Chapter 3
Leiby
and Howe Families
The Leiby family was prominent in Newport.
Their town home was on the corner of South 2nd Street and
Spruce Alley. Margaret's father, Samuel Leiby, was the first burgess and a
noted merchant of Newport. He maintained a farm in Oliver Township (East
Newport). Margaret's older sister, Catherine, was to marry Dr. Robert Brown,
who was a cousin of William Rudy Howe. Margaret's oldest brother, James Bell
Leiby, had attended the Cumberland Valley Institute,
Mechanicsburg and assisted his father in his store. Joshua Singer Leiby
was attending New Bloomfield Academy and soon to attend the Academy at Academia,
Pa. He planned to teach school.
Margaret's youngest brothers, Samuel and Elias were only thirteen and eleven
years old and attended the Newport schools.
The Leiby and Howe wedding bells began to toll again .
"Margaret Leiby [had] received an invitation with envelope from Dr. Robert
Brown to attend his marriage to her sister, Catherine Leiby Kohler Feb.1 1856
[had to be before 1952]." 510
Now William Rudy Howe, cousin of Robert, and Margaret Leiby where
planning their own wedding after Williams graduation from Jefferson Medical
College in Philadelphia.
Who should be included in the wedding guest list? Of course
Margaret's grandparents, John Frederich Leiby and Catherine (Lesch) Smith; her
parents, Eve (Smith) and Samual Leiby, Catherine and Robert Brown, and her
younger brothers.
Then the aunts and uncles and their families…..
Samuel Leiby's sister and her husband, Sarah and
Jacob Burd. Their son, Jacob Burd was married in 1838 and
lived in Sandy Hill, Perry County. By 1856 he had eight children ranging
in ages of sixteen to an infant.
Samuel Leiby's brother and his wife, Eva (Rubright) and William Leiby, lived in New Bloomfield and had six children. William's wife died in 1843 and he remarried Susan Ernest. They had four children.
Eve Smith had four sisters: Mary (Sarah) Smith
Toomey, Magdaline (Smith) and Thomas Graham, Barbars (Smith) and John Thoman and
daughter, and Katherine (Smith) and George Campbell.
That's forty-three from the family on the bride's list!
William Rudy Howe was one of eleven children. His guest list would include:
Christiana Howe Thompson (
1818-1883) who live in Watts Twp.
Susanna Howe (1818-1901) married
George F. Humes and had four children.
Henry Howe born 1822 married Sophia
Shaw and had four children. 551, 553
Catherine born 1824 married Thomas
Fulton and had two children.
Elizabeth was born 1829 and not yet
married.
Abram Howe born 1831 married Susan
Stephens.
Priscilla M. Howe born 1836
was not yet married.
Jerome Howe born 1838 and only
eighteen
Harrison Howe born 1840 and was
only sixteen.
His guest list would also include
his father, William Howe Jr. and his aunts and uncles: Margaret
(Howe) and William Brown and family
including Robert Brown, who married Catherine Leiby. Ester (Howe) Mitchell and
family. That's about thirty-five guests on the groom's list.
That's a total of eighty guests before counting their
friends, which were abundant.
In 1856 William Rudy Howe invited Margaret Leiby to
attend the graduation party and his graduation from Jefferson Medical College in
Philadelphia. That fall they were married.
Margaret Leiby married Dr. Wm R. Howe Oct 23, 1856 at
her parent's home in Oliver Twp. 466, 260, 553-4 They
were married by Rev. David H. Focht. 38 Photographs of Margaret Leiby
and Wm R. Howe can be found in the museum. Also the wedding wreath worn by
Margaret 157, the Wedding Certificate 37, a rose from
wedding cake 158 , and a letter from Rev. David H. Focht to Dr. Wm.
R. Howe regarding the latter's marriage to Margaret Leiby (1856) 39
The Victorian Wedding
http://www.literary-liaisons.com/article004.html
Before the 1880s, a couple was required by law to have
a morning ceremony. In the Eastern United States, the fashionable hours were
between 10:00 a.m. and Noon because it was an English custom. The marriage
ceremony took place either at home or in church, with many guests or few. In the
1850s, weddings were almost always held in church, and it was customary to use
the bride's parish. The clergyman and parish clerk were in attendance. After the
ceremony, the couple signed their name in the parish register in the vestry. The
bride signed her maiden name. Flowers decorated the church, the arrangements
growing more elaborate as the decades wore on--from potted palms to festoons of
evergreens and blossoms.
