&
NOTABLES AND BUSINESS LEADERS
OF CENTRE COUNTY.
Copyright, 1930, by A. Bothwell
GEORGE S. DENITHORNE
Mr. Denithorne is head of the important concern trading as the Belle-
.fonte Engineering & Construction Co., fabricators of structural steel and
builders of bridges, buildings, towers, trestles and miscellanneous struc.
tures.
This enterprise is making history in this community and is
located on the highway about midway between Bellefonte and
Milesburg. The large and imposing list of structures that
stand to their credit is a mute evidence of their superior ability.
An idea of the work done by them may be gleaned from the extensive
equipment they use and the many men they continually keep busy in their
work. That the public's confidence has been well placed in them has
been proved by their actual performance and achievements. As head of
this enterprise, Mr. Denithorne not only maintains the highest standard
but He has enhanced it, and the business has been constantly on the in-
crease. Mr. Denithorne was formerly identified with the Koppers Con-
struction Co. of Pittsburgh, which specializes on building large by-pro-
ducts coke ovens and water gas plants. It is the largest industrial con-
tracting concern in the world. In recent years Mr. Denithorne has been
connected with the Medart company, St. Louis, Mo., manufacturers and
engineers specializing in material handling, power transmitting and steel
mill machinery. He came to Bellefonte several years ago and took over
his present plant from Horatio S. Moore, one of the brightest engineers
in the country. Mr. Denithorne has a host of friends in Pittsburgh as
well as in Bellefonte. It must be a source of great satisfaction to be en-
gaged in an occupation of such a highly constructive nature—to know
that by one’s work one is directly a potent factor in the upbuilding of the
nation. Beside, every contract executed by this concern, no matter where
has its benignant jnfluence on local industrial and commercial advance.
Mr. Denithorne is indeed a highly esteemed citizen and a mighty valuable
one to our community.
W. HARRISON WALKER
In the hurly-burly of business, education and politics, represented by
countless mercantile and manufacturing interests which abound in a well
governed community, there is bound to be both friction and salve. The
tempests are called forth and are allayed. The part the lawyer plays in
this drama is of a soothing nature comtrary to the view that lawyers
create contention. The constructive ability of such a legal light as W.
Harrison Walker must be regarded as one of the helpful influences which
tend to make any community great. He is a lawyer in broad sympathy
with the community's development. That is what makes up the charac-
ter of the builder, and a man does not need bricks and mortar to build
well if he is willing to give the best in his character and cement it with
the best that is in others. It is instructive and necessary to contemplate
the activity of the leading “business builders” of Bellefonte, of the quiet
men who never carry a hod but who carry ideas in their head and
strength of purpose in their hearts, and thus help to build a citadel which
will withstand that which bricks and mortar never could. Mr. Walker
is therefore not only a prominent lawyer but also a prominent citizen.
His offices are in the Masonic Temple Bldg. and they are oft times a
miniature court room for Mr. Walker more often than not acts as both
attorney and judge in settling cases by arbitration instead of carrying
them through expensive litigation in the courts and thus preserving the
friendship of two citizens, Not every barrister can do that. The re-
quirements are deeply rooted. Mr. Walker is immediate past president
of the Kiwanis Club, iS member of the committee of underpriviledged
children, chairman of the Penna. Distr. 1930 and member of the Inter-
national committee, 1931. :
HARRY E. DUNLAP
The duties of sheriff of a county thé size of "Centre County, is by
no means a sinecure. It requires a man of many years experience as
well as a man possessed of many other attributes such as fairness of
mind, bravery of spirit and a willingness to weather the elements, no
matter how inclement. The sheriff who attends strictly to his duties
may be called out at any hour of the night, he may run afoul of the
most desperate bandits; he may lose his life at any moment. Thus it
may be seen that being a sheriff is not the easiest or most pleasant oc-
cupation. It requires a rugged type that is capable of meeting any
exigency and the general public never fully appreciates the large part
the sheriff plays in safguarding its interests in more ways than one.
