James V. Brown Library - Lycoming County Digital Photo Archive

Agnes Almy, January 1886

August Belmont Jr., New York

Charles J. Cummings. Signed by Mr. Cummings. "Eng'd by F. G. Kennan, N.Y."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 1: James M. Wood. Caption reads: "Major James M. Wood, first mayor of Williamsport, 1866–1867. He had been a resident of the community but four years when it was incorporated as a city and he was chosen its first chief executive. He served one year. A lawyer by profession, he was born in New York State and educated in the law there. He was a member of council several years."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 06: Martin Powell, 1874–1876. Caption reads: "Martin Powell was chosen mayor in 1875 and re-elected in 1875 [sic]. Martin Powell was the head of the banking firm of Powell & Co., which did a general banking business on Pine Street opposite the Court House. They had a capital of $1,000,000. The members of the firm were N.R. Dennis, R.B. Claxton and Martin Powell. Later they erected the building at the northwest corner of Market Square, now occupied by the Mussina jewelry store. The bank went to the wall during the panic in the '70's."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 07: Frederick H. Keller, 1890–1893. Caption reads: "Frederick H. Keller became mayor in 1880, serving two years. He was again elected to the office for the 1890-92 term. He was in the hardware business for a number of years, first as a member of the firm of Kline and Heller, later by himself. He came to Williamsport in 1866 from his native Lancaster County."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 08: Henry C. Parsons, 1882–1884. Caption reads: " Williamsport's eighth mayor, serving in 1882-1883, was Henry C. Parsons. He was a lawyer and banker. He served in the Civil War, first as a sergeant, later as a captain. He was a native of Jersey Shore and was one of the leading lawyers of his time. In 1873-74 he served as a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 09: Samuel M. Crans, 1884–1886. Caption reads: "Ninth in the list of Williamsport's mayors was Samuel M. Crans. Elected to a two-year term, he was chief magistrate in 1884-1885. He was a merchant tailor by trade."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 14: Samuel Norris Williams, 1899–1902. Caption reads: "Samuel Norris Williams, elected in 1899 and serving until 1902, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was prominent in the lumber industry for many years and was one of the men responsible for establishing the Lycoming Rubber Company, later the Williamsport Branch of the United States Rubber Company. He served in council before becoming mayor."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 15: John F. Laedlein, 1902–1905. Caption reads: "John F. Laedlein, who served as Williamsport's mayor from 1902-1905 was engaged in the real estate and insurance businees, He was active in civic affairs and was especially prominent in fraternal circles."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 16: Seth T. Foresman, 1905–1908. Caption reads: "Seth T. Foresman, lumber dealer and manufacturer, born in White Deer Valley of pioneer stock, engaged in business in Williamsport after his Civil War service. He started as a contractor, then got into the lumber business. He helped organize the Lycoming Rubber Company, was active in the Board of Trade. His term as mayor was from 1905 to 1907."

Gallery of Mayors--No. 17: Charles D. Wolfe, first term, 1908–1911. Caption reads: "Charles D. Wolfe was one of four men who served Williamsport as mayors in terms separated by a period of years. He holds the record for length of the interval between terms. First elected to a term from 1908 to 1911, he returned to City Hall as chief executive 24 years after the conclusion of his first term, serving again from 1936 to 1940. A broker at the time of his first election, Mr. Wolfe spent a number of years in the service of the commonwealth as a fire marshal before his second successful bid for the endorsement of Williamsport voters."