The wedding ring was usually a plain gold band with
the initials of the couple and the date of their wedding engraved inside. There
were few double ring ceremonies in the Victorian era. It was considered good
luck for the ring to drop during the ceremony, thus all evil spirits were shaken
out. If the ceremony was at home the decorations were no less elaborate. A
profusion of white, and another color according to the theme, abounded in the
bride's home, adorning doorways, balustrades, windows and fireplaces. In
America, a good luck symbol was hung over the spot where the couple exchanged
their vows. This could be a bell, dove, wishbone, or any other good luck symbol.
Because of the early hour for weddings, the reception
was traditionally a breakfast. It was an English custom to have a Noon ceremony
with the breakfast thirty minutes later at the bride's home. A special and
elaborately decorated corner was reserved in the bride's home for receiving her
guests. The parents congratulated the couple first, then stood nearby. In early
Victorian times, the maid of honor (or first bridesmaid) stood near the bride to
assist her. Bridesmaids stood to the left and right of the couple, while ushers
guided the guests. Etiquette dictated that guests address the bride first,
unless they were only acquainted with the groom, in which case they
congratulated the groom and were then introduced to the bride. The bride was
never congratulated, as it was implied that the honor was conferred upon her in
marrying the groom.
Guests were served standing, although the bridal party
was served seated. If the house was large enough, or the weather nice enough,
tables could be set up for the guests. There was no entertainment at the
wedding, unless it was a lavish evening affair, at which time there was dancing.
It was understood that the guests needed no entertainment, as they the honor
came in attending the wedding itself.
In early Victorian times, there were usually three
wedding cakes--one elaborate cake, and two smaller ones for the bride and groom.
The cake was cut and boxed and given to guests as they left. Traditionally the
wedding cake was a dark, rich fruitcake with ornate white frostings of scrolls,
orange blossoms, etc.. The bride and groom's cakes were not as elaborate. Hers
was white cake, his dark. It was cut into as many pieces as there were
attendants and often favors were baked inside for luck. Each charm had its own
meaning.
The
ring for marriage within a year;
The penny for wealth, my dear;
The thimble for an old maid or bachelor born;
The button for sweethearts all forlorn.
This tradition died away with the century, as the
bridesmaids did not wish to soil their gloves looking for the favor. The cake
the bride cut was not eaten, rather it was packed away for the 25th
wedding anniversary!
The bridal couple usually left for their honeymoon
after the wedding breakfast. The honeymoon originated with early man when
marriages were by capture, not by choice. The man carried his bride off to a
secret place where her parents or relatives couldn't find her. While the moon
went through all its phases-about 30 days-they hid from searchers and drank a
brew made from mead and honey. Thus, the word, honeymoon. The honeymoon is now
considered a time to relax.
In the early 19th century, it was customary
for the bride to take a female companion along on the honeymoon. The bride wore
a traveling dress, which may have been her wedding dress, especially if the
wedding had been an intimate affair with few family and friends, or they were
traveling by train or steamer immediately after the reception. Colors for the
dress were becoming and practical--brown or black for mid-Victorian. But
whatever she chose, the bride was advised not to wear something conspicuously
new out of respect to the sensitivity of her husband who might not want people
to know he was just married. If the bride was married in her traveling dress,
she often wore a bonnet with it instead of a veil.
If changing into the traveling costumes, the bride and
groom did so immediately after the cake was cut. Bridesmaids went with the bride
to help her, at which time she gave them each a flower from her bouquet. By the
time the couple was ready to depart, only family and intimate friends were
present. As the couple drove off in a carriage pulled by white horses, the
remaining party-goers threw satin slippers and rice after the couple. If a
slipper landed in the carriage, it was considered good luck forever. If it was a
left slipper, all the better.
The best man preceded the couple to the train or
steamer to look after their luggage. No one asked where the bride and groom were
going. It was bad taste. Only the best man knew, and he was sworn to secrecy.