Ofttimes a man or firm finds it impossible to collect a just debt and
suit is instituted. In the event the debt is recognized by the courts, a
judgment is entered and then it is up to the sheriff to see that the debt
is satisfied, In fact, were we to attempt to catalogue all the services
rendered by such a man as Sheriff Harry E. Dunlap, we would have to
write columns. Sheriff Dunlap for years has been one of the most de-
pendable and most highly esteemed men in Bellefonte. He has made for
himself a host of friends because he has always evinced a fair and
square method of dealing with his fellowmen. Since the advent of his
administration of the office of sheriff, he has proved himself to be one
of the ablest public servants Centre county has ever known. It is men
of this type who are to be counted among the most valuable citizens in
any comunity. :
en -.
JOHN G. LOVE
The success of John G. Love in: the field of law is the kind that will
endure. A lawyer may be able to recite a tome of Blackstone backward
from memory and to cite every legal precedent on record to influence
the decision of the court; but if he is not possessed of a native brilliance,
he will remain mediocre. These attributes are necessary to a district
attorney for in this office one must cope with the best legal ability and
sometimes be pitted against a battery of legal lights. Some district at-
torneys demand the greatest penalty in all case, regardless of circum-
stances, for personal aggrandizement and political ambitions, instead of
tempering their views with true justice.
Mr. Love has the viewpoint that his office is a public trust and not a
machine to lift him to dizzy heights in the political arena, using unfort-
unate souls who have erred against society, as mere puppets to serve as
stepping stones for personal advance. Not Mr. Love! If it is the prison-
er’'s first offense and there seems good reason for condoning the offense,
Mr. Love considers this. It is such fairness that makes Mr. Love so be-
loved and so feared at the same time, for the hardened criminal suffers from
his unmitigated prosecution which is both thorough and effective, and af-
ter all such a man deserves political preferment all the more though he
does not ask it. Mr. Love is likewise a mighty civic spirited citizen.
JAMES K. BARNHART
In watching the evolution of finance in its varied forms, the develop-
ment of the modern bank is in itself a comprehensive study. Mr. James
K. Barnhart is cashier of the First National Bank. He is likewise one of
the ablest bankers in the State; and one need not be an exceptionally
keen observer of facts to realize that it is institutions of this kind that
dévelop a community into the hotbed of business. The depositors have
been constantly growing in numbers and the dollars and cents measur-
ing rod, by which the amount of deposits are ascertained, has also had to
be lengthened each year. Then on the other hand, there are few
enterprises in Bellefonte that have been of equal aid in fostering the ex-
pansion of worthy local concerns. Without taking anything away from
his associates, Mr. Barnhart has been largely responsible for the constant
growth and increasing prestige of this institution. He has a personality
that’ makes friends for him wherever his duties carry him, and what is
more important, those friendships endure because Mr. Barnhart is of the
square-deal type of man who is always ready to give of his financial ex-
perience and keen judgment in advice to clients of the bank and to also
give financial aid where the cause is worthy and where the interests of
the bank are not jeopardized. In this way he has been “father confes-
sor,” as it were, on many occasions, when he has been a large factor in
some local enterprise gapping a chasm that might otherwise have proved
disastrous. It is'such ‘mien who make any community the richer by their
presence. : :
H. LEIGH EBRIGHT
Mr. Ebright is cashier of the First National Bank of Centre Hall. A
prominent character in the community's annals, without intruding upon
the attention of anyone who is not inclined to look at the picture pre-
sented by local financial activities, is the man who sits behind an im-
portant executive's desk in a prominent bank. He is all but hidden from
view at times, behind that desk, and yet we have a right to meet our
citizens once in awhile. So today we are calling upon Mr. Ebright. The
story of this prominent citizen's life is simply told. Supplementary to
an academic education, he acquired a schooling in financial and commer-
cial affairs. That is an education of the kind of which there can be no
doubt, because the results show what a complete training it has been. To
grow up with the world of high finance has been his privilege and he
has made himself equal to it, through self-correction, education, observa-
tion and thought for every detail of the banking business. There can be
no broader education than that. Mr. Ebright is just as zealous of the
progress of Centre Hall as of his own business and nothing can rouse his
enthusiam more than to be active in some worthy movement for the
community's improvement or for the welfare of his fellow citizens.
HENRY ERDLEY
A financial institution should become an inherent part of the communi-
ty, working for its welfare and prosperity. From its inception, the First
National Bank of Spring Mills has striven to justify the confidence placed
in them, They handle financial requirements of the largest magnitude the
same as the smallest savings account. Mr. Henry Erdley is the able pres.
ident of this fiduciary institution ahd his well applied efforts and genius
for matters financial, as well as his friendly personality, have done much
to contribute toward the present influence and prosperity of this bank.
