. Each board has a recessed curve at its top, allowing the boards directly above to fit more tightly against the wall. Some of this recessed area shows on each row of the siding. We couldn’t start painting for awhile after the removal of the asphalt shingles due to the wood siding being damp, we had to let the wood dry first. The asphalt shingles were not in good shape, most were disintegrating. On the interior, we tore up all the carpets and did some major cleaning. Nearby neighbors told us the house had been sitting empty for years.

Our Deed (2014) mentions 140 Shaw ave. being “now or formerly owned by C. F. McLaughlin” (Possibly Charles Francis McLaughlin) and 209 S. Pine street as being “now or formerly owned by Carl S. Ament”.
(June 29, 1979 The Daily Item - Lewistown, A funeral was conducted today in Lewistown for Carl S. Ament, 74, of 209 S. Pine St., who died Tuesday in his home. Among his survivors is a stepsister, Mrs. Emily Rarick of Beavertown. June 9, 1927 The Selingsgrove Times-Tribune - Marriage Licenses - Carl S. Ament, Lewistown, and Laura H. Rapp, Burnham.)<.p>

Our daughter, Nicole, and her husband, Dave Singer, at that time (now divorced) lived in our home from May 2014 to 2018. (Dave moved out in 2017.)

(Jan. 11, 2017 The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware - William M. Heintzelman, 97, passed away at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown. Born Aug. 26, 1919, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Sadie (Musser) and Ammon A. Heintzelman. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by: his wife, Verla (Wilson) Heintzelman, Jan. 21, 2011; daughter, Nancy L. Edwards; half-sister, Phalia Perrine; and son-in-law, James Trimble. He is survived by: daughter, Judith A. Trimble, of Hershey; son, William W. Heintzelman and wife, Diane, of Delaware; grandchildren, William W. Heintzelman, Jr., Susan P. Perrotto, Sally Anne Terry and Amy L. Nicholls; and seven great grandchildren. William served in the U. S. Army during WWII in the European Theatre. Earlier in life, he had worked as a lab manager/chemist at FMC Corp. in Lewistown, and later, at Marcus Hook, Fredericksburg, VA for 37 1/2 years, retiring 1985. He was a Methodist by faith and attended Grace U. M. C. William was a member of Lewistown Masonic Lodge #203, Royal Arch #186 Chapter and Commandry; and Juniata Valley Council Member #64. He enjoyed woodworking and making doll furniture and doll houses. A funeral service, with masonic services, will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, with a committal service to follow, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Inc., Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown with Rev. Randy Traxler, officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Juniata Memorial Park, Lewistown. In lieu of flowers, memorials in William’s name may be made to: Masonic Village Hospice Program, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. ...)
(From July 3, 1970 The Daily Item Sunbury PA - S. Heintzelman, Union Co. Native. Mrs. Sadie M. Heintzelman, 84, of Lewisburg RD3, died at 5:30 a. m. today at the Evangelical Home of the United Methodist Church, Lewisburg RD3, following a brief illness. She had previously resided at 142 Shaw Ave., Lewistown, before entering the home in August of 1967.)

April 6, 2018 Centre Daily Times - A four-alarm fire ripped through three homes Thursday in Lewistown, rendering each a total loss. There were nine people displaced by the fire, according to Lewistown Fire Department Chief Bob Bartlett, who said the Red Cross has provided the families with shelter. No one was injured in the fire. The blaze began at about 1:10 p. m. at a house off the 100 block of Shaw Avenue. Bartlett was two blocks away from the scene when he saw smoke and fire on the horizon, prompting him to increase the call to a two-alarm fire. Former firefighter David Wills, who lives across the street from the houses that were destroyed, could smell smoke and then heard the firetrucks approaching. “I paid it no mind at first, but the sirens got louder and I looked out the window,” Wills said. “The first house was fully involved and, by the time the third truck got here, the fire got to the house to the left of the first one and took it over, too. It was really bad luck with the wind, and these are wooden structures. With old houses it doesn’t take much, so there’s nothing you can do.” The fire “jumped” about 2 to 3 feet to the second house, which quickly became fully involved, Wills said. Bartlett increased the call to a four-alarm and said the blaze was under control two hours later. “With the wind going and those old wooden houses, everything that could go against us went against us today,” Bartlett said. “But the fire crews did a terrific job. They had their work cut out for them, and they did good.” A state police fire marshall told Bartlett the cause of the fire was likely electrical. Firefighters from 14 companies and three counties responded to the scene or were on standby for other potential emergencies in Mifflin County.

We had our property surveyed in 2018, and on our survey it shows “Joshua D. Faulkner” as owner of 140 Shaw ave. and “Larry R. Bowersox and Paula W. Bowersox” as owning 209 S. Pine street, and “Brenda L. Held” as owning 211 S. Pine street.

The construction of an enhanced highway system between Lewistown and State College was completed in 2020 and better connects the two communities. (wikipedia.org)

The 2020 census had a population of 8,561 residing in the borough of Lewistown, PA.

This is our home away from home, and we have a friend/neighbor as the caretaker of this home when we are not in Lewistown, with a few other neighbors who watch over our home also.

Our plans are to continue with the restoration and revitalization of this home as time and money permits.

If anyone has pictures, stories, and or any history of this home at 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us at amy@zehr.net