Barta Wold - A Woman Of Accomplishment

Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold

At the age of eighty (80) Barta had the foresight to put in writing her family accomplishments which are contained in a notebook on file at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, One Town Square, Austin, Pennsylvania.  The information  provided here is only a small parcel taken from that information.

Barta was born in Norway and came to Austin in 1890 to join her father who had immigrated to the United States in 1889 finding work at the Goodyear Lumber Company.  Barta writes the following:

"Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold. 1888-         Single.  Valedictorian of High School class in Austin, 1907.  At 13 years of age, was teaching a class in Citizenship for Swedish men.  Also played organ in Swedish Mission Church on Turner Street.  Received a scholarship for Lycoming College (Dickinson Seminary) Williamsport with A.B. in Classics.  Member Sigma Alpha Sorority.  Taught 1909-1912 in Austin.  One year at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa. to study French, German, Latin & History.  Due to 1911 flood in Austin, unable to finish at Wilson; entered the Nurses Training School, University of Penna. at Phila., Pa.  Charge of Health Program at Drexel Institute, and was one of the first school nurses in Phila.  Resigned from Drexel to serve in France with Base Hospital #20 from U. of P.  W.W.I. left Base  #20 for service on Hospital Train  #56.  After mustering out in New York, accepted a position with the War Community Chest for 18 months to head a pilot project, working with miners and their families in Jefferson and Indiana Counties, Pa.  Program included: classes in citizenship, cooking and sewing and home nursing; Laid foundation for school nursing in Jefferson County.  Supervisor of Instruction at the Post Graduate Hospital N.Y. City.  24 years as Executive Secretary with the Lycoming Co. Tuberculosis Society; for nine years State Health Chairman for the Pa. Congress P.T.A.; President, Williamsport Civic Club; Lycoming County Federation of Women's Club; member St. Pauls Lutheran Church, member of Altar Committee and President of W.S.C.S.; member of Alumni Board, Lycoming College.  Also took a horseback trip with friend, Dorothy Wallard, from Schenectady, N.Y. to Austin.  Retired 1955.  After retirement returned to Austin; supervised M.Y.F. at the Methodist Church and President W.S.C.S.; President Vets Auxiliary; member American Legion.  Wrote "Nurse Goes to War":, "Austin Pa.,The Hemlock City", compiled booklet for the Diamond Jubilee of Austin Methodist Church, compiled "First Eighty Years in U.S.A".  Owns the old homestead and lives there with her dog, Spinkey.  Age 82 years in 1970."

Barta in uniform

The Honored Guests included a multitude of  local, county and state officials including Mr. Bernard Cooney, Mr. Russell Hofer, and Frances Bennett from Austin.

Barta passed away in 1984 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

A search of the internet will reveal many more fascinating information on this wonderful woman, including her being the first to file for naturalization in Potter County on December 24, 1909.

As a result of Barta penning "Austin, Pennsylvania, The Hemlock City 1890-1910" we are aware of early events in the development of Potter County.

The Hemlock City can be purchased at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society museum or calling Ronnie Ebbert at (814)647-8358

Alfred Borelli - Celebrity Concert Pianist

The organ pictured above is located in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum on Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania.  It is believed that Mr. Borelli learned to play the organ/piano on this instrument.

Alfred Borelli.

• Born in Conrad
• Graduated from Austin High School
• U.S. Navy Veteran
• Graduate of Bucknell University
• Celebrity Concert Pianist
• Successful Cartoonist
• Author

Read about the life and times of Alfred Borelli in "East Fork Revisited: A Memoir".

On sale at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society for $16.00, or, orders can be placed by calling Ronnie Ebbert at 814-647-8358.  Add $5.00 for shipping and handling.

Marie Kathern Brisbois Nuschke - Austin's Prolific Author: Reposted

Want to learn the history of Austin, Pennsylvania?  Start with these four (4) publications.  The books can purchased at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society for $8.00 each.  The telephone number of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society museum is (814)647-8358.

FNB Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch: Closest Brick and Mortar Bank to Austin, Costello and Wharton

Using Yahoo Maps, I have determined that the closest brick and mortar bank to Austin, Costello and Wharton is the First National Bank of  Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch.

The address of the First National Bank of Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch is:

118 East Second Street
Coudersport, PA 16915

Telephone Number: 814-274-9488

Yahoo Maps indicates the following distances and drive times:

From Austin: 14.84 miles with approximately 18 minute drive time.

From Costello: 18 miles with approximately 23 minute drive time.

From Wharton: 25.16 miles with approximately 35 minute drive time.