We are therefore only too glad to mention his name prominently in this
special department of this publication, for the one big reason that he so
well deserves it. However if Mr. Erdley were asked the question,
he would eagerly try to pass on the glory to everyone else but himself.
That is the way with some people who have so many achievements to
their credit. But a community does not find it hard to know a man be-
cause they base their opinion upon his actual performance and accom-
plishments. Mr. Erdley has achieved much and no one will care to deny
that. Moreover he has been just as attentive to the local progress and
civic pride as he has to the conduct of the bank and his own interests.
That is a real citizen.
WALTER R. CLIFFE
Walter R. Cliffe manifested an intense interest in business early in
life and he has worked diligently ever since, always trying to improve
conditions; and it has been on account of the success of those desires that
he has risen to the enviable position the present day finds him. Instead
of beating at problems blindly, Mr. Cliffe has always gone prepared. His
experience and ultimate attainments in the lime and stone business,
in which he has had such a wealth of experience, are of a remarkably
successful character, and it is this experience that contributes so largely
to the high prestige enjoyd hy the American Lime & Stone Company of
Bellefonte, of which he is the able superintendent. Mr. Cliffe’s success
has not been the result of being acute or extremely clever, in the
sense of being a so-called genius, nor has it been the result of enigmatic-
al circumstances. It is one of those healthy successes that has come as
the result of hard work and perseverance plus confidence and honesty.
He has always been sure before going ahead. It is that kind of success
that never graduates into failures.
zen of which Bellefonte may well. feel proud.
F. V. GOODHART
Wise people will not fail to face squarely the economic and business
side of death, since in many cases it finds the family financially unpre-
pared. F. V. Goodhart knows from long experience that those of limited
means are just as worthy of these last rites being done properly, as is
trie of the well-to-do. Moreover he is an honorable mortician, true to’
the finest traditions, who gives a service that fills the requirements of
every purse. Thus the family returns from the obsequies with a feeling
of gratitude, knowing that the solemn business connected with a death
has been handled with a dignity alld “smoothness that has robbed it of
many of it§ térrors, Mr. Goodhart’s funeral establishment is in Centre
Hall where he has been for many years and his splendid methods have
always been appreciated because his kindly words have ofttimes greatly
lessened the burden. Mr. Goodhart is to be heartily commended for his
generous attitude toward the community in which he is such a public
spirited citizen. He also has a fine furniture store and you will find it
well worth your while to visit it.
J. GROSS SHOOK
There must be a determined effort to reach a position of excellence
and maintain it in spite of everything, or no such product as the Shook
milk could exist. To establish a reputation for uniformity in the case
of such a perishable commodity requires not merely system, but super.’
system. It is probable that the Shook Dairy Farm is inspected with more
rigorous attention to cleanliness than would be absolutely necessary; but
excessive care is a safer fault,—if it can so be termed—than negligence.
Sweet milk and cream, from the finest of Guernsey Dairy Cattle, and oth-
er allied dairy products, constitute the staples handled by Mr. Shook who
is located in Spring Mills. He furnishes milk to the public, which can be
depended upon as absolutely pure and hygienic. His dairy products are
the first word in the mouth of the medical fraternity when prescribing a
milk diet for infants or adults. Healthy people have just as much rea-
son to be careful in selecting the kind, of milk and cream they use if
they want to stay healthy. The enormous amount of sales in Bellefonte
and surrounding territory well testifies as to the popularity and real
merits of the Shook product,
J. B. TURNER
One visit to Turner’s store at Julian, reveals an array of merchan-
dise of quality and value. J. H. Turner gives his customers the best that
the market affords in the newest and most up-to-date goods at prices
that are the best evidence that Mr. Turner knows the best sources of
supply. This establishment is a credit to the community’s mercantile
standing and its reputation as a community of good merchants. Here we
find none of that spirit of demanding a purchase. No one watches your
every move to make you feel that you must buy. People are invited to
come to this store and inspect the merchandise to.their heart’s content.
When pleased, their patronage is appreciated, and if one is merely in-
specting for a future purchase, every courtesy and welcome is extended.
