| Notes |
AMOS ELMAKER KAPP was one of the leading citizens of the borough of
Northumberland for over fifty years. In his day he was undoubtedly one
of the best known men in central Pennsylvania, particularly in the
period preceding the advent of the railroad, when his connection with
stage lines and canal packets, as a member of the firm of Kapp & Calder,
gave him an unusually wide acquaintance. He was one of the most
enterprising residents of the borough, being the organizer of the First
National Bank, a director of the Northern Central Railroad Company, a
member of the lumber firm of Kapp & Co., and in many ways identified
with important interests of various kinds.
Mr. Kapp was born Aug. 27, 1809, in Harrisburg, Pa., son, of
Michael Kapp, one of the pioneers in the mercantile business at
Harrisburg. Michael Kapp was born Aug. 1, 1770, in Schaefferstown,
Lancaster Co., Pa., and died at Harrisburg July 1, 1830. He owned
valuable property in Harrisburg, upon what is now the Square, and there
did business until his death. He brought his goods from Philadelphia by
team. Mr. Kapp married Mary Elmaker, who was born May 13, 1776,
daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Baker) Elmaker, and died at
Harrisburg Oct. 28, 1844. Two children were born to this union,
Catharine and Amos E. The daughter, born Feb. 8, 1799, was the first
pupil to graduate from Linden Hall Seminary, at Lititz, Lancaster
county. She never married, and was very well known in Harrisburg, where
she remained at the old homestead until her death, Sept. 18, 1880.
Amos E. Kapp was born in Harrisburg in a building which stood in
the northwest corner of Market square, adjoining the present "Bolton
House." He spent his early years in his native city, which he left Dec.
30, 1832, for Northumberland, making the journey by stagecoach. He
passed the remainder of his life there. Immediately after his arrival,
on Jan. 1, 1833, he took charge of the stagecoach business there,
becoming identified with the famous old line which carried passengers up
and down the river. Forming a partnership with William Calder (2), under
the name of Kapp & Calder, he built up a large business. They had two
offices, one in Harrisburg and one in Northumberland, Mr. Calder looking
after the Harrisburg office, and in addition to carrying passengers did
an extensive business in hauling from Philadelphia to central
Pennsylvania, having as many as one hundred horses, the best that could
he obtained.
When Mr. Kapp came to Northumberland the stagecoach was the only
means of transportation, and he and his partner not only ran stages but
also packets on the canal, following this business until they were
bought out by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. There were few men in
this section who witnessed so much of its progress as Mr. Kapp, and
there were few who had more to do with its opening up and advancement.
He organized the First National Bank of Northumberland and served as its
president; he was identified with the Northern Central Railroad Company
for many years and served as one of its directors; he was active in the
lumber business as president of Kapp & Co., and deeply interested in the
agricultural development of his State, serving as president of the
Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society.
Mr. Kapp purchased two hundred acres of valuable land in Point
township, adjoining the borough of Northumberland, and there he made big
home, dying on that place Sept. 22, 1887. It is a very fertile tract
and under his management was kept in a high state of cultivation. He
kept registered Jersey cattle, and in many other ways displayed his
advanced ideas in agricultural lines. The original house on this farm
known as Hummel's Inn was built in 1799 and repaired in 1852. The barn
was built in 1851, and at the time of its erection was the largest barn
in the State, being 100 by 50 feet in dimensions. Mr. Kapp retired from
active life in 1875.
On Feb. 16, 1841, Mr. Kapp was married at Sunbury, by Rev. Mr.
Fisher, to Margaret Wighington, who was born Dec. 10, 1818, in
Mifflinburg, Union Co., Pa., daughter of George and Catharine (Youngman)
Wighington, and died
END OF PAGE 22
June 13, 1868. She was the mother of the following named children:
Clara M., Amos F. (deceased), Horace F. (deceased), William C.
(deceased), Maggie (living in New Jersey, widow of Samuel Trump; she has
one daughter, Margaret), Laura (deceased in infancy), Helen, Mary B.
(wife of Frank L. Sheppard, of New York City, general manager of the
United Railroads of New Jersey), Bertha (who is married to P. Leisenring
and has one son, Frank), Annie (living in New York City), Cameron
(deceased).
Though over half a century elapsed from the time Mr. Kapp left
Harrisburg until his death, it was his custom to visit his native city
yearly on the anniversary of his departure and spend the day with his
friend, William D. Boas, of Harrisburg, who had accompanied him to the
coach when he set out to seek his fortune up the river. He was active
and energetic to the close of his long life and interested in the events
of the day, the social and political changes which had taken place
during his mature years affording him much pleasure. He was present at
the inauguration ceremonies of sixteen different governors of
Pennsylvania, and as six of them served two terms each he attended
twenty-two inaugurations - a record which few citizens of the State can
equal.
