About
May 20th, 2007
In 2015, the community of Watsontown will come to the 100th anniversary of Old Home Week. Back then, it seemed that a number of civic minded individuals felt the need to remember those who just a brief forty-eight years earlier incorporated Watsontown into a borough in the county of Northumberland located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It has been a number of years since I moved from my hometown of Watsontown and think fondly of times in my youth and young adulthood growing up in a small community. While visiting, I noticed photos in a number of local establishments that originated from Old Home Week or from the Silver Anniversary Edition of the Watsontown Record and Star published back in 1907. It seems there is still the sense of spirit wanting to remember the good things of years gone by and the wealth of memories that this community continues to hold dear.
It is also a time to lift up the myriad of gifts that this community has shared beyond the boundaries that have encompassed Watsontown. Lumber, furniture, and brick industries have enhanced the financial acumen of our area. Local merchants, restaurants, and banks have contributed to the commercial success of our community. Administrators, school board members and teachers have instilled a strong value system of life long learning through the education of our young. Numerous fraternal organizations and clubs have enlightened the civic mindedness of our citizens. Burgesses, police officers and volunteer fire fighters have added to the structure and orderliness of local government. Churches and various societies have heightened our awareness of something larger than the individual self or even our own community and to be grateful for our prosperity and generous in efforts to reach out to others in the name of that which is greater than us.
My endeavor here is to build on the foundations of preceding histories that have been published duly footnoted and to bring the annals of time to the current date. Perhaps some future generation will take this work and add to it and that this will become part of a continued story for generations to share as our community flourishes and grows to new potential and fame.
Last Modified: 04.06.09
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
This is a fabulous undertaking!!
Thanks, Jim!
chris wolfe
Comment by James Robison: Thanks for the affirmations, Chris – it is truly an exciting topic to me as I find out more and more interesting “stuff” about the ol’ home town. Any constructive suggestions would be welcomed.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Do you have anything on the “Watsontown Table and Furniture Co.” incorporated 1893? I have a cabinet from them.
Comment by James Robison: The company you are inquiring about was established in February 1893 by William Follmer, J.C. Fowler, T.G. Caldwell, G.W. Rombach, G.W. Hess, S.O. Comly, J.E. Kramer, William McCoy, Josiah Stewart, Robert Johnson, James Perry, J.P. Russell, John McCoy, and C.B. McLain. In April of that same year it was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, with an authorized capitalization of $20,000 of which $14,000 only was paid in. The organization was completed by the election of the following officers: William Follmer, president; J.C. Fowler, secretary; T.G. Caldwell, treasurer; J.P. Russell, superintendent; and C.B. McLain, foreman. The company bought a plot of ground adjoining the Pennsylvania Rail Road and in 1893 built a three story brick factory with basement along with a boiler and engine house attached. The plant was put in operation in August with twenty-five employees.
More information will be forthcoming as we get to the industry of the community but until then you can find a little more on page 16 of The Record and Star’s Silver Anniversary Edition, 1907.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I lived in Watsontown during the early years of WWII and am attempting to research the history of Watsontown at that time. I am writing a personal experience account of Watsontown’s wartime history. It is a pleasure to find your work in progress. Good luckwith this enormous and important project.
Comment by James Robison: Would be very interested in talking with you about your research and maybe we could collaborate on these years – unfortunately, I’m still far off from getting to the 1930s and 40s. I will e-mail you.
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Re: Paula Dodson; I have a table and chair set from Watsontown Table and Furn. Any info would be helpful. By the way my mom was born Martha Dodson.
December 14th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
What was the year of the picture of ben franklin and the paper store and trailways stop. It is now Levans news but about 40 years ago ( give or take) it was Kline’s News stand and owned by my grandmother Mae Kline. Great wealth of information on this site, the most I have ever seen!
