Cameron County
Chapter XII
JOSHUA PITT FELT, Emporium. As a living example of what a life of energy, indomitable perseverance and thorough business integrity can accomplish, the gentleman whose name heads this biographical memoir stands prominent among the worthy and progressive citizens of his adopted town and county. Mr. Felt is the eldest son of Eli Felt, a former influential citizen and well-known lumber merchant and capitalist of Emporium, who came to the place (which was then in McKean county, and called Shippen) in 1849. Eli Felt was, a native of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N.Y., born April 3, 1819, and on April 13, 1842, he was married in that town to Olive Talcott, a lady of English descent. The children born to this union were as follows: Joshua Pitt (the subject proper of this sketch), DeWitt (born June 2, 1847), Ida Adelaide (born June 23, 1850), Bessie Sarissa (born July 3, 1852), Olive Julia, born February 16, 1854), Eli Talcott (born June 8, - 1856) and Charles Henry (born November 8, 1860). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Felt lived one year in Smyrna, and then moved to Big Flats, Chemung, Co., N.Y., where he carried on a lumber business, thence moving after a five years' residence to Dansville, Livingston Co., N.Y., and from there after a sojourn of one year to Shippen, now Emporium, where he engaged very extensively in the lumber business as narrated above. Here Mr. Felt built several houses, a large block of stores, and the first hotel in the place, known as the "Emporium House." In 1861 he removed to Philadelphia, in 1870 to Warrenton, N.C., and in 1880, to Raleigh, same State, where he departed this life, February 5, 1885. Joshua P. Felt was born in Big Flats, Chemung Co., N.Y., December 7, 1844, and when five years of age was brought by his parents to the town, in the growth of commercial and social progress of which he was destined to become a leading factor. He received a limited education at the schools of the place, and when seventeen years of age (in 1861) he accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, but soon thereafter returned to Emporium, and started out to earn his own living. At the age of nineteen, we find him in the capacity of contractor on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, at that time building, and a little later as the owner of the only hardware store in the county. His parents, however, induced him to sell this business and take an interest in, and the general management of, the, manufacture and introduction of a proprietary medicine, with headquarters at Philadelphia. This business proving distasteful to him, Mr. Felt withdrew from it, and in 1869 returned to Emporium, where he became interested in an extensive general merchandise store, and in a lumbering and milling business. The firm with which he at this time became connected did a very large and lucrative trade, but unfortunately made heavy purchases of real estate, considering such necessary for the further expansion of their business. Making only small payments thereon, the firm found themselves unable to contend against the great national panic of 1873, and had to succumb, the crash swallowing up all Mr. Felt's capital, and leaving him without a dollar in the world, and a wife and two small children to be cared for. But Mr. Felt was not one of those men who sit and bewail their loss, but cheerfully he went to work to redress his reverses. In the spring of 1874, we find him filling the position of manager of the "Emporium Mills," at that time a small country gristmill, which he soon had running to its fullest capacity, night and day, supplying the increasing demand for flour and feed. In 1877 he was present at the convention held in Buffalo of the National Millers' Association, of which he had become a member. In 1878 he bought an interest in an oil well then being drilled in the McKean county district, this State, which led to the development of a very large and paying territory. Mr. Felt, however, gave only a portion of his time to his oil interests, and in the course of about two years he sold out at a handsome profit. Realizing that it was necessary for the success of the grist-mill that it should be remodeled to conform to the most modern system, Mr. Felt purchased the property, in 1880, on favorable terms, and immediately commenced the work of enlarging and changing its methods to what was then known as "the gradual reduction system." This was followed, in 1883, by another enlarging of the premises and remodeling to "the full-roller system," which has proved a success in every way; and Mr. Felt takes great pride in being possessor of one of the most complete modern roller mills in Western Pennsylvania. Aside from his extensive milling plant, of which he is sole owner, Mr. Felt has one of the pleasantest homes in Emporium; has a fine winter residence and large full bearing orange grove in Emporia, Florida, besides a plantation of 1,500 acres (bought as an investment) in North Carolina. In the general prosperity of the borough of Emporium, Mr. Felt has taken an active part, being one of the first in organizing the water company, and being a director of and stockholder in the same. He assisted in starting the First National Bank, of which he is one of the principal stockholders and a director; took special and active interest in getting the "Cameron Iron & Coal Company" and the "Mankey Furniture Company" located in Emporium. He is a stockholder in the last named enterprise, and a director in the Pennsylvania "Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company." Mr. Felt was married May 24, 1869, to Alice E. Homer, and the names and dates of the birth of their children are as follows: Carl Lee (February 23, 1870), Jay Paul (July 26, 1872), Leon Rex (April 11, 1885), and Floyd Pitt (May 31, 1888). Mr. Felt is past master of Emporium Lodge, F. & A.M., and has a handsome regalia, presented to him by his lodge on the occasion of his retirement from the chair. He is past high priest of Emporium chapter, a member of Knapp Commandery, K.T., of Ridgway, Penn., of Adoniram Council, Williamsport, Penn., and of Caldwell Consistory Thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, Bloomsburg, Penn.
