- LOCK HAVEN EXPRESS, LOCK HAVEN, PA Friday, February 15, 1957
Born in '64?HARRY L. CRISPEN DIES; OLDEST MILL HALL NATIVE
MILL HALL-Harry L. CRISPEN at 92 the town's oldest native resident, died at 5:45 p.m. yesterday at his home, 104 E. Arch St. He had been in failing health two years and seriously ill the past two months.
Mr. CRISPEN'S life had been lived entirely in this community. He was born here, worked 25 years at one of the pioneer industries. The Mann-Edge Tool Co., and could recall incidents of town life that have become part of history.
His birth on May 23, 1864 to William T. and Martha HUNTER CRISPEN occurred during the Civil War period when Grant and Lee's armies were locked in bloody battle at Spotsylvania. He knew Mill Hall in his youth as a town of 400 residents; it grew in his lifetime to a present population of 1,600.
Mr. Cripsen was a staunch Republican. He said in 1955 he felt sure he had not missed being at the polls for any primary or general election in 70 years.
He was the only living charter member of the Knights of the Gold Eagle here. He joined 68 years ago when the organization was instituted in this community. He was also a member of the Methodist Church.
He served the town for eight years as a school director, and 14 years as an assessor. Into his late years he enjoyed a keen memory that enabled him to recall many old-time scenes?tales of the canal, locations of old axe factories, woolen mill, grist mill, foundries.
He said he could remember when the sawmill of Thomas and Mason was located on the site of the present New York and Penna. Co. in Lock Haven.
He had attended one of the long-forgotten schools in Mill Hall, on the south end of Chestnut St. For 30 years in his younger days he worked for the Mann-Edge axe factory. He is one of the last of this old company's employees.
He had worked also at the New York and Pennsylvania Co., in the local brick yards, and for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He retired close to 20 years ago.
In recent years his sight had failed. But he recognized friends by their voices, loved to greet them. He spent hours smoking and listening to ball games on the radio.
Mrs. CRISPEN died in 1951 at the age of 85, in the year they had celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.
Mr. CRISPEN is survived by three sons and a daughter, William D., Oil City; Steward E. and Warren C. of Mill Hall and Mrs. Ruth C Ferree with whom he lived.
There are ten grandchildren 17 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
THE EXPRESS, Lock Haven, Pa.-Friday, February 15, 1957
FUNERALS ? CRISPEN ? Services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the McCloskey Funeral Home, Mill Hall, for Harry L CRISPEN, 92, who died Thursday, Feb. 14, 1957, at 5:45 p.m. at his home, 104 E. Arch St., Mill Hall. The Rev. Ezra L. Parks of Tyrone will officiate. Interment, Cedar Hill Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. McCloskey Funeral Home, Mill Hall
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1864 - 1957 (92 years)