December 14th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
My mom answered one question I had. The yellow car in the pic is my grams, Sy Ames is the man standing in front of it.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Just discovered a label on the bottom of an old student desk/table, which was in the posession of my father (now deceased) for Watsontown Table and Furniture Company, Founded 1893. Thanks for the Watsontown History.
It seems obvious that if the piece I have is a student desk, that this company may have mass manufactured (so to speak) many of these items. Do you know if institutional furnishings was a primary business of this company?Thanks again, Jake
May 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I also have a piece of furniture from the Watsontown company. I would love to hear more about it’s origins.
Marlene
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I have recently relocated to Lewisburg, but my branch of the Watson family is from the Snow Shoe, PA area. Does anyone know if there is a connection between that branch of the family and John Watson?
Thanks.
Brion
April 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Great idea, Jim. I’m so proud to say you were one of my students at one time. Good luck with this project!
Comment by James Robison: Nancy ~ thank you for the postive comments – I was fortunate to have great teachers such as yourself – and hope I am able to do justice to all my learning.
April 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I moved home because I missed Watsontown greatly after 20 yrs. I’ve now been back 21 yrs and purchased a house within the same block that i grew up in. I love the history of our area and its even more important to me now that my parents have both passed. I would like to help in any way possible to recreate our history
Comment by James Robison: Welcome home! Any help would be greatly appreciated – let me know what some of your gifts are and we can put them to use with the history of Watsontown.
April 25th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Watsontown is always a big part of us and in our hearts. Many people donated blood for Bill(Billy) Muffly when he was a child having rare open heart surgery. That’s what the heart of Watsontown is- giving, like everyone is family. Our first house was near the old Murray’s Dairy Store on 4th Street. We’d be interested in seeing how many people remember giving blood for Bill or going to Murray’s
Comment by James Robison: Hope you hear back from some of those who donated blood.
April 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I will also always think of your great singing voice and working with you.
Comment by James Robison: Thank you!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Great job. I have a sister-in-law who has tons of family trees (with lots of photos)dating back to coming to Watsontown.
Grays, Reynolds, Burrows, etc. if you would be interested.
May 9th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I’m looking for photos and history of the old Pammy J
Restaurant which burned in the early
70’s. Any help would be appreciated
May 30th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Does anyone have info on a couple of my 1940s friends: Mary Ann Sheffer and Janet Evans?
June 8th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hello Jim,
Thanks for your great project! I just purchased a beautiful solid mahogany Watsontown table and feel even more than I am saving a bit of history after reading your description of the company,
Thanks so much.
Sandy Boothe
Geneva, NY
June 14th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I have a solid mahogany side table with drawer from the Watsontown Table & Furniture Co. I googled the company and came up with your great site. Thanks for the info.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I am the great-great granddaughter of William Henry Trick & Harriet F. Watson. I am researching our family tree and would love any and all information, photos, documents releated to my family and the family store W.H. Trick & Son Dry Goods, Notions, Groceries on Main street. Any information can be sent to me at margaret.crowell@yahoo.com
Comment by James Robison: William H. and Harriet Trick were listed in the census of 1900 and 1910. Earl and his wife Eugenia were listed in the 1920 census. W.H. Trick also served on Town Council from 1905 to 1907, serving as president of Town Council in 1907. According to newspaper accounts he was a Republican.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Hello; I have a 60 inch round table with 6 leaves and claw feet. The label on the bottom of the table said it was made in PA by Watsontown Table & Furniture Co. MFI estention tables. I”ve had it for about 45 years. I was wondering how old it is…Thanks
September 14th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
This was fun to read. I miss Watsontown. My dad managed the A&P on the corner of Main and 2nd in the 50s.