Chapter XII
JOSHUA PITT FELT, Emporium. As a living example of what a life of energy, indomitable perseverance and thorough business integrity can accomplish, the gentleman whose name heads this biographical memoir stands prominent among the worthy and progressive citizens of his adopted town and county. Mr. Felt is the eldest son of Eli Felt, a former influential citizen and well-known lumber merchant and capitalist of Emporium, who came to the place (which was then in McKean county, and called Shippen) in 1849. Eli Felt was, a native of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N.Y., born April 3, 1819, and on April 13, 1842, he was married in that town to Olive Talcott, a lady of English descent. The children born to this union were as follows: Joshua Pitt (the subject proper of this sketch), DeWitt (born June 2, 1847), Ida Adelaide (born June 23, 1850), Bessie Sarissa (born July 3, 1852), Olive Julia, born February 16, 1854), Eli Talcott (born June 8, - 1856) and Charles Henry (born November 8, 1860). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Felt lived one year in Smyrna, and then moved to Big Flats, Chemung, Co., N.Y., where he carried on a lumber business, thence moving after a five years' residence to Dansville, Livingston Co., N.Y., and from there after a sojourn of one year to Shippen, now Emporium, where he engaged very extensively in the lumber business as narrated above. Here Mr. Felt built several houses, a large block of stores, and the first hotel in the place, known as the "Emporium House." In 1861 he removed to Philadelphia, in 1870 to Warrenton, N.C., and in 1880, to Raleigh, same State, where he departed this life, February 5, 1885. Joshua P. Felt was born in Big Flats, Chemung Co., N.Y., December 7, 1844, and when five years of age was brought by his parents to the town, in the growth of commercial and social progress of which he was destined to become a leading factor. He received a limited education at the schools of the place, and when seventeen years of age (in 1861) he accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, but soon thereafter returned to Emporium, and started out to earn his own living. At the age of nineteen, we find him in the capacity of contractor on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, at that time building, and a little later as the owner of the only hardware store in the county. His parents, however, induced him to sell this business and take an interest in, and the general management of, the, manufacture and introduction of a proprietary medicine, with headquarters at Philadelphia. This business proving distasteful to him, Mr. Felt withdrew from it, and in 1869 returned to Emporium, where he became interested in an extensive general merchandise store, and in a lumbering and milling business. The firm with which he at this time became connected did a very large and lucrative trade, but unfortunately made heavy purchases of real estate, considering such necessary for the further expansion of their business. Making only small payments thereon, the firm found themselves unable to contend against the great national panic of 1873, and had to succumb, the crash swallowing up all Mr. Felt's capital, and leaving him without a dollar in the world, and a wife and two small children to be cared for. But Mr. Felt was not one of those men who sit and bewail their loss, but cheerfully he went to work to redress his reverses. In the spring of 1874, we find him filling the position of manager of the "Emporium Mills," at that time a small country gristmill, which he soon had running to its fullest capacity, night and day, supplying the increasing demand for flour and feed. In 1877 he was present at the convention held in Buffalo of the National Millers' Association, of which he had become a member. In 1878 he bought an interest in an oil well then being drilled in the McKean county district, this State, which led to the development of a very large and paying territory. Mr. Felt, however, gave only a portion of his time to his oil interests, and in the course of about two years he sold out at a handsome profit. Realizing that it was necessary for