Porter Township Stores

Climax was known as Anthony's Station before the U. S. Post Office came to the village. A company store was located near the railroad tunnel. Mr. Bill Craig was the first manager followed by Mr. Collins, Mr. Tommy Barret, Mr. John Louther, Mr. Bill Cowans and Mr. Otto Roebuck, the last two being partners.

The first post office was in the store building. Mr. Robert Buzzard moved the store across Redbank Creek and it was later taken over by Mr. Martin Lyden who continued to operate it until November 11, 1960, when he closed it out.

The store at St. Charles was built and owned by I. E. Shumaker from Deanville in 18097. Mr. Shumaker sold the store in approximately 1905 to his two sons, L. A. Shumaker and Ernest Shumaker, and his son-in-law, George Goodhart. Mr. Park Shreckengost was the new manager. The next manager was William Bish.

In 1908, George Goodhart and his wife, Lillian, took over the store management and lived on the second floor.

In 1910, the store burned, as did the brickyard. An interesting story was told. The day the store burned, Mrs. Goodhart was having guests and had her good china on the table. Thinking she could save the prize dishes, she gathered them up in the tablecloth and started down the stairs. The dishes kept falling out in her haste to get safely outside. In her haste to get safely outside, she discovered nearly all the dishes were broken.

The store was rebuilt by the Brick Yard Company and was operated by the Goodharts until 1915. It then came under the management of Foy Willison, who not only managed the store, but also served soup and sandwiches to the men from the brick yard at lunch break.

Mr. Willison was manager until the death of Ernest Shumaker in 1918. The store then became the property of L. A. Shumaker and Claude Shumaker. Claude and his wife, Irene, operated it until 1926 when H. Cromer Shumaker bought Claude's share. Now L. A. Shumaker and Cromer Shumaker were the owners, with Cromer serving as manager.

In 1940, Leonard, brother of Cromer, purchased the store and operated it until September 13, 1971 when his death occurred. Leonard's wife, Euvene, closed out October 29, 1971.

The St. Charles Post Office was in the store and taken out August 18, 1972.

J. B. Hassen store was destroyed by the tornado of May 30, 1860. The store was located in Porter Township, Clarion County, near the community of Climax.

During this period the St. Charles iron ore furnace was in operation, between 1844- 1865, a store was kept at the furnace.

A co-operative store was kept at the Leatherwood P. of H. Hall at Piolet. It was organized March 6, 1880, and remained in operation for a number of years.

Mrs. Flo Phillips tells of accompanying her father, Carmi T. Polliard, on many trips to the store. It was on one of these trips that she remembers about "Uncle" George Delp, the manager, giving her a very pretty doll.

Mary M. Doughett, sister of Mrs. Emma B. Wyant, came from Tarentum about 1890 and opened a grocery store in the Leatherwood Railroad Station, where she also served as ticket agent for the railroad.

A few years later, her father, Robert Stewart, built a storeroom and house across the railroad tracks from the station. This was the last location of the store, which operated until around 1910.

A store was opened in Starburg in the 1880's by a man affectionately know as "Daisy John" Fleming, and continued in operation for about 20 years.

The store was located on the McClure farm. Since the company store was in New Bethlehem, Mr. Fleming was not permitted to locate on company property.

Mr. Craig Blair and Mr. Scott Nulph opened a new service station near the village of Smithland on May 1, 1932. Later it was changed into a grocery store.

In 1939 Mr. Blair sold out to Mr. Nulph, who continued to operate the store until he closed it in 1965.

In the spring of 1923, Wallace Womeldorf and his wife, Lizzie (Delp) Womeldorf, opened a small store in Cottage Hill.  Several years later, they enlarged the store and continued to operate it until Sept. 4, 1934, when it was sold to Earl and Maxine Barlett, who operate it today.

Harry Lamison opened a small store in Smithland on Nov. 1, 1953, and closed it on Jan. 24, 1956, at which time he sold the building to operate a small store for three or four years.

In the spring of 1934, Donald G. Phillips purchased a small building in Wildcat and moved it to a location at the intersection of Route 854 and 861, near the old iron bridge over Leatherwood Creek and the St. Charles Furnace.

He first opened as a service station; later added to the building and began to sell groceries.