Finally, upon their return from their travels, one
final custom required that the groom carry the bride over the threshold to their
new house. This would ensure that the bride did not stumble, which would bring
bad luck.
As you can see, Victorian traditions were steeped in
superstitions and age-old customs, some of which we still follow toady, though
not necessarily in fear of evil spirits.
The site of Newport's first hotel burned in 1856 and Jesse L. Gantt replaced it as "The Gantt House"
In August of 1857 the Pennsylvania Railroad took over the canal. The first passenger service on the canal was inaugurated by packet boats from Harrisburg to Lewistown. Service from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on the canal passed thru Newport. The fare was first four cents per mile which included meals and sleeping accommodations on the four day trip. Passenger service was only a minor utility of the water route. Vast resources of Pennsylvania passed through the canal to the great port of Philadelphia. At the height of the canal era Newport boasted of nearly forty boats and 100 boatmen. A good size boat yard was located in Newport, just a couple hundred feet from the Episcopal Church on Little Buffalo Creek.
William Rudy Howe was a member of Newport school board in 1857
and practiced medicine with Robert Brown in Newport. Margaret (Leiby) Howe was a
choir singer, Sunday School Teach, and a charter member of Women's Missionary
Society of Newport Lutheran Church. Margaret (Leiby) and William Rudy Howe had a
daughter born the next year.
James Bell Leiby, Margaret's brother who was born 1836, was
a member Newport Mining Co., a group of 10 Newporters who went west in 1859
in a fruitless search for gold. Before coming east he was a government employee,
conveying supplies to Fort Bridger, Utah. He married Catherine Ann Smith.
Children: Annie Leiby Butz, William Henry, John Smith Leiby, James Edgar and
Mary, who died as a child. 467
The Margaret (Lieby) and Wiliam Rudy Howe seemed to
have a bright future. They had a infant daughter and William's medical
practice was doing well. Then tragedy struck. William Rudy Howe moved to Blain
to practice medicine in 1859 where he died very suddenly at the age of
33. 154 A telegram
was sent from Jerome Howe to Susanna Howe Humes, telling of the death of their
brother, Dr. William R. Howe, 1859 106
The sign used by Dr. Wm. R. Howe when practicing at Newport
and Blain 1857-1859 can be seen in the museum. 315
Margaret shared her grief with her sister. Catherine Leiby Kohler Brown, who had lost her husband, Fredick Kohler, after six months of marriage. Catherine assured Margaret that love could be re-found since she married Dr. Robert Brown, and they shared a son, Sammy, born about 1852.
Tragedy strikes for Catherine Leiby Kohler Brown again. Robert Brown also died in 1859. He was the first teacher in Evergreen School, Oliver Twp.60 Her son, Samuel Brown, had just died at the age of six years.
There was one glow of happiness… Margaret was pregnant. Katherine Leiby Howe was born at the farm home of Samuel and Eve Smith Leiby in East Newport about 1860. 479
Catherine later married Dr. Isaac P. Fishburn, from whom she later separated. They had a son, Cyrus Fishburn, who died at birth. Catherine was an efficient business woman, clerking in the store of her brother, James B. Leiby, for many years. She was a Sunday school teacher for years. Member Luther League, and charter member Women's Missionary Society, Newport Lutheran Church and its first president. 465
While Catherine continued on with her life so did Margaret. Margaret and her two infant daughters move in with her parents at the farm house in Oliver Township. With the help of the Leiby family Margaret Leiby Howe provided her daughters with a rich, full and loving life. Evidence of the Howe girls' life can be found in the museum.
Baby dress – 1859 – owned by Annie Howe.
Material presented by her uncle, James B. Leiby and embroidery furnished by her
aunt, Elizabeth Howe 479
Child's apron owned by Annie Howe 1860. Also worn later by Katherine Howe. 478
Daguerreotype "The Sisters – Annie Howe and Katherine Howe about 1864 275
Picture-"Wide Awake – owned by Katherine Howe Beard when a child about 1865 491
"Little Poems for Little Folks". Given to Annie Howe about 1865 by her uncle Samuel S.. Leiby 593
Photograph – Summer school in
Newport 1869 183 shows Annie and Katie in school with their
classmates and teacher.
