Husband Fountain W. Crider 1 2
AKA: P. W. Crider 3
Born: 7 Sep 1845 - near Lock Haven, Clinton Co, PA 4
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Father: Philip B. Crider (1822- ) 5
Mother: Catherine Miller (1829-1885) 2
Marriage: 14 Dec 1882 6
Other Spouse: Mary Adeline Sullivan (1845-1879) 6 - 21 Jul 1868 - Elmwood, IL 6
Wife Rebecca Jane North 1 3 6
Born: 9 Jun 1850 - Juniata Co, PA 6
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Father: James North (1819-1898) 6 7 8
Mother: Susanna Matilda Strouse ( -1896) 1 3 6
Children
1 M Hugh North Crider 6
Born: 27 Sep 1883 6
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2 F Mary Isabell Crider 6
Born: 28 Mar 1886 6
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General Notes: Husband - Fountain W. Crider
His early boyhood up to the age of fourteen years was passed on the farm, not unlike that of general farmer lads, receiving the benefit of the neighboring schools at the Plum Creek School House. In 1859, then a boy of fourteen years, he entered the employ of John F. Rich & Son, then operating a woolen-mill on Chatham run below Lock Haven. He had, in object, the learning the business of manufacturing woolen goods, and accomplished his purpose, remaining in the mill some three years, excepting a period of three months each year, which were reserved for attending school at Lock Haven. At eighteen he turned his attention to the business portion of his education, and began clerking in the store of J. J. Bisel & Co., of Lock Haven, and after serving for a period as salesman he became bookkeeper, and remained with them two years, during which time he made his first venture in the line of speculation, investing his savings in oil, which he lost. At the age of twenty years he entered the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, and was graduated therefrom in 1865. While he was deprived of much of his boyhood, he was practically schooled in business, and before reaching his majority was well equipped for the battle of life, and entered the business world not without some knowledge of the roughness of the road he was to travel, but fully prepared and eager for the fray.
On January 1, 1866, he joined his father at Snow Shoe in the manufacture of lumber, and formed the firm of P. B. Crider & Son, Their business constantly grew until it extended into the neighboring counties of Warren, Jefferson, Huntingdon, Clinton and Mifflin, having mills at various points in this territory with general headquarters at Bellefonte. These men became engaged in great interest outside of their lumber deals and the special business of manufacturing; they were large manufacturers of charcoal also. In the sale of timber lands, they reserved the oil, gas and mining rights, and were possessed of these privileges in Jefferson County. Merchandising and farming were no small part of the business of P. B. Crider & Son, and they were cultivating in the neighborhood of 1,500 acres. The annual output of lumber at their several mills amounted to millions of feet.
In 1888 after the great fire which destroyed some of the best business buildings in Bellefonte, he purchased the site of the present "Crider's Exchange," and erected an imposing business block which would have been a credit and an ornament to a much more pretentious city. It was the finest business block in Bellefonte, and was a structure of modern scientific architectural beauty; built of brick and stone and occupying one of the most conspicuous corners of the borough. His palatial residence, which crowned one of the hills of the mountain-town-one of elegance and grace-was but another evidence of his enterprising spirit and love to see the place of his adoption the ideal "Home of the Governors."
Like most men whose lives are absorbed in great business interests he gave little time to politics, and evinced no desire for public office. He was in no sense a politician, though he took an interest in all public questions affecting the good of mankind and the elevation of the race. From early boyhood he was identified with the M. E. Church, giving liberally of his means to its support. He served in the borough council, and made a most efficient record. Commanding in appearance, fine looking, with an intelligent face, his personality was striking. He was a great home man, and outside of business hours could be found with his family. Individually, he owned considerable property in Bellefonte and Centre County, besides the the block referred to. In politics he was a Republican.