In 1941 Penn DOT built a new bridge over Leatherwood Creek and changed the highway intersection. At this time Mr. Phillips purchased land from Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pence. He built a new home which included a grocery store and service station.

Mr. Phillips' mother, Mrs. Flo Phillips, operated the store for 23 years. Upon retirement, his wife, Margaret, continued the store until it was closed Jan. 1, 1973.

Archie Dickey owned the first store at Rockville. After Mr. Dickey, the following men operated it:  Ross Corbett, George T. Henry, S. P. McNutt, and T. J. Henry were partners for a time.  Then T. J. Henry operated it alone.  Mr. Henry also had a tannery there.

Another person to operate the store in this location was Clell Shirey.

In the early 1900's, Calvin Gathers, grandfather of Grace Warner, took charge of the store.

Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Henry (parents of Annie Barlett) bought it from Mr. Gathers in 1906. Mrs. Henry and Milt Reed (her brother) ran the store together for a time. An impressive sight was to watch Milt whittle for hours. Friends and neighbors would gather there to visit. School children made it a point to all bring a penny to school the same day and then would pay a visit to the store to buy candy. All kinds of supplies were sold in the country store -- even horse medicine.

On August 11, 1958, the property was sold by the Henry heirs to Clair and Blanche McCullough.  In turn, the McCulloughs sold the property to Donald and Margaret Phillips on August 26, 1960 who are the present owners. The store is no longer standing.

Around 1938, Francis Laughlin started a grocery and hardware store in the original part of the house now owned by Charles and Romaine McCauley.

Women who served as clerks in this store were Catherine McGregor Crusan and Lorena Emhoff Henry. Also working for Francis were Jane Polliard Blair and Doris Kelly.

Quite often the school children would visit the store to buy penny candy.

In February, 1946, Francis bought the "old creamery" from Robert Knight. He moved his store into this building and also sold gasoline.

In August, 1957, his son, James Laughlin took over the store and operated it until December, 1959. Since that time the store has stood empty.

Solomon H. Hamm, son of Christian, started a store at Brinkerton in 1847. He served as justice of the peace for one term in Porter Township and also was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1880.

Charles Swartfager had the store in 1888.

In 1902, Tom Slaugenhoupt operated the store. His daughters, Grace Slaugenhoupt Newell and Stella Slaugenhoupt Quering, live in Sligo.

The next in line to run the Brinkerton store were Luke Shoemaker, Vess Gathers and Clyde Goss. Mrs. Goss also had a millinery in the store.

For a time, there was also an election booth in the back of the store. Russell Brinker operated the store from 1924 to 1929. In 1929 it burned.

John and Stewart Wilson built a mill and along with James Laughlin, who came here in 1837, started a store

Manasseh Arnold came to the store as a clerk on July 1, 1846 and became a partner on October 1, 1850. Upon James Laughlin's death, Mr. Arnold became sole owner. The store was later owned by S. P. McNutt and W. A. Laughlin. W. A. Laughlin and S. S. Laughlin owned the store about 1887.

A store, on what is now the Thomas Aaron property, was operated by Clell Shirey. Mr. Shirey closed this store and bought one at Rockville.

In the early 1900's a store was located near the Independent School.  The merchant who started it was Howard Henry. It derived the name of "Whiskville Store" from Henry, who had a lovely beard, one that many men today would envy. It was located on land now owned by E. W. Fox.

The store wasn't the self-service markets of today, but really helped out when the "country folks" ran out of groceries and staple supplies. The small black building was heated by a "pot bellied" stove. Nail kegs were used to sit on while visiting and telling tall stories and news of the neighborhood.

Later, the store was sold by Mr. Henry to John (Jockey) Bargerstock.  He operated the store for a time and then sold it to Jim Magness.

Hotels

Porter Township once boasted three hotels; one at Frostburg and two in Smithland.

Sam Houten owned the first mentioned located at the present residence of Rudell Henry.

John Smith built and managed one in Smithland until it burned. Any dates connected with this were unavailable, but it is known that it was located on ground now owned by the L. S. Travis heirs.

The second one in that area, located on Olean Road, was built in 1842 by George McWilliams. He operated it as a Half-Way House until 1844 when it was purchased by Jacob Hepler. He in turn sold it to James Laughlin, grandfather of Charles, Harold and Francis Laughlin. Jairus Thompson, great-grandfather of Charles Thompson, was the last to operate it as a hotel.