1.
Annie Howe
(Glanding
2.
Katherine Howe (Beard)
3.
Annie Leiby (Butz)
4.
Mary Eby (Fickes)
5.
Mamie Rhoads (Fritz)
6.
Floy Frank (Staiger)
7.
Maggie Keim (Dukes)
8.
Annie Long (Kough)
9.
Mazie Singer (Stites)
10.
Katie Bealor (Hartzel)
11.
Charlie Smith
12.
Harry Wilson
13.
Harvey Wingert
14.
Charles Bosserman
15.
Will Demaree
16.
Ed Fishburn
17.
Alice Frank (Ritner)
18.
Price Comp
19.
Oren Wingert
20.
Amos Kough
21.
Charles Leiby
22.
Jennie Etter
23.
Ben Himes
24.
Ada Crawford
25.
Dot Hartel
26.
Carrie Bosserman
27.
Andy Reynolds
28.
Bertie Lovaugh
29.
"Scotcher Campbell
30.
Annie Rice
31.
J. Gantt
32.
Abe Horting
33.
Mame Shelley
34.
Emma Toomey
35.
Katie Saylor
36.
UNKN Boyd
37.
UNKN Boyd
38.
Tom Bealor
39.
Minerva Weaver
40.
Louise Deardorff
41.
Miss Rebecca Burns (teacher)
Annie Howe remembers a chair owned by her grandfather, Samuel Leiby, and used by him in his farm home in Oliver Twp. Annie Howe said that when she lived in his home as a little girl he used to rock her in this chair on his lap Sunday afternoons. He would then sing hyms to her, one of which was "There Is A land of Pure Delight" 498
Howe
Township, named for the Howe family, was the last township to be created in 1861,
for Perry County. It was originally part of Greenwood Township, then
Buffalo, and lastly, Oliver Township.
In
April of 1863 a group of citizens made application for a charter for the
Newport cemetery Association. The cemetery was located at the crest of Middle
Ridge in Oliver Township at which place a three or four acres tract was
purchased.
The Newport Planing Mill was built in 1863 by a group of 18-20 Newport citizens, Fleisher, Smiths, Boserman and Miller. Gradually owners retired until George Fleisher became the sole owner.
Katherine and Annie gain a new cousin and a new uncle.
In 1863 James B. and Catherine (Smith) Leiby had a son, William Henry
Leiby. 206 That same
year Aunt Elizabeth Howe (1829-1890) married John Hetrick. They were members of
the Methodist Church. 163
Another school was built on 4th Street in 1865. George and John Fleisher were the Contractors; its cost was $6,000. During the summer of 1867 Silas Wright opened his Normal School in this building. Now there were three schools in Newport.and students were graded for the first time.
In 1868 the Reformed congregation of the Union Church sold their shares to the Lutheran and Presbyterians and built their own church on N 4th Street. The parsonage next door was erected a few years later.
The Leibys were very close Christian family. They often gathered at The Leiby farm in Oliver Township (east Newport). In the museum can be seen a group photograph of the children of Samuel and Eve Smith Leiby about 1865. Back row: Joshua, Samuel, Elias. Front row: Catherine, James, Margaret, 46 and a stereograph of the farm home of Samuel and Eve Smith Leiby in East Newport about 1865, where Katherine Leiby Howe Beard was born. 47
Samuel Leiby died 1867 in Oliver Township and is buried in Newport Cemetery. 403 The sons of Samuel and Eve Smith Leiby all followed in their father's footsteps.
