Zehr Retreat ...Russler

Russler - Manbeck

Russler

William I. Russler - is the earliest owner of our home at 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA, that we have found so far. It was built circa 1900. As early as 1910, our house was being rented by John W. Price, a shipping clerk for the Standard Steel Works, and family.
On Feb. 28, 1924 - William 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”.

1850 census - Brown township, Mifflin county, PA - James Russler (Rassler) 32 yo., farmer; Mary Russler 23 yo.; John 3 yo.; James 1 yo.

1860 census - Armagh, Mifflin county, PA, post office Milroy - James Russler 42 yo., farmer, personal $2,000; Mary 33 yo.; John 12 yo.; James C. 11 yo.; Emma M. 9 yo.; William I. 7 yo.; Laura W. 2 yo.; Lewis Cass Russler 6 months; Lewis Henry 24 yo., laborer

1870 census - Old Armagh, Mifflin county, PA - James Russler 52 yo.;, farmer, personal $2,709; Mary M. 43 yo.; James C. 21 yo., works on farm; Emma M. 19 yo.; William I. 17 yo.; Laura 12 yo.; Sarah J. or I. 7 yo.; Rush 4 yo.; Cora A. 1 yo.; Samuel W. McNitt 29 yo. farmer, real estate $145,000 - personal $300 (In 1880, Emma M. Russler married Samuel W. McNitt.)

Aug. 28, 1876 - James C. Russler Jr. died. He was born May 25, 1849. He is buried in Milroy, Mifflin County, PA.

April 8, 1880 Millheim Journal, PA - Married - On the 7th ult., at Spring Mills, by Rev. J. K. Miller, Mr. S. W. McNitt to Miss Emma M. Russler, both of Milroy, Pa.

1880 census - Dorcas street, Derry Township, Mifflin county, PA - James Russler 62 yo., farmer; wife Mary 53 yo.; son William I. 27 yo., works on farm; daughter Sallie J. 18 yo.; son E. Rush 14 yo.; daughter Cora E. 11 yo. (All born in PA); William Caldron 22 yo., works on farm

1880 census - Armagh, Mifflin county, PA - James Aitkens 24 yo., farmer; wife Laura (Russler) Aitkens 21 yo.; daughter Ruth Aitkens 1 yo.

1900 census - renting on a farm on Bellevire avenue, Derry Township, part of South Derry, Mifflin county, PA - James Russler 82 yo., born in April of 1818, farmer; wife Mary Russler 73 yo., born in May of 1827; daughter Cora Russler 31 yo., born in August of 1868; son William I. Russler 47 yo., born in April of 1853, day laborer

1900 census - owned home with mortgage at 210 Logan street Lewistown, PA - Rush Russler 34 yo., day laborer; wife Annie M. (Prettyleaf) Russler 33 yo.; daughter Ethel C. 10 yo.; son Nelson J. 4 yo.

1900 census - owned farm in Granville township, Mifflin county PA - Samuel Caldwell 40 yo., farmer; wife Sallie J. (Russler) 38 yo.; son Roy F. 11 yo.; son Franklin G. 9 yo.; son James Mylin 3 yo.; son Thomas 1 yo.; servant Rhoda Wright 14 yo.

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 16, 1908 The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lewistown - Unofficial returns from the primary election on Saturday show the following as the successful Democratic candidates in Mifflin county: National Delegates, A. A. Bollinger,, J. C. Devin; alternate, Frank B. McCabe; Congress, George C. Bentz; State delegate, J. W. Aikin; Assembly, John C. Amig; Associate Judge, John A. Dolby; Sheriff, William I. Russler; Treasurer, Oliver O. Marks; Commissioner, George A. Butler, James W. Warner; Poor Director, T. J. Ewing; Auditors, L. V. Postlethwaite, Morris M. Maginey.

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.

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 daughter of Ephraim Rush Russler and Anna M. Prettyleaf Russler. Ethel Albert was James Russler’s granddaughter.)

April 4, 1911 - PA Death Certificate - James Russler of 135 Pannebaker Ave., Lewistown, PA, widowed. Born April 15, 1818 to Jacob Russler and Sara Cubbison Russler. 92 years, 11 months, 19 days. Retired farmer. Cause Of Death, Chronic cystitis, several years, contributory, chronic prostatitis. Buried April 7 in Mt. Rock Cemetery, Lewistown, PA. Informant W. I. 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.

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.

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.

1920 census - Farm, Green Avenue, Derry Township, Mifflin county, PA - 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.