the success of the grist-mill that it should be remodeled to conform to the most modern system, Mr. Felt purchased the property, in 1880, on favorable terms, and immediately commenced the work of enlarging and changing its methods to what was then known as "the gradual reduction system." This was followed, in 1883, by another enlarging of the premises and remodeling to "the full-roller system," which has proved a success in every way; and Mr. Felt takes great pride in being possessor of one of the most complete modern roller mills in Western Pennsylvania. Aside from his extensive milling plant, of which he is sole owner, Mr. Felt has one of the pleasantest homes in Emporium; has a fine winter residence and large full bearing orange grove in Emporia, Florida, besides a plantation of 1,500 acres (bought as an investment) in North Carolina. In the general prosperity of the borough of Emporium, Mr. Felt has taken an active part, being one of the first in organizing the water company, and being a director of and stockholder in the same. He assisted in starting the First National Bank, of which he is one of the principal stockholders and a director; took special and active interest in getting the "Cameron Iron & Coal Company" and the "Mankey Furniture Company" located in Emporium. He is a stockholder in the last named enterprise, and a director in the Pennsylvania "Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company." Mr. Felt was married May 24, 1869, to Alice E. Homer, and the names and dates of the birth of their children are as follows: Carl Lee (February 23, 1870), Jay Paul (July 26, 1872), Leon Rex (April 11, 1885), and Floyd Pitt (May 31, 1888). Mr. Felt is past master of Emporium Lodge, F. & A.M., and has a handsome regalia, presented to him by his lodge on the occasion of his retirement from the chair. He is past high priest of Emporium chapter, a member of Knapp Commandery, K.T., of Ridgway, Penn., of Adoniram Council, Williamsport, Penn., and of Caldwell Consistory Thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, Bloomsburg, Penn.
Cameron County
Chapter XII
JOSHUA PITT FELT, Emporium. As a living example of what a life of energy, indomitable perseverance and thorough business integrity can accomplish, the gentleman whose name heads this biographical memoir stands prominent among the worthy and progressive citizens of his adopted town and county. Mr. Felt is the eldest son of Eli Felt, a former influential citizen and well-known lumber merchant and capitalist of Emporium, who came to the place (which was then in McKean county, and called Shippen) in 1849. Eli Felt was, a native of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N.Y., born April 3, 1819, and on April 13, 1842, he was married in that town to Olive Talcott, a lady of English descent. The children born to this union were as follows: Joshua Pitt (the subject proper of this sketch), DeWitt (born June 2, 1847), Ida Adelaide (born June 23, 1850), Bessie Sarissa (born July 3, 1852), Olive Julia, born February 16, 1854), Eli Talcott (born June 8, - 1856) and Charles Henry (born November 8, 1860). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Felt lived one year in Smyrna, and then moved to Big Flats, Chemung, Co., N.Y., where he carried on a lumber business, thence moving after a five years' residence to Dansville, Livingston Co., N.Y., and from there after a sojourn of one year to Shippen, now Emporium, where he engaged very extensively in the lumber business as narrated above. Here Mr. Felt built several houses, a large block of stores, and the first hotel in the place, known as the "Emporium House." In 1861 he removed to Philadelphia, in 1870 to Warrenton, N.C., and in 1880, to Raleigh, same State, where he departed this life, February 5, 1885. Joshua P. Felt was born in Big Flats, Chemung Co., N.Y., December 7, 1844, and when five years of age was brought by his parents to the town, in the growth of commercial and social progress of which he was destined to become a leading factor. He received a limited education at the schools of the place, and when seventeen years of age (in 1861) he accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, but