Peter Falkman Traveled to DuBois, Pa. shortly after arriving in New York City in 1891. The reason for him traveling to DuBois was because he had a brother living in DuBois. And his name was John Lofgren. John was some ten years older than Nils. And had traveled to America five or six years earlier. NIls waited in DuBois for Katherine Norin to arrive. And she did, the followning year. It wasn't long after her arrival that they decided to get married. They were married in the county court house on May 25th. And five days later they were married in the Augustana-Synoden church. By Pastor J. M. Alexis. Those present at the cerimony were, his brother, John Lofgren and a friend, Jonas Johnson. Nils Peter stayed in Du Bois for another year or so. Plying his trade as a shoe maker. He worked hard. And saved what money he could. My grandfather, Herman Falkman, was born in DuBois. On Sept. 1st, 1893. A short while after Herman was born Nils Peter and Katherine decided to leave Du Bois and travel to Chicago, Illinois. I don't know exactly when. But Herman was still quit young. As for Nis Peter brother, John. He became homesick. And wanted to return to Sweden for a vacation. But on the voyage home John passed away. Never reaching Sweden or seeing his wife and children again. But that's another branch of the family. And a story on it's own. Maybe if I have the time I will document the Lofgren side of the family tree. It's very interesting.
History of DuBois
Where to start...well, lets start at the very beginning. In 1812, George Shaffer became the first permanent inhabitant; in 1872, John Rumbarger, Jr. established the town of Rumbarger, which later became the City of DuBois. John DuBois' built his wood mill in 1872. Then, in 1881, he built a box factory and brought the iron works from Williamsport to DuBois. At one point, the City of DuBois was a town divided, because of a rivalry between the coal miners of Rumbarger and the lumbermen of DuBois. With the rapid building in the DuBois section, it soon overtook the Rumbarger section. In 1881, the town of DuBois organized as a borough divided into three wards as a result of the quick growth. In 1883, McCrory's, a five-and-dime store, opened in the Borough of DuBois and that store remained until it's closing in the 1980s. Also in 1883, the first “drift” mine opened on a thousand-acre tract between DuBois and Falls Creek and the B.R.& P Railroad arrived.Things were surely humming in the Borough of DuBois.
The Fire of 1888
But, as we all know, what goes up must come down. So, on the fateful day of June 18, 1888, fire broke out at John Baker’s Hotel near the railroad crossing on West Long Avenue. Wind blew the fire toward Main Street, then switched directions and started up West Long Avenue. It consumed everything in its path. Firefighters dynamited buildings trying to stop the progress of the flames, which ultimately spread it even farther. Once the wind stopped, the fire went out. To that end, it destroyed everything in its path that bordered Long Avenue, Stockdale Street, East Scribner Avenue and beyond Main Street. The good things that came out of the fire were no lives were lost and the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department was founded. On June 25, 1888, the first company was formed: Volunteer Second Ward. James Whithall became the first Fire Chief. Additionally, the first Firemen's Parade was held in June 1893. Following the fire, the Borough of DuBois rose from the ashes and got to work. They rebuilt larger and sturdier buildings, a new water system, and constructed a reservoir in upper Clear Run. Gas lines were also installed and electricity ran for streetlights. Frank Hahne, Sr. started the DuBois Brewery in 1895, which stayed in business through 1972. In 1896, the DuBois Traction Street Railroad Company organized and rails were cut into the streets on the east side to Rumbarger Cemetery on South Main Street. In due time, the increase of automobiles would signal the end of the street car in the City of DuBois.
The Doctor's Hospital
DuBois gets a hospital! Doctor’s Hospital opened its doors on West Scribner Avenue in 1897, it was a 23 bed facility which was damaged by fire in 1909. The local physicians then asked the Sisters of Mercy from Erie to operate the facility. In 1910, the facility was under new management. In 1912, John E. DuBois offered $10,000 and a tract of land to develop a second hospital, which would be a non-profit and non-sectarian community facility. On November 2, 1914, the Borough of DuBois, voted to become a third class city. So, on January 1, 1915 the Borough of DuBois officially became the City of DuBois.