THE HISTORY OF SMITHTON, PENNSYLVANIA FROM 1800 TO 1950
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The building they used is now at the extreme end of First Street toward the East. It was moved from its original site to make way for the stone building which now occupies the site. Rooms 3 and 4 were built about 1897. Between 1882 and 1893 three hotels were built, all of them on First Street. In 1896 a feed and flour mill was built for Jacob R. Hough. It was purchased from him by his sons-in-law, R. F. Smith and David Smith in 1900. It is now operated by the Pritts Flour and Feed Company. The ten years from 1895 to 1905 were busy ones. Stores and homes were built until almost every available lot was filled. Few new ones have been built since 1905. The First National Bank opened its doors in 1900 with N. E. Rhoades as cashier and David H. Williams as its first President. Mr. Williams was the chief organizer. Irwin Smith was another important force in its establishment. J. K. MacDonald became cashier in 1909 and continued until his death in 1942. He was succeeded by Robert Zaffy, whose tenure was cut short by his untimely death in 1949. The banking room was originally in the Irwin Smith building in the part now occupied by the Post Office. In 1929 a new Bank Building was built on Peer Street. During the winter and spring of 1950 this building was completely renovated and the most up to date fixtures obtainable were installed in time for the Open House held on April 3, 1950, to celebrate the fiftieth year of service to this community. Mr. William C. Knox is cashier at present, with Miss Hazel Smith, a direct descendant of the town’s founder, and John Pittavino, as assistants. Mr. H. F. Sherbondy is the President and Mr. Marius Pittavino is Vice President. The bridge was built in 1901. Prior to this time the river was crossed by ferry boat, and by a sky ferry. The last person to operate both the boat ferry and the sky ferry was Robert Kirkpatrick, grandfather of Earl Kirkpatrick. In 1899 there began a movement for the town’s incorporation as a borough. Hamilton Young, assisted by George Smith and J. D. Hough circulated a petition find obtained enough signers that by 1907 the court had granted the petition. Smithton has always been Democratic in politics and when it became an independent borough, both parties met in joint caucus and formed a slate for the election of borough officers. The minutes of the first three school board meetings show that Jacob R. Hough was elected President of the Board, Thomas D. Rhodes, Secretary, and the First National Bank was to act as Treasurer. Other Board members were G. W. Torrence, R. H. Wolf, George Smith, and Orton Hough, T’eachers’ salaries were fixed at $45.00 per month for the principal, and $40.00 per month for the other teachers. It was decided to hire four teachers and they were duly elected as follows: Room 1, Jessie Smith; Room 2, Alvina Danielson; Room 3, Hattie Miller and Room 4, Anna McClain.
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