April 20, 1920 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - Abraham Fowler, 85 years old, died at the county home Monday morning, after a short illness due to the diseases incident to old age. Mr. Fowler has three sons and two daughters in Mifflin county who would have been only too glad to provide a good home for him, but he preferred the county farm and his independence to any of it. After his death, W. I. Russler, the steward, found this sentiment written in his bank book: “I have enough to buy my body in potter’s field; don’t let me go to the butcher shop.”

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”.)

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.

Sept. 2, 1921 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - Mrs. Mary Ruble, widow of Lewis H. Ruble, who was the stewardess for the Mifflin county almshouse for a period of twenty-five years, died at her home, 211 Logan street, Lewistown, Tuesday evening, aged 75 years. She leaves four sons and one daughter. She was a member of the Lewistown Methodist Church. During the twenty-five years when she was the matron at the County Home here, she became widely known for her many acts of help and charity. Her funeral will be held in St. Mark’s Cemetery, Lewistown, and the Rev. J. Ellis Bell, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., officiating.

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. 28, 1922 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The Mifflin county almshouse is filled, with no sleeping facilities to accept any more inmates, W. I. Russler, steward of the county home, announced yesterday. In three rooms 22 men are lodged in beds places so closely there is no chance of a man to fall out.

Dec. 21, 1922 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The inmates of the Mifflin county almshouse have been feasting on venison the past two weeks, the carcasses of nine doe having been sent to the home. Lewistown hospital patients received five.

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

Feb. 23, 1923 The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA - Milroy - William I. Russler, steward of the county home at Lewistown, attended the Crissman funeral. - Mr. and Mrs. James Aitkin left for Lewistown to spend a few days visiting Mrs. Aitkin’s brother, William Russler, at the county home.

March 29, 1923 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - Fifty additional cases of measles were reported by physicians to Lewiston health officials yesterday. One death from the disease occurred, the victim being Eugene Billheimer, 1-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Billheimer. The child died at the Mifflin county almshouse. Private burial was made in St. Mark’s Cemetery, yesterday afternoon.

Oct. 16, 1923 - Emma Margaret Russler McNitt, widowed, died from septic abscess involving frontal sinus, contributory chronic myocarditis. She was born June 5, 1851. She is buried in Milroy Presbyterian Cemetery, Milroy, PA. Daughter of James and Mary Rackard Russler.

Dec. 5, 1923 The Morning Call, Allentown, PA - The Lewistown W. C. T. U. has asked donations of money to provide cheer for the inmates of the Mifflin county almshouse.

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 comes 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.

Feb. 21, 1924 Lebanon Semi-Weekly News - Mifflin Co. Almshouse Is Filthy. Crawling vermin and scampering rats share the Mifflin County Almshouse at Lewistown, a decrepit 70 year old structure, with 45 aged men and women, Bromley Wharton, investigator, today reported to Dr. Elliot C. Potter, state welfare department secretary.
Failure of Mifflin County officials to better conditions, described as “disgraceful and shocking,” Wharton said, may compel the welfare department to take action.
“The poorhouse because of its antiquity, its improper heating facilities and poor sanitation,” the report stated, “was far less fitted for human habitation than a nearby barn which housed the county-owned live stock.”

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”.

Nov. 10, 1924 The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA - Lewistown - Not all inmates of the Mifflin County Almshouse are paupers, said Elmer Filson, known as the “merchant prince” of the county home, this morning. Merchant Filson is terribly crippled. He must be moved about in a wheelchair and at times suffers much agony from an injured spine, but he is happy in his industrial life. Three years ago he came to the county home with a silver dollar as his only capital, but he made it blossom like the rose and today, where one cartwheel nestled in his pocket more than three nestle today; yes, many more than a hundred times three.
Filson invested his scant capital in candy, peanuts, shoestrings and small notions and his storeroom is the roadside in the great out-of-doors with nothing except the canopy of heaven as a shelter. His wares, even himself, were wheeled out to his chosen location in the morning and home at night by the other inmates who pitied his helpless condition and admired that pent up store of energy. His customers are mostly inmates of the home who spend their few pennies with him, but many have grown to know him in the few years of his business career and they stop at the roadside shop to spend an occasional coin as an act of charity, but Filson doesn’t reckon it as such, for he always gives value received.

Dec. 16, 1924 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - It is estimated that 400 buck deer were killed in the Seven mountains of Mifflin and Centre counties during the open season closed yesterday, Two hundred of these killed in Mifflin county.
W. I. Russler, steward of the Mifflin county almshouse, reported the receipt of seventeen illegally killed deer. Twelve of these were eaten by the inmates and five divided among dependents receiving outside relief. The Lewiston Hospital and Knights of Malta Home were given a like number.