soon thereafter returned to Emporium, and started out to earn his own living. At the age of nineteen, we find him in the capacity of contractor on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, at that time building, and a little later as the owner of the only hardware store in the county. His parents, however, induced him to sell this business and take an interest in, and the general management of, the, manufacture and introduction of a proprietary medicine, with headquarters at Philadelphia. This business proving distasteful to him, Mr. Felt withdrew from it, and in 1869 returned to Emporium, where he became interested in an extensive general merchandise store, and in a lumbering and milling business. The firm with which he at this time became connected did a very large and lucrative trade, but unfortunately made heavy purchases of real estate, considering such necessary for the further expansion of their business. Making only small payments thereon, the firm found themselves unable to contend against the great national panic of 1873, and had to succumb, the crash swallowing up all Mr. Felt's capital, and leaving him without a dollar in the world, and a wife and two small children to be cared for. But Mr. Felt was not one of those men who sit and bewail their loss, but cheerfully he went to work to redress his reverses. In the spring of 1874, we find him filling the position of manager of the "Emporium Mills," at that time a small country gristmill, which he soon had running to its fullest capacity, night and day, supplying the increasing demand for flour and feed. In 1877 he was present at the convention held in Buffalo of the National Millers' Association, of which he had become a member. In 1878 he bought an interest in an oil well then being drilled in the McKean county district, this State, which led to the development of a very large and paying territory. Mr. Felt, however, gave only a portion of his time to his oil interests, and in the course of about two years he sold out at a handsome profit. Realizing that it was necessary for the success of the grist-mill that it should be remodeled to conform to the most modern system, Mr. Felt purchased the property, in 1880, on favorable terms, and immediately commenced the work of enlarging and changing its methods to what was then known as "the gradual reduction system." This was followed, in 1883, by another enlarging of the premises and remodeling to "the full-roller system," which has proved a success in every way; and Mr. Felt takes great pride in being possessor of one of the most complete modern roller mills in Western Pennsylvania. Aside from his extensive milling plant, of which he is sole owner, Mr. Felt has one of the pleasantest homes in Emporium; has a fine winter residence and large full bearing orange grove in Emporia, Florida, besides a plantation of 1,500 acres (bought as an investment) in North Carolina. In the general prosperity of the borough of Emporium, Mr. Felt has taken an active part, being one of the first in organizing the water company, and being a director of and stockholder in the same. He assisted in starting the First National Bank, of which he is one of the principal stockholders and a director; took special and active interest in getting the "Cameron Iron & Coal Company" and the "Mankey Furniture Company" located in Emporium. He is a stockholder in the last named enterprise, and a director in the Pennsylvania "Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company." Mr. Felt was married May 24, 1869, to Alice E. Homer, and the names and dates of the birth of their children are as follows: Carl Lee (February 23, 1870), Jay Paul (July 26, 1872), Leon Rex (April 11, 1885), and Floyd Pitt (May 31, 1888). Mr. Felt is past master of Emporium Lodge, F. & A.M., and has a handsome regalia, presented to him by his lodge on the occasion of his retirement from the chair. He is past high priest of Emporium chapter, a member of Knapp Commandery, K.T., of Ridgway, Penn., of Adoniram Council, Williamsport, Penn., and of Caldwell Consistory Thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, Bloomsburg, Penn.