James Bell Leiby (1836-1915) was a member Reformed church, S.S. Supt and S.S. teacher, church deacon and elder, director of Peoples Bank, Newport and a merchant in Newport. He was a member Town Council, Newport Outing Club, and Newport Blue Lodge (Masons). 467
Joshua Singer Leiby (1840-1907) was a contractor and lumber merchant. He was Postmaster at Newport in 1888, Station agent at Newport P.R.R. He was a promoter and manager Perry Electric Light Co. (first light company in Newport). He was a member of the Newport Masonic Lodge, past master of the same and a member Reformed church. He was the Burgess of Newport in 1894. He married Susan Holman. Their children were: Charles, Laure Leiby VanDyke, Samuel and Fannie Leiby Keesberry. He died at Newport 1907 and buried in Newport Cemetery. 469
Samuel Smith Leiby (1843-1924) attended the Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove and was a farm manager. 105 He was a Government employee in Black Hills, Dakota Territory, returning to Newport in 1876. He was a merchant in Marysville for many years. He was Postmaster, Marysville, 1893. He was a member Marysville Town Council, Perry Co. Historical Society, Newport Masonic Lodge, and Past Master of the same. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He married first to Elizabeth Schools, and 2nd to Mrs. Mary Hartman. He died 1924 in Marysville and buried in Newport Cemetery. He was a collector of Indian relics and a great lover of American Indian lore. 471
Elias Bixler Leiby (1846-1932) was a member of the Reformed church, Sunday School superintendent and teacher for more than 65 years, a church elder. Merchant. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Member Newport Masonic Lodge, a Past Master of the same. He was Postmaster in Marysville and President Marysville Bank. He was in the lumber and fire insurance business. He and his wife, Jemia Jane Smith, had one son: Scott Smith Leiby.
Katherine Leiby Howe received a silk bag made by her aunt, Catherine Leiby Fishburn, when she was a little girl. The bag was worn pinned to belt. 256
Katherine Leiby Howe attended the Acker's School, Oliver Twp. as a child. 293
When Katherine Howe was a little child she kept these toys in the lower drawer of this wash stand which belonged to her grandmother, Eve Smith Leiby, in whose house she lived. At the death of Eve Leiby this wash stand went to her son, Samuel Smith Leiby, and at his death he willed it to his niece, Katherine Leiby Howe Beard, who again place these toys in the lower drawer. Toys: emery, doll, doll's cloak, china mug, glass mug, two vases, bird, angel, boy and dog, three little dolls. 546 Katherine was given a toy bureau when she was about 11 by Mamie Tilden of Phila. 545
The Marshall Furnace in East [south] Newport was built by the Marshall Iron Company of Philadelphia in October 1871. It was lighted and the first iron ran out on July 18, 1872.
The existing Methodist Episcopal
Church at Fourth and Market was dedicated in 1871. Their first building
was erected on Walnut Street.
Annie and Katherine Howe first attended the school in Newport. Katherine owned a school slate in 1872. 208 See the photograph of Katherine in the museum, taken when she was twelve years old. 352 She drew a map in the Newport School; her teacher was John Campbell. 273 It should be noted that Horace Beard was also in this class. 203
1874 NEWPORT AFLAME!! In 1874 Newport suffered the worst fire in its history. The fire started in the mow of a small stable back of the Livery Stable of the Gantt Hotel. The buildings of this section, owned by Samuel Leiby Sr, were all consumed as well as "The Gantt House". The Leiby building and the Butz store on the corner of Market and Water [Front] streets . The devastated area of the fire extended from Front to Center Square. All the buildings located between were also burned to the ground. It is evident the fire would have spread further west [north] on Second Street had it not been for the vacant lot between the hotel and the store room for David Spotts in the present Buriak bluiding. The building was insulated with long runners of rugs which were soaked with water and suspended from the top of the Spotts store room. At the time the current boro building was the Newport Firehouse.
Now there
was the "Graham Hotel" on the north-west corner of the square. However
because of all the trade in Newport, the town needed another hotel. Mr. Gantt
replaced his burned-down hotel and it then became the "Central Hotel". [In
1940 it became the "Mingle House" and renamed in 1963 as the "Newport
Hotel and Towingpath Dining".]
The Peoples Bank of Newport started
business on August 19, 1875 with a capital on only $15,000. W.R.S. Cook
Planing Mill in West Newport was operated as a sawmill from 1875-1885 when
the planning mill was added.
