The Muncy riot of 1842: Abolitionists vs. 18 angry rioters
Enos Hawley was a local tanner and postmaster in Muncy who died at 84 in 1881. He is interred at the Muncy Cemetery with a rectangular stone that simply states his name and his date of birth and death – “June 10, 1799” and “Oct. 3, 1882.” In their 2003 book “Williamsport: Boomtown on the…
‘The last soldier:’ Descendants and community honor county’s longest surviving Civil War veteran
WILLIAMSPORT – Lycoming County’s last surviving Civil War veteran, Daniel Null, was honored at a special ceremony on Saturday morning at Wildwood Cemetery. A crowd of 50 to 75 family members and persons seeking to honor Null, gathered along with Civil War reenactors with 19th century military hardware. While Null’s descendants sat in white folding…
Father of Williamsport: Michael Ross’s discovery of the city’s birthplace
In the late 1790s a young man in his 20s was given a 280-acre tract of land to survey. The young man, Michael Ross, went on to be credited as one of the founders of Williamsport. “Ross would be amazed at the development of the small borough he knew to the regional center we now…
“This was a necessity”: Building Lycoming County’s first courthouseÂ
Lycoming County was still in its infancy when the county commissioners knew that the newly formed county would need buildings to do business, execute justice and keep the peace. According to the “History of Lycoming County” that was edited by John Meginness, “beginning with October, 1799, it appears ‘that steps were taken early that year…
J. Henry Cochran’s unique history in Lycoming County
WILLIAMSPORT – J. Henry Cochran was a burly man who’s impact on Pennsylvania and the Lycoming County region has lasted long after his death in 1911. Cochran owned a home on the corner of Fourth Street and Pine. He was a former state senator, a banker and beloved member of the community. In the century…
Updegraff: Famed abolitionist has not faded as local legendÂ
WILLIAMSPORT – Deep within Lycoming County’s history, Abraham Updegraff was a giant among men. During his time as a prominent leader in the city he condemned slavery and was instrumental in the founding of many permanent structures in the city today. A memorial is built for Updegraff in the Wildwood Cemetery with his image carved…