1895:  Pickersgill Bakery
just east of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church

photo credit:  detail of photo from Louise Austin Collection  

See Location on Street Map
See Location 2002

photo credit: McKean County Miner
Friday, June 30 1899

FIREMEN ENJOY VENISON FEAST LAST EVENING McKean County Democrat Thursday, December 13, 1934 Forty members of the Smethport Fire Department enjoyed a roast venison dinner at the hose house last evening. The delicious repast was prepared at the Pickersgill Bakery and was served by a committee composed of R.C. Poppleton, M. Roseboom, Paul Connolly, Tony Stravino, and Barney Barnhart. The venison was contributed by a number of local hunters who have killed bucks.

Mrs. Ida Pickersgill Mrs. Pickersgill Died Tuesday in Kane Hospital, Member of Pioneer Family of Area; Funeral Thursday McKean County Democrat, Smethport, PA, Thursday August 19, 1948 Mrs. Ida Ruth Pickersgill, wife of John W. Pickersgill of Main Street, died Tuesday morning at 7:30 o’clock at Kane Community hospital where she had been a patient since Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Pickersgill had been confined to her room since last December because of ill health and on Saturday she suffered a broken hip in a fall, which finally resulted in her death. She was born May 9, 1861, the Daughter of Joseph and Katherine Oviatt of Smethport, pioneer settlers of this area and had resided here her entire lifetime. She was married in Olean on Nov. 26, 1890. Just previous to her illness she entertained at a family diner in observance of their 57th wedding anniversary. She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal church, Smethport. Survivors include her husband, John W. Pickersgill; three children, Arthur of Smethport and Ghordis Pickersgill of Tidioute and Mrs. Theodore Schmitt of Smethport, two grandchildren, Mrs. Carmen Buck of Tidioute and Jack pickersgill of Smethport, One great grandchild, Barbara Ann Buck of Tidioute, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah Armstrong also survives, A nine-year-old son, Gaylord, died in 1911. Funeral services will be held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from the home of Arthur pickersgill in Green Street with the Rev. Rodney F. Cobb, officiating. Burial will be made in the family plot in Rose Cemetery. Mrs. Pickersgill and her husband are well known Through the Smethport area for their fine bakery products that have issued from their bakery, which they have conducted for many years in Smethport.

John Pickersgill, Retired Baker, Dies at Age 90 McKean County Democrat Smethport, PA, Thursday May 9, 1957 John William Pickersgill, a retired Smethport baker, who celebrated his 90th birthday a month ago, died Friday at 1:05 A.M. at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aletha Pickersgill. He had been in poor health for several years and his condition became serious about the time of his last birthday. He was born in Castle BylTham, Lincolnshire, England, on April 8, 1867, and came to the United States at 13. Mr. Pickersgill married Ida Oviatt, a member of one of Keating Township’s pioneer families, and the resided in Oakmont from 1890 until 1899, when they moved to Smethport. Mr. and Mrs. Pickersgill conducted a bakery at the corner of W. Main Sts. For almost 50 years. She died in 1948. Mr. Pickersgill was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Other survivors include two sons, Ghordis F., Tidioute, and Arthur W., Smethport; two grandchildren, one great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. The Rev. Arthur B. Cope, rector of St. Luke’s Church, conducted a funeral service Monday afternoon at the Fry Funeral Home. Pallbearers were John Hungerford, A. Z. Hileman, Joseph Kerns, Elmer Quirk, Carlion Kohn And R. k. Palmer. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Pickersgill Bakery: present day St. Elizabeth Parking Lot

photo credit: Jesse Struble