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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA

borough and right of way through his land down to Hinckston's run for the canal. When the State improvements were abandoned, and the canal, etc., were bought by the Pennsylvania railroad, the late James Morley and Dr. Henry Yeagley approached Mr. Levergood about the purchase of the basin and the stretch of land along the canal, including the bed thereof. Mr. Levergood said that he had given the property to the State. The two gentlemen insisted, however, and finally Mr. Levergood accepted eight hundred dollars for his "interest;" "if I have any," he added. The purchasers then sold the land to the Cambria Iron company. The same remark which we have just quoted was made by Mr. Levergod when he "sold" the public square to Charles B. Ellis and George S. King. Mr. Levergood never thought that he owned it, believing it to be a donation to the town by founder Johns. There appeared to be a chance for a great speculation, however, according to the view of Messrs. Ellis and King, and, after much importunity, Mr. Levergood sold his interest, "if he had any," in the squre, for six hundred dollars. Finally the Cambria Iron company became possessed of whatever interest, "if any," Messrs. Ellis and King had in the square, and a few years ago the Johnstown council was induced, in order to get a perfect title, to give the company two thousand dollars for its interest, "if it had any."     William Cower, Sr., of the Fourth ward, hauled for the late David Prosser, who claimed to have discovered iron ore at this place, the first ore that was taken out of the hill north of the city. The ore was sent to either Baker's or Conemaugh furnace, situated several miles down the Conemaugh river from Johnstown. With the money thus earned Mr. Cover made to Mr. Levergood the first

payment on property purchased fron the old gentlemen. Mr. Cover's father came here with Mr. Brenizer, named above, the latter being married to the elder Mr. Cover's sister. The elder Cover settled on "Green Hill," and the old farm is still in the family. Mr. Brenizer met his death in Johnstown, being accidentally drowned.     Peter Levergood, Sr., purchased from Dr. Anderson the old tannery property on Bedford street. He ran it himself for a time, but afterward gave it to his son Jacob, who operated it for over half a century. He also built the brick business house at the south-eastern corner of Main and Bedford streets for his son-in-law, Jacob M. Meyers, who conducted a general store therein.     The Mainsion House property extended on Main street to Bausman alley, and on Frankslin street to the property of the U. P. church. It was kept as a hotel for a number of years, and was even then quite valuable; but one day Mr. Levergood in a moment of pique offered it to John Dibert, Sr., for one thousand dollars, and it immediately passed into Mr. Dibert's hands. This property is to-day the centre of the business portion of the city, and its rentals amount to several thousand dollars a year.     The Johnstown furnace, situated nearly opposite the present site of the Pennsylvania passenger station, was built by Peter, Sr., in 1845 or 1846, for his sons Jacob and Peter and his sons-in-law Jacob Meyers and Robert P. Linton, who operated it for several years with varying success; then at the instance of the old gentlemen John Galbraith was induced to come here from Cambria furnace, take an interest in the business and become the manager of the furnace. He bought John Benshoff's one-fourth interest, and about the same

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