The Misses Clara and Helen Kapp lived upon the home farm just
outside of Northumberland until July 20, 1909, when they moved into the
borough, having sold the old place to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
the property being very desirable for yards, which were established
there in that year. The station known as Kapp's, on the Pennsylvania
road, was named for the family. The Misses Kapp are members of the
D.A.R. and active and prominent in the social life of the borough, being
very hospitable and noted entertainers.- Amos was a son of Michael & Mary (Ellmaker) Kapp. He came to Northumberland in December 1832 where he took over the stagecoach business in partnership with William Calder. They also ran packets on the canal which paralleled the Susquehanna River.
Amos organized the First National Bank of Northumberland and served as its president. He was on the board of directors of the Northern Central Railroad Co. He was in the lumber business and operated a highly successful farm. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society.
- September 7, 1931
Harrisburg Telegraph from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ยท Page 57
STAGE COACHES, THENSTEAMCARS Travel Slow and Roads Rough; Only Hardiest Attempted Far Journeys OUTSIDE of
some delightful reminiscences of Colonel Amos v Kapp, little has been written about Pennsylvania stage coaches, or the romance which clustered ' about them.
The advent of the canals shortly after 1830 slowed up the coaching activities. In Colonel Henry Shoemaker's book, "More Allegheny Episodes," he quotes Miss Helen Kapp's dissertation on her father's coaching activities, which she delivered to a delighted audience at a meeting of Fort Augusta Chapter, D. A. R., at Sunbury.
"In our early history," said Miss Kapp, "there was very little traveling for pleasure; no one had a vacation, no one ever heard of Atlantic City,. Asbury Park or Newport. The only resort in those days in this State was Bedford Springs, and to get there from Northumberland, either by stage or private conveyance, took four days. "As stage coach lines became established throughout the State, traveling began to increase.
The stage coach line from Williamsport to Harrisburg was owned and operated by my father, Colonel Amos E. Kapp, of Northumberland, and William Calder of Harrisburg. A large amount of capital was invested in this line. The coaches, the horses and equipment were the best that money could buy. The coaches were made to carry nine persons inside and Ave outside, and were drawn by four horses. The upholstering and finishings of the coaches were of the very best materials, and similar to our motor cars of today, if not better.
On the rear of the coach was a place, called a boot, for the reception of baggage. The baggage was pro tected by a covering of leather from the storm or rain. A place in front was called a 'front boot,' where the mails and the outfit of the drivers were kept. "Passengers from Williamsport to Harrisburg left Williamsport about 12 o'clock noon and arrived at Northumberland about 9 o'clock the same evening, being on the road nine hours.
Northumberland being a relay or distributing point, all persons going north, south, east or west were compelled to stay over night at this place and the house lately owned by the Misses Priestley and Miss Taggart on Front and King streets, kept by the Burrs, was noted throughout the State as the Great Stage Hotel. When the stage coaches were nearing a town or village the drivers would blow a large horn, thus notifying the people of their approach.
"In leaving Williamsport, houses and drivers were exchanged seven times before reaching Harrisburg, co that a person going from Williamsport to Harrisburg was hauled by twenty - eight horses. The hotel 6iW I One of his achievements shown in heft low photo. This is o n 1 y one of many Y fine monuments to his excellent work K as a builder and contractor. V rr an n Wards 1 and 2 Pennsylvania 5 tat e Hospital Harrisburg Emerald and Atlas Sts. HARRISBURG J TELEGRAPH MONDAY EVENING SEPTEMBER 7, 1931 29 A Type of Locomotive That Helped Put Stage Coaches Out of Business i"' f Here is an old - timer and there are very few Philadelphia and Reading Railroad employes in this vicinity who can remember when this engine was in service. It was built at the Reading shops in 1846, and shows one of the early attempts to use anthracite coal. It was a novelty all right, and while long distance traveling was slow with this engine, it filled the requirements until something better was provided. The front part of the engine was built originally for burning wood. The boiler attached included a tank and firebox. Hard coal was used to make steam and the power passed through the large pipe overhead to the front boiler. Anthracite coal was carried under the rear boiler and in boxes in the cab or the engine. Tne picture oi tnis om - umer was contributed by Peter S. Zimmerman, 425 Maclay street, chief clerk in the office of the division freight agen of the Reading Railway. keepers "and the drivers acted as agents," and collected all fares after leaving the stage - offices at Northumberland. The fare from Northumberland to Harrisburg was $2.00, or at the rate of 4 cents a mile. "Every passenger's name was taken, the amount he paid, and his destination recordrd on 'way - bill. This 'way - bill' was given to the driver, and he had to deliver it at the next place where horses were exchanged. "It was the hotel keeper's business to see that no one got on the coach who had not paid his fare, and if any one got on the stage between stations, it was the business of the driver to collect the fare and report to the next hotel keeper, so that no one got a ride without paying their fare.