Jan. 4, 1925 The Pittsburgh Post - Lewistown - It is estimated that 400 buck deer were killed in the Seven mountains of Mifflin and Centre counties during the open season closed yesterday, Two hundred of these killed in Mifflin county.
W. I. Russler, steward of the Mifflin county almshouse, reported the receipt of seventeen illegally killed deer. Twelve of these were eaten by the inmates and five divided among dependents receiving outside relief. The Lewiston Hospital and Knights of Malta Home were given a like number.

Oct. 12, 1925 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - Mifflin county’s almshouse is steadily deteriorating until now it “is a shamble and one of the worst buildings of its kind in Pennsylvania,” according to an official of the Department of Welfare.
Edward Wilson, field representative of the Bureau of Assistance of the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, Harrisburg, attended a joint meeting of the Mifflin County Commissioners and Poor Directors, in the commissioners’ office in the courthouse here. The purpose of Mr. Wilson’s official visit and conference with the county officials was to lay before them again the question of providing a new county poor house to replace the present one which has been officially and repeatedly condemned on account of its deplorable condition. For one hour Mr. Wilson presented an array of facts relative to the urgent necessity of replacing the old and dilapidated county home with a new and modernly equipped one to avoid the closing of the old building if steps are not taken without any further delay toward making the needed improvement.
After the joint conference it was officially announced that the commissioners and poor directors would consider the proposition at a later meeting, to decide what can be done to relieve the “frightful conditions” at the county institution.
Mr. Wilson stated that the present Mifflin County Almshouse Building is a least 157 years old, it having been erected in the year 1763 as a farm house. For at least seventy-five years the building has been used for the care of the poor classes of persons of the county.

July 2, 1926 The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA - The Mifflin County almshouse, condemned fifty years ago as unfit for the care of indigent persons, was ordered to be closed definitely by August 1, today by Dr. Ellen C. Potter, Secretary of Welfare. The situation in Mifflin County has long attracted the attention of the State authorities. The old Board of Public Charities endeavored to force the poor directors to place the building in a sanitary condition and the present Department of Welfare has repeatedly tried to bring about better conditions. The county assumed the attitude that it could not afford to build a new poorhouse and the department then directed the removal of the fifty inmates to almshouses of surrounding counties. It fixed December 15, last as the time for the closing of the institution. The arrival of winter and the filling up of the almshouse made the moving of the inmates inadvisable, and Doctor Potter extended the time for the transfer of the inmates. The coming of summer brought no changes at the almshouse. “Conditions were in no respect improved,” said Doctor Potter in her letter to Daniel Brought, William McNitt and M. M. Bricker, the poor directors. “The cost of the care of your poor is very low and the results show it,” she wrote. “In part this is due to poor administration as well as to the unsanitary building. Your per capita cost for 1925 was forty-five cents, while for Dauphin County it was eighty-one cents; Delaware County, ninety-four cents; Washington County, seventy-one cents, and in those institutions excellent work is done and the inmates humanely and scientifically cared for.”
The letter to the Mifflin County poor directors follows: “Under Act of the General Assembly, No. 425, approved May 25, 1921, the Commissioner of Public Welfare is charged with the duty of visiting and inspecting almshouses, poorhouses, etc. Section 12 of this Act states that ‘whenever upon such visitation and inspection of any almshouse, or poorhouse, any condition is found to exist therein which, in the opinion of the commission, is unlawful or detrimental to the proper maintenance, discipline, hygienic conditions of such almshouse or poorhouse, or to the proper care, maintenance, custody, and welfare of the inmates thereof the commissioner shall direct the officer or officers charged by law with or in any way having or exercising the control, government, or management of such almshouse or poorhouse to correct the said objectionable condition in the manner and within the time specified by the commissioners.’
“The powers of the Commissioner of Public Welfare were transferred to the Secretary of Welfare by Act of Assembly No. 274, approved June 7, 1923, as were also all the powers of the State Board of Charities. First Warning Given.
“On October 13, 1925, I addressed a letter to you stating that representatives of the State had reported in time past to the State Board of Charities and since 1921 to the Department of Welfare that the conditions at the Mifflin County Almshouse rendered it unfit for the housing and care of the inmates so unfortunate as to need county help. I reminded you that the place had been condemned as unfit fifty years ago and that it became my duty under the law to order the building vacated and your dependents provided for suitably elsewhere. The date set for closing the almshouse was December 15, 1925. At that time you agreed to co-operate by placing the inmates in other almshouses but with the oncoming of Winter the almshouses filled up and it appeared to be impossible to carry out the plan. We, wishing to be reasonable, refrained from going to the extreme of insistence, and we waited patiently for the opening of Summer when the almshouses would not be crowded. “A reinspection was made of your Almshouse on June 29, 1926 by two representatives of the department. Conditions were in no respect improved.
“The dark gloomy cellar in which the inmates were eating their unwholesome dinner of boiled beans, potatoes, and coffee, was as it has been for years; the dark room for women inmates, containing three beds, which has no outside window but connects with the toilet room, which provides the only means of ventilation, continues as a disgrace; the antiquated and insanitary plumbing remains; the lack of any facilities for the care of the sick is deplorable and has long existed. These are only a few of the deplorable conditions with which you are familiar.
Lack Sufficient Funds. “Now, in the interest of suffering humanity, we cannot permit the continuance of such conditions without a strong protest and we believe that the Christian citizens of Mifflin County would not tolerate the conditions which prevail if they knew of them.
“Before issuing deficit instructions, I wish to call attention to the fact that it has been stated by you that these conditions could not be remedied because the county commissioners declined to provide funds for an adequate county home in view of the fact that funds were needed for bridges, etc. This condition could be remedied if the assessments in the borough were brought up to the level of assessment in the rural districts; and, if assessments throughout the county were equalized, abundant funds would be realized to provide properly for all the needs of the county’s dependents as well as for laudable public works. As the situation now stands the brunt of taxation falls upon the rural community, which is forced to carry the heavy end of the county responsibility. Other counties have made the adjustment of this matter, why should not Mifllin County do likewise?
“The cost of the care of your poor is very low, and the results show it. In part this is due to poor administration, as well as to the unsanitary building. Your per capita cost for 1925 was forty-five cents, while for Dauphin County it was eighty-one cents; Delaware County, ninety-four cents; Washington County, seventy-one cents, and in those institutions excellent work is done and the inmates humanely and scientifically cared for.
“May I also call your attention to the fact that in the ten-year period from 1915 to 1925 the poor taxes of Mifflin County per head of population were but 3.2 per cent. of all taxes, while in Adams and Bedford the poor taxes were 6 per cent. of all taxes; Clarion, 7.6 per cent.; McKean, 8 per cent., and Tioga 8.2 per cent.
Provide Other Quarters. “With the advent of summer there will be no difficulty whatever in finding care for your charges pending the provision of a suitable county home. We are aware that facilities are available to you.
“Therefore, in view of these facts and in accordance with the law, I hereby notify you that since it is impossible, according to your statement, to secure a new almshouse, that on or before August 1, 1926, proper arrangements just be made for the care of your present inmates, and the present almshouse must be abandoned for the care of inmates on that date. No new inmates may be received into nor old inmates returned to the present almshouse until proper quarters are provided which will insure sanitary and humane treatment of the unfortunate dependents of Mifflin County.”