No wonder Turner's is a favorite shopping center and Mr, Turner such
a popular merchant. It takes a genius toinstitute such admirable methods
and principles and that man is worthy of both commendation and appre-
ciation. Judging from the large patronage Mr, Turner is getting, that
appreciation is something more than words too. His establishment is
veritably an institution and one of which Mr. Turner has a right to feel
proud.
I. R. BAUMGARDNER
There was a day when father and husband selected holidays as a
good time to take home ice cream or a box of candy. But today that
has changed and fathers and husbands have adopted the happy habit of
treating the family in this manner every week or even more frequently.
Then again it breaks the monotony to take the family for an exhilarating
walk during the afternoon or evening and stopping off at Baumgardner’s
for a pleasant treat. There you will find the most delicious, purest ice
cream, made of the finest, real cream and home made too. Itis decided-
ly a home made product and not a company ice cream. Words are in-
adequate to. describe the superiority of this cream. It has to be eaten to
be appreciated. Then there is a nice line of candies and confections too,
some loose and some boxed, all pure and delicious and priced right too.
Then we should call attention to the courtesy found at this establishment.
In a word there is everything here to make a visit enjoyable and satis-
factory and it has been this splendid service and particular regard of their
patrons that Has made Mr. Baumgardner’s business so very successful.
That is also true of their soda fountain where the syrups are all pure as
well as the other ingredients. It is a favorite rendezvous for particular
people who want the best without paying anything extra tor the best
and much credit is due Mr. Baumgardner for all this.
Mr. Cliffe is indeed the kind of citi-
i ROBERT M. HOOD, SR.
Man shall not live by bread alone, and a halt must be called while
running harnessed to the shafts of business. If tired of one thing, do
another. Some of the biggest minds take to playing pool with enthusi-
asm. It brings into play all the cleverness and keenness of mind and
eye that can be mustered. It is not a game of chance but requires judg-
ment and self control. It is a remarkable developer of human skill, and
when indulged in by those of genial spirit, it is one of the cleanest and
most intriguing games extant. Mr. Hood's establishment is well known
for its excellent service, location and equipment. Under his direction it
has become one of the finest billiard parlors where business and profes-
sional men try to get away from the busy routine and bury themselves
in harmless pastime. The more strenuous such life becomes, the more
need for the shoals in mind and body. He indeed merits commendation
for having always kept his establishmet up to such a high standard.
C. F. DEITRICK
! Interest in automobiles increases with each recurrent year and that
goes with a bang for the organization headed by C. F. Deitrick located
,on West Bishop St. Bellefonte. He has found that people want an ideal
‘car at the right price. He is giving it to them regardless of what price
they want to pay for he handles two of the most famous automobiles
extant, the Buick and Cadillac. Here we have the highest possible at-
tainment in engineering ingenuity which has brought the upkeep down to
a minimum, Aside from the economic feature of both of these cars, in
their respective classes, their fine appearance have had much to do with
their popularity. These cars are making automobile history and are
leading in their price class 4-1 and in every State in the Union in sales;
and the same may be said of Mr. Deitrick, that popular citizen who is
selling them; for the community knows that there are few men in the
entire community who have had as large an experience in the marketing
of good cars backed by a dependable service. He has every facility for
the repair of all cars. He has a complete stock of parts and his me-
chanics have been selected for their skill. Moreover his idea of a serv-
ics station is to really give service at the lowest possible charge; that it
should be conducted as an accommodation to Cadillac aud Buick owners
rather than a means of making a large profit. It is this same spirit
that is prevalent in Mr. Deitrick’s policy of running his entire business,
which has done much to bring about his present enviable success.
AUBURN SALES AND SERVICE CO,
One may judge a man’s ability by the concern of which he is head.
The Auburn Sales and Service Co., of Pleasant Gap, headed by Mr. Shref-
fler, is making automobile history handling the famous Auburn cars. Mr.
Shreffler has the advantage of a car of exceptional merit that appeals to
, a certain clientele that has a decided predilection for the best and noth-
ing but the best. It is ofttimes said of such people that it is not a
case -of price when they make a purchase. But this is not at all true.
The fact is, they are the most exacting people in the world with which
to do business. They buy a quality product that does naturally cost more
than the cheap grade, but they do so because they know they are getting
more for their money in the long run, as well as the short run, than the
fellow who spends half as much for his purchase. Seasonal cars may be
all right for the chap who likes to turn them in every year; but he is
paying a lot more in the end than the man who sports a high grade car
that just does not wear out. Mr. Shreffler carefully studied all the ad-
vantages of the Auburn cars before he became a dealer and a few words
of his advice and a proving demonstration will usually convince most any
' sensible person as to the logic of this reasoning.
