Montour County PA Archives Biographies.....HANCOCK, Charles P. 
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  Author: Biographical Publishing Co.
  
  CHARLES P. HANCOCK. Standing conspicuously in the foremost ranks of the leading
  business men of Montour County, is the subject of this personal history, who is
  the proprietor of the famous "Globe Store" of Danville, one of the largest in
  the state, excluding those of Philadelphia. He is a son of William and Mary
  (Reay) Hancock, and was born in Danville, Montour County, Pa.
  
    The family is of English extraction and Mr. Hancock's grandfather was a
  resident of Lainesfield, Staffordshire, England. He was for many years a clerk
  at the Spring Dale Iron Works, near Bilston, Eng., and upon becoming an expert
  accountant his services were sought by many. He was the father of two sons:
  James and William, both of whom came to this country and located at Danville, Pa.
  
    William Hancock, the father of our subject, was born at Lainesfield,
  Staffordshire, Eng. it is thought, in 1812. He became a stock-taker and iron
  finisher of expert skill, and established a reputation in that line of work.
  When the Mountain Iron Works of Danville was built its projectors conceived the
  idea that pig iron could be made from anthracite coal, and as a result a rolling
  mill was erected in 1844, of which A. J. Voris, Esq., was made general builder,
  and Mr. Henry Brevoost superintendent. In order to make the trial they needed
  the assistance of experts for whom a man was dispatched to Sunderland, Eng.,
  where he secured the services of two highly recommended men, William Hancock and
  John Foley. In 1844 they came to Danville and assumed charge of the plant,
  manufacturing what is known as the T rail, which is now in universal use. The U
  rail was previously in use, but after they began to manufacture the T rail, on
  October 8, 1845, it was supplanted by the latter, which is now the standard
  throughout the world. These rails were made under the supervision of Mr.
  Hancock, who had charge of the straightening and finishing, and his efficiency
  in that department made him noted far and wide in railroad circles. In 1847 in
  company with John Foley, under the firm name of Hancock & Foley, he purchased a
  mill which had been built by Bird Patterson, and named it the Rough and Ready
  Rolling Mill, for the manufacture of merchant iron. They continued until 1850,
  when it was merged into a rail mill and changed the name to the Glendower Iron
  Works. They were decidedly successful from the very start and eight years later
  our subject's father became sole proprietor and operated it until 1867, when the
  National Iron Company, of which he was made president, was formed and succeeded
  the Glendower Iron Works. In 1870 he and a Mr. Creveling built a furnace, but
  one year later the National Iron Company purchased it and operated it in
  connection with its other plant until the death of Mr. Hancock in 1872. In 1874
  the heirs of William Hancock purchased the entire business under a mortgage sale
  and organized the Hancock Iron & Steel Company. Mr. Hancock was a very energetic
  and progressive business man and did more than any other man to promote the iron
  industry in his section of the state. His advice was frequently sought by the
  leading manufacturing concerns in the vicinity and always was freely given with
  the rare judgment which was characteristic of him. He was of honest and upright
  character, of charitable disposition, and fair in his dealings with all men. His
  death was a sad loss to the borough. At his death he was erecting one of the
  handsomest homes in Danville, a large three-story residence, built of Vermont
  granite and stone, on Market street, which is now the home of Charles P.
  Hancock, his son. He was a director in the Danville National Bank. Religiously
  he and his family were members of the Episcopal Church. He was thrice united in
  the bonds of matrimony, first with Isabella Emerson in England, who died at the
  age of thirty-six years. Their children were: Sarah, the wife of Benjamin G.
  Welsh.; Elizabeth J., the widow of J. D. Gosh, M. D., of Danville; Isabella, the
  wife of Harvey B. Crane; Cornelia P., who married S. A. York of Danville; and
  William D., who died at an early age. His second marital union was with Mary
  Reay, a daughter of John Reay, a native of England, by whom he had three
  children, as follows: Charles P., the gentleman whose name heads these lines;
  George M.; and Mary M., who married F. W. Watkin. His third marriage was to Mary
  Jones. Their children were: Harry T., who is a clerk in the "Globe Store," in
  Sunbury, Pa.; Jennie E.; and Augusta, the wife of John L. Lane.
  
    Charles P. Hancock was reared in Danville, and obtained a good English
  education in the public schools, after which he accepted a clerical position
  with the firm, Cleland, Simpson & Taylor. He continued in their employ until the
  firm removed to Scranton, Pa., when he was urged to accompany them as his
  services would be hard to replace. He was an ideal clerk, a model of politeness,
  and seemed to know the wants of every customer by intuition, always pleasing
  them and sending them away from the store satisfied. In 1883, after having
  acquired .the necessary experience, he resigned his position with the above firm
  and launched in business on his own account. He returned to Danville and opened
  the "Globe Store," where his former employers were located, and there has
  established the best store of its kind in this section of the state, owing to
  his untiring energy in catering to the wants of his many customers from all
  sections of the county, and his successful management. The building in which he
  is located is large and commodious, three stories high, and with its white front
  presents an attractive appearance. It is stocked with the latest and largest
  line of dry goods, notions, cloaks, ladies' tailor-made suits, men's
  furnishings, and fourteen competent clerks are' constantly employed to attend to
  the large patronage. The store is a model of neatness, everything being
  systematically arranged and in its place, which is always pleasing to a patron
  who does not wish to be delayed in making a purchase. Mr. Hancock richly
  deserves the abundance of success with which he has met, and has the good wishes
  of a host of friends. In 1898 he opened the largest retail dry goods store in
  Sunbury, where fifteen clerks are employed.
  
    Mr. Hancock was united in marriage to Adda L. Krebs, a daughter of Simon
  Krebs, who was formerly a resident of Danville and now is president and
  superintendent of the Listic Mining & Manufacturing Company, of Somerset, Pa.
  This union was blessed by the birth of three sons, namely: William K.; Charles
  P., Jr., who died in infancy; and John. Mr. Hancock takes an active interest in
  public affairs. He once served as president of the town council. He was also a
  member of the board of trade and has held numerous other offices of minor
  importance. He is a stockholder and director of the Danville National Bank.
  Religiously he is a member of Christ Memorial Church of Danville, and has been a
  vestryman for some time. Socially he is a member of the following orders: Mahony
  Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.; Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M.; Calvary
  Commandery, No. 37, Knights Templar; and the Mystic Shrine.
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  Extracted from:
    
    Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
    Published by 
    Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
  
  
  
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