Chapter XII
JOSHUA PITT FELT, Emporium. As a living example of what a life of energy, indomitable perseverance and thorough business integrity can accomplish, the gentleman whose name heads this biographical memoir stands prominent among the worthy and progressive citizens of his adopted town and county. Mr. Felt is the eldest son of Eli Felt, a former influential citizen and well-known lumber merchant and capitalist of Emporium, who came to the place (which was then in McKean county, and called Shippen) in 1849. Eli Felt was, a native of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N.Y., born April 3, 1819, and on April 13, 1842, he was married in that town to Olive Talcott, a lady of English descent. The children born to this union were as follows: Joshua Pitt (the subject proper of this sketch), DeWitt (born June 2, 1847), Ida Adelaide (born June 23, 1850), Bessie Sarissa (born July 3, 1852), Olive Julia, born February 16, 1854), Eli Talcott (born June 8, - 1856) and Charles Henry (born November 8, 1860). After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Felt lived one year in Smyrna, and then moved to Big Flats, Chemung, Co., N.Y., where he carried on a lumber business, thence moving after a five years' residence to Dansville, Livingston Co., N.Y., and from there after a sojourn of one year to Shippen, now Emporium, where he engaged very extensively in the lumber business as narrated above. Here Mr. Felt built several houses, a large block of stores, and the first hotel in the place, known as the "Emporium House." In 1861 he removed to Philadelphia, in 1870 to Warrenton, N.C., and in 1880, to Raleigh, same State, where he departed this life, February 5, 1885. Joshua P. Felt was born in Big Flats, Chemung Co., N.Y., December 7, 1844, and when five years of age was brought by his parents to the town, in the growth of commercial and social progress of which he was destined to become a leading factor. He received a limited education at the schools of the place, and when seventeen years of age (in 1861) he accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, but soon thereafter returned to Emporium, and started out to earn his own living. At the age of nineteen, we find him in the capacity of contractor on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, at that time building, and a little later as the owner of the only hardware store in the county. His parents, however, induced him to sell this business and take an interest in, and the general management of, the, manufacture and introduction of a proprietary medicine, with headquarters at Philadelphia. This business proving distasteful to him, Mr. Felt withdrew from it, and in 1869 returned to Emporium, where he became interested in an extensive general merchandise store, and in a lumbering and milling business. The firm with which he at this time became connected did a very large and lucrative trade, but unfortunately made heavy purchases of real estate, considering such necessary for the further expansion of their business. Making only small payments thereon, the firm found themselves unable to contend against the great national panic of 1873, and had to succumb, the crash swallowing up all Mr. Felt's capital, and leaving him without a dollar in the world, and a wife and two small children to be cared for. But Mr. Felt was not one of those men who sit and bewail their loss, but cheerfully he went to work to redress his reverses. In the spring of 1874, we find him filling the position of manager of the "Emporium Mills," at that time a small country gristmill, which he soon had running to its fullest capacity, night and day, supplying the increasing demand for flour and feed. In 1877 he was present at the convention held in Buffalo of the National Millers' Association, of which he had become a member. In 1878 he bought an interest in an oil well then being drilled in the McKean county district, this State, which led to the development of a very large and paying territory. Mr. Felt, however, gave only a portion of his time to his oil interests, and in the course of about two years he sold out at a handsome profit. Realizing that it was necessary for the success of the grist-mill that it should be remodeled to conform to the most modern system, Mr. Felt purchased the property, in 1880, on favorable terms, and immediately commenced the work of enlarging and changing its methods to what was then known as "the gradual reduction system." This was followed, in 1883, by another enlarging of the premises and remodeling to "the full-roller system," which has proved a success in every way; and Mr. Felt takes great pride in being possessor of one of the most complete modern roller mills in Western Pennsylvania. Aside from his extensive milling plant, of which he is sole owner, Mr. Felt has one of the pleasantest homes in Emporium; has a fine winter residence and large full bearing orange grove in Emporia, Florida, besides a plantation of 1,500 acres (bought as an investment) in North Carolina. In the general prosperity of the borough of Emporium, Mr. Felt has taken an active part, being one of the first in organizing the water company, and being a director of and stockholder in the same. He assisted in starting the First National Bank, of which he is one of the principal stockholders and a director; took special and active interest in getting the "Cameron Iron & Coal Company" and the "Mankey Furniture Company" located in Emporium. He is a stockholder in the last named enterprise, and a director in the Pennsylvania "Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company." Mr. Felt was married May 24, 1869, to Alice E. Homer, and the names and dates of the birth of their children are as follows: Carl Lee (February 23, 1870), Jay Paul (July 26, 1872), Leon Rex (April 11, 1885), and Floyd Pitt (May 31, 1888). Mr. Felt is past master of Emporium Lodge, F. & A.M., and has a handsome regalia, presented to him by his lodge on the occasion of his retirement from the chair. He is past high priest of Emporium chapter, a member of Knapp Commandery, K.T., of Ridgway, Penn., of Adoniram Council, Williamsport, Penn., and of Caldwell Consistory Thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, Bloomsburg, Penn.
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