"The stage coach left Northumberland about 7 o'clock in the morning and arrived at Harrisburg at 7 o'clock in the evening, being on the road about twelve hours. Meals were gotten at the hotels where the stage stopped. A good meal cost from 25 cents to 30 cents, and was as good as you get today at a swell hotel and pay from $1.00 to $2.00. A lunch, or what was then called 'a cold check,' cost 124 cents and consisted of bread, butter, cold ham or beef, cheese, pickles and coffee. "Later on, when the Pennsylvania Railroad was completed from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, the stages only ran as far as Clark's Ferry, where persons from the cars would be met by the stage coach and brought to Williamsport. "Mr father had a coach buili at Concord, Mass., one of the finest Hearty Congratulations 0. J. Maigne Company Manufacturers of Printers' Rollers New York, N. Y. Philadelphia, Pa. . Washington, D. C. 356 Pearl St. 2025 Hutchinson St. 627 H St. N. W. coaches ever brought to Pennsylvania at that time, which was used only on special occasions, named after his daughter, being called The Clara Coach.'
The last governor hauled in a coach to be inaugurated was Governor Packer. Mr. Packer came from Williamsport on his way to Harrisburg to be inaugurated, and stopped at the Burr House over night, expecting to take the stage in the morning for Harrisburg. When he was about ready my father appeared on ihe scene to pay his respects to the governor, and said to him: "Do not be in a hurry; your coach will be here soon.'
About this time the Clara coach, with four white horses, appeared to take the governor and his family on their way. Mr. Packer considered this as great a compliment as being elected to pie - side over his State. This little incident made of these two men very - warm friends through life, though differing in politics. "Besides this Susquehanna Stage Line there were lines running to Pottsville, Danville, Mifflinburg and Lewistown. All these lines centered at Northumberland, and at one time my father was the owner of 100 horses, which number of horses it required to operate these various lines of coaches. "The line of coaches on the Sus "fcnMawr - lire jjrfwv; - : Our First Building Operation in Harrisburg Homes at Second and Edwards Streets W flBB Contractor and Builder nil iv - v quehanna was only operated during the winter months, as all travel was done on the canal in summer, in packet boats. These boats were built to carry 150 persons when full. The boat was about eighty feet long by about twelve feet wide, painted white, with twenty windows on each side. These windows were protected by Venetian blinds or shutters, and these being painted green made a very pretty cc ast. Passengers were served with meals, and provided berths at night to sleep. The berths were fastened along the sides of the boat, and were separated from one another by curtains, similar to our sleeping cars at the present day. These boats were nicely furnished in the cabins, and the first sleeping cars of the Pennsylvania Railroad were built after the cabin of the Old Susquehanna packet boats. There were three of these boats running from Harrisburg to Williamsport. Their names were 'Dauphin,' 'Northumberland,' and 'Lycoming' named after the counties through which they passed. The crews of these boats consisted of a captain, two steersmen, two bowsmen, a steward, two cooks and one chambermaid. In those days they did not have time tables, so that when the packet boat was in sight, swinging . majestically along the Blue Hill, there was a bell rang I which hung on a high pole at the landing along the foot of Water Street, Northumberland, thus giving notice to the people to be there when the boat reached the wharf. The boats were drawn by three horses, and these horses were exchanged every fourteen or fifteen miles, the same as the coach horses. "It has been said that a trip on the Hudson presents the most beau tiful scenery in the United States. but it has no comparison with a trip from Williamsport to Harrisburg in the 'old packet days.' Leaving Williamsport, you passed through one of the finest agricultural districts in the State, for about a distance of about twelve miles; then you came to the famous 'Muncy Hills' on your left, towering hundreds of feet above the river. Then passing along this beautiful mountain scenery for four miles, you again came to a farming district through which you passed until you reached the town of Northumberland, where the North and West Branch Rivers form a junction, making the Susquehanna River, presenting one of the fir st views in the State. Here you crossed the river on the old West Branch Bridge, you beheld that high promonotory called 'Blue Hill. This history clustering about this old hill with its many traditions should be familiar to all. Whiia crossing the river you saw the 'leaning house' built over the river from a projecting rock by John Mason, called 'Mason's Tower' in the early history of the valley. Here you saw the profile image of the Indian - SLikellamy, the great Iroquois Regent, staring you in the face. Then you glided down through the peaceful slack water (caused by the Shamokin dam) for a distance of four miles, when ou reached another agricultural district, through which you passed for twenty - six miles, which brought you to Liverpool. Here you beheld scenery which is not surpassed anywhere in America; here you saw the peaks of seven mountains at one time, which have elicitated the admiral ion of . generations. Passing on down, you came to the fame us "irty's Notch, known in early days as the resort of highway robbers; on your right is the mountain hundreds of feet . above the rlvr; on your left tha . beautiful Susquehanna, its peaceful waters flowing through hundreds of projecting rocks on its way to the ocean.
"In describing a trip from Williamsport to Harrisburg, I have failed to give you that rate of miles traveled per hour. The rate of travel was four and a half to Avq miles per hour." Many Happy Returns of the Day Our Sincere Wishes for Continued Success and Prosperity 1 erial Engraving Co, Fred deGroot started in building business in 1922, his first job coming the same year on the two houses shown in above photo. New York City mum The church photo below gives an idea of the different type buildings this firm has built. From modest two - story dwellings to the highest type architectural designs. 'ly.,S itf W ft half jvlfj : 1 a (Mr Church of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Harrisburg Harrisburg, Penna.
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1809 - 1887 (78 years)