President James Buchanan (1857-1861) Pennsylvania's only president, was an honor guest here during his presidency.

It is presently owned by Charles Travis who bought it in 1946.

New Bethlehem Tile Company

In 1898, two brothers, Charles M. and George W. Lower, and George's son, Ira E. Lower, industrialists from Canton, Ohio, came to New Bethlehem and established the New Bethlehem Tile Co. In 1890 they had established a plant in Canton and learning there was a desired type of clay in ample deposits located here, they came to our community.

Much of the heat used in burning the tile was derived from 28 gas wells owned by the company. When needed to maintain the flow, new wells were drilled.

The company manufactured nearly a score of designs to serve the many purposes for which the tile are used.

One of the first types manufactured in large quantities was the old pioneer 8-8-16 inch salt glazed, rock face cellar tile. Some other types were SCR brick, well suited for the modern home, an oversized utility brick and the structural clay tile that was manufactured in large volume.

For many years Clarence G. Lower, son of Ira, of New Bethlehem, served as sales manager and director of the office. His brother, the late Lloyd Lower, also of New Bethlehem served as general manager of the plant and gas production. In later years Lloyd C., son of Lloyd, and David H., son of Clarence, joined the company and a corporation was formed.

For many years the factory was a substantial factor in the prosperity of the community.

The company remained in the Lower family until 1973 when it was sold to the Mt. Savage Refractories Co. of Pittsburgh.

Brick Companies

The Climax Fire Brick Company, founded in 1840, is one of the oldest brick companies in the United States. A great amount of pioneering was done in the fire brick industry in it's years of operation.

On November 1, 1900, it was incorporated under the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

When Bessmer furnaces were first introduced to America, Climax Fire Brick Company was called upon to manufacture tuyeres for this process. These were manufactured in such large quantities that expansion and new facilities became necessary. A second plant was built in 1915. In 1953 it produced over 95 percent of the Bessemer Tuyeres manufactured in the country. They were of good quality and a good standard for service. Their refactories have been produced from Pennsylvania clays.

In 1959, the company was purchased by A. P. Green Refractories Company of Mexico, Missouri.

The modern brick making equipment has helped to develop the growth of business, which has been steady and consistent through the years. The plant is a large asset to the community.

For 16 years Issac E. Shumaker was engaged in shipping fire clay from his own property of 100 acres and land leased adjoining it, to Rochester and Sharon, Pennsylvania, and to Massillon and Newby, Ohio. He also shipped iron ore to Kittanning. In 1900 he organized the Clarion Brick company; of which he was president. The works at St. Charles, Pennsylvania consumed 60 tons of fire clay per day in the manufacturing of a superior grade of fire brick, which was used exclusively in steel furnaces.

The clay was first hauled in wagons to the bank of the Redbank Creek. It was then taken across in buckets on a wire cable, then reloaded into wagons and hauled to the railroad siding and loaded for shipment.

Issac was head of that concern from organization until 1919 when it was sold to the McLain Fire Brick Company, owner of five other plants in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It was his idea to drill wells to furnish natural gas for the operation of the plant.

George McDonald was superintendent of the plant when it was first built, followed by Harvey Martin, William H. Bish, and a son Ernest E. Shumaker, L. A. Shumaker, Issac Shumaker, grandson of the founder, and Ben Miller.

In 1910, fire destroyed the plant along with a company store. On August 22, 1918, a boiler exploded killing a Mr. Songer and seriously injuring the superintendent, Ernest Shumaker. In 1965, fire again destroyed the plant and it had to be rebuilt.

The plant manufactured sleeves, nozzles and rummer brick. A continuous kiln is used in burning the products. Over 1200 different shapes could be manufactured at this plant.

In 1970, after the plant had been idled a few months, it was sold to A. H. Rost, owner of Mt. Savage Refractories. In 1973, it was reopened as St. Charles Refractories with Fred Anderson of New Bethlehem as General Manager. The plant is located in St. Charles on township Route 466.

The late Roy Thompson of St. Charles, one of the foremen, was with the company from the organization until his retirement in 1954.

The plant has been very beneficial to our community.