Directions:

Proceed on Route 872 North to the T-intersection of Route 872/Route 6.

Turn Left on Route 6 which also becomes East Second Street, Coudersport.

Go 1.7 miles.

The First National Bank of Port Allegany is on the left.

NOTE:  Danielle McLaughlin Bennett, wife of Chris Bennett, works at the FNB Port Allegany - Coudersport Branch.  They reside here in Austin.

The information provided above is a public service announcement for the citizens of Austin, Costello and Wharton. I have not received any money to post this article.

I'm Not A Journalist

and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but here are my qualifications:


Education:

Williamsport School of Commerce - Business - One (1) Year
Naval Legal Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island - Five (5) Weeks
A.A.S. degree, Business Administration, Laverne University
Naval Enlisted Recruiting School, San Diego, California - Five (5) Weeks
B.S. degree Education -  Accounting and Office Technologies, Cum laude, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, plus Twenty-four (24) semester hours at various Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Universities.

Work Experience:

Administrative Clerk - Captain's Office, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)
Security Clerk - U.S. Naval Station, Sangley Point, Philippines
Legal Clerk and Court Reporter - Naval Legal Service Office, Norfolk, Va.

Office Manager for the largest Naval Legal Assistance Office Norfolk, Va., at the age of 25.

Legal Clerk and Court Reporter - U.S. Naval Base, Subic Bay, Philippines
Recruiter and Recruiter-in-Charge - U.S. Naval Recruiting Station, Olean, NY.

Business Education Teacher - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public Schools - Northern Potter and Oswayo Valley.

Packaging Supervisor, GTE Sylvania St. Marys. 

Received $4500 raise in salary after six (6) months for substantial increase in production.

Tax Accountant - Self employed.
Accountant - Adelphia
Auditor - Potter County Elected Office

Security Technician - Aberdeen Proving Grounds Aberdeen, Maryland

No Apologies

This post is dedicated to the Northwest Savings Bank employee, local realtor and those omniscient ones whose words, gestures and mannerisms at the Austin Borough Council Meeting held on Tuesday, February 3, 2014, at the Fire Hall, indicated certain members of council were foolish to believe that there would be no Restricted Use Clause in the Agreement transferring the bank building to the borough, and, that there was no possibility that this clause would/could be removed.




At the October 2014 Austin Borough Council meeting a representative from Northwest Savings Bank was present to inform Council that the Turner Street Branch Office in Austin would be closing at the end of the year. He further indicated that the building would be given to the Borough of Austin.

I, sitting as a member of Council, asked this representative directly if there would be any restrictions to the transfer.  The NWSB Representative stated No, there would not be.

Vice President Nathan Burgett followed-up on my question and answer given by the Northwest Savings Bank Official.  Again, the NWSB Representative stated there would be no restrictions, and, that the building could be used for whatever you want, or, words to that effect.

Within a few days after the October Borough Council meeting, Vice President Nathan Burgett contacted Potter County Commissioner Susan Kefover regarding the closing of the Turner Street Branch Office.  A meeting was scheduled with Commissioner Kefover at the Austin Fire Hall.  V.P. Burgett requested that Councilmen Fred "Joe" Fowler and myself, Bernard "Mike Fowler attend.

At this meeting, we identified five (5) area banks to contact, inviting them to establish banking facilities here in Austin.  This group felt confident that one of the five would accept, as we would be in possession of a building designed and built for a banking establishment. Commissioner Kefover indicated that she would draft the invitation letter for the Borough to sign and send to these five (5) banks, which she did.

In the early part of January 2015, the Borough of Austin received the Agreement from Northwest Savings Bank containing the following restriction on page 2:

It is stipulated and agreed by the Borough of Austin, for itself; its successors and assigns that, said premises above described being Parcel #030-002-048, will not be used for any bank, savings and loan or any consumer discount company purposes.

Local and Corporate Northwest Savings Bank Officials have since down-played and/or dismissed the statements made by their official at the October Austin Borough Council meeting regarding no restrictions.  They have indicated that this is a standard clause contained in all such Agreements and we should have known this, regardless of what was said at the October meeting.

As Paul Harvey would say, Now you know the rest of the story."

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe - Voltaire

Austin Area School District in the News

The two (2) articles below appeared in the Saturday, January 31 - Friday, February 6, 2015 edition of the Endeavor newspaper

The Endeavor is owned and operated by Robert and Britta Hooftallen, both graduates of the Austin Area School District.

The Endeavor is located at 29 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA 15834.  Their telephone number is (814)-486-1400.  They are also online at www.endeavornews.com.