September 14th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
It’s been a long time since Iv’e been back to Watsontown, I meant Brimmer Ave. not 2nd St. Suzanne
September 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am
I have done further research & found that I am the great-great-great granddaughter of John Watson (DOB 5/15/1830) who married (12/15/1852) Louisa Catherine Steiner (DOB 12/4/1831). I am trying to find further information on John Watson and his relatives, as well as more information on the Trick side of my family. Anyone with information, photos, etc can reach me at margaret.crowell@yahoo.com. Thanks.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:45 am
This is a wonderful undertaking, and I enjoy seeing history of my family. My uncle, Fred Weaver owned the Massey-Ferguson dealership in the 40’s, and my Uncle Jay Muffly, was a barber on Main Street for probably 50 years. There were others that came from Germany and settled in the Turbotville/Watsontown area. You might want to contact Jim Muffly in Muncy for tons of history that he has. I have lots of photos in addition.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I finally decided to give you a little feedback ! well you got it! i love your site !!! no , really, its good…
November 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I have copies of the Record and Star Silver Anniversary Edition 1907, and a 1967 Watsontown Centennial newspaper published by the Milton Standard. If you have not seen them and would like to, please let me know. Great site btw!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Hi Jim,
I don’t know if you remember me or not but we used to go to UCC together. My Nana was Marie Raup. I remember you and your mom and sister sitting by us at church.
I think this website is fantastic. I am working on some family tree things and the census info on here was just what I was looking for. I am wondering though,if you or anyone on this board might have information about doctors practicing in Watsontown in 1909. I am trying to find out who delivered my grandmother.We don’t have any birth certificates for her.
Thanks again for this website and all your work on it. It makes me homesick for Watsontown.
Comment by James Robison: Of course I remember you Laurie. Your grandmother sat right in front of us at Trinity. I remember her telling me stories of how she received letters from my grandmother and other children in the Sunday School when your grandmother lived at Bethany Children’s Home. Your grandmother was also very active with the Republican party serving on the Board of Election for a number of years. I know that our grandmother’s were born about the same time and that the doctor who delivered my grandmother was R. Henry Hummel who lived where the Brooks’ Funeral Home is now located and I believe was a member of Trinity Reformed Church as well.
January 9th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Hi Mr. Robison!
I hope you might remember me… 9th grade history! Because of you & that class I’ve been doing some amazing research on my family tree & have been able to trace one line back to ~1550 in Germany! Thank you for igniting a lifelong passion.
I am hoping that you or someone who visits this website could give any info/assistance re: history of the “Wilson Walkie” wooden toys which were at one time made in Watsontown & apparently quite a cottage industry! My mother is gradually collecting them (she has about 8 now I believe) & out searches online have turned up nothing of significance… Thank you in advance & thank you for this wonderful website & resource!
~Jessica
Comment by James Robison: Jessica ~ It is good to hear from you and yes, I remember you. I’m so glad that I was able to fan the flames of your genealogical passion. Congratulations and continued success. I have found some interesting things over the years on the wilson walkies, but there is no definitive history on them ~ mostly local tradition. I will see what I can do and put it up on the site so you can further your research. I have to tackle the industrial part of the history and am still tied up with the political, educational and census part. I’m sure you can appreciate the time and effort. Hope to hear back from you and that the material is useful.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Jim- Mary Grishaver did an excellent book on Wilson Walkies. I stock them. $40
January 21st, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Hi! Kevin Johnson has a lot of info on the Walkies. He attends about every auction that has them on the sale bill. His e-mail address is djnova@windstream.net.
CUL8R,
Don
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:34 am
I have written a book called “A Collector’s Guide to Wilson Walkies.” It gives a complete history of the dolls. I interviewed folks in Watsontown who made the dolls and have included some photos of the town. The book has over 60 pages of color photos of Walkies. It is a labor of love for me! I occasionally list the book for sale on eBay. If it isn’t there, you may contact me directly at mary.grishaver1@verizon.net.
Comment by James Robison: Thank you for the reference. Is there anyway that I could share some of your information with the general public who might be visiting this site? Something that would be documented and interesting that might lead them to purchasing your collector’s guide perhaps.