Aug. 3, 1926 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The Mifflin county almshouse was closed yesterday by order of District Attorney John T. Wilson, who said hd 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)

Aug. 12, 1926 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - Second Inmate Dies; Third Typhoid Victim Taken. Sara Ann Hazlett, 62, died Tuesday night from heart disease. Miss Hazlett was the second of the inmates of the Mifflin county almshouse to die since that institution was condemned by Dr. Ellen Potter, secretary of the State Welfare Society, and the inmates scattered to the four winds.
Mrs. Mary Rose of 225 West Seventy-first street, New York, died here at the Lewistown hospital Tuesday night from typhoid fever. Mrs. Rose was a native of Lewistown, and came here ill ten days ago and was taken to the hospital. This was the third death from typhoid in a week, there being several cases and two deaths in the Lake Park section.

April 26, 1927 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - The “farming out” of inmates of the Mifflin county almshouse is proving expensive. About a year ago the almshouse was closed by order of Dr. Ellen Potter, secretary of welfare, and the inmates sent out to board and taken care of in other institutions. The first four months of 1926 the total cost of maintenance was $5,700 and the same months of 1927 it cost $9,350. The taxables are insisting on a reunion of the inmates with a new home to take care of them.

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; …

Aug. 31, 1928 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The Mifflin county grand jury sitting in the present court of quarter sessions approved the plans and specifications for the building of the Mifflin county almshouse. The cost will be about $80,000.
A joint petition of the poor directors, M. M. Bricker, Walter Aurand and W. I. Russler, and County Commissioners George Carson, Jerry McCartney and O. D. Milliken, brought the necessary approval from the grand jury and President Judge Thomas F. Bailey assured them of the approval of the court just as soon as he could look over the plans of the architect. Judge Bailey said their action no doubt forestalled an order from the Pennsylvania State Welfare Department to erect a county home at a much larger figure.

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 Aitken 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 Aitken.

Jan. 1, 1929 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The constructions of Mifflin county’s new almshouse on the site of the old county home and the erection of a new school building adjoining the present high school have each reached a stage of progress where officials predict completion by early spring.

