(Editor’s note: Information for this article comes from an article in the Tyrone Past Times newsletter and from the August 9, 1957 edition of The Daily Herald)
This Sunday the Tyrone History Museum continues to highlight Tyrone’s historic past with two special mini exhibits. Items and pictures will focus on the Wilson Chemical Company and the Tyrone Sheridan Troop.
In the late 1800s, Dr. James Wilson, a prominent local physician, created a formula that became the White Cloverine Brand Salve. In 1885, Dr. Wilson’s son, George C. Wilson Sr., founded the Wilson Chemical Company and began manufacturing and marketing the salve.
The existence of the chemical company in Tyrone had a huge and lasting impact, as thousands of people earned a living there over a period of almost a century. The plant usually employed 125 people or more, and other jobs were related in connection with the business, including the loading of railroad cars and supplies of materials that were needed in the plant.
The volume of mail order business generated by the company was so great that it put Tyrone on the map.
By the year 1916, the company was responsible for over $100,000 of postage business at the Tyrone post office, allowing for home delivery of mail to Tyrone residents free of charge.
The original plant was forced to move when the property was taken over by the state for the construction of the Route 220 bypass (now Interstate 99). The business continued to operate at a different Tyrone location until 1985.
The Wilson family owned the company for over 90 years and the salve is still being produced and sold today. The business was acquired by Medtech Laboratories in Cody, Wyoming and is available through mail order catalogs and certain drug outlets.
Tyrone’s famous Sheridan Calvary Troop was founded on July 15, 1871 by Captain C.S.W. Jones, an officer during the Civil War. The historic troop was named for General Philip Sheridan of Civil War fame.
Among a few of their historic accomplishments were the wars they fought in, the fact they responded nine times to the call of Governors of Pennsylvania, they were present during the inauguration of four American Presidents, and were called out several times for strike duty, and performed guard duty in Tyrone immediately after the flood of 1936..
During its long and colorful past, the troop had four homes. An armory in Sinking Valley, a frame armory in Warriors Mark, a large store room in Bellwood and the brick armory in Tyrone. The Sheridan Troop was mustered out of federal service in November of 1945 and reorganized in March of 1947.
These two mini-exhibits are on display during the museums winter hours which include Sundays and Wednesdays from one until four p.m. at the museum located in the new Tyrone Railroad Station building.