WITMER GARAUE
No town of its size has more automobiles than Bellefonte, and vicini~
ty. This means the necessity of many good garages. Among these none
provides more advantages than the Witmer Garage at Axemann, headed
by Mr. Witmer. He has had many years of experience and knows what
particular people want. What is more he knows how to give it to
them. Moreover, judging by his large patronage he must be giving real
service with a fair charge. The first man visitors meet is the garage
man, and the impression they receive is the impression they get of the
community. Much praise is due Mr. Witmer in this respect-for he is
always there with a smile and a courtesy and he is sincere and there-
fore it comes natural to him. It is therefore small wonder that he has
so well succeeded in building up his business to its present proportions
and the community gains by his methods in two ways—by enjoying the
! éxcellent service themselves and by seeing visitors so well treated that
they go away with a kind word to everyone about the town. Moreover
if you are eaught on the road with a need of repairs, a phone call to
i 74-J-2 will bring an expert to the spot in short time and you will not
have to mortgage the car to pay the bill either. This service is to be
| had day or night for this garage never sleeps.
i
EBERHART PLUMBING SHOP
Any community is the richer for the possession of a heating and
plumbing engineer whose skill and experiece is a guaranatee of depend-
able service. The old saying that one gets exactly what one pays for, is
particularly true of plumbing and heating and the cheapest job is oft-
times the most expensive in the end. A splendid example of a success-
ful business because of fair and dependable service rendered, is Mr.
Walter R. Eberhart who heads the Eberhart Plumbing Shop on Water
St., Bellefonte. There is a man and a concern of which the communi-
ty does well to patronize, for with every job entrusted is the satisfaction
of knowing that the results will be all that is expected. It is work like that
that makes a concern succeed and that places it in a position where it is
almost in a class by itself.
Mr. Eberhart takes as much care with a small jobbing contract as he
| does to equip a row of houses. The small job, done well at the right
| price, may in future years lead to the big job. Treating everyone alike
| and giving full value, always pays, as is admirably evidenced in Mr.
Eberhart’s career, and for which he is justly entitled to much praise and
| credit. He is indeed ome of Bellefonte’s most representative business
j men and likewise one of its most estimable citizens.
1
: MAYER BROS.
The miller has always been a most important man in any communi-
ty, for he supplies the, staff of life to the community and the people's
health and hardiness depends upon the quality of flour he gives them,
"and they depend upon him as a clearing house for the grain from their
farms, a source of livelihood that forms a large factor in the communi-
ty's prosperity. Therefore it is fitting to give credit to the splendid
manner in which Mr. A. L. Mayer guides the destinies of Mayer Bros. in
doing service for the community and so large is its business that its pro-
' ducts are shipped to many other territories, and so excellent are its pro-
ducts that a just fame has been reflected on Bellefonte thereby. Thus,
through several avenues of activity, Mr. Mayer and his concern are of
great benefit to this community. Moreover, so public-spirited is Mr.
Mayer that one would just naturally expect him to be engaged in such a
line of business, for he is never happy unless he is doing a service for
| someone. Mayer Bros. is indeed a leader par excellence.
CITY COAL YARD
By concentrating their efforts on filling orders promptly and efficient.
ly, the City Coal Yard is putting more coal into the bins of Bellefonte
than the average person could imagine. Thousands of tons are being de-
livered, keeping their full auto truck service going to capacity. Located
opposite the R. R. Station they are busy at all hours of the day. Even
in rush season, this concern, by reason of excellent equip.nent, never fails
to give the same fine service. This may be attributed to the wealth of
experience of Mr. O. G. Morgan who heads this successful enterprise,
which covers many years of personal attention to every detail of the
business. Thus the high prestige and enviable standing of this firm may
be directly traced to his keen business acumen and high standards.
The same attention is given to an order for a ton or a carload, and
only the best quality is handled. This is assured by Mr. Morgan's care-
ful selection at the source of supply. That means good heat and less
ash from every pound consumed and to, this may be added positive weight
of a full ton, Mr. Morgan has made a large success of this business
and he well deserves the appreciation he is receiving tn such tangible
manner—that of constantly increasing patronage.