July 31, 1929 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The Department of Welfare, Prison Labor Division, Huntingdon, was one of the successful bidders for the furnishings of the new Mifflin county almshouse, which has recently been completed. The Welfare Department placed a bid for fifty bedroom chairs, fifty dining room chairs, five dining room tables, sixteen porch arm chairs, sixteen porch rocker chairs, and two oak bureaus, for a total of $821.02.
A. Kitting and Brother, of Lewistown, received the contract for thirty-five beds, thirty-five mattresses and thirty-five bed springs for a total of $782.95. Four other firms bid for the contracts.

Sept. 28, 1929 Harrisburg Telegraph - Lewistown - The walls of Mifflin county’s new almshouse, recently completed by the A. W. Funk Company of Altoona, general contractor, at a total cost of nearly $90,000, have settled to such an extent that gaps in the roof have opened causing rain to pour in onto the floors and the wind drives rain in under the poorly fitted doors to such an extent that the Board of Poor Directors have been unable to use the building since it was turned over to them by the county commissioners, according to charges made by Mitchell M. Bricker, a member of the board. … Mr. Bricker said that the building was not fit for habitation and that hundreds of dollars are being lost every day in the increased cost of keeping the poor in other counties instead of in the almshouse, which, he declared, should have been ready for use six months ago.

March 20, 1930 Pittston Gazette - Mifflin County Almshouse which was condemned about two generations ago, is at present one of the finest in the state, according to a report of the bureau of assistance of the Department of Welfare. Rebuilt, the home has been given every facility needed to make it convenient, healthful, and sanitary.

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 at the Alm’s house.

April 3, 1930 census - on Jacks Creek Road, the new Alm’s House - Lawrence H. Aurand, superintendent of Alm’s house, 34 yo.; wife Florence E. Aurand, 28 yo., matron of Alm’s house; son Robert H. Aurand 11 yo.; son W. Foster 8 yo.; father Walter F. Aurand 54 yo. widow, director of poor at Alm’s house; Ruth K. Crouse, 24 yo., single, servant of Aurand family; Itha A. Searer 24 yo., divorced, nurse for Alm’s house; Margaret E. Catherman 58 yo. single, cook for Alm’s house; Inmates: Hilda Kneff 19 yo. single; Mary Gibson 82 yo. single; Mary Shirley 70 yo. single; Eliza Webb 71 yo. single; Ada Minehart 76 yo. widow; Minnie Lyter 54 yo. widow; Annie More 49 yo. single; Minnie Barger 58 yo. single; Annie Brown 61 yo. single; Sadie Wilson 74 yo., widow; Catherine Silks 50 yo. single; Emma Lash 40 yo. single; Sarah Eby 84 yo. single; May Leach 32 yo. single; Ada Rodgers 66 yo. widow; Lizzie Henry 59 yo. divorced; Alice Hardsock 50 yo. single; Martha Botcher 54 yo. single; Peter Feely 71 yo. widow; Cyrus Brown 53 yo. single; John OBrien 63 yo. single; John Stine 72 yo. single; Thomas Riley 82 yo. single; John McMann 75 yo. single; Charles E. Singleton 51 yo. single; Daniel Weaver 81 yo. single; Charles Young 62 yo. single; Levi Snook 66 yo. single; Thomas Shatzer 75 yo. widow; Martin Burks 70 yo. widow; Robert Himes 46 yo. divorced; Thomas Botticher 54 yo. single; Howard Botticher 45 yo. single; Joseph Swanger 53 yo. single; Joseph Crummy 60 yo. single; Jonathan Good 72 yo. ; John R. Paige 23 yo. single; Jack Davis 72 yo. single

July 16, 1930 - Eliza Jane Webb, 75 yo., single, was found dead in the bathroom at the County Home. Her cause of death was organic heart disease. Informant on death certificate was Mrs. John (Cora) Manbeck of 142 Shaw ave. (Eliza was also at the Alm’s house as early as 1900. Eliza Webb lived in our house at 142 Shaw ave. from 1926 to when the new alms house was opened in March 1930. Mrs. Cora Manbeck had taken her into her home when the former Alm’s house was closed in 1926.

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

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. Died of arterial artery general sclerosis.

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

March 6, 1934 - William Irvin Russler died in Lewistown, PA, at the age of 80. He was born April 25, 1853. His parents were James and Mary Rakard Russler. He is buried in Mount Rock Cemetery, Lewistown, PA.

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.

1935 - Mrs. Anna M. Prettyleaf Russler died, she was born in 1867.. Wife of E. Rush Russler (1866-1944).

