CU RATOR'S REPORT THE BERLIN AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAY 10, 2016 AN EARLY SPRING AFTERNOON ON APRIL 11,2016 ALONG THE SCENIC WILLS CHU RCH ROAD

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1 CU RATOR'S REPORT THE BERLIN AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAY 10, 2016 AN EARLY SPRING AFTERNOON ON APRIL 11,2016 ALONG THE SCENIC WILLS CHU RCH ROAD IN BROTHERSVALLEY TOWNSHIP

2 LEVI SHOEMAKE~ EARLY BERLIN CENTENARIAN Born: January 9, 181Z; Died: February 10, 1913 Levi Shoemaker of Berlin was probably the earliest known centenarian who resided in Berlin. He received what litt~e public education he had in the first school erected in Berlin and at an early age, he learned the trade of wool carder, in which he was actively engaged until about 25 years before his passing. He was the first man in Berlin to own a buggy and in his early years made several trips into Ohio, which was then regarded as the "far west." He saw bands of Indians on those trips and also had his first look at a railroad, the rails for which were made of wood. He was 60 years of age before he ever rode on a train, his first trip being made from Garrett to Confluence. Levi resided at 700 Main Street in the home now owned by Tom and Jane Fisher. A historical marker that is displayed on the front porch of the home identifies the structure as being Levi Shoemaker' s former residence. He was born on January 9, 1812 a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Minkey) Shoemaker, who came to Berlin from the eastern part of Pennsylvania. Levi yvas born in a house that stood between the former B. & o. Station and the former W. J. Miller (Elmer Martz) barn. His birth was recorded in German text to an old roll book or record of the Reformed Church, which dates back to 1717, and his name has appeared many times afterward on the church records for serving many years as deacon, elder, or Sunday School Superintendent. The picture of Levi that appears with this story was copied on April; 11, 2016 from an original postcard photo that was loaned to us by visitors Jim & Sheila Selario of Schellsburg and Arlington, V A, who visited BAHS with their neighbor and friend, Dan Mason, who also has homes in Schellsburg and Arlington, VA. They purchased the photo from an antique display table in Bedford and made a special trip to Berlin to learn more about Levi Shoemaker. Levi was Berlin's oldest resident - 97 years of age - during Berlin's Old Home Week Celebration of A picture of Levi appears on the title page of the souvenir booklet as a dedication to that prominent citizen. In that same booklet it tells of Levi remembering very distinctly of being sexton of both the Lutheran and Reformed churches in 1828 and Among his duties were ringing the bell, scrubbing the floors, cutting the wood., furnishing the candles and keeping the burial grounds in order. The compensation fi.-om each congregation being $2.50 per annum. Levi was twice married: first to Annie Mary Fair of Allegheny Township and after her death to Harriet Hay of Brothersvalley Township. Children were born to each marriage and descendants continue to reside in Berlin. _.._.. _._- ---

3 CURTIS SHROYER'S FORMER HOME BEING DISMANTLED ALONG THE WHITE HORSE MOUNTAIN! Gary Sarver of Allegheny Township tore down the former Curtis Shroyer home along White Horse Mountain for the Gus Kern family during the early months of A historical story on the old home will appear in an upcoming issue of our Memos. BERLIN ATHLETIC CLUB EMBLEMS AND 1938 BERLIN SPORTS ACTIVITY LETTER DONATED BY KAY ANN (LICHVAR) COBER Kay Ann Cober also donated the 2015 and 2016 Fall and Winter Sports Program booklets to the John and Lucille Lichvar Sports Department at BAHS ~-.. ~

4 FORMER PITTSBURGH PIRATE PLAYERS ELROY FACE AND BILL MAZEROSKI ELROY FACE BILL MAZEROSKI (1984) Jack Dickey donated a variety of historical sports memorabilia and photos. The above two photos of former Pittsburgh Pirates players were taken by the late Floyd Heiple. Floyd was married to Kay Ann Zorn, who was a first cousin to Jack Dickey. A TOTAL OF $ IN DONATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE ENDOWMENT FUND OF BARS IN MEMORY OF LIFE MEMBER KENNETH ENGLEKA: Mary Ann Poirier Reckner $ Ronald G. and Peggy Paterson $ Joe L. Miller- Justin, Kevin & Nitro $ Mary (Engleka) Hostetler Berlin Brothersvalley Class of Reon and Sheron Engleka Marlene Putman, Paulette Jenkins and Glennes Miller

5 THE former AMERICAN STORE IN BERLIN Jack Dickey allowed us to copy this picture taken in front of the former American Store at 406 Main Street in Berlin. From left to right: A company representative of the American Stores, John H. Holland, Anna (Ackerman) Holland, Mildred (Holland) Zorn, Kay Ann (Zorn) Heiple, Sandra Jean (Holland) Sosby and Edgar Sarver, Manager of the Berlin store. BARBARA MILLER DISPLAYS A COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL BUILDING REPRODUCTIONS FROM BERLIN HIGH SCHOOL THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED BY STU KREINBROOK

6 SAYING GOODBYE TO THE FORMER IDA'S STORE IN SHANKSVILLE! GARY SARVER OF ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP WILL BE DISMANTLING IDA'S STORE IN COMING WEEKS! BHARAT DASH OF PITTSBURGH (NATIVE OF ROURKE LA, INDIA) PATRONIZING NEXT DOOR'S SNIDA'S CORNER STORE WHILE VISITING DA VID & VIRGINIA HAY ON APRIL 23, 2016! -.~--

7 --~-. DALE & CAROL LEYDIG DISPLAY RAFFLE QUILT Carol Leydig has quilted the above beautiful quilt, using the patches of the late Fern Buttermore. The quilt and Jean Ogburn's rug will be raffled off by BAHS as this year's money making project. DONATIONS: Charles and Hilda Mowry donated a nail clippers advertising Groff's Department Store. Bob Platt donated the family history of the Descendants of Jacob Fritz. Winona Farber donated a Philson National Bank money pouch. Jim Austin donated 1908 and 1937 Berlin Homecoming souvenir booklets, a copy of Exploring Bruedersthal, Power's Graded Speller and Cyr's Second reader. Gene Chipelock donated a miner's hat and a carbide light as well as Army photos from the Pete Chipelock estate. Various memorabilia has been donated by Larry Pritts, Jim Ingrodi, and Harry Caton. Evelyn Ringler donated a collection of 1940 class reunion photos. David Hay has donated photos of Ida's Store in Shanksville and Curtis Shroyer's former home along the White Horse Mountain. A thank you to all our members and friends who have donated items and especially to our faithful volunteers for all they do to keep things moving ahead in the one-room Glade School, the Heritage Haus, as well as in the office and genealogy departments ofthe Berlin Area Historical Society. David R. Hay, Curator...._.. _.

8 SPRING TIME IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME TO TRAVEL ALONG THE WILLS CHURCH ROAD IN BROTHERSVALLEY TOWNSHIP. SHEEP WERE PHOTOGRAPHED WHILE GRAZING IN THE PASTURE FIELDS ON THE CALVERT-SHOBER FAMILY FARM SHEEP GRAZING ALONG THE WILLS CHURCH ROAD IN BROTHERSVALLEY TOWNSHIP ON APRIL 11, 2016.!