In 1877 the Lutherans sold their interest in the Union Church to
the Presbyterians and erected their own church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, on
the north-east corner of 4th and Market street. The Union Church of
Newport became The United Presbyterian Church. Ground was broken and a
cornerstone was laid for the Episcopal Church of Nativity on June 8, 1887. The
Episcopal congregation in Newport actually started in 1875 when services were
held at the home of Mr. And Mrs Henry H. Bechtel
Both Annie and Katherine attended Bloomfield Academy in 1877-1879. They shared the same books: Catechism of History of U. S. copyrighted 1869, 145 History of Philip's War published 1842, 173 and Fourteen Weeks in Natural Philosophy published 1875. 172 Katherine also owned Eight Cousins by Louisa M. Alcott published 1875. 174 In 1842 the trustees decided to make the Academy a coeducational boarding school. For a short period of time in the early 1850's, the school was purchased and operated by the Perry County Commissioners. During the second half of the 1800's, the Latin Grammar academy added a Normal School, which was a training school for teachers.
While her girls were attending Bloomfield Academy Katherine Leiby Howe visited the Jerusalem exhibit at the Centennial at Philadelphia. There she bought the cross, which is in the museum. 277
Apparently both Annie and Katherine Howe attended Hagerstown Female Seminary, Hagerstown, Maryland in 1877-1879. The Evangelical Lutheran Church operated the collegiate department and awarded baccalaureate degrees. The girls saved a catalogue, 190 and a program. 338 The pupils of Hagerstown Female Seminary attended the St. John's Lutheran Church. 364 among the memorabilia of Hagerstown Female Seminary is a program for "Tom Thumb", 382 Katherine's report, 397
The
third Paris World's Fair, called an Exposition Universelle in
French was held in 1878 and celebrated the recovery of France after the
crushing defeat of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War. The Paris Exhibition of 1878
was on a far larger scale in every respect than any which had been previously
held in any part of the world. At
the 1878 Paris Exposition there were 55,100 exhibitors, the building and grounds
covered 687 acres, and more than 16,000,000 people attended. Did Katherine Leiby
Howe travel to the Exposition and purchase a Quilt Patch, "France to America – Souvenir Paris Exposition –
1878" noted on
center ribbon? 508
While
attending Hagerstown Female Seminary in 1879 Katherine Leiby Howe used the books
Leaves and Flowers, or Object Lessons in Botany by Alphonso Wood, published
1874, 322 and Pictorial History of England by S. C. Goodrich,
published 1872. 175
A section of the Hagerstown Seminary Monthly, gives an account of commencement. 424 Does it list the graduates ?? Now Annie Howe also graduated. She wore white kid slippers at graduation; she too will wear them when she marries Rev. W. M. B. Glanding. Her daughter, Margaret Leiby Glanding, will also wear the slipper when she marries! 584 Katherine Leiby Howe became a teacher. There is a tintype photo taken about 1880 of "Teacher and pupil" – Katherine and John Bechtel, who was a cousin of Horace Beard. 339
Annie Howe was very friendly with Eddie Clover, son of Michael Clover, who was minister of the Newport Lutheran Church 1876-1881. Eddie left his calling card in 1877! 409 There is a photograph of Eddie Clover, Rev Michael Clover, Laura Clover and Mrs. Clover. 564 About 1800 Laura (Lollie) owned a china trinket dish. After the child's After the child's death her mother gave the dish to Annie Howe, who had been deeply attached to her.
Katherine Howe was on the faculty of Newport School. There is a photograph taken about 1882 of the faculty showing Laura Howanstine (Fickes), Alfred M. Gantt, Rev. George E. Zhner, Kate Moyer, Lloyd Frey, and Katherine Howe. 313 Miss Howanstine taught 53 students as shown in a class picture taken in 1883. 312 There is another class photo taken in early 1880s showing 37 students taught by Alfred Gannt. 314
In 1883 Annie Howe married Rev. William M. Glanding. Her wedding costume was in the museum at one time. The veil was worn by Katherine Howe at her marriage to Horace Beard, 1889. The dress was worn by her daughter, Margaret Leiby Glanding when she married Clarence Rupp in 1930. At Annie Howe Glanding's request she was buried in her wedding dress. 328 Annie Howe Glanding wore kid gloves at her wedding. 585 Among Annie's poccessions is the book "The Sunny Side or the Country Minister's Wife" copyrighted 1851. 221
Katherine Leiby Beard was a school teacher in 1888. 399
Katherine Leiby Howe and Horace Beard were married Jan. 2 1889 by Rev. William Glanding. 170