Dec. 2, 1938 The Daily Item - Forty illegal deer were killed during the first two days of the hunting season in Mifflin county. Game Protector Ralph E. McCoy reportted. Thirty-three of them have been slaughtered at the Mifflin County Almshouse for use as meat. The kill of legal deer has numbered well over 200.

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.

Jan. 27, 1941 - Laura Owilda Russler Aitken 83 yo. widow died in New Armagh, Mifflin county, PA. Parents were James and Mary Rackard Russler. Spouse was James T. Aitken.

July 3, 1941 - Sarah J. Russler Caldwell, 79 yo. widow, of 1 N. Grand Lewistown, died in Lewistown, PA from coronary occlusion of 10 minutes, due to coronary heart disease. She was born Nov. 28, 1861 in Siglerville, PA to James and Mary Rakard Russler. Sarah’s husband was Samuel E. Caldwell. Sarah is buried in Mount Rock Cemetery, Lewistown, PA. Samuel E. Caldwell, born May 15, 1860, died March 5, 1935.

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.

Dec. 2, 1944 The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA - E. Rush Russler. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday for E. Rush Russler, 78, who died Saturday night of a heart attack at his farm home near McAlisterville. He is survived by two children, Nelson J., of Mifflintown, and Mrs. James Albert, with whom he resided, and two grandchildren.
Death certificate - E. Rush Russler, 78 yo. widow, born April 16, 1866 in Siglerville, PA. Died in Fayette, Juniata county, PA of angina pectoris due to arteria sclerosis. Parents were James and Mary Rackard Russler. Spouse was Annie Prettyleaf.

Oct. 6, 1947 The Daily News - John W. Russler of 1320 Washington Street, Huntingdon, a retired Pennsylvania Railroad employe, died at his home at 2:30 o’clock this Monday morning, Oct. 6, 1947. He was born on Feb. 18, 1871, in Belleville. His wife, the former Rena Axe, and a son, Dr. F. S. Russler of Mount Union, are surviving. Mr. Russler was retired on July 31, 1937, from the Pennsylvania Railroad where he had been an employe of the Maintenance of Equipment Division. He first began to work for the railroad on Oct. 7, 1901, when he became a freight car builder in the Altoona car shops. In 1905 he was transferred to Huntingdon where he served as a piece work inspector. In 1921 he was appointed foreman of the wreck train and in 1926 he became a gang foreman in Altoona. The funeral service will be held at the late home at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Friends will be received at the residence after noon Tuesday. Full obituary tomorrow.
Oct. 7, 1947 - Funeral services for John W. Russler, … he was the son of William and Nancy (Young) Russler. …

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 Albert 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.)

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.

Manbeck -

1860 census - Armagh, Mifflin county, PA, post office Milroy - Isaac Manbeck 30 yo., farmer, personal $500, no real estate; Elizabeth 30 yo.; Emma 5 yo.; Uria 3 yo.; John 2 months.

1870 census - West Beaver, Snyder county, PA - Isaac Manbeck 39 yo., farmer, real estate $2,200 - personal $500; Eliza 39 yo.; Emma 15 yo.; Uriah 13 yo.; John 10 yo.; Alley 8 yo.; Howard 4 yo.; Aaron 6 yo.

1880 census - Oliver, Mifflin county, PA - Isaac Manbeck 46 yo.; wife Emma E. 42 yo.; daughter Emma 23 yo.; son Uriah 22 yo.; son John 20 yo.; son Albert 18 yo.; son Howard 16 yo.; son Wilson 14 yo.; son Aaron 12 yo.; son William 10 yo.

1900 census - owned home on South Brown street Derry, Mifflin county, PA - John Manbeck 35 yo., clerk; William 24 yo., day laborer; mother Eliza Manbeck 67 yo.; father Isaac Manbeck 65 yo., day laborer

1900 census - owned home in Granville, PA - Uriah Manbeck 37 yo., miner, sand; wife Edith 18 yo.

1900 census - renting in Oliver, Mifflin county, PA - Albert Manbeck 37 yo., farmer; wife Elizabeth 32 yo.; son Harry 8 yo.; daughter Mary 3 yo.; boarder Fred M. Swigart 23 yo., farm laborer

1900 census - owned home in Lockport Township, Saint Joseph county, Michigan - John Sigler 60 yo., peddler; wife Anna B. Sigler 56 yo.; daughter Gittie E. Manbeck 28 yo., married 3 years; son-in-law Howard Manbeck 36 yo., married 3 years, day laborer

July 10, 1907 - Isaac Manbeck died. He was born in March of 1831. Isaac is buried in Saint Marks Cemetery, Lewistown, PA. His wife Eliza died in 1917.

1910 census - renting in Oliver, Mifflin county, PA on Valley Road - Albert A. Manbeck 46 yo., farmer; wife Elizabeth 42 yo.; son Harry 18 yo.; daughter Mary 12 yo.

