Charles Muckinhoupt

Former City Councilman, Charles Muckinhoupt, died early this morning.  He would have been 90 on July 22.

One of Meadville's oldest citizens and for many years a prominent businessman, he played a leading role in the transformation from horse and buggy to automobile days.

He was born July 22, 1862, in Woodcock Township.  He received his education in township schools and began his business career when he opened a livery stable at Saegertown.

In 1894, he and a brother, Alton, came to Meadville and opened a livery stable here.  They operated the livery, bought, traded and sold horses until 1919.  During that time, they estimated they dealt with about 2,500 horses.

When the automobile began to make inroads in the livery business, he and a son, Harry, kept abreast of progress by opening a gasoline station.  Later, that gave way to a second-hand store business.  All of the local enterprises were conducted in the building at the northwest corner of Market and Center Streets.  Altogether, he was in business at the site for more than 50 years.

Only two years ago, Mr. Muckinhoupt and his family recalled how he had survived four serious accidents.  The first was in 1899, when he was thrown 165 feet and both his horses were killed when a train struck his carriage near where the National Bearing plant was located.  In 1916, he and his wife, who died in 1935, both were seriously injured in a head-on auto crash at Newark, OH.  In 1923, he was struck by a car in Erie, and in 1944 he was struck by a car here on Park Avenue.

He had been confined to a bed by a stroke since March of 1950.

Mr. Muckinhoupt served one term as city councilman during the administration of Mayor William Jones (1926-29).  He ran for county commissioner on the Democratic ticket in an election that ended in a tie.  He was defeated in the runoff.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and at one time was a member Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. John I. Minium of Meadville, two sons, Dr. Frederick H. Muckinhoupt and Harry B. Muchinhoupt, both of Meadville; three grandchildren, Diane and Dale Muckinhoupt and Mrs. Marilyn Snyder, all of Meadville; two great-grandchildren; his brother, Alton of Meadville; a sister, Mrs. Alice Burch of Meadville; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.