The Express, Lock Haven, PA, Thur., Oct. 13, 1932. Three Active Nonagenarians.
John B. Quigley. PHOTO
John Baird Quigley, the oldest native born citizen of Lock Haven, will be 94 years of age December next.
He was born in what was known as the Lock House, on the site of the present residence of Mrs. C. W. Kiger, next to Canal Park, on East Water Street. The house burned down in 1863.
Mr. Quigley was a son of the late William M. and Harriet Barker Quigley. His father lived to be 93 and several of his other ancestors passed the 90 years milestone.
Having lived all his life in this city and vicinity, including a number of years in Lockport and Liberty, Mr. Quigley is one of the best known figures in Lock Haven. His wife passed away 15 years ago, but he has one daughter living, Mrs. B. F. Thompson, of Little Rock, Ark., whom he has visited several times in recent years. A son, Austin C. Quigley, died a number of years ago.
Mr. Quigley, during a large part of his life was engaged in lumbering and inspecting timber on the river here, which was the chief timber market on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. In 1870 he erected and for many years thereafter occupied the brick residence on East Water Street, on the lot ? of his birthplace, which is now owned by F. W. Wentz.
During Mr. Quigley’s boyhood days Lock Haven was only a large sized village its western boundary being Mill Street. There was only farm land of that point, with very few houses. The business area was between Grove and Henderson Streets with most of the stores on East Water Street.
Mr. Quigley, who rooms and boards at the Hotel Russell, retains all his faculties to a remarkable degree and has no physical ailment whatever. He is on the street everyday, but spends much of his time at the Masonic Temple, playing cards, which is his hobby, and he can play nearly all the games known to card players.
He is one of the oldest Masons in the state, having become affiliated with the fraternity 70 years ago.