May 21, 1910 The White Pine News - Lewistown - Mrs. William Albright, who pleaded guilty a year ago to selling liquor without a license and was sentenced to one year in the county jail, costs and $500 fine, was granted her liberty by the court yesterday, provided she remained out of Mifflin county for five years. The same courtesy was extended to Mrs. Uriah Manbeck, and inmate of the county jail for nine months.

Feb. 24, 1917 Altoona Tribune - Train Kills Foreman. J. H. Swigart, of McVeytown, Meets Death on Pennsy Yesterday. Failing to see an eastbound train approach while walking on the Pennsy tracks a quarter mile east of McVeytown station, J. H. Swigart, aged 53, a track foreman, was run down and killed by passenger train No. 41 at 10:37 yesterday morning. Swigart was employed as track foreman for twenty-five years and is survived by his wife and four sons - Earl and H. Clair, both at home; Robert and Arthur, students at Juniata college. These brothers and sisters also survive: Harvey Swigart and Mrs. Albert Manbeck, of Ferguson valley; William Swigart, of Mattawanna; Mrs. C. Swigart, of Germantown, and Mrs. John Brininger, of Lewistown. The body was removed to his home and the Mifflin county coroner notified.

1920 census - Farm, Green Avenue, Derry Township, Mifflin county, PA - 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.

1920 census - owned home at 400 South Brown street Lewistown, PA - Aaron M. Manbeck 51 yo., fireman at steam plant; wife Cora E. 45 yo.; son Lester M. 25 yo.; daughter Gertrude M. 18 yo.
1920 census - renting at 400 Brown street Lewistown, PA - Uriah Manbeck 58 yo., laborer at Iron mill

1920 census - owned farm in Oliver, Mifflin county, PA - Albert A. Manbeck 56 yo., general farm; wife N. Libbie 51 yo.; daughter Mary E. Manbeck 22 yo.

1920 census - owned home at 341 South Main street Lewistown, PA - Emma Dunmire 64 yo. widow; son Oscar A. 28 yo., laborer state highway; son Rufus E. 25 yo., weaver at silk mill; daughter Bertha E. 21 yo.

Feb. 22, 1921 - Uriah Manbeck died. His parents were Isaac and Eliza Hough Manbeck. He was found dead laying face downward in his home. Dead for several hours before found. He is buried in St. Marks Cemetery Lewistown, PA.

Feb. 23, 1921 Harrisburg Telegraph - Finds Death At End Of Pathway. Brother, Shoveling Way to Shanty, Comes Upon Lifeless Body of Relative. Lewistown, Pa. - Uriah Manbeck, aged 60 years, was found dead in his home, 400 South Brown street, where he lived alone, late yesterday. His brother, Aaron Manbeck, shoveling a path through snow to Uriah’s shanty, found the man’s lifeless form on the floor, death having occurred at least a day before the discovery was made. Uriah’s coal oil lamp upon the table had consumed all its oil, but was still burning dimly. It is believed death was caused by an attack of acute indigestion. His survivors are two sons, William, of Dayton, and Russell, of Toledo, O., and six brothers and one sister. His funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon, with burial in St. Marks’ Cemetery.

Oct. 24, 1921 Altoona Tribune - Lewistown - Large Country Wedding. W. Earle Dunmire and Miss Mary E. Manbeck of Ferguson Valley were united in marriage Thursday evening by Rev. M. C. Sweigart, of Philadelphia, an uncle of the bride. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Manbeck. They will take up farming in the valley on the land of their ancestors. Many of the guests were from Pittsburg, Altoona, Huntingdon, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

Dec. 31, 1927 Altoona Tribune - Mount Union - Mr. and Mrs. Albert Manbeck, their daughter, Mrs. Earl Dunmire, and her daughter, Charlotte Dunmire, and their son, Harry Manbeck, motored to Mount Union Wednesday evening and spent some time in the respective homes of Judge Taylor and H. B. Hollingshead.

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

March 30, 1937 Altoona Tribune - Mr. and Mrs. Earl Dunmire and daughter, Charlotte, Mr. Albert Manbeck, of McVeytown, and the latter’s son, Prof. Harry Manbeck, of Honesdale, Pa., who is spending the Easter vacation with them at their farm home, visited with Mount Union friends, Sunday afternoon.

1940 census - owned home at 341 S. Main street Lewistown, PA - Emma Dunmire 84 yo. widow; son Rufus 45 yo., salesman retail extracts own account

May 21, 1941 - Howard Manbeck died from cerebral hemorrhage, duration of 2 days.

