Peter Herdic

Peter Herdic
BornDecember 14, 1824
Fort Plain, New York
DiedFebruary 2, 1888 (aged 63)
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Occupation(s)philanthropist, lumber baron, entrepreneur, inventor, and politician
Spouse(s)Amanda Taylor, Encie Maynard
ChildrenFlorence Louise with Amanda Peter Jr. and Henry with Encie
Parent(s)Henry and Elizabeth

Peter Herdic (1824–1888) was a lumber baron, entrepreneur, inventor, politician, and philanthropist in Victorian era Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. He was the youngest of seven children born to Henry and Elizabeth Herdic on December 14, 1824, in Fort Plain, New York.[1] Herdic's father died in 1826 and Elizabeth Herdic remarried shortly thereafter. She was widowed again prior to 1837 when she moved her family to Pipe Creek, New York, near Ithaca. Herdic attended school for just a few years while he worked on his mother's 50-acre (200,000 m2) farm.[2] Herdic left his mother's farm in 1846 and arrived in Lycoming County later that same year, where he settled in Cogan House Township.

Herdic would go on to become a millionaire and one of the wealthiest men in Pennsylvania, as well as a major figure in the development of the lumber industry throughout North Central Pennsylvania.[3] Herdic donated large amounts of land and money to various churches in Williamsport.[4] Peter Herdic was the inventor of the Herdic cab (a precursor to the taxi), which was a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with side seats and a rear entrance.[5] Peter Herdic died on February 2, 1888, as the result of a concussion sustained when he slipped and fell on ice while inspecting his waterworks in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.[1]

  1. ^ a b "Peter Herdic". www.got-graphics.com. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  2. ^ Lou Hunsinger Jr. "Peter Herdic: Industrialist, Entrepreneur, Innovator". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  3. ^ "Death of Peter Herdic." Kane, Pennsylvania: The Kane Leader, March 8, 1888, p. 3 (subscription required).
  4. ^ Laurie Root Harrington. "The Peter Herdic House". Williamsport Area School District. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  5. ^ Lou Hunsinger Jr. "The Herdic Cab: A variation on a transportation theme". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-02-15.