19th Century
Who's Who in Newport
Below are listed the dedicated citizens of Newport who helped to build our town. This list was compiled and published in A Sesquicentennial Commemorative Book for Newport, Pennsylvania 1840-1990
Black, Hon. James, 1793-1872. Bought Newport's
first store from Ephraim Bosserman and Samuel Beaver
about 1830. On Oct. 19, 1835, he donated the ground on
Walnut Street on which was erected Newport's first
church building by the Methodist congregation. He later
served as Member of Assembly for Perry County,
Associate Judge and Member of Congress for three
terms, 1843-49.
Bosserman, William, 1808-1877. Miller and merchant for 35 years.
Butz, Jesse S., Sr., 1818-1906. Merchant here for over fifty years.
Bell, Miss Margaretta Loudon, 1818-1918. Milliner and church leader for 50
years.
Bosserman, William H., 1839-1897. Merchant and postmaster.
Brandt, P.K., 1851-1936. Bank cashier for 50 years.
Beard, Horace, 1859-1911. Superintendent of tanneries for 25 years.
Beard, Mrs. Katherine Howe, 1860-1938. Founder of Louise Beard Memorial.
Butturf, T.H., 1852-1924. Mill proprietor, fair president, bank director and capitalist.
Campbell, Dr. George W., 1845-1914. Physician here for 35 years.
Carl, Dr. Lenus A., 1878-1938. Physician here for 30 years.
Demaree, John S., 1822-1888. Boatyard proprietor and built the first large business building in Newport, 1858.
DeLancey, Dr. Charles E., 1846-1931. Physician here for 40 years and burgess for several terms.
Dotwart, Rev.William, 1864-1927. Rector Episcopal Chruch of the Nativity for 36 years and civic leader.
Eby, Dr. Joseph, 1830-1872. Physician.
Eby, Dr. James B., 1840-1911. Physician here for 45 years and bank president.
Eby, B.M., 1840-1910. Druggist for 45 years.
Emeuheiser, William, 1842-1916. Merchant for 35 years and bank president.
Eshleman, M.B., 1835-1899. Mill proprietor for 30 years.
Everhart, James, 1812-1882. Commission merchant and furnace man.
Fleisher, George, 1834-1917. Planing mill partner and owner for 35 years and bank director.
Fleisher, John, 1835-1907. Merchant 35 years and associate judge.
Frank, Joseph W., 1825-1897. Hardware merchant for 30 years.
Frank, Jacob C., 1836-1913. Coach maker for 40 years.
Fickes, Gibson, 1850-1902. Commission merchant for 25 years.
Flickinger, J.M., 1850-1931. Merchant here for 41 years.
Fry, Francis A., 1852-1918. Printer and editor here for 38 years.
Gantt, Jesse L., 1810-1880. }hotel landlord for 30 years, built and owned the Newporter Hotel, also president of the first Perry County Fair, 1868.
Gantt, William H., 1853-1914. Jewelry merchant for 42 years and bank president.
Graham, Nelson, 1847-1922. Owner and proprietor or of Hotel Graham for 25 years.
Gring, David, 1857-1920. Lumberman and president Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad for 31 years.
Happle, Jacob, 1816-1890. First undertaker, 40 years.
Hombach, A.V., 1838-1912. Marble crater and monument dealer for 45 years.
Hiestand, Major Peter, 1831-1896. Superintendent of furnace for 20 years.
Hoopes, Dr. W. Homer, 1862-1918. Physician and druggist here for 24 years and bank director.
Irwin, J.H. 1846-1917. Bank cashier.
Jones, John, 1808-1880. Commission merchant for 15 years.
Jones, Alvin, 1850-1913. Commission merchant for 35 years.
Kough, William, 1813-1893. Commission merchant.
Kough, Amos W., 1854-1929. Merchant for 40 years and bank president.
Kahler, W.N., 1855-1923. Coach maker here for 35 years and Member of Assembly for Perry County.
Lowther, Capt. William, 1816-1886. Railroad building contractor and Member of Assembly for Perry County.
Leiby, Samuel, 1804-1867. Early merchant, miller and first burgess.
Leiby, James B., 1836-1915. Merchant here for 50 years.
Miller, B.F., 1825-1892. Merchant, hotel owner and sheriff.
Minnick, William H., 1834-1910. Private banker.
Milligan, Thomas Fl., 1842-1913. Hardware merchant here for 40 years.
Moore, Col. Horace A. 1842-1932. Superintendent. Oak Extract Co. here for 26 years.
Orris, Dr. Henry O., 1850-1933. Physician here for 35 years.
Rider, O. H..P., 1837-1901. Canal man and merchant here for 35 years.
Rippman, Charles A., 1839-1923. Tanner in Newport and Millerstown for 40 years and bank president.
Singer, Dr. Joshua E., 1809-1881. Physician here for 30 years and fair and bank president.
Spotts, David H., 1850-1911. Builder and clothing merchant here for 31 years.
Smith, Curtis N., 1818-1888. Merchant here for 25 years.
Smoyer, Dr. George S., 1871-1937. Dentist here for 36 years and president of town council.
Sharon, James M., 1868-1904. Attorney-at-law and District Attorney.
Whitmer, Dr. S.H., 1844-1902. Dentist here for 30 years.
Whitmer, Dr. E.E., 1868-1926. Dentist here for 26 years.
Wright, Isaac, 1817-1878. Merchant and bank cashier. He organized Newport's first bank in 1867 and built the building to house it.
Wertz, William, 1843-1915. Boatman, builder, bank director.
Archdeacon William Dorwart was one of the most loved and best known figures in Newport for many years. He was one of the most popular men in the Harrisburg Diocese and was four times elected delegate to the National Convention of his church. Bishop Darlington nominated him for Bishop of Oklahoma, although he knew previously that Mr. Dorwart would not leave Newport, the place where he had lived so long. He served the parishes of Newport and Thompsontown for 35 years. His love and duty and service was unexcelled. He was satisfied to humbly serve a small community, when more lucrative positions were offered. His active interest in the affairs of Newport and Perry County made him one of its best known citizens.
He never shunned a call for service and never shirked a duty. Frequently when he was complimented on various activities about Newport, he would remark that he was not only Rector of his own little flock, but that he was Rector of Newport.
To say that he was interested in the good of Newport is saying it all, for he was a friend of everyone, although sometimes his interest was mistaken. Eventually his good spirit was evident, and none knew him, but to love him. He took an active part in athletics, having a public tennis court constructed at the Rectory. He was at one time manager of the local baseball association and only in later years was not seen in the local benefit games.
He was for several years president of the Newport Citizens Band and gave much of his time to various enterprises and activities of the town and county without expectation of fee or reward.
One of the commendable endeavors of Mr. Dorwart was the direction of efforts and soliciting of funds for the annual community Christmas Tree Celebration.