May 23, 1941 The South Bend Tribune, Indiana - Three Rivers - Funeral services will be held in the Haring funeral home Saturday at 2 p.m. for Howard Manbeck, who died in the Three Rivers hospital Wednesday night following a stroke of apoplexy Monday. He was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 2, 1862, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth Huff Manbeck. He came to Three Rivers when a young man and was employed at Fairbanks, Morse & Co. plant for many years. He was married to Agatha Sigler, of Three Rivers, who died Oct. 20, 1927. Surviving are a foster daughter, Mrs. Howard Bell, of Mendon, and four grandchildren.

Jan. 25, 1943 - William Emerson Manbeck died at the Mifflin County Home in Derry Township, from Chronic myocarditis, general arteriosclerosis. William’s parents were Isaac and Eliza Huff Manbeck. He is buried in St. Marks cemetery, Lewistown, PA. His wife was Mary Rassler, who was born June 14, 1870.

Jan. 27, 1943 The Daily Item - McClure Native Dies. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday for William Emerson Manbeck, 72, of Lewistown, a native of McClure, who died Monday at the Mifflin county home. He was a son of the late Isaac and Eliza Huffman Manbeck. Surviving are three children, two brothers and a sister.

July 11, 1944 - Emma L. Manbeck Dunmire died. She was born March 10, 1857 to Isaac and Elizabeth Manbeck. Emma’s spouse was John R. Dunmire (1859-1919).

Sept. 28, 1948 - Albert A. Manbeck 84 yo. widow died from pulmonary edema due to cardiovascular renal disease. He is buried in Spring Run Brethren Cemetery in McVeytown, Mifflin county, PA. His wife Elizabeth S. Manbeck (1868-1932). Albert’s parents were Isaac and Eliza Manbeck.

1950 census - 12 Green ave. Lewistown, PA - Aaron M. Manbeck 81 yo.; wife Cora E. Manbeck 75 yo.; daughter Gertrude M. Manbeck 48 yo. , never married (also at this address in 1940.)

Feb. 11, 1963 - Aaron M. Manbeck 94 yo. of 12 Green ave. Lewistown, PA, died from myocardial insufficiency (12 hours) due to broncho-pneumonia (4 days) due to influenza (6 days). He was born Nov. 7, 1868 to Isaac and Eliza Huff Manbeck. He had been a laborer at Am. Viscose. His wife, Cora Klinger Manbeck. Miss Gertrude Manbeck of 12 Green ave. was the informant of death certificate.

April 5, 1963 The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA - Mrs. Cora E. Manbeck, 88, of Lewistown, a native of Troxelville, Snyder County, died Wednesday in F. W. Black Hospital, Lewistown. She was born Jan. 9, 1875, in Troxelville, daughter of the late Emma Rheam. She was the widow of Aaron Manbeck. Two children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive. Services will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Lewistown. (Not to be confused with the late Mrs. Cora A. Manbeck, of 142 Shaw ave. They were sister-in-laws.)

Seabolt -

Ella Seabolt was born March 4, 1881 in Lewistown, PA. She is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners, Onondaga county, NY. She died July 1, 1956. She lived in our house at 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA from 1926 to circa 1948. Mrs. Cora A. Manbeck took Ella into her home when the Alm’s house closed in Lewistown, where Cora was the matron and Ella was the servant to the worden, W. I. Russler, Cora’s brother.

1910 census - renting a home at West Granville, Mifflin county, PA - Daniel Liddick 46 yo., married 20 years, married 2, farm laborer; wife Mary J. Liddick 40 yo., married 20 years, married 2; son William Liddick 18 yo., working out, laborer; son Daniel E. Liddick 13 yo.; son John Liddick 8 yo.; son Dorth I. Liddick 5 yo.; step daughter Ella Seabolt 25 yo., DD (Deaf and Dumb) on census, married, 2 children born, 1 alive

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

1934 directory - 142 Shaw ave. Lewistown, PA - Cora Manbeck, widow of John Manbeck, home; William I. Russler, residence; Ella Seabolt residence

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 Albert 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.)

About 1948 - Mrs. Ella Seabolt moved from Lewistown to go live with her daughter, Mrs. Charles S. Miller Sr., of , Warners, NY.

July 2, 1956The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY - Mrs. Ella Seabolt, 75, died yesterday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles S. Miller Sr., Warners, following a three months’ illness. She was born at Lewistown, Pa., where she lived most of her life, moving to Warners about eight years ago to make her home with Mrs. Miller. Also surviving are three half-brothers, John, Frank and Daniel Liddick; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the B. L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, Camillus, by the Rev. Clyde A. Rosekrans, pastor of Warners Methodist Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